Messages of God's Love: 1905

The answers are to be found in First and Second Timothy, and the first letter of each answer, will spell who Christ Jesus came into the World to save.

Give the words following these, “justified in the Spirit.”

Give the verse containing the words,
“that men pray everywhere.”

Give the whole of the verse where these words are found. “The Lord knoweth them that are His.”

Give the verse that follows the one containing these words, “all men forsook

What was the name of Timothy’s mother?

Give the whole verse containing the words,: “father,” “younger men,” and “brethren”

Who are to count their own masters worthy of all honor?

Messages of God’s Love 1/1/1905

A Converted Mahometan

Salim Effendi was a Turk, a native of Hamadra, and a follower of the false prophet Mahomet. Taught from his childhood to regard Mahomet as greater than our Lord Jesus Christ, and to receive Mahornet’s book, the Koran, as God’s word, he might have lived and died quite ignorant of God’s dear Son, and God’s precious book, the Bible, if it had not been for the Lord’s grace towards him in causing a little tract on Repentance, printed in the Turkish language, to fall in his way. This tract had been written and printed by Christian men anxious for the souls of poor ignorant Mahometans; and when Salim read it, the Spirit of God awakened in his heart an earnest desire to know the truth. The tract referred him to the Bible, and Salim sought everywhere to get a sight of that most valuable of all books. He went from place to place to find the holy book, as he called it; but, alas! in that dark, dark land he sought in vain. Nowhere could he find it; and at last he began to despair of meeting with that which alone could direct him to the Saviour of sinners. How thankful ought we to be, who live in a land of Bibles, that God has so richly blessed us with His word. How terrible would it be for an anxious soul to go from town to town, from county to county, and not be able to find so much as one leaf of that blessed book! Poor Salim was so much in earnest that he could not rest without God’s book. and therefore. leaving his business to his eldest son, he devoted himself to the search; and at last, on coming to the town of Salonica, the Lord caused him to meet with one of the American missionaries, from whom, to the great joy of his heart, he not only obtained a copy of the Scriptures in the Armenio-Turkish language, but was also taught to read that character, that he might learn from God’s word the way of salvation. The missionaries helped him too, and by God’s grace he and all his family became Christians. Now followed persecution, for the Turks hate the Lord Jesus Christ and all His people. Having removed to Constantinople with his family, Salim, who now was called Edward-Williams, was informed against by a near relative, who told the Government officers that Salim Effendi had turned Christian. The consequence of such a report was death to any one at that time, and poor Salim and his family were now in great danger; but the Lord, who Watches over His own, delivered Edward Williams and his family out of the hands of their persecutors. The American missionaries, with true brotherly love, got the whole family put on board of a ship bound for Malta, a country which belongs to England, and where no one can be put to death for his religion.

There he and his family were all baptized in the name of Williams, and after staying there three years, he returned to Constantinople, where he now lives, and openly preaches the gospel of the grace of God without molestation. May the Lord use him to the conversion of many poor blind Mahometans, that they too may know the blessedness of coming to that precious blood which alone cleanseth from all sin.

And now just one word to you, my clear young readers. Just think for a moment over this little history. If one little tract was so blest to this dear man and his family, how is it that some of you read tracts and good books, and even the Bible itself, again and again, and yet do not get the blessing poor Salim got? He was a Turk, brought up in ignorance of Christ, and taught to believe in a false prophet. You are perhaps the children of Christian parents, are surrounded by Christians, have heard of Jesus Christ over and over again, have no doubt been prayed for and talked to, and yet have not believed the good news of salvation. Oh, beware, lest the very multitude of mercies the Lord has surrounded you with should prove the cause of your ruin! Because these things are so common, it may be you think nothing of them; whereas, if you had never heard of Jesus till this moment, it is not unlikely that the wondrous tale of love revealed in the gospel of His grace would arrest your attention, and bring you at once to His feet. Think of this. Read about the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Think who He is; what He has done; how He loves; and go to Him, cast yourselves upon His grace, believe in His precious blood—and you shall be saved.

Messages of God’s Love 1/1/1905

How Is It With You?

A MOTHER and her little girls were playing some years ago at hide and seek together.

When again it was mother’s turn to hide, she having already tried several places only to be found out by the sharp eyes and ready wit of the little ones, sought a more secure hiding place. A large empty packing-case stood upside down on the landing, and while the little girls were out of sight, she crept under it, and was thus completely hidden. The search began, and every place that the children could think of was looked into in vain. They peeped into the closets, crept tinder the beds, looked behind the doors, glanced up the chimney, but nowhere could their mother be found. Again and again they renewed their search, but all in vain, until at last, convinced that no place had been left untried, their boisterous mirth sank into silent amazement, and they began to look wonderingly at each other. Now, although they were very young, they were not too young to understand a truth which their mother had taught them, namely, that believers are not to look for death, but for the coming of the Lord, and that although they may die before He comes, it is their happy privilege not to wait for that, but, having “turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,’ to wait for His Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:9-10). They had been taught that the coming of the Lord into the air (1 Thess. 4:17) for His own, may occur at any moment, and that when He does so come all . believers raised or changed (1 Cor. 15:51-52) will be caught away, and all others left behind (Matt. 25:11-12). I am sorry to say that at this time these little girls were not believers in the Lord’ Jesus Christ, for as yet the truths they had been taught seemed only to be held in the head, and not in the heart. But now, after having searched every place they could think of only to find that their mother was not there, they suddenly remembered the truth she had so carefully taught them as to the coming of the Lord, and the solemn consequences to all who are not “found in Him” at that moment, and as they stood together near the great packing case in silent bewilderment and alarm, she from within her hiding place hard them say to each other at last, “The Lord has come and mother is gone!” Of course she speedily put an end to their fears before they became too painful to bear, by coming out, to their glad surprise; but you may depend upon it those children never forgot the solemn lesson so unintentionally given, and by which an all-important truth was pressed upon their young hearts in a moment of thoughtless play. I am glad to say they afterwards found rest from all their fears in Him whose precious “blood cleanseth from all sin,” and now, as believers in Him, can look not with dread, but hope for His coming. How is it with you?

Messages of God’s Love 1/1/1905

Teddie and the Frog

HOW kind and thoughtful, as well as amused, is the expression on the little boys face as he watches the frog. God would have us consider all His works and surely we cannot help but see a vast difference between what God has made and what man has made. All creation tells us of God’s wondrous wisdom as a creator, and the Lord said, “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.” Luke 12:27. Solomon was one who had every grand thing on earth that man could get, and for all that, his grandeur was nothing to be compared with even a lily. It is an easy matter for man to destroy what God has made, but he can never replace it; and yet how often we find people thinking 4 great deal mote of some little thing that man has Made, than of praising God for all His wonderful works.

God’s name would surely be above all that He had created and the psalmist could say under the guidance of, the Spirit. “THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME.” Psa. 138:2.

So, dear children, seeing that God has put such value to His word, how we too should value it and seek to learn all we can of it. It is in it alone that we learn
anything about the heart of God, that is, His love, also His character as a righteous and holy God. We cannot learn these three attributes of His in creation; so how needful that we should read His word ‘at every opportunity.

It tells us how God dislikes sin and how He punishes man for sin; it tells us of His love for man, which was so great that He gave His only Son to bear the final punishment for whosoever would believe in Him. It tells us that “after death comes the judgment.” Now I leave you with this one verse, trusting von will search the word of God more than ever, “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.

Little children, heavy-laden,

With your sin and woe,

Come to Jesus, He invites you,

Wants you so.

Let His own sweet word of promise

Drive away all doubt,

“Come to Me,” saith He, “I’ll never

Cast you out.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/1/1905

The Flying Fish

HERE, we have before us another wonder of God’s creation. Wherever we may look, up in the air, down on the ground or into the depth of the sea we are made to exclaim how marvelous are all Thy works.

Many of you may never have seen a flying-fish. While it is called that, it is not that it is able to fly and turn around in the air as a bird can do. It seems to support itself in the air with its fins but gets its power to move in the air from the force it strikes the- water, with its fins, as it leaves it In. this way it can often eacape from its enemy beneath.

The day is surely not far distant when all shall dwell in peace. This will be brought about by the Lord Jesus corning back here and reigning. When He comes to reign He will put down all authority and will bind. Satan in the bottomless pit so that he will not be able to deceive people for a thousand years. Then all shall be at rest. The flying-fish will not need to try and get away from its enemy beneath. The lamb won’t be afraid of the lion and people won’t go to war any more. What a blessed time that will be for this world. But that shall have an end.. It will only be for a thousand years. The Lord Jesus will show in that time that He has not only been the perfect Man while He was here on earth and thus glorified God but because He has died for man who was a sinner and thus got His right to take all out of the hands of Satan, He will then glorify God in ruling over this world in righteousness and all shall be in peace.

So it is not only that the Lord Jesus has died for us so that we need not bear the judgment which we deserve and also take us to heaven to share the glory with Himself, but this earth will have that great blessing — peace everywhere, the fruit trees bearing plentifully and the fields giving forth abundance.

How all this shows us what a wonderful- work the Lord Jesus accomplished on the cross. May we rejoice in this and praise Him for all He has accomplished.

Messages of God’s Love 1/8/1905

My Grandfather's Conversion

I WANT to tell you, children, about my grandfather’s conversion. Do you know what conversion is? When God gives you to believe in the Lord Jesus you are saved, or as we say, converted. My grandfather was a very dear old gentleman. I am sure you would all have loved him. But he was unsaved. My father used to speak to him about the precious things of the Bible, but he did not seem to care for them, although he would argue about them. When he was seventy-three years old his health began to fail, and it may be that he sometimes thought that he would soon have to die. But he would talk to no one of such matters. My father took every opportunity to speak to him of salvation in the Lord Jesus, and one day purchased some little books which he thought God might use to bless his soul. He did not take them directly to him, for he was afraid of merely rousing his opposition, but he left them in a spot where they would be likely to attract his attention.

One night, a short while after this, my grandfather showed a curious reluctance to retire to his bedroom at the usual time. One after another said “Good night,” until at last he was left alone with my father. Why would he persist in staying up? After a few minutes of silence he said quietly, “What a lovely verse that is in the first of Revelation!” My father could scarcely believe, his ears. Was this the reason why he would not go up to bed? “What verse?” he asked. “Why, the fifth verse, of course.” My father was amazed. “How long,” he asked, “how long is it since you saw the beauty of that verse?” “Well,” said the old gentleman, “since I read, not long ago, a little book entitled The Blood of Jesus.” This was one of the little books previously referred to. God had shown him through that book that the worst sinner may be cleansed by the blood of Jesus; for the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. No wonder, then, that now he loved the fifth verse of the first chapter of Revelation. And not only did he cling to that verse, but from that time until the Lord took him to Himself there was nothing gave him such joy as to read, or to hear read, the precious word of God.

May all who read this book be able to say with true hearts, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood . . . to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/8/1905

Life in Death, or the Open Bible

In the Castle of Carisbrooke, amongst other old dilapidated apartments, is a small upper room, where the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles the First, died, while a prisoner with her little brother Henry, within its precincts. There is no beauty in the room, but the associations connected with it are very precious and happy, especially for all who love the word of God, and have found peace with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). But let me tell you a little about Elizabeth The Princess was only fourteen years old, when with her brother, the little Duke of Gloucester, she was taken to the Castle, but eight months after her father had been executed. How sad it must have been to her to have been taken there, where her beloved father had been so little a time previously a prisoner also; and she now a poor fatherless girl, with only one companion in the prison-house — her little brother. Yes,

They bore her away from her palace fair,

They bore her away to a stranger’s care;

And they brought her hither with many a sigh,

Yes, they brought her hither to fade and die;

Like a rose transplanted from genial bowers,

To a place where the storm-cloud always lowers.

But we have every reason to conclude that Elizabeth was a Christian. She had been saved from many of the temptations of royalty by an accident which befell her when nine years old while running across a room, which caused a fractured leg. This was, perhaps, God’s way of making her a lover of good books — not being able to join much in children’s usual pastimes — and especially a lover of the Bible. Bibles were not so plentiful then as now. Two hundred and twenty years ago it was a rare thing to possess a Bible. But Elizabeth had one, and I will tell you how she came by it — a large and costly one it was.

When her father, the king, had been condemned to death, he was intensely anxious to see his children. Only two of them, Elizabeth and Henry, were in England. The queen with the other children had fled to other countries. It was not until the morning of his execution that Elizabeth and her brother were taken to have a last interview with their loving father. And oh! it was a most affecting one! Many kisses and embraces, and such kisses and embraces as love on the threshold of the grave well may bestow upon loved ones, the royal father lavished on his children, already fatherless in his sad eyes!

At this interview he gave to Elizabeth two seals, wherein were set two diamonds, and yet a more costly gift — his Bible, saying, “It hath been my great comfort and constant companion through all my sorrows, and I hope it will be thine.”

On the 16th day of August, 1650, the youthful royal prisoners entered the Castle, and on the eighth day of the next month Elizabeth was found in her bedroom, whither she had retired being very unwell, with her pale face resting on her father’s open Bible, as though she had but gently fallen asleep, her spirit having passed away, and her eyes having rested, as her last solace, upon the precious verses in the eleventh of Matthew, “COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” Happy Princess! A prisoner no longer! Her prison-house had indeed become to her the vestibule of heaven. She found — resting on Christ — liberty and life in death. Happy Princess!

That precious page! Those living words —

“Come unto Me and rest

“Ye weary, laden ones, recline

“For ever on My breast.”

Allured her soul: to these she turned

And resting there her eye,

Inspired by energy divine,

She passed beyond the bounds of time

And found it sweet to die.

May you, dear readers, know a like joy, and be all ready for death should it happen, or for the Lord’s presence should He come. Do think of the open Bible there, and of the sweet words which cheered the dying Princess; and if you have not as yet, Oh do now accept the find eternal rest in Him.

“Jesus only — He can give

Sweetest pleasure while you live:

Jesus only can supply

Comfort if you’re called to die.

Messages of God’s Love 1/8/1905

Now or Never

A DARING man, who was accustomed to get his living by collecting birds’ eggs in a very mountainous district, one day discovered a large nest on a rocky ledge, some distance down a steep and dangerous cliff. He fixed his stake in the ground at the top, and succeeded in letting himself down opposite the ledge; but, in order to reach it and gain a footing, he had to swing himself right under the overhanging cliff, and give a spring. He managed to gain the ledge safely, but in his eagerness forgot for a moment the rope, which slipped out of his grasp. and swung right out of reach. In another instant he saw his danger and realized that unless he at once caught the rope, as it swung towards him, he would be lost, because each time the rope came its approach would be less near than before. He gave one good spring, caught the rope as it swung towards him. and was saved. Is not this a word for you, my reader? The gospel is like the rope, and, whether you know it or not, you are in quite as dangerous a position as that man was. Every time you hear the preaching of the glad tidings of the death and resurrection of Christ, or attend Sunday school, the Gospel rope is swung within your reach again, and it is for you to take hold of it at once, to avail yourself of the escape from the awful wrath and judgment, to come while you may. Every swing of the rope was further from the man, and, unless he had promptly availed himself of the NOW, it might have been NEVER.

Dear reader, the Gospel rope is swung towards you again, salvation is offered you once more. Jesus says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out;” and if you come He will not turn you. away. Do not delay, but come at once. He is waiting to receive. Now is the day of salvation.

Messages of God’s Love 1/8/1905

The Baker Boy Brandenburg

In Brandenburg long since there dwelt

A blithesome baker’s boy,

Who told the gladness which he felt,

By singing songs with joy;

His heart thus fill’d with pleasant thought.

With cheerfulness he daily wrought,

And lighten’d his employ.

No vicious songs attun’d his voice,

Nor nonsense did he sing;

The youth had made a wiser choice,

And struck a truer string;

With joyful heart he lov’d to praise

The Lord, in all His works and ways,

And soar on worship’s wing.

One hymn he learnt,—by Neumarek penn’d,—

A new and truthful song:—

That God is still our faithful Friend,

Though trials He prolong.

The opening line the whole conveys;-

“Leave God to order all thy ways,”

All’s well, though seeming wrong.

This pleasant hymn, sung by the youth

While he his work perform’d,

So charm’d his townsmen, that, forsooth,

They all around him swarm’d,

To learn of him the cheerful strain,

Which freed their hearts, as from a chain.

And ev’ry bosom warm’d.

Some, still, there are, who love to sound.

Their God and Father’s praise,

Who have in Him a refuge found

Through clear, and cloudy, days;

To Him they lift the heart and voice.

And while they in Himself rejoice,

They learn, and love, His ways.

O child of God, in Him delight.

Rejoice, rejoice again,

For this will put your griefs to flight,

Your yielding heart sustain!

Sound out your joy, in God be glad,

And you will others, like the lad,

Attract to join the strain.

Messages of God’s Love 1/8/1905

Snow

HOW the children rejoice when the first snow of the season comes. They like to see the trees, house tops and ground covered with the clean white snow. But it is like everything else in this world, it pleases for a little while and very soon they become tired of it—it cannot satisfy.

But God has given us that which can satisfy and cause us to rejoice continually.

First, I would write to you about what Scripture says about snow and what rest and satisfaction comes from knowing we can be made whiter than snow.

Job says, “If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shalt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.” There was nothing so clean, on the earth, as snow water, so if one were to be washed in that, it could only clean the outside but would never make one fit for God. But there is another Scripture which says, ‘“PURGE ME WITH HYSSOP; AND I SHALL BE CLEAN: WASH ME, AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.’ Ps. 51:7.

What you may ask, does it mean to be “purged with hyssop”? Hyssop is a very small plant and is used in Scripture in contrast to the cedars of Lebanon. The cedar is the great tall tree. So if we are to be purged with hyssop it must be to take your true place as nothing before God—-as one that has nothing to bring to God but sin Then what is it to be washed? It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses from all sin and those in heaven sing that song; Unto that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

So that which can wash us in God’s sight and make us whiter than snow, is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is for everybody, but it is only those who believe in the Lord Jesus who get the benefit. What rest and satisfaction it gives to the heart to know our sins are all put away and we are clean before God — made whiter than snow.

Once you know what that is, you will never want it to be changed and you will rejoice too that God will never change it. You may be very glad to see the first snow of the seasons and glad to see the last snow and know that spring will soon come. That is the way with all here — constantly changing and we are never satisfied with it; but what God has done for us through the Lord Jesus Christ, causes us to rejoice and be satisfied forever.

Messages of God’s Love 1/15/1905

A Saviour of Sinners

J—-B—-had a son twelve year’s old, called Arthur. Arthur was ill, and away from home some twenty or thirty miles at the time we speak of.

J—-B—-was only a farm laborer, and so it was at considerable cost to himself that he brought his son home, in the hope that, as there ‘was to be some gospel preaching in the Village in which he lived, he might be able to barrow a cart, and in it to bring his son under the sound of the word of God. But God’s way was not J— way; for when the day for the preaching had come, Arthur was too ill to leave the house, which was very out of the way. J— B— did not like to ask the servant of God to go so far, but the circumstances coming to his knowledge a visit was paid to the lad, and opportunity was found for seeing him alone.

Arthur was unused to expressing his thoughts, so that it was difficult: for a stranger to make much headway with him; but God had, purposes of blessing. for him, and soon his state of soul came out. He was a sinner, and he knew it—-a convicted sinner, and he felt his danger. God was holy, he knew this; but one thing he did not know, though light as to this was about to break into his soul, and convey peace and joy by its reception.

“Arthur, do you believe that Christ died for bad people?”

“No!” a decided “No!” was the answer. “

You think He died for good people?”

“Yes;” was the emphatic reply.

How common is Arthur’s thought today! How many a dear, trembling, sin-laden soul is kept from the Saviour by this device of Satan! not bad enough to need a Saviour until convicted of sin, and when convicted, too bad for the Saviour to save.

Two texts were found in Arthur’s Bible, read and re-read, and taught to Arthur until he could repeat them by heart; the place being marked, and the page turned. down.

They were “Christ died for the ungodly,” Rom. 5:6. And, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

More was said about the grace and love of Christ in bearing our sins, and the place in which God has put the sin-bearer; was shown that if Christ died for good people, none could benefit from His work; “for there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not.” Eccl. 7:7.

Arthur believed the word of God, the message of salvation, and then in simple, faith took firm hold of that last verse of John 3, He that believeth on ‘the Son hath everlasting life.” And ere the servant of God left, both knelt on the floor of the cottage, and thanked God for sending His Son:to die for bad people.

Two days later Arthur was seen again, and there seemed good cause to think the work was of God.

Some short little after two of those who take the place of God’s servants upon earth, hearing off what had been done; visited Arthur, and told him that all he had heard was wrong, and that none could know they were saved until after the “day of judgment.” Arthur, after this, never spoke of eternal things until some two months after he was first visited. He was then evidently dying, and knew it; so calling his parents, and brothers, and sisters, round him, he told them he was going to be with Jesus, that he knew he was going to heaven, that all his sins were forgiven him for Jesus’ sake, and exhorted them all to come to him there. Then he sent for the laborers in the farm-yard, and bare witness of the love of God to him, and the desire he had that they too should share it. An old saint of God writes, “Such a scene of triumph and blessing he had never seen before.”

Arthur passed away that same evening to be forever with the Saviour who died for sinners.

Reader, you are a sinner; Christ died for sinners, and year are invited to believe on him. God says, “Be it known unto you ... that through THIS MAN is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Acts 13:38-39. Confess His name as Saviour, and learn to live for Him who is your Lord.

“Whosoever ... shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/15/1905

The Little Stranger

Though a man of very strict principles, no man ever enjoyed a joke more than Dr. Byron; he had a vast fund of humor and ready wit, and with children particularly, he loved to chat familiarly and draw them out. As he was on day passing into the house, he was accosted by a little boy, who asked him if he wanted any vegetables. The Doctor inquired if he was a market man. “No, sir; my father is,” was the prompt answer.

The Doctor said, “Bring me in some vegetables” and passed into the house, afterwards sending out some money. In a few moments the child returned, bringing back the change. The Doctor told him he was welcome to it; but the child would not take it back, saying his father would blame him. Such strange manners in a child attracted his attention, and he began to examine the boy attentively. He was evidently poor; his jacket was pieced and patched with every kind of cloth, and his trousers darned with so many colors that it was difficult to tell the original fabric, but it was scrupulously neat and clean withal. The boy very quietly endured the scrutiny of the Doctor, while holding him at arm’s length, and examining his face. At last he said:

“You seem a nice little boy. Won’t you come and live with me, and be a doctor?”

“Yes, sir,” said the child

“Spoke like a man,” said the Doctor, patting his head as he dismissed him.

A few weeks passed on, when one day Jim came to say there was a little boy, with a bundle, down stairs, waiting to see the Doctor, and would not tell his business to anyone else.

“Send him up, was the answer; and in a few moments he recognized the boy of the vegetables; he was dressed in a new, though coarse, suit of clothes, and his hair nicely combed, his shoes brushed up, and a little bundle tied in a homespun checked handkerchief, on his arm. Deliberately taking off his hat, and laying its down with his bundle, he walked up to the Doctor, saying—

“I have come, sir.”

“Come for what, my child?”

“To live with you, and be a doctor,” said the child, with the utmost “naivete.”

The first impulse of the Doctor was to laugh immoderately; but the imperturbable gravity of the little thing rather sobered him, as he recalled, too, his former conversation, and he vowed he never felt so perplexed in his life. At the time he felt he needed no addition to his family.

“Did your father consent to your coming?” he asked.

‘Yes, sir.”

“‘What did he say?”

“I told him that you wanted me to come and live with you and be a doctor; and he said you were a very good man, and I might come as soon as my clothes were ready.”

“And your mother—what said she?”

“She said Dr. Byron would do just what he said he would, and God had provided for me. And,” said he, “I have on a new suit of clothes,” surveying himself “and here is another in the bundle,” undoing the handkerchief and displaying them, with two shirts, white as snow, and a, couple of neat checkered aprons, so carefully folded, it was plain none but a mother would have done it The sensibilities of the Doctor were awakened to see the fearless, the undoubting trust with which the poor couple had bestowed their child upon him, and such a child. His cogitations were not long; he thought of Moses in the bulrushes, abandoned to Providence; and, above all, he thought of the child that was carried into Egypt, and that the loving Saviour had even blessed the little children; and he called for the wife of his bosom, saying, “Susan, dear, I think we pray that God will have mercy upon all children.”

‘“To be sure we do,” said the wondering wife, “and what then?”

“And the Saviour said, ‘Whosoever receiveth one such little child in My name receiveth Me.’ Take this little child in His name and take care of him.” And from that hour this good couple received him to their hearts and home. It did not then occur to them that one of the most eminent physicians and best men of the age stood before them in the person of that child; it did not occur to them that this little creature, thus thrown upon their charity was destined to be their staff and stay in declining age—a protector and more than son to themselves; all this was then unrevealed; but they cheerfully received the child they believed the Lord had committed to their care; and if ever beneficence was rewarded, it was in this instance,

What a lesson we get from all this of simple trust. The little boy believed the Doctor and took him at his word. And if it was right for him to take a man at his word, how much more should we believe God. He says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Jesus says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Have you believed on Him? Will you trust Him?

There is an eye that never sleeps

Beneath the wing of night;

There is an ear that never shuts,

When sink the beams of light;

There is an arm that never tires

When human strength gives way;

There is a love that never fails

When earthly loves decay.

Messages of God’s Love 1/15/1905

The Stork

We have before us, this week, a very good picture of storks and their nest. It is a common thing for them to build their nests on some high chimney or steeple, but no doubt this is not their natural place, for when they are far from cities, towns or villages they build their nests in trees.

The stork is one of the few birds which appears to be quite dumb. The way in which it supplies this lack is by a clapping noise made by the long, horny beak, and this only when greatly excited, especially by the approach of a dog. It never makes use of its formidable bill offensively against any of its companions; and even submits peaceably to be taken up without much struggle. From the manner in which it is observed to search the grass with its bill, there can be no doubt that reptiles form part of its natural food; even mice, worms, and the larger insects. When searching in thick grass or in the mud for its prey, the bill is kept partly open; by this means it can take an eel in a pond with great skill. A small eel has no chance of escaping when once roused from its lurking place in this way.

The flight of the stork is extremely high, and they fly in large flocks, in some instances numbering many thousands.

It is very beautiful. The color is pure white, with the exception of a few feathers, which are black. The skin round the eye is black, the eyes are brown, and the beak, legs, and toes red. The length of the full-grown bird is about three feet six inches, and when erect, its head is about four feet from the ground.

This is another opportunity for us to think of God’s wisdom and power as a creator. Yet God is going to burn up this beautiful creation; He shall cause it to be melted with fervent heat. Do you know why God will do that? I expect some of you can answer. It is because of everything being spoiled by sin. So God will not leave a trace of the scene where sin is, and He will make a new heavens and a new earth where sin and all its results will never enter.

The way in which this will be accomplished is by Jesus having died for sin and thus redeemed those who believe in Him, and He will bring such into this new creation. May you remember, dear children, that the only way you can have part with the Lord Jesus in that new creation is by simply-believing in Him as the One. God sent to die for your sins. Thus He will make you sharer with Himself in all the victory He has gained over sin and all its effects.

Messages of God’s Love 1/22/1905

Be Ye Also Ready

NOT very long since a lady and her daughter were leisurely walking towards the C——railway station.

Evidently they intended to catch the train which was due at that minute.

However, they could not see any sign of its approach and thought that they were in good time.

Just then the train came steaming in and they hastened forward.

When there were only a few yards between them and the platform they ran, but just as the porter opened the carriage door and would have willingly assisted the ladies into the train, the mother, who was suffering from heart disease, fell down dead! The door was closed, the train passed on, and they were left behind.

What a sad scene it was! There was the prostrate form of the lady who, just a minute before, was apparently full of life and vigor; the poor daughter breaking her heart as she thought how she was left alone to mourn the loss of one she dearly loved, who had so suddenly been called out of time into eternity. Many to sympathize, but, alas! the poor lady was beyond the region of help.

And now, my dear reader, our reason for relating this sad incident is to awaken you to the fact that you need a Saviour. There is great danger if you neglect “so great salvation,” and put it off by saying, “There’s time enough yet”; because, should you die without a Saviour, there can be no escape from judgment. (Heb. 2:3.)

Death may ruthlessly disturb your false peace, and you may then, alas! discover too late your folly.

Oh, be wise in time! “Remember NOW thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” (Eccl. 12:1.) What is it that keeps you from coming to the Lord Jesus?

The work has been done. Jesus did it, and God declares in His Word that all is completed. What you have to do is to believe. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31.) Do hearken to His kindly entreaty and come to Jesus NOW.

“HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE, IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION.” Heb. 2:3.

Messages of God’s Love 1/22/1905

John and the Nail Hole

JOHN,” said a father to his son, “bring me a hammer, a nail and a pine board.”

“Yes, father, here they are,” said John. “Now, my boy, drive that nail into the board.”

John did so, saying, “That’s easy enough.”

“Pull it out again.”

“Oh! that is very easy, father,” said John, as he pulled it out.”

“Now, John,” and the father’s voice lowered, “pull out the nail hole.”

Ah! that was harder, in fact, John could not do it, and had to confess his inability.

John’s father was a Christian, and by the simple illustration sought to teach him a lesson which I desire to bring before my young readers.

It is easy to commit sins — very easy —easier, in fact, than it was for John to drive the nail into the board; but when once committed, a dark stain is left that you can no more get out than could John pull out the nail hole.

Every boy and girl who reads this book has committed sins. God says, “All have sinned,” and that little word A-L-L does not leave one out; and having sinned, there are dark stains on your soul, and I ask you what are you going to do?

A great many people try to forget all about their sins, but this will not help them at all, for they are all recorded in God’s book, and He does not forget them.

It is a wonderful thing to know that heaven — that blessed home where Jesus dwells — will be filled with people who once were on this earth; but everyone in that home will be spotless; not a single stain of sin will be seen on any of them, all their garments will be whiter than snow. Were it not so they could not be in heaven, for God’s word says, “There shall in no wise enter in ought that DEFILETH,” and sins are defiling, so that there will not be a single person in heaven whose sins have not been put away.

Now, how can sins be put away? Soap and water cannot do it. Your mother may wash the dirt from your face and clothes, but she could never wash the sins from your soul. You may be very sorry for your sins — and it is right that you should be sorry—but your tears will never put them away. Trying to be good will not do it, for you know that the more you .try to be good the worse you are.

I remember speaking to some dear children about the Saviour and His love, and at the close of my address, I said, “Now, I want one of you dear boys to choose a hymn, and we will all sing it.” One little fellow put up his hand and said, “Please, sir, may we sing:

“‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.’ “ We did sing it, and this is the answer to this all-important question, What can put away sin?

“Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.” Yes; it is only through the blood of Jesus. If today we could gather in one company every saved person in heaven and on earth, and ask them how their sins were put away, they would all reply, “Through the blood of Jesus.” The little boy who chose the hymn knew it. An old man, who had known Jesus as his Saviour for over sixty years, said to me: “It is all through the blood.” He knew it too. Yes; it cleanseth old and young, and rich and poor, and all who are saved will be saved because Jesus shed His precious blood.

Now, I am sure that my young friends want to be saved some day; you would not like to be shut out of heaven, but you will be, if your sins are not put away, for Jesus said, “If ye die in your sins, where I am ye cannot come,” and as you cannot say when you will die, today is the time — you must be saved NOW.

A boy of nine came to a gospel meeting that I held some time ago in Scotland, and at that meeting he found out that he was a sinner; he went home very miserable, and during the night his sobs awoke his father; his father came to his bedside to know the cause of his grief. “Oh! father,” he said, “I am so bad, that I am sure God will not save me.” His father was a Christian, and knew that God could save the very worst of sinners, so he sat beside his little son and told him that Jesus came to die for sinners, and that His precious blood could cleanse even him from all his many sins. The dear boy trusted Jesus that night, and though he was a great sinner, yet he found that Jesus was a great Saviour, and that all his sins which had made him so miserable, and fitted him for hell fire, could be washed away by Jesus’ precious blood. He came to tell me about it the next day, and bright indeed did he look as he confessed the precious name of Jesus. At our next meeting he joyfully sang: “Though my sins were red like crimson,
Deep in scarlet glow,
Jesus’ precious blood has made them
White as snow.”

I trust my young reader will get the blessing that this dear boy got. Do not say that you are not as bad as others, because God says, “There is no difference. You need this loving Saviour, and He wants to save you, trust Him now. There cannot be any doubt at all about the love of Jesus, He has proved it by coming to die for sinners. He came to bear sin upon the cross, and to endure God’s judgment that sinners might be saved. Now He is alive from the dead and crowned with glory in heaven. He is not only a loving Saviour, but a victorious and glorious Saviour too. God wants you to bow your knee to Him, and open your lips to confess Him. Jesus calls to you too. He says, “Come unto me,” and if you come, He will not only save you from hell and put all your sins away, but He will make you happy now and give you pleasure for evermore.

A great many people think that if they turn to Jesus they will be very unhappy and never have any more pleasure, but they are deceived. All who are going in for this world’s pleasures are deceived. When in the West Indies, I remember seeing a horse feeding greedily upon grass which had been dried up by the hot sun; ongoing nearer, I found that he had some very fine green net bound round his eyes. Then I knew that the horse was DECEIVED, through the green net the dried grass looked fresh and green, and that was why he went on feeding upon it. Ah! I thought, that is what the devil does, he blinds the eyes of men and women and boys and girls to the truth about the world, and the things that are in it, so that they go on feeding and feeding and feeding upon its poor dried-up and parched pleasure when they might have the true joy that Jesus gives. Oh! boys and girls, don’t you be deceived by Satan; turn to Jesus, trust Him now, then you will be washed from your sins, made happy now, and have heaven to look forward to as your bright and eternal home.

“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/22/1905

A Canal in Holland

WHAT a lively scene we have before us. Although the canal is frozen over it has not stopped the industrious Hollanders from going on with their work and their travel. Unable to use their boats they can use their sleds and skates so they are making good the intelligence that God has given them and adapting themselves to the circumstances.

But I wonder if they are remembering that God is the One they are dependent upon for their intelligence and giving thanks to Him for all His benefits.

I expect they are just like many others going on without God. That is just the way of the natural heart. Man does not like to retain God in his knowledge. You will remember, no doubt, the lesson we get from the prodigal in this connection. He wanted to enjoy all the things he got from his father, but he wanted to enjoy them away from his father. May you dear children not seek to enjoy the many things God has given you without receiving them from His hand and thanking Him for them.

Above all, thank Him for the gift of His Son, for it is by Him He has given us all things — things for time and things for eternity.

Messages of God’s Love 1/29/1905

Why? or It Was for Me

A SHORT time ago I was begged to visit a sick man, who was not expected to live long. I found him in a state of terrible suffering; one leg had to be amputated, and the other was decaying by degrees. He knew that his time was short, and he told me he was doing all he could to trust in the Lord Jesus. He professed to believe in Him, and decidedly thought that it was the duty of every one to do so; but he was troubled by the thought that he couldn’t feel that he trusted Him enough. I spoke to him of the sufferings of the Lord on the cross; of His infinite love, of His grace, of the sacrifice of Himself; so that at last the poor man—deeply moved—exclaimed over and over, “Ah, I must trust Him more; I wish I could put my whole confidence in Him. I do not trust Him enough yet, to feel sure I am safe.”

Seeing he was trying to lean on his faith in Christ rather than on Christ Himself, I said to him, “Do you know why the Lord was forsaken on the cross?”

“Oh!” said he, “He was not really forsaken, He only thought Himself forsaken. He never could have been really; I’m quite sure of that.”

I read to him Mark 15:24, and a portion of Psa. 22, and asked him if he did not see there a real forsaking?

“Yes,” said he, after a few moments’ reflection, “I see it now. I never fully understood those passages. I knew He had never done anything that merited His being forsaken of God, and the only solution I could find to this problem was that He thought Himself to be abandoned, but that He was not in reality. This explanation of the matter, however, never fully satisfied me. I cannot really understand it. Can you tell me why He was forsaken on the cross?”

With the deep feeling that the answer to that question should come from God, and from God alone, and that this exercised soul must weigh the matter with God, I answered:

“You know that Jesus was the Holy one of God, that He knew no sin, that before His birth the Holy Spirit spoke of Him as ‘that Holy Thing that shall be born of thee,’ that His whole life here below was not only without spot, but perfectly agreeable to God in all things, that the voice that came from heaven said of Him, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,’ and yet He exclaimed on the cross, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’

The attention of the poor man was thoroughly riveted. “Tell me,” he exclaimed, “tell me why? I cannot understand it; it’s entirely above my reach.”

It was getting late, about nine o’clock in the evening, so after a short prayer to ask the Lord to enlighten him, I left the sick man, begging him to ask God to show him why His beloved Son was forsaken on the cross, and to make him see also since the Father could not possibly find anything in Christ to cause Him to forsake Him, if the motive for it could not be elsewhere.

When I went to see him the next day I found him calm and full of deep joy.

“Well, have you discovered it?” It was not necessary to tell him what my question referred to. “Oh, yes,” exclaimed he with tears, “I have found it! The Lord Himself showed me it all last night. I could not sleep; I did not suffer, only a terrible weight on my heart till He had shown me all. I felt I must know why. I implored of Him to tell me, and He did. It was for me — for me! How wonderful it is! And when I shall see Him, I shall see the One who was forsaken for me. What a sight it will be! And it will last forever!”

“And what about your confidence now?” I asked him.

“Oh, don’t talk to me of my confidence,” said he, hiding his face in his hands. “Now, when I think of Him, and contemplate Him, I can’t bear to think of myself or of my confidence. Never shall I be able to trust Him enough, and as to loving Him. No, I
would not call it love, which I feel for Him, for His love for me is so wonderful, so blessed„ and eternal.”

“So you have no more efforts to make,” said I.

“Efforts exclaimed he, “no, none!

It is no longer trying to love Him. I can only rest in His love. Oh, what rest! What wonderful, blessed, unalterable love! And I deserve none of it, absolutely none! How much time and joy I have lost in trying to deserve it! I understand it all now; I was trying to merit His love, and to trust in Him, but now I can rest in His love—blessed be His name—rest in it forever. I can think of nothing now but Him and His love.”

A few weeks later this man, a pauper, living off his parish, left peacefully the scene of his sufferings and his poverty to be with the One, who had loved him so much as to lay down His life for him. Peace and joy filled his heart to the end, a calm, holy joy, and the peace which had been given to that poor, vile sinner, worthy of hell, by the blessed, unmerited, immutable love of Jesus. That man was a pauper, at the charge of his parish, and yet the possessor of the only true riches, wealthier than the most wealthy, the most powerful monarch, who has not found out for himself an answer to that wonderful—”Why?”

Reader, can you answer that question: Why was the Son of God forsaken? He who knew no sin, God made Him sin for us sinners; and it is on that account that He had to forsake Him. But He has glorified that same Jesus, and has made Him to sit down at His right hand in heaven; and soon He will bring Him back and manifest Him in glory in the very place where He was rejected, despised, and where men spit in His face, crucified Him, and where God, in the greatness of His love, and of His mercy towards man, forsook Him on the cross: “Every eye shall see Him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” When thou wilt see Him, reader, will it be to contemplate with joy the One who was forsaken for thee, or to tremble with terror before Him? God said: “Every eye shall see Him,” as truly those who are lost as those who are saved, as truly those for whom He was forsaken as those who pierced Him, or the careless, indifferent ones of to-day.

May God, in His mercy leave thee no rest until, like this man, who was rich, happy and joyful in the midst of poverty, contempt and suffering, thou canst say, “For me, it was for me.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/29/1905

God Knows

OVER the tiny grave of an infant, whose little body was the only one washed ashore at Lvdd, near Dungeness, from the wreck of the emigrant ship Northfleet, a slab has been placed without a name, and bearing only the simple inscription, “God Knows!” These words were spoken by the parish constable when he was asked by the undertaker what name he was to put on the coffin-plate. How could he tell? The little creature was unknown to all. Whence it had come, to whom it had belonged, what, had been its name, none knew but God alone; and so, as the parish constable looked on the tiny coffin and thought of the little stranger’s sad and sudden death in the deep sea, he could only shake his head, and say, “God knows!” And he spoke the truth, for God does know all about that little child and those to whom it once belonged. He saw it when the ship went down and the mighty waters overwhelmed it in its utter helplessness, and He permitted it. Perhaps He foresaw that if that little child had lived to grow up it would have become a rejector of Christ and a wicked person. He foresaw, too, perhaps, that because “THE WAY OF TRANSGRESSORS IS HARD.” Prov. 13:15. Even in this world, when grown up it would be wretched, with nothing before it, but “after death, the judgment,” and so in mercy took it to Himself; an unconscious infant saved in the power of that precious blood which “taketh away the sin of the world.”

I often think how many myriads—yes, countless myriads—of little children are now in heaven. I believe it would be as impossible to count them as it would be to reckon up the number of grains in the sand of the sea.” We know that numbers of little children die every day in all parts of the world. It is one of the sad fruits of sin; but, so far as they are concerned, we may truly say, “Our God hath turned the curse into a blessing;” for is it not a blessing to escape all the sins and all the sorrows and sufferings of this world, and all danger of everlasting misery? Of course it is. “God knows,” as the parish constable said; and so, because “God is love,” He takes multitudes of little ones home to heaven every year; and although death is the fruit of sin and the terrible proof of its power, He brings glory to Himself even out of that! What a wonder-working God He is! And when all those countless multitudes of saved little ones shall be seen

“Around the throne of God in heaven,”

clothed in glory, singing the praise of Him to whose love even unto death, the death of the cross, they owe all their happiness, when they see what might have been if they had lived long enough on the earth to sin against God by refusing Christ, Oh how they will adore the Saviour of sinners!

But you are older than the little infants of whom I speak; you can read and hear and think; and, sad to say it, you can even sin, perhaps have done so too often already in naughty ways and tempers. thoughts and words, and worse still, in not believing in Jesus! If so, it is very solemn to think that “God knows.” Do you ever think of this? It is with God that all of us have to do, even children who are old enough to think. You may please your parents, and, it is surely right to do so; but are you pleasing God? Not unless you have really come to Jesus. To hear and read about God’s blessed Son, and not to love Him, must surely be a very great sin in God’s sight. Are you guilty of this sin day after day? If so, remember “God knows.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/29/1905

Edith

LITTLE Edith says, “I am the guilty sinner Jesus came to save.” How good it is in the early days to know Jesus as ones’ personal Saviour. Not only does little Edith know this, but she is looking for the Lord Jesus to come.

Recently she went into one of the stores in a large city where they keep all kinds of expensive toys, and told them the size of her doll, and after measuring, ordered a hat for “Naomi” (as she called her doll) which was 50 cents, then a parasol for 25 cents, and a basket for 15 cents for “Naomi” to carry on her arm; and after selecting them, she told the clerk who waited on her, to put them away and when she saved the money, she would come for them. The saleswoman said, “You may never save enough,” but Edith replied, “If the Lord don’t come. I will.” “What,” said the saleswoman, “do you mean by the Lord coming?” Edith was surprised and said, “Don’t you know the Lord is coming?” She went home and told her mother, and said, “You must give me some tracts to take up there for they don’t know the Lord is coming.”

It is not only blessed to know these things, but to bear testimony to them as little Edith did and spread the good news around. We trust she will be kept faithful and that all our little readers, who know Jesus as their Saviour, will be ready to confess their Lord and tell others “the Lord is coming.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/29/1905

Bible Questions for February

Answers to Questions for December

1. "The Lord Jesus." 2nd. Thess 1:7.

2. "He therefore that," etc. 1St. " 4:8.

3. "Even Jesus," etc. 1St. " 1:10.

4. "Let no man deceive."etc. 2nd. " 2:3.

5. "One another." 1St. " 4:9.

6. "Rejoice evermore." 1St. " 5:16.

7. "Dead in Christ." 1St " 4:16
"THE LORD." 1St. " 4:17.

Bible Questions for February

Rewards will be given (D. V.) for correct answers received until May; 1905, to those not getting help from others or concordance. Answers to be sent in not later than the first of the next month with the age and address plainly written. Address. E. B. Hartt. Pella, Iowa.

The answers are to be found in the epistles to Titus and Philemon. and the first letter of each answer will spell what those who have believed in God arc to be careful to maintain.

1. What are Christ's peculiar people to be zealous of?

2. Of whom were these words spoken. "Which in times past was' to thee unprofitable?"

3. Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity?

4. Give the name of one of Paul's fellow laborers.

5. Give one thing that the grace of God teaches us to deny.

6. What are servants exhorted to be?

7. What are we told to do with a heretic after the first and second admonition?

8. Give one thing that old women are told to teach the young women to be.

9. Give one thing that was to be true of a bishop.

Messages of God’s Love 2/5/1905

Lost in the Woods

HAVE my little readers ever been lost in the woods? If not. you cannot fully realize the horrors connected with such a condition. I knew a young girl — only a child of fifteen years — who was once completely lost in a dark, dense forest.

There had been a severe storm during the previous night but with the morning's dawn the thunders had ceased and the threatening clouds rolled away. Although the rivulets to be crossed were swollen to unusual proportions, this young girl bravely ventured forth to reach a rural school house more than two miles distant.

The school district, which was extensively fissured by ravines was but sparsely settled, and owing to these obstacles, the insufficient number of scholars present were dismissed and our young friend started to return home.

Her mind was perhaps largely occupied with delusive dreams of what she intended to accomplish in the work of shaping her future destiny, for L—reveled in these treasured "day dreams," all of which were painted by fancy in gorgeous hues.

She had not yet learned the wondrous truth, that although "the lot is cast into the lap, yet the Lord has the disposing thereof", and even at that tender age had resolved to shape her destiny in accordance with her own ideas of achievement, regardless of God's overruling power.

It was merely a "happen so" as she thought, but this pre-occupation of her mind caused her to deviate into an unaccustomed road which ultimately led into the deep, dense forest.

An early retracing of her steps would have prevented much fatigue and almost maddening terrors, but in common with the world's votaries, she mentally contended that the ever narrowing path would eventually unite again with the road from which she had diverged, until she was so completely lost that return was impossible!

Each step now led her only more deeply into the forest's tangled depths, where traces of the night's fierce tempest were visible at every turn. Tall monarchs of the forest were blown to the earth, their branches often obstructing the narrow pathway, while the wind's solemn moaning among the trees sounded in her ears like a funeral dirge.

But even this dim and uncertain footpath was at length wholly obliterated, and thickets of briers and various undergrowth multiplied as she penetrated deeper into the solitudes of nature, overshadowed by the full consciousness that she was hopelessly lost!

Imagine the terrors of a helpless child, creeping through dense thickets, clamoring over fallen logs through a locality infested by poisonous reptiles, while torturing thoughts of other denizens of the forest known as catamounts and wildcats, which were still supposed to retain possession of the wilds, magnified the danger with their imagined crouching forms and fiery eyes!

And tales of old time Indian depredations in these very woods were well remembered. The decaying logs of an old fortification, known as "The Old Fort," which had been utilized in pioneer days for the preservation of the sparsely scattered settlers, was known to be located in these seemingly haunted woods!

Her distorted fancy could even now almost descry the red man's paint and feathers and hear his blood-curdling war-whoop as he rushed toward her!

The before familiar points of the compass too, appeared to have changed. The sun, to her excited vision, seemed to have deserted his accustomed western retreat and instead, was tending in an opposite direction; while the Creek — now swollen to the proportions of a miniature river — had the appearance of flowing up stream.

In the excitement consequent upon her danger, she had continued to run until exhaustion alone modified her pace; now she only dragged wearily along the margin of the muddy stream, draggled and torn by thorns, seeking vainly for a fallen tree upon which to cross over in her efforts to reach the home that was insanely imagined to be on the opposite side of the stream.

The sun too, was rapidly declining and the thought of darkness overtaking her alone in the solitary woods was almost maddening!

But what more could be done? She had almost entirely exhausted her own energies Only to learn the titter futility of each effort. She was the child of Christian parents. and had herself even at times felt an arrow of conviction rankling in her heart — the consciousness of being a sinner — yet the "god of this world" had as often whispered, "It will be time enough to think of these unwelcome things when you are older, Now is the time to make life a success," and she was ready to heed his admonition.

Now, however, there was a deepened consciousness that God alone could be depended upon to bring about deliverance! Amid the slush and gloom of the forest she sank upon her knees, where no eyes but His could see that she had reached the limit of human effort.

It was doubtless a weak and childish prayer, but it was heard by that One "Who hears even the young ravens when they cry", and it was answered. True. there was nothing miraculous in the response vouchsafed, but she arose from her knees with a less nervous tension and again started forward in her search for an exit from the woods.

It was but a few moments when a woodman's axe attracted her attention. Emboldened by a sense of need, she pressed forward through the pathless undergrowth, the sound becoming more and more distinct with every step of advance.

A burly countryman. who was felling a huge tree, paused in amazement at her appearance, his gaze soon changing to a look of pity as he beheld her wretched plight, and at once leaving his own work, guided her to the open highway where she was safe. And is not this incident a picture of the sinner, lost among the mazes of sin and human expectations? "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

Are you lost my young reader? Do not turn indifferently from this important question. Perhaps you are unconscious of the fact that you are indeed a lost sinner, but unless the Lord Jesus has found you and brought you from under Satan's power. you are truly lost and must trust your deliverance to Him.

L—. could never have found her way out of that dense forest alone; she was indeed wandering deeper and deeper into its depths, and night was coming on.

You too, my reader, if still a rejector of proffered mercy. are wandering farther away from God, and the night of death is fast approaching!

What would you think of L— had she refused the kind woodchopper's offer to lead her out into the open highway? My young friend, if you are unsaved, are you acting more wisely?

You — unlike her — may be wandering through scenes of life's varied pleasures, all of which are unstable and will soon vanish like bubbles floating in the air; but this world is Satan's Egypt and its pleasures lead only to' the regions of despair !

There is no human greatness! Turn now from the impending doom of darkness — the inevitable result of a Christless career!

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth !"

Messages of God’s Love 2/5/1905

Little Things

LITTLE foxes spoil the vines, so little sins spoil noble lives. "No harm in this." "No harm in that." "Everybody does it." "Plenty of time." These are Satan's silent suggestions to simple souls. Do you remember the little verse?—

"Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the beauteous land."

Little things accumulate to an alarming extent, and it may be true of most as it was of a speaker whom the writer heard say the following words: "The thoughts of my life have been many, but the sins of my life have been more." A lesson only learned in the light of God's love, as revealed in the person of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

How important a little thing may be. Two young women retired to rest one evening, leaving a gas-stove burning in their room. During the night a little mouse gnawed a small hole in the india rubber tubing through which the gas passed:

It was only a small mouse and a small hole, but the consequences were almost fatal to the sleepers, for the escape of gas was so rapid, that one of the girls quickly became unconscious, the other only awaking in time to raise an alarm. Both narrowly escaped with their lives. 1 wonder if they were ready if they had died. How important, children, that we should be ready.

God's word says, "Now is the accepted time." Perhaps you have removed the last letter of that little word "now," and made it "no" to many gospel appeals and earnest entreaties to come to Christ. Oh! believe the gospel, even now. Then you may read the word backwards. "won."

Won for Christ; and removing the letter "w" may read the word "on."

"On" the Lord's side.

"On" your way to the better land.

"On" your way to meet the Lord. who says, "Behold, I come quickly."

Messages of God’s Love 2/5/1905

An Escape from Death

MR. CHARLES, a well-known preacher in Wales, had once a remarkable escape from death. In one of his journeys to Liverpool, his saddle-bag was, by mistake, put into the wrong boat, which made it necessary for him to go by that one, although he had secured a place in another, By this change, so contrary to his intentions, he was providentially preserved ; for the boat in which he intended to travel was lost, and all the passengers were drowned. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." Psalm 37:23.

Messages of God’s Love 2/5/1905

The Sparrow

The Sparrow is one of the commonest of birds, having neither gay-colored plumage, nor an enlivening song; though it is active and brisk, and has a pleasing chirp.

From Matt. 10:29, etc., it appears that it was always looked upon as a very ordinary bird, for as the Lord Jesus, when addressing His disciples, said “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?” This question shows that it was not of much account in general estimation. But how blessed is the next word of the Lord respecting it! “And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” Thus, though two might be purchased for the smallest coin, yet that not even one of them should fall on the ground without the knowledge and permission of Him, who is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ! How wondrous is the thought “that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth,” should thus stoop to care for sparrows; and graciously acquaint us that “not one of them is forgotten before God.” How this tender grace of God prepares us for the soul-sustaining words of the Lord which follow: ‘‘FEAR YE NOT; THEREFORE; YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.” Matt. 10:31. Is He not worthy of the trust of those who, having believed in His beloved Son, can by the spirit of adoption call Him, Abba, Father?

Messages of God’s Love 2/12/1905

The Little Shoe Black

SOME time ago a Christian gentleman, in walking home one evening, found himself in the midst of a group of ragged lads—beggars, thieves, or both—who were talking, laughing, and swearing. He longed to do them good, so he stopped suddenly, put his back against the wall, and said, “Boys, listen to me, I have something to tell you — a sort of story.”

They were all silent for an instant, partly from astonishment, partly from curiosity. And in the plainest language he could use, he told them the story of the life, sufferings, and death of Christ.” Not a word or a sound interrupted him. Then as the end came nearer, and he tried with all his might to make the last awful scenes seem true to them, he heard an occasional shuffle as one and another tattered figure pushed nearer to hear how the Saviour had suffered for him. They listened with faces of awe, dirty enough, but solemn, to hear of the agony that made as it were drops of blood roll down His face; and when they heard of how He died, hanging by nails on a wooden cross, because they were wretched and wicked, sobs of uncontrolled emotion burst forth. Dirty hands wiped dirty faces, as he told them that now, while he spoke to them, He was standing amongst them, and that He loved them just as much as when He died upon the cross for them.

He finished his story, and no one said a word. Suddenly he said, “Now, lads, Jesus loved us very much, oughtn’t we to love Him? Who loves Him? Let everyone that wishes to love Him hold up his hand. I do;” and he held up his own.

They looked at one another; then one held his up. A little mass of rags, with only one shoe, and a little grimy face, half hidden in a shock of hair, scarcely confined by an old battered hat, with no rim, held up his dirty little hand. It was a touching spectacle!

One and another followed, till all the hands — just twelve in number — were up.

Then the gentleman said, “You all wish to love Him. Now, dear boys, hear what He says to those who love Him. ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments.’ “ A few words followed to show what this meant for them.

Before he parted from them, he gave them each some money to get a bed, and a penny loaf with.

About three weeks afterwards, as he was going under an archway, a little ragged shoeblack was cleaning at one side. After the customary “Clean your boots, sir,” the boy made a dive forward, and stood chuckling with delight in front of him. The gentleman had not the least idea who he was, and said with surprise, “Well, my boy, you seem to know me; and who are you?”

Please, sir, I’m Jack.”

“Jack? Jack who?”

“Only Jack, sir, please, sir.”

All at once it flashed across him who the lad was.

“I remember you now,” he said, “have you tried to love the Lord Jesus, and show how much you love Him, by obeying Him?”

“Yes, sir, I have, indeed I have,” he answered, with intense earnestness.

The gentleman stopped and talked to him a little, and let him clean his shoes. “Can you read, Jack?” he asked.

“Yes sir, not overly well; but I can make shift to spell out a page.”

“Would you like a Testament of your own, where you could read for yourself the story I told you the other night?”

No answer; but an odd sound, half a chuckle of inexpressible happiness, half a choke of emotion, at the idea. There was no pretense about the lad. The dirty little thief had set his face heavenwards. He did not know much, but if he had only learnt to say, “Lord, remember me, was there not a worse thief than he, who was in no wise cast out?

“I see you would like it, Jack; come to my rooms tomorrow at half past four, and you shall have one. Here is the address; good bye.”

Exactly at half past four on the morrow came one modest eager tap to the gentleman’s door. In walked Jack at his summons. He had been to some neighboring pump, poor fellow, and washed himself, not clean, but streaky. He had plastered his hair down in honor of his visit. The kind gentleman shook hands with him, said he was glad to see him, and told him to come and sit by him.

.”Jack, why do you: want a Testament?” “To read about Him you had told us of,” said he shortly.

“Why do you want to read about Him? because you love Him, is it?”

Jack nodded his head decisively. There was no hesitation, no doubt about the matter.

“Why do you love Him?”

Jack was quite silent. His little features worked, his eyes twinkled, his soiled red-baized blouse heaved. All at once he dropped his head on the table, sobbing as if his heart would break, “ ‘Cause they killed Him,” gasped poor Jack.

It was with some difficulty the gentleman restrained his own tears: He let Jack cry till his sobs became less frequent, and then he read to him some verses from John’s Gospel, and talked to him of the exceeding great love of Jesus our Saviour. Then he tried to show him how he could serve the Lord here, by being a little missionary, and speaking for Christ in his life, and acts, and words, and striving to bring souls to the fountain where he had been washed. It was pleasant to see the boy’s simple delight at this thought, and to answer his eager questions about one thing and another. “How shall I do here?” “What shall I say then?” There seemed no danger of hard-heartedness or shame in him.

Then the gentleman wrote, or rather printed, his name, at his particular request, “worry large” in the Testament. Then he asked him if he should speak to the Lord Jesus for him, and with him. They knelt down side by side, and he prayed in simple words for this little lamb of the good Shepherd, in his dark and difficult pilgrimage. They then parted, the gentleman promising to be his friend.

Messages of God’s Love 2/12/1905

Tears of Joy

WHEN a little boy I used to be very fond of a book which always lay on our sitting room table. It had a pretty blue cover, but best of all was what was inside. I used to have to stretch to make myself as tall as possible, in order to look at the picture of a sweet little boy at the beginning of the book, for my nose scarcely reached above the table. My mother was a Christian, and often spoke to me of Jesus, His love, and of my need as a sinner, and of His precious blood that cleanses from all sin. She had often read me the story of the little boy whose picture I was so fond of looking at in the book. I can remember its name even now, although I have not seen it for over thirty years. It was called “The Folded Lamb,” and was about a little boy who believed in Jesus, and who died, so happy, and went to be with Him.

On one of the first pages in this book was that well-known hymn —

“Around the throne of God in heaven,

Thousands of children stand,

Children whose sins were all forgiven,

A holy, happy hand.

Singing glory, glory, glory.

Though I could not read properly at the time, yet, knowing the hymn by heart, I could pick out the words, and often opened the book to do so.

Well do I remember doing this one day with a very clear understanding, and deep enjoyment of the words, when the thought came in my mind, “If you were to die like the little boy the book tells about, would you join that holy, happy band of children around the throne of God in heaven?” The thought had made me very serious, and tears came into my eyes and began to trickle down my cheeks. Tears not of sorrow but of joy, for I felt sure that I should go to join those happy children, if it pleased the Lord to take me, for He had died for me. I knew it, for my mother had told me He died for sinners on the cross, and I knew that I was a sinner. And now I know it because God tells me so in His word. Look at it, dear young reader, in Rom. 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18, and 1 Tim. 1:15, and you might find it in a number of other passages for yourself. And what does it say about the blood of Jesus? That it “cleanseth us—who believe — from all sin.” So that we can give thanks to the Father who has made us fit for heaven. Col. 1:12.

And now stop before you read any more, and think seriously, as I did that day. If the Lord were to call you away from earth, are you ready to go? Should you join that holy, happy band of children around the throne of God in heaven? If so, thank God; but if it is not so, do not rest until you can say, as I was able to through God’s grace — Yes.” Do not lightly forget this, and let it pass from your mind, I beseech you. Your soul’s salvation is too important to allow of any neglect or delay. Do not let the matter remain in uncertainty, but never be satisfied until you can say “Yes, the Lord Jesus did die for me, and I am saved, and I know it, because God’s word tells me so.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/12/1905

Eternal Life

I have heard of life eternal,

Say, oh say, what may it be!

I have heard there is a heaven;

Is that heaven for me?

I have heard that I’m a sinner,

Heaven from sin for ever free!

Yet they say that sinners enter,

Say, how can this be?

I have heard of life eternal,

.0h! ‘twas joyful news to me

When I heard that into heaven

Sinners enter free.

And I’ll tell the joyful story,

Fellow-sinner, now to you,

Which we both may sing in glory,

Wonderful, yet true.

God so loved poor wretched sinners,

That He gave His only Son;

Jesus came and died to save us;

Now the work is done.

This, oh this, is life eternal,

‘Tis to know the eternal God,

‘Tis to know the love of Jesus,

And His cleansing blood.

Thus, oh thus, was heaven opened,

Thus alone we enter in,

By the precious blood of Jesus,

Cleansing from all sin.

God has written to invite you,

Don’t His offered love refuse,

God’s own Spirit bids you welcome,

Is not this good news?

“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.

Messages of God’s Love 2/12/1905

God's Word Our lamp

LAMPS abound on every side. Of various makes and sizes and kinds, for all sorts of purposes, they are to be seen wherever we go.

Street lamps and house lamps, bicycle lamps, wagon lamps, carriage lamps; lamps old and new, great and small, are before us in every town and village and hamlet. The miner has his safety lamp, the diver his electric lamp, the policeman his bull’s-eye, and so on, through many different trades and callings, the lamps being formed to answer the purposes required.

But all lamps are to give light in one place or another; and some of them, like lighthouse lamps, are of the very greatest importance, and could not be done without.

There is, however, one lamp which is the most valuable of all. It is that of which the psalmist speaks to us in Psalm 119:105. There, referring to the Scriptures, he says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

What darkness we should be in if we had not the word of God! We should not know His thoughts about us, nor how we were to be saved, nor what eternity, would be. We should be left in ignorance of the way of blessing, and have to wander hopelessly and helplessly amid the gloom.

Well may we praise God for giving us a light by which to see.

“THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD IS PURE, ENLIGHTENING THE EYES.” Psa. 19:8.

Messages of God’s Love 2/19/1905

Billy Bray

BILLY BRAY was a miner’s son and during many years of his life, he was a miner.

It was a very poor home in which the father and mother of Billy lived, only a small cottage with mud walls and a thatched roof, no better and no worse than most of the miners and their families lived in at the time of which I am telling you.

I do not think there were any large houses in his native village of Twelve-heads, where one bright June morning in the year 1796, there was rejoicing in the humble cottage of a miner over the birth of a little son. In due time the infant received the name of William, but none of his friends or relations ever, thought of calling him anything but Billy; arid when years passed on, and Billy had; through the grace of God, become an earnest, faithful preacher of the gospel, he was best known and loved as Billy Bray.

The miners were a rough, godless set of men; of most it could be truly said “There is no fear of God before their eyes,” (Rom. 3:18) but not many years before the birth of Billy, more than one of the Lord’s servants had preached the gospel among them, and through God’s blessing, many of them had given their hearts to the Lord. Billy’s grandfather was one of that little band of Christians, who in the midst of much persecution from their neighbors and workfellows, stood firmly for Christ. His father, also, loved the Lord Jesus Christ, but as he died when his little son was only two years old, Billy could not remember his words and ways.

After his father’s death, Billy went with his widowed mother to live with his grandfather, who was very kind to the little fellow, and would often take him on his knee and tell him Bible stories, and sometimes in the long winter evenings give him a reading lesson. Billy did not go to school, as his relations were too poor to pay for his schooling, and there was no free school near his home. When quite a small boy, he was sent to work in a tin mine. It must have seemed a dull life at first to him to spend long days underground, opening and closing the small trap-doors, which are used to secure ventilation to mines.

His Sundays were spent on the commons playing football or leapfrog with rough boys. All this grieved his dear old grandfather; often, with tears filling his eyes, he would beg Billy to give up wicked and idle companions, and go with him to the preaching; but though Billy quite intended being a Christian someday, he kept putting off, and when he was about the age of seventeen, hearing that he could get better wages by going to work in a mine some distance from his home, he said good-by to the humble roof that had so long sheltered him, and went to live in D.

We must pass quickly over the next few years of Billy’s life, only just stopping to tell you they were very sad ones. In D. he got into bad company, spent much time and money at the saloons, and was known among his companions as a ringleader in all kinds of wickedness.

After his conversion, when speaking of those wasted years, he would say, with deep feeling, “The Lord was good to me, when I was the servant of the devil, or I should have been down in hell now; praise the Lord for all His mercy.”

He returned to his native county, and got work in a lead mine. About the same time he began to sec himself a sinner against God. He Wanted to pray but he was ashamed to let his wife see him kneel down, so got into bed without praying, but his soul-trouble kept him awake. About three o’clock in the morning, he jumped out of bed, and fell on his knees crying out, “O Lord, save me!”

When the time came for him to go to work, he left home with a heavy heart. When he reached the shaft, a number of his old companions were waiting their turn to go down. They soon noticed a change of some kind had taken place in their mate, and began to ask questions. Billy told them plainly that he felt his sins a heavy load, and meant to cry to God for pardon till the burden was gone. Some laughed, others mocked, and most of them said lie would forget all about his trouble when pay day came around. But they were mistaken. Pay day came, and Billy still sought for peace and pardon. At first he did not see clearly God’s way of peace, but God who is rich in mercy, was leading him by a way he knew not; and when he took his place as a lost sinner before God, and owned the work he could not do had been done by the Son of God, his burden of sin fell off, and Billy Bray was so very happy, that he could not help shouting aloud for joy. He was, as he said, a King’s son, and he wanted everybody to know what great things the Lord had done for his soul, and so he went from one miner’s cottage to another, telling of his joy, and urging his neighbors to accept Christ. His young wife gave herself to the Lord only a few days after the conversion of her husband, and her joy in the Lord was almost as great as his own. Billy Bray was very fond of singing, his favorite hymn was one beginning with the lines:

“Oh for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise.”

He would often stop singing, and say, “A thousand tongues! How many would that be? Why, nine hundred and ninety-nine more than I have; I have only one, but I mean to praise the Lord all I can with it.”

He was very kind to young people and children. “The Master loves the young ones, and so should His servants,” he would say and his young friends felt the charm of his bright kind manner, and would run to meet him, carry his Bible or hymn book, and listen very patiently while he spoke to them of the Saviour’s love for even little children.

He was often very poor, but he loved to say, his Father was very rich and very good to him, and so he wanted for no good thing. Once he had been preaching a long way from his home. The night was dark, and the roads very bad and dirty; he got stuck fast in the mud. and in getting out tore the sole off one of his boots, so rendering it quite useless. Very simply he told his need to the Lord in some such words as, “Father, Thou knowest these are all the boots I have, and now they are worn out going Thy errands, and I have no money to buy any more, so please help me, for Christ’s sake. Amen.”

The prayer of faith was heard, for early the next day a friend called on Billy, and asked him if he could spare time to go out with him for an hour. They went out, and before long found themselves at the shoemaker’s and Billy heard the order given to take his measure for a new pair of boots, for which his friend promised to pay.

I could tell you of many more still more wonderful answers to prayer Billy Bray received, but have only room to add that, after more than fifty years spent in his Master’s service, at the good old age of seventy-five, he went home full of joy in the Lord.

Messages of God’s Love 2/19/1905

Scenes From Real Life

It pleased God to bless the preaching of His word in a manufacturing village, not far distant from the place where I resided; and whilst many souls were awakened to eternal concerns, some few were brought savingly to realize the value of the work of Christ. Connected with this movement, there came before me an incident of no little interest. A young man was taken seriously ill. He was a fine-looking youth, about nineteen years of age, of steady moral habits, and a great comfort to his parents. He had taken a violent cold, accompanied by fever. After being confined to the house for two weeks, he was able to go out a little for fresh air. It was early in the year, and the wind was piercing and cold. Whether he was too lightly clad for the season. or was premature in exposing himself. would be useless to speculate upon; but he returned to the house, complaining of being chilled and shivering. He retired to bed early, but was attacked by violent pain in the abdomen, which was followed by confirmed inflammation of the bowels.

His sufferings were most acute. Prompt remedies afforded no relief. His parents sought comfort in prayer; and precious sight it was to see the poor father earnestly entreating God’s mercy on behalf of the soul of his child; who, until lately, had been unconcerned about his own. Others, too, of his acquaintance united in supplication and sympathy. I saw him after his medical attendant had given up all hopes of his recovery, and found him ready to listen to anything I could bring before him. He was all eagerness to realize the blessing of sins forgiven, and but a very short way from the kingdom of heaven in that respect. On appealing to him, after some minutes’ conversation, as to whether he had understood me, his answer was conveyed in striking yet intelligible language. I think, he said, “I am much in the same fashion as you have described.” We united in prayer, and parted.

Two days afterwards his end approached. The sun shone in at the window, on which his eyes were so shortly to close. His father, mother, and grandmother stood weeping around him. Two or three-Christian friends were also there. After much suffering and prostration, he rather suddenly exclaimed, “I think I shall soon be off,” and he looked at his mother particularly. She, poor thing. could scarcely contain for weeping. “Ah,” she said, (using the dialect of her neighborhood,) “it goes hard to part with thee. Thou’rt a grand lad.” “Mother.” he said, “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; and you must say, Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Turning to his grandmother, he said, “I have always loved thee, and thou least loved me; but I fear thou art not concerned about thy soul as thou shouldst be. Promise me thou wilt go with my father to hear the gospel where he goes. I should like us all to meet in heaven.” He looked at his father earnestly and affectionately; held out his hand, and asked them all to shake it; then calmly bid each one good-bye, as if leaving for a visit in the country, stretched out his arms, calling upon the name of Jesus, and expired.

Messages of God’s Love 2/19/1905

We Are Not Strangers, Sir!

O you know the Lord Jesus Christ?” was the solemn question asked of a grey-headed man by an earnest preacher of God’s goodness, and the old man’s answer was: “We are not strangers, sir — I’ve known the Lord some time.” Would you, my reader, be able to give the same answer if asked the same question? The old man knew the One who had shown Himself friendly; the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24. The One who lay down His life for His friends. John 15:13. And though he did not yet know how many blessings were his as a simple believer on the One who thus showed His friendship by laying down His life, yet he did know the Lord Jesus Himself. Again I ask, Do you know Him?

Messages of God’s Love 2/26/1905

The Beautiful Flock

If I were to ask my young readers, What was the most ancient employment of man? I doubt not but that I should have the answer — Attending to the garden. So it was. “God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.” Well, what was the next employment of which we read? It was this — the keeper of sheep. Quite right. Abel was this. Cain tilled the ground; “Abel was a keeper of sheep.” And don’t you think it must have been a beautiful flock over which he watched? We know that it was outside of the garden; but one can imagine the beautiful flock, with its no less beautiful shepherd, feeding on the hills, and resting in the valleys, and quietly reposing beside the running rivers of the beautiful plains first trod by the foot of man, fresh from the creative hand of God.

And this reminds us of another beautiful flock, of which the Good Shepherd speaks in the tenth of John. “Other sheep I have,” He graciously says. “which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd,” or, as better rendered, “one flock.” That is, He was going to do away with all folds, and in their stead to have one beautiful flock, with Himself as the one beautiful Shepherd. Hence, we must never now speak of “folds” or “flocks,” but of the one Shepherd — Christ, the Head of the Church; and of the one Church, which is His body — the fulness of Him who filleth all in all.

You will recollect that there was a great difference of old between the flocks of Laban, and the flocks of Jacob; the latter were all “ringstraked, speckled, and grilled”; the former were all white. If you read the thirtieth chapter of Genesis you will know all about it. Now Jacob or Laban. looking at any time upon their flocks, could easily and at once discern whose they were: And so with the flock of Jesus—the sheep of His — the beautiful flock. He knows each one. He loves each one. He laid down His precious life for them. “The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” He could not give more, could He? But when does one become His sheep or His lamb? The moment He is trusted and loved. But the lamb’s love to the Shepherd is nothing like the Shepherd’s love to the lamb. None can know it in its fulness. And it is a love-which ever abides. It is a love past, present, and future. Past—as shown in the cross; present — as proved in His constant care; and future—as will be known in the exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Oh! can each one who reads this, say:—

“The Shepherd’s bosom bears each lamb

O’er rock, and waste, and wild;

The object of that love I am,

And carried like a child.”

And whither carried? Right on through the world up to the glory. There shall the dear, beautiful flock be at last gathered; and there shall the dear beautiful Shepherd’s joy be full. Oh I if you would not miss the joy of that day, go at once to Jesus, and accept His love, and be numbered amongst His beautiful flock.

“WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?” Rom. 8:35.

Messages of God’s Love 2/26/1905

Conversion of Mirza Mahomet Ali

MIRZA Mahomet Ali, the, only son of a venerable Persian judge, was .introduced to the. Scottish missionaries at Astrachan as a teacher. He was found qualified to instruct in Turkish, Persian, and Arabic; discussions became frequent, and, although they often produced in him the most violent rage, be courted their renewal. At length his mind was impressed by the truths of the gospel, as appears from the following extract from the journal of Mr. M’Pherson:

“Mahomet Ali, my Arabic teacher, came at his usual hour. On offering a few remarks upon the absurdity of the Mohammedan belief, Which formed the ground-work of our studies, I was more than astonished to hear him reply, ‘I no more believe in that book,’ pointing to the Mohammedan confession of faith. He now told me that his soul was in deep waters, that he could not sleep at night, from reflecting upon his perilous situation in professing a religion which he was afraid was not the true one.”

From this time he appeared to be in great anguish of spirit, while he became more fully convinced of the truth of Christianity. After his conversion he confessed that the fact of so many Christian missionaries being employed in different parts of the world had made a deep impression on his heart; that he began to surmise that a religion which could lead men to do so much for their fellow creatures must be from God. whilst among Mohammedans none seemed to take any interest in the condition of others, whether they were in the way to heaven or not.

He was much affected with the relation in which he stood to his venerable father. “I am sure,” said he, “that my apostacy Will bring him down with sorrow to the grave.”

A Persian gentleman was sent by Mahomet’s father to reclaim him, but he remained firm.

After this his father treated him with the utmost harshness. He was confined and beaten severely, until the missionaries applied to the governor, by whose authority he was lodged in safety in the Mission-house. Afterwards, he was publicly baptized. The convert did not fail to exemplify the meekness of a Christian under the abusive treatment which he endured. When he was brought to the residence of the missionaries, his head still aching from the blows his father had given him, he said, “I have suffered much since I saw you, but Christ Jesus suffered much more.”

On another occasion, being asked how he felt while his father was beating him, he replied, “Oh, nothing at all; after he was done, I wept and kissed him.” After his baptism he visited his father; and both of them wept much.

The natural affections of the parent’s heart were not changed by the son’s apostacy, and the son’s were only strengthened. The father did not upbraid him, but stated his conviction that the devil had obtained possession of him, otherwise he never could have forsaken the Prophet, nor his aged parent.

He inquired very kindly after his comfort. A few days after, Mahomet Ali received a note from his father, containing these moving appeals — “O, my unmerciful son, how long wilt thou pain me? I once fondly cherished the hope that, when I came to die, I should have laid my head upon your knees; but these hopes are fled.” The afflicted father continued to urge upon him representations designed to shake his steadfastness, until at last he consoled himself with the Mohammedan tenet, that his son was fated to be an infidel.

This young convert labored much with the missionaries in making known the truth of the gospel. After the lapse of about two years, however, by some agency that was never divulged, he was prohibited, by an order from the governor-general of the southern provinces of Russia, from engaging in any missionary operations. He was not even allowed to go beyond the boundaries of the cities of Astrachan, without leave from the policemaster. Nor was this all; he was appointed by the government to the office of teacher in Siberia, an appointment equivalent to exile. On his way to the secluded spot to which he had been ordered, he passed through Kazan, the seat of one of the Russian universities. A German physician of that place was so much pleased with the young convert, so struck with his talent, and so interested in his history, that he urged the principal .persons in the city to procure a change of his destination, and obtain for him an appointment to a professorship in that city. After much delay, the request of the petitioners was granted, and Mahornet Ali, or Alexander Kazem Beg, as he was baptized, was appointed professor of Oriental languages in the University of Kazan.

He remained steadfast in the faith, adorning the doctrine of Christ by a holy life and conversation.

Messages of God’s Love 2/26/1905

I Don't Want to Go Away

DEAR little boy about five years of age was at a meeting the other night with his father, and when the meeting was over and the people rose to go, the father took him by the hand, saying, “Come along we must get home now.” I flare say you know that little boys and girls are seldom sorry when it is time to go home, and generally jump up pretty quickly when they see the people going out—in fact, I have often seen the little people on their feet to go before the bigger people are ready — haven’t you? Well, but it was not so this time, for, to the great surprise of the father, his little boy sat still looking earnestly towards the preacher, who was moving from the desk.

“Come” said his father, smiling at what he perhaps took for absence of mind, “don’t you want to go home?”

“No,” said the little fellow very decidedly, “I don’t.”

“Why not?” asked his father.

“Because,” said the child “I like it.”

Now, clear little reader, what was it. do you think, that this little boy so liked that he was in no hurry to go home? The preacher spoke about the coming of the Lord. The preacher was telling how a time was close at hand, when all who love Jesus will be changed and caught away (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; when mothers and fathers who have believed in the Lord will suddenly disappear from the midst of their homes and families, and when all who are old enough to believe in Jesus and have not done so will, be left behind. He was saying how sad it would be for all those who have rejected Jesus — all who have refused to believe in Him — all who have said in their hearts “There’s time enough yet,” and who will then find out their mistake, and will find too that it is too late to cry, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” Because He has said, “When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord. Lord, open to us,” He shall answer, “I say; I know you not whence ye are,” and then goes on to tell them that they shall see those who have loved the Lord in the kingdom of God, and they themselves thrust out.

Oh how dreadful this will be to those who might have been saved, especially those who know that the friends they knew and loved on earth are gone to glory, while they are left behind to mourn their loss, and not only so, but worse, the loss of all the blessedness, glory, and joy those friends will then be in for evermore with their precious Lord in the Father’s house. Now, clear little reader, I don’t think it was this part of the preacher’s address that the little boy liked so much, but that which followed at the close, when the preacher showed that as the Lord had not yet come, and the door was not yet shut, there was still time for all to be saved through the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin, if only they would believe in Him: because “now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” And though the trumpet might sound, and the door be shut before the people in that room could walk out, they were reminded that the Saviour of sinners had said, and is still saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” and, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out. Well, this dear little boy was, perhaps, thinking of those gracious words, and “so liked it” as he said, that he wanted to hear more, and was in no hurry to go home. Now was not this much better than kicking his heels about, and staring at everything and seeing nothing, as too many little boys do? Like other children, this little fellow was usually glad when it was time to go, but on this occasion he wanted to stay. “Why was this? It was because he had listened to what was said and thus, as I hope, the loving words of Jesus had reached his heart. May they find lodgment there till they bring him to that gracious One who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”

And now, dear little reader, will you listen to the words of Jesus, and take Him as your own dear Saviour for time and for eternity? If you do, then when Jesus comes as “The bright and morning star” to take His own to be forever with Himself, He will take you, and I am very sure that when you “Reach those bright regions of joy” where Jesus now is, when you see His face, and “know even as you have been known,” you will ever more say, “I don’t want to go away.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/26/1905

Bible Questions for March

Answers to Questions for January

1. “Seen of angels.” 1 Tim. 3:16.

2. “I will therefore,” etc. “ 2:8

3. “Nevertheless the,” etc. and. “ 2:19.

4. “Notwithstanding the Lord,” “ 4:17.

5. “Eunice.” “ 1:5.

6. “Rebuke not an elder.” “ 5:1

7. “Servants.” “ 6:1.
“SINNERS.” “ 1:15.

Bible Questions for March

Rewards will be given (D. V.) for correct answers received until May, 1905, to those not getting help from others or concordance. Answers to be sent in not later than the first of the next month, with age and address plainly written. Address E. B. HARTT, Pella, Iowa.

The answers are to be found in the epistle to the Hebrews, and the first letter of each answer will spell who is made an High Priest forever.

1. Who is it that is crowned with glory and honor?

2 How often did the high priest enter into the holy place?

3. What was it Christ appeared to put away?

4. For whom were the believers requested to pray?

5. What did Moses choose to do rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin?

Messages of God’s Love 3/5/1905

Not Yet in the Land

THE wanderings of Israel had been long, but now they were nearly ended. When the land of Edom, bordering Canaan, had been reached, and rest seemed just ‘at hand, a passage through was refused them, and once more they had been turned out of the way.

Aaron’s priestly garments had been transferred to his son Eleazar, and he had passed from the scene. The people had fainted under the scorching heat of the sun; they had been tried by the burning sands of the desert; they had been consumed with drought; they had been bitten. by fiery serpents and scorpions. But God had been with them all the way. He had led them through that “great and terrible wilderness”; He had brought them forth water “out of the rock of flint”; He had rained down manna for them from heaven. And now the end of their wanderings had nearly come. Only Jordan lay between them and the land of promise. And if sorrows and difficulties had been passed through, God had permitted it that they might be humbled and proved, and that He might do them good “at their latter end.”

In these types of the wilderness, we may learn something of God’s ways of dealing with His dear people in this present day. All have to be put to the test; all need humbling; all must gain some knowledge of God; and through the sorrows of the pathway, these lessons are, learned. God’s purpose, however, in all is that He may do His people good at the latter end. Eternity is very long; we cannot measure it; it has no end; and that is where we all will be after a fleeting moment of time here. For the wicked it will be an eternity of ceaseless woe: but for the redeemed of the Lord, it will be a place of endless bliss. And God now is thinking of what will he for the greatest good of His people then; and in His thoughts, which are immeasurably far above our thoughts, He sees well to allow His loved ones to pass through the furnace of affliction, in order to brighten them for that, coming day of glory. A God dealt in the wilderness, with the children of Israel before they entered the promised land, so He deals now with His dear children before they enter the bright and blessed home to which they are going.

Although so near the long looked for goal, still other trials await Israel before they may enter the land which is to be theirs, for the king of Moab seeks their destruction; and they must part with Moses, who had so faithfully led them thus far.

We will look at them in our next paper, as pitched in the plains of Moab, just across the Jordan, ready to enter the land where they shall have rest.

Messages of God’s Love 3/5/1905

The Touch of Faith

Mark 5:25-34.

She came behind the Saviour,

And she touched His garment’s hem;

Though numbers thronged around Him,

She dared the press to stem;

In faith she touched His garment,

And lo! her issue stayed,

And from that happy moment

She felt she whole was made.

She hastened from her Healer,

Glad in her new found health;

But Jesus stays her footsteps,

And calls her to Himself,

To own the love which healed her,

Of which she stood the proof,

And, lowly in. His presence,

“She told Him all the truth.”

“The truth,” ah! this was, surely,

What Jesus loved to hear,

Told Out in words, or groanings,

Or e’en the falling tear;

“The truth”—heartfelt, and simple,

Then from her lips He heard,

As there she owned His power,

And there confessed her Lord.

And now, in heaven appearing,

The touch of faith He knows,

And yearning o’er, the helpless,

The needed help bestows;

Still bids the sad and burdened

On Him their cares to roll;

And still the touch believing

Makes wounded spirits whole.

Messages of God’s Love 3/5/1905

Confidence

LET us take a little look together at our picture to-day, dear children. Notice the earnest expression on the face of the old lady, as she is telling the children something which interests them very much. HOW eagerly they are listening to what their dear grandmother has to say to them, and they know what she is saying is true, for they have never had reason to doubt her word. Can you look at the picture and not think that the children love their dear grandmother and have confidence in her?

And what lesson can we learn from this? Ah! Confidence is a beautiful thing. When we have a friend in whom we can fully trust we are glad to tell this friend about what we have done and what we expect to do; and of what has us joy or sorrow, and what our wishes and hopes are, and we believe that all he says to us is true. But it is only when we have confidence that we can thus tell out what is in our heart, and trust in what he says.

Now I want to ask you if the Friend above all friends is your Friend? There is a Friend that you can trust perfectly; a Friend who can hear your slightest whisper, and who will not turn away from you if you speak to Him. He will always listen to what you have to say. if you have pain and sorrow, He feels for you in your suffering; if you have comforts and blessings, it is He who gives them to you.

Can you tell me who this dear Friend is? I think you will all be ready to answer—Jesus. And that is right. I hope you will listen to all that He has to say ,to you in His word, and when you have learned to know Jesus as your Saviour, you will then learn to know Him as your Friend; and a very precious Friend He is — “A Friend that sticketh closer than a brother!”

I hope you will “tell Jesus” about everything that concerns you, giving Him the hill confidence of your heart; then you will have sweet peace. “THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE; BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE.” Isa. 26:3.

Messages of God’s Love 3/5/1905

A Voice from the S. S. Down in Barbados

THE lesson one Sunday afternoon was from the tenth chapter of Mark. The teacher had asked the scholars how the “young ruler” came to Jesus. As there was a Bible in the hands of each scholar, there was no hesitation in the answer:

“He came running.”

“And what did he do when he came to Jesus?”

“He kneeled down.”

“What did he wish to get?”

“Eternal life.”

“How many think he got the blessing?”

Quickly all hands are raised.

“Well, we’ll see,” said the teacher.

“How many of the commandments had the young ruler kept?”

“All.”

“For how long?”

“From his youth up.”

“Was this good?”

“Yes.”

“Was the young ruler rich or poor?”

“He was rich.”

“Was he willing to give up all for Jesus?”

“No.”

“How did he go away?”

“Grieved.”

“Did he get the blessing?”

“No.”

“What about the little children that were brought to Jesus?”

“Jesus took them up in His arms and blessed them.”

The teacher then pointed out to the scholars that it was not good works that brought salvation. The ruler who was earnest enough, and whose life had plenty of good works in it, went off sad and without the blessing, while the little children who were simply brought to Jesus, got the blessing.

We must come with the simplicity of little children, and without any thought of our good works, if we would be saved. Out of Christ, we are sinners—lost and helpless—even as the young ruler was; and although we may be lovely in character as he was, yet this will not avail. Thank God, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”; and all who take their true place as such, will find the unspeakable blessing which the young ruler sought—eternal life.

That evening after the meeting, which most of the scholars attended, the teacher noticed Edgar, a little boy of ten years, standing a little apart from others. The lesson of the afternoon coming to her mind, she stepped up to him, and said, “Edgar, have you got the blessing?” Looking up at her, he said in a sweet, but decided tone, “Yes.” The teacher, a little surprised at such a prompt and firm reply, said questioningly:

“What makes you think so, Edgar?”

Firm and sweet came the answer:— “Because I’ve heard the voice of Jesus.”

“And what did Jesus say to you, Edgar?”

“He said’ Come unto Me.”

“And have you come to Jesus?”

“Yes,” was the reply.

The next evening two Christian women to whom the conversation with Edgar had been related, called him to them, and questioned him closely. They said afterward that they were much pleased with his replies, as he held firmly to the ground that he was saved.

The illustration on the little blackboard a few weeks before had been some shepherds, each having his own flocks come at his call, and follow him. And, the children had been told that Jesus was the good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep, and that those who came to Him were the ones who heard His voice, and if they were His, they would follow Him, And dear little Edgar had heard the call and had come to Jesus.

How many of my dear little readers have heard the voice of Jesus speaking to their souls, as Edgar did?

And have you come to Him? If not, come now. Now while your heart is tender is the time to come. God says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/5/1905

The Serpent and the Tiger

I have been looking some time at the picture, but I cannot see that there is much hope for the poor tiger. Ile may open his mouth, and look very angry at the huge serpent, who has wound around him his beautiful but deadly coil; but he cannot get away, and will be crushed to death before he has the chance to make any resistance. You see the serpent has a small, smooth head, which he could slip under the tiger when it was asleep, and before the poor victim would be aware of it he would have entwined his powerful body around him.

I heard once of a man who was so foolish as not to be afraid of a serpent, and even to play with it, because he would not believe but that it was quite harmless. He took hold of it by the neck and tried run away with it, but found to his surprise that the reptile was winding itself round his body, and if he had not at once called for assistance, and had it, the serpent would. have killed him. It is often so with the “pleasures” of this world; people are not afraid to go after those things that they know quite well have proved dangerous. and hurtful to others. They think there is no fear of their receiving any injury; and when they have had as much as they please they think they will just give them up and turn to something better. But before they are aware of it there is an enemy of theirs, called “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4), who keeps himself out of sight, but who makes the things of this world draw people, old and young, farther and farther from God, until they find themselves cast for ever into the place prepared for him and his angels (Matt. 25:41) Some few people he even succeeds in persuading that there is no such person as himself, and many believe that they have nothing to fear from him, being much stronger than he is, and perfectly “free” to act for themselves. But those who least believe in his strength are just those who are most hopelessly “led captive by the devil at his will” (2 Tim. 2:26). On the other hand, those who best know what a terrible “adversary” he is (1 Pet. 5:8), whom the Lord Himself compares to “a strong man armed” (Luke 11:21); they are the most thankful to learn the power of Christ, who is “stronger than he,” and to put themselves into His mighty hand, that He may keep them from “all the power of the enemy.” “TRUST YE IN THE.LORD FOREVER: FOR IN THE LORD JEHOVAH IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH.” ISA. 26:4.

Messages of God’s Love 3/12/1905

On the Plains of Moab

THE thousands of Israel must have presented a remarkable spectacle when they were encamped; three tribes being on each side — north, south, east and west — and the glory of God overshadowing all. And so it evidently seemed to the king of Moab and his people, who became distressed and full of’ fear when they beheld such it vast multitude of people. They said that company would lick up all that were round about them, as the ox licked up the grass of the field. They wanted to drive them out of their land, but the king was afraid to attempt this unless the strange company that had settled down there were first cursed: then he thought possibly they would be able to smite them and drive them off.

Now there was a prophet by the name of Balaam, who lived away east in Mesopotamia, among the mountains, and this prophet had a remarkable reputation. It was this: those whom he blessed were blessed, and those whom lie cursed were cursed. Balak, the king, having heard this, had the confidence that he would be pretty safe if he could get him there to curse Israel; so he sent Out messengers to bring Balaam to him. If he could not oppose Israel by force, he would try to get them under the curse.

When the messengers reached Balaam, they told him there was a people who had come from Egypt, and they covered the face of the earth, and they were over against them, and they wished him to come and curse this people, and then perhaps they could smite and drive them away. When Balaam had listened to their story, he asked the messengers to stay there that night, and said he would bring word to them, as the Lord should speak to him. So the princes stayed that night with Balaam: Now whether it was through fear, or through some other motive, that Balaam sought the living and true God, we know not; but we know from the end of his history, that he was a false prophet—-not a true prophet of the Lord. However, God had something to say to him in connection with the transaction into which he was about to enter with the princes of Moab. So He came to Balaam and asked him what men these were. Balaam told the Lord. who the men were and gave Him the message they had brought. Then the Lord said to him, “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they arc blessed.”

How very beautiful this was! Israel was God’s people, and His blessing rested upon them; He would not, therefore, allow them to be cursed. Those who are dear to Him, shall not be placed under a ban.

It was the great and all-powerful God whose heart of love was turned toward Israel, and should puny man rise up and curse His people whom He had redeemed with an out-stretched arm? Oh, no! He would not suffer this to be.

And, dear reader, if His love is resting upon you, no power of Satan can overcome you—no curse can ever rest upon you.

We will hope to look at Balaam’s course in other papers.

Messages of God’s Love 3/12/1905

The Debt Paid

In L. lived an old man and his one daughter. He had seen many sorrowful changes: one after another of a family of ten had been cut down under the withering blast of consumption; his wife too had died, and at the time of which I am writing he was very much afflicted with chronic asthma and heart disease; his daughter was not free from bodily ills, she was suffering from tumor and heart disease; added to this, a severe struggle to obtain food and absolute necessaries, made their lot anything but enviable, a little shop being their only means of support. It was their custom to obtain their goods from a wholesale vendor and pay for them each week, getting a receipt for money paid in a small memorandum book. Through some oversight one week’s money paid by the poor old man was not acknowledged, and the merchant declaring it was not paid threatened to sue them for it, if they refused to pay it again.

They had neither money nor means to meet the demand; and the result was, they were charged at the court for debt; and having no receipt to, show, the verdict (after several delays) went against them, and they were ordered to pay the full amount and all costs attending it. They were completely overwhelmed; the daughter was so ill that she could not leave her bed, and the old man knew not where to turn. Their only resource was God; happily they knew Him, and cried to Him in their distress, but relief seemed long in coming, the case appeared hopeless, and so they began to devise the best means of getting out of their difficulty; but every plan failed. What was to be done? In a few days their little home would be broken up, their little all gone; poor, ill, and penniless they would be without shelter or means.

How their hearts beat as they anxiously listened for the postman’s knock to convey the sad tidings that on a certain date the debt must be paid, or the dismal future was too black to be pictured. At length the dreaded knock came; with trembling hands the old man opened the letter, and read — not the judge’s claim upon them, but his full, free acquittal! the debt having been paid. He gazed in doubt and astonishment and could not believe his eyes. Another moment and his tottering knees ascended the stairs and he presented the paper to his daughter, exclaiming “Look there! read that, just see what you make of it.” She read, a full acquittal from all claims, but could not believe it either; they both argued it must be a mistake. The next thing was to summon a neighbor and have the document read and re-read, but nothing could alter the fact — the debt was paid; the document conveyed the fact that all was signed, sealed, and settled. I cannot express to you the joy and gratitude that filled their hearts when the truth was really believed by them. What medicine had failed to do, this did, in a wonderful way, and the pressure on their spirits being removed, their bodies grew wonderfully better. How they wondered how and by whom deliverance had come.

I must now let my reader into a secret. as to the way their debt was paid. A kind Christian friend who knew and visited them told a few others of their distress, and a gentleman whom they had never seen, and who never saw them, undertook to meet the whole of their need; but it was agreed that the claim should be met, the court satisfied first, without their knowing anything about it, until they had the receipt in their hands, and in fact to this day they are personally ignorant of their deliverer.

I have written this true account, not only to show God’s faithful care over His children in the hour of need but I desire to use it to illustrate the way God has taken to deliver us from a condition of eternal sin and misery.

Notice, the Court was satisfied, the judge’s claims all met, the debt paid before the old man knew anything about it, and he had nothing to do but believe the fact stated in the receipt that all was paid. So, dear anxious soul, it is my joy to tell you that you have only to accept God’s statement, that by Jesus “all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-39), and the blessings are yours. The old man could not believe it, his daughter could not believe it; but the neighbor certified the fact that the debt was paid, and the moment it was believed joy filled their hearts, not before. I repeat the fact an indisputable fact, that Jesus bore all the sins of those who believe in Him in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). Do you still say, It is too good, I cannot believe it? Let me ask one question, do you believe that Jesus had your sins, all your sins upon Him when on Calvary’s cross? Do you say, “Yes, I do?” Then let me ask you, Where is He now? You reply, “In heaven, to be sure.” Tell me, has He a single sin upon Him there? “Why. no. of course He has not, for no sin could be in heaven.” Now, where are your sins? You say He had them eighteen hundred years ago; He has not got them now, where are they? Permit me to reply for you, “He put them away by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Heb. 10). All your sins were future when Christ died to put them away. The One who paid your debt seeks to make you happy for time and eternity; and it is in the blessed Bible God declares that He “justifies freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God, to declare at this time His righteousness that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:24-26). Dear, anxious reader, doubt no more, the debt is paid, the claims of Divine righteousness met, God’s eternal justice satisfied, and you have nothing to do but appropriate the person and work of Jesus in simple faith, and say —

“My faith doth lay her hand

On that dear head of Thine,

While fully justified I stand,

And own, my guilt was Thine.”

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable.

Messages of God’s Love 3/12/1905

Prayer

I WONDER if my dear readers think much about the great need of prayer? There are several things in connection with prayer that I would like you all to consider.

First, what is prayer?
Second, who should pray?
Third, how should prayer be presented?
Fourth, on what ground need we expect the answer?

Prayer is the mark of dependence In prayer we ask for what we need. The heathen pray to their gods, expecting that they will give them what they ask for, but we know they cannot hear, and they will not answer, arid we know from the word of God that Satan is back of idolatry to keep people from recognizing God. Man is a dependent creature, and he knows that to some extent, but he is often very forgetful of it. We cannot cause the clouds to come and give us rain; we cannot cause the rivers or wells to be full of water; we cannot cause the wheat and corn and all other grains and fruit to grow so that we can get food; in short we get everything from God and we are dependent upon Him for everything.

Prayer is the expression of dependence and we should go to God and ask Him to give us what we need — speak to Him about everything in our path, for we cannot walk, talk, eat or sleep, or do anything, without God giving us the power to do it.

Now we may consider, who should pray. Any man, woman or child may be conscious of great need and go to God about it or, thank God for all His mercies as Cornelius in Acts 10. He was one who had not learned about the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the Gentiles, but who feared God and prayed to God always. God listened to that man’s prayers and sent His servant to show him the way of salvation. God thus met all his need, and beyond what he expected. But the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ knows God as his Father and can ask things of Him as a child speaking to a father.

Next we may consider how to present our prayers if we are believers in the Lord Jesus. In John 16:24, the Lord said, “Hitherto. have ye asked nothing in My name.” In the old testament times they could not ask in the Lord’s name for the Lord had not come, but now we should always present our prayers in the name of the Lord Jesus; See John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23, and many other portions.

The last one for us to consider is how we may expect the answer. I only draw attention to two Scriptures in this connection. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7. You may ask, What is it to abide in Him? It is to keep the place of dependence on, and go on in communion with the Lord; in, that way you will know what His mind is, for He will show it to you.in His word and you will ask what is pleasing to Him. The second Scripture is, “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward, God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do .those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:21-22.

If our ways ‘do not please the Lord; He will not grant us what we ask. May we who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, seek to do those things that are pleasing in His sight and’ thus we can expect the answer to our prayers. “IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.” Prov. 3:6.

Messages of God’s Love 3/19/1905

Overcome

In the morning after having received the Lord’s message, Balaam rose, and said to the princes of Balak, “Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.” So the princes went back and told, their king that Balaam had refused to come with them. No doubt this word troubled Balak, for great fear had fallen on him in connection with the vast army encamped in his borders. He was too much in earnest to allow matters to stand thus, so he sent out messengers again to Balaam; and this time he sent princes more honorable than those who had gone before. This was the message that King Balak sent by them: “Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me; come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.”

Shall Balaam go when such an offer as this comes to him; or will he be content with the positive word of the Lord that he shall not go? His answer was certainly a fine one, and would seem to show that he desired at that time to be governed by the word of the Lord. He said, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God to dd less or more.”

But alas! alas! the offer of money and honor proved too much for Balaam. God had told him that he should not go, and that he should not cure the people whom He had blessed. And had he heeded this plain and positive word, what sorrow he might have been saved. But when the second set of messengers arrive and present him tempting offers, he is overcome. And now, when he goes to God about it, he is told that he may go.

Too often God’s people are like Balaam in their ways. Their heart is set on something which His word condemns, but notwithstanding this, they do not give it up; they. even go to Him, perhaps, again and again about it; and He, alas! sometimes grants them their desire, as He gave Balaam his. But what will the end be? To Israel of old, God gave their request after having long been tried with them, but with it “sent leanness into their soul.”

Dear Christian, if you will have your way, God may allow it; but, oh, could there be anything sadder than to be given up to leanness of soul! It would be loss here and loss for eternity. Learn rather to be willing to let God have His way. No more valuable lesson than this can be. learned.

May all take it to heart.

Messages of God’s Love 3/19/1905

Melita

ONE of the missionaries sent out by the Christians of France is said to have been much blessed in the conversion of many poor African heathen to the truth. His name is M. Roland, and one of those to whom he was used was a girl of eighteen years of age. She had been, like all around her, a worshipper “of stocks and stones.” Many a time, I dare say, she had bowed down to “the smooth stones of the brook” or the stump of some old tree, or the “wreathen mist” rising in the gloom of evening from some wild swamp, and seeming in her eyes, as it took fantastic shapes, to be some gigantic spirit “able to destroy.” For you know the religion of the poor heathen is a religion of fear and dread. When it thunders, they think the gods are angry; when drought and famine come, they suppose they have offended some one of their many idols: serpents, scorpions, crocodiles, and other destructive creatures which abound in hot countries like Africa, they look upon as the servants of the gods, and the ministers of their displeasure or malignant caprice; and, as conscience tells them they have sinned (for even the darkest heathen has a conscience), their religion must be one of unceasing dread. How wonderful to them must it be to hear that word. “God so loved the world!” It must at first seem impossible to be true. All their experience from childhood seems to contradict it. The lion’s roar, the lightning’s flash, the hot winds that suffocate men, women, and children, the rushing torrent that, coming suddenly at night from the mountains where a deluge of rain has fallen, sweeps away whole villages, “the fiery flying serpent” the scorpion’s sting, the terrible boa constrictor, the myriads of locusts which turn their green fields into barren sandy wastes almost in a moment, as if a scorching fire had suddenly passed over them, disease and pain and death, all seem to contradict that sweet message, “God is love.’“

And this is not all. Fear and dread always produce hate. We read of Gentile sinners being “hateful and hating one another,” for the truth is that, as they worship devils, they grow like them. The following little anecdote will show this strongly — a missionary party were crossing a wild sandy plain in Africa, when they saw in the distance a little smoke rising among some bushes that skirted a ravine. Being almost ready to faint for thirst, they hurried forward in hope of finding someone who could direct them to water. On reaching the spot, what do you think they found? A venerable-looking old woman, sitting with her head bowed down upon her knees, looking like a living skeleton, all alone in the desert, with the footprints of lions in the sands around her, and seeming to have been left there to perish. As the travelers drew near, she tried to rise and flee, but sank down trembling and faint with famine. She was slowly starving to death, and had been there four days. And who do you think had left her there? Her own children. They were all heathen; they had never seen a Bible; they knew nothing of “the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent;’ but were worshippers of evil spirits, and so were wicked enough to leave a mother to perish in this dreadful way. She had nourished and brought, them up from helpless infancy, and now, when they were strong and able to take care of themselves, they had left, her in the wild desert to be torn to pieces by the lions, or to die of starvation. How shocking you will think this! But why had they left her thus? Well, the missionary asked her that question, and her answer was this: “I am old, and no longer able to serve them. When they kill game, I am too weak to help carry it; I am not able to gather wood to make fire, and I cannot carry their children on my back as I used to carry them when they were little.” Poor creature! How often had she toiled under a burning sun with those children on her back, and now they could leave her to die all alone! Oh! how this shows out what man is without the gospel of the blessed God! Well, the missionary offered: to take her in his wagon, but she was too terrified to trust herself in the hands of strangers; besides, she thought the wagon was some great animal, and when they tried to lift her into it, she became so convulsed with terror that they thought she would die. She said it was of no use for them to take her, for if they left her at the next village, the people would do the same thing again. “It is our custom,” said she. “I am nearly dead. I do not want to die again.” The sun was blazing hot, the oxen were raging for thirst, and the party of travelers were also nearly delirious with thirst and burning heat. So at last they left her; but, before doing so, gave her a good supply of dried meal and fuel, a knife and other things, and told her to keep tip a good fire to frighten away the lions till they came back again.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Messages of God’s Love 3/19/1905

All for Christ

The following lines are well worth learning by heart by all who love the Lord Jesus; for God has saved us for His glory, and we should seek, in everything we do, to please Him:

Two little eyes to look to God.

Two little ears to hear His word.

Two little feet to walk in His ways.

Two hands to work for Him all my days.

One little tongue to speak His truth.

One little heart for Him now in my youth.

Take them, Lord Jesus, and let them be.

Always obedient and true to Thee.

Messages of God’s Love 3/19/1905

The Shepherd and His Sheep

I want to talk to you a little about the picture. It seems to me that the friend who drew it night more about the lambs and sheep n about the shepherd; but thought there ought to be someone to look after them, so he put a man sitting down, a good way off, and looking half asleep. I’m afraid this is too much like we all think of our own “good Shepherd,” We think more of ourselves, and how we take care of ourselves or of one another, than of what it is to belong to the “one flock” of that good Shepherd who never sleeps. He “ne’er forgets the least,” and He holds in His “hand” the ‘lambs as well as the sheep. He. “gathers” them with His “arm,” holds them in His “hand,” carries them in His “bosom” or on His “shoulders.” And does He not love them with His heart? If He does not I cannot tell why He should say, “THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” JOHN 10:11.

I do not know how many shepherds we read of in the Bible, but there is not one, even there to compare to the Lord Jesus. The first man who died and went to heaven was a keeper of sheep, but I don’t know what became of them when he died. Our Shepherd has already passed through death, and “He dieth no more;” so that we shall never. be left to the mercy of Cain, or any one like him. Abram and Lot had lots of sheep, and their shepherds could not agree, though I dare say the sheep did not fall out with one another, and I hope you do not either, whatever the older people may do, and sometimes they do quarrel sadly. Moses kept sheep till he was eighty years old, and then left them to go and lead the children of Israel “like a flock” across the wilderness. David. too, was a very good shepherd, but he left the “few sheep in the wilderness” to go and first deliver the people of Israel, and then reign over them. But Jesus will never leave His flock to go anywhere or be anything, only presently He will come and gather us all close round Himself, so that we may see Him and be with Him forever, 1 Thess. 4:14-18. I must not keep you to say much more now, but it is nice to see in the picture that so long as the sheep keep within sight of the shepherd, the dog can sit still by the side of his master. If they “should run away, where the shepherd could not see them, no doubt the faithful dog would soon be after them, barking, and perhaps even biting at their wool, to make them come back. Even then they ought to be very glad, as there is a great difference between the shepherd’s dog and a wolf or a thief, who would want to hurt them. And no doubt some of our little troubles wine because we do not keep so near as we ought to our good Shepherd. He does not want to send them if we would only listen to His voice and follow Him, and let Him guide us by His wisdom. But if we will have our own way, we must remember “the way of transgressors is hard,” and the Lord may make us feel very sorely that it is an evil thing, and bitter to depart from Himself. Still. He rebukes us in love: the dog may not seem very kind or gentle, but he is the shepherd’s dog, not the wolf, and the One who watches over us does not send the trouble because He does not love us, but because He does. May you, dear little readers, and may I, learn more about this Shepherd of the sheep!

My Shepherd is the Lamb,

The living Lord, who died;

With all things good I ever am

By Him supplied.

Messages of God’s Love 3/26/1905

Balaam Starts on His Journey

Numbers 22:20-36

BALAAM, having obtained , permission of God, rose up in the morning and saddled his ass. and went with the princes of Moab. ‘But now he begins to feel God’s anger, for the angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. And now we come to something most extraordinary in his history. As Balaam was riding along, and his two servants with him, God made the ass, upon which he rode, to see the angel of the Lord, who was standing in the way with a drawn sword in his hand.

Angels are often near us, and they minister to us in ways that we perhaps little dream of, but our eyes are holden so we may not see them. God, however, is able to open the eyes, even of one of the lower animals, to see that which is invisible to mortal eyes; and this He did at this time. The ass, seeing the angel, turned out of the way into the field, and Balaam must be made to feel the Lord’s displeasure, so again the ass is made to see the angel of the Lord before her. This time it was in the vineyards, and the path led through a spot where there was a wall on either side.

The ass, seeing the angel of the Lord before her, thrust herself into the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against it; and again he smote his faithful beast. Then the angel of the Lord went to a narrow place where there was no room, to turn to either side. This time, the ass fell down under Balaam, and this made him so angry that he struck the poor beast a blow with his staff. And now, wonder of all wonders! God makes that dumb animal to speak. He had opened her eyes to see what man could not see, now He opened her mouth and gives her words to speak, and Balaam is made to see that he has sinned against God in having pressed his will. The ass said, “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” Balaam tells the poor beast that she has mocked him, and then, in his anger, adds that he would kill her if he had a sword in his hand. But again the ass speaks, and how pathetic the words that came from her mouth! “Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee?” Balaam could only answer, No. Then the Lord opened his eyes, even as He-opened the eyes of the poor dumb creature on which he rode, and he saw the angel of the Lord in the way with his sword drawn. Now there is a change. Brought consciously into the presence of the Lord, Balaam bows his head, and falls flat on his face; now he hears from the angel of the Lord, the same question he had heard from the ass. “Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times?” He is then told that his way had been perverse before the Lord, and He had gone out to withstand him. The angel of the Lord also tells him that the ass had seen him and turned from him those three times, and if she had not done this, Balaam should have been slain and she should have been saved alive. Balaam’s eyes are now opened to see what he has done. He said to the angel, “I have sinned; for I knew riot that thou stoodest in the way against me; now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.” He was ready now to retrace his steps. But God was about to give a testimony to His people through Balaam, so he is told to go with the men, but is warned to speak only the word that God shall give him.

Messages of God’s Love 3/26/1905

Melita

(Continued)

On their return she was gone. They learned, months afterwards, that her three sons had seen from a distance the wagon halt at the spot where they had left their poor mother, and had come back to see if she was dead. Finding her alive and well supplied with food, they thought the missionary must be some great chief who had taken their mother under his protection; and so, fearing his vengeance if they neglected her any longer, they had taken charge of her, and the missionary was glad to learn, from a man who visited them in the mountains where they lived, that they were taking more than usual care of her. But, you see, even this was done from fear, and not from love; showing again how true it is that idol-worship is a religion of fear and dread and hate, whether it be the worship of pictures and crosses and images, or of the sun, moon, and stars, stocks of old trees, the storm-wreath of the desert, or the destructive creatures that dwell in its wilds. No wonder they listen in astonishment when evangelists go out and tell them, “God is love;” and then, to prove it, show how He sent His blessed “Son into the world to save sinners.” And when they tell how Jesus walked among men; when they translate His gracious words into the language of those poor wild Africans, and point to Him as the One who hung upon the cross, and poured out His heart’s blood for sinners such as they; when they tell them that He is in the glory now, a living risen Man, full of love and power, too, “able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him,” can you wonder at their astonishment?

Well, to return to the poor African girl of whom I have spoken. She heard this wondrous gospel, and He, who “opened Lydia’s heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul,” worked in the soul of this daughter of Africa, and brought her to Christ. When about to be baptized, she was asked to give a confession of her faith, and did so in the words, which the missionary, M. Roland, has thus translated: “The word of God was foolishness to me until the Holy Spirit awakened me, and showed me my sins. It was then only that I believed in the Saviour, and learned to pray. I received the forgiveness that is offered to sinners in His word, and ever since then I have enjoyed the peace which He gives.

“Now I am His. I feel myself safe on the Rock, which is Christ; and renounce the world for Christ’s sake. I believe in Him whose name is ‘Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Father of eternity, the Prince of Peace’ (Isa. 9:6). I trust in Him who is both God and Man in one person. He is God, for He raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been four days in the tomb. He is man, for He wept with those that wept (John 11). As man, He sat down wearied with His journey at Jacob’s well (John iv), feeling hunger and thirst; but as God, who sees all hearts, He showed to the woman of Samaria that He knew all the secret history of her past life. It is on Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, that all my faith is fixed. Oh, how I rejoice in the thought that I shall one day join in the song of praise ‘to the Lamb that was slain’ — hat I shall one day go to meet my Lord! In the meantime, I desire to strive earnestly against flesh and blood, and to walk in newness of life.”

May you who have heard the gospel so often rejoice- in the Saviour as this woman did. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice.” Phil. 4:4.

Messages of God’s Love 3/26/1905

Right or Wrong

I WAS riding in a train the other day, and when we stopped at a certain station, a little girl got in. She seemed quite sure that she was right, for I did not see her ask anybody whether the train was the one she wanted or not. But just as we were starting again, she leaned over to me, and asked if the train went to a station that she named.

Poor little girl! she could hardly keep the tears back when I told her she was wrong. And it was too late to alter her mistake; she must go on. Oh, if she had only asked the conductor or a porter, before taking her seat! Then she would have been put right.

Children, do you know that there are thousands of people who die, and go into eternity, thinking they are certain to go to heaven, but who are wrong, after all? is some girl or boy saying, “I wish knew how to be quite sure I am right, for I don’t want to make a mistake”? Well, dear little friend, the Bible is so plain that you need not be in any doubt at all. How did the thief on the cross get right? He just owned that he was a wicked man, and that he was getting what he deserved; and then he turned to Jesus, and asked Him to remember him. Ah this must have been the right way, for Jesus at once said, “Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” And Jesus says plainly, in John xiv:6, “I am the way.” And in Rom. 10:13 it says again, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“Whosoever cometh, need not delay;

Now the door is open, enter while you may;

Jesus is the true, the only Living Way:

Whosoever will may come!”

Messages of God’s Love 3/26/1905

Bible Questions for April

Answers to Bible Questions for February

1.”Good Works.” Titus 2:14.

2. “Onesimus” Phil. 10.

3. “Our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

4. “Demas” Phil. 24.

5. “Wordly lusts.” Titus 2:12

6. “Obedient to their own,” “ 2:9

7. “Reject.” “ 3:10.

8. “Keepers at home.” “ 2:5.

“GOOD. WORKS.” “ 3:8’

Bible Questions for April

The answers are to be found in the epistle of James, and the first letter of each answer will spell the name of the man who was called “The friend of God.”

1. What does a man who converts a sinner from the error of his ways, hide?

2. Give the whole verse containing the words, “The coming of the Lord.”.

3. Give the name of a woman who was justified by works.

4. Who is it that is unstable in all his ways?

5. Give the whole of the verse containing the words, “He shall lift you up.”

6. What words ‘fallow these; “Ye rejoice in your boastings”?

7. What is it that the wisdom that cometh down from above is full of?

Messages of God’s Love 4/2/1905

Balaam's First Effort to Curse Israel

Numbers 22:36-41; and 23:1-12

After receiving word from God to go; Balaam went with the princes. When Balak got word that he was coming, he went out to meet him, no doubt with earnest desire, to a city in the utmost coast of his Possession. When they met, the king said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send unto thee to. call thee? wherefore comest thou not to me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?” Balaam replied, “Lo, I am come unto thee; have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God putteth in my Mouth, that shall I speak.” He had been made to fear before God, and he was ready to utter faithfully the word that God should put in his mouth.

Now Balak was an idolater who worshipped Baal, and perhaps other gods. When he had taken Balaam to the “City of Streets,” where it may have been he had his palace, he offered oxen and sheep to his gods, and then sent the meat to Balaam and the princes that were with him, this being the custom of idol worshippers.

The next day Balak took Balaam up on a hill where he worshipped his god Baal, and from this hill he showed him the vast multitude of people that lay encamped before them. When Balaam had looked upon them, he said, “Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.” Balak followed Balaam’s instructions and then together they offered a bullock and a ram on each altar. Then Balaam told Balak to stand by his offering, and he would go; perhaps the Lord would come to meet him, and whatever He would say to him, he would show it to Balak. He then went off to a solitary place, and God met him there. He told the Lord what he had done; then the Lord gave him a word to speak to Balak; and he returned to where the king and all the princes of Moab stood by the burnt sacrifice, and spoke to them this parable: “Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Arom, out of the mountains of the East, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? Or from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be recokened among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”

What a word for Balak to hear! After all his labor and expense to have his wishes carried out, and his eager expectations in connection with Balaam, this prophecy must have been to him a great disappointment. He said to Balaam, “What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.” Balaam replied, “Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth?” In his love for money and honor, he would gladly have cursed Israel had he been able; but it was not in his power to do it. God, in whose hand is all power, was able to put words in his mouth which were not in his heart, even as He was able to make the dumb ass to speak.

May our minds dwell more than they have done upon God’s wonderful power — all power His — and upon His great love and goodness which are being exercised ever toward those who put their trust in Him.

Messages of God’s Love 4/2/1905

The Camel

As we look at our picture today, our thoughts turn to the faraway countries of the East. How many of my little readers have heard of the great desert of Sahara! It is a very large tract of hot, dry sand, where no fresh grass, or beautiful flowers or trees can grow. Nothing whatever grows in this vast wilderness, except here and there a few thistles or dry shrubs, and once in a while, at great distances apart. where there is a spring of water, a few palm trees grow. This is called an oases. The distances between these oases are so great that a horse cannot travel across the desert, because it could not get water enough. There is only one animal which is able to cross the. desert. Do you know what it is? “Oh! yes,” many of you answer, “it is the camel.” Yes, God has so made the camel that it is specially provided for this long, hot, tiresome journey. How many of you have noticed the hump on the camel’s back? Sortie of them have two humps. These humps are stores of fat which serve the camel for food on the journey, so that it can go a long time with very little to eat—perhaps a few beans or a handful of dates at the close of the day, or even just the thistles and shrubs which it finds along the way. Before starting on a journey the master of the camel always sees that its hump is in good condition, and after crossing the desert, the camel must be allowed several months to rest and feed up before its hump is in condition for another journey. The camel is also provided with a way of storing tip water. The lining of its stomach is a thick cushion of large cells and the camel can drink a great quantity of water, storing it in these cells, where it stays for a long time, keeping the camel from getting thirsty. In many other ways God has specially prepared the camel for this desert travel.

Did you notice in the picture the jug fastened. to the camel’s pack? I suppose that is filled with water for the traveler who is on the camel’s back. Yes, the traveler must carry with him enough food and water to last him through the journey or at least until he reaches an oasis.

Now which of you can tell me what this great desert is like? Ah, you say that is a harder question. Do you not think it is like the Christian’s path through this world? Just as the traveler through the desert can find there no food nor water. So the Christian can find in the world no food for his soul, but his food and drink must be provided from another source. We are told in the Bible that Christ is the Bread of Life, and our souls must feed on Him, just as the children of Israel, while in the desert, fed on the bread which God sent down from heaven. And as the children of Israel drank the water from the smitten rock, so the believer finds in Christ the living water which will quench his thirst. Jesus said; 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.

Messages of God’s Love 4/2/1905

Would Jesus Like a Little Girl Like Me?

In a large and luxuriantly furnished room, sat a little girl, her head bent over. the pages of a small illustrated paper; so wrapped in thought was she that the door had opened and shut, and someone had entered the room, without her knowing it.

“Lily! what are you doing?” said a sharp stern voice.

This was Lily’s governess. “What book have you got there?” was the next question — equally sharply put.

“If you please, Miss Shenton,” Said Lily, hastily rising to her feet. “It is a lovely book! and do you know it’s all about such wonderful things —” so saying; the little girl came up close to her governess, who was seated in an easy chair, and commenced her knitting — “Miss Shenton” she said with an eager excited little face — It’s about little children just as old as me; who have been saved.”

“Been what?”

“Saved you know, those who have had their sins washed away in the precious blood.”

“You mus’nt talk such like nonsense Lily, and I’m sure your Mamma wouldn’t like you to read those papers.” So saying Miss Shenton relapsed into silence leaving Lily to ponder the paper before her. This precious little. magazine had been brought into the house by one of the servants, and given to Lily.

Poor little girl, eagerly she had scanned its contents and the fact of reading about real live boys and girls having their sins forgiven, had filled her with a great yearning to know what they knew, but there was no one to tell her.

Lily was a poor rich little girl, and there are many just like her who need our pity almost if not quite as much as the poor beggar children in the streets, for they very often have many chances of hearing about Jesus the sinners’ Friend, but in surroundings like Lily’s, the Lord of life and glory does not always find an entrance. He is not wanted there, except on a Sunday for an hour in the morning and evening. Yet thank God there are hundreds of rich homes where Jesus is an honored guest, and where they love that He should reign alone.

Lily was very thoughtful after this, “I wish I had someone to tell me how to find Jesus,” she mused. Suddenly an idea suggested itself to her. In the little magazine she saw many letters from children her own age to the Editor; “I wonder if he would take any notice if I sent him a letter,” she thought, and then she summoned up sufficient courage to write him a little note with words something to this effect: “Would Jesus like a little girl like me? I want to find Him so much, and get the pardon of all my sins.”

She had not to wait many days for an answer. It came, an earnest loving letter from an earnest loving follower of the Lord, telling the little girl that Jesus had been seeking her for a long time, and now she had only to go to Him and accept the forgiveness she needed, at His hands. It was all so simply put, and seemed so clear to Lily, that with the precious letter in her hand, she stole away to her own little room, and there gave herself up to Jesus.

Oh! if we all felt our need of Jesus, how sweetly and lovingly the dear Lord would reveal Himself to us. If we only realized the burden of our sins we could not rest until we had laid them at the Saviour’s feet. Oh! if you have never done it before do it now, Jesus waits with an infinite yearning to take you to Himself. May He grant that even now, as you read this you may make up your mind to go to Him, and say “Lord, here am I, take me as I am.” He cannot refuse to receive you, for He has said, “Him that cometh to Me. I will in no wise cast out,” and you are included in that invitation.

Messages of God’s Love 4/2/1905

Afraid

We have here a little girl, a dog, and a cat, all very much interested, and at the same time somewhat afraid. What is the object of their interest, and the cause of their fear? Only a poor little toad! Doggy has one foot raised, as if ready to make a move toward the poor little helpless creature, but with all his natural courage and readiness to destroy smaller animals, such as rats, he hesitates about attacking the innocent toad. And pussy, so quick to destroy mice, or birds and the like, evidently does not consider it very safe to try her fortune with this little creature.

No doubt there is something in the appearance of the toad — something in the way God has made it — that serves as a kind of protection to it in its helplessness, so that neither dog, nor cat, nor little girl are disposed to touch it.

But after all this is only a question of one creature fearing another. And this is a matter of comparatively little importance. A question of infinitely greater importance is whether, or not, we fear God, who has created us, and to whom we must give an account.

We do not need to fear the beasts, nor man, nor Satan, though they may be able to kill us, if God permit. But we do need to fear God. Jesus says: “FEAR NOT THEM WHICH KILL THE BODY, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO KILL THE SOUL: BUT RATHER FEAR HIM WHICH IS ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN HELL.” Matt. 10:28. Oh! what a terrible thing it would be, if God, in the day of judgment, would cast us, soul and body, into hell fire.

But, while God is holy, and must punish sin,. He loves us also; and has given His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, so that we may be saved. Oh! how good He is. What love to give His dear Son to die for us! He is indeed to be feared, for He hates sin and must punish. it; but if we believe in ,Jesus, He will forgive us our sins, and make us His own children. And instead of casting us into hell, He will give us a place in eternal glory with Jesus His beloved Son.

How with you, dear young reader? Do you fear GOD? Have you believed on His Son? Are your sins forgiven? Think seriously of these questions, and answer them before it is too late.

Messages of God’s Love 4/9/1905

Balaam's Second Effort to Curse Isreal

Num. 23:13-27

BALAAM had failed to curse Israel, but Balak was not willing to let the matter rest there. He took him to another hill, and telling him that the vast multitude before them was only a part of the people, he asked him to curse them from that place.

Again seven altars were built, and a ram and a bullock offered on each altar, and then Balaam went off alone to meet the Lord.

The Lord, who was carrying out His purposes through the false prophet, met Balaam, and again put a word in his mouth. Balak and the princes of Moab were still standing by the burnt offering when Balaam returned, and at once Balak asks: “What hath the Lord spoken?” Again in a parable Balaam speaks the words the Lord had given him, “Rise up Balak, and hear, hearken unto me, thou son Of Zippor: God is not a man, that He should lie.; neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless; and He bath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither bath He seen perverseness in Israel; the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt: he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel, according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought? Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.”

How beautiful this prophecy! God had spoken and He would make good what He had said. He had blessed Israel, and Balaam had no power to reverse this word and turn the blessing into a curse. His people might have shown crookedness and perverseness before Him, but viewed according to His counsels as a people redeemed, He could say that He had “not beheld iniquity in Jacob,” nor “seen perverseness in Israel.” And this is the word that the enemy must hear.

And so now as to those who are dear in God’s sight; there may be many a failure — many things to judge in their ways — but the moment is coming when they will be presented before Him without spot and without blemish. And thus they are now seen “in the glass of God’s counsels.” Is it not beautiful! Is it not precious!

God had brought that people out of Egypt by the strong right hand of His power — power that could put down all foes, and overcome all obstacles. The princes had brought their enchantments to bear against Jacob and their divinations against Israel, for God was on the side of that people, and they should yet rise up as a great lion and not lie down until they; had eaten of the prey and drunk the blood of the slain.

Balak, after this remarkable prophecy, fears to hear more and desires Balaam to refrain. He said: “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.” But Balaam said to him, “Told not I thee, saying, All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do?” Then Balak takes courage again and tells Balaam he will take him, to another place, and peradventure it may please God to let him curse the people from thence.

This speech shows that Balak was an entire stranger to the living and true God who changes not, and whose word must stand.

Messages of God’s Love 4/9/1905

Incidents in the Welsh Revival

SURELY the day of grace is drawing to a close, but even now God in His great mercy is adding many, many names to the book of life. The throng of redeemed ones, who will answer to that great shout when the Lord appears to take them to be forever with Himself, is increasing. What numbers have been recently added in Wales! The Spirit of God has been present there in great power, and many are the incidents which show that God Himself is truly working. “At Clydach a ten year old child. prayed for her father. He was soon converted. In the Rhymney Valley a collier who had been drinking heavily was preparing to go on night work, and had, it is said, actually obtained his lamp .prior to going down the shaft, when he was seized with fear and declined to go down. Instead he went straight to a revival service and was converted.” “At Cilfynydd an aged cripple attended an outdoor revival service and afterwards expressed a desire to be baptized. He was unable to leave his chair and it was suggested that baptism should he performed otherwise than by immersion. The old man, however insisted on immersion and at. length his wishes were acceded to.” “One incident, pathetic in its unconscious humor, shows the simple eagerness of the people. When the miners went back to work from the revival, the pit horses, hitherto cursed and sworn at, would not at first move to the strange and kind bidding of their masters.” May this blessed work of the Lord continue in Wales, and spread to other counties, also. We ask our friends, young and old, to join with us in prayer, that in these last and closing days of God’s grace, many precious souls may receive the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour. And if any of our readers are still unsaved, we press upon you once more the need of accepting Him now, before it is too late. Judgment is coming very soon! Do not delay!

Messages of God’s Love 4/9/1905

The Rescued Child

BESIDE the river Ouse, near the village of H—, stands a water-mill, adjoining which is a large meadow, and as a railway runs through it, it is a very attractive spot to most of the children in the locality, especially through the summer season. Not many years ago a little girl named Mary was staying at the adjoining village of H— A—, on a visit. One fine afternoon two of her cousins, the elder of whom was about her own age, while her brother was some three or four years younger, proposed a walk to see the trains, and the three set out accordingly. After they had spent some time in the meadow they proceeded to the river side, and as soon as Mary’s elder cousin espied a boat chained to a tree, she jumped into it, and invited her to follow. At first she refused, for, unlike her relative, she was not accustomed to such things; but upon being urged she gave a spring, when from some cause or other the vessel moved from the river’s brink, and in an instant, she was in the water, and clinging to the boat’s side with agonized grasp. Her screams for help were lost in the noise caused by the large wheel of the mill, and the dashing of the foaming waters; her cousin endeavored with all her might to get her into the vessel, and finding her efforts fruitless became almost frantic with terror; the little boy had not sufficient presence of mind to run to the mill for assistance, and had not a gentleman, who providentially was passing at the time, seized the boat with his walking stick, drawn it to the bank, and lifted her out of the river, she must inevitably have perished. After “the rescued child” had been admonished by her kind deliverer, for whom she still retains the deepest affection, she was hurried to the home of her cousins, where receiving every possible attention, she soon recovered from the shock of the accident which had befallen her.

And now, dear young readers, would you learn a lesson from the above, imagine poor Mary’s jeopardy, her inability to deliver herself from it, and the certain death which had been hers had not timely help arrived; and then remember that as far as it is possible to compare the things of time with those of eternity, you have a picture of your own condition to the very life. For should you grow up to become men and women without Christ, guilty sinners, surrounded by the dismal and appalling waters of death and judgment, you will, unless delivered therefrom, sink into “the blackness of darkness forever,” into the waves of “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels,” where there is “wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Oh terrible portion, the portion of all who die in their sins, and who, in spite of the warnings of love and the pleadings of mercy, deliberately and madly hasten thereto.

But, blessed be God, there is a way of escape, and it is through Jesus, and Jesus alone. Be not deceived as to this. Your cries and efforts, however great, your sense of sin and danger, however deep, can no more save nor help to save you, than poor Mary’s shrieks and struggles could either get or help to get her out of the water. No, she owed her deliverance to another, and in no wise to herself. And if pity led her deliverer to the place where she was, infinite love brought the Saviour into this sinful and ruined world to seek and save those who were “without strength” to save themselves. And because there was no way whereby this could be effected but by His sin-atoning death, He was “lifted up from the earth,” “that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” And now, Christ crucified for our sins, and raised “again the third day according to the Scriptures,” is the beginning, the center, and the end of the gospel message; and “it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” O dear readers,

“Deeply sunk in sin’s abyss,”

listen to the words of Him who in boundless love was sent to rescue sinners from their perilous state. He is “mighty to save,” and you have nothing to do but, like Mary, to relinquish the hold of that to which you are vainly clinging, and look to Him; you will then realize “the everlasting arms” of love and mercy lifting you out of your sad condition, fear and terror will cease, and believing “the testimony of God,” you will pass “from death unto life.”

And has not the story of “The Rescued Child,” a voice for those beloved readers who have been drawn to the Saviour by the sweet constraining power of His love? Assuredly it has, and I sincerely hope that, like her of whom I have written, they will cultivate the deepest affection for their great and gracious Deliverer, and by hiding His word in their hearts, be kept from falling into any form of that from which they have been so mercifully and powerfully delivered.

Messages of God’s Love 4/9/1905

A Feeding Lesson

See the sheep and lambs What a lot of them there are! Some of them have had their dinner and now they are lying down and resting. They are chewing their cud — digesting the food which they have eaten.

There is a lesson for us in this. How often we read hurriedly a verse or a chapter in our Bibles and then run away to our play or to our work, forgetting all about what we have read. If we were like the lambs we would keep quiet for awhile after reading and think about what we have read.

This is the same to us as chewing the cud is to the lambs. It is by chewing the cud that the sheep and lambs get nourishment and strength from their food.0 And it is when we think and meditate on God’s Word that we get spiritual nourishment and strength.

If we read hurriedly; close our books and forget all about what we have read, we lose a great deal. We cannot grow strong in the Lord.

“AS NEWBORN BABES, DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF TIDE WORD, THAT YE MAY GROW THEREBY.” 1 Peter 2:2.

“Meditate upon these things.” 1 Tim. 4:15.

There is something else this picture teaches us and that is gentleness. We do not see any of the creatures quarreling. They all seem peaceable, as they rest quietly together. That is the way God likes to see little children, and older people; too He wants us to be always kind and gentle and He says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9.

Messages of God’s Love 4/16/1905

Balaam's Third Effort to Curse Israel

Numbers 24:1-19

ONCE more, and for the third time, Balak sought, in his desperation, to get a curse pronounced against Israel. This time he took Balaam to the top of Mt. Peor, and from thence pointed out Israel to him, in their encampment, as they lay in the valley. below. Again Balak.is instructed to build seven altars and to prepare seven bullocks and seven rams, and this he does for the third time.

Balaam did not this time seek for enchantments as he, had done at other times, for he now saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel. He “set his face toward the wilderness”. When he lifted his eyes,: “he saw Israel abiding in tents according to their tribes, and the Spirit of God carne upon him.” Again he speaks in a. parable:

Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said; he hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! .As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lignaloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters: He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat “up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He crouched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee; and cursed is he that curseth thee.”

Balak now has heard how “goodly” Israel is in God’s sight, and how strength and dominion ‘are’ to be given them until they shall eat up the nations their enemies. And not only are they blessed of God, but those who bless them will be blessed, and those who curse them will be cursed. His anger is kindled against Balaam, and, striking his hands together, he says, “I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee to great honor; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor.”

The blessing each time had grown stronger and more pronounced. And now what could Balaam answer to the sad angry speech of the king?

He could do nothing but remind him that he had told the messengers, which the king had sent. to him, that he could not go beyond the word of the Lord, even if he should give him his house full of silver and gold. “And now;” he said, “I go unto my people.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/16/1905

Johnny's Confession

GREAT was the joy in the farm when Johnny confessed house with his mouth the Lord Jesus. Both father and mother knew and loved the Saviour, and their thanksgivings, I doubt not, rose from full hearts, because their boy, for whom they had so often and so earnestly prayed, had at last found joy and peace in believing.

Some special meetings for children had been held in a tent two or three miles from his home, and Johnny had attended again and again, hearing the oft told, oft-heard story, and at last had believed it.

Well he had known that he was a sinner, lost and undone, with a heart deceitful and wicked; but now he learned the love of God to such sinners as he, and of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners, and who “suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,” to bring them to God, and that now He was risen, and seated at the right hand of God in glory.

Taking God at His word, and asking no questions, little Johnny believed the simple message, and reaching home gladdened his mother’s heart with the joyous news;

“I know I am whiter than snow now, mother; for the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin”; and he proceeded to tell how he had at last believed God’s message of salvation through Christ.

Have you believed on Him in your heart, my young reader? If so, have you confessed Him with your lips? In Rom. 10:9 it is written, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God bath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

“Jesus died upon the tree.

Jesus rose triumphantly,

Jesus only—perfect plea—

Christ alone can save thee.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/16/1905

A True Story

All alone in the evening grey,

Sick and dying, poor Hannah lay;

Through the broken pane the cold wind swept,

Poor Hannah shivered, and moaned, and wept.

But it was not cold. and it was not pain,

That made her shiver and moan again:

She did not say, “My pain is sore,”

But “Where shall I be when all is o’er?”

For Hannah remembered the years gone by,

And she said, “A sinner—a sinner am I!

All black and fearful the sins appear,

That I had forgotten for many a year;

And thousands, thousands, they come to mind—

There is hell before and sin behind.

The Lord is holy, and just, and true -

And what He has said He will surely do

He bath for sin an awful doom,

A lake of fire beyond the tomb;

And my soul is black with the sins of years,

They cannot be washed away with tears.

And sure it is vain to pray and cry;

He cannot hear such a sinner as I.

I am going—going—to stand alone,

Before the Lord on His awful throne!”

Bright and glad as the stars came out,

With many a laugh and many a shout,

Jack and Will in the garden played,

And they heeded not the noise they made.

But the neighbor calling said, “Children, dear,

A woman is sick in that house so near;

There, where the broken pane you see,

She is lying as ill as she can be.

She soon must die, and you see ‘tis best

You should be still and let her rest.”

Then in a moment they were still,

For tender hearts had both Jack and Will,

And they sat and looked at the casement lone,

Till the stars shone bright, and the day was gone.

Then Jack said, “Will, she will go to heaven,

If she has had her sins forgiven.

I learned at school that when Jesus died

The door of heaven was opened wide,

Because He was punished Himself for sin.

So now if we die, we can all go in;

Of our sins there will not a word be said,

For Jesus Christ was punished instead;

And if she believes He loves her so,

Beyond the stars her soul will go.

He will lead her in through the golden door,

And she will be happy for evermore.”

Then Will’ said, “Jack, that is all quite true—

But does she know it as well as you?

What Jesus did we have both been taught,

But some know this, and some do not.

O Jack, maybe she has never known

What it is that the Lord has done!”

Then Jack said, “If you would help me,

Will I would climb up to the window sill,

And through the hole I would call and say,

`Jesus washes our sins away.’ “

The neighbor said when her work was done,

“It may be Hannah is all alone

And oh! it’s an awful thing to lie.

Too ill to live, and afraid to die.

To just to sit with her I will go,

But how to help her I do not know.

“ So the neighbor went, and she heard no moan,

And she thought, “Poor Hannah is dead and gone;”

She lighted the candle with fear and dread,

And stooped to see if Hannah was dead.

But there she lay her face so bright!

It shone with glory and not with light.

And she said, “O neighbor the Lord is good!!

He has washed me white in His precious blood,

My sins are gone from before His Face,

And He has prepared a glorious place,

Where those He loves with Himself shall be,

And to that sweet Home He is calling me.

O neighbor, here in the dark I lay,

I felt so guilty I could not pray,

And all my sins like a mountain stood

Before the terrible Face of God.

Then all in a moment, sweet and clear,

A voice spake loud, though none was near,

Like an angel speaking I heard it say,

Jesus washes our sins away!’

And whilst I thought, Do my ears tell true?

It said, ‘Poor woman, He died for you.’

And then did the words come sweet and low

That I had forgotten long ago;

I once heard tell in the years gone by,

How Jesus came on the cross to die,

And there He hung in the darkness dread,

With a crown of thorns on His holy Head

And some old, old words came back to me,

`He bore our sins on the cursed tree.’

Yes, it was true that mine He bore,

So the guilt is gone, and the judgment o’er;

And more than that, if He died for me,

What must the love of Jesus be!

He in His Home of glory waits

To see me enter the golden gates;

Whilst I lay moaning in black despair;

His heart was longing to have me there.

And oh for the welcome I soon shall know!

No words can tell how I long to go!”

And so, ere many a day was done,

There was joy in the Home beyond the sun,

For Hannah had entered the golden door

To dwell with her Saviour for evermore.

God saith that all who to Jesus come

He in His love will welcome home.

The Lord is holy, and just, and true,

And what He hath said, He will surely do.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He. is.” 1 John 3:2.

Messages of God’s Love 4/16/1905

Fishing

HOW many of my little readers have ever gone fishing? Perhaps all of you. Some of you have fished in little ponds and creeks, some in rivers, and perhaps some in lakes.

Sometimes fishing is very enjoyable. Other times, when the fish do not bit, it becomes very tiresome. Sometimes people sit for hours waiting for bites. And they must keep quiet, too, so as not to frighten away the fish. It takes a great deal of patience to make a good fisher, but patience is always rewarded. Many times we want God to give us something and we grow impatient waiting for it. Do you think God likes that? No. He does not always think best to answer our prayer right away. And when He does not, He wants us to be patient. Let us always trust Him, for He knows best. If He does not answer our prayer at once, let us wait patiently till His time comes.

Although most of you have gone fishing one or more times perhaps none of you are regular fishermen — people who earn their living by fishing. But I hope many of you are fishers of another kind. Do you remember reading in the Bible about Peter, Andrew, James, John and others whom Jesus found fishing? What did Jesus say to them? “FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN.” Matthew 4:19.

This is the kind of fisher I hope you are, dear readers. No matter how young or how old you may be, you may fish for souls and bring them to Christ. If you tell others about Jesus and His love you are “fishers of men.” And we can all be fishers of this kind. We do not always catch souls right away. People may even laugh at us when we tell them about Jesus, but we must be patient like the children in the picture. The bait we use is the Word of God, and hungry souls may seize it many years after it is first thrown out to them. So let us not grow discouraged or weary, for God will not fail to reward our patience.

Messages of God’s Love 4/23/1905

A Star Out of Jacob

Numbers 24:15-25

Balaam had yet another message to deliver before returning to his own land and people. He told the king that he was going to tell him what this people Israel would do to his people in the latter days. Then, as guided of the Spirit of God, he spoke again in parables, showing the place that Israel, and also some of the nations should have at the end.

“A Star” was to “come” out of Jacob, and “a Sceptre” to “rise out of Israel.” Who is this great One, who is going to arise, and who shall smite and destroy, and cause “to perish forever” until all of Israel’s enemies shall be put down? Where can such might and such power be found? Ah, this great, this all powerful One who shall yet “rise out of Israel,” is no other than the lowly babe of Bethlehem, whose advent into the world was celebrated by angelic hosts — the mighty God come down to dwell among men — “God with us!” Yes, the One who trod the earth in lowly guise — the “Man of sorrows” — the One who hung upon Calvary’s awful cross, there enduring the wrath of God under the load of His’ people’s sins, this, this is the One, who will come again all glorious in His power and might; this is the One who will reign over His beloved people Israel, and over the whole world; this is the “Star out of Jacob.”

But not only is He the Star out of Jacob; He is also the Saviour of sinners. Who can measure the love — who can fathom the grace, that led that blessed One to go down to the shameful death of Calvary’s cross, with all its untold agonies! And this, for those who were His enemies — yes, for sinners — rebels against God. And now, all who will may come to Him and find salvation. Oh, why should any turn away from it! Why should any choose death rather than life, when the choice is given to them? Or, why should any neglect this great salvation which is offered so freely to them, without money and without price!

Dear young reader, have you believed to the saving of your soul? Is Jesus your Saviour?

If He is, go and tell others. Tell what Jesus has done for you; do not be afraid to speak of His love, His goodness, His greatness, His worth. Sound out His praises. You will never have another life-time in which to do it. Now is the time to witness for Him. By and by, when He comes in power and glory, He will own you; and what raptures will then fill your soul!

Now is the time to own Him — and, to rejoice in Him. God grant this happy state to every believer in Jesus!

Messages of God’s Love 4/23/1905

The Fisherman's Joy

A FRIEND and myself had started from our lodgings after a good breakfast, for a long walk. We had stuffed our pockets with little books suitable for children, intending that day to go to a distant village and find all the little folks we could.

It was a beautiful morning as we took our journey by the road which ran along pretty close to the sea. A good sea breeze was blowing, and a little sharp it was too as it took us side-face, only that the sun was shining out very warmly for a November day. Every now and then we were, through a curve in the road, very close to the grey cliff that seemed to stand like some old sombre sentinel, jealously guarding the road from being overrun by the restless waves, and which waves, sometimes in a playful mood, sometimes in anger, sent the white spray right up in the face of the old cliff. but the friendly breeze soon wiped it off again. We trudged on, and had a little chat with the, old sailor on the look-out, and watched him as he put his glass to his eye to see what was going on all around for miles. I suppose he saw no enemies about, so he put his glass under his arm and walked to and fro on the little paddock before his house.

Presently we struck to the left and wended our way to the village, and for a couple of hours we were happily engaged with all the boys and, girls we could find, distributing our books. And pretty books they were too; oh yes, pretty outside as well as inside — bright colored covers with pictures on, but inside, I may say, they were lovely, for they told the way of salvation in a manner that children like to read or hear about.

We finished up with a day school, and which pretty well emptied our pockets. notwithstanding my friend had on a great coat, and his pockets seemed to be abounding, but to satisfy a whole village is enough to empty a giant’s coat, you know.

We then struck across the country for a nearer way home, and were soon travelling-up what they call the Brighton Downs. We had arrived pretty near the top, but stopped to rest a little and take breath, and looking round we saw some distance below us a boy running as fast as little legs can run when their hearts run the same way.

He soon reached us, but panting for breath. The run had brought the roses out upon his cheeks, and there he stood, a bright-eyed, curly-headed little fellow, gasping out, “ Please—sir will you give—me—a book?”

“A book! What for? How do you know we have any books to give away?”

“O sir!—they told—me at the village— yonder—.” And then taking a good long breath he could talk quietly. “They told me two gentlemen had been giving books away to all the children, and that you had come this way, and I set off at once.”

“But our books are all about heaven. and how to get there.”

“I know they are, sir,” said he, with an intelligent look; “and I know the way to heaven, that it is through the blood of Jesus.”

“Where did you learn that?”

“In my Bible.”

“Do you read your Bible and how often?”

“Every morning before I go to school, and before going to bed at night. They tell me (we forgot to ask him who the ‘they’ were) that Pilgrim’s Progress is as good as the Bible.”

“Do you think it is?”

“No, sir, that I don’t. I can’t understand that like the Bible. And I always like when I come against averse to go to the Bible and see if it’s just like it.”

“I am glad you do,” we both could not help exclaiming; and thought it would be wise of older Christians to do so, too.

We had some further talk with him, and found out that his father was a fisherman whose little cottage was in a warm place under the cliff. His mother was dead, and an elder sister took her place. He was really a sharp intelligent little boy for ten years old, and expressed himself so prettily that we thought it a beautiful finish to our village visit.

I think we searched all our pockets and managed to get some half-dozen for the little fellow that must have run a good mile and a half for them.

I do thank God that here and there in the busy town and quiet village He is winning little hearts to Christ and drawing up their young affections to heaven.

Was not that a good habit of little George, the fisherman’s boy, of going to his Bible, and seeing if all he read was to be found there? Let me ask my little readers to do the same.

Once or twice my friend called at the cottage under the cliff, and was so glad to find that “he acted like a little Christian at home.”

Perhaps the Lord intends to make the little fisherman’s boy a “fisher of men.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/23/1905

Cleansed

Can the Leopard change the spots

Woven in his coat of skin?

Can he move those color’d dots

Which from all attention win?

No; however much he tried,

All his efforts would be vain;

He with spots would still be dyed,

Every one would yet remain.

Can the sinner—vile within—

Cover’d o’er with evil blots,

Cleanse himself from shame and sin,

And efface his sinful spots?

Nay; there’s not a thing of earth

That can cleanse a sinner’s stains

All he tries is nothing worth,

He polluted still remains.

Sinner, be not then enticed ,

Such a folly to begin;

Nothing but the blood of Christ

E’er could take away thy sin.

Wash’d in His most precious blood,

Which in love did freely flow,

Bath’d in that all-cleansing flood,

Whiter thou shalt be than snow.

Messages of God’s Love 4/23/1905

Those That Seek Me Early Shall Find Me

IT IS told of Hannibal that when he could have taken Rome, he would not, and when he would have taken it, he could not. And is this not the case with many? When they may find Christ, they will not seek Him, and when they would seek Christ, they cannot find Him. When they may have mercy, they do not prize it; and when they would have mercy, they cannot obtain it. He that in his youth reckons it too early to be converted, may in his old age find it too late to be saved.

Messages of God’s Love 4/23/1905

Sick Sheep

A FRIEND who was traveling in the East, heard that there was a shepherd who still kept up the custom of calling his sheep by name. He went to the man, and said:

“Let me put on your clothes, and take your crook, and I will call them, and see if they will come to me.” And so he did, and called one sheep, “Mina, Mina!” but the whole flock ran away.

Then he said to the shepherd, “Will none of them follow me when I call them?”

The shepherd replied, “Yes, sir, some of them will; the sick sheep will follow anybody.”

Let us learn a lesson from the healthy and sick sheep, and if we with purpose of heart cleave unto the Lord, we shall not be drawn away from following Him, the true Shepherd, by those who pretend to lie shepherds but are not.

The Lord says to each one of us who are His, “FOLLOW THOU ME.”

Little child, if thou halt found

Pardon through the Saviour’s blood,

Seek to spread the joyful sound,

Seek to bring their souls to God;

Share those blessings rich and free,

Which He kindly gives to thee.

Messages of God’s Love 4/23/1905

Before the Storm

WHY are the people in our picture hurrying go to get all the hay on this big wagon-load? Both men and women are busy, working with all their might. It is because they see great dark clouds gathering in the heavens. They see the flash of lightning, and hear the sound of distant. thunders, Now it grows louder and nearer. They must hurry, for a storm is coming! They must get, their load, out of the field and into the barn where it will. be sheltered and beyond the reach of the storm.

We often see such storms, but dear reader, there is a storm, coming more terrible than, any you have ever seen—-more terrible than any, this world has ever seen—-and that is the storm of God’s judgment. We cannot run a few yards, or a few blocks, or even a few miles and find shelter from this storm. Neither is, barn nor a house, nor the strongest stone mansion can protect us from the fierceness of this storm.

Them how can we be saved? The storm that is coming is for the punishment of sin, and since we have all sinned; we must all find shelter from the storm or be destroyed by its terribleness. How can we escape?

There is a place of shelter and that is in Christ. His blood was shed on the cross, If we have faith in that blood our sins are washed away and the storm cannot touch us. But we shall seek in vain for any other way of escape. If we trample Christ’s precious blood under our feet, that awful storm will soon burst upon us and drive us into “the lake of fire, which burneth forever and ever.”

Do not despise the wonderful love that led the Saviour to shed His precious blood. Flee to His arms that are open to save you now, for, “HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?” Hebrews 2:3.

Messages of God’s Love 4/30/1905

Moses on Mt. Nebo

THE time had come for Moses to “be gathered to his people.” That great leader, and great prophet must now speak his parting, faithful words, and then go up into the Mount to die. The children of Israel were still in the land of Moab, for the divinations and enchantments of Balak and Balaam combined could neither bring the curse, nor drive them away, In that land was a Mountain called Nebo, and one of its peaks was called Mt. Pisgah. From this Mountain top Moses was permitted to view the promised land but he was not allowed to set foot upon it. This seems very sad when we think of the long and difficult way that’ he had led that great multitude of people. But he had failed to sanctify the Lord Jehovah at the rocks, and he must be made to feel how sad his failure has been. Oh, what sorrow and loss we would save ourselves, if only we could keep the Lord and His interests before the soul instead of allowing self to spring up, or of being found acting for self!

As Moses stood there alone on the Mountain top and looked down, far down, on the swift flowing Jordan as it passed in and out among the hills, and then across to the pleasant land so fruitful and so rich, which lay beyond, his heart, we can readily imagine, would be filled with mingled sorrow and joy — joy to think that the people whom he had borne in all their wilderness journeyings were now about to take possession of the land flowing with milk and honey; but what sorrow to think that he might not be permitted to lead them in and that because of failure on his part. It is our failure that makes our keenest sorrows. And, on the other hand, our deepest joy comes through walking in obedience and having the consciousness of the Lord’s approval.

This was not the first lone mountain top on which Moses has stood. On Mount Sinai, and Horeb’s rugged sides, God had met His faithful servant, and had spoken with him face to face. And here again on the top of Pisgah, God meets with him. He showed him a vast extent of country, and told him this was the land that He had promised to the seed of Abraham, Israel and Jacob. He said to him, “I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.”

The Lord had told Moses before he went up into the mountain that he should go up and die there; so Moses knew well what was before him. His heart may have trembled at the thought of death, for before Christ vanquished Satan at the cross, this evil one had the power to press the fear of death upon the soul, and this brought sad bondage to God’s dear people. When King Hezekiah came to die, righteous and good king though he had been, and one who had feared God all the days of his life, his teeth chattered for very fear. Now it is all different. Those who believe in Jesus do not fear death for its sting is gone. For them it is only a falling asleep to waken in the presence of their blessed Lord.

But we may well suppose that God comforted the heart of His faithful servant, and then took him to Himself.

And how beautiful the scene on the next Mountain top where Moses is seen! There Jesus is transfigured in the presence of His disciples, and Moses is one of the characters on the heavenly side of the picture. He is now no longer alone.

Messages of God’s Love 4/30/1905

The Little Cripple

I WAS in the habit of visiting a boy about fourteen, who, with friends, lived in a garret. It was a painful sight to behold him, one arm and hand was quite paralyzed, and the other almost useless. Besides this, his poor little wasted body was covered with abscesses, which caused him a great deal of pain at times.

He was not able to get into the green fields, for they were far away in the country, and the house in which he had but a little room at the top, was in a back street. But the sun would now and then peep through the great clump of chimney pots, and shine in and cheer him, and now and then a little stray current of fresh air would overcome all difficulties and fan his cheek. He could sit and watch the little bit of geraniums in the pots that stood outside, striving hard to look bright and to give him a little fragrance in return for the drops of water that were given them occasionally.

In winter time the snow, with its soft feathery flakes, silently covered the house tops, and made the chimney pots look like little creatures dressed in white; and it looked very uncomfortable from the little room, especially as coal was so dear, so that there was not much fire in the grate; but every now and then a little robin would come and perch on the window-sill, and cheer the poor boy with its pretty little notes. He would save a few crumbs from his scanty meal, to share with his little friend outside.

But his happiness of heart, and his cheerful-looking face, in spite of the white cheeks from which the color had long since fled, did not depend upon these, thankful as he was for them, but he had been reading the Bible, and God had been speaking peace to his young heart from His own word.

Although it pleased God that he should be a little sufferer in body, He caused His love to flow into the dear boy’s heart in such a manner that more than made up for the sufferings; and then he found in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, that it said, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” So he was enabled to look forward to the happy moment when he should go to be with Jesus, and have done with the poor, agonized body, and the helpless limbs.

On one occasion we were talking on the rich man and Lazarus, in Luke’s Gospel, when he said, “O, sir, ‘I would rather be the Lazarus (and my body seems much like his), than the one inside in the purple and fine linen, and the feasting, because I have Jesus.”

“Are you satisfied with Him?”

“Indeed I am,” said he, with such an expression that I shall not easily forget, and he added, “I have a poor body; but I have Jesus, and that’s more than enough.”

I can’t tell you how joyful it made me to hear a little boy talk like that. Jesus was precious to him, and although he had such a poor body, he had a happy heart, that all the gold and silver in the world could not give — he had peace with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; and he knew from the word of God that presently he would have a beautiful body, and all the weakness would be gone, when he was with Jesus and like Him. Because he had read in Philippians 3:20 and 21, that “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, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”

I like to visit that dingy garret, and have a little talk with the poor boy about Jesus. It reminds me of what a poet once sang about a Sunday-school:

“I have been there and still would go,

‘Tis like a little heaven below.”

May many of my little readers find in Jesus a Saviour and a guide ‘through the slippery paths of youth, and they will find that no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly, for it says, in Romans 8:32, “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?”

How gracious of God to visit a little dark dingy garret, to tell a poor little cripple about His love and the gift of eternal life by Christ Jesus. He saw the boy a poor little needy one, and He made him rich in Christ. Oh, how much better-off was he than many a one living in a big mansion who had every earthly luxury, but who had not Christ as the anchor of the soul.

Messages of God’s Love 4/30/1905

Ready to Pardon

HOW many there are who have a mistaken idea of God! They think that He wishes to judges forgetting His own word, which says: He is ready to pardon,. and that judgment is His “strange work.”

Do you think that God likes to see a sinner perish? “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.”. Ezek. 33:11. “The. Lord is .... not willing that any should perish, but that all Should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and that surely includes you!

We know, too, that this does give Him pleasure. Can you read: Luke 15 and still doubt it?

We never read in God’s word that a repentant sinner was turned away. Take the thief, for instance. He deeply felt his guilt and confessed it. Did the Lord turn away from him and refuse his request because he was such a sinner?. Listen to His gracious answer, “Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23). Ah! He does indeed “exeeeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

But perhaps you are like the Pharisee. (Luke 11) and think you are better. than many you see around you. If that is the case, may God open your eyes to see your lost condition, that you may cry like the publican, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” And then it will not be long before you see that Christ died, “the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18.)

A king once visited a prison with the intention of releasing one prisoner. He asked several of them why they were there; three laid the blame on others; and one on the jury; but one confessed: that he deserved the punishment, and the king said to him; “You are the man I will release;” and he let him go free.

Those who take that ground, and: confess that they deserve punishment, receive God’s pardon and. go free.

Lord, Thou art so holy,

Heaven’s Almighty King,

Thou ‘Wilt stoop to listen

When Thy praise we sing.

We are little Children,

Weak and apt to stray;

Saviour, guide and keep us,

In the heavenly way.

Then when Jesus calls us

To our heavenly home;.

We would gladly answer,

“Saviour, Lord, we come.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/30/1905

Bible Questions for May

Answers to Questions for March

1. “Jesus.” Heb. 2:9.

2. “Every. year.” “ 9:25

3. “Sin:” “ “ 9:26.

4. “Us.” “ 8:18.

5. “Suffer affliction.”,etc. “ 11:25

JESUS. “ 6:20.

Bible Questions for May

The answers are to be found in the.1St and 2nd epistles of Peter, and the first letter of each answer will spell the name of a prophet who loved the wages of unrighteousness.

1. What words fallow these, “It is written?”

2. Who is the Lord willing should come to repentance?

3, What is he who will love life and see food days told to do?

4. What are strangers and pilgrims told to do?

5. Name one thing we are told to lay aside.

6. What is it that is in the sight of God of great price.

Messages of God’s Love 5/7/1905

Editor's Notice

IN commencing our seventh year of “Messages of Love?! we desire to express thankfulness to our brethren for the fellowship they have shown for the past years — in prayer for blessing to accompany the papers; in contributing articles, and assisting the further spread of free papers, where they are gladly received.

It is, also, with deep thankfulness to our God and Father that He has, in His grace, given us the privilege of sowing the good seed this way, for it reaches many homes where we otherwise could not get the gospel. We are permitted, to know of blessing through its pages, and also of many who look forward to receiving it from time to time. May this encourage us, dear brethren, to continue the spread of the truth and to assist in the constant expense of the free papers, of which there are, at present, about twenty-five hundred going out weekly, into hospitals, prisons, missions, also Jewish and Chinese missions; to tract distributors, among the Indians, and to foreign fields.

May we remember the word, “Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9.

Any who feel. led of the Lord to send in short, painted and simple gospel articles suited to the young, will be most thankfully received.

Let us not become so engrossed: with the temporal things which we must soon leave behind, as to forget the great need of the going forth of the pure, simple gospel to perishing souls, especially to the young while their consciences are still tender.

Messages of God’s Love 5/7/1905

Bring the Little Ones to Jesus

Fellow Christian, God has given

To you .a sacred charge,

To gather in the little ones,

The small as well as large.

He asks of you to bring to Him;

The young as well as old;

For in His sight the souls of Men

Are far more worth than gold.

‘Twas by the word that from His lips

The world and all therein

Came into being, but how great

The work of purging sin.

The souls of those dear little ones,

Are precious’ in His sight,

And ‘tis a privilege you have

To bring them to the light.

Oh! think of what a portion lies

Beyond the reach of hope,

Where every soul that knows not.

Christ will drink the bitter cup.

Store well their minds with sacred things,

The plain, pure Gospel, teach,

Leave it with Him to do the rest

And He their hearts will reach.

And if at times discouragements

Of every kind appear,

Oh falter not, remember to

The Saviour they are dear.

Just look upon that little child

And think of Satan’s aim

To lead that precious soul astray

To suffer endless shame.

And can you let those souls be lost,

By carelessness to win

In early life, the little ones ,

Back from the paths of sin?

O! Christian, seize the privilege

So quickly gliding o’er.

Tell to the little children-

Christ lives forever more.

Yes, tell to them that Jesus ,

To save their souls did die,

And tell them of the welcome

That awaiteth them on high.

A little while, and Jesus

Will call you far away;

To’ spend with Him in glory

One endless, cloudless day.

Oh may there be some jewels,

To deck your crown up there;

The souls of little children

You won for Him while here.

Remember too in service,

‘Tis only in His hand

You draw the hearts of children

To that bright and better land.

Then seek with fervent purpose

The young to gather in,

And bring. them unto Jesus

Saved from the paths of sin.

Messages of God’s Love 5/7/1905

The Burial of Moses

As we saw in our last paper, it was up on Mount Nebo that Moses died. No human friend was there to speak a word of cheer — no kind hand to perform the last sad rites for the departed one. The children of Israel could weep down on the plains of Moab; and they did weep many days for their faithful leader whose loved face they would never gaze upon again. A short time before, he had left them in the full vigor of strength, although at that time one hundred and twenty years of age, but he would return to them no more. This could not have been unexpected, for God had told Moses what should happen him.

And after his death, He said to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead.” So the people could not look for Moses to come back to them, as he had done after nearly six weeks absence on Mt. Horeb.

Ah! no; Moses was dead. And who should bury him? Would his body be allowed to lie on the Mountain top until the birds of the air would devour it, and his bones be left to bleach’in the sun?

No! this honored servant of the Lord, who had been privileged to speak with Him face to face, should not thus be left.

Does one of my readers say, no human hand was there to dig for him a grave—no strong arm to bear him to his last resting place! How then could his burial be brought about?

Ah! we must not limit God’s power. He does not need human aid to accomplish His purposes. We are told, that. the Lord buried Moses in a valley in the land of Moab, and that no man knows of his sepulchre. We must not forget that angels are the ministers of God’s power, and they do His bidding with a swiftness and a strength that man cannot equal by any means. In Jude, God draws the curtain aside and shows us there a contention that angels had over the body of the one who had no human hand to bury him. That body was dear to the Lord, and He had given it into the charge of Michael, the archangel. This highest angel may have been carrying the precious remains to another spot for their safe interment, for we know that Moses died on the Mountain, and was buried in the valley. Whatever the occasion, the devil, with his characteristic boldness, came upon the scene and disputed with Michael about the body. We can see clearly from this little scene that the Lord did not need the help of man in the burial of His dear servant. The highest angel of heaven was sent to do His bidding; and he did his work so well that no trace of it was left for man to discover.

Why do you suppose the Lord so ordered it that no trace of the burial place of Moses was afterwards found? Do you not think the children of Israel would have made that body an object of worship if they had been able to secure it? It would have been quite like them for they made an idol out of the brazen serpent that Moses had put on a pole. But God would give no opportunity for such a thing as this.

Messages of God’s Love 5/7/1905

Whomsoever

A MESSENGER came to a Sunday School superintendent and said, “Hasten as quickly as you can, there’s a boy in a garret wanting to see you. He is dying.” The superintendent hastened, to the place, and found, lying on a heap of straw, a boy who had been crushed by a cart.

As he entered the lad quickly said, “Didn’t I hear you say the other Sunday, that whomsoever a fellow comes to Jesus, he would be saved’?”

“Yes,” replied the visitor, “I said something like that.” “Well,” said the boy, “then I am saved. I have been a bad boy, but I’ve been thinking about that, and I have taken God at His word, so I’m saved.” After he had uttered these words his strength seemed to fail, and a few minutes after passed away, his last words being, “Whomsoever a fellow comes to Jesus, He will in no wise cast out.”

He did not quote the words exactly, but he had grasped the meaning of them, and believed them too. (John 3:16, and 6:37.)

“God so loveth the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever, believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

“Him that cometh to Mc I will in no wise cast out.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/7/1905

A Place of Safety

THE little girl in our picture today looks very happy and contented in the arms of her older brother and sister. She does not seem to be in the least afraid that they will let her drop. The picture brings to mind a verse in the Bible which says, “THE ETERNAL GOD IS THY REFUGE, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS.” Deut. 33:37. Do you know what. a refuge is? It is a place of safety — a place where nothing can harm one. Our houses are a refuge from the cold and storms of winter. Many people have a cave in their yard, to use for a refuge from cyclones, or terrible wind storms. Our verse says that the Eternal God is our refuge. Do you know from what He is our refuge? I think I hear some little one say, “from sin or from Satan.” Yes, that is right. If the everlasting arms are underneath us, we need have no fear of anything evil, and if once we are in those arms, they will never, never let us drop.

There is another verse in the Bible, which speaks of God, as holding the sea in the hollow of His hand. Once a little boy was in a ship and a terrible storm came up. Everyone on board of the ship was very much frightened, thinking it was going to sink, except a little boy, who seemed very calm and quiet. Someone, noticing this, asked him if he was not afraid. Looking up, the little boy answered, “Afraid? No Why should I be afraid? My Saviour holds the water in the hollow of His hand, and if the ship should sink, I would go right down into my Saviour’s hand.

Volume 6 now ready.

Messages of God’s Love 5/7/1905

Timothy

The aged apostle Paul, in the very last letter he wrote before he went home to be with Christ, 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.” 2 Timothy 3:15. Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother, and they had taught him to love the Word of God, but you see it was not being their child that saved him. They were persons of faith (chap. 1:5), but it was not their believing in Christ that could save Timothy. They could point him to the Scriptures, but it was the Scriptures themselves that could make him “wise unto salvation.” And then, when he read them, it was not confidence in his mother who had put them into his hand, but faith in the Lord Jesus Himself, whom he read about in those Scriptures, that was the means of his becoming thus wise unto salvation. Now I want, my dear young reader, to say a few very plain and simple things to you on this subject, and I pray that the Lord may so write the words of the verse itself upon your minds and hearts that you may never forget them. The last verse of the chapter speaks about a “man of God,” which Timothy had now grown up to be. He appears to have been a very useful man too, much beloved and valued by Paul, as we see almost every time Paul speaks of him (Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor. 16:10; Phil. 1:1; 2:19-22; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:5). And Paul tells him that the man of God could find all the instruction he Would need for his work in the service of God, in those very same Scriptures that he had known from a child. You see there was first being made “wise unto salvation,” and then, being saved, there was being fully “furnished unto all good works” as a man of God and a servant of God in this world. These are the two great things we desire for our dear young friends that they should be saved, and know it, and then that they should be the willing and able servants of the blessed One who has saved them. Do not stop short of being saved, and do not be satisfied with being merely saved. Never suppose that the only thing worth knowing about Jesus is that He has saved you, or that the only thing He looks for from you is that you should come to Him for life and forgiveness, and then do your own will afterwards. Some appear to think that to be saved by Christ is about all we have to do with Him, and they can think about that when they are just about to die. But when Paul wrote to Titus about “the grace of God that bringeth salvation,” he said that it teaches us how we should live “in this present world,” which shows that God’s grace is not a thing for us only when we are about to leave the world, to secure our being safely landed in another world. No, no, the Lord wants to have a people in this world who will confess before all that they are not their own but His, that He has bought them with His own blood, that He has died for them that they should not live henceforth unto themselves, but unto Him, their living Lord and Master in heaven.

Messages of God’s Love 5/14/1905

Names of Those Who Have Been Answering the Bible Questions for Term Ending April, 1905.

Dear Children: It gives us pleasure to record again so many names of those who have answered the questions during the last term. Our earnest desire is that God’s rich blessing may be with your work. Our object in giving the questions, is that you may become better acquainted with the word of God, and we trust that all who have answered them in the past, may continue, and many more be added to the list. Our object in giving rewards is to spread the gospel, but remember that becoming better acquainted with the Scripture, is a greater reward than any we could give.

Messages of God’s Love 5/14/1905

We Must Believe in Christ

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

A little boy of seven years old,

Had not been taught in vain;

The following talk, though very brief,

To you will prove it plain.

One Lord’s day eve his mother tried

To prove to him the need

Of moral works, in order that

We might be blest indeed.

“We must,” said she, “the Bible read,

To God Almighty pray,

While in His house attentive be,

And holy keep His day.”

“This must be done,” she gravely said,

“If we in heaven would dwell;”

Then said the child, “Though this we do, .

‘Twill not save us from hell.”

“What more,” said she, “then can we do?”

The little boy replied,

“We must in Jesus Christ believe,

Who for poor sinners died.”

“If this we do, then shall we love

God’s holy word to read,

His service too, our sins forsake,

And holy lives shall lead.

“The Bible tells us all quite plain

We must in Christ believe,

If we do not, in heaven above ,

Our souls He’ll not. receive.”

The boy was right, without this faith

We cannot please. the Lord,

Unless in Jesus we believe,

Our works He’ll not regard.

Messages of God’s Love 5/14/1905

The Morning Star

OUR little children have wakened early in the morning, even before daylight and are looking quite intently at the beautiful star. Not many of the little folks are awake early enough to see the morning star, as nearly all healthy children sleep soundly till daylight arouses them, but it is a pretty sight to see the morning star shining so bright and clear amid the darkness, before the day begins to dawn.

This world has for a long time been in darkness, away from God, and soon the Lord Jesus will appear as “the Bright and Morning Star” and call away all those who believe on Him, to meet Him in the clouds, and go with Him to the Father’s House, to be with and like Him forever. What a blessed time that will be for all who have trusted Him as their Saviour!

One beautiful summer evening, two very little children were sitting on the porch with their mamma, looking at the stars and sky and talking of the Father’s House beyond them, when the little girl said, “Mamma, I don’t see how we are going to go through the sky and get up there.

The little boy, the younger of the two, promptly replied, “Oh, I know! when Jesus went up into heaven He made a hole in the sky and we can go up the same way He did.”

Jesus says, “I am the Way” and His going into heaven prepared the place, so now we wait for Him to come and get us and take us there, too.

Dear children, if you have not come to Jesus, He waits for you; if you have, the next thing is that you should wait for Him and expect Him every day.

“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 AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.” John 14:2-3.

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

Joshua

MOSES, the great leader of the people,. has passed away; and now God appoints Joshua to succeed him as a leader for Israel. Joshua was not a prophet like unto Moses, but he was a man full of the spirit of wisdom. He and Caleb only were left of all the men and warriors that had come out of Egypt. The rest had died on the way. These two had counted upon God to fight their battles for them, when the others had feared to go forward in the face of the difficulties that presented themselves. Now God was honoring those who had honored Him, and these two alone, of the many thousands who had been brought out of Egypt, were to be brought into the land of promise. It is true, Joshua led a great army into the land, but it was “the little ones” who had come to manhood’s years’ during their long period of wilderness wanderings, and who now in time had become the warriors.

Let us not think that Joshua was now to be put to some dreadful test, because his confidence in God had been strong when troubles threatened. No! God gave to him the strongest assurance before he entered the land. He told Joshua that no man should be able to stand before him all the days of his life. He also told him that He had given him every place where the sole of his foot should tread. And this He added to it, that He would not fail him, nor forsake him. And He bade Joshua to be strong and of good courage. How his heart must have been encouraged to hear such words from Jehovah.

There was one charge that the Lord gave to Joshua: and that was to do all that was written in the book of the law. When he did this, his way was to be made prosperous, and he was to have good success. Having this command from the Lord, he was to go forward without fear, having the assurance given him that the Lord his God would be with him whereever he went.

Let us take time to gather up a little lesson from this. We’ are not under law and so required to keep the things written there, as Joshua was; but we are enjoined to hear the word of God and DO IT. And here is a solemn thought; it is only those who “do” His word who are owned of Jesus. There are plenty who hear it, but it is only the few who do it. Alas! what an awaking there will be for some. Are you, my young reader, hearing and doing, or are you only hearing, and so awaiting the time of greater condemnation; for your responsibility is greater than that of those who have not heard at all.

Joshua was to have great earthly blessings and honor if he would do the things written in the law.

But those who now love the Lord and do His word will have eternal gain.

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

The All-Seeing Eye

WHEN Lafayette was imprisoned. those who imprisoned him were so much afraid that he would escape, that they cut a small hole in his prison door, and watched him night and day. He says whenever he looked at the hole he saw an eye watching him. It made him feel dreadfully. Children, how would you feel to have an eye follow you from room to room, from place to place, meeting its searching gaze whichever way you turned? Though you may not know or think of it, there is an eye upon you every moment of your life; not a human eye, but the eye of the all-seeing, holy God. Sometimes the thought of this makes me feel very sad; as I sit in my class it distresses me to see those bad boys whispering and laughing, while some are reading the Bible. Those boys watch the teachers, and are afraid that they will see them; they don’t care that God’s observing eye is on them; they do not recollect that a day will come when God will call them to account for treating His word with contempt. He will then say, “I called you in the school, and you paid no regard to My words.”

I felt very sad the other day at hearing that one of the boys in our school took money from his father. He escaped his father’s eye, but God’s searching eye saw him, and if such persons will turn to 1 Corinthians 6:10 and 2 Thessalonians 1:8, they will see that something very dreadful will come upon them if they obey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many years ago I knew, a little girl, who was a merry little thing; but sickness came and laid its heavy hand upon her. She was a bright, intelligent little creature, and very fond of reading. One day, she took up one of the little books lying on her bed; an eye was pictured upon it, and under the picture were the words, “The All-seeing Eye.” She looked at it some time; and said, “Aunty, what does it mean?”

“It is meant to explain that God knows everything you do; He is always seeing you, and knows your every thought.”

She did not speak for some time; and then, with much feeling, she said, “Aunty, I don’t want to think about it,” that is, she did not like the thought that “the eyes of the Lord are in every place.” Do you like to remember that God is ever seeing you? If you love the Lord Jesus Christ, and desire to walk in His footsteps, you will delight in the thought that the Lord is ever near you, and you will say, “Search me, and try me, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

A Folded Lamb

ONE of our dear little friends has lately gone to be with the Lord.

Dorothy M. was the younger of two dear little girls, whose parents say they are saved, but as Scripture says, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” and we see no signs of their trying to live for the Lord, and they seldom attend any service where they would learn more of Him, we fear they are not, but He who reads the heart, knows who are His.

But they have been willing for their little girls ‘to go to a Sunday-school close by their home, since they were, little tots, where they learned of the Saviour’s love in giving Himself for them. They truly learned to love Him and it was their delight to speak of His coming to take them to be forever with Himself:

They were very attentive in Sunday school and always knew their verse.

One Lord’s day they were missed from the school, and as, occasionally, on fine days, the parents would take them to visit relatives, although the girls said they would rather go to Sunday-school, we did not think anything had happened to either of them, though we did miss their bright faces whenever they were absent.

But the next Lord’s day in passing the house, we saw white crepe on their door, and went and rang the bell to inquire the cause.

We were met at the door by dear little H. who said, while her eyes were streaming with tears, “O, Mrs. A. Dorothy is with the Lord.”

A few days before, she had taken Diphtheria but, was thought to be improving, when she suddenly took a relapse and in a few hours was absent from the body and present with the Lord.

While she was lying in bed, she had her Messages of Love Hymn Book and would sing over and over again the hymns she had learned at Sunday school which she loved so well.

What a blessed exchange for her, to be with her Lord; and she has gone on only a little while before those of us who know Jesus as our Saviour, for He is soon coming to gather us all together around Himself.

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

Little Harry's Reason for Loving Jesus

ONE evening I was visiting at the house of a friend, where, after tea, three of the children were allowed to come into the parlor. The eldest was Harry, a serious, thoughtful boy, between four and five years of age; the next was Freddy, a merry, roguish little fellow; the youngest was little. Matty, who never liked to be still a minute. Matty sat in my lap, and Harry and Freddy stood by my side, while I told them a story about a little boy who loved to pray to Jesus.

They all listened very attentively till the story was ended, when I asked them whether they loved Jesus. Harry said he was sure he did; and just as he said so his mamma came into the room. I told her what her little boy had been saying, when she took his hand and asked him,

“But why does Harry love Jesus?”

“Because,” he replied, looking up to his mamma’s face with a sweet smile, “Jesus first loved Harry, Ma.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

What Can I Bring to God?

A little one I am,

What can I bring to God?

Can I bring lovely fruits and flowers

Up to His high abode?

Not these, my child.

O what, then, can I bring—

The labors of my hands?

For surely one who bringeth these

Loved and accepted stands;

Not so, my child.

No fruits or flowers avail’

To please the Holy God;

Remission is by blood alone—

The Saviour’s precious blood;

‘Tis this, my child.

No labor of your hands

For sin can e’er atone;

The Bible says salvation is

By faith in Christ alone;

Not works, my child.

Believe what God declares,

Believe in Christ and live,

For all who trust His precious blood

Eternal life receive.

Believe, my child.

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

Extract From Letter

“Dear Mr. H.— If the Lord does not come, it is because He has not yet got His house full, and that He wants His word to be spread among all races of men, so that none may find an excuse at the day of judgment. May all His dear ones be waiting for Him to come at any moment. Your Friend.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/21/1905

The Blessed Man

“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; AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT.” PSA. 1:1-2.

The happy man, whom David describes in the first Psalm, is one who finds his “delight” in the word of his God, and who keeps himself apart from the selfish and sinful ways of “the men of this world.” There are those around him who are “ungodly;” who have not the fear of God before their eyes, and who live out their days as though there were “no God;” but he is not guided by them. He knows the true God, who has made known in His word what His will is; and lie finds his happiness in living before that: God, meditating on His word by day and night, and seeking to do His will from his heart: this man is blessed in his doing (Eph. 6:6; James 1:25). He does not consult with the ungodly as to his path in the world, or “walk in their counsel;” and the God with whom he does take counsel cares for him, and makes him to prosper. As “a tree planted by the rivers of water,” his life is fresh and fruitful, while the ungodly become as chaff before the wind. Like the husk of wheat, when the grain itself is gone; light, and dry, and no more good, except to be burnt up, so “the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Dear boy or girl who reads this, you are in the same world in which David lived, and wrote the truth of God — which way are you choosing? Those who, as far as they can, live without God, are still on every side. The “way of sinners” is still chosen by all those who know not for themselves the Saviour of sinners: and, alas, there is still “the seat of the scornful,” and many sit in it whom the world calls “professors,” and looks up to as great and wise men! But God still keeps the way open for those who “delight in His law,” to “live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty;” guided, not by “the counsel of the ungodly,” but by the Lord, who says, “I will guide thee with Mine eye.” “Looking unto Jesus,” is the way to be led aright in this sinful world, where we all go the wrong way if we are guided only by our own thoughts. Then, if we are directed by His “counsel” (Ps. 73:24), it is not the “way of sinners” in which we “stand.” We have learned that we are sinners, but that Christ “died for sinners;” that He “came into the world to save sinners,” and that God Himself shows “His own love,” in that while that was just what we were in His sight, “Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). But when we are thus saved from our sins, it is no longer the “way of sinners” we delight in, but we say, “Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths” (Ps. 25:4). And we find His ways are “ways of pleasantness,” and all His paths are “peace.” There are those who “care for none of these things,” and, alas, in their ignorance of themselves and God, they despise those who are walking in His ways. They are “blinded” in their minds by the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and are careless both as to the danger they are in, and the joy and peace they are robbing themselves of by refusing to be subject to Christ.

May you, dear children, take delight in reading God’s word and thus get His wisdom and be kept from the many sins of this world.

Messages of God’s Love 5/28/1905

The Two Soldiers

On a fine summer evening, in the year 1853, a young French woman was busily employed in gathering mulberry leaves for her silkworms, when a troop of soldiers passed by, looking weary and dusty with their march. Two of them, who seemed quite overcome with fatigue, turned aside, and entered into conversation with the young woman, one asking if she were a Protestant; to which she replied, “I am, and a Christian too,” and began to speak to them about the things of God.

“We are too young,” said one of the soldiers, whose name was Joseph, “to think of these things; it will be time enough when we get old.”

“And how do you know that you will ever be old?” said the young woman. She asked if they ever read the Bible? They said that they did not, but promised to read two tracts which she gave them, and took their leave, hastening after their comrades, while the young woman returned to her mulberry trees and silkworms.

Eighteen months passed away. It was now winter, and the young woman was sitting in her cottage, when two soldiers knocked at the door. She did not recognize her visitors, until one of them, handing her two tracts, said, “Perhaps you will remember these.”

The sight of them explained all. The two soldiers before her were those to whom she had given the tracts, which had been used. by God to their conversion; and they were now come, before sailing to the Crimea, to thank the young woman for what she had done. They told her that they had react her tracts over and over again, had bought New Testaments, and lent the tracts to their comrades, eight of whom were now in the habit of meeting to read and pray together. And not only so, but they could now praise the Lord for saving their souls.

Messages of God’s Love 5/28/1905

Little Katie's Way of Telling the Good News

I WANT to tell our young readers of a little sentence, spoken by a very little girl — a sentence full of meaning.

But first, you, must hear a little about Katie, and about her home. It is such a tiny house she lives in, just such a place as a little girl would love to have for playing house-keeping in. From the field behind, it looks but a step to the roof, and in front the door is so low, that a tall boy or girl must stoop to get in. Yet it is neat and pretty, the walls are whitewashed and the roof black tarred.

On a bright summer afternoon the sunshine streams in by the window and open door, and in the dark chill winter, a fire blazing on the hearth, makes it warm and cheery. But there is something else in that lowly home to brighten and to cheer. It is the love of Jesus known by hearts that have felt keenly the chill blasts of this world’s trouble and sorrow.

The town too is small and pretty: A line of whitewashed houses, half encircling a snugly sheltered bay, where tiny boats dance on the rippling water, and large ships may safely anchor, quite protected from the raging waves of the Atlantic, which roar and foam against the rocky coast outside.

Not only is Katie little, and her home little, and the town she lives in, but even her country is a little one. The deep, deep sea rolls all around it, that sea — so lovely in the calm sunshine, so grand in the raging storm — but ah! so sad to look on when we think of the many who have perished in its depths. Very many children in that land have seen their fathers go out from their humble homes, well and full of hope of a speedy return; but the return never came; perhaps, instead, came a sad letter; perhaps, nothing at all, and then the loving ones hoped on, till hope could live no longer.

Now let us go along the beach, turn in by these two cottages, and enter Katie’s tiny home. The mother is out, for she must work hard for her three fatherless children. The little brother is very likely at play with some of his school-fellows, the sister, too young to go to school, is somewhere not far off. Katie, with a playmate, is seated on the earthen floor; her grandmother by the fire, busy with her knitting, is quite heedless of the children seated near her. At last some words catch her ear, and as she listens, she hears the other little girl say, “But if I be a good girl, and do no’ tell no lies, and do no’ say no bad words, will no’ the Good Man love me?”

“No! no!” said Katie. “that’s not the way at all. You must first say, That Saviour is mine, then all the good that you speak of must come after that.”

This was Katie’s little sermon, and a very good sermon I think it is. Too many children are taught to think that by being good and obedient, by doing certain things and not doing other things, they can please God and make Him love them, Have you dear child, tried this way? Have you found out that you are a sinner, and as such, unfit for the presence of God, and so have tried to do better and to be better? If so, how have you succeeded? Have you satisfied yourself? I am sure you have not. You have found, as I have found, and as many others have found, that good resolves are quickly broken and that try and try as you may, you do not get a bit better.

Well, God told you all this before you began to try. He says, “There is none righteous, no not one!” “There is none that doeth good, no not one!” And again, “Not subject to the law of God.” “Cannot please God.” This is God’s thought about every one of us. But for those who accept this as being their true character, there is good news, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Yes, for sinners. Not for those who are. trying to be good. It was sinners God loved, and “so loved that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

If, then, you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be able to say, “This Saviour is mine, for He died for me. I know it, for He died for sinners, and I am a sinner. And I do not need by my good works to purchase His love.”

Does anyone say, “Then are not we to try to please God, but just be saved by believing, and then do as we like?” Oh no! As Katie said, “The good must come after. We love Him, because He first loved us, and so we will try to please Him,” but it is as His “dear children” we do so, in a new life, for we are now born of God. and in a new power, for He has given us His Spirit. God worketh in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.

If you, dear reader, are not saved, rest not, nor be satisfied till you can say, “That Saviour is mine.” If you are saved, happy, very happy, is your condition, but be careful, and see that in your case “All the good comes after.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/28/1905

Dressed for the Grave

SOME years ago I went to visit a little girl from a children’s Bible class in the city of Edinburgh. I had heard she was lying near death, and wanted to see me, and immediately I went.

Her house was in the Canongate, up a filthy court, and at the top of a high dirty staircase. With some difficulty I found my way to it, and knocking at the door to which I was directed, waited to be let in. Again and again I knocked, but no one answered; so lifting up the latch I opened the door myself, and entered a most wretched room. A few red ashes and cinders were in the grate, and beside these was a miserable looking man, half intoxicated. I asked, “Does a little girl of the name of Christina live here?” The man growled out something I could not understand, and pointed to a corner of the room, where in a sort of closet lay the object of my search. Her only bed was a heap of straw upon the floor, covered with a piece of coarse sacking. Some remains of blankets covered her, but those and herself were in a filthy state of dirt. My heart was moved as I looked at the poor dying little girl, left in that sad state, by godless parents; and I said, “My dear little girl I am sorry to see you in so wretched a condition.” “Wretched, sir,” she said, “Oh! I’m not wretched, sir, I’m very happy.” “Happy and lying here, and none to take care of you and help you! What makes you happy?” “Jesus, sir, makes me happy. Why, don’t you know He has dressed me for the grave!” and her pale face lighted up with a bright joyous smile. “Dressed you for the grave? What do you mean, dear child?” for I thought perhaps her mind was wandering. “Oh, don’t you remember, sir, that you told us the last time you preached to us, that Jesus dressed all His little lambs in beautiful robes, and would take them to glory? He has so dressed me. Blessed Jesus, and that makes me happy now.”

“Poor, dying, little Christina,” I thought, “thou art far better dressed than many a great one of this world.” Beautiful, blessed state, to be a new creature in Christ Jesus, longing to see Him and to be with Him forever.

Volume 6 now ready.

Messages of God’s Love 5/28/1905

Bible Questions for June

Answers to Questions tor May

1. “A multitude of sins.” James 5:20.

2. “Be ye also patient.” “ 5:8.

3. “Rahab.” “ 11:25.

4. “A double minded man.” “ 1:5.

5. “Humble yourselves in” etc “ 4:10.

6. “All such rejoicing is evil.” 4:16.

7. “Mercy and good fruits.” “ 3:17

“ABRAHAM.” 11:23.

Bible Questions for June

Answers to be found in the 1St, 2nd, & 3rd, epistles of John, and Jude, and the first letter of each answer will spell something we are told not to love.

1. Who does it say “ye have an unction from”?

2. Give the words following these, “Hath not God”.

3. What words follow these, “Antichrist shall come”?

4. Who is it that overcometh the world?

5. If we say that we have no. sin who do we deceive?

6. What has the Lord done with the angels which kept not their first estate?

7. To whom does it say, “Let no man deceive you.”? .

8. Who was it that had good report of all men?

Messages of God’s Love 6/4/1905

Be Strong and of a Good Courage

JOSHUA was about to lead the people forward. Difficulties confronted them. Cities great and “walled up to heaven” were to be taken. A people of whom it had been said, “Who can stand before them?” were to be met and overcome. Forty years before, the hearts of the children of Israel had melted with fear at the thought of meeting these nations, who were greater and mightier than they. Surely Joshua needed courage to go forward in the face of such an enemy. Did he have it? Yes, God had assured him that He would be with him, and this was enough.

But what I would have my young readers notice is this: God does not say here, Be strong to go forward and take those great cities; Be courageous in facing those terrible, giants! No, He says, Be strong and courageous to do according to all the law.

Joshua was to meditate day and night on the things written there, and he was to do them. And what would be the result of thus studying and acting upon God’s word? Happy indeed, for he should have good success, and his way should be made prosperous.

Shall we have such wonderful results, if now we keep God’s word? God does not promise us earthly prosperity, as He did His people in olden time, but He gives to us blessings which are of a far higher order: And if you, who believe in Jesus, will meditate much upon God’s blessed word, your way will be made prosperous for all eternity, and you will have a reaping time of joy, such as earth knows nothing of. You will come upon treasures whose worth is far beyond that of silver and gold.

Oh, then be strong and of good courage to study God’s word and to walk according to its blessed precepts!

Messages of God’s Love 6/4/1905

The Guiding Star

OUR direction was always pointed out by a star” remarked a speaker upon whose head the touch of Time had left its whitening trace — and when the eye was fixed upon that unchanging guide there was no danger whatever of wandering out of the way.” The guiding star experience referred to, was during pioneer days when freight trains, driven across the western plains was the only mode for the transportation of goods.

This primitive method would no doubt look strange to my young readers, who, if traveling now over the same route on railroads provided with modern, ease, producing accommodations, could but imperfectly understand the many hardships and dangers of these earlier years.

These trains were composed of a number of huge covered wagons — termed “prairie schooners” and were drawn by from six to a dozen yoke of oxen, each being guided and hastened forward by a trainman who trudged along the weary way on foot.

There were then no towns as are now visible from the windows of the swift gliding cars, nor were there any beautiful farms as now along this broad stretch of country once known as “The Great American Desert”. Everything has been changed and the “desert” through culture has been made by God’s goodness to yield fruits to gladden the hearts of its inhabitants.

At this time however, there were only Indian tribes roaming about the prairies, changing from place to place as the buffalo, upon which they largely subsisted, were killed or driven to other localities. Sometimes a village of these aborigines was for a time stationed near the trail but they were soon and easily removed when a change became necessary — the tents being merely folded up and the poles made to serve as carts for removing their few possessions to a better hunting ground.

Hostile bands of these savages too, were often met in pursuit of some neighboring tribe with the avowed intention of avenging real or fancied wrong, and at such times the men of the freight trains were in great danger of sharing the same fare as their open enemies.

At night the wagons were corraled in the wide expanse of prairie, the tired oxen unyoked and if no signs of danger appeared, the hungry animals closely guarded by herdsmen, were driven to pasturage among the neighboring hills.

A change of guards was always ordered shortly after midnight and the returned herdsman having no other available means for guiding his successor through the surrounding darkness, pointed out a star in the direction of the grazing herd. This alone was their compass to point out the way through that trackless waste!

“Had I turned my eye from that star” was continued, “ in search of the desert’s ravenous coyottes or still more dangerous savages, which were known to be often prowling around with thievish designs, my guide would have been lost among its myriad companions and I should perhaps have been filled with needless fears.”

And is it not so with us who have taken Jesus as our guiding star? Our lives in this world have been typified as a wilderness journey and the world in itself is without spiritual light.

The Lord Jesus has said — “I am the bright and the morning star,”Rev. 22:16, but how often we become occupied with the dangers or follies that so numerously lurk along the way and our eyes are turned away from the only true Guide.

The shepherds, watching their flocks by night (Matt 2:2) were led by the star to the infant Jesus, where through faith they bowed in worship before Him.

Let us not trust in the glimmering earthly lights — artfully termed “science” or “reason”, or even in the delusive gleam of earthly pleasures — all of which are planned by Satan to turn our hearts away from “the bright and morning star” that alone can guide us safely to a better world. All human lights are but phosphorescent and doomed to fade at the touch of death!

Messages of God’s Love 6/4/1905

A Serious Question

SOMETHING seems to have happened which troubles the boy who sits in the doorway, so that he seems sober, thoughtful, and perhaps a little cast down. And the other two boys show in their faces a kindly interest and sympathy with him. For the time, their work is suspended, while all their thoughts are engaged with the question under consideration. .

Even boys — usually so full of life and fun — sometimes have their troubles, and become serious and thoughtful. And this is well, for we are in a world full of evil, and full of trouble. Sin has entered into the world, and has ruined the whole human race. Through sin all are lost and utterly ruined; and this raises a far more important question than that which occupies these boys. It is a question, too, which is raised in the word of God. You will find it in Acts 16:30. It was asked by a man who suddenly realized that he was lost, and knew not what to do. The question was this:

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Have you ever asked this question? You have perhaps stopped to consider a great many little questions which have come up in your life, like the boys in our picture. But here is a question of infinitely greater importance than all other questions put together. Have you ever taken time to think of it even for an hour?

As you have lain down in your bed at night, you have perhaps thought of the sins you have committed through the day — how you got angry with your little brother, or sister, or playmate, or perhaps with your mother, and perhaps you told lies, and did other bad things which God hates and must punish. As you have thought of these things, have you ever seriously, soberly, and in the light of eternity, asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Oh! if you have not. stop now, I beseech you, and. think of it.

And would you like to know the answer to this question? You will find it in the next verse. It is this: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Oh! how simple. Why should you, then, remain unsaved for a single hour? Come with all your sins and guilt to Jesus. Believe on Him now, and be saved.

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

Messages of God’s Love 6/4/1905

A Child's Reply

SOME time ago, in Ireland. a teacher asked a little boy if there was anything that God could not do. The little fellow said: “Yes, He cannot see my sins through the blood of Christ.”

That was certainly a thoughtful reply, but can my little readers tell me if it would bear the test of Scripture? God says in His word, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

The sins are there and God still sees them, but oh! they have lost their scarlet dye — that color which man cannot move — and now in His sight, they are white as the snow which comes down from heaven so fresh and pure and beautiful. What a change! And why this change? It is because those dreadful sins are seen through the precious blood.

If you will take a piece of red glass and look through it, the objects at which you look will appear red until you come to an object that is already red, and this, looked at through the red glass, will appear white. This gives us a fine illustration of the precious truth we are considering. When God looks upon the sinner, He sees his sins in scarlet dye; but when the poor sinner has been turned to Jesus and made clean through His blood, God, looking on the blood which covers those sins. sees them “white as snow.”

Yes, God can see; but in what a different way He sees our sins when they are under the cover of the blood!

Messages of God’s Love 6/4/1905

Good-Bye, Mamma

Oft to school in the morning, with a kiss and kind word from Mamma telling him to be careful and not do or say anything that is wrong! How often the dear mothers, who know the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour, warn their children, knowing all the evil they have to meet and the tendency, too, of their own hearts to do what is wrong.

Ah, yes, dear children, remember God’s eye is upon you wherever you are. Nothing can be hid from Him. so, while away from under your parents’ notice, remember God is looking and He will deal with you in time if you continue in that which is wrong.

“THE UNGODLY SHALL NOT STAND IN THE JUDGMENT, NOR SINNERS IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS; FOR THE LORD KNOWETH THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS: BUT THE WAY OF THE UNGODLY SHALL PERISH.” Psa. 1:5-6.

While we must all own that we are not righteous and we are sinners, yet we can know all our sins put away by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. We then have Him as our righteousness and we shall not perish with the ungodly. What a reason this is that we should seek to do all things as under His eye, and remember that He will punish us in this life if we do what is wrong.

Messages of God’s Love 6/11/1905

Within Three Days

Joshua 1:11

WHAT cheering words these Must have been for the waiting multitudes of Israel — “within three days!” The time had now come for them to enter the long promised land. The weary wanderings of the wilderness were over. There is no longer uncertainty — no longer lying encamped in Moab’s borders, but on — on to victory and possession. How long the time must have seemed to them, as year after year of dreary desert life passed by; but now, how short the time! Before three days shall have run their course, they will pass over Jordan. Can we think otherwise than that their hearts were deeply stirred when they got this word, or that with them all was expectation!

Let me now turn the thoughts of my reader to a land more plenteous than the land of corn and wine to which Israel journeyed — a land whose resources arc illimitable — a land whose joys are full and will flow on forever. Some of my readers are going to that fair land; but alas! I fear that some of you may never reach it. How is it with you, let me ask. Are you one of the expectant ones? Happy for you if it be so. And if so, I would ask, Have you heard those words, “within three days”? Ah, no, this word is not for you; you have something nearer, something sweeter given to you. “Behold, I come quickly” sounds in your ears. It is the voice of Him who so loves you. He who died for your sins is coming quickly to take you to Himself. He does not say three days; If he does not say one day; He says “quickly.” Ah! you may not have to wait one hour, Oh, let that word sound in your heart till He comes — quickly, quickly! And may you be found with girded loins and burning lamp. Quickly, quickly, Jesus come, Take thy waiting people home!

Messages of God’s Love 6/11/1905

The Fatal Blow

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” It was the wise man Solomon who wrote these words; and it was by the Holy Ghost they were given him. You will find them in Prov. 16:32. Suppose you had to search your Bibles for an example of such meekness, I think I know where some of you would at once turn. It would not be to the passages about Moses, though there is one which speaks of his being “meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” No, you would think of Jesus, who “when He was reviled reviled not again; when He suffered He threatened not.” To see Him standing amid the raging crowds, placed before the high priest and Pontius Pilate, and led away to be crucified; and then to remember that He had but to ask His Father, and twelve legions of angels would have been at His beck; nay, more, to remember that His own power was such that He could by a word have crushed His adversaries forever, how wonderful does His meekness, His patience appear! “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearers, so opened He not His mouth.”—Do you know why He thus meekly suffered? why He let them take His life? “Yes,” you reply, “it was to put away my sins. He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” And have you really, dear reader, been led to know Jesus as your Saviour, and been made happy in His love? Then of one thing I am sure, that you wish to please Him, and obey Him, and be like Him. “Yes, I do,” perhaps you are saying, “I do wish to love Jesus and to follow. Him. but you cannot tell how hard it is; I have such a temper, and either at home or at school it is sure to trouble me, and then I become so unhappy.” Well now, you are going to read about two little girls who were not like Jesus, but who gave way to the most fearful tempers, and one of them with the most awful results. It may not be exactly good news in itself, the recital of such a fact; but it is better that you should be warned in time, and whenever you are beginning to feel angry, look right away to Jesus, cry to Him in your heart to make you like Himself, and to keep you from sinning against Him.

Little Harriet M——was between four and five years old, and in many respects good little girl. But she had a very violent temper, which, when anything teased or provoked her, threw her into a perfect fury, striking and tearing whatever was in her way. One day, as her mamma was passing the nursery door, she heard a great noise within, and her little Harriet’s voice very loud indeed. Opening the door, she saw Harriet, with her little face distorted and swollen with rage, her curly hair all thrown into disorder, while with her feet and hands she was kicking and striking one of the servants, and crying out, “I don’t love you, Mary! I don’t love you! I hate you!” She stopped when she saw her mamma. “What is the meaning of all this?” said Mrs. M— . “It is just this, ma’am,” replied the servant, “that Miss Harriet was throwing water about the room out of her little new jug; when I forbade her, she threw water in my face; and when I attempted to take hold of her to carry her to you, as you desired when she did wrong, she flew at me and struck me as you have seen.” Mrs. M— looked very grave, and lifted the sobbing Harriet in her arms, and carried her into her own room. She sat down with her on her lap, and remained quite quiet until the angry sobs had almost ceased. Prayer to God followed, while Harriet still trembled exceedingly. She had begun to wish that God would forgive her, and deliver her from her wicked feelings, when her mamma again lifted her to her lap, and asked if her rage was all gone. “Not quite, mamma, but it’s going.” “Very well,” said her mamma, “until it is quite gone I shall tell you a story that I was told when I was young, and I hope it will make as deep an impression on your mind, my poor child, as it did on mine, and prove through God’s blessing as effectual a check on your bad and furious temper.

“Lord and Lady were very great and rich people. They had only one child, a daughter, of whom they were very fond. She was, in truth, a very fine little creature, lively, merry, affectionate, and exceedingly beautiful; but like you, Harriet, she had a bad temper. Like you, she got into transports of rage when anything befell her, and would strike at anyone or anything that provoked her. Like you, after every fit of rage, she was grieved and ashamed of herself and resolved never to give way thus again; but as soon as the next temptation came, all her sorrow was forgotten, and she was as angry as ever. When she was just your age, her mamma had a little son — a sweet, sweet little tender baby. Her papa and mamma were glad, and little Eveline would have been also glad, had not the servants very foolishly and wickedly teased her by telling her that papa and mamma would not care for her now; this little brother would be their sole love and pleasure, and they would never mind her. Poor Eveline burst into a. passion of tears, and cried bitterly. You are a wicked woman to say so. Mamma. will always love me. I know she will, and I’ll go this very moment and ask her, ‘I will.’ She darted out of the nursery, and flew to her mamma’s room, the servant in the nursery calling after her, ‘Come, come, miss, you needn’t go to your mamma’s room; she won’t see you now.’ Eveline burst open the door of her mamma’s room, but was instantly caught hold of by a strange woman she had never seen before. ‘My dear,’ said this person, ‘you cannot be allowed to see your mamma just now.’ She would have said more; she would have told Eveline that the reason she could not see her mamma then was because she was ill, and must not be disturbed. But Eveline was too angry to listen. She screamed, and kicked at the woman, who finding her so unreasonable, lifted her out of the room, and carrying her into the nursery put her down, saying to the servant there that she must prevent her coming to her mamma’s room. Eveline heard this, and it added to her rage; and then this wicked servant laughed at her, and said; ‘I told you so, miss; you see mamma does not love you now!’ The poor child became mad with rage; she darted at the cradle where lay the poor little new-born baby. The maid whose duty it was to watch over it was asleep: and oh, Harriet! Harriet! like as you did to Mary just now, she struck it with all her force — struck it with a smoothing iron on the little tender head — it gave one feeble, struggling cry, and breathed no more.”

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 6/11/1905

Never Perish - Who?

Listen — “They shall never perish!”

Who “shall never perish,” who?

We would learn to whom it speaketh,

Who, and whence they are. would know.

Listen — ‘tis the word of Jesus,

And ‘tis spoken of His sheep —

In His hand in perfect safety,

He has promised each to keep.

Born they were, as sons of Adam,

Sinful, fallen, of the ‘earth,

They have heard the word of Jesus,

And have now a heavenly birth.

Now, from Satan’s power delivered,

Jesus sets on them His love:

They shall “never, never perish”

He will bear them safe above.

Messages of God’s Love 6/11/1905

Who Takes Care of You?

BABY was only three years old, and, on the day of which I am speaking, as the family was at dinner, and she busy with spoon and fork in hand, her blue eyes were looking round the table, and her little ears listening to all that was said.

“I wish Maggie would make haste home; for we must start soon,” said the mother, looking at the clock.

“Yes,” replied Susie, the elder sister, “for we cannot leave the children only with Ann.”

Baby looked from one to another, and then in her little language said, “Jeser (Jesus) will take care of we.”

Oh! how I wish every one of our young friends could say from the bottom of the heart, “Jesus takes care of me.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/11/1905

Taking a Walk

POOR little child! his legs are not strong enough to bear the weight of his body, so his dear papa and mamma have a support for him, so he can go out in the garden and get exercise for his little limbs and get the fresh air, too. All tells of the tender and loving care of his parents. But there is something else that I cannot help but think of, and that is how much sorrow and suffering is brought upon the human race, all because of sin. Not because this dear little boy has sinned, but his weakness is the result of sin in this world, and no doubt when such is the case God has a blessing to bring out of it. He may preserve him from getting into many bad things by having a weak body. Often we find that those who have weak bodies and are unable to get out like other people are made to think more of God’s love and goodness to us than those who have health and strength. Not that we should be so, no, we should be very grateful to God for all the good things He gives to us in this life and seek to live all the more for His glory. But if He sees fit to give us a weak body we must remember He is ever acting in love and wisdom to us.

“ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” Rom. 8:28.

Messages of God’s Love 6/18/1905

Faith

Joshua 2:1-22.

ACROSS the Jordan, from the encampment of Israel lay the city of Jericho. High and strong walls surrounded it, these having been built. as was customary in olden days. to hinder enemies from gaining entrance. On these walls was built a house, in which dwelt a woman, who had lived a very wicked life. Her name was Rahab. But wicked as Rahab’s life had been, the fear of God now took possession of her soul; and “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” God tells us.

Tidings of God’s wonderful ways with the people of Israel had reached the ears of those who lived in Jericho. They had heard how He had dried the the waters of the Red Sea, so that His people could pass over, and how He had utterly destroyed King Sihon and King Og, who had interfered with His people; and this word was causing their hearts to melt with fear. But there was one heart that recognized that the God of Israel was the true God. And the possessor of it could say to the men who came over from the camp of Israel, “The Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and in earth beneath.”

How wonderful that this woman, who had tasted the depths of iniquity in her vile and degraded life, should now turn to God. But such is the marvelous grace of God, that the lowest, the most degraded, the worst of sinners, may come and have their sins washed’ away, and thus be made fit for the mansions of light and love that Jesus, the blessed Saviour, has gone to prepare. And this grace brings the soul out of darkness into light; out from under the power of Satan, into the blessed liberty which is in Christ Jesus. And all this without money and without price. What more could you ask, my unsaved reader?’ Out of — into! Ponder those words. Rahab was brought out of the doomed city, and was brought into Israel, there to dwell honorably. Salmon, who came in the line of blessing, married her, and through her, descended King David and “David’s greater Son.” See Matt. 1:5.

When Joshua sent spies into Jericho, Rahab received them into her house. The king of Jericho, getting word of this, sent messengers to Rahab to ask her to give up the men, who, they said, had come to search out all the country. But she, acting in faith, had already taken the men up to the top of the house, and had very ingeniously hidden them there. She had no thought of handing them over to who were seeking them. We might be ready to question if this was a meritorious act, if God had not mentioned it as such in the book of James; and perhaps we would not have discerned that it was the fruit of .faith, had it not been revealed to us thus in the book of Hebrews. But God draws aside the curtain and shows us how He regarded this act of Rahab which was an act of faith. God deals with man on the principle of faith, and faith is always pleasing to Him, while without faith, it is impossible to please Him.

Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Rahab believed that the mighty God, who could make a way through the deep for His people, and who could overcome every foe, was able to throw down all their strongholds; and, counting upon Him, she hid the men of Israel. She greatly failed, for she told a lie in order to turn away the messengers who were seeking these men; and lying lips, we know, “are abomination to the Lord.” But she counted on God to care for her, and not in vain, as we hope to see in another paper.

Messages of God’s Love 6/18/1905

The Fatal Blow

(Continued from last week)

“Why, mamma, mamma,” cried Harriet, bursting into tears, “why did it breathe no more?”

“It was dead — killed by its own sister!”

“Oh, mamma! what a dreadful thing! what a wicked little. girl! I am not so wicked as her; I never killed a little baby,” sobbed Harriet, as she laid her face in her mother’s bosom, and clung to her neck. –

“My dear child,” replied Mrs. M——, “were you not in as great a rage when I came to the nursery door as Eveline was when she struck the fatal blow? Were you not striking Mary with all your might, not one blow, but repeated blows? And had Mary been, like the object of Eveline’s rage, a little baby, you would have killed her. It was only because she was bigger and stronger than yourself that you did not actually do so. Then no one can wonder that Eveline was made angry ‘by her wicked maid. Yet even as to this, remember, if Eveline had not in her passion refused to listen to the nurse she saw in her mamma’s room, she would then have heard that it was from no change in her mamma’s love that she had not seen her for several days, but because the was confined to bed.”

“And what. did Eveline’s poor mamma, to her for killing the baby?”

“Eveline never again saw her mamma; she died that night of grief and horror on hearing that her sweet infant was murdered, and by whom.”

“Oh, dear, dear mamma, how dreadful! And what became of Eveline?”

“All I know is that she lived to grow up, to inherit the family title and wealth, fully informed of the fatal deed by which she had attained so many deplorable honors. She herself became a mother, and was most amiable and highly esteemed; but in all her life she was never known to smile.”

“And, mamma, was it a quite true story? It is so dreadful.”

“Yes, my child, it is a quite true story. May it be a warning for you throughout your life. Rest not without forgiveness through Christ’s precious blood, not only for the passion you have been in today, but for all your sins. ‘The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s Son] cleanseth us from all ‘Sin.’ Washed in that blood, seek grace to live every day so as to please Jesus. And whenever an angry thought would rise, and you feel as though you must rush into evil, cry to Jesus. Beg of Him for His own name’s sake to keep you from it, and to make you love the person you are tempted to be angry with.”

May none of my readers ever be betrayed by passion into either words or deeds which, if not so fatal as Eveline’s, might yet cast a gloom over their whole future life on earth. Let me doge as began with the wise man’s words: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

The friend who contributed this article gave names, dates, and corroborating circumstances, leaving no doubt as to its being strictly a narrative of facts.

Messages of God’s Love 6/18/1905

Little Gerty

A LITTLE girl came regularly to our little Sunday school named Gerty Niberg. Delicate from birth she had a disease from which the physicians said she could never recover, so it was our heartfelt desire and prayer, that she might be brought to the Lord and saved. Gerty could not read or memorize; her weak condition unfitting her for any mental strain, but she listened attentively to lessons from God’s word and would sometimes answer questions on it. Along with the others, she would repeat the verse for each week, which was explained to all, and she, with the rest, gladly received the Messages of Love for each Lord’s Day and on returning home, told her parents what she had heard. We loved to see Gerty and she loved to come to the Sunday-school, and she wept bitterly when her failing health prevented her from coming. At last, in February, she could not leave her bed and from great suffering was becoming quite weak, her only exclaimation being “Oh, I want to go to God.” The hymn “When He cometh,” etc., she liked to sing at times, also, “Trim Your Lamps and Be Ready.” One day she asked the family circle to sing this last, but not knowing the words, they sent to a neighbor’s house, where they had the little hymn book, but failing to sing the tune, the words were read aloud, and then Gerty translated it to her mother into her native Swedish language. “The Heavenly Bridegroom” she said is God and He is coming soon for me. To her parents, she said, they must not weep for her. She was going to be with God in heaven, and when alone with her younger sister Ethel, who had confessed Christ in the Sunday-school some time before, she said, “Ethel, if you were to die, I would not cry, for I know you would go to heaven, and I want you “not to cry for me, for I am sure I am going to heaven!” and Ethel promised she would not.

Soon the last day on earth came for dear Gerty, though her parents did not think her end so near! She seemed to fall asleep for a time, then woke up with a bright smile, looking very delightedly at one end of the room. Her parents could see nothing, and asked. “What do you see Gerty? What are you smiling at?” “I saw God,” and then added that, “Mrs. G. (her teacher) had said we could not see God but I have seen Him, He was here, and He is coining for me.” “How Mrs. G. will smile when she sees me in heaven!” Again her face was lit up with joy as she said, “Comb my hair; Mamma, won’t you, and tie my bow on?” Her mother hesitated, fearing her weakness was too great for this, but as the child repeated her earnest wish, she yielded; gently combing the hair and tying on the ribbon as usual. Now she said, “You must both be tired; do go to bed. And now I am going to God,” and laying her head back on her pillow, her spirit had fled!

“It was not like death,” her mother said so peacefully and gladly did she go to be with the Lord. Disease had so wasted and reduced dear Gerty’s body, that it was difficult to believe she was nearly 14 years old. Often, we had impressed on our scholars that it was not for good people, but for sinners that Jesus died, and that His blood alone cleanseth from all sin, and Gerty we believe simply accepted God’s love, with childlike trust, and peace and joy filled her heart. Reader, are you ready to meet God?

Then by this gracious Shepherd fed,

And by His mercy gently led,

Where living waters run;

My greatest pleasure will be this,

That, I’m a little lamb of His,

Who loves ‘the little one.

Messages of God’s Love 6/18/1905

Gathering Flowers

WHAT pleasure the children have in gathering the beautiful flowers in the bright summer days when school is over for the season. I wonder if they often think of the wonderful power of God and His wisdom in being able to make such a variety of flowers, each suited to the different climates and seasons of the year! As we look at all these we may praise Him for all His wonderful works and rejoice and thank Him for all He has given us to enjoy. But have you thought too. dear children, how soon the beautiful flowers are withered and have to be thrown away? Ah, there we have a needed lesson. It is just like all else in this world. Everything is passing away and so we too must soon be done with this scene of withering flowers and passing joys. The thing we should be concerned about, is where are we to spend eternity? God has shown in His word that there is a place of woe for those who are rejectors of the Lord Jesus Christ; and a place of joy with the Lord, for those who believe in Him.

“AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE. TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT; SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; AND UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION.” Heb. 9:27-28.

Death is what we deserve because of sin, but how’ thankful we should be that we need not come into judgment after death, as Christ has been offered for the sins of’ many. Can you, dear child, put yourself among the many, and say, I do believe in Jesus, He died for me, He has borne the judgment for me on the cross of calvary? If you can, it is for you to be looking for Him to come soon again, not to suffer for sin — He did that when He was here before — but to take us to be with Himself, and save our bodies from all the suffering that has come in the world by sin, and change them to be like His own body of glory.

Messages of God’s Love 6/25/1905

The Scarlet Line

Joshua 2:15,22.

WHEN the pursuers hastened on their way, thinking to overtake the men of Israel before they would cross the Jordan, the great gate of the city was shut after them, and the men in Rahab’s house were shut in. But God ever makes a way of escape for His people, and this case was no exception. Rahab went up to the roof where they were, and after speaking to them in such a way as to manifest her faith in God, she asked them to show kindness to her and to her father’s house, and to save them alive, and deliver them from death. After getting the assurance from their lips that they would deal kindly and truly with her, Rahab took a cord and let them down by it through the window, for her house was upon the town wall. She gave them good advice, telling them to go to the mountains and stay there three day so that they might escape being met by their pursuers. This they did, and then came down from the mountains and passed safely over Jordan. They recounted to Joshua all that had befallen them, and how the inhabitants of the land were filled with terror because of them.

We see that Rahab shewed. kindness to the two men who came to her house, and then in turn asked kindness of them. It was faith in Jehovah, whom. she recognized as the God of heaven above and of the earth beneath, that gave her confidence to make her request. She said to the men, “Swear unto me by the Lord.” After asking that she and her father’s house may be spared alive, she asks for a true token. God had told Israel that they should have the land, so the men assure Rahab that she shall have her request when God would give them the land. The token of their sincerity, which they granted her, was the scarlet line by which she had let, them down through the window. They told her to bind it in the window when they would be come into the land. This would mark her house, when destruction would come upon all the rest of the’ city.

Now, just. a little word more, my dear young reader. Is there any mark upon you, which will secure you from coming judgment?. Are you sheltered under the blood of Jesus, and sealed, with the Holy Spirit? If you are, the besom of destruction will never sweep over you.

Mercy’s door still stands open. If not ‘ within its blessed precincts, why not enter now?

Messages of God’s Love 6/25/1905

I Drew the Match

ON one of “the islands of the sea,” a dear little girl, in striking a match, set fire to her clothes, and was burned to death, thus bringing grief and sorrow to the hearts of parents, grandparents, and other near relatives.

A Christian woman, who lived nearly a mile away, came to see this grief-stricken family, with the desire of speaking to them some word of comfort. And while with them she learned the following facts, which I here mention, hoping that some of our little readers may be led to think seriously of the things which concern their eternal interests.

It seems that this little girl was six years old, bright, intelligent, noticed and loved by many. She also loved her Sunday school; and her parents marked a change in her, which led them to think that God had wrought in her soul.

After she began to love the Lord, it appeared there was something in her heart which she could not bring out in words; and this caused’ her to ask many questions. She was particularly fond of her grandpa, and came to him with her queries. One day she said to him:

“Grandpa, when Mr. H. dies, will Jesus take him to heaven?”

“Yes, if he is good and loves Jesus.”

“Where will God put him. if he is bad and do not love Jesus?”

“In hell, a place where He punishes bad people.”

This Mr. H., about whom she asked these questions, was a grocer, living next door; and perhaps he had many times handed her “sweets” over the counter; and she also wanted to know from grandpa if he thought that Mr. H. would take his sweets with him when he went to be with Jesus. She did not think that Jesus would want his sweets.

These things are mentioned to show that the mind of this dear little girl was occupied with the question of going to be with Jesus. The Lord had, no doubt, been preparing her for what was about to take place, for the dear little thing was about to be taken to heaven in a “chariot of fire.”

It seems she took a match, went out doors, and lighting it, was soon in a flame, and ran to her grandparents, crying for help. Grandpa’s hands were dripping with alcohol, which he was using for cleaning purposes in his work, and they were badly burned in his efforts to relieve the child; and grandma’s hands shared the same fate. All their efforts, however, could not save the dear little girl. She was fatally burned. .

While suffering from her terrible burns, her uncle went to her little bedside, and said to her:

“L—, dear, do you love Jesus?”

“Yes,” was her prompt reply.

“And do you think He loves your

“Yes, He do: I love Jesus, and He loves me,” and then she began. to sing the well-known children’s hymn, .

“Jesus loves me this I know,

“For the Bible tells me so,

just completing the two first lines, when the messenger of death came, calling her away to be with Jesus. A few struggles. and she passed away, with the words on her lips, “I drew the match.”

At first it was a mystery how her clothes caught fire; but when her father came home, he said to her, “Tell your pa, how did you get on fire?”

“If you don’t punish me, I will tell you.”

“No, my dear, pa will not punish you.”

“I drew the match, and it caught my dress.”

Thus passed away one of the little lambs of the flock to be forever with Jesus, who loved her, and who had laid down His life for her.

My dear little readers, if you were thus suddenly called to meet death, would you go to be with Jesus? Or would you die in your sins and go to that place of which little L—’s grandpa had spoken, where God punishes those who do not submit to the Lord Jesus? Sometimes death comes very suddenly, and in ways not looked for, as it came to little L—. And it may come suddenly to you. Oh! think of this, and turn to the Lord before it is too late.

Grandpa told little L—, that if Mr. H. was good and loved Jesus, he would go to heaven. But this is hardly the right way to put it. We are not good, and we cannot make ourselves good, and so we have to come to Jesus just as we are, as those that are bad, with all our sins. He came to save sinners, not good people, and God’s word tells us there are none good. But if we come as sinners, Jesus will receive us, and pardon us, and save us. And then we will be ready to go to be forever with Him. Are you ready?

Messages of God’s Love 6/25/1905

The Goodness of God Leadeth Thee to Repentance

I CAME here to school when I was a little boy.. We had a kind governess. She used to say, “If you are a good boy, God will bless you, but if you are bad, He will send you to a bad place.” I believed what she said, and tried to be good, but I could not help being naughty sometimes. Then I expected God would punish me; but He did not.

As I grew up and went among other boys, I became more and more wicked. Sometimes I was afraid to go asleep in the dark, for fear God would take me away. The older I grew, the more hardened I was. I used to say, “I don’t care if God does punish me; there’ll be lots of others with me, and I’ll bear it as well as they do.” At last I began to think. There is no God, or if there is, He doesn’t care whether I do right or wrong.

When I became a man, I was out and out bad. I swore, got drunk, and did all kinds of wicked things. I was the terror of the village — especially when I was drunk, which was very often. I then laughed at my old fears about God, and would jeer at people who feared Him. I said, “There is nothing to fear; the Bible is all nonsense.”

A month ago I heard talk about the new preacher and thought to myself, on Sunday I will go and stay in the church tower during service and hear the sermon. This I did, and before it was over, I was brought under deep conviction. I never knew God’s true character before. God is love — not anger. He loves me; and. what is more, He wishes to save mc. I used to think He was watching His opportunity to catch and destroy me. I was astonished at the mistake I had made, and felt very sorry; so I knelt down in the tower where I was, and asked God to have mercy on my soul. In the evening after the service, I came to the meeting in this room and found peace. Thank God, I was born here.

The above incident shows the need of great care in the instruction of children. Children should be taught that they are sinners — lost by nature — and that they need a Saviour. Also they should be shown how God in His great love has provided a Saviour for them; and none need be lost, who will come to Him.

God is love! can this be true?

Yes, the Bible says it is;

Children, let me ask you,

Have you ever thought of this,

That God is love?

God delights to pardon sin,

Grace and Mercy to bestow,

Little children though unclean,

Come to Him and you shall know

That God is love.

Messages of God’s Love 6/25/1905

Bible Questions for July

Answers to Bible Questions of May

1. “Be ye holy: for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16.

2. “All.” 2 Peter 1:16

3. “Let him refrain his,” etc: 1 Peter 3:10

4. “Abstain. from fleshly,” etc. 1 Peter 2:21

5. “All malice:” 1 Peter 2:1

6. “Meek and quiet spirit.” 1 Peter 3:4

“BALAAM.” 2 Peter 2:15

Bible Questions for July

The answers are to be found in Rev., and the first letter of each. answer will spell the name of Him at whose marriage supper those who are called are said to be blessed.

1. To which church was it said “That which ye have already hold fast till I come”?

2. What do those who rest not day or night say?

3. Who is it that will see the One that cometh with clouds?’

4. Give another name for Him who is called “King of saints,”

5. What will the Beast who gives power to the image to speak, cause small and great, rich and poor, to receive?

6. What is the name of the angel that fought against the dragon?

7. Give the verse containing the words “Hold that fast which thou hast.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/2/1905

Whosoever

Joshua 2:18-19.

RAHAB’S request that kindness might be shown her was not limited to herself, as we have seen; it took in all her father’s house. This: speaks of a faith that goes beyond self, and counts upon God for others also. It is one of the beautiful marks of the one who is brought to God. Having tasted of the life giving stream, she wishes others to drink and live. It is ever blessed to see the new born soul seeking the salvation of others..

God answers Rahab’s faith: in the fullest way through His two servants. They tell her to bring her father and her mother and her brothers and all her father’s household to her and they will be responsible for their lives. .

Now read verse 19 carefully and you will see there are two whosoevers in it. Whosoever would go into the streets of doomed Jericho, should be visited with judgment, but whosoever should take shelter in the house of this woman, who now was counting upon God, should be safe.

Oh, the blessed whosoevers of God’s word — so broad that they take in every man, woman and child in this wide, wide world! “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” “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.” “Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Yes, these whosoevers are overflowing with mercy, and grace and goodness.

But there is another side to the whosevers of God’s word, which is sad and solemn enough. Whosoever would go out of Rahab’s house into the street should have his blood....Come upon his head. There was one place of safety in that city of destruction, and those who did not avail themselves of this. place of security must perish with the guilty city. And in a broader sphere we find this sad whosoever used. Yes. whosoever loves and makes a lie shall be shut out of that wonderful city to which .the redeemed of the Lord are going. And again, yet broader — whosoever is not found written in the book of life will be .cast into the lake of fire.

Dear reader, to which of these classes of whosoever, do you, belong? Have you believed in God’s blessed Son, who gave Himself a ransom for sinners, and therefore can say; my soul is saved? Or are you among the vast number whose names are not written in the book of life, and who are going on to that yawning. fearful “lake of fire” whose horrors will never come to an end?. Oh, the riches of God’s grace! the “whosoever will” is still extended to you, if you are yet in “the streets of Jericho.” Make haste to enter the house of faith, the ark of safety, before the judgment falls!

Messages of God’s Love 7/2/1905

The Coming of the Lord

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.

Hear what the Lord bath spoken—

Who never snake in vain,

Whose word can nc’er be broken;—

That He will come again. 1 Thess. 4:16,

He’ll first takethose that fear Him,

To dwell with Him above,

That they may e’er be near Him,

At home with Him they love.

Then, from the heavenly regions,

With all His saints He’ll come,

His train th’ angelic legions, Thess. 1.

And, pour on earth its doom.

With swiftness like the lightning.

He’ll shine on al1 below: Rev. 1.

His glorious presence heighening

The anguish, fear and woe. Rev. 6:1-17..

Though mockers now arc saying,

With lips by scorning curl’d,

That day—which God is staying—

Shall ne’er O’ertake the world,

‘Tis swiftly, surely. coming,

And soon it will be here:

Portentous signs are looming.

That men may heed and fear.

Still God, with much long-suffering.

Prolongs the day of grace:

His great salvation off’ring

For faith’s assur’d embrace.

Oh! heed His invitation,

Relieve on Jesus’ name

Then thine is full salvation

From sin, its woe and shame.

Messages of God’s Love 7/2/1905

What a Dumb Little Girl Said About Prayer

A LITTLE deaf and dumb girl was once asked by a lady, who wrote the question on a slate, “What is prayer?” The little girl took her pencil and wrote the reply, “Prayer is the wish of the heart.”

And so it is. All fine words and beautiful verses said to God do not make real prayer, it must be the desire of the heart; and it is well also to remember that God has said, He will not hear the prayer of him who regards iniquity in his heart. Ps. 18.

Messages of God’s Love 7/2/1905

The Riderless Horse

SLOWLY, through the beautiful grounds of Arlington Heights. a sad procession moved on its way. An officer of the U.S.A. was about to be laid away. The tones of the “Dead March” swelled mournfully on the air as the hand passed on, preceding the lifeless body which was placed on a carriage drawn by five horses the horses having their driver seated on them. Next came a horse that was covered with a black blanket. An empty saddle was on his back. and in its stirrups was a pair of boots which were turned backward. Then came carriages and soldiers.

How solemn, how impressive the sight! The riderless horse! The empty saddle! Is it not enough to move one to tears! For this one, who knew something of the world’s honors, the scenes of earth are ended. Once. authority was his; but his tones of commands will never be heard; his hand wi;1 never again wield the glittering sword. Words of counsel will not again be spoken. All is stilled in death.

He is gone! but where? — into eternity. Whether an eternity of bliss or an eternity of woe, the coming day will declare.

You, dear reader, and I, will also soon be done with the scenes of earth. We have known joys, and we have known sorrows; we have passed through bright and happy days: and we have experienced days of cloud and gloom. But the bright and the dark spots of earth will all be left behind, and we shall enter upon eternity’s unclouded day of joy, or upon its night of endless woe. Let me affectionately and solemnly ask you, my reader, where will you spend eternity? Will it be with Jesus in the skies, or with the fiends in despair!

The officer of whom you have been reading was buried in a lovely spot, surrounded by fine trees, on the hillside, overlooking the broad and beautiful Potomac. But what will this, or all his earthly honors avail, if his soul is among the lost? Oh! dear reader, what will your earthly pleasures, and all you can get of the world’s riches and honors. he worth to you, if you lose your soul.

Gain the world, and lose your soul! Where is your profit?

Messages of God’s Love 7/2/1905

Mattie's Father

THERE was a little girl named Mattie, who attended a Sunday school. but whose parents did not go to any place where the gospel was preached. One day her teacher asked her about her parents, and told her to invite them to come and hear the word of God. This Mattie did several times. But for awhile her father took hut little interest in her invitations. But one evening she succeeded in getting him to go to the preaching of the gospel.

The servant of God preached from the words, “Be ye also ready.” There had lately been several accidents upon the railroads, by which some persons of the neighborhood were killed. and some cases of drowning also; and these were referred to during the preaching. Mattie’s father was led to see his danger as a sinner, and soon after to believe in Christ as his Saviour.

This man worked upon a steam-boat, and one day, a few weeks after his conversion, he went as usual to oil some of the machinery upon the upper deck of the boat. While he was thus engaged. suddenly and quietly, without a moment’s notice, the great beam, to one end of which is attached the piston-rod, and to the other the rod that moves the paddle wheels, began to move;, and before the poor man could know anything about it he was crushed to death. The ‘engineer who was busy down below, in oiling and polishing the engine, wishing just for a moment to change the position of the machinery, set the engine in motion, not knowing that anyone was in the way. But that moment was God’s time for taking His clear child, that he might be “forever with the Lord.”

How do we know that he went to the Lord? Because God says, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life;” and, then, we are told of such, that being “absent from the body,” they are “present with the Lord!” Is not this enough? It is just taking God at His word, and resting there.

Are you ready, by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.?

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

Messages of God’s Love 7/2/1905

The Strange Picture

WHAT a strange picture! you say. Yes, we have never seen anything like it on this earth. lf you have ever seen a lion or a leopard, I think you have seen them behind strong iron bars for fear they would hurt or destroy some weaker animal.

But is this a true picture? you say. For we all like true things. Yes. it is. but it is a picture of a future time of blessing for this poor world which is now full of violence and corruption. Turn to Isaiah 11, read the whole chapter slowly and carefully, and you will find every animal mentioned that is represented in the picture. Now look at it while we read together verse 6. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb.” Do you see the two together at the left of the picture? The wolf does not kill and eat the little lamb as it would in these days, no, they dwelt together. Now see the leopard lying down at the lower left hand corner, and the kid playing in front of it, and listen—-and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Then look at the picture. at the top while we read — “and the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together.” Now let us read verse 9, “THEY SHALL NOT HURT NOR DESTROY IN ALL MY HOLY MOUNTAIN; FOR THE EARTH SHALT, BE FULL OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD, AS THE WATER COVERS THE SEA.” That will be a great change when the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord, now it is not so. But if we look at verse 4 we see that judgment must fall on the earth before that happy picture can be realized. But before the Lord comes in judgment to prepare the earth for this blessed time, called the millennium, from the words mille, a thousand and anium, a year, because, it will last a thousand years according to Rev. 20:4. He will come in the clouds to meet His portion for us who now in the day of His own in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17). And that, dear children, that is the most blessed grace accept Jesus as our Saviour and own Him as our Lord.

It is joy to think of looking down on the peaceful, happy earth, but our exceeding joy will be that we are with Him who loved us and washed us from our Sins in His own blood.

Messages of God’s Love 7/9/1905

Sanctify Yourselves

Joshua 3:5

THE command now given to the people was, sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. They were to see on the morrow that which, if it were clone in our day, would fill the whole world with astonishment, and they must make themselves ready to behold this amazing sight, in which the power of the Lord would remarkably displayed.

In another paper we will look at the wonders the Lord wrought at this time. In this we will speak of the preparation that Israel was called upon to make. They were to sanctify themselves. From other Scriptures we learn that this involved washing themselves. and refraining from that which would make them ceremonially unclean, although such things might be allowed at another time. Now our special thought will be to gather some instruction from this for ourselves, knowing that God has lessons for us to learn when He recounts to us His ways with His people of old.

Are we to sanctify ourselves? Yes. Those who believe in Jesus are set apart to God in the power of His Spirit, and thus are sanctified to Him. And being thus set apart to God, it is for all such to cleanse themselves practically from every filthy and wrong way. This practical cleansing will be brought about through the word of God getting its place in the life. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.”

Do you, my young reader, know the sanctifying power of God’s truth? In the first verse of the fourth chapter of first Thessalonians, we learn that we ought “to please God.” Are you seeking in all you say and do to please Him? Or do you seek your own interests, and have little thought of what is pleasing to God? If the latter, you are not sanctified by this word. Do you allow the haughty look, and the proud heart? If you do. you are not in this sanctified by God’s word, for God tells us these things are sin. Do you have pity upon the poor, because this is pleasing to the Lord? If so, this word has had its sanctifying power over you. May you, young believer, learn more and more to let the word of God have its sanctifying power in your life for great wonders await you on the blessed morrow.

Messages of God’s Love 7/9/1905

A Child's Faith

LITTLE Rose was one of the youngest members of a Bible-class, which could boast among its numbers, not only of young women. but also of many who were married. We fear the sight of middle-aged women, taking lessons among scholars of only half their age, and humbly and reverently receiving instruction from the lips of a youthful teacher, is almost a vision of the past. . Many a time it was after a tremendous battle with natural timidity, that the trembling teacher attempted a task for which she felt herself so utterly unworthy, but encouraged by the conviction that the Lord had disfinely called her to it.

The parents of Rose were at one time in good circumstances, but money owing to her father had not been paid, and at the time of this incident food was very dear; so it happened that it times the children were in want, and yet were remarkable for their blooming appearance. There was too much dignity of character about the parents to make their privations public, and, as the mother had a skillful hand, the children were always neatly dressed.

Little did Rosie’s teacher, or indeed any of her companions, guess that the child often came hungry to the Sunday school or with no other dinner than that which the turnips in their little garden afforded.

One Sunday, as the family were at dinner, Rosie, who was the eldest, noticed that there was but a small piece of bread left for tea, so when her mother offered her a little of it, she refused it. On retiring to her bedroom the child began to speak to herself after this fashion: “My father and my mother are Christians. and Jesus is my Saviour. He loves me I know, and I love Him, for I am His. Does He not care that I am hungry?”

She had closed the door, and falling upon her knees, with tears streaming down her cheeks, she said, “Oh, my Father in heaven, who loved me so much as to send Jesus; Thy dear Son, to die for me, wilt Thou not let the people pay my father what they owe him, so that we may have plenty to eat? The Bible says to those that belong to Thee — and I belong to Thee — ‘Thy bread shall be given thee, and thy water shall be sure.’ O, God, Thou knowest we have not bread enough for all of us! Thou knowest my father will not allow us to go in debt for anything. O, God, do help us according as Thou halt promised, for the sake of the Lord Jesus.”

After this prayer Rosie went to Sunday school. “Perhaps,” thought she, “some of my schoolfellows will invite me to take tea with them; if so, I will go.”

The Bible lesson was a cheering one that afternoon, and the heart of the child was lifted above the things of time to the things of eternity. After an affectionate farewell to her teacher, Rosie was met at the door of the school by one of the elder girls of the class, who said, rather confusedly, “I hope you will not be offended, Rose, but yesterday, while I was helping my mother to bake, the thought kept coming in my head, to make a cake for you; and here it is,” added she, tugging at something under her shawl, and producing a current cake sufficiently large enough for a whole family.

Seeing Rosie’s stare of blank astonishment, the girl continued, “Once when you were at our house, I heard you say you liked our plain currant cake. So that was why I made you this one. My mother said you would he offended, but I know you better than that. So here it is,” and leaving the parcel in Rosie’s hands. Bessie Green ran away as if half ashamed of her kindness.

For a minute Rosie stood at the door of the schoolhouse, with the parcel in her hand, and then she hurried home, to fall on her knees and to give thanks to her Father in heaven, who, even before she called, had been answering.

Rosie could but wonder why Bessie should think of doing such an unusual thing as to bring a cake to the Sunday school! But the Lord leads people to do strange things in order to be His Messengers. in caring for those who put their trust in Him.

The next day: one of her father’s debtors: called. and paid him some money, and in this she saw an additional answer to her prayer; but the quick response to that Sunday afternoon’s appeal has never been forgotten, and is still most sweet to her.

Rosie lived to grow up to be a woman, and during all the many years that have passed since that day, she never remembers again being in so sore a need for bread.

It would be well for us all, if we would thus learn, with the faith of a little child. to cast our care upon the Lord, for He careth for us.

Messages of God’s Love 7/9/1905

The Gospels

God has always had “good tidings”

From Himself to this poor world;

And the “Everlasting Gospel”

Was the standard first unfurled.

Claiming ever from His creatures

Worship for Himself alone;.

For as God, Most High, Creator,

He would through the earth be known.

Then the “Gospel of the Kingdom,”

Preached by even lips divine,

Told God’s rich and blessed. purpose,

Israel on the earth should shine.

But, beyond all other gospels,

Is the “Gospel of God’s grace”

As it shines, and shines so sweetly,

In the risen Saviour’s face;

Not demanding, but entreating

Sinful man to take—nut give;

To accredit all His mercy;

Not to work, but to believe.

Then the “Gospel of the glory”

Tells me what, in Christ. I’ll be

When, all sin and sorrow over,

I, at rest, Himself shall see.

See, and be forever like Him,

In Him now, and with Him then,

With a body fit and able

Brightest glory to sustain.

Then, while saints above are happy

In the blest millennial days,

Will the -Everlasting Gospel”

Claiin for the Creator praise.

For creation’s-Wide dominions

Rescued then from sin and thrall,

Shall in ceaseless adoration

Praise the eternal “All in All!”

Oh what wisdom God displayeth,

Making known His counsels’ so!

Oh, how sweet before Him bowing

All His purposes to know!

Messages of God’s Love 7/9/1905

Wisdom Cries

“Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth

her voice in the streets.” — Prov. 1:20.

“Wisdom cries,” but what is Wisdom?

Mercy, love, and truth combined —

Fear of. God, and dread of evil —

Happy they who Wisdom find!

“Wisdom cries,” but where is Wisdom?

Where the love of God is known;

Where the heart, by Christ attracted,

Is the loving Saviour’s throne.

“Wisdom cries,” but who is Wisdom?

Christ Himself, and none but He;

God’s delight, and man’s Redeemer,

He whose death has set us free.

“Wisdom cries,” but what its promise?

Happiness, and peace, and love;

Here below God’s help and blessing.

And eternal joy above!

Messages of God’s Love 7/9/1905

Jeremiah Buying the Field

Jeremiah 32:8-15

WHAT a strange thing to ask a man to do who is in prison and does not know if he shall ever come out! To buy a piece of land that he may never see again: and that at a time when the place is going to fall into the hands of the enemy, and he knows it. Still he obeys the Lord’s word to him, and weighs out the money in the balances, seventeen shekels of silver; and the deed of purchase is signed. sealed and delivered. He knows he shall have to wait at least “many days” before there can be the “redemption of the purchased possession,” that is the actual taking possession of the field he has bought. But he has the Lord’s word for it, that although the land will be given up to the Chaldeans and the people will have to go into captivity, yet the time will come when they will be brought back and have possessions in their own land.

And oh, my reader, if you are not waiting for Christ, He.is waiting for you. Every day you live you are passing by His open arms; despising His love; grieving His heart; neglecting the “great salvation;” forsaking your own mercy! (Jonah 2:8). How long will you go on in your course of folly? Jeremiah believed God about the good time coming. and he acted upon it:

A better time is coming for “them that are Christ’s:” shall you be outside it all, with neither part nor lot: in the matter? A far “sorer punishment” waits for those who “will not repent.” Will it fall in all its terrors upon your guilty head? “BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE THAT HATH PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION; ON SUCH THE SECOND DEATH HATH NO POWER.” Rev. 20:6.

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

Tomorrow

Joshua 3:5

GOD HAS His tomorrow, and Satan has his. The one is a bright, eternal reality, while the other is but a delusive “Will o’ the Wisp.” As one pursues a phantom, on and on, with hope never realized, so Satan leads the unsaved, the unwary soul step by step, quieting conscience’ with the deadly opiate, “Time enough yet” — “tomorrow will, do” — until the poor victim is locked up in the impenetrable night of sorrow never, to be released. But God’s tomorrow is a, fixed, abiding certainty. It ushers in an eternity of glory for him who takes God at His word.

For Israel, it was on the, morrow that the wonders of the Lord were to be seen, that day they must sanctify themselves, and thus make ready, for the glorious sight that was to greet their eyes on the next.

Now let those who have turned away from Satan’s false and delusive whispers, and who are relying upon the blessed truth of God’s word, seek to gather up some lessons from this portion.

Today — now — is the time to sanctify yourselves. Let the truth of God have its power and its place in your lives. “Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy word is truth.” This is your responsibility; this will be your preparation.

Tomorrow — oh, God’s bright tomorrow! Who can measure its wonders and its delights! Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and it has not entered into the heart of man to conceive; the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. God, by His Spirit, has given His own a foretaste of the coming joys; but their fulness, who can tell?

Let me ask you, my reader, has the word of God power over your life? If not, you are amongst the number who hear and do not, and the Lord likens you to one who builds his house upon the shifting sands. For all such the fall must one day come — and who can tell the horrors of it! “Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

The Expected Arrival

I WAS lately at the beautiful country seat of a distinguished nobleman, whose parliamentary engagements detained him in London during the summer months. I need not stay to tell you of the extended lawns, and gardens, and its lovely lakes, because I want to impress upon your minds a thought of quite another character — readiness.

Quite unexpectedly a letter was received at the mansion to the effect that his lordship would be at his seat in a few days. Now, supposing everything, both in the house, and about, the grounds, had been negligently left to disorder, how much would have had to be done, and how quickly, too, for the master’s return. Happily it was not so; but still there were many things to be righted, and much to be seen to, that nothing unseemly should meet the eye of the master, so beloved and revered. Now, cannot we, clear children, draw a lesson from this incident? You know that the One whom the disciples called Master, and whom Christians now call Lord, is gone away for a time. He is gone to heaven occupied there for His people, and He has sent a message that He is coming again. You know that even before He left this world He not only said “I am come,” but, “I will come.” And one peculiarity about His coining is that He did not say when, but “soon.” So that the Lord’s coming may be called — as was that of the nobleman — an expected arrival.

Are you ready for Him? Have you negligently left all in disorder, like the poor world that does not believe He is corning at all? Or, having thought of His coming at some time or other, have forgotten that it will be “soon?” You know what the first concern is — to have peace through His precious blood, and then to be adorned with all the precious fruits of His Spirit — love, joy, and desire of heart for His return. I know some of my dear young readers can say from the heart “Come, Lord Jesus,” not next year, or next week, but now. The perfecting of our bliss, and His joy, await that moment. Oh that His near, His expected arrival, may waken up our hearts! that like the virgins of the 25th of Matthew, we may “go forth to meet Him.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

No Want

THIRTY years on a sick bed! Confined within four walls. My dear young friends, what do you think of such a fate? Yet the dear woman who lies there has the sweetest. most patient, subdued look — her smile is very bright. The Lord has taught her to desire His will to be done, and she accepts this lifetime of suffering on that bed from His hand, sure that He knows best, and does all in perfect love.

When I first knew Sarah she was a young woman; she had been laid down about a year then, through the accident which hopelessly injured her back, so that she could never go about again. She was not patient nor bright as she is now, but the Lord gave her peace in those early days of her illness through the knowledge of Himself and forgiveness of sins; and from being a restless, impatient, fretful woman, chafing under God’s dealings with her, she became singularly bright in spirit, patient, and thankful for all.

I only see her at intervals of a year sometimes, and often feel after a long, active experience, and going hither and thither myself, how wonderfully the grace of God sustains and shines out, year after year, in that lonely, bed-ridden woman in her little room without a relative in the neighborhood. And how much He is glorified through her! She teaches me many a lesson, and I write this little account that you may learn what God’s ways sometimes are with His children, and how thankful you should be for the mercies of health and strength. But Sarah thanks God for all He has done to her, and perhaps you have not learnt that lesson yet; it requires full trust in His love and our will to be broken.

Not only is this poor saint so afflicted in body (she suffers a good deal), but she has no means of her own. God has cared for her as to this all the thirty years, and she has never wanted. “There is no want to them that fear Him.”

I am writing, you see, of a living person. We often hear stories of the dead, but it stirs us up more to hear of the living, and there are very few who have had such a long imprisonment in one room as poor Sarah has who are so happy and peaceful under it.

And now I would say a word to my young fellow-Christians, to seek after the sick and poor and afflicted in their own homes. You may not have means nor ability to help them much, but a very little often cheers and comforts, even kind words and little deeds. Sarah’s eyes fill with tears when she tells me how much words of sympathy comfort her

You can surely tell others of the Lord and Saviour you have found. So many live to themselves in their own social circle, and are not seeking after the poor of the flock, who are dear to the Lord, not visiting “the fatherless and widow in their affliction.” May He enable us all to seek after them more in love and care. and to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

A Wiltshire Shepherd

A TRAVELLER from a commercial house in London, crossing the extensive plains in Wiltshire, was joined by a gentleman passing the same road. The traveller, a pious man, observed, with regret, that the conversation of the gentleman was of a light and trifling cast, often bordering on profanity; and resolved to take the first opportunity of slipping away from so unprofitable a companion. Before, however, such an opportunity occurred, they reached a part of the downs where the road separated. Uncertain which way to take, they proposed to inquire of a shepherd boy, who was reclining near the spot with a book in his hand. The gentleman, disposed to exercise his wit on the simple peasant, thus addressed him:—

“Halloo! my lad; what book are you reading?”

“The Bible, sir!” was the reply. “The Bible! so! so you read that in hopes to find out the way to heaven?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Very well; that road I neither know nor care anything about; you tell me, if you can, the road to Salisbury; and I will leave you to dream about the other at your leisure.”

“That, sir,” pointing with his crook, “is the road to Salisbury; and the road to heaven, blessed be God, is so plain that the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” Isaiah 35:8.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1:15

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

“Well said, simple shepherd, thought the pious traveler, and raised his heart in gratitude to the Lord. “how true it is that God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, that he that glorieth should glory only in the Lord. 1 Cor. 1:23-31.

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

How to Be Saved

We are not saved by trying,

From self can come no aid

Tis on the blood relying:

Once for our ransom paid.

Tis looking unto Jesus

The holy One and just:

Tis His great work that saves us,

It is not Try but Trust.

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

Extract From a Letter

“I am happy to say I know Jesus is my own dear Saviour, and searching these Scriptures teaches me more of His love, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/16/1905

The Colosseum

THE PICTURE you have just looked at is of the ancient city of Rome, as it now appears; and the immense building you see in the distance is called “the Colosseum. It.is so large that it covers nearly six acres of ground, and it is just about eighteen hundred years old. The building of it was commenced by the Emperor Vespasian: who began to reign only about thirty-six years after the Lord Jesus was put, to death on the cross, and went back to heaven. Some hundreds of years ago, it was used for markets and fairs, and after that it was made use of as a fortress for some of the Roman nobles, and their soldiers. Still later, a society of kind men made of it a hospital for the sick: and. afterwards it was attempted to set up a woolen manufactory within its great stone walls; but for the last hundred and thirty years it has been looked upon as a “holy place.” sacred to the memory of the thousands of God’s people who have lost their lives in it. For I must tell you that it was not built for a market-hall, or hospital, or anything of the kind, but for an “amphitheater,” a place where people gathered together to see the “games.” Some writers say, that as many as ninety thousand people could be seated in it, and ten thousand more find room to stand, and all see what was going on in the “arena.” And what do you think the “games” were, that such vast crowds would come together to see? I need not tell you of all the sports the people of that dark city would flock to the Colosseum to witness; but among other things, they used to cause slaves, and criminals, and others, to fight with wild beasts. Lions were kept in the dens around the arena, and no food was given them for some time before. So as to make them more savage. Then they were let loose upon the men who were doomed to death; or in some cases, the persons were armed with weapons; and then, if they could succeed in killing the beasts, instead of being killed themselves, they were set free, and were no longer slaves or under the sentence of death.

After the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ spread as far as Rome, and many there confessed Him as their Saviour they became hated and persecuted for His sake, as He had been before them, and as He told them they should be too. (John 15:20). They were treated as criminals, and thrown to the lions, though their only crime was that they believed in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, confessed His name, and refused any longer to sacrifice to the idols of the heathen. They would’ not deny the Lord that bought them with His own blood, and boldly and calmly they faced death for His sake. He had tasted death for them; had borne their sins and put them away, so that death had no sting or terror for them: and as He had received the spirit of His first martyr, Stephen, outsidethe gates of Jerusalem, so from the Colosseum. at. Rome, many, many of His dear people departed “to be with Christ, which is far better.”

How thankful we ought to be that, in these . favored times, we are permitted to lead a quiet life in all piety and honesty!

We have the privilege, without any persecution, of reading the word of God whenever we please, and to live pleasing to Him according to what we learn in it to be His will. “BLESSED ARE THEY THAT KEEP HIS TESTIMONIES, AND THAT SEEK HIM WITH THE WHOLE HEART.” Ps. 119:2.

Messages of God’s Love 7/23/1905

The Wonders of the Lord

Joshua 3:5

ISRAEL must cross the Jordan in order to enter the long promised land. In those days rivers were not spanned by fine bridges over which people could pass in carriages, or street cars, or on foot. Neither were there comfortable ferries to convey them across. And here was a great multitude of people, more than would fill the large city of St. Louis, waiting on the banks of this swift flowing stream, now stronger and more impetuous than ever, for it was the time of year when it had overflowed all its banks. How shall they get across? If a ferry boat, which could carry 5,000 passengers at a time, could have been placed there, and if, with such numbers on it, it could have made the trip back and forth in the short space of thirty minutes, it might have worked incessantly for five days and five nights. and then it would not have carried all the people over. But there was no bridge — no ferry; only the dark, rolling waters between them and the goal. Was there any possible way by which they could get over, and that in a day? None, if man were the instrument. But, oh! may our souls magnify the Lord for His greatness. His hand is not shortened that He cannot save. With Him nothing is impossible.

Let us recall that the people were to see the wonders of the Lord that day. Let us stand with them on the stormy hanks of the Jordan, and behold what God will work. As we gaze upon the deep, swift waters, we see them begin to stand upright, until a great heap of water is before our eyes — not to fall in a moment and dash itself in foam, but there to stand until He who holds the waters in His fists, bids it move on. But look again! While the waters above are stayed, the waters below run out, and again a way is made for Israel, right over the pebbly bed of the Jordan. Wonder of wonders! How strange the sight! That great heap of waters, perhaps rising higher and higher as the waters above reach that point, but still held back — yes, until every man, woman and child in that vast company has safely passed over. It is He who “hangeth the earth upon nothing,” who is doing these wonders. Need we marvel? No! But let us praise and adore.

“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep place’s.”

“Great is our Lord; and greatly to be praised.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/23/1905

Who Loved Me and Gave Himself for Me

Galatians 2:20

WHAT would you do, my little fellow,” said a Christian to a boy, “if your father and mother were to go away from you and leave you alone in the world?”

“If they did that I should not be left alone, I should still have Jesus,” replied the boy.

“Most assuredly you would, my dear child, and the Lord grant that you may never lose your happy confidence in Him; but what makes you think that Jesus would still remain with you if all your friends left you?”

“Because the Bible says that Jesus died for me, and if He loved me so much as to come all the way from heaven to die for me, I know He will take care of me, until He comes to take me to His beautiful home.”

“But, my dear child, you might die and be laid in the cold grave before Jesus comes, and what then?”

“If I were to die, My soul would go to Jesus at once, so it would only be my body that was laid in the ground, and when Jesus comes He would raise that up too, and change it like His own, and then both my body and my soul would be joined together, and I should be with Him forever.”

In reading the foregoing the following beautiful scriptures came to my mind:

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Psalms 27:10.

“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.” Romans 8:32.

“He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Heb. 13:5-6.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

Messages of God’s Love 7/23/1905

Do You Love Your Bible?

HAVING the Scriptures at all times within our reach, we are in danger of losing sight of their value. We read that in the days of Samuel the word of the Lord was precious. 1 Samuel 3:1. How precious it must also have been in the thirteenth century when a written Bible, in nine volumes, was sold to W. de Howton, of Croxton, for a sum equal in value to about twenty-five dollars of our present money, and when it would have taken a laboring man fourteen or fifteen years to earn sufficient to purchase such a copy of the Scriptures! Now many a labourer earns, in one day, enough to buy two or three Bibles; but if he does not take the advice given in the first of Joshua, and take heed to the call in the first of Proverbs, he might as well be without the Scriptures. To have them, and neglect to read them daily is to possess that which condemns; for no one can prosper in his soul who does not make the word of God the man of his counsel. Psalm 119:24. David says, “Thy word have hid in mine heart. that I might not sin against Thee; and, again, I will delight myself in Thy commandments. which I have loved. I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them. My soul hath kept Thy testimonies, and 1 love them exceedingly.” Ps. 119:11, 47, 162, 165, 167.

Messages of God’s Love 7/23/1905

Extracts From Letters

I THANK you very heartily for the reward you sent me. I received it on S—, and I hope the Lord will use it in some way in bringing me more closely in His tender care.’ How I do thank the Lord for being so merciful to me a sinner, one who is committing sin day by day, yea moment by moment. But these are the people that Jesus wants, for He came not to call the righteous. “Oh happy day, Oh happy day when Jesus washed my sins away.” How joyfully I can sing this. I am released from my heavy burden for He bore all. Hoping you will put in a word of prayer for our Sunday school and sick ones. I have taken great interest in the ‘Messages of Love’ questions.

“It is a pleasure to me to write to you, and to tell you how well I enjoy, searching the Scriptures. I am happy to tell you how nicely our school here is growing. We have nice lessons taught us, and, the children, seem to be ready to repeat their verses, and I trust the Lord will reveal Himself to these little ones, in their youthful days, that if He spares them: to grow older they will learn to fear Him. I often look around and see the little ones and wished that I had loved Jesus before I did. But now I have proved His great love to me for a few years and pray that my little friends will learn to love Him too. Now I must close my letter with love to the schools in your country, and asking them to remember in their prayers. Love to all the dear ones. From——-.

“I have found my answers again. and. I feel blest by doing. so. I found them by myself after the rest had gone to bed.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/23/1905

God's Gift

Oh what a gift the Father gave

When He bestowed His son!

To save poor ruined, guilty man,

By sin defiled, undone:’

For 1 was lost and vile indeed!

To sin a willing prey;

Till God in mercy interposed,

And turned my night to day.

Now I can call the Saviour mine,

Though all unworthy still;

I’m sheltered by His precious blood

Beyond the reach of ill.

Messages of God’s Love 7/23/1905

Drawing Sisters Picture

HERE we find three children, two sisters and one brother, as we suppose. The brother is drawing a picture of his little sister. How pleased she is! No doubt she thinks when he is done she will see a true picture of herself with dolly on her knee. (You know she has never seen herself.) But if we judge from the few marks already made on the slate, it will not be a very true picture. You children all like to have your pictures taken, and to receive those of your friends. I want to tell you of an aged servant of the Lord; who was asked by a young man for his picture. “Oh yes!” he said, “you will find it in full length in the third chapter of Romans.”

Do you know what he meant? Of course, you know, he did not mean that he would see a picture that would show how he looked to the natural eye. I think he meant that there would be seen a word picture of himself and thus God, who looks on the heart, sees every one of us.

I wish you would open your Bibles at Rom. 3 beginning at verse10, you will find these solemn words.

10. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12. THEY ARE ALL GONE OUT OF THE WAY, THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.

13. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.

14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15. Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16. Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17. And the way of peace have they not known:

18. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

You may say, “That is a very ugly picture in words. I am sure that is not anything like me.”

Well, you are like the little girl who has never seen herself. You have never seen yourself in God’s sight.

Job was a righteous man before men, but when he found himself in the presence of God he said, “Behold I am vile,” and again, “I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Then God accepted his sacrifice and blessed hint.

So with us, when we how our heads and say, “It is true, that ugly picture is mine,” then God can receive and bless through the sacrifice of His Beloved Son, and put His beauty upon you.

Messages of God’s Love 7/30/1905

Twelve Stones

Joshua 3:14-17 and 4:1-21

BEFORE the children of Israel could witness the rolling back of the Jordan, the feet of the priests, who bore the ark, must stand in its waters, which now were up over its banks. It was when their feet were “dipped in the brim,” that the water from above stood and “rose up upon an heap,” and the water, below failed and was cut off. Then the priests, bearing the ark, went down into the bed of the river, and there stood firm on dry ground until all the people had passed over.

We have in this occurrence a beautiful type. Jordan is the river of death; and the ark speaks to us of Christ. If the waters of the Jordan had not been rolled back, Israel must have perished in attempting to reach the promised land. But the presence of the ark stayed the flood, and they passed over without being’ touched by the waters. In like manner, Christ has gone down into the dark, surging waters of death, and stayed the’ awful flood of God’s wrath for all who will come to Him. Thus He has made a way; and it is the only way of entrance into the blessed, heavenly Canaan. In meeting death, the fearful wages of sin, He went down to “the lowest pit,” “in darkness,” “in the deeps,” and there, all the waves and billows of God’s wrath rolled over His soul. O, sinner, what a price to pay for your sins! But, coming to that blessed One, you will escape forever, the strokes due to you, even as Israel passed through the Jordan, untouched by its impetuous waters.

But if God has wrought so mighty a deliverance for Israel, it must be borne in mind. Out of each tribe is chosen a man, and these twelve men must go back where the priests are standing with the ark, and take each of them a stone, and carry it to the place where they should lodge that night. And there the twelve stones should be set up as a witness. in order that their children, and children’s children should know how the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for them to pass over, even as He had made a way also for their fathers through the Red Sea. He would have them recognize; and forget, His mighty hand.

There was still another memorial, though this was unseen. Joshua went down and set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests, who bore the ark; had stood. When the waters flowed on in their usual manner, there was a heap of twelve stones buried under them; also there was a heap of ‘twelve stones on the land.

As the Lord would have Israel never to forget the wonderful deliverance that He had wrought for them, so now He would have His own keep fresh in memory His descent into the dark waters of death for them, and the wonderful redemption that has thus been accomplished for them. The witness for Israel consisted of twelve stones, because there were twelve tribes. For His people now, the memorial He gives is one loaf — not twelve — for His body is one, although many members compose that one body. In the loaf which speaks of His body given, and the cup, which speaks of His blood poured out, it is the privilege of His re_deemed ones to remember Him till He come.

And as Israel would think of those stones over which the Jordan flowed, will not the hearts of His dear people often be occupied with the thought of the place He took for them?

Reader, Christ has passed through death; He has risen above its power. Is the power of death destroyed for you? Has His death brought life to you? And if so, are you remembering Him as He would have you do? Is it possible that you are His, and that these words, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” are nothing to you?

Messages of God’s Love 7/30/1905

Lost on the Sands

IT WAS on a Sunday afternoon in November, 1880, that I went for a walk across the sands at a certain part of the Essex coast. The weather was foggy, and I had no compass. I went on until I thought it was time to return, and then I knew I had lost my way. I could see only a few yards round about; but hearing a bell tolling, and thinking it was at the church of the next parish, I walked in the direction from which the sound came.

After going several miles, I was met by the approaching tide, which was coming rapidly in. The ringing I heard came from a bell on a buoy, which was floating over a sandbank, where it was placed to warn sailors of danger. I then hurried off another way, not knowing where I was going, for the tide, when coming in, flows in many directions.

I thought my end was near, and my evil life came up before me. I shouted as loudly as I could, “Lost! lost!” And then an answer came, “I will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”

I was afraid to look up, or even to pray, for I knew I was a lost sinner. At length I came upon a target-frame, used for floating targets; and I thought I would cut some cords from it, and bind myself to it until morning, for it was getting dark. I then resolved that if God would deliver me I would lead a new life. I continued to call aloud, being then afraid to leave the target-frame, and the sea-gulls that flew around seemed to mock me with their cries.

Still I called for help. but it was not until I had almost sunk from exhaustion that at last I heard a fog-horn blow, and a voice call. “Come this way.” Hurrying forward as fast as I was able, I met the Man who had come to my rescue, and together we reached the shore.

Those awful hours were the means a loving God used to bring me to Himself. The agony of soul I then passed through made a lasting impression upon me, and I was a miserable man until, about six months afterwards, I found peace through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Messages of God’s Love 7/30/1905

Extract from Letters

Dear Mr. Hartt:— We have just received the Messages of Love with your letter and I thought I might send you this little incident in my own life which I think was the first means of making me go to the Lord for myself in prayer. My dear mother and father had taught us from babyhood to go to Jesus at all times and Mamma had explained to us before, the meaning of the verse, “Ask and ye shall receive.” She had told us that no little child was too young to ask Jesus anything, as He loved little children and loved to hear their prayers. We had a very strict school master then and I had lost my exercise that day and must take it to school the next day; I had looked over and over again on a little book stand we children had for our school books and was in tears, for I could not find it and I knew it meant punishment in the morning. All at once a voice seemed to say “Why not ask Jesus?” So I knelt down just there and in a little child-like prayer, I asked Him for my exercise; before I was off my knees I knew where it was, for as I opened my eyes they fell straight on the lost book. Since then He has answered many prayers of mine but this was the little start of my going to Jesus and I am sure He will answer any little child who goes to Him in prayer and trusts Him in little things.

Messages of God’s Love 7/30/1905

The Soft Answer

A STOUT boy who worked in a grocer’s store was one day carrying a big basket filled with oranges and parcels of tea, coffee, sugar, and other good things, along a narrow lane to a house on the edge of the village. As he walked slowly along with his load, a merry little fellow came running in the opposite direction whistling like a lark on a sunny morning. He was a little careless, for he tilted plump against the grocer lad’s basket, and knocked it off his arm. Away rolled the bright oranges, and out went the parcels on the dusty path, very much to the chagrin of the errand boy. With hot face, flashing eyes, and closed fists, lie squared himself for a fight.

But the little fellow did not wish to fight, for he felt innocent of any intention to do harm to the other. So with a pleasant smile he said: “I’m very sorry. I was careless. I didn’t mean to upset your basket. Come, let me help pick up the things.”

These were soft words. The spirit of kindness was in them, and it melted the anger from the other boy’s heart in a moment. He dropped his arms, and went to picking up his scattered goods. When everything was replaced, the boys wished each other good morning, and went their way cheerful and happy.

Now suppose the careless boy had used hard instead of soft words. What then? There would have been a fight, of course. Black eyes, bleeding noses, trampled parcels, squeezed oranges, and fiery passions would have been the evil fruits. Soft words prevented all this, you see. Are not soft words delightful and blessed things? Yes, they are precious pearls. Remember this, and keep lots of them in your mouth ready to drop out when needed. The wise king said, “A soft answer turneth away wrath.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/30/1905

Bible Questions for August

Answers to Questions for June

1. “The Holy One.” 1 John 2:20.

2. “He that abideth,” etc. 2 “ 9.

3. “Even now are there,” etc. 1 “ 2:18.

4. “Whatsoever is born of,” etc. 1 5:4.

5. “Ourselves.” 1 “ 1:8.

6. “Reserved in everlasting,” etc. Jude 6.

7. “Little children.” 1 John 3:7.

8. “Demetrius.” 3 “ :12.

“THE WORLD.” 1 “ 2:15.

Letter to Our Young Friends Who Are Answering the Questions.

Dear Friends:— As we are now going through the New Testament with the questions for another time, it is with feelings of thankfulness to the Lord that so many have taken an interest in answering them, and our prayer is that your reading and writing of the word of God will prove a lasting blessing to your souls, and that the things you have learned will remain with you, and prove a power by which you will be able to withstand the many attacks of the evil one.

We have made a slight change in the form of the questions, leaving out the acrostic, but we hope in no way making them more difficult, for our, desire is that they should be simple enough for any little one who is able to read and write.

We would be glad to have all our young friends who have been so faithful in answering the questions in the past, continue to do so, and would welcome the names of many others.

We have decided to give seven questions each Month as we go through the New Testament this time, and hope none will find they are too many or too hard.

May the Lord richly bless you all, and keep you not only reading and writing the blessed word of God, but walking according to its teachings.

Bible Questions for August

All answers to be found in the gospel of Matthew.

1. When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary held Jesus by the feet and worshipped Him, what did He say to them?

2. What did Jesus say to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee?

3. When the lawyer asked Jesus “which is the great commandment in the law”? what answer did He make?

4. When the disciples rebuked those who brought little children to Jesus, what did He say?

5. What did Jesus say to Peter when he began to sink while walking on the water?

6. What did Jesus say to the woman who touched the hem of His garment?

7. What answer did Jesus give to Satan when he told Him to cast Himself down from a pinnacle of the temple?

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Ten Virgins — Matt. 25

IN THIS parable Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins who took their lamps and Went forth to meet the bridegroom.

By “the kingdom of heaven” we are to understand those who now enroll themselves under the authority of the Lord Jesus during the time of His absence in heaven.

Jesus has been rejected by the Jewish people, and has gone back to heaven. And while He is in heaven, through the preaching of the gospel, there are those who confess His name, and own His authority, and take the position of being His friends. These are likened to ten virgins. Jesus is coming back again, and will bring unspeakable joy and blessing to the very people who rejected Him when He came the first time. This is likened to the joy of a marriage.

Believers of the present time, while the Lord is absent, will constitute the bride of the Lamb, as we see from other Scriptures, but they are not seen in that relationship here in this parable. They are the friends of the coming Bridegroom, and will be His companions, and the sharers of His joy, when He comes to bless Israel.

These virgins took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. They are professedly his friends, and go to meet him, and to light him on his way to the wedding.

It is a picture of how all Christians at the beginning took the position of looking for and expecting the return of the Lord Jesus from heaven. We are told that the Thessalonians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.” This was the attitude of Christians at the beginning. They went forth. to meet the Bridegroom.

We are told that they “took their lamps.” The lamp is the symbol of their profession. But it is not enough alone. There must be “oil” in order that the lamp may give forth a steady light. Without the oil, you might light the wick, and it would blaze up for a little while, but it would soon go out. And so the Christian must have something more than the mere lamp of profession. He must have something to sustain the light. He needs the oil of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the power for testimony and without Him there is no real testimony. The Spirit is the oil, the “anointing,” which all true Christians receive. (1 John 2:27.)

Now we are told in our parable that five of the virgins were wise, and five were foolish. And what made the difference? The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps, and the foolish took none. The wise virgins are true Christians who have obeyed the Lord Jesus, and have received the Holy Ghost. The foolish virgins are mere professors. They have the lamp, they make a profession, but they have not received the Holy Ghost; there is no reality in them.

And now let me ask, How is it with my reader? Have you really believed in Jesus, and submitted to Him, and received the Holy Spirit? If not you have no oil, and when the Bridegroom comes you will have no light. Oh! how sad it would be to he found without the oil when Jesus comes.

But you say you have believed in Jesus, and you have received the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is indeed well, if this be so. Let me ask you, then, have you gone forth to meet the Bridegroom? Are you constantly looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, your Saviour? He says, “Behold, I come quickly.” Are you looking for Him? This is the position in which the Lord Jesus would have all His friends. He may come any moment, and when ‘He collies, He would like to have you expecting Him, and looking for Him. May you indeed be found watching.

We shall have to look at other points in this parable at another time.

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

Affection

AMIDST all the ruin that sin has brought in on this world, it is good to see the traits which God has implanted in each animal manifesting themselves. If we look at the picture before us, we see affection among the lions. No doubt you all know the lion is a wild, fierce animal and if he gets the chance, would tear a man in pieces. That is on account of sin having come in. It is not that God so made them, but Satan being the prince and the power of the air, and that ever since sin came into the world, works in these animals and causes them to be wild and savage, but as we had in a previous article, the time is coming when Satan is to be bound and all the wild animals will be quiet, not only with their own kind but with all others as well. How good it is to see them at times, now, manifesting affection—that which God had given to them. We too should show affection for one another. But let us not forget that although we might show a great many good traits and seek to act according as God had intended, that would not make us fit for God. We must believe in Jesus as the One whom God has sent to die for sinners, and thus take Him as our own Saviour. In no other way can we come to God or be fit for His presence than through Jesus as the One who has died for us.

“THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.” Acts 4:12.

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

The Water of Life

The Lord and Saviour, from on high,

Exalted on the throne,

The Lamb of God, who came to die,

And did for sin atone,

Now welcomes all—the vilest, worst—

That none from Him may shrink,

And sweetly cries, “If any thirst,

Oh come to ME, and drink.”

He burdens none with heavy tasks,

But freely He doth give,

No good He claims, no pride He asks,

His terms are, Drink and live.

For worth thou mayst be counted first, .

Or deep in evil sink;

His words are still, “If any thirst,

Oh come to ME, and drink.”

Then listen to His loving voice,

The welcome of His grace,

Accept His bidding, and rejoice,

His offer now embrace.

The cloud of judgment soon shall burst,

Be wise, then, and bethink

Thee of His cry, “If any thirst,

Oh come to ME, and drink.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

So You Love the Savior?

A LITTLE converted Wamlacqua girl, when asked if she loved Christ, answered, “ Yes, I do; and I desire to love Him more.” When asked why she loved Him, since she had never seen Him, she answered, “He loved me first, and died for me on the cross, that I might live.”

Another converted heathen was asked the state of her mind, she replied “Happy! happy! I have Christ here,” laying her hand upon her heart, “and Christ there,” pointing up to heaven.

Ah, children, no one can be happy, unless he has the love of God shed abroad in his heart, but with Him he can be happy anywhere and everywhere.

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

Then She Is Rich

THIS was the remark of a little Sunday-school boy, who, being very ill, was visited by the teacher. The teacher, on leaving him, observed that she was going to visit a poor sick woman. “Does she love the Saviour?” inquired the boy. “Yes,” was the reply, “I hope she does.” “Then she is rich,” replied the boy. And was he not right? He that loves Jesus, and has Him for his Saviour and Friend, must be rich. “For your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

Sin in God's Sight

When the guilt of sin is seen

In the light of God, so keen;

Like a stain of deepest dye—

Like a mountain rising high,

In its length and breadth ‘tis viewed,

All opposed to Christ and God.

Man could ne’er remove the stain,

Least of all could life obtain.

O the love—sound it abroad!

Christ removes it by His blood!

Knowing this, we praise our God.

Messages of God’s Love 8/6/1905

On the Farm

I DOUBT not that most of my readers are living in large cities and are glad for a little while to spend on the farms and when there, are made to rejoice as they see all the wonderful works of God. All we can see has been made for man’s use but do we think for whom man was made? Man was made to glorify God. Not to seek His own glory or to please himself, but God. Ah, has he done that? And have you, dear children, thought that you must seek in every way to please the Lord? What is the first thing we should do that will please and glorify God? I have no doubt that many of you can answer, “It is to believe ‘on the Lord Jesus Christ; to believe that He has died for us poor sinners, that we might never have to bear what we deserved for our sins.” Yes, dear children, He has died to put away our sins and He glorified God in so doing. This, then, is the first thing for us to do; it is to believe in Him, and then after that, seek-to follow in His steps all through our path. He pleased not Himself, He sought not His own honor but that of His Father. May you all, dear children, have that as your object through .this life, and you will be preserved from the evil of the world, and selfish motives of the heart and rejoice in His goodness in providing the wonderful creation for our use and thus live to glorify God.

“WHETHER THEREFORE YE EAT, OR DRINK, OR WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” 1 Cor. 10:31.

Messages of God’s Love 8/13/1905

Jesus Prophesying

THE TEN VIRGINS. Continued.
Matt. 25.

IN OUR last we saw that all the virgins went forth to meet the bridegroom. Some were wise, and some were foolish; some had oil, and some had none; but at the beginning all were looking for the bridegroom. This was the proper Christian attitude with reference to the coming again of Jesus.

But now as we read on in the parable, we find that the bridegroom “tarried.” He did not come when He was first looked for. And so it has been with Christ. He did not come when first expected. For some reason the glorious, heavenly Bridegroom has tarried. In the counsels of God there is, no doubt, an appointed moment when He will rise up from the Father’s throne, and come to earth again. “For yet a little while,” says the apostle, “and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” If He has tarried, it is only for “a little while,” and when the “little while” is ended He “will come and will not tarry.” And as far as we know, that “little while” may end any moment, so that we need to be ever watching. This was the attitude of all Christians in the early history of the church during a period of two or three hundred years. But it did not continue so. During the reign of the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, persecution of the Christians came to an end, at least for a time. That Emperor favored the Christians, gave them positions in the government, and treated them with such consideration, that it became an honor to be a Christian instead of a reproach and shame. The result was that Christians lost sight of their heavenly calling, and ceased to watch for their coming Lord. And so the statement in our parable was fulfilled: “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” This means, that they ceased to watch for the Lord; they gave up the hope of His-speedy coming. It is not that they ceased to be Christians, but they lost the proper Christian hope. And this was a most serious loss, for if we do not keep the proper Christian hope before us, it will greatly affect our walk and testimony in the world.

Let us try to illustrate this. We will suppose the case of a family in which there is a great deal of love and affection between the husband and wife, the parents and the children. All love one another, and are greatly devoted one to the other.

The husband and father is called to go away from home to attend to some important business, and he does not know how long this business will take him. So he says to his wife and children, “I must leave home for a short time, and I do not know how long I will be away. I may get through with my business, so that I may return some time tonight, or I may get home tomorrow, or it may be some weeks before I can get back, but I will come as soon as I can, and hope while I am gone, you children will be very kind to your mother, and to one another, and that you will be faithful in attending to your duties till I come back.”

Well the father goes on his journey, and enters on his business duties, and seeks to get through as quickly as possible, because he desires to get back to his loved wife and children; but he is detained longer than he expects, and the days run into weeks, and the weeks into months, before he can get through. His wife looks for him every day, and every night, and she keeps everything in order, and in readiness for his coming. She longs to see him back, and the time seems long, but she does not fret, or worry, because she has confidence in him, and he had said he did not know how long he would be gone, but would come as soon as he could, and so she goes on patiently every day, keeping things in order, and always longing and looking for his return. And this is as it should be.

For a time the children also keep before them that their father may return any day, and any hour of the day, and they are glad to think they may see him at any moment; and so they go on with their duties, so as to have everything right when lie may come. But by and by some of them become impatient because he doesn’t come, and then begin to speak as if he will not come at all. The mother tells them he will surely come, and some of the children have full confidence, but as his return is delayed more and more the others begin to doubt, and then get careless, and perhaps think he will not come at all. Then they cease to look for him, and no longer try to have things in such a way that he will be pleased. They go on and do as they like, and everything goes wrong.

So one day the father returns, not unexpectedly to the mother and some of the children, for they have been looking for him every day, and oh! how glad they are to see his face once more. But the other children who ceased to look for him, do not feel so happy; they feel uncomfortable because they were not looking for him, and because they had become careless about their duties, and perhaps laughed at the others because they continued expecting their father.

And just so it is, dear children, as to looking for our coming Lord Jesus. Jesus is surely coming, and He will not delay one moment after the appointed time, for He loves us and longs to have us with Himself; and if we believe Him, and keep His coming always before us, we will seek to have everything in readiness for His coming, and so His coming will be for us an event of pure and unmingled joy. We will not be ashamed before Him because we have neglected our duties, but will only rejoice in His presence, with unspeakable joy.

May we not be like those in the parable who all slumbered and slept, but may our hearts be so full of Christ that our very longing for His return will keep us awake waiting and watching.

Messages of God’s Love 8/13/1905

Uncle Jerry's Scar

UNCLE Jerry is not an old man, though a few gray hairs have appeared among his once brown locks. He is tall and stout, with fine dark whiskers, and a black eye that looks as if he might get angry if very much tempted.

How he came to be called “Uncle Jerry” by all the children in the place, I do not know, unless it is that he is kind to everyone, and is as gentle as a child. He keeps the largest store in the village. In one corner there is a deep drawer which seems almost inexhaustible, so many “penny’s worth of candy” come out of it, and what is better than all, the little ones say they “get it for nothing.”

Though the children have given Uncle Jerry many a pelting with snow-balls in a winter morning; and sometimes enjoy a ride on his big farm wagon, as he goes to and from the mill, there is one thing they have never ventured to ask him; that is, how he got that deep scar on his left cheek. Katy, the baby, sometimes touches it with her tiny finger, but she is too young to ask questions. Robert was on the point of asking about it one day, when his mother told him to “run away.” As my young friends may be curious to know, I will tell them the story:

When Uncle Jerry was a little boy, he had a bad temper. He got angry easily, and did not get over it as soon as he ought. He used to strike back, and sometimes pout his lips, and say, “I’ll pay you for that.” His good father and mother were very much grieved, and tried in many ways to break his stubborn will, but with little effect. He was a sweet, pleasant looking boy, till something made him angry, and then his habit of pouting his lips made him appear quite ugly. He improved very much in this respect after being told by one of his brothers that his “face might freeze in that shape;” still he remained stubborn and passionate.

One Saturday afternoon his brothers went off fishing, and as he was too young to go, he was left alone. He played about till he was tired, and then sat down on the back porch to rest. Just then the servant came up with a pail of water, and asked him to move, and let her wash the steps. He changed his seat to one under the kitchen window, and looking up he saw his mother placing some apple pies in the window to cool.

“Mamma, please give me a pie,” said he.

“Not till they are cold, Jerry,” she replied.

“Please do, Mamma; I want a pie now,” said he impatiently.

“They are just taken from the oven, and would burn you,” said his mother, as she walked away, leaving her little boy pouting sulkily.

Jerry felt very angry, and said to himself, “The boys have gone and left me, Biddy is cross, and Mamma won’t give me anything. It is too bad.” At last, finding that no one took any notice of him, he started up, saying, “I’ll pay them, I’ll get the big carving knife, and cut down the corn in the garden.” He entered the house and took a large, sharp knife, and ran toward the gate, but before he reached it he stumbled and fell. The knife went into his cheek, cutting it frightfully. The next thing he knew he was lying on his mother’s bed, so weak that he could hardly speak, but heard his father saying to his eldest brother Stephen, “How did it happen?”

“I don’t know, Father,” said Stephen. “Just as we were getting over the fence in the meadow, we saw Jerry start out of the kitchen door, and when we came into the yard, we found the poor child lying by the garden gate all bloody, with the large butcher’s knife by his side.”

Jerry was never so frightened before. His face was all bound up with cloth, and the doctor stood by his side feeling his pulse. As soon as he recovered from his fainting fit, the doctor sewed up a long gash on his cheek, and the side of his neck, and told him to keep very still. After it was over, Jerry heard the doctor say to his father, “The poor boy has had a narrow escape, he came very near bleeding to death.” How wretchedly he felt when he thought what would have become of him, if he had died, and gone to meet God just as he was. When his kind mother bent over him, and kissed him, and blessed God for saving her dear boy’s life, how unworthy he felt of such tender love. He had to lie still on the bed for a number of days, before he was well enough to play.

When he was quite well again, his mother asked him, “Jerry, what were you doing with the knife the day you were cut?” He hung his head, burst into tears and told his mother how wicked he had been. She took him on her lap and said, “Never forget the lesson, my dear boy, God has taught you in your young days. The evil spirit which made you start to cut down your father’s corn, might in after years have prompted you in an angry moment to take the life of a fellow-being, and be branded as a murderer.”

He needed not a mother’s promptings to enforce the solemn lesson. It was heeded well. He recovered with a shocking scar upon his cheek, but with a softened temper. I am sure as his hand passes over that scar, he recalls the solemn warning of his childhood.

Uncle Jerry said one day, “This scar has been worth a fortune to me.”

He had not only learned to rule his spirit, through this sad experience; but he had learned to know the One “Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter ii:23.

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Prov. 16:32.

Messages of God’s Love 8/13/1905

Industry

WHAT a needful lesson we may learn from the picture we have before us this week! The woman spinning reminds us of the words in Prov. 31:19, “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” From verse ten to the end of that chapter we get God’s commendation of a good and industrious woman. God does not want us to be idle. He has made us to be occupied and we may be sure that if we have nothing to do for ourselves, we can always find enough to do for others. “LET HIM LABOR, WORKING WITH HIS HANDS THE THING WHICH IS GOOD, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM THAT NEEDETH.” Eph. 4:28.

We get the lesson of doing for others taught perfectly in the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw us in our great need and gave up the glory He had with the Father in order to meet us in that need, and to lift us up out of our ruin and sin by giving His life in our stead on the cross. There is where He met God’s holy and righteous claims which stood against us for all our sins and He will take all who believe in Him to be with Himself to share with Him in that glory He has entered.

The Lord was not idle, nor thinking of Himself but all the time He was down here He was seeking the good of others and not’ only their temporal needs, but what We ‘have just mentioned, which was for eternal benefit.

I trust, dear children, you may know what it is to have Him as your own Saviour and then be occupied in doing good to others and particularly in seeking to bring others to the Lord, that they may know Him as their Saviour”.

Messages of God’s Love 8/20/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Ten Virgins (Continued)
Matt. 25

WE have already seen how that all the virgins, both wise and foolish, fell asleep, and thus ceased to look for the coming bridegroom. And we have seen also how Christians, both true and false, lost the hope of the speedy return of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the time of Constantine on through the dark ages, though there were many devoted Christians, they were not expecting the return of Jesus the Son of God from heaven as their immediate hope.

In this article we desire to call your attention to a point in the parable which shows that slumbering Christians would be awakened from their sleep, and led to, look afresh for the coming again of Jesus.

We will ask you to read the 6th verse. It runs thus,

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold. the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

The bridegroom had tarried, but now at last he was coming, and the cry which rung out on the midnight air reached the ears of the slumbering virgins.

And just so, within the last eighty years a cry has gone out which has awakened thousands of slumbering Christians, and led them to look for their coming Lord. In almost every country where Christ is known, the truth of His speedy coming has been proclaimed with no uncertain sound. This is what has been called “the midnight cry.” Thousands have heard it, thousands have been awakened by it, and thousands have been led to wait and watch for the heavenly Bridegroom. It is in this way that God is preparing a waiting and expectant people to receive His Son when He will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. God would not have His Son come back to earth, and not find His people looking for Him, and so He has caused this midnight cry to be sounded everywhere. Oh! how blessed to think that Jesus our Saviour may come any moment, and change our bodies into the likeness of the body which He now has in glory. And this will be effected “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” when Jesus descends, and those who believe will instantly be caught away from earth to meet the Lord in the air, and then to spend eternity with Him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in His own blood.

Oh, my young reader, are you ready? Have you heard the cry? Have you heard that Jesus is indeed coming, and. that He may be here any moment? Oh! if you have not, listen to it now, and wake up from your sleep. Jesus is coming, and He may come before you finish reading this.. article. Wake up, then, now, without delay. Tomorrow may be one day too late. Now is the time. “To-day, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/20/1905

He Careth for Us

A REMARKABLE instance of God’s gracious care for His own occurred some years ago. A poor Christian widow, residing in England, struggled hard to support her fatherless children, of whom she had several. By the Lord’s blessing on her industry and economy she was not only enabled to effect her object, and to keep herself and them above want and free from debt, but had also managed to put by about thirty shillings towards some domestic want in prospect. A wicked neighbor heard of this, and being an abandoned man, devoid of pity for the widow and the fatherless, he resolved, if possible, to possess himself of the poor woman’s hard earnings. Knowing her character, and that she was as compassionate towards others as she was industrious on behalf of her helpless children, he went to her lone cottage door one very wet night shortly after she had retired to rest, and, knocking loudly till he had awakened her, begged piteously in a feigned voice for shelter from the storm, assuring her that he had travelled far, was wet through, and faint for want of food and rest. She objected strongly against admitting a man at that hour of the night into her house, telling him that she feared the reproach which might be thus brought upon her as a Christian widow; but he begged so hard and told so sad a tale, that moved by pity for him, she resolved to grant his request; and though she had but little food in the house, she purposed to make him welcome to what she had, and, re-lighting her fire, to allow him to sit by it till morning. With these kind intentions she hastily dressed and descended to the door. But, alas for the hard heart of the wretched man who stood without, she had no sooner opened to him, than pouncing upon her like a wild beast, he seized her by the throat to stifle her screams, and threatened her with instant death if she did not tell him where she had stored her little savings. Terrified almost to insensibility by the suddenness and brutality of the attack, she directed him to the place. He secured the money and rushed from the house; but as he turned to leave, it suddenly occurred to him that being well known to her as a neighbor she must have recognized him, and in the morning he would, as a matter of course, be pursued and apprehended for the robbery.

One crime almost invariably brings another, and the thought now arose in his wicked heart that he must dispatch her to secure his own safety. With this fearful intention he returned to the house. The door was still open, for the poor woman had swooned, and lay helpless and unconscious just where he had left her. And now he began to consider how be should effect his purpose. He had no knife or other instrument with him, nothing but a piece of cord. In this he made a noose, and passing it round her neck as she lay on the floor, he looked about him for some hook or place on which to suspend his victim. A beam ran across the room where he stood; but the house was very old, and the wood might be rotten. Should it give way beneath the strain he was about to put it to, his poor victim might so far recover consciousness as to struggle for her life; and his coward heart trembled at the thought of the children being awakened by their mother’s cries, and alarming the distant neighbors. What was to be done? Time was hurrying on a mistake might lead to his detection and punishment. He would test the beam before he trusted all to its strength. Laying down the cruel cord with which he meant to murder her who had opened her door in compassion for his need, he sprang upwards, and clasped his hands over the beam to ascertain whether it would bear his weight. Yes, it bore him well. It neither bent nor creaked beneath the strain as he swung to and fro some feet above the ground. It would do well to hang the kind-hearted woman who had sought to do him good, and he had only to unclasp his cruel hands and descend to do the fearful deed. Ah, but when he tried to unlock his fingers he could nut. No. God had fixed him there, and he could not come down.

In vain he tried to tear his hands asunder; in vain he sought some foothold that he might relieve the weight that docked his tangled fingers fast within each other, and would not let them part. How those cruel fingers that had clutched the helpless woman’s throat so savagely ached! how his wrists and elbow joints and shoulders cracked with the fearful tension, as he hung and groaned in anguish! And the night crept on, and every moment made discovery more certain, while judgment seemed to have already overtaken him. Hardened as his heart was, and dark as his understanding must have been, he could not but perceive that God had interfered to save His child from a cruel death, and had proved Himself a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless. He would not let the murderous man rob those helpless little ones of their fond, loving mother, whose industrious hand, prospered by His goodness, provided for their wants. He would not let him even take away her hard earnings, the blessing He had given to meet her children’s need. The night passed slowly on, the candle burned down, and flickered in the socket, and died out at last. The poor woman recovering from her swoon, yet half unconscious still, crept away in the darkness to her chamber; but her would-be murderer, writhing in anguish of body and horror of mind, was still fixed to the beam by the just judgment of God, not daring to cry out for help, and stifling his own groans lest his presence should be discovered.

The morning dawned at last; and, found there by the police with the stolen money in his possession, and the too evident purpose of his murderous heart manifest to all, he was eventually transported. Whether it ever occurred to him afterwards, that in interfering so providentially to save His child from death, God also saved him from the commission of a great crime, and that even the remarkable visitation from which he suffered so fearfully on that never-to-be-forgotten night was really a mercy to his own soul, we know not. But to the heart of the Christian widow it must indeed have been precious to see the loving hand of her gracious Lord thus stretched out to protect her from violence and cruelty; and we may well hope that an interposition so remarkable, was blessed to her children also, teaching them to believe and confide in their mother’s Saviour-God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Blessed be His name!

Messages of God’s Love 8/20/1905

Every Moment Important

Every moment is important!

Much upon each one depends,

In it blessing may be treasured,

Like the cloud, sweet showers which sends.

Yes each moment is important!

Much upon each one depends;

It may lead, alas! to sorrow—

Downward oft its pathway tends.

Let each moment, then, be valued,

All the more for soon ‘tis past;

Now, believe in Christ, for surely,

Every breath may be thy last!

Great God, how solemn is the thought.

That I am known by Thee;

Oh may it ,always cheer my heart

That “Thou God seest me.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/20/1905

Jesus for Me

Jesus died for me.
Jesus lives for me.
Jesus is coming for me.
Jesus is going to have me in glory to spend eternity with Himself.
Reader, who is guiding you? Can you say, “Jesus?”

Messages of God’s Love 8/20/1905

The Life Boat

DEAR Children: Last Saturday I saw a lifeboat launched. It was a very pleasing sight, for all had smiling faces, knowing there was on that day no wrecked vessel with her crew of perishing souls crying for help. It was what is called “Lifeboat Saturday,” and many ladies and children had collecting-boxes, in the form of miniature lifeboats and life buoys. One little girl, as she went from one to another, looking up so prettily into the faces of those she asked for contribution, that I said “No one will be able to refuse her.”

I thought all would drop just a penny, if no more, into her lifeboat. But the little one needed patience, for some did refuse her; but she persevered, and in the end her patience and perseverance were rewarded by her money box becoming so heavy that it took both her little hands to hold it up.

Perhaps some of you have seen a lifeboat, in which brave, strong men go out on a rough, stormy sea to rescue their fellow-creatures who are likely to be drowned. These kind men risk their own life to save others from perishing. Does it not make you think of Jesus, who came down here to save us, because He knew we were perishing? God’s word says that all who believe in Jesus shall never perish. Dear little ones, do you believe in Him? If you do not, you will perish. Come to Jesus, and He will save you from perishing.

Many and many a one has been thankful for a lifeboat to save them from a watery grave. And many, dear children, to-day are thankful to Jesus for saving them. Are you one of them?

But some have refused to get into a lifeboat, because they thought they could save themselves; but their efforts were in vain, and they perished in the water. And doubtless some children think if they try to be good, and say their prayers, and read the Bible, it will help to save them; and others think if they are good, Jesus will love them, and take them to heaven. Dear children, the Lord Jesus loves you just as you are. He hates your sins with a perfect hatred; and some day you will hate them, too. But He loves you, He loves the sinner; and so He came to save us, because He knew we could not save ourselves, or even help to save ourselves. If we could, we should boast of our works, and heaven would be full of boasters; and instead of praising the Lord Jesus for saving us, we should be singing our own praise. But God says, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” By grace are we saved, through the work the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross for God.

Grace is God acting towards us just opposite to what we deserve. You and I deserve to perish on account of our sins, do we not? But “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This is grace.

But though no one can be saved by his works, yet after we are saved we should be “zealous of good works,” and “careful to maintain good works,” out of gratitude to the One who saved us. Little children who are saved will seek to please Jesus in everything, to show by their works how much they love Him for dying on the cross to save them.

Even a lifeboat has been known to fail, and the brave, kind men have perished, as well as the wrecked vessel, with her crew of precious souls they tried to save. But Jesus has never failed yet, and never will fail any who trust themselves to Him. Dear children, trust in Jesus; Ile will save, you, and you shall never perish.

“BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED’ THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.” Eph. 2:8-9.

Messages of God’s Love 8/27/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Ten Virgins (Continued)
Matt. 25

WE now wish to call your attention to the effects, or results of the midnight cry. These effects are two. First, both wise and foolish virgins are awakened, and arise and trim their lamps. Second, the foolish virgins make the discovery that they have no oil, and their lamps, which they have trimmed, are going out. They are, therefore, not in condition to meet the bridegroom, and so they seek to get oil from the wise virgins. But the wise cannot give them of their oil, lest there should not be enough for both, and tell them to go and buy from those who sell. Thus a separation between the wise and the foolish takes place. The foolish go to buy oil; the bridegroom conies; the wise enter in with him to the marriage, and the door is shut.

Can we now gather up, some lessons from these statements in the parable? I think we can. And the first is this: It is not enough to have the lamp. You must have oil.. It is not enough to make a profession of loyalty to Christ. Yon must be born again; you must have your sins washed away in the blood of Christ; you must have the Holy Ghost, so that you may be able to prove that your profession is a reality. The Holy Ghost is the oil that sustains the light, and without this you are not ready for the coming of Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom.

The next lesson I call attention to is, that while true and false Christians may be mixed up here on earth, there will be a separation when the Lord comes. The wise virgins entered in to the marriage along with the bridegroom for whom they had waited, to share with him the festive joys within, while the foolish were away seeking to buy oil. And so when the Lord comes, the true saints will enter in with Him to share with Him the joys that He has purchased for them by the shedding of His own blood, joys too wonderful for tongue or pen to declare, while false Christians will be left outside, forever to bewail their folly.

The foolish virgins came when it was too late, and said, “Lord, lord, open unto us,” but they were only met with the woe answer, “I know you not.” So it will be when the Lord conies. Oh! reader, think of it, if you have not already the oil of grace in your heart. Think what a moment it will be when the Lord conies, and in the twinkling of an eye catches up from the earth all His blood washed ones, and leaves you behind to find your portion with all the wicked in outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Oh! what unspeakable sorrows will fill the dark regions of the lost. Which will be, your portion, reader? We read: “And the door was shut.” On which side of that. door will you be when it closes? Will you be on the inside, where Christ the Bridegroom of heaven will be, with His myriads of redeemed ones, where only bliss untold is found; or will you be on the outside, to pass through judgment, and to be consigned to the regions of eternal woe, the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels? Ponder this question well. Your eternal interests are of too great importance, to pass the matter over lightly. And yet thousands are making the fatal mistake; thousands are making a false profession; thousands are taking the lamp without any oil; thousands are “joining the church,” as they call it, without ever having been really troubled about their sins, and .coming to God with confession and brokenness of heart, to find in Jesus a Saviour. Let it not be so with you. See to it that the matter of your salvation is clearly settled, and then with trimmed lamp you can joyfully go forth to meet the Bridegroom who is so soon coming.

Messages of God’s Love 8/27/1905

The Blindness of Unbelief

A GENTLEMAN, of New York, who personally knew Thomas Paine, and was repeatedly in his company during the last few years of his life, gave the following account of a conversation with him respecting the Bible:—

One evening I found Paine haranguing a company of his disciples on the great mischief done to mankind by the introduction of the Bible and Christianity.

When he paused, I said, “Mr. Paine, you have been in Scotland; you know there is not a more rigid set of people in the world than they are in their attachment to the Bible; it is their school-book. When a young man leaves his father’s house, his mother always, in packing his chest, puts a Bible in with his clothes.”

He said it was true.

I continued, “You have been in Spain and Portugal, where they have no Bible, and there you can hire a man for a dollar to murder his neighbor, who-never gave him any offence.”

He assented.

“You have seen the manufacturing districts in England, where not one man in fifty can read (fifty years before this conversation there were no Sunday-schools), and you have been in Ireland, where the majority never saw a Bible. Now, you know it is an historical fact, that in one county in England or Ireland, there are many more capital convictions in six months, than there are in the whole population of Scotland in twelve. Besides, this’day there is not one Scotchman in the almshouse, state prison, bridewell, nor penitentiary of New York. Now, then, if the Bible were as bad a book as you represent it to be, those who use it would be the worst members of society; but the contrary is the fact, for our prisons, almshouses, and penitentiaries are filled with men and women, whose ignorance or unbelief prevents them from reading the Bible.”

It was now near ten o’clock at night. Paine answered not a word, but, taking a candle from the table, walked upstairs, leaving his friends and myself staring at one another.

Messages of God’s Love 8/27/1905

The Beautiful Tree

Written beneath the branches of a beautiful tree at Heckfield. That they might be called Trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3.

I stood beneath the branches

Of a splendid old oak tree,

Outspreading in its glory

Of faultless symmetry;

In girth immense, and solid,

A picture to behold;

Pronounced by all who see it

A tree of perfect mould.

And soon my mind reverted

To trees far nobler still,

Not one or two,—but many,

Which grow on Zion’s bill,

By God the Father planted,

And. given to His Son,

To care for, guard, and water,

And nurture, every one.

Some of these trees are tender,

But perfect none the less,

For they, in Christ believing,

His loveliness possess;

And some are tall and stately,

And some are weak and mean;

It matters not, ‘tis Jesus,

And not themselves, is seen.

Trees of God’s right hand planting,

Fruit bearers to His praise,

And watered by the rivers

Of His abundant grace;

Soon, soon to be transplanted

To fairer fields above,

There, witnesses for ever,

Of His ne’er failing love.

Art thou, dear little reader,

A tree on Zion’s hill,

A tender plant of Jesus’,

His pleasure to fulfill,

O keep thee in His sunshine,

Grow up in Him alway,

Till called to bloom up higher

In everlasting day!

Messages of God’s Love 8/27/1905

Extracts from Letters

May 25, 1905.

Dear sirs:—

As I have not answered the questions for a long time I have started once more. We have moved to G—. H . from C— nearly two years ago, and I did not get the papers in time to answer the questions. I have found the Lord Jesus and am glad to .say if the Lord Jesus would come tonight I would go with Him because the Lord Jesus has washed all my sins away. My age is twelve years, eleven months.

Messages of God’s Love 8/27/1905

Bible Questions for September

Answers to Questions for July

1. “Thyatira.” Rev. 2:18.

2. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord,” etc. “ 4:8

3. “Every eye.” 1:7

4. “Lord God Almighty,” “ 15:3.

5. “A mark in their right,” etc. “ 13:16

7. “Behold I come quickly.” 3:11

“THE LAMB.” “ 19:9

Bible Questions for September

All answers to be found in the gospel of Mark.

1. When Jesus was asked the question, “Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” what answer did He give?

2. When the blind man said; “Lord, .that I might receive my sight,” what did Jesus say to him?

3. What words did Jesus use when praying to His Father that the hour might pass from Him?

4. What did Jesus say to the man sick of the palsy?

5. When Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee what did He say to Simon and Andrew?

6. What slid Jesus say to Jairus who wished Him to heal his daughter?

7. After John Baptist was beheaded and the apostles were telling Jesus what they had done, and taught, what did He say unto them?

Messages of God’s Love 9/3/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Ten Virgins. (Continued)
Matt. 25

We have perhaps said enough on the parable of the ten virgins, but I think we must specially notice one word more, which Jesus uses. It is the word WATCH. “Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.” While we may learn many lessons from the parable, this is the chief one. Jesus would impress upon the minds of His disciples the great necessity of watching for the coming Lord. We know neither the day nor the hour. He will come suddenly. It will be in a moment. It will be quick as the lightning’s flash. When the moment comes, there will be no time to prepare. If not prepared before, it will then be too late. And the solemn thing about it is, that He may come any moment. You arise from your bed in the morning, and you go about your work. It may be you are busy, and you are in haste to finish what you have in hand, but —you don’t know whether you can finish it before the Lord comes. And if you wait till that piece of work is finished, before you are prepared for His coming, you may be too late.

Perhaps you are busy at play, and you are eager to finish a game, and to see who is ahead; but the L6rd may come before that game is finished, and if you are not prepared before, you may be eternally lost.

Perhaps at night you are weary, and you go to your bed to sleep, undisturbed by the thought of your sins, or of the Lord’s coming. You forget that before you wake up from that sleep, the Lord may come and take His own away. In the morning you would wake up to find your converted relatives and neighbors gone, and you yourself with others who are unsaved, left behind. Left behind! Oh! the sadness of that word. Left behind, to cry, Lord, Lord, but only a hopeless cry. of despair. Left behind only to be further deluded by Satan, and at last to have your part with him in the everlasting burnings, the regions of despair, where neither hope nor mercy ever enter. Oh! my young. reader, will you take the fatal risk? Will you go to sleep, without first seeking to know Jesus as your Saviour? Will you try to finish that game, or that piece of work, before you confess your sins to God, and put your trust in Jesus and His blood? Let nothing, I pray you, hinder you to have this question settled. Let it come before all others. ‘ And then, when it is settled — when you are saved, and have the Holy Ghost, you can turn your eyes toward that blessed Saviour in glory, and daily and hourly watch for His return, longing for the blessed moment, when your joy and His will be complete.

Messages of God’s Love 9/3/1905

The Chased Chicken

A FRIEND of mine, having a pet chicken, allowed it to run about freely in his garden. One day, on his going into the garden, he was much concerned at seeing his pet being chased by a large, strange, black dog, to the great terror of the chicken. Observing the danger to which it, was exposed, he quickly placed himself at the end of the path in which it was being pursued, and opening his hands on the ground, waited until it came up to him. As soon as it reached him, it took refuge in the hands which were thus spread out to receive it; though its frame still quivered with alarm. Its deliverer not only thus protected it from its foe, but lifting it up, placed it within the breast of his coat, where it soon quieted and comforted itself. He then drove the dog out of the garden, and took care to shelter his little favorite from further annoyance by the enemy.

As this true-incident is written not only to interest but to instruct my readers, let me ask you, clear child, if you have acted as wisely as the bird? You see that the foe was in pursuit of it, and would in all probability have injured it and terrified it to death. It was filled with alarm and fear, and could not by its own efforts escape from the power of the dog. But there was its deliverer, willing and waiting to save it. And so, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Friend of sinners, is waiting to receive everyone who comes to Him. He is the Deliverer from Satan, and from sin and its judgment. Have you, then trusted in Him, and taken refuge in Him, as the Saviour of your soul?

When the young man had the bird safe in his hand, he was pleased to have delivered it; and the bird was glad that it was delivered. And you remember what the Lord said in the parable of the lost sheep: “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” The Shepherd was even more happy in having found the sheep, than the sheep was in being found.

The bird was also placed in the bosom of its friend. And you know how sweetly it is said of the Lord, “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Did not the kind master of the bird take care to drive the dog away, and to provide for the future safety of his little friend? And it is written in 1 John 5:18, of one who is “begotten of God,” that that “wicked one toucheth him not.” So surely does the Son of God protect and preserve His own. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” John 1:12. Have you, thus, believed on His name? If so, you may here learn that you have become one of God’s dear children.

Messages of God’s Love 9/3/1905

A Kind Master

WHAT beautiful horses and what a kind master! We know he is kind, because he is waiting patiently for both horses to drink their fill; and he has taken the bits from their mouths, so that they can drink with ease. God takes account of all these things, and He says: “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” Prov. 12:10.

Have you a kind master? Perhaps you will say, “I have no master, I am no one’s servant.” So you think, and so thought a young woman of whom I will tell you.

An aged servant of Christ had been visiting in the family where this young woman was working. On leaving, he handed out some money, and said: “Divide this among the servants.”

The young woman was indignant, and said, “I am nobody’s servant!” A little boy in the family answered her thus: “Why, you must be somebody’s servant; you arc either a servant of the Lord or of the Devil.”

And so I ask you affectionately, Whose servant are you? Who is your master? If you can subscribe yourself like “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,” (Rom. 1:1) happy are you. I know you can say, He is a good, kind Master. But if alas! you are the slave of Satan you will find him a hard master. He may give you the pleasures of sin for a season, but the WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. Oh if you are his slave, I beseech you before it is too late, throw off his yoke, and take Christ’s easy yoke. Matt. 11:30. May it be true of each dear reader, “ONE IS YOUR MASTER EVEN CHRIST AND ALL YE ARE BRETHREN.” Matt. 23:8.

Messages of God’s Love 9/3/1905

The Love of Jesus

Come, children, and learn of the infinite grace
Of Jesus, in ‘coming to die;
How He left His bright throne, that all glorious place,
His beautiful home in the sky.

Oh! think of the Lamb, who on Calvary died,
And died for such sinners as we;
Of the thorns on His brow, and the spear in His side.
When He suffered and bled on the tree.

Ah! never was sorrow so bitter as this,
The anguish He suffered below;
For the blest Son of God had done nothing amiss;
‘Twas for others He tasted such woe.

Oh! think of His love, when He gave up His life,
For sinners so guilty as we;
‘Twas for them that He finished the conflict and strife; ‘
Twas for them that He bled on the tree.

Dear little ones, think, is it nothing to you,
The tale of His wonderful grace?
When He comes in the clouds will you joyfully view,
Or tremble to look in His face?

Oh! think of the Lamb who .on Calvary died,
And died for such sinners as we;
Of the thorns on His brow, and the spear in His side,
When He suffered and bled on the tree.

When He comes back to reign in glory so bright,
The Wicked He’ll fill with despair;
But children who love Him will rise with delight,
And soar to their Lord in the air.

Oh! think of His love, when He gave up His life,
For sinners so guilty as we;
‘Twas for them that He finished the conflict and strife;
‘Twas for them that He died on the tree.

Messages of God’s Love 9/3/1905

A Lost Opportunity

A PERSON, who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, met out of doors, not far from his own house, a neighbor who was in bad health, and they stayed and spoke a few words together. On reaching home, the former said to his wife,

“I have just seen Mrs—; she is looking very ill, and I regret that. I did not speak a faithful word to her. I will, however, go and see her this afternoon.” That was his grief, when shortly after having said this, he was informed that Mrs.— had suddenly expired! He keenly felt that he had lost the opportunity of presenting Christ to her forever. Truly, believers are in need of the admonition which was addressed to Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, Out of season.”

Messages of God’s Love 9/3/1905

Departure of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven

HERE is a beautiful picture of a real event which took place nearly 300 years ago. In the latter part of the 16th century there were some Christians in England who were not satisfied with the doctrines and rules of the English church. Some of them, after vain attempts to purify it, separated from the Church of England. The Separatists were some of them thrown into jail, and some hung. In 1608 a company of these people fled to Holland. They were well treated there, but finding their children in danger of losing their language and their nationality, they determined to seek a country where they would not only be able to worship God as they wished, but also to bring up their children as Englishmen.

Their eyes turned toward America as such a country. So in July 1620 a little company of them sailed from Delft Haven in Holland, to Southampton in England, where the little ship, Mayflower, was waiting to convey them to the New World. They were now called Pilgrims, on account of their wanderings from one place to another.

In the picture, you see in the boat, men, women and children, for they did not leave the little ones behind.

On the shore, we see their friends kneeling to commend them to the care of God.. A Bible lying on the stone pier, shows that they had been reading together some words of comfort or exhortation. And God did care for them, and gave them a home such as they desired, and their wanderings ceased.

It is worthy of note that these people, though well treated in Holland, did not wish to become citizens of that country. No, they felt themselves to be pilgrims and strangers there, and sought a country of their own.

In what we may call God’s Roll of Honor, (Hebrews 11) in speaking of those whose lives had been marked by some act of faith, it is said: “These all died in faith . . . . and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

And now, dear boys and girls, and older ones, too, who are the Lord’s, are we showing by our words and ways, that We, too, are pilgrims and strangers here? Do we declare plainly that we seek a country — a better country — that is, an heavenly?

The Pilgrims spent 12 years in Holland. Some of us may be here longer than that; some not so long, but none of us will be here very long. We belong to the One who purchased us with His own blood. Heaven is now His home and, it is Ours.

“FOR OUR CONVERSATION [citizenship] IS IN HEAVEN; FROM WHENCE ALSO WE LOOK FOR THE SAVIOUR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Phil. 3:20.

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Pet. 2:11.

Messages of God’s Love 9/10/1905

The Honor of Humility

The Daisy is a slighted thing,

Yet is a lovely flower;

The Lark is little, but can sing

A song of thrilling power;

The Glow-worm, in its narrow sphere,

Emits its ray of light;

The sparkling Stars, which specks appear.

Are lamps to cheer the night.

Behold yon grand, majestic Oak!

An Acorn was its sire:

A simple Word, in kindness spoke,

Has quenched the fiercest ire:

A Village in a sylvan scene

Became the mighty Rome;

And Nazareth, despised and mean,

Was •Jesus’ parents’ home.

Oh! we should walk with humble mind,

And lowly-secking eyes,

Prepared some hidden good to find

In things we might despise;

For God Himself the poor cloth choose,

The foolish, weak and base.

The great and worldly-wise refuse,

But gives the lowly grace.

Messages of God’s Love 9/10/1905

A Day of Good Tidings

2 Kings 7:9

THERE was a famine in Samaria; and the Syrians, Israel’s enemies, were encamped around, so that no one could come into the city to bring food. As the famine grew more severe, an ass’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and, oh! far worse than that, a starving woman took her own little son and boiled him and she and her neighbor ate him.

But the eyes of the Lord, which are in every place, were on His poor, hungry people, and He was about to deliver them from their enemies, and satisfy their hunger. He sent His prophet Elisha to tell them that the next day, fine flour and barley, would be sold at a reasonable price in the city gate.

Now there were four lepers at the gate. Poor, wretched men! covered with. a disease which did not allow them to mix with other people. Poor, starving lepers! Can you think of any one in such a miserable condition? But the Lord had purposes of blessing towards them. They said one to another, “Why sit we here until we die?” They saw nothing before them but death, so they determined to go to the enemy’s camp. “And when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no Man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots and a noise of horses wherefore they arose and ‘fled in the twilight and left their tents and their horses—even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into One “tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.”

Sec what a change a few hours had made in the condition of these four men. From fear of enemies, to find them all gone; from depth of poverty to wealth; from hunger and thirst to plenty of food and drink. Were they not just like you and me by nature —starving for the Bread of Life; thirsting for the Water of Life; poor and wretched indeed, defiled by sin, too. But when we get to the point these lepers had reached, Seeing nothing but death before them, (and we know “the wages of sin is death”), immediately we find God ready to give us deliverance from our enemies — Satan and self — Christ the Bread from heaven to feed our souls; the Water of Life to quench our thirst; and all the riches which are His in glory ours.

But this is not all. Were these lepers going to content themselves with having plenty, while their people were starving? Oh, no! Then they said one to another, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings and, we hold our peace. . . . now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.” And so they went and told the good news of plenty, and soon the hungry people were fed as the Lord had said by His prophet.

And now, dear reader, I want to ask you, are you like these lepers? Have you ever owned before God that you are fit for nothing but death and judgment? If so I am sure’ you have found that God was ready to give you life — eternal life through His Son, who gave His precious life for us. Then you have fed on Him as the Bread of your souls. And now, one thing more, Have you ever told anyone else the good news?

“This is a day of good tidings.”

If you have found Him who is. able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him, go and tell your brother, sister or friends that they too may be saved and satisfied. You need not think you are too young, or too ignorant. Truly God is no respecter of persons. A poor leper might be the last one we would have chosen to carry the glad tidings, but God’s ways are not as our ways, nor His thoughts as our thoughts.

Messages of God’s Love 9/10/1905

Incident During the Search for the H.M.S. "Atlanta"

SFATED comfortably by the fireside on a winter’s night, we often hear the noise of the gale outside, and our thoughts travel to the poor sailors exposed to the raging of the elements. Presently morning comes, and again and again have we been shocked at hearing the news of some terrible shipwreck, and numbers of our fellow-creatures finding a watery grave in the midst of the storm. The life of the seafaring man is, indeed, an arduous and dangerous one.

But sad and dreadful as it is to hear or read the description of a shipwreck, the unknown doom of a ship that recently sailed for the shores of England, seem sadder still.

Bright with hope and with every prospect of a safe voyage: the crew of H. M. S. “Atlanta,” started for home, but — but what? — never reached there. No. never reached their journey’s end. Where is the vessel, then? Ah! no one knows. No one knows, do I say? one, but God. God knows. But what became of her? No one knows: ‘Whether she sprang a leak and foundered. whether she was overwhelmed with the fury of the hurricane, whether she struck on a sunken rock, whether she collided with another vessel. or whether she was devoured by fire, no one knows. She started for home, but never reached there.

And where are the scores of brave young fellows that formed her crew? Perished with the ship; mourning friends bewailing their loss on all hands. But is that all, beloved reader? Ah! no, their history does not end there. Where are their souls? Ah! God knows that too. All depends upon their state before Him before they died. This we know, for we have it in His word. All who had discovered their lost condition, and had accepted God’s gracious provision for their need, are now with Christ, absent from the body, but present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). But all who had neglected their salvation are lost forever. Every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ among them, is now in the enjoyment of His blessed presence; but every unbeliever has passed beyond the reach even of the mercy of God. There is no mercy in hell (Luke 16:22-31). And now, and now alone, before death comes, is the day of God’s salvation (2 Cor. 6:2).

My dear reader, if you had been on board that ship, amid which class would you have been found, and where would you have been now?

Finding that the “Atlanta” had not arrived, the authorities gave orders to several vessels to search or look out for the missing ship. One of these was H. M. S. “Wye.” The following singular incident occurred during the course of her cruise.

About six miles from a place called Vigo, a small fishing boat with a man in a crouching posture was observed. It was blowing hard at the time from the northeast, with a heavy sea. A boat having been lowered, the fishing boat was taken in tow, brought alongside the “Wye,” and hoisted on board. The occupant turned out to be an old fisherman, apparently about seventy years of age. He was perfectly unconscious when brought on board, and only lived about twenty minutes, although every effort was made by the medical officer to restore animation. It is supposed the man was a Spaniard. The boat had only one oar, and had evidently drifted off the shore, or out of one of the bays; the old man being unable, when he had lost an oar, to withstand the strong easterly gale.

As I read this melancholy incident, I thought to myself, what a striking illustration of man’s condition, the position of this poor fisherman. Tossed to and fro by wind and wave, completely at their mercy; one oar gone; driven further and further away from the harbor of safety; powerless to regain the shore, or to make any headway against the elements, nothing apparently but certain death before him. How like the poor sinner’s condition

But a boat came to the rescue, came right to the very spot where he was; and the poor old man, boat and all, were hoisted safely on board H. M. S. -Wye.” A little later and death would have overtaken him in the boat; as it was, such was the state of exhaustion to which he was reduced, that twenty minutes after he had been saved, he passed away.

And is there no way of rescue and deliverance for the perishing sinner? Is he beyond the reach of the boundless grace of God? Nay, nay. For just as that boat was sent to save the poor old Spaniard, lost and helpless upon the wide ocean, so God, in His wondrous love, sent His only begotten Son into the world, right down to the very place where we were in our sins, ruined, helpless, without strength, lost, that we might live through Him.

Dear reader, a little longer and it may be too late for you to be delivered from your perilous condition, if you are still without Christ. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23). He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life (John 3:36). The grace of God brings salvation to the lost,. present salvation, full, free, and eternal (Titus 2:11). By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

Messages of God’s Love 9/10/1905

September 17

The Sheep Follow Him

John 10:4

THEY follow the one whom they know to be their shepherd. Any other voice would be strange to them, and they “flee,” not follow. So he leads, and so they go after him. He owns them, and knows them, and cares for them. They know him, and keep near him; and as. they do so, they “want” for no good thing. and they “fear” no evil thing. He carries in his bosom and gently leads, and the places he leads into are where the greenest pastures are, and the quietest waters flow. And the Lord Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd. “the Good Shepherd;” and He compares us to sheep, “His own sheep.” How good to be the own sheep of the Good Shepherd! We want to be more like good sheep, dear children, who are content to keep by the side of the shepherd; who do not wander away into paths of their own, but always reckon that where he leads is the very best for them. We all know what it is to be self-willed, do we not? and so we all know what it is to get into trouble and vexation. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” And this is not only a “way of pain” to us, but it is sin against God. Our “iniquities” (Isa. 53:6) are the things we have done in self-will, pleasing ourselves instead of being subject to God. But when we are brought to feel and confess this, we go on to the end of the verse and say, “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Before ever we knew Him as our Shepherd, God called Him His Shepherd (Zech. 13:7): and long before He laid us on His shoulders rejoicing, He had to know what it was to have our sins laid upon Him, that He might bear them “in His body on the tree.” So before He could give eternal life to us (John 10:28), He had to give up His own life for us (ver. 11). This He did, and He could say, “THEREFORE DOTH MY FATHER LOVE ME, BECAUSE I LAY DOWN MY LIFE, THAT I MIGHT TAKE IT AGAIN.” John x:17.

Though there had ever been, in the heart of the Father, love towards His blessed Son, yet so great was the sacrifice Jesus made for the glory of God, when He laid down His life, that a special love rested on Him because of it, which it gave Him great joy to know. And should not our hearts go out to Him in love, when we remember it was because of our sins that His love to the Father and His love to us had to show itself by His dying for us, even the death of the cross? Oh, may we never forget what our sinful wanderings have cost the great “Shepherd of the sheep.” If He “gathered the lambs with His arms,” it is those arms which were once stretched out and made fast to the cruel cross. If He lays them on His “shoulders,” it is where first the enemies laid the cross on which He was about to suffer, that our sins might be put away. The heathen soldier plunged his spear into His side,’ and showed what was in his heart and ours towards the blessed One. But the love of His heart was shown in submitting to it all. How sad to be away forever from such a Saviour and Shepherd! May it be our happiness to follow after Him now, and dwell with Him forever!

Messages of God’s Love 9/17/1905

Thou Shalt See With Thine Eyes But Not Eat Thereof

2 Kings 7:2

IN A previous paper we read of the four lepers and how God blessed them in giving them food and clothing, gold and silver, and then allowing them to be the bearers of good news to others. Today we will look at a man whose outward circumstances were very different from theirs, but alas! how different his end! This man was a lord on whose hand the king leaned. Think what a position! So close to the king that in that favored place he heard the very word of the Lord through the man of God, Elisha, who had said: “To-morrow, 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.” Then this lord with a heart of unbelief, had answered: “Behold if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be.” And Elisha had answered with these solemn words: “Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.”

No word of the Lord can be broken, so on the morrow, after the lepers had brought the good news of enemy gone, and food in plenty, the people brought what the Syrians had left in their flight, and according to the word of the Lord the flour was sold in the gate of Samaria. And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate; and the hungry people in their anxiety to get the food trampled him under their feet and he died — died with plenty before his eyes, but without getting to eat any of it. . How swiftly judgment fell on this one who doubted the word of the Lord! Just as surely, though perhaps not as swiftly will the judgment of God overtake those who will not believe God’s good news going forth now. Not of bread for sale, but oh freely, freely, given, come buy and eat without money and without price. Isa. 55. Take Christ the living bread which came down from heaven. “Whoso cateth of this bread shall live forever.”

Oh do not let it be said to one of you whose eyes fall on this page: “Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish!”

Messages of God’s Love 9/17/1905

The Infidel Turned to God

THE following is an account of the way God used a dear old suffering Christian lady who had been confined to her bed for 35 years, to the conversion of an infidel.

Working in a shop beside a Christian man, this infidel took great pleasure in making fun of the Bible, and declaring that no one would be able to convince him of the existence of a God. One day as he was mocking the word of God, and speaking in an unkind way of those who accepted its teachings, the Christian man asked him if he would go with him to the room of a lady who had been confined to her bed for many years, an intense sufferer, but happy in the midst of it all, and who found her happiness in knowing that the God in whom she had placed her trust for time and eternity, was ordering all things for her good; at the same time adding that he was convinced, after he would see her he would admit that no infidel, suffering as she was, and that for so many years, could rejoice in the midst of it, and own that it Was all ordered for his good. At first he refused to go, saying that it would not have any effect upon changing his views, and it was not until the others in the shop insisted that he should put it to a test, that he consented to go, so the evening was set, and the place of meeting.

The appointed hour arrived, and the infidel in company with the Christian entered the room of the sufferer. No sooner had they taken their seats than she commenced by saying, “I must tell you how good the Lord has been to me today,” and proceeded to tell of the way she had proved His love and care. There was not one word of complaint escaped her lips. It was more than the infidel could understand, how one in her position could speak of the goodness of God, and he began to feel as he had never done before that there might be something in knowing God after all. A work of God was begun there and then in his soul.

As they rose to leave, the from the bedridden saint, taking the hand of the infidel in both of hers, and looking into his face, said, “Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?” and receiving no answer, she added, “I am afraid you do not, for if you did you would not be ashamed to own it. But I must tell you before you go, the Lord Jesus Christ loves you, and loved you so much as to die, in order that you might be saved.”

Upon leaving the sick room the two walked in silence to the corner where they had met only a short time before, and parted, the Christian man moving toward his home, with his heart going up to God in prayer that the impression made upon his friend might be a lasting one, and that he would be brought to know the God, he had been so long denying as a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and it was not long that he had to wait for the answer. The scoffer was unable to forget what he had heard and seen. For days to come he was quiet; had nothing to say against God, or one word of complaint against the Bible, and it was manifest to all who knew him that a great change had taken place.

Some weeks had passed by when this same man found his way to the house of the sufferer, but not, now with a heart full of hatred to God and His blessed word, but as an anxious sinner, crying, “What must I do to be saved?” With joy the poor sufferer told of the love of God in giving His Son to die in order that poor, fallen man might be saved, and of the love of Jesus in going to Calvary’s cross, there to bear the sins of all who believe on Him, and to endure the wrath of God against those sins, and thus meet every holy claim that was against us, and settle the sin question to the glory of God, and it was indeed to him the sweetest sound that ever reached his ear. The result of this second visit was to deepen the work of God in his soul, and give him to see more than ever, the fearful character of sin.

It was not long before a third visit was paid to the sick room, but not now by a scoffer; or even an anxious enquirer after peace, but as one confessing Christ as his Saviour, and rejoicing in the. knowledge of a present and eternal salvation.

What a God we have to do with in this His day of grace. A God ready to save all who come unto Him through Christ. Such is His heart of love for the sinner, that no matter how bad he is, or how often he has sinned against Him, or how long he has continued in his sins, the moment he turns to Him in sincerity of heart, confessing what lie is and what he has done, there is a pardon ready for him; a pardon full, free, and eternal.

He has said it, and He cannot deny Himself, “Him that cometh to me will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

HAS MY READER COME TO HIM? If not come NOW.

Messages of God’s Love 9/17/1905

A Burning-Glass of Ice

A “BURNING-GLASS” is a glass of high magnifying power. You hold it within your thumb and finger, and let the rays of the sun pass through it, and collect in a bright spot upon a piece of paper, and very quickly the paper will smoke and kind:e into a flame. A gentle_man in London once tried it upon a very large scale. He had a large glass made and the heat produced by it was so great that iron plates were melted in a few sec_onds., • .

Pieces of ice may be broken off from an iceberg as pure and clear as the most beautiful crystals. Captain Scoresby did so one day in the frozen regions, and he amused and astonished his men by using a piece of ice as a sort of burning-glass, firing gunpowder, burning wood, melting lead, and lighting the sailors’ pipes, the ice remaining clear and firm and solid all the time.

You see that the rays of the sun may be collected by, and passed through even a piece of ice; may burn and melt other substances, and the ice remain ice still. This is a remarkable fact. Something like it is not uncommon in the present day. Many. persons are very diligent in collecting money for Bibles and missionaries. Glad should I be if all my readers were working for the glory of God. But the danger is, lest, while we labor for the souls of others, we neglect our own salvation. It is very easy to collect money from others; but it is quite another thing to believe in Jesus, to pray to Him in secret, to keep our own heart with diligence.

Is it not sad to think that we may be the means of doing great good to the heathen, and that, through our exertions, many a heart may be kindled with the flame of a Saviour’s voice, and yet, before God, we May be cold and hard as a piece of ice?

Messages of God’s Love 9/17/1905

Peace

HOW peaceful is the scene before us, with the cattle standing quietly, knee-deep in the river, lashing the flies away with their long tails, and cropping the ends of the overhanging boughs. The sheep lie in the shadow of the elm trees and the shepherd boy seems to have covered up his face with his hat, perhaps to keep the flies off while he may try to sleep. But however peaceful all around may seem, it is possible that the boy may not have much peace in his heart. If he thinks about his sins and having to meet God, it might fill him with fear, but if he only knows that he can have all his sins put away through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, he may have peace in his heart. Do you have peace in your heart? Can you say you have peace with God? All that is asked of us in order to have this peace, is to have faith in Christ. Do you ask, What is faith? Faith is believing what “God has said without seeing or feeling. So the Scripture says. “THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” ROM. 5:1

Messages of God’s Love 9/24/1905

Jesus Prophesying

Parable of the Talents
Matt. 25:14-30

IN THE parable of the ten virgins, we have seen the tremendous necessity of being ready for the coming of the Lord In this parable of the talents we have the responsibility of rightly using what the Lord gives His servants to trade with during His absence. It is as servants of Jesus that we receive these talents.

In the parable, a man is about to go into a far country and he calls his servants; and delivers to them his goods. To one he gives five talents to another ‘two, and to another one. One of these. talents is estimated to have been worth about $900. So one man received about $4,500, another about $1,800, and another about $900. This money was given to these servants to trade with for their master, until he would return.

And just so Jesus has given talents, or gifts. to be used in His service, until He comes again. He does not give to all alike, hut He gives to each one according to his ability to use it. And has He not given something to all who confess His name? Has He not given us His truth? Perhaps not all in the same measure, hut He gives to all, and He expects each one to use what he receives, in faithfulness to his absent Lord.

Dear young reader, has Jesus given to You the knowledge of the truth that saves the soul? And has He given you the ability to speak to souls about Him, and to tell them the way of salvation? If so, He expects you to use this talent for Him. Perhaps you say you could not stand up and preach the gospel, and so are ready to excuse yourself. But maybe you could say a word to your playmate, when you are together; or you could hand to someone a tract which tells about the Saviour, there are many ways in which you can become a soul-winner, and so trade with the talent, or talents, Jesus has given you. And so, too, you will. serve your blessed Lord and Master, while He is away. And if you do this’ in faithfulness, you will receive a blessed reward when Jesus comes again.

In the parable, the man returns and reckons with the servants to whom he gave the money. The man who received five talents brings to his master five more, which he had gained by trading; and his master says to him: done; good and faithful servant; thou last- been faithful over a few things, make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

The man who received two talents gains two more, and he is greeted with the same words of cheer as the other. How their hearts must have thrilled as they heard the words of their Master’s approval, and were called to enter into his joy! And how much more so iIt will be with us if we. prove faithful to Jesus our Lord. Our hearts will be brim full, and overflowing with joy, as we hear the “Well done” of Jesus! Happy those who are “faithful.”

But we find the man. with the one talent was not faithful. He hid his talent in the earth, and did not trade with it at all. He had no love for his master, but counted him a “hard master.” This showed the state of his heart; and when he gave in his account he was judged as a “wicked and slothful servant.” His talent was taken from him, and he was cast into outer darkness.

So it will be with those who have no love for Jesus, but count Him a hard Master. Such are not true Christians at all, even though they may have taken the place of servants of Jesus Christ; and received gifts from Him to trade with. Judas received gifts as well as the other apostles, and no doubt, could preach and work miracles as well as they. But he had no love for his Master, and was not a child of God. Jesus said, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70. He said this of Judas. After all the privileges Judas enjoyed in the company of Jesus, for three years, he sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver. He was the son of perdition, and went to his own place. And it is to be feared that many are today pretending to be servants of Jesus who have no love for Him in their own souls, and who will also be judged as “wicked and slothful.” Oh! may it not be so with anyone who reads these words. Make sure that you are His by faith in His blessed name, and then with a devoted heart serve Hint until He comes.

“1f any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha;” that is. “Let him be accursed, the Lord is coming.” I Cor. 16:22.

Messages of God’s Love 9/24/1905

The Dying Soldier

A HIGHLAND mother, at the close of spring, was suddenly overtaken, in a wild glen among the mountains, by what was long recalled by her fellow villagers as “the great May storm.” After attempting in vain for some time, with her infant’ in her arms, to buffet the whirling eddies, she laid the child down among heather and ferns, in the deep cleft of a rock, with the brave resolve, if possible, to make her own way home through the driving sleet, and obtain succor for her little one. She was found by the anxious neighbors next morning stretched cold and stiff on a snowy shroud. But the cries of the babe directed them to the rock-crevice, where it lay, all unconscious of its danger, and from which it was rescued in safety.

Many long years afterwards that child returned from distant lands, a disabled soldier. The first Lord’s day after his return he listened to an aged servant of God unfolding, in Celtic accents, the story of redeeming love. Strange to say, the preacher happened to be from the same Highland glen where he himself had spent his youth. Stranger still, he was illustrating the divine tale with the anecdote, to him so familiar, of the widow and her saved, child! A few days afterwards he was summoned to visit the death-bed of the old soldier. “I am the son of the widow,” were the words which greeted the former. as he stood by the couch of the dying man. “The prayers she used to offer for me have been answered. I have found deliverance in old age, not where I found it in my childhood, but in the ‘Rock of Ages.’“

Rock of Ages! cleft for me,

Grace hath hid me safe in Thee!

Where the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which How’d,

Are of sin the double cure,

Cleansing from its guilt and power.

Not the labor of my hands

Could fulfil the law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears for ever flow,

Nought for sin could e’er atone—

But Thy blood, and Thine alone!

Messages of God’s Love 9/24/1905

The Work a Fish-Bone Did

LET me tell you how God, in His grace, used a fish-bone to arouse a young girl to a sense of her soul’s need. She had often attended preachings where the gospel story, in its own simplicity, was told out; and so Annie, as I will call her, was no stranger to the good news. The Bible, too, was well used in the home to which she had come, and yet she was still without Christ. Not without morality, not without religion, indeed, but without Christ as her own personal Saviour.

God, in His grace, by a very simple accident, brought Annie to see her true state of need. She was partaking of some herrings at her dinner, and, through lack of sufficient care, allowed a bone, unseen, to pass with the fish into her mouth, and thence into the throat, where it became fixed. All the afternoon she bore the pain without mentioning the matter to her mistress; but at last, her throat becoming more painful and sore, she called upon a doctor, who speedily dislodged the bone, telling Annie that her throat was ulcerated, and in a very inflamed condition.

That night she could not sleep. Thoughts of death and judgment presented themselves again and again. The Spirit of God was at work, showing her the need of her soul; and at length, rising from her bed, she cast herself upon her knees, and cried to the Lord for mercy and salvation. She owned her sins—how her past life had been spent for self, how she had left God out of her thoughts, and slighted His loving calls; and then, as the glad gospel she had heard passed before her, the work, the finished work of the Lord Jesus for the sinner, was shown to her newly-opened eyes, and the value of that precious blood which cleanseth from all sin.

In simple faith she rested there. She believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and was saved; and was, when I last heard. seeking to shine for Christ and waiting for His coming again.

Messages of God’s Love 9/24/1905

Who Can Tell

When Adam lost his first estate,

Through yielding to the subtle foe,

And of the tree of knowledge ate,

Then enter’d sin, and death, and woe

Ah! who the tale can fully tell,

How low he sunk, how deep he fell.

What mighty Love in Jesus wrought,

When He, the Christ, the woman’s Seed,

By dying, Satan captive brought,

And Death despoil’d, for man in need.

Oh! who His worth can ever tell,

Or fully sound His love’s deep well?

O happy souls! who’ve heard the voice

Of God, in His beloved Son;

They now and ever shall rejoice

In Christ, the Lord, the Holy One.

The joy and blessing, who can tell,

Of those who e’er with Him shall dwell?

Messages of God’s Love 9/24/1905

Extracts from Letters

Dear F.

I am very happy now, and hope you are as happy as I am.

Sunday after prayer-meeting when I came home, was much concerned about my soul. I thought if I rejected Christ once more, it might be the last time. If I put off till tomorrow with an excuse, tomorrow may never come, and then I would be in an eternal hell, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.

So I decided for Christ. I went upstairs to my room and told the Lord all about my sins, and cried for mercy, and He forgave all My sins, and made me as white as snow. When I came down stairs I was very happy; happier than I have ever been before.

I am now two days old in Christ. I hope that you and F. have accepted Christ. If you have not yet accepted Him, I warn you of the danger you are in.

By next Sunday, if I am living and well, I hope to see you again, and see your face beaming with joy, because you have accepted Christ as your own personal Saviour. If you truly accept Him, we can be named as brothers and sisters in Christ; and Jesus as our own merciful Saviour.

Your loving friend,

Messages of God’s Love 9/24/1905

Bible Questions for October

Answers to Questions for August

1. “Be not afraid; go tell;” etc. Matt. 28:10.

2. “My soul is exceeding,” etc. “ 26:38.

3. “Thou shalt love the Lord,” “ 27:37.

4. “Suffer little children,’.’ etc. “ 19;14.

5. “O thou of little faith,” etc. “ 14:31.

6. “Daughter, be of good,”etc. “ 9:22.

7. “It is written again,” etc. “ 4:7.

Bible Questions for October

Answers will be found in the Gospel of Luke.

1. When one said to Jesus, “I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest,” what did Jesus say to him?

2. What did Jesus tell the man out of whom He cast a legion of devils to do?

3. What did Jesus say to the dying thief?

4. What was the third question Jesus asked the two who were on their way to Emmaus?

5. Who was it that said, “Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation”?

6. What was the first thing Jesus said to the man who was sick of the palsy?

7. What did Jesus say to the dead man who was being brought out of the city of Nain?

Messages of God’s Love 10/1/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Throne of His Glory and the Judgment of the Nations
Matt. 25:31-46

THE remarkable prophesy of Jesus contained in these two chapters, Matt. 24, 25, we have already seen the Lord’s dealings with the apostate Jews, the foolish virgins, or false professing Christians, and the unfaithful servants. In the passage before us, we have ‘the Lord’s judgments of the Gentile nations, when He establishes the millennial kingdom. It is not the Jews, it is not the church; and it is not the dead. It is the Gentiles.

This judgment will take place after the church has been taken to heaven, and after the Lord Jesus has come in His glory, and has delivered the godly Jews out of the hands of their enemies.

Now the first thing we desire to call your attention to in connection with this judgment, is the throne, and who shall be there.

The throne on which Jesus will sit will be a throne of magnificent glory. The throne. on. which Solomon sat was very magnificent, but- the throne of the Son of man will far excel in-glory-anything that has ever been known.

But Jesus will not sit alone on that throne, for He has promised His saints, that, if they overcome, they shall sit with Him on His throne, even as He overcame, and was set on His Father’s throne. “(Rev. 3:21)

Myriads, then of glorified saints will sit with Jesus on that throne, The vast Multitude of kings’who are to reign with Him during the .thousand years — all who have part in the first resurrection — will share with Him the throne of His glory in that day.

You will notice it says in verse 31, “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all His holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” In another place it speaks of His coming in His own glory, and in His Father’s glory, and in ‘the glory of the Holy angels. It will be a wonderful display of glory such as the earth has never seen. It will be a throne of unsullied light whose ‘resplendent glory will fill the earth.

Oh how terrible it will be for a sinner to stand in all his sins under the full blaze of that glory to be searched through and through and exposed in its awful light!

Then we read “And before Him shall he gathered all nations and He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” It is the assembling of the nations for judgment. The living nations dwelling on the earth when Jesus comes to reign, are the people who shall be there.

We see also’ from verse 40; that another class will be there, whom the King will own as His “brethren.” But these are not there for judgment. They have already been approved and owned of the Lord before this judgment of the Gentiles. They are the King’s Jewish brethren, who will have preached the gospel of the Kingdom in the midst of suffering and persecution, and who will have been treated well by the sheep, and ill by the goats. But of this we shall see more further on. Let us now take a little review, and name the different classes that will be then.

1. The Lord Jesus, the Son of man, will he there, and all, His glorified saints with Him. These will fill the throne.

2 All the holy angels will be there — “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” These will be the attendants of the King — the swift winged messengers who will perhaps be the instruments of gathering the nations, and carrying out the mandates of the King.

3. All the nations will be there, and they are the ones. to be judged.

4. The Jewish brethren of the King will be there — the proclaimers of the Gospel of the kingdom. And they will be witnesses to the fact that the Sheep were friendly to the King, and that the goats were His enemies.

In our next we will look at the judgment” which will take place on that notable day.

I hope my young readers are now the friends of Him who will then sit upon that throne, and that believing in Him they now have eternal life, and shall not come into judgment. John 5:24.

Messages of God’s Love 10/1/1905

Kircher and the Sceptic

ATHANASIUS KIRCHER, the celebrated German astronomer, had an acquaintance whom he much esteemed, but who was unfortunately infected by atheistical principles, and denied the very existence of a God. Kircher, sincerely desirous to rescue his friend from his mistaken and criminal prejudice, determined to try to convince him of his error upon his own principles of reasoning. He first procured a globe of the heavens, handsomely decorated, and of conspicuous size, and placed it in a situation in his study where it would be immediately observed.

He then called upon his friend with an invitation to visit him, which was readily responded to, and on his arrival he was shown into the study. It happened just as Kircher had planned. His friend no sooner observed it than he inquired whence it came and to whom it belonged.

“Shall I tell you, my friend,” said Kircher, “that it belongs to no one; that it was never made by any one, but came here by mere chance?”

“That,” replied the atheist, “is impossible; you jest.”

This was Kircher’s golden opportunity, and he promptly and wisely availed himself of it “

You will not, with good reason, believe that this small globe which you see before you originated in mere chance, and yet you will contend that those vast heavenly bodies, of which this is but a faint, diminutive resemblance, came into existence without either order, or design, or a creation!”

His friend was first confounded, then convinced, and ultimately abandoning all his former skepticism, he gladly united with all who reverence and love God in acknowledging the glory and adoring the majesty of the great Creator of the heavens and earth, and all their host.

This was the conviction to which the renowned physician Galen was conducted by his researches. He at one time of his career had been disposed to atheism. But when he examined the human body, when he perceived the wonderful adaptation of its members, and the utility of every muscle, of every bone, of every fibre, and of every vein, he rose up from his investigations in a rapture of praise, and composed a hymn in honor of his Creator and Preserver.

But dear children, there are many who will go this far, yet will not acknowledge the Lord Jesus as the One whom God sent to die in the sinner’s place. And this is what is of the greatest importance, for if they do not believe in Jesus as their own Saviour — the One whom God sent to bear the judgment they deserved, they will be lost. So while it is good to believe in God, as we see His power and wisdom in creation, we must believe what He tells us as to our need of a Saviour and that Jesus is the Saviour He has provided for us. “THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAY_ING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS.” I Tim. 1:15.

Messages of God’s Love 10/1/1905

A Child's Wish

O Mother dear, I’d like to be

A lamb in Jesus’ fold;

To look to Him who died for me,

With love that grows not cold.

But I am very changeful oft,

And disobedient too;

And when I think to be so good,

My wicked heart peeps through

Each morning, in my little ‘way,

I say, “I wish, O Lord,

To give my life to Thee today;

Please guide me by Thy word.”

But when in school I sit each day,

My little friends all round,

I smile at them, and talk, and play,

And ignorant am found.

And even when at home with you,

Impatient oft I show;

To darling little brother, too,

Unkind I am, I know.

Oh! how then, mother, can I be

A lamb in Jesus’ fold?

To follow Him who loveth me

With love that grows not cold?

My child, He loves you.

It is true Your heart is full of sin;

And He would have you learn that you

Can find no good within.

But He for you has died.

He came From that bright home in heaven

That you, might trust His precious name,

And know your sins forgiven.

And thus you may rejoice to be

A lamb in Jesus’ fold;

An ever-faithful Shepherd He,

Whose love will ne’er grow cold.

Messages of God’s Love 10/1/1905

All Gifts Are From Above

A LADY once applied to the Bristol philanthropist, Richard Reynolds, on behalf of a little orphan boy. After he had given liberally, she said, “When he is old enough, I will teach him to name and thank his benefactor.” “Stop,” replied he, “thou art mistaken. We do not thank the clouds for rain. Teach him to look higher, and thank Him who giveth both the clouds and the rain.” Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights. James 1:17.

Messages of God’s Love 10/1/1905

Oyster Dredging

WHAT a pretty sight it is to see a fleet of more than a hundred fishing-boats all sailing together over the oyster-grounds with the sun glancing on their white and ruddy-brown sails, and the wind carrying them gracefully along, like sea-birds skimming the surface. But that is not the best part of it. Down at the bottom of the sea there are large beds or patches of oysters which God has provided for man’s use., Wherever we may look, either on dry land or in the waters, we see the hand of God displayed in His wisdom and care for man. Man has to work to get this provision, but God has created all things. God is thoughtful of all our needs and knows just what we need much better than we do. There is one need above all the rest and that is, the need of our souls. God has undertaken that too. Have you thought of what that need is? I am sure many of my readers can answer that they have. It is to have our souls saved, and that for eternity. Yes. dear children, we would never have thought of that great need ourselves. but God knew all about it and He pitied us in our helpless condition: He knew we could never help ourselves to be saved, so He sent His only Son. who alone was able to meet His holy claims that stood against us. What a wonderful God we have that should think of every need and that should so graciously supply not only the temporal but our eternal needs.

Have you thanked God for this wonderful provision — for Jesus — God’s gift? I am sure if you have believed in Him you will not only thank Him for all His tender mercies in providing for our temporal needs but you will delight to say, “THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

Messages of God’s Love 10/8/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Throne of His glory and the Judgment of the Nations (continued)
Matt. 25:31-46

IN OUR last article we saw that the Gentile nations are to be assembled for judgment before the glorious throne of the Son of man, and that of these there are two classes, called “sheep” and “goats.” We now desire to see what this Scripture says about the judgment of the “sheep.”

You will notice in verse 32 That the sheep are separated from the goat’s, and in verse 33 that the sheep are placed on the right hand of the King, and the goats on the left.

In verses 34-40 we have the judgment of the sheep. The King’s verdict is, that they are to have part in the kingdom over which He will reign. He says to them: “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

When God founded the world, He was thinking about these people, and prepared a kingdom for them. He had this kingdom in mind from the beginning, and purposed that His Son should be displayed in glory as its King, and that these people should be the happy subjects over Whom He should reign. And now the time is come for Hirn to reign, and these sheep inherit the kingdom, prepared for them many centuries before.

Next the King gives the reason why He judges thus: “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me,” (verses 35-36).

This is not a statement of The ground of their salvation. They will be saved by grace, just as we are, and not by works. On the ground of the atoning death of Jesus we are saved, “by grace; through faith.” “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” See Eph. 2:8-9. None can be saved by works, for none are righteous. But works are the proof that we have believed the gospel. The works of these sheep show that they are the friends of the King, and that they have believed the gospel of the kingdom, preached to them by the Lord’s brethren. When the King’s messengers are in suffering and distress, these Sheep minister to them, and show them their love. And Jesus takes this as done to Himself. Their love to these messengers is the proof of their love to Him who sent them.

The sheep themselves do not understand this, for they will not have much intelligence, and they say: “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee.” Verses 37-39. And then the King makes answer: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Oh, how blessed this answer.

The King’s brethren have carried to these sheep the good news that the King was coming, and that the kingdom would be set up, and the sheep have believed them, and proved the reality of their faith and their love to the coming King, by ministering to His needy messengers, and the King has taken note of it all, and counted it as done to Himself. This is the proof that they are righteous: and that they are fit subjects for His kingdom.

And take notice, that this is a principle on which Jesus acts now. If we love Him, and love His people, we will try to do them good, when, perhaps, others. are seeking to do them harm, and the Lord sees it all; and will reward it. Even a cup of cold water given for His sake will meet its reward. Dear young reader, do you love the Lord’s people? Do you love to be in their company? Do you like to do them good?. If you do not, it is the proof that you have no love to Him. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 14:35. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14.

Messages of God’s Love 10/8/1905

The Little Telegraph Boy

WILLIE Lawrence lived with his grandmother in a pretty little cottage on the borders of a park in S—. As soon as he left school he was employed as a telegraph boy in the post office of the town close by.

I have watched him from my window as he went to his employment, with a light heart and light steps, too; and he had a kind word for the boy by the railings, who had taken his cows to the brook for their early breakfast.

He had early found the Lord; or rather, had been found by Him, and “sat under His shadow with great delight.” All who knew him were thankful for the bright way in which he shone for Christ in his own simple way. As a little telegraph boy I knew him at first. and the next time I was so glad to find he had received a telegram (so to speak) from heaven. It required an immediate answer, and he was not long in returning it in childlike faith. “Lord I do believe.” The word went home to his young heart in saving power, and he went on his way rejoicing. Loving hearts were there to speak a word of counsel, and to instruct him, and very sweet and pleasant was the intercourse between those who had borne the yoke for many years and him who had just taken it in his youth.

By and by he was made a letter-carrier, and had a higher salary, and it gave him much joy to help his grandmother.

As a young letter-carrier he was often the bearer of glad tidings to others, for he himself had received a letter of divine importance, in which he read, as to himself, the words, “Little children, I write unto you because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” And he believed it, and it helped him to grow in grace, and in favor with all around.

But ere the flower had scarce opened, it was to be cut down, or rather gathered for another scene. Peculiar to the disease which was bearing him on towards the grave, hope and fear arose. What I wanted to do and in the gentlest way possible, was to get him to look the fact in the face; aye and to look death in the face, too, and to see by the light of God’s word that there was not a shade of terror nor a bit of sting. And this he did; the Lord graciously leading his heart on in the knowledge of His love — the love that would never fail him.

So it was with the dear youth of only nineteen years; but step by step the Lord led him on, till he could look forward with joy that the time of his departure was at hand — and say, “to depart and be with Christ which is far better.” as one whose hopes and joys, thoughts and affections. “were all packed up and gone before.” And when the final message came, he was not only ready (for he had not much of this world’s goods to cumber his spirit). but willing to go. And the dear aged grandmother. to whom he had been so attached, is left to mourn the love as well as the communion with her dear boy; but as she too, ina green old age, and as a shock of corn fully ripe. may soon be gathered into the granary of glory, her night’ of weeping will be turned into a morning of rejoicing.

Like the little letter-carrier, who received the message and sent back ‘the happy answer, gladdening the heart of the Lord, do you also rejoice His heart by accepting the ‘gift of eternal life, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; for, be you whom you may. the word says, “Unto you is the word of this salvation sent.”

At his funeral a great number of youths followed, for dear Willie was much beloved both in the post-office and by the boys of the town; and they wished to show their respect by following him to the grave. I trust those young ones. felt how uncertain life is, and how solemn it is to die unsaved. For the one they saw buried in the cold grave, death had no sting, and the grave no terrors. It was only the body that was put there till the resurrection morning; the spirit was with Christ.

When Jesus comes He will not forget where Willie’s body sleeps, but will raise it again: and ‘He says, “And this is the will of him that sent Me that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him may have everlasting life; and I wi:1 raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40),

Dear young one. you may be in health and strength now. but you cannot tell what a day may bring forth. Let me entreat you to accept Christ as your Saviour today. and you shall be saved. And then it will he your joy to serve Him, and to wait for His coming to take you to Himself.

Messages of God’s Love 10/8/1905

How to Do Good

IS ANY little girl or boy who reads this, wondering how a child can do good? I can tell you one way which I learnt from a little girl. A friend told me that when he was preaching he was struck by the. Attention of a child whose eye was fixed upon his lips, except now and then ‘when she looked up to her mother with a smile, as if something pleased her. The next Lord’s Day he found her in the. same spot, ready to catch every word. of his discourse; and he was so delighted with her apparent desire “to hear of heaven. and learn the way” that he waited at the close to tell her mother how it gratified him to have such an interested listener. From the mother he learned that this little girl had no pleasure equal to that of treasuring up what she, heard for an old and infirm grandmother, to whom she carried so much instruction that the poor woman would say it was almost as good as going herself.

Was not this a very pleasant and a very easy way of “doing good?” Is there any child who cannot do as much good. Have not each of you some sick friend, or some old friend, deprived of the privilege of hearing the gospel preached; to whom you might carry what you hear, if you would only take the pains to remember?

If you will hear all the preacher says you will find, as that little girl did, a great deal to do the young good as well as an aged grandmother.

Messages of God’s Love 10/8/1905

Extracts from Letters

“Dear Brother. I know the Lord Jesus as my Saviour and Friend, and I am waiting for Him to come and take me to be with Himself forever. Your, friend.

Messages of God’s Love 10/8/1905

The Lord's Blessing

IT IS of great importance, clear children, while you are young in years, that you should hearken diligently to the voice of God. In the first place it is our duty to know that God has said we should obey Him. Then to learn what blessing comes to us in this life when we obey;. and sorrow comes as the result of disobedience. God promised blessings here on earth to His people Israel if they would be obedient to Him.

We are made to think of it as we see the farmers on the road with their good horses and sheep. We can say, Surely God has blessed them. But God, in His goodness and mercy, sometimes lets the disobedient get many temporal blessings in order to lead them to repentance. Yet how few remember that it is God’s blessing and turn to Him with thankful hearts. Then God withholds the blessing and has to send different kinds of flies among them to devour them, and frogs to destroy them. He gives their increase to the caterpillar and their labor to the locust. He destroys their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost. He gives up their cattle to the hail and their flocks to hot thunder-bolts. These things God brought upon the disobedient Egyptians, but to those who will obey He will bless in the city and bless in the field.

But there is another thing which is above all earthly blessings which we may have through faith, and we will delight to be obedient to God when we get it. and that is eternal life. This is to be had as a gift from God. but given to those who will believe in Him; so the Scripture says; “AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP: THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.” John 3:14-15. Then again, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is, eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. May you, dear children, be given to know, what it is to have eternal life by believing in the Lord Jesus, and to fear God and obey Him and get His blessings in this life.

Messages of God’s Love 10/15/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Throne of His glory and the Judgment of the Nations (continued)
Matt. 25:31-46

EE NOW come to the judgment of the goats. And terribly solemn are the words spoken to them by the King. ‘“Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Verse 41. With that unspeakable horror will these words fall on the ears of those who stand on the King’s left hand! Oh! what despair will seize upon their guilty souls, as they sink down into the everlasting fire, with no hope of ever, through the endless ages, escaping the torments of those who had taken the devil’s part against Jesus. To those on the right hand Jesus says “Come;” but to them on the left hand He says “Depart.”

Those on the right hand He pronounces, “blessed;” hut those on the left hand He calls “cursed.” Just as the sheep had shown out what was in their hearts by their treatment of the King’s messengers, so also the goats had shown what was in theirs. The sheep had shown by their actions that they loved the King, and the goats in the same way had shown that they despised and hated Him. And now their doom has come.

The King gives the reason for judging the goats, just as He had. done in connection with the sheep. He says to the goats: “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink; 1 was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked: and, ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not.” Their conduct had been exactly the opposite that of that of the sheep. They had no love for the King. and they took sides with the King’s enemies against His friends.. They plead ignorance and lack of opportunity, but it is of no avail. They say; “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” They had the same opportunity as the sheep to minister to Jesus; but they did not do it. “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” They had the opportunity of ministering to Jesus by ministering to His needy messengers. But they despised these messengers and their message, as they also despised Him who sent them, and so their plea of ignorance, or lack of opportunity. is worthless. Accursed and condemned. they go from the presence of the King to have part with him whom they had served; that is, the devil and his angels.

Notice here, too, that when Jesus speaks of the “everlasting fire,” He does not speak of it as being prepared for men. It was “prepared for the devil and hid angels.” Why, then, do men go to that awful place? The reason is plain: it is because men prefer the devil to Jesus. They will not have Jesus, nor submit to His will; but they yield willing obedience to the devil; they serve and follow him. It is but right, then, if they refuse Jesus, and follow the devil, that they should go, to the devil’s place.

Oh! my young reader, let these words of Jesus sink down deep into your, conscience: “Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Hear them now. and flee from the wrath to come, so that you may not have to hear these awful words spoken to you in the day of judgment.

Messages of God’s Love 10/15/1905

Value of a Name

SOME months’ ago I was in the E— Corn-Market, and according to the custom there, after the market is over, the buyer and the seller meet together in another room to settle for the purchases of the day. Payment is made various ways, My habit being to pay by a check on one of the banks.

I had on that day bought a quantity of wheat from a farmer, and on handing him a check for the money — after carefully looking at it in a somewhat suspicious, manner, he said, “But do you think they’ll pay it?” “Oh yes,” I said. “It’s all right; they will pay it.” “But,” said he, “I have no money in the bank.” “But I have,” I answered; “and you have my signature to the check, and it does not depend upon what you have in the bank, but what I have; and if it is not right, come back again.”

On my word of assurance he departed; though whether he was fully persuaded in his own mind until he had received the money I cannot tell. At any rate, he never returned.

Now, clear young friend is this not a good illustration of Christ’s own words in John 16:23: “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father, in My name, He will give it you”?

Arc we not, like this farmer, anxious to go in our own names to God’s bank to draw from our own funds, forgetting that we have nothing in our own account, instead of going in the precious name of Jesus in whom “all fulness dwells,” and who has never yet sent a poor seeking sinner away empty.

Man’s banks of gold have often failed, but God’s resources never fail: for we are “not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold. but with the precious blood of Christ.” “Oh! the depth of the riches.”

We read in Eph. 4:32, “God for Christ’s sake bath forgiven you;” and in 1 John 2:12, “Your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” Dear young friend, doubt not nor hesitate any longer, but remember that at once you may have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (Heb. 10:19).

“Why will ye doubting stand,

Why still delay?”

Messages of God’s Love 10/15/1905

Be a Christian Or a Sinner

THERE was a lady in my neighborhood who had been in deep anxiety about her soul. She read her Bible, prayed over and over again, and could get no rest to her soul.

But one day she came looking so happy that I knew something had transpired.

I said, “You arc happy now.”

“Yes,” she replied, “I am. I found the secret at last. I was endeavoring to make myself out a Christian, and to come to God as such; but having dropped the idea of being a Christian, I found redemption for the sinner. Now,” said she “I know whom I have believed — now 1 know what and where I am.”

Ah, dear young friends! don’t try to make yourselves Christians before you come to Christ. Sinners appear before God accepted, and enter heaven, on the ground of Christ for the lost. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/15/1905

Little Joe

I REMEM BER when I was a very tiny child, how I used to long so to see God’s face. I said to myself. “If I could only see God. I might love Him; and if I loved Him. I might learn to serve Him perfectly. He knows everything, Mamma says, and He loves me; so He must know that I want to love Him, and perhaps He will let me see Him!”

So I used to sit alone on the low-window-seat of the dark nursery in the evenings, when the other children were in the drawing-room downstairs — so still — staring hard into the darkness to sec God’s face.

A long, long time I used to sit there, straining my eyes till they were sore and aching to see God, and all in vain. Sometimes a star shining in the sky would cast a reflection on the dark nursery ceiling, and then I used to hope that God was coming. Was that the shining of His presence?

I was always disappointed; and I used to creep away to the merry party downstairs, rubbing my eyes very hard with both hands, that nobody might notice that I had been crying, and ask me what I had been doing.

There lived a poor idiot-boy a few years ago, and a kind minister had tried to teach him a little about God, and how His dear Son Jesus Christ came to die instead of us. The boy’s name was Joe. Poor Joe couldn’t understand very much. but at last he believed on Jesus and loved Him too, and got to know that when he died Jesus would take him up beyond the blue sky, where no little boys and girls would make fun of him for his foolish words and ways, to be happy forever. Joe learnt, too, that God is everywhere and can see us always. Joe liked to come to Sunday School with the other children. He could not learn lessons or read, but he liked to hear them sing hymns. One Sunday afternoon, the minister was surprised to see poor Joe with his fingers made into the shape of eye-glasses, staring through them very hard all over the room and up at the ceiling.

“Joe, my boy I what are you looking for?” he asked kindly.

“I doesn’t see Him! 1 doesn’t see Him nowheres!” Joe murmured to himself.

“Who are you looking for, Joe?”

“Him, as you said — God! I doesn’t see Him nowheres!”

The poor boy was looking for God, whom the minister had told him was everywhere. It was very hard to make him understand that he couldn’t see God, but God could see him.

Now, dear young friends, there will be a time when we shall all see God, for we shall all stand before the judgment seat. We must decide pow whether we shall see Him then as our Saviour and friend; or as our judge.

If we wish to see God as Our, friend then, we must see Jesus as our Saviour now. Our faith must see Him hanging on the cross for our sins: and then our sins will be forgiven, and we, God’s saved children, because Jesus died instead of us. It is not only very wise or only grown-up people who can be saved. Poor Joe was not very wise nor very big, but he knew enough to trust Jesus, and Jesus saved him. Joe is seeing God now in heaven; and you shall see and praise Him too. if you will trust Jesus as your Saviour as he did.

Yes, dear child, a voice from heaven

Speaks a pardon full and free;

Come, and thou shalt be forgiven;

Bonndless mercy flows for thee—

Even thee.

See the healing fountain springing

From the Saviour on the tree,

Pardon; peace, and cleansing bringing,

Lost one, loved one, ‘tis for thee—-

Even thee.

Messages of God’s Love 10/15/1905

Rescued

Look at the man as he lies almost drowned. Had he been left a little longer in the water, there would have been no hope of saving his life. It is evident, he was unable to save himself from drowning, and the strong young man, with the cork jacket. has been able. to bring him safely to shore, and now the others in the village house are doing for him what he needs. What a picture of helplessness the man is as he lies across the chairs. He can do nothing for himself; others must meet his need.

What does this remind us of? I think some of you will say it tells us of man as a lost and helpless sinner. He needs another to save him. Yes, dear children, the Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who could save us, because He is God as well as man and it needed one who was able to lay down His life and take it up again ,and the Lord Jesus was able to do this. How great is the salvation God has provided for us and “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Heb. 2:3. God has no other way to save us. and if one turns away from such salvation, there is nothing left but the judgment of God. Ponder well, dear children, what it was for God to give His Son as a sacrifice for us, and what it was for Him to be charged with all our sins; and then bear the penalty by being forsaken of God in those three hours of darkness. Ah, if you believe that He died for you and has saved you at such a great expense, may your heart be filled with gratitude and seek now to live for Him. I am sure if the man in our picture recovered he will be very thankful to the one who saved him, and how much more thankful we should be to the Lord Jesus for saving our souls and, also, that He will have us in the glory to be with Himself forever. “WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.” 1 John 4:19.

“Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,

Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/22/1905

Jesus Prophesying

The Throne of His Glory and the Judgment of the Nations (continued)
Matt. 25:31-46

BEFORE leaving this solemn subject, we desire to call attention to the fact, that the results of this judgment are eternal. This is stated in the last verse. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.” Those on the right hand of the King not only inherit the kingdom prepared for them, but they will never die. Eternal life is their portion, and this will be a life of eternal blessedness. The millennial kingdom will come to end, or be delivered up to God even the Father (1 Cor. 15:24), but this life which is the portion of the sheep will never end. It is eternal. Sickness and pain, suffering and sorrow, disease and death will never more be known. No tear will ever more be shed, nor will any sigh of grief or pain ever more be heard amongst that happy throng. “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Rev. 7:16-17. Happy people! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and entering into eternal life, their portion is one of never ending blessedness.

But, alas! it is not so with those on the King’s left hand. Of them it is said: “These shall go away into everlasting punishment.” The sorrows of the wicked are just as eternal as the joys of the righteous. In Rev. 14:11 we are told that “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night.” Could anything be more unspeakably terrible? Eternal torment! No rest day or night. If you were appointed to count the drops of the mighty ocean, or the grains of sand on its shores, you might still look forward to an end. It might take you millions or billions of years, or of ages, but you could look forward to an end, and hope would in some measure, perhaps, shed its rays through the regions of unutterable gloom. But to think, that, when you have spent these myriads of ages in the dark regions of the lost, you are no nearer the end than when you began, and that not the faintest ray of hope can ever enter your breast, or relieve the darkness of eternal despair — oh! it is this that is too terrible for any human words to express.

Oh! unsaved reader, will you think of this? Will you not heed the solemn and faithful warnings of the word of God? And remember, God has provided a way of escape. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He has given His blessed Son Jesus Christ as a Saviour. And He waits to be gracious. Will you not listen to His call? He beseeches you to be reconciled. Will you not give heed to His entreaties? May God bend your wayward heart, as you read these lines, and lead you to submit to His Son Jesus Christ. “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.

Messages of God’s Love 10/22/1905

Last Words

A CHRISTIAN mother, who had been suffering from a severe illness, had an impression that her end was approaching. She therefore asked the doctor who was attending her, if he considered that her disease would terminate in death; to which he replied, that such was his opinion. She further pressed him to tell her truly how long he thought she might yet live; upon which he said that she might perhaps last till the following day. “Oh!” she immediately exclaimed, “that is, indeed, good news. So soon to be with Jesus.” She then had her children and near friends gathered round her bedside, and, after cheerfully bidding them adieu, and exhorting them to look to the Lord, and to trust in Him, she composed herself for her expected end, and soon afterwards peacefully departed to be with Christ.

How such an incident as this, which is perfectly true, exhibits the blessed reality which there is in resting upon Christ! And how precious are the following Scriptures which, among many others, bear upon the falling asleep of those who believe in Jesus!

“To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” . . . “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” (Phil. 1:21, etc.) “They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60.

Messages of God’s Love 10/22/1905

What Can I Do for Jesus?

DOES any dear child who knows the Saviour’s love ask this question? I will tell you how a little girl once answered it: she said, “I can love Him.” Yes, dear children, the Lord Jesus values the love of the little ones who trust in Him; and if you know His love, and that He died for you, you cannot help loving Him in return.

But then you must remember that He says, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments,” and “If a man love Me, he will keep My words.” (John xiv:15, 23).

I will try to explain to you the difference between these two verses. Suppose a mother said to her little girl, whom we will call Lucy, “You must not go into the garden this morning”: this would be a commandment, and Lucy should not say, “Why, mother?” but simply obey, because she loves her mother.

Another day Lucy might hear her mother saying, “I wish those apples on the ground in the orchard were picked up.” She did not tell Lucy to do it; but off the little girl would run with pleasure and soon bring a basket full to her mother. This would be keeping her mother’s words, because she had heard her say that she would like to have it done.

The Thessalonians were very young Christians when Paul wrote his two epistles or letters to them; and we find in his first epistle to them (chap. 1:5-8) that they first believed the gospel; then they followed the Lord in obedience, and were examples to others; and then the word of God sounded out from them to those around them.

Thus you must first trust in the Lord Jesus for your salvation, and be obedient to His word, so that you may be an example to others, and then He will enable even a child to tell of His love. And would, you not be glad to bring someone else to Him? as it is said of Andrew, “He first findeth his own brother Simon.. . . And he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:41).

But remember that you can do nothing for Jesus until you know that He has done all for you; and remember, too, that if your young companions see anything that is wrong in your words or ways, they will not be likely to listen to you if you speak to them about the way to be saved. So you must look to the Lord. that by His Holy Spirit, whom God gives to dwell in those that believe in Jesus, you may be like Him who was meek and lowly in heart, and sought to do good to all around Him.

And now I. am going to tell you about a dear little girl, who lived twelve years in this world, and then went to be with her Saviour. You may fancy that it was a pleasant time for Blanche when she went to spend her holidays by the seaside, and I dare say some of you have seen the donkeys and donkey-boys standing there ready for children who want to have a ride. But did Blanche think only of the pleasure of the ride? No, she remembered that the. donkey-boys had souls, and thought of a good way to reach them. She took with her buns and Testaments; and first she would give the boy a bun, which you may be sure he liked; and then she would give him a Testament, so that he might read the word of God for himself. And not only so, but one of these boys was seen reading out of his Testament to other donkey-boys.

Let us hope that dear little Blanche may have the joy of meeting some of these in heaven, for the Lord has said that His word shall not return unto Him void (see Isa. 55:11; also Eccl. 11:6).

A little hand may sow the seed In morning light, or evening hour, Which God, whose word is true indeed, Will quicken by His wondrous power; And blessed fruit our eyes shall see, To last for all’ eternity.

Messages of God’s Love 10/22/1905

Learning to Float

THERE is a story told of a young man who was seeking after the knowledge of eternal life and peace with God.

The friend to whom he had confided his difficulties discerned very quickly that he was striving to obtain everlasting life by his own efforts. He spoke of “sincere prayers” and “heartfelt desires” after salvation, but continually lamented that he did not “feel any different in spite’ of it all.”

His friend did not answer him at first, but presently he interrupted him with the enquiry, did you ever learn to float?”

“Yes, I did!” was the surprised reply.

“And did you find it easy to learn?”

“Not at first!” he answered.

“What was the difficulty?” his friend pursued.

“Well, the fact was, I could not lie still; I could not believe or realize that the water could hold me up, without ‘any effort of my own, so I always began to struggle, and of course down I went at once.”

“And then?”

“Then I found out that I must give up all the struggle, and just rest on the strength of the water to bear me up. It was easy enough after that; I was able to lie back in the fullest confidence .that I should never sink.”‘

“And is not God’s word more worthy of your trust than the changeable sea? He does not bid you wait for feelings, He commands you just to rest in Him, to believe His word and accept His gift. His message of life reaches down to you in your place of ruin and death, and His word to you now is, ‘The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ Rom. 6:23.

Messages of God’s Love 10/22/1905

Herring Boats

We have before us a very interesting scene of the herring fisheries. I expect most of my readers have seen little of this line of business, but if you look carefully at the picture you will see how they do when they get to shore. The large boats have been away out on the sea and the fishermen have put their great big nets into the sea and that way have caught the herring while they were swimming in the water in great droves; then when the net is full they pull it into the boat and take out the herring and then sail to shore again and the fish dealers are there with their wagons and buy the fish from the fishermen and then they take them to the train and from there they are taken into the large cities. One might wonder how all the people live, but when we remember that God, in His mercy for His creatures, is watching over all and knows ail their needs, then we can say it is not only that He has supplied the fish in the sea for man’s use but He has given man the intelligence to get it. So it is with everything else we eat. It is God who supplies all.

What dependent creatures we are, but are we thankful to God for all these mercies? Ah, dear children, never forget to look to God for what you need and to thank Him for what He sees fit to give. Not only has God known the temporal needs of His creatures and wonderfully supplied them but He has also looked upon our sinful state and He knew we were just as helpless to put our sins away as we were to create the various kinds of food; so in His love for us He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Many are quite willing to take all the temporal blessings, and forget that God has given them, but they don’t want Jesus whom God has sent as a Saviour for them. May you, dear children, accept the temporal blessings from God’s hand and with thanksgiving, and above all rejoice and thank Him for providing such a Saviour.

“GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.” Rom. 5:8.

Steps in Israel's Progress

Josh. 5:1-10

GREAT fear fell upon all the kings west of the Jordan when they heard how the Lord had dried up the waters of that impetuous stream until His people had passed over. And this was what God would have. He wanted all the ‘people of the earth to know that the hand of the Lord was mighty, and that He was the “Lord of all the earth.” The heart of these kings could be stout enough, and they could even lift themselves against God, but when God manifested His power, their heart melted and so there was no more spirit in them. And so it ever is with man; he may deny God, or he may rise up in rebellion against Him, but when God begins to work, man is quickly felled to earth.

The children of Israel were now in the land, but they had yet to go forward and take possession, for their foes were still before them. They must, however, first have to do with God; then they can meet their enemies. Joshua was commanded to circumcise the children of Israel the second time, for the men of war had died in the wilderness, and those born in the wilderness had not been circumcised, and they must pass under the knife.

Let us gather ‘up a little lesson here. God’s people of to-day have the powers of darkness with which to combat, and if they would successfully contend with these mighty foes, all that hinders must be removed. The true circumcision are those who worship God in the spirit, who rejoice in Christ Jesus, and who have no confidence in the flesh. As “servants of righteousness” such mortify, or put to death, their members which are on the earth. And they should make no provision for the flesh to fulfil its lusts. May God enable you, dear young Christian reader, to keep the flesh in the place of ‘death.

The next thing in order for the children of Israel was keeping the passover. That solemn night, in which the angel of death passed by their blood sprinkled houses, leaving them untouched and unhurt; must never be forgotten by them. Wilderness wanderings would not allow of the observance of this feast; but now that they were in the land, and about to go on to victory, they must be reminded of the deliverance that had been wrought for them. Realizing thus that God’s hand is mighty to save, they could go forward in confidence of heart, counting upon God.

Again, let those who love the Lord learn a lesson. A mightier deliverance has been wrought for such, a place of fuller blessing has been secured, than that which awaited the host under Joshua’s command. “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” And it is the blessed privilege, as well as responsibility of all who know Christ, to feast upon Him, and to call to remembrance what He has accomplished for them. “Do this in remembrance of Me,” is what Jesus says to His own. Are there not many of my young readers, who have not been sanctified by this Word? Why should it be to you a matter of indifference whether ,or not you should be remembering the Lord Jesus in His death, when it. cost Him His life’s blood to free you from the power of sin and Satan? Is it nothing to you when He says, “Do this in remembrance of Me”? Where is your obedience to that blessed One? If you have no desire to remember Him, may you not well question whether or not you are His?

We will look in another paper at further steps in Israel’s progress, if the Lord will.

Messages of God’s Love 10/29/1905

Wrong Thoughts About God

WHAT wrong views some have of God! Like the man with the one talent, they only know Him. as an austere man, demanding every jot and tittle, a hard exacter of every farthing, a demander of His rights and every letter of the law, one seeking to crush to the dust, having a stern frown, and a hidden face. Now this is not the aspect in which He presents Himself. No! it is “God is love,” “God so loved the world.” “God gave.” God willeth not the death of a sinner,’God full of grace, mercy, pity, compassion, having an eye of love, a heart of tenderness, a hand open to bestow, a voice of mercy.

Oh! that we realized this more, knew Him as our best friend, and that the way is open for access to Him! No mediator but Christ, no advocate but Christ, whose yearning heart of love longeth and seeketh for every lost one. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”

“Would you like to be saved?” “Indeed I would.” “And would you like to be saved in God’s way? Then ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’ Acts 16:31.

Messages of God’s Love 10/29/1905

A Letter From One of Our Young Friends in Australia

“My dear brother in the Lord:—

WHAT a privilege it is to remember each other before the throne of grace, and how blessed to know that we are the objects of prayer. It seems to me to make us realize more what we are to each other as members of the one body. More precious still to have a great High Priest in the presence of God for us, that One who ever lives to make intercession for His people.

It gave me great joy to hear of the Lord’s work, and I should-like to hear more of it. How gracious the Lord is to use us at all. I have read the letter sent from America, and we were all impressed by its contents. There is indeed great need for humiliation and self-judgment before God. How often it happens that we are out of touch with the Lord and so miss many opportunities of doing something for Him. God grant we may be all in such a state that He may use us for His glory. Going forth in His strength, trusting not in ourselves. we will be more than conquerors.

You will be pleased with the following: One sister, a teacher in the Sunday School, having asked her girls to write what they knew of Jesus, received this answer from one: “He is my Saviour.” I do think that was beautiful. It makes it so personal. “The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Not only “loved” but “loved me.” and loves me now. I change, He changes not, ever the same tender, merciful Saviour, living now in the glory for me. Peter knew something of this when He denied. the Lou]. He received that look which said, “Though you know me not, I know you Peter. I love you.” No wonder he went outside and wept bitterly. Many times being out of communion myself, on going to the word, God has used some passage to break the barriers, and I have wept, as I never did before my conversion. One thing that has been a stumbling-stone to me, is my love for reading, but I soon found that I could learn nothing of Christ from those books, and, looking to the Lord to help me, have counted this as one of the weights to be laid aside. A young Christian might read a religious novel for instance, thinking as there was mention of Jesus, and of the Scriptures, there would be no harm. This is one of the wiles of the devil, as I know from experience.

I have enjoyed reading the book you sent and have been helped by it. Will you please give my love to the Lord’s people both young and old? As we are all bound up in the bundle of life we do not seem as strangers do we?

Yours affectionately in Christ.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/29/1905

Would He Take You?

TWO little downcast faces, the shrill tones of Nurse K—, and the pretty calendar torn to shreds in the waste-paper basket at once told me that something was wrong, as entered the nursery one morning early in January.

The story was soon told:-

A week previous the nurse had brought in the calendar in question, and hung it upon the nursery wall, with strict injunctions to the children not to touch it.

However, the elder of the two, a bright little fellow of eight, in a fit of anger seized the almanac, and with the help of his sister it was soon destroyed.

Now, fearing the consequences, they both denied having had anything to do with it; and it was long before I could induce them to confess their fault.

Then with a few words as to the serious nature of the sin they had committed, and an entreaty to confess it to the Lord, and seek His forgiveness instead of covering it up, and the matter apparently was forgotten.

But not so. A few days later I was speaking of the Lord’s return, how He was coming very shortly to take His own to be “forever” with Himself, and added, “This very day we may hear the assembling shout—”

Here a little voice interrupted, saying, “If Jesus comes to-day, He wouldn’t take me, would He?”

“Why not, dear?” I asked.

“Because I told that untruth about the calendar.”

Ah, dear children, have you ever thought that one untruth, one angry word, one sinful deed, if unconfessed and unforgiven, is enough to shut you out from that bright home above forever?

But how blessed to know that Jesus by His death on the cross has opened up a way in which you and I, though sinners, can be brought to God, made “whiter than snow” through the cleansing power of the precious blood.

So highly does God value that work, that His word declares that “by Him” [the Lord Jesus] “all that believe are justified from all things.”

I will just put this question to you: “If Jesus were to come today, would He take you?” Do not throw this paper aside, thinking “nobody can be sure about that.”

If you know anything of the blessedness of “iniquities forgiven” and “sins covered,” you must surely will be among that company which shall be “forever with the Lord.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/29/1905

Bible Questions for November

Answers to Questions for September

1. “I am: and ye shall see,” etc. Mark 14:62.

2. “Go thy way; thy faith,” etc. “ 10:52.

3. “Abba, Father, all things,” etc . “ 14:36.

4. “Son, thy sins be forgiven,” etc. “ ii:5.

5. “Come ye after Me, and ,” etc: “ 1:17.

6. “Be not afraid, believe,” etc. “ 5:36.

7. “Come ye. yourselves apart,” etc. “ 6:31.

Bible Questions for November

Rewards will be given (D. V.) for correct answers received until May, 1006 to those not getting help from others or concordance. Answers to be sent in not later than the first of the next month, with age and address plainly written. Address E. B. HARTT, Pella, Iowa.

Answers to be found in the Gospel of John.

1. What was the first question Jesus asked the man who was born blind?

2. What did Jesus say to Peter after he had cutoff the ear of the servant of the high priest?

3. When Judas found fault with Mary for anointing the Lord with ointment, what did Jesus say to him?.

4. When Jesus had fed the multitude with 5 loaves, and 2 Small fishes, what did He tell His disciples to do?

5. What was the first thing Jesus. said to Nicodemus?

6. Write the whole of the 16th verse of Chapter 3.

7. What question did Jesus ask Simon Peter three times?

Messages of God’s Love 11/5/1905

Harvest

HOW quaint is the picture before us this week, with the old way of harvesting and all its hard labor, yet men and women were just as happy doing their work that way, as they are now with all the improvements. Can you tell what it is that will make people happy in whatever line of work they have to do? I am sure some of my readers can answer readily—-it is through knowing the Lord Jesus as the One who has loved them and given Himself for them, a sacrifice on the cross. I trust all my readers may be given to know Jesus as the One who has died for them, and put all their sins away. But there is another thing our picture reminds us of and that is a harvest that God’s word tells us of in Matt. 13:30.

There He is telling us of a harvest people that is to take place soon and of two classes which He likens to tares and wheat. Tares look like wheat until they come to bear fruit and then the difference can easily be detected. A man with experience in that line can tell the difference from the start, but to one who is not acquainted with it, he could not so readily tell. The tares are like a great many religious people who are not trusting in Christ and His finished work, yet by their religion they may look like real Christians, they are to be gathered into bundles for God’s terrible judgment, because they had not believed in Christ, but trusted to their own goodness as a means of salvation. But the wheat is what He uses as a picture of those who are His — who, therefore have seen they could not save themselves, and believed in Christ as the only One who could save them; so at the time of harvest, the Lord’ Jesus will come in the clouds to take all His own to be forever with Himself. Be sure, dear reader, you are among ‘those who are likened to wheat, and not of those who are likened to the tares. Then when the Lord Jesus comes you will rejoice to go to be forever with Him. “YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME, AND WILL NOT TARRY.” Heb. 10:37.

Messages of God’s Love 11/5/1905

Further Steps

Josh. 5:11-15

THE next thing after the Passover, for the children of Israel, was feeding upon the old corn of the land: Manna had been their daily food throughout their wilderness journeying; now they would feed on manna no more. They had entered the land, and its fruit should be their food and stay. Before meeting the enemy, they should be strengthened through the corn of the land to go forward to conflict and victory.

Some of my young readers may ask, Has this, as a type, anything to do with believers in this day? It has; they have fed upon Christ the true Manna; Christ, once humbled here below; Christ, who trod the earth in lowly grace; Christ, whose heart. of love and pity went out for every needy one; Christ, whose patience and gentleness were manifest to all; Christ, the obedient One, who always did the Father’s will; Christ, who knew no sin, but who was made sin for us. Ah this is the One upon whom the souls of believers feed, as they follow Him in His footsteps here. And as they thus feed, their hearts are made to overflow with praise and adoration.

Do you ask. What has that to do with “the old corn, of the land”? That takes us a step further. “The land” is that which in type, speaks to us of the heavenly Canaan; and Israel feeding upon its fruit speaks to believers of the wonderful privilege that is theirs; they may feed upon a heavenly Christ. Christ, as the Manna, the bread that came down from heaven, is needed for the wilderness journey. But there is need also to know and feed upon Him as the risen One, now in the glory—the living, mighty, glorious, ascended Redeemer, to whom all power has been given in heaven and on earth, and whose glory fills the heavens. This is the One upon whom the believer may gaze and be transformed into His image; this is the One with whom he may be occupied until God-given rays of light and glory will shine into his heart, filling him with a joy and sweetness that all the joys of earth combined cannot touch. Oh! dear young reader, are you feeding on “the old corn of the land,” and finding its strength and sweetness?

One thing more — one step further — before Israel may go forward. Joshua is met by a man who has a drawn sword in his hand, and he is made to know that this is the captain of the Lord’s host. He falls on his face to the earth, and is then told to take his shoe from his foot, for the place where he Stands is holy.

Now just one little word for those who are saved, through grace. It is the Lord Himself who is the captain of His people. And He would have those who belong to Him, bear in mind that it ‘is the “Holy and the True” with whom they are called to walk. If they do not give heed to His word, “The prince of the power of the air,” and “the rulers of the darkness of this world” will get the advantage. God Himself is present, and He would have His people realize this as they enter upon the conflict. Holiness becometh His house forever. Are you aware of this. dear young reader. You must have to do with God. May you have grace given to walk softly before Him! “Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/5/1905

The Bright Side

A GENTLEMAN went into a solicitor’s office in the City to transact some business. He was asked to take away with him some deeds in respect of which a payment had to be made.

No,” he said, “I won’t take them until I have paid the money. I don’t know what might happen. I might be with the Lord tonight.”

“Oh!” said the man to whom he spoke. “you need not look on the gloomy side of things.

“The gloomy side!” he exclaimed. “1 am looking at the bright side. If I were to be run over and killed tonight I should go immediately to be with the Lord.” And so he would have done, for he was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word of God says of such that to depart and be with Christ “is far better.”

But do not forget that Christians should not be looking for death, but for the return of the Lord Jesus. Should we be called upon to die, Scripture says. “we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” But those who believe in Jesus may not die at all; for the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian saints, “We which are alive and remain [unto the coming of the Lord] shall be caught up together with them [the raised ones] in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/5/1905

If I Could Only See My Mother!

IF I could only see my mother!” Again and again was that yearning cry repeated — “If I could only see my mother!” The vessel rocked, and waters, chased by a fresh wind, played musically against the side of the ship. The sailor a second mate, quite youthful, lay in his narrow bed, his eyes glazing, his limbs stiffening, his breath failing. It was not pleasant to die thus in this shaking, plunging ship, but he seemed not to mind his bodily comfort; his eyes looked far away, and ever and anon broke forth that grieving cry —

“If I could only see my mother!”

An old sailor sat by, the Bible in his hand from which he had been reading. He bent above the young man, and asked him why he was so anxious to see the mother he had willfully left.

“Oh, that’s the reason,” he cried, in anguish; “I’ve nearly broken her heart. and I can’t die in peace. She was a good mother to me — oh! so good a mother; she bore everything from her wild boy, and once she said, ‘My son, when you come to die, you will remember all this.’ Oh, if could only see my mother!”

He never saw his mother. He died with the yearning cry upon his lips, as many a one has died who slighted the one who loved them.. The waves roll over him. and his bones whiten at the bottom of the sea; and that dread cry has gone before God, there to be registered for ever.

Dear reader, it was too late for the dying sailor to see his mother, but it is not too. late for you to be saved. Jesus bids you “Come.” He loved sinners, and died on Calvary; there He shed His precious blood and now He bids you “Come.” Remember too, that now is the time to come; “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/5/1905

Jesus, the Friend of Children

The gentle, Jesus pities you,

Poor thoughtless little child;

He bends on you a look of love.

So tender and so mild.

He knows this is an evil world

In which awhile you

Where many, dying day by day,

Are sinking into hell.

He knows your little foolish heart

Prefers a worthless toy

To all His love, which, once believed,

Would give you lasting joy.

He knows you have a cruel foe

Who tries to hold you fast.

That you may be his servant here

And dwell with him at last.

And therefore does the Saviour send

The message of His grace

That children, drawn to Him by love,

May early seek His face.

He tells you in His holy word

How joyfully He gave

Himself, the spotless Lamb of God.

His wandering .sheep to save.

The child that knows its sins forgiven

Through His most precious blood

Is made a lamb’ of Jesus’ fold

A happy child of God.

Oh! come to Jesus, come today,

And you shall find it true

That He is still the children’s Friend;

And loves to save e’en you.

Messages of God’s Love 11/5/1905

The Lion

WHAT a noble. fine looking animal a lion is! Many wonderful and interesting things could be told about the lion but the limited space forbids it here. Only a few points will we mention which bring before us God’s wisdom and power in creation and what He will yet do for this world.

The teeth, the tongue and the claws are most interesting and wonderful. The teeth are of a form which permits them to seize and tear their prey, but does not give them the power of masticating their food after the manner of the vegetable feeders. We are all familiar with the mode in which the domestic cat consumes her food, whether it be a piece of butchers’ meat which is given to her by the hand of man, or a mouse which she has captured. Instead of the grinding process like monkeys and many others, she tears the meat into conveniently sized morsels, and then eats the food by a series of pecking bites.

The lion has a tongue similar to a cat. The entire surface is covered with conical projections, which are so curved that their points lie towards the throat and by this means it can thoroughly strip the bones leaving them clean. By the present condition of both the teeth and the tongue. we might think it impossible for the lion ever to live on any other kind of food except animal flesh, but the Scripture shows us that the time is coming when the Lord Jesus will be reigning all over the world, and Satan will be bound, and at that time, the lion will be able to eat straw like the ox. (Isa. 11:7.)

Another point we may consider is the claw. When the lion is at rest, the upper tendons draw the claw backwards, so that it is lifted from the ground, and the weight of the body rests only on the soft pads which are on the under surface of the foot. But when he gets excited, and thrusts out his paw for the purpose of striking a blow, or clutching his prey, the claw is thrown forward, sharp, and ready for use. In the blessed time, I have just mentioned, when the Lord Jesus shall reign, the lion will not use the claw for such a purpose, for the Scripture tells us, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain.” So it is evident that the present condition is a result of sin. Let us not forget, dear children, that anger and quarreling are also on account of sin,. and like the lion in his rage, but we must judge them and put them away from us, and the only way to do this is by first having the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and then counting on Him to keep. us and enable us to manifest what He was while here on earth in a meek and quiet spirit. “BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL: FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY.” Matt. 5:7.

Messages of God’s Love 11/12/1905

Lost on the Mountain

MANY of my little readers know the pleasure of a ramble in the woods, in the spring time, when the flowers are growing everywhere, and the birds are singing for joy.

Well, children, I will tell you of a time, many years ago, when I was a boy, and loved to play in the woods and gather the wild flowers without the thought of danger.

In Nova Scotia, among the hills and timbers where there were many wild beasts, a mother and little baby started out one morning to visit a neighbor, and in that country, people did not live close together, but, sometimes, miles apart, but would still call each other neighbors. And these neighbors lived far apart; one on one mountain and the other on another mountain with a valley between them; so as the distance was great, the mother, wishing to make the journey as short as possible, left the well beaten path, to make, what she thought would be a short cut across the valley: But alas! what tears and suffering this caused her, and like the young believer in Christ, if he steps out of the path of obedience, it will cause him many a deep sorrow and regret.

It was not long before the mother became aware that she was lost tried to retrace her steps to the path she so thoughtlessly left just a short time before. It was not as easily found as she thought, and after a long search, she sank down weary, tired and lost. The search for the path was in vain, and it was getting dark in the forest. She was lost away from home and friends. This is like many who are lost in their sins and are trying to find the way to a place of safety but this cannot be found by themselves; they are lost and must be found by another and that is Christ the Lord.

Darkness had now settled down over her, and we who have been in the forest at night, can tell how much darker it seems and More lonely than in the city, where the lights are kept burning to show us where danger is.

The poor mother, now so tired and worn, gathered moss for a bed for herself and baby.

But let us go back to the home she had left, and what do we find; people hurrying here and there with lanterns; women and children weeping; and the men getting ready for the search for the lost ones.

Soon the men started in different directions with their lanterns and guns. Let me tell you how the search was planned. The men were to go in little groups and not a gun was to be fired until the lost ones were found. The search lasted all night and for three days and nights. But you say, What about the mother and baby? by the third day she had given up all hope of being found, and the thought that her little baby should, starve to death, filled her heart with terror.

It was about noon on the third day, some of the men sat down to rest and eat their lunch, and while the fire they had built was warming their dinner, the poor mother had walked out on a fallen tree over a lake and looking-up she saw smoke rising above the trees on the other side. She was about to call out when the thought came, that they might be Indians (for there were many of them in that country) but she called and the men heard the cry and running to the shore. Saw her standing on the tree on the other side. It did not take long to reach her, and with loving hearts they gave her food and would have carried her all the way home.

So, children, the first gun was fired; others heard the sound and then the guns could be heard in every direction, telling the glad news that the lost one was found.

So the blessed Lord rejoices when He finds a lost one; and takes it up in His arms and does not let go of it till He has it with Himself in that g:orious home He has prepared for all those who believe in His precious name.

All praise be given to Him for time and eternity!

When this mother and baby were found, they were twenty-five miles from home, and seven miles from the nearest house. You will say, What a long way from home! but, children, all who do not believe in Jesus as their own Saviour, are many; many times farther from that home where Jesus is than this poor woman and her baby were.

When asked how she had spent the nights, she said she could hear the bears come near and sniff at her. But now, how different. She is not lost but found, and can she not thank those who found her and brought her safely home? Like the father said of his son in Luke 15:24, “For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

Dear children. I hope you who have read this story will not wait any longer to take the blessed Saviour for, your own. You know you may never have another chance, so go to Jesus just now as you are and find for yourself how very much He loves you.

Messages of God’s Love 11/12/1905

Ahubbuka

WHAT a strange word you will say, my readers. But I will explain it to you, as it was explained to the one who heard it for the first time, and in order to do this I will tell you under what circumstances the word fell upon his ears.. The person of whom I speak, among men was esteemed a very great personage, in fact it was he who became Emperor of Germany under the name of Frederick III, reigning however only a few months. While yet Prince Royal, and. as he was travelling in Palestine, he came to Jerusalem. There he paid a visit to the hospital of the German deaconesses amongst other places, which was situated. upon Mount Zion. He went through the whole building, stopping in each room inquiring with interest into the nationality of those who were sick, and into the maladies from which they were suffering. Having arrived at the women’s quarter, his attention was particularly drawn to a little girl. three years of age, with crisp black hair. Leaning over her. and bending on one knee near her little bed, he amused the child for a time. She made quite happy, not by the exalted rank of the stranger, but by the kindness that he showed her, fixed upon him a radiant look, murmuring several times in a low voice in her own language. the Arabic:— “Ahubbuka! Ahubbuka! “What does the little thing say?” asked the Prince. “She says to your Royal Highness love you!’ “ answered the deaconess.

Dear reader, the Son of a very great. King, the Son of God most high, the King of Kings, came upon the earth and humbled Himself, laying by His glory for your sake. He, the Creator of all things. the Sustainer of the Universe by His all powerful hand, not only has manifested His loving kindness toward you, but has so loved you as to give His life for you. And you, do you love Him? Hear His word to you today after so long a time. “Lovest thou me?” May you be able to respond from the heart, “Yea Lord. Thou knowest that I love Thee” (John 21:15). “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

Messages of God’s Love 11/12/1905

Extract from Letters

May 29th, 1905.

Dear Mr. Hartt:—I thank you for the book I received for my reward. I finished reading it this afternoon and I trust that I shall derive some benefit from its pages. It came at a most fitting time as (I am sure you will be glad to hear) not very long ago I was converted to God, and the little book deals with, the Christian paths and trials of a young girl, from her conversion till her death.

I was converted in April of the present year. It is a very blessed and happy thing to be able to call Jesus my aviour, and God my Father; is it not? Before I was saved I always had a most terrible fear that the Lord might come at moment and I would not be ready for Him.

But now, through faith in Jesus Christ, I can say that I am ready and waiting. sheltered by the blood. For quite a time before I was saved I thought trusting to my feelings would save me. eventually; hut I discovered that faith must come first, for my feelings were a hindrance rather than a help to me.

“Faith is a very simple thing, T

hough little understood;

It frees the soul from death’s dread sting,

By resting on the blood.

“Faith is not what we sec or feel;

It is a simple trust

In what the God of love has said

Of Jesus as the Just.

Messages of God’s Love 11/12/1905

But for a Moment

2 Cor. 4:17

Only a little moment,

Treading where Christ has trod;

Then the weary toil worn workers,

Stand face to face with God:

Only a little moment

To breast the surging sea;

Then temptations with its darkness

Shall cease to cover thee.

Only a little moment,

Struggling with self and sin:

And then an endless victory,

Eternal rest within.

Only a little moment,

No need to say good bye;

No need to shed a parting tear.

The meeting is so nigh.

Only a little moment,

In telling of His love;

The people who need to know it.

Will not be found above.

Only a little moment,

To bear the weary pain;

And then those hours of restlessness.,

Will never, come again.

Only a little moment,

For patient watching here,

And then the joyful marriage cry,

The bridegroom draweth near.

Messages of God’s Love 11/12/1905

The Mechanic

WHAT an industrious little fellow we have before us. His mind leads him in the direction of a carpenter, or a machinist, and, no doubt, it gives him some satisfaction to gratify his desires. I expect you all will say, it is perfectly right to be occupied in such lines. That is true, dear children, but there is a verse of Scripture that comes before my mind which lets us see that right things can be done in a wrong way. It is, “AN HIGH LOOK, AND A PROUD HEART AND THE PLOWING OF THE WICKED IS SIN.” Prov. 21:4. The first two things mentioned in this verse are wrong at all times, and in every position, but the last thing — plowing — is a good thing in itself, and so God does not say plowing is sin, but “the plowing of the wicked is sin.” The lesson we may learn from this, is, that whatever is done by one who is away from God is sin, although it may be a good thing. God in His infinite grace gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins, and whoever may turn away from such love as that shown to him by God, all else he may do, God sees comes from a wicked heart. Do you think that God ‘could have accepted a gift or anything from the man that drove the nails through the hands of His ‘beloved Son, until he had confessed to Him his great sin? I am sure you will say, no.

It would not be righteous, nor according to God’s holiness to pass over sin, but “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. The way He can be just in forgiving our sins, is through Jesus having borne the punishment in our place.

So, let us. remember, if we have not come to God with confession of our sins, all that we may do cannot be accepted by Him. But if we have, then whatever He has given us to do, we may do as to the Lord and as having received the ability from God to do it. That will be. giving God all the glory. So if the boy in our picture has a high book, that is, thinking himself above others because he has been able to make something with his tools; or has a proud heart about it, he is not doing it to glorify God with the ability God has given him, but seeking glory for himself which God says is sin, and, also, all that he does.

The first thing for us is to accept Jesus as our Saviour, and then do all things for His glory and not for our own.

Our sins can never come into God’s presence, inasmuch as Christ, who bore them all and put them away, is there instead.

Messages of God’s Love 11/19/1905

Closing Days on Earth

The Leaders Consult to Destroy Jesus.
Matt. 26:1-5.

THEN Jesus had finished giving utterance to His wonderful prophecy of Matt. 24 and 25, He began to prepare His disciples for the terrible tragedy which was just at hand. He said to them, “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed, to be crucified.” Not only could Jesus foretell what would befall the Jews, and Christendom, and the Gentiles, many centuries after His death, but He also knew exactly what would befall Himself on the passover day which was just at hand. And He makes this known to His beloved disciples, although they little realized it, or understood its tremendous import.

We are then told in verses 3 and .4, how the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, assembled together in the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, and how they “consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill Him.” This shows what was in their hearts. With all their religiousness, and all their carefulness to observe the feasts, their hearts were far from God. Their enmity against the Son of God was manifest: they wanted to kill Him. They did not wish to take Him on the feast day, “lest there should be an uproar among the people,” but they were determined to get rid of Him at all cost.

The people were not all of one mind about Jesus and the leaders knew this, so they consulted how they might take Him by subtlety. And of course Satan was ready to help them carry out their nefarious deed. We shall see later on how their plans were accomplished, but we only call attention here to the awful state the leaders of the people were in. Two days more, and the feast of the passover would be present. And on that day Jesus was to become the great passover Sacrifice for God’s people. Little did these deluded and misguided people realize this, and little did they realize the personal glory of the One they were about to nail to the cross as a malefactor. With all their religiousness, and pride of heart, and self-righteousness, they were under the power of Satan, and were the enemies of God and of Christ. They had seen the works of Jesus, they had heard His words, the light of life was shining around them, but they were in deep moral and spiritual darkness, and planned to have the Prince of life slain. Oh! what wickedness.

And now, dear young reader, how is it with your heart? Has your heart been drawn to Jesus? Or is your heart yet far from God? If so what better are you than these poor deluded leaders of the Jews. who wanted to get rid of Jesus? Remember your religiousness will not save you; your good works will not save you; your church-going will not save you: you must have CHRIST as your Saviour. And God offers Him to you. Will you receive Him? Or will you die in your sins?

Messages of God’s Love 11/19/1905

An Old Sailor's Story

WELL,” said Uncle Joe, “people ought to be thankful when they have plenty of good wholesome food and drink. If they had been on an allowance, they would know the difference.” This remark was made in a lumber camp in N., and was called forth by some complaints about the quality of the “grub,” and a curtailment of the allowance of butter. “I have been on a biscuit a day with a half pint of water myself,” he added. “Tell us about it, Uncle Joe,” said one of his hearers. Thus requested, Uncle Joe launched forth, and the writer only wishes he could remember his very words. Failing this. I must tell his tale in mine.

It appears that in the month of May, about the year 1855, the good brig “Ocean Telegraph” left New York bound for Weymouth, Nova Scotia, in ballast. She had come to New York from the West Indies with a cargo of Sugar and Molasses.

On the second day out from New York they fell in with a squall, during which their water hogsheads broke from their tacklings and were smashed, leaving them with only about half a barrel of water. After the squall it fell calm. The next day they opened a new barrel of flour, only to find it full, “solid full,” of flour worms. The next was as bad, or worse. It bred worms and stank. They had plenty of salt pork and beef but they could not eat it, because of the thirst it created. Sugar, too, made them thirsty. So they were confined to the hard tack of which they had less than half a barrel. This was served out, a biscuit a day, and, on this, softened by long chewing, with half a pint of water, they subsisted until they began to approach their destination.

The suffering was great..

“I would have been better,” Uncle Joe said, “if I had not eaten the salt beef. My tongue got a big crack in it. And one night my mouth was so parched, and my tongue was bleeding, that I stole a drop of Bill S—’s water. He missed it, and said, ‘Joe, you took some of my water.’ ‘Well Bill, to be honest with you, I did.’ I showed him my tongue, and all he said was, ‘Don’t do it again.’

In fourteen days we only made 240 miles. About the fifteenth day they fell in with a fisherman and he told them they were within thirty-five miles of Mount Desert, and they drew in thinking to make the American shore. But a favorable breeze springing up, the Captain proposed to run for Weymouth river, and that night at six o’clock they cast anchor safe in harbor.”

This is a true story, written the very day that the dear old man told it to us. It made me think of two verses of Holy Scripture, both of them the words of Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of sinners.

First: “Send Lazarus, that he may DIP THE TIP OF HIS FINGER in water, and cool my tongue.” Luke xvi:24.

And second: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that 1 shall give him shall never thirst.” John 4:14.

Children, dear children, which of these shall be your portion?

Messages of God’s Love 11/19/1905

Selling the Soul

HERE is a story told of a preacher, that, walking out one morning, he saw a man going to work, and said to him, “What a lovely morning! How grateful we ought to be to God for all His mercies!” The man said he did not know much about it. “Why,” said the minister, “I suppose you always pray to God for your wife and family —or your children — don’t you?” “No,” said he, “I do not know that I do.” “What,” said the preacher, “do you never pray?” “No!”

“Then I will give you half a crown if will promise me you never will as long as ever you live.” “Oh,” says he, “I shall be very glad of half a crown, to get me a drop of beer.”

He took the half-crown, and promised never to pray as long as he lived. He went to his work, and when he had been digging for a little while, he thought to himself, “That’s a queer thing — I’ve taken money, and promised never’ to pray as long as I live.” He thought it over, and it made him feel wretched. He went home to his wife and told her of it. “Well, John,” said she, “you may depend upon it, it was the devil; you’ve sold yourself to the devil for half a crown.”

This so bowed the poor man down that he did not know what to do with himself. This was all his thought — that he had sold himself to the devil for money, and would soon be carried off to hell.

He commenced attending places of worship, conscious that it was of no use, for he had sold himself to the devil; but he was really ill, bodily ill, through the fear and trembling which had come upon him. One night he recognized in the preacher the very man who had given him the half-crown, and probably the preacher recognized him, for the text was, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The preacher remarked that he knew a man who had sold his soul for half a crown. The poor man rushed forward, and said, “Take it back Take it back!” “You said you would never pray,” said the preacher, “if I gave you half a crown; do you want to pray?” “Oh, yes! I would give the world to be allowed to, pray!”

“All that forsake Thee shall be ashamed, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.” Jer. 17:13-14.

“He is worthy! Take it with thee, just the thought to ponder o’er,

Till His loveliness and beauty fill thy soul yet more and more;

Till thy heart o’erflow with longings, till thy mouth be filled with praise,

And Himself becomes the object of thy thoughts and words and ways.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/19/1905

Prince Henry and His father's Crown

WHAT do you think this young man is doing in putting that crown on his head? I will tell you. It is a picture of the son of King Henry IV. of England. He was standing by his father’s bedside when he was very sick and dying, and when his father fell asleep, he took up his crown and tried it on his own head, and then carried it off. When his father awoke, he asked him if he could not wait for even a few hours.

What a picture we get in this of the human heart — desirous of honor, and so selfish about it that he was forgetting the loss of his father, and it even looked as if he would have been glad for his father to die, so that he could get the crown.

The disciples of the Lord Jesus were like that, too. When He told them He was going to die, and gave them the bread, and the cup in remembrance of His death, in stead of their being occupied with the Lord in His death, they began to talk among themselves as to which of them would be the greatest.

Do you think our hearts are any different? All, no! God shows us in His word that we are all alike. Then we look at the Lord Jesus, we see the contrast. He gave up the glory He had with the Father before the world was, and came down into this world, not to get glory, but to meet the need of us poor sinners. How unselfish the Lord was and how unlike our hearts.

If you have believed in Him as your Saviour, may you ask for grace that you may be more like Him in seeking to do good for others, and lay aside all selfishness. Set not your heart on things that are here, for the Scripture says, “The fashion of this world passeth away.” And another Scripture says, “ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS.” 1 Peter 1:24.

So set your affection on things above. These things are eternal. But if you have not found the Lord Jesus as your Saviour you may be still secking after the things of this world to satisfy, but they never can. Just like the little child with his toys, he is quite pleased with them for a little while and then gets tired of them and wants something new: Do you think prince Henry, at that time, was satisfied when he got such a great thing as the crown put upon his head, and he became king of England? Ah, no, dear children, lie only got more cares and troubles than before. So, what I would ask of you, is, that you will believe in Jesus as the One who loved you so much as to die in your stead, and if you do, you will have joy and peace, and find Him sufficient to satisfy your heart.

Messages of God’s Love 11/26/1905

Closing Days on Earth

Jesus Anointed for His Burial
Matt 26:6-13

IF Satan was marshalling his hosts for the destruction of Jesus, there was at least one devoted heart which felt the impending crisis, and acted suitably to the moment, this was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and of Lazarus. (See John 12:1-8.) Jesus had raised up Lazarus from the dead, and there they made a feast for Him in Bethany. This was in the house of Simon the leper. Martha served at the table; Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus and others. But Mary performed a service which was to be made mention of in all the world, wherever the gospel is preached. Mary had “an alabaster box of very precious ointment,” and with this she anointed Jesus. Matthew tells us she “poured it on His HEAD as He sat ‘at meat.” John tells us she “anointed the FEET of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.”

Of course Mary anointed both His head and His feet. lint in Matthew Jesus is viewed as the King, and this woman anoints the King’s head. In John He is viewed as the Son of God — a far greater glory — and there Mary anoints His feet. She is at His feet. It is the attitude of a worshipper. And she lays her glory (her hair) at His feet. She knew that He was the King of Israel, and she also knew that He was the Son of God, and she acted suitably to His varied glories, and in view of His death, so near at hand.

When the disciples saw the action of Mary, they were full of indignation. But Judas, the betrayer, was the spokesman, as we learn from John. “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence” (a year’s wages for a man), “and given to the poor?” Did Judas care for the poor? Could the betrayer of the Son of God care in his heart for the poor? No, but “he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” How glad he would have been to see the price of .that ointment go into the bag, instead of being spent in anointing the Son of God Heartless Judas!.

If Judas and the other disciples could not appreciate the act of Mary, Jesus did. “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me. For ye have the poor always with you; but Me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.” They would have plenty of opportunities to minister to the poor, but Jesus was about to be taken from them in death, and no more would they have the opportunity of serving Him in this way. Mary anointed Him for His burial. In her soul she felt the shadow of death approaching, and she poured up_on His blessed person this token of her deep affection and adoration.

Mary of Bethany loved the blessed Lord. She knew Him as perhaps few others knew Him. She had sat at His fell (Luke 10:39), and had drunk in His heavenly words of love and grace. Jesus had come from heaven and from His God and Father, and He had wonderful things to tell. Mary sat at. His feet and heard His blessed message from above. And again, when the hour of sorrow came — when she was bereft of her beloved brother — she fell at His feet in the sense of her deep need and dependence, and there again she found Him a Friend and Comforter. He led her to the grave of her brother, and there she heard Him groan as the sense of death pressed itself upon His Spirit, and there too she saw His tears — tears that told pf a sorrow within, which mingled with her sorrow. But more than all these, she heard Him say: “Lazarus come forth” — words that brought her dead brother back to life again, and out of the grave.

Is it any wonder she loved Him? The precious ointment was the expression of her love, and of the deep sense she had of the glory of His person. And Jesus valued her loving service.

And ‘how is it with you, my young friends? Do you love Jesus? Do you know His love as Mary did, and does your heart respond? Jesus had tears for you. Have you any tears for Him? He gave His life for you, and entered the dark regions of death and the grave to break the power of Satan. Have you any alabaster boxes to bring to Him, to express your appreciation or your love because of what He has done? Oh! let your whole life be like the perfume of that box of costly ointment which Mary brought — the perfume Of love and devotion responding to His love to you.

Messages of God’s Love 11/26/1905

The Most Precious Thing

MANY years ago, a Hindu convert came to an American missionary to be baptized. Now, it happens sometimes that persons ask to be baptized without being truly converted at all; they merely exchange the profession of one religion for that of another; but I am glad-to tell you that this dear Hindu had been really “born again” (see John 3:3), and washed from his sins, in the precious blood of Christ. At his baptism he took the name of Kai Das, which means “the servant of Christ,” and we shall see how well it suited him. It was his delight .to serve his blessed Master, and to go about in his native country, preaching the glad tidings of the grace of God.

But travelling there is not so easy as it is here, and especially in the part where ‘he lived it was attended with many dangers. As he was riding along late one evening, on his little pony, six highway-men attacked him, and asked for his money. He handed them all he had, which was scarcely five annas (about fifteen cents), and they then stripped him of nearly all his clothing. On looking it over, one of them discovered his watch. What a lovely thing! They had never seen one before, and Kai Das was questioned as to its use and its history. After satisfying .their curiosity, he quietly remarked, “The most precious thing I have, you have not found yet.”

Dear children, can you guess what this was? The robbers certainly could not, and they wondered where he kept ft!

“Give it at once,” they said.

“Wait a bit first,” he replied, and much to their amazement, he struck up a hymn in their native language. Would you not like to have seen this dear captive, all undisturbed in spirit, singing the Lord’s praises in the midst of these fierce men? It reminds one of the scene in Acts 16; Paul and Silas singing praises to God at midnight in their prison. You might say there was not much in their surroundings. to make them happy, and besides, after having “many stripes” laid upon them, their bodily suffering must have been great. Ah! but they possessed the same “precious thing,” which Kai Das spoke of, and that was the secret of their joy! Well, when the hymn was finished, he went on to tell his captors of the blessed Saviour, who left His Father’s home on high, and came down to this poor world to suffer and to die in the sinner’s stead. His love for sinners had made him willing to undergo all this suffering that they might be saved. Would they all take their place as guilty ones before Him? Then He would receive them, one and all, (see John 3:16, and John 6:37). In a word, Jesus was his precious treasure, and he longed that Jesus might be theirs. The hearts of the robbers were touched they restored the stolen goods, and their leader invited Kai Das to his own house. Here he was able to speak to many more about his Master, and we may hope the good seed thus sown brought forth fruit in due time.

And now, dear young reader, let me ask if you have yet responded to the call of the loving Saviour? He stands ready, waiting to receive you. Oh, come to Him without delay, and you will then own a priceless treasure, which none can ever take from you.

Messages of God’s Love 11/26/1905

Who Is the Seeker?

WALKING one afternoon in Chandos Street, near the Strand, I noticed a clergy_man coming towards me. “Perhaps he will offer me a Tract,” I thought; but as he passed me he said, in a low, deep voice, “Seek God!”

I walked on, thinking of those words. Were they right? Could I, in my lost condition, seek God? Could the lost sheep find its way back to the fold? If so, then no need for the shepherd to go and seek it. And what need for a man who loses his way to cry out; as many have wisely done, “Lost! Lost!” if he could find his way home again?

“No, we are all, by nature, lost, and unable to seek God apart from His grace, for it is the Holy Spirit who shows us we are lost. So I thought it would have been better if he had said, “The Lord is seeking you!”

But I am very thankful to tell you, my dear young readers, that the Lord has sought and found me.. Can you say so too?

“He sought me, and He found me; Yes, Christ has done it all!” “There is none that seeketh after God.” Rom. 3:11.

Messages of God’s Love 11/26/1905

Bible Questions for December

Answers to Questions for October

1. “Foxes have holes, and” etc Luke 9:58.

2. “Return to thine own house, etc. “ 8:39

3. “Verily I say unto thee,” etc “ 23:43

4. “Ought not Christ to have,” etc “ 24:26

5. “Simeon.” . “ 2:25

6. “Man, thy sins are,” etc “ 5:20

7. “Young man, I say unto,” etc “ 6:14

Bible Questions for December

Answers are to be found in The Acts.

1. What answer did Paul give to the man who asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?”

2. What did Stephen say as he looked up steadfastly into heaven and, saw the glory of God?

3. When the disciples were looking up steadfastly into heaven as Jesus went up, what did those two who stood by them in white apparel say to them?

4. When Saul asked the question, “Who art Thou, Lord?” what answer did Jesus give?

5. When Paul preached to Felix of righteousness, temperance, and. judgment to come, what did he reply?

6. What did Peter say to the lame man who sat at the gate of the temple?

7. When Paul had spoken faithfully to King Agrippa and asked him “believest thou the prophets?” what answer did he give?

Messages of God’s Love 12/3/1905

Jericho

Joshua 6

ONE of the cities that was “walled up to heaven,” now lay before the children of Israel. But the strong walls of Jericho, and its giant-like men of valor, did not give to king and people a feeling of security. God’s mighty hand has been displayed in drying up the waters of the Jordan, and in bringing His people beyond the flood. And now, as Israel lies encamped before that strong city, its gates are kept strictly closed, night and day. None are allowed to enter, and none are allowed to go forth.

As for Israel, What ‘Can they do? They have no battering ram, such as was used in warfare in those ancient times, with which to break down, or force an entrance through those strong walls. And if such an instrument were in their hands, it would mean long, weary labor with uncertainty as to the issue. What can be done? They have simply to wait the Lord’s command. And this is given to Joshua, their leader. Let us follow them as they carry out the word of the Lord. Here is a great, moving company: first comes armed men; following the armed men are seven priests, each carrying a trumpet of ram’s horn, and all of them blowing their trumpets; next comes the ark of the Lord, which is borne by priests, then comes the host of people in the rear. Thus formed, the procession marches about the city.

No doubt this strange movement is followed with eager eyes and anxious hearts from the ramparts of the town they are surrounding. What can it mean? Our more modern men, if looking on, would most likely exclaim, What a company of fools! Well, we have only to call to mind that God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty, and follow the company, waiting to see what God will do.

Round about the city once, then into camp, and a night’s rest. Up in good season the next morning, and compassing the city again. The third day the same round to be made; and the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth. Do you suppose the people got tired of their seemingly useless marching? Often God’s people now get weary and discouraged with a ceaseless round of duties and toil in which, it may be, there seems little outcome or profit.

But let us follow Israel further. The seventh day has come, and, early in the morning, at day dawn, they are on the move. Seven times their journey must be made this day — seven times they must compass that impregnable city. But now results are to be seen; they are on the last beat — the seventh round. The priests give a long blast with their horns, and Joshua gives the word — “Shout; for the Lord hath, given you the city.” A great shout goes forth, and with the shout the walls fall down flat.

Let us stop, and wonder, and admire! Who shall now point the finger of scorn? Who shall question God’s ways? Who shall limit His power? May we learn from this remarkable incident, one great lesson; that is, GOD’S WAY IS ALWAYS BEST. At times we may grow impatient; it may seem to us as if nothing was being accomplished; we may think, as possibly some in Israel thought, if we would put our hand to the wheel, we could make it move, while, as it is, nothing is being done. But oh, what a great mistake!. Israel might have made a much greater show of power and energy those six days, than by marching around Jericho. But what could they have accomplished? God’s way of bringing things to pass is as different from ours, and as far above it, as the heaven is above the earth. May we learn, not only that God’s way is perfect, but may we ever be willing to let Him have- His way. This is one of the greatest lessons we can learn, and one of the hardest lessons to learn, for it involves giving up the will. O, dear young reader, may you learn to be willing to let God have His way with you, and in all things. I would repeat, and desire to emphasize it, God’s way is always best.

We would not forget that it was BY FAITH that the walls of Jericho fell down. If we have faith in God, we can safely commit all our way to Him; and, trusting in Him, He will surely bring it to pass. No obstacle can hinder the accomplishment of His purposes, any more than the mighty walls of Jericho could hold Israel out, when God’s time had come for the them to enter the city.

Every doubt in the heart of a Christian is a dishonor done to the Word of God and the sacrifice of Christ.

Messages of God’s Love 12/3/1905

Joseph Presenting Jacob to Pharaoh

I SUPPOSE most of my readers know that Jacob was father to Joseph; and, no doubt, you have learned many of the interesting lessons given to us by God about them; but in this short article we will. pass over all, till the time that Jacob has gone down into Egypt and his son Joseph takes him in to see the king.

Pharaoh, (the king,) asked Jacob how old he was and he told him he was one hundred and thirty years old. I suppose you will all say, What a. long time that was to live! But notice what Jacob said about it. “Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.” Gen. 47:9. You will notice two things that he says here about his life. The first is, “few days.” I think I hear some of you say, How could such an old man say that the days of his life were only few? Ah, dear children, the longer we live, the more we feel how short this life is. With every one of us, it will soon be a thing of the past; and when we view time with eternity, we can say, this life is very short. Just think of all the life of Jacob, about one hundred and fifty years, and the number of years since he passed away and has been with the Lord, they would be about three thousand six hundred years. Does not that make this life look very small, although it would be one hundred and fifty years. So, dear children, what we need to think of, is, what is beyond this life and to see that we live in view of that. This whole life is just like school days. We have our lessons to learn here, and when done, God takes us away.

But, now, what is the second word? “Evil” were his days. Ah, you say, can one who has committed evil go into God’s presence? Yes, dear children, hut not with his sins. He must get them all put away; and there is only one way God has provided to put away sins, and . that is is the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Lord Jesus came into this world for. There was no other one able to bear the awful penalty of sin — which is death — and then rise out of it. Jesus alone was able for that, so “He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Heb. 9:26. But how many will get the benefit of that sacrifice? All who will believe in Him. So the Scripture says, “IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Rom. 10:9. If we do believe in our hearts, we will put away from us evil ways, and seek to please the Lord, who so willingly gave Himself to bear the punishment in our place. May you who do believe, ask the Lord to enable you to keep away from sin, and keep you for His glory, and to confess His name before others.

Messages of God’s Love 12/3/1905

Home

WHAT a beautiful word this is! What depths of meaning there are in it! A short time ago I was reading about some of the poor, homeless children of London. The writer told how he went one night to see them for himself, and how he found them lying asleep in great numbers on the roofs of outhouses, &c, with no covering whatever except their few rags. Poor children, how we can pity them! No home! What a sad, sad thing!

How thankful we ought to feel for home, and home comforts. You, I suppose, have a nice home, and kind, loving friends round you there; but let me ask, Have you another home in view? In the world you have your home for but a little while; what about the future, the long, long eternity? Have you an eternal home? How many there are who have heard of the eternal home, and have entirely neglected to ask whether that home is theirs.

Perhaps you pity the poor London street Arabs, yet many of them with no home down here, will have a glorious home above with Jesus, throughout eternity, because they have believed on His Name. But you, if you remain unsaved, though you have a nice home now, will be homeless then. Earnestly I would entreat you not to be satisfied until you can say, “God is my Father, Jesus is my Saviour, Heaven is my home.”

Jesus today says, “Come unto Me;” by-and-by it may be those awful words, “Depart from, Me.” Now is the day of salvation. The One who gave His own life, that all who simply trust in Him might share His glorious, beautiful home, is soon coming again; indeed, He may be here even while you read this paper; for He “says, “Behold, I come quickly.”, For whom is He coming? For His own blood-washed ones; those who have put their trust in Him. He is coming to call them home. Those who love Him will hear that home-call — His own well-known voice.

Messages of God’s Love 12/3/1905

Extracts from Letters

Dear Mr. Hartt:—Since I answered the questions last month I am thankful to say that I am saved. I have accepted Christ as my Saviour. Please pray for me that I may be faithful, humble and obedient to my Lord. As ever your little friend and brother in our Lord Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 12/3/1905

The A. B. C. of the Gospel

WITH what quiet, calm thoughtfulness the men read the passages of Scripture on the poster on the wall. Well they may as they bring before us man’s sinful condition, God’s remedy and the invitation to the weary soul to come to Jesus.

Have you thought of that first text, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”? Rom. 3:23. What a terrible thing it is to think of coming short of God’s glory, and yet have to do with Him.

If it were not for the next verse we might be filled with trouble, but thanks be to God He has provided a means whereby we can have our sins put away, so the second verse says, “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” John 1:29.. Who is the Lamb of God? I am sure most of my readers can readily answer, it is Jesus the Son of God. Yes, dear children, but presented to us as the One who would be a sacrifice for our sins. So the word to us is “Behold,” or look upon, “the Lamb of God.” The next sentence tells us -what He does — “which taketh away the sin of the world.” It is Jesus then, who came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. But who will get the benefit of that sacrifice? The one who comes to Jesus. So the third verse says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. If you have first been troubled about your sins and felt their load, then the word to you is “Behold the Lamb of God” or “Come unto Me.” He puts sin away, gives rest to all who look to Him or will come to Him.

How terrible must the judgment be for those who will not come to the Lord after all the love God has shown to them in giving His Son as a Lamb to die for sinners. May you, dear children, not turn away from Jesus but come to Jesus now.

Messages of God’s Love 12/10/1905

Defeat

Joshua 7

JERICHO, that stronghold of the enemy, had fallen. Its walls were on the ground; its people were destroyed; its silver and its gold were gathered into the treasury. Israel was victorious. But their conquest does not stop here. There are other cities to take; other people to overcome before they will have full possession of the land. Therefore Joshua, from the field of victory, sent out men to view the country. These messengers went as far as the small city of Ai, and then returned and told Joshua that the men of Ai were few, and they said, “Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither.” Acting upon this counsel about three thousand men went up to Ai. Israel was doubtless flushed with victory; perhaps they thought the Lord would sweep their enemies before them, even as he had laid on the ground the proud walls of Jericho. However this way be, they did not ask counsel of the Lord as to Ai, and did not go forth in simple dependence upon God. The result was, they were smitten by the men of Ai, and were chased before them.

Dear young Christian, take warning from this sad lesson to Israel. If you have, been used of the Lord, or if you have gained some spiritual victory, get low before Him, and own the power His. Now is the time that you need to seek increased grace, recognizing that you can do nothing in your own strength. Many a child of God has suffered defeat after victory, because of getting away from the place of dependence. Israel thought little strength would be needed,. and the conquest of Ai would be an easy thing, but God allowed them to be completely routed: Let us remember that no obstacle is too great for God to overcome, but if we go forth in our own strength, we may be driven by a straw, or vanquished by a puff of air.

How different the effect of victory, or defeat! Now the hearts of the people are melted and become as water; and Joshua, who had failed to ask counsel of the Lord , is overcome with grief, and wishes they were back on the other side of Jordan. And thus it is with the Christian who does not act “in the Spirit,” he has sorrow, and a bad state of soul is brought about.

But there was another source of trouble. And this came to light only when Joshua humbled himself before God. He is then told that Israel had sinned, and they could not stand before their enemies because they were accursed. Had they enquired of God before going forth to battle, this evil would, doubtless, have been brought to light; but this they did not do, and they were allowed to be overcome; then God tells them He could not be with them while the accursed thing was among them and they could not stand before their enemies until the accursed thing was taken away from among them.

The Lord then instructs Joshua to bring the tribes in the morning, and the tribe which the Lord would take should come by families, and the family which the Lord should take should come by household. and the household which the Lord would take should come man by man; and the man with whom the accursed thing was found should be burnt with all his possessions. This searching test in the presence of the Lord showed Achan to be the man. He had coveted the spoils taken from Jericho and had helped himself to rich garments and to gold and silver, and had hid these things in his tent. He had enriched himself for a little while; but what a bitter end it brought upon him! Stoned, then burnt!

Let us learn two solemn lessons from this incident. First, covetousness leads to dreadful sins and to dreadful results. God tells us it is idolatry: therefore we need to seek the Lord’s help that we may never yield to it.

Next, let us learn, that God cannot bless us if we are associated with evil. If there is evil in our .ways, let us purge it out, for if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us. Ps. lxvi:18. If we are associated with those who allow iniquity in their ways, let us heed the call of the Lord, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” 2 Cor. 6:17. If we thus learn from God’s word, it will have its sanctifying power over our lives, and we will be greatly blessed through it.

Happy are the children Who trust in Jesus’ name; Although they cannot see His face, Ile watches over them. Safely on their Shepherd’s breast All His little lambs may rest.

Messages of God’s Love 12/10/1905

The Idols of the Heathen

NOT many months ago a young Englishman was sent out from England by a trading company to West Africa, and appointed Customs officer at a small town called Utshi, on the river Niger. The tribes inhabiting that country are worshippers of idols, and are ignorant of God and His love. Missionaries are, however, to be found there, and their labors in preaching have been blessed; but numbers of the people are still untaught heathen, and worship an imaginary god, whom they call Jou-Jou.

These people are sometimes afflicted by a contagious disease, similar to small-pox, which spreads amongst them. It is the practice, when the disease appears, to kill those who have contracted it, in order to pacify their god, who, they believe, has brought the sickness upon the tribe.

One day three black men came in haste to the young Englishman’s house. They said they were sick with this complaint, and prayed to be cured. They knew that they could expect only death from the hands of their fellow-countrymen, and therefore had fled to the white man for help. He was very willing to assist them, and, though he felt that he was in a difficulty, he determined not to give them up if he could possibly avoid doing so. The poor fellows were being sought for by the men of their tribe, who were eager to carry out their deadly purpose and appease their idol. Soon they arrived at the house, and demanded that the fugitives should be handed over to them. But the night was coming on, and the young Englishman resolved to help them to escape to a doctor who lived a few miles away. When it was quite dark he led them out of the house, and quietly broke away a part of the high fence that surrounds it. The hunted men were soon free, and sped away for their lives into the darkness.

In due time daylight came again. The waiting savages soon found that the men they sought were no longer there. But, instead of being angry with the Englishman, to his great relief they, agreed that their god, Jou-Jou, must have carried the men off in the night.

Is it not strange that people should think that images, which they themselves have made, can exert any power or influence? For as the Bible says, the idols of the heathen cannot speak, nor see, nor hear, nor smell, nor handle, nor walk, nor breathe. How thankful should we be, dear children, that we have this precious Bible, which tells us of the true God I Does my little reader know the Lord Jesus? Have you believed that the living God sent His Son in love to die for you? If so, then you can pray that many of these poor black men may be brought to know Jesus and His love, that they rnay, like the Thessalonians, turn to God from their idols, to serve the living and the true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.

Messages of God’s Love 12/10/1905

Saved From Drowning

WHILE, away in the country a few weeks ago I met a youth who, when a little boy, very nearly lost his life by drowning. He was playing by a river near his home one day, and ventured too near the edge. To his dismay he lost his balance, and fell into the water. He could not swim, but cried out for help. A man who happened to be passing at the time heard the little fellow’s voice just as he was going down for the last time. The man instantly plunged into the river, and grasped the child in his strong arms, and brought him into a place of safety. He has often since said how much he would like to see again the man who saved him, but from that time he has not once seen his deliverer.

This story brought vividly before me your state and mine by nature, dear young reader, and if still out of Christ you are in greater danger than that dear child was, for you are running the risk of losing your precious soul forever. But Jesus the Saviour is mighty to save. He has passed through the dark waters of death, that you Might have life. Is He yours? Can you, by faith,. lay your hand upon Him, and say, He is my own precious Saviour? If you thus believe on Him, you (like the little boy who wanted to see the one who saved him) on belonging to see the Lord. When on earth He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself: that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. You need patience to await His due time.

Messages of God’s Love 12/10/1905

The Bible

IN the fly-leaf of her Bible a little girl wrote the following words: “This book is to me the mind, voice, and will of God.” She has since gone to be with Jesus.

The following lines were written by a young boy inside his pocket Testament just before he died: “My Mother — This little Testament will comfort and support you when all earthly friends must fail. It is a sure friend in life, in health, in sickness, and in death. It has led me to the borders of Jordan” (meaning death), “where I must part with it to meet my Saviour. I leave it now to you, as a little compass to guide you to ‘the peaceful, happy shore,’ where you would be, my mother.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/10/1905

By The Sea

MANY of the readers of “Messages of Love” have been to the sea shore this past summer, no doubt, and know the beauty and the pleasure of such a scene, while perhaps still more did not get that pleasure; but all, I think, may learn a lesson from what it is to get ready to go and how to go.

I suppose if I were to ask you what arrangements you made for spending your holidays at the sea side or any other place. you may say, “Father made all the arrangements. He decided on the place. got a boarding house, and looked up the trains; and Mother did the packing, and the train took us to the place.”

I should like to ask you one more question: What arrangements have yon made as to spending eternity? You cannot, say now; as your said, before, “Father makes all the arrangements:. No; this is a matter you must decide, for yourself. Many boys have a father and mother who pray for them, and sisters and brothers too. Perhaps you have; but they can do no more than pray for you, and plead with you. YOU MUST DECIDE.

It is a very simple thing to choose. There are only two places where you can spend eternity; with Christ in heaven, or with the lost in hell. We could never get to heaven ourselves by any amount of trying, but God, in His great love, gave His beloved Son to suffer for sins on the cross, that He might make the way to His own home of glory, free and open to every poor sinner that wants to go there. So all you need do is to DECIDE.

And as, when you went away in the summer you simply had to step into the train and be taken to the place you wanted to go, so now. you have only to come to the Saviour; whom God has provided, just as you are, and He will receive you and carry you all: the way to glory.

“CHRIST ALSO HATH ONCE SUFFERED FOR SINS, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, TO BRING US TO GOD.” 1 Peter 3:18.

Messages of God’s Love 12/17/1905

"Yon Lovely Man;" or Debbie's First and Last Communion

A POOR idiot, who was supported by his parish in the Highlands of Scotland, passed his time in wandering from house to house. He was silent and peaceable, and won the pity of all kind hearts. He had little power to converse with his fellow-men, but seemed often in loving communion with Him who, while He is the high and holy One, condescends to men of low estate. Yeddie, as he was called, was in the habit of whispering and muttering to himself as he trudged along the highway, or performed the simple tasks which any neighbor felt at liberty to demand of him. The boys, while they were never cruel to him, often got a little fun out of his odd ways”. He believed every word they said to him. and because he had been told in sport that if he once rode over the hills to kirk in a donkey-cart he would never be heir to the Earl of Glen-Allan, he refused all the fine offers of farmers and cotters, and replied always in the same words: “Na, na; ill luck falls on me the day I mount a cart; so I’ll aye gang on my ain feet up to the courts of the Lord’s house, and be talking to Himsel’ as I gang.”

Once, when a merry boy heard him pleading earnestly with some unseen one, he asked, “What ghost or goblin are you begging favors of now, Yeddie?” “Neither the one nor the tither, laddie,” he replied. “I was just having a few words wi’ Him that neither yersel’ nor I can see, and yet wi’ Him that sees the baith o’ us!” The poor fellow was talking to God, while the careless wise one said, “He’s talking to himself.”

One day Yeddie presented himself in his coarse frock and his hob-nailed shoes before the minister, and making a bow much like that of a wooden toy when pulled by a string, he said, “Please, minister, let poor Yeddie eat supper on the coming day wi’ the Lord Jesus.” The good man was preparing for the observance of the Lord’s Supper, which came quarterly in that thinly-settled region, and was celebrated by several churches together; so that the concourse of people made it necessary to hold the services in the open air. He was too busy to be disturbed by the simple youth, and so strove to put him off as gently as possible. But Yeddie pleaded — “Oh, minister, if ye but kenned how I love Him, ye would. let me go where He’s to sit at table!” This so touched his heart that permission was given for Yeddie to take his seat with the rest. And although he had many miles to trudge over hill and moor, he was on the ground long before those. Who drove good horses.

As the service proceeded, tears flowed freely from the eyes of the poor “innocent;” and at the name of Jesus he would shake his head mournfully, and whisper, “But I dinna see Him.” At length, however, after partaking of the hallowed elements, he raised his head, wiped away the traces of his tears, and looking in the minister’s face, nodded, and smiled. Then he covered his face with his hands, and buried it between his knees, and remained in that posture till the parting blessing was given, and the people began to scatter. He then rose, and with a-face lighted with joy, and yet marked with solemnity, he followed the rest.

One and another from his own parish spoke to him; but he made no reply until pressed by some of the boys. Then he said, “Ah! lads, dinna bid Yeddie talk today! He’s seen the face o’ the Lord Jesus among His ain ones. He got a smile fra’ His eye, and a word fra’ His tongue; and he’s afeared to speak lest he lose memory o’; for it’s but a bad memory he has at the best. Ah! lads, lads, I ha’ seen Him this day that I never seed before. I ha’ seen wi’ these dull eyes you lovely Man. Dinna ye speak but just leave poor Yeddie to His company.”

The boys looked on in wonder; and one whispered to another, “Sure he’s na longer daft. The senses ha’ come into his head, and he looks and speaks like a wise one.” When Yeddie reached the poor cot he called “home,” he dared not speak to the “granny” who sheltered him, lest he might, as he said, “lose the bonny face.” He left his porridge and treacle untasted; and after smiling on and patting the faded cheek of the old woman, to show her that he was not out of humor, he climbed the ladder to the poor loft where his pallet of straw was, to get another look and another word “fra’ you lovely Man.” And his voice was heard below in low tones: “Ay, Lord, it’s just poor me that has been sae Jong seeking Ye; and now we’ll bide togither, and never part more. Oh ay! bait bonny loft, all good and precious stones. The hall of the castle is My-loft this bonny night.” And then his voice grew softer and softer till it died away.

(To be continued)

Messages of God’s Love 12/17/1905

The Neglected Opportunity

We are what Londoners call “country, people,” though our home is in the heart of a large city, amid the din and roar of vehicles and street cries, which, assail, our ears from early morning till late night, And “country people” doubtless a London policeman judged us to be one morning as we sauntered down Cheapside. Our attention was divided between the shop windows — for purchases had to be made — and the constant roll of carriages of all descriptions, which certainly our noisy streets can present nothing to be at all compared with. We had, I suppose, been looking across the street when suddenly I became aware that all the traffic had been for a moment stopped on our account; But I discovered it too late. The “hand of authority” that had been lifted up to arrest its progress was being waved to allow it to resume its course. Yes! a way had been opened across that busy thoroughfare all for us; and we heeded it not. How annoyed some of those passengers may have been, stopped on their. way when perhaps every moment might be of the greatest importance to them. And to me, so stupidly timid as I am of horses and carriages, to see the way all clear for me, but to see it too late, was not I annoyed, too? But oh! what will if be to the thousands and thousands of people, who are wishing and hoping to get to heaven somehow, to find that for them, too, a way was open; a safe way, a perfect way, but they heeded it not till too late.

Be decided. Go to the One, the only One, who has authority to open the way for you, who has opened it. Go to Jesus; and go at once. You cannot count on another moment. Now is all the time you can be sure of. That obliging policeman dare not any longer detain the busy traffic of Cheapside on account of the persons so heedless of his kindness; and the day of God’s longsuffering will come to an end. We know not how soon. The Lord Jesus may come, or you, undecided one, may suddenly be called away. One well known to me by sight, dropped down four days ago in our busy street, just a little way along from where I write this; he fell between the car tracks, and when carried to a shop close at hand, was found to be dead. From what I know of that gentleman, I trust he is with the Lord, but should you, my reader, so fall down the next time you cross a car track or a busy street, will it be to you an opened way into the presence of a known Saviour, or of a Righteous Judge? Oh! consider how important is the little moment of time you possess, and do not, like us, lose your opportunity by looking at all the vanities that Satan displays to allure and detain you. But, again I say, flee to Jesus and let Him save you: not only by putting away all your sins to begin with, but by carrying you right on to the end. He will not let you go till He has you safe in the glory with Himself for ever.

Messages of God’s Love 12/17/1905

What Is This?

What is this which costs a “nickel,”

Bought with coin of man’s device,

Yet contains a wondrous treasure

Far above all earthly price?

All the gold and all the jewels

This wide world could e’er afford

Would not buy this wondrous treasure:

Can you guess?’ Tis God’s own Word!

I wonder if you have ever tried, like some of my little friends, to count how many times the name of Jesus can be found in the New Testament. Even little ones who cannot read may soon learn to find that precious name, which is in large letters twice over in Matt. i., and afterwards, as most of you know, with a capital J at the beginning. If you have a nice fine pencil you can make a neat stroke under the word “Jesus” wherever you find it, and this will help you to count the number of times. I will not tell you how many hundred one little boy told me he had found, because I want you to try for yourselves.

But remember, dear children, you might read the name of Jesus a thousand times, yet that would do you no good unless you believe on Him with your heart. He is looking down on you while you are finding His name in the Testament, and He wants you to come to Him to be saved. He is the same kind and tender Saviour as when He was down here, and said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me. . . . And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14, 16).

Can you say—

“Blessed Jesus, let me be

One who knows and follows Thee;

Weak and foolish as I am,

Thou canst keep Thy little lamb;

Watching o’er me night and day,

And if weary in the way

Bearing me so safe from harm

On Thine everlasting arm.

Thus, Lord Jesus, I would be

One who ever trusts in Thee”?

Messages of God’s Love 12/17/1905

The Ferry

HOW very pleasant it is to go across a river on the ferry. I expect most of my little readers have often enjoyed the trip. But I would like to tell you of a story that is told of a father who had his little daughter out late in the evening. The night was dark, and they had passed through a thick wood to the brink of a river. Far away on the opposite shore a light twinkled here and there in the few scattered houses; and still farther off blazed the bright lamps of the great city to which they were going. The little child was weary and sleepy, and the father held her in his arms while he waited for the ferryman, who was at the other side. At length they saw a little light; nearer and nearer came the sound of the oars, and soon they were safe in the boat.

“Father!” said the little girl.

“Well, my child.”

“It is very dark, and I cannot see the shore. Where are we going?”

“The ferryman knows the way, little one: we shall soon be over.”

“Oh, I wish we were there: father!”

Soon in her home, loving arms welcomed her, and her fears and her tremor were gone.

Some months passed by; and this same little child stands on the brink of the river. It is the little River of Death. The same loving father stands near her, distressed that his child must cross the river. For days and for nights, he and her mother had been watching over her, leaving her bedside only long enough for their meals, and to pray for the life of this precious one. For hours she has been slumbering,. and it seems as if her spirit must pass away without her waking again; but just before the morning watch, she suddenly awakes, with her bright eye, reason unclouded and a sweet smile playing upon her face.

“Father,” she says, “I have come again to the river side, and am again waiting for the ferryman to come and take me across.”

“Does it seem as dark and cold as when you went over the other river, my child?” asked the father.

“Oh no! There is no darkness here. The river is covered with floating silver. The boat coming towards me seems made of solid light; and I am not afraid of the ferryman.”

“Can you see over the river, my darling?”

“Oh yes! there is a great and beautiful city there, all filled with light; and I hear music such as the angels make!”

“Do you see anyone on the other side?” “Why, yes, yes, I see the most beautiful form; and He beckons me now to come. O ferryman, make haste! I know who it is. It is Jesus, my own blessed Jesus. I shall be caught in His arms. I shall rest on His bosom; I come! I come!” And thus she crossed over the River of Death, made like a silver stream by the presence of the blessed Redeemer.

Dear reader, when it comes your turn to cross the River of Death will you have the presence of the ever blessed Redeemer with you?

Jesus has gone down in love into the river of death and judgment, that its awful waves might never roll over you. He died that you might live. He said, “It is finished.” Now, dear children, trust Him. He will save you just now. Come to Him as a poor lost sinner. Young as you are, you cannot do without Him. You can’t get to the other side without Jesus. Believe in Him and you are saved.

“HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST, THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE , EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM.” Heb. 7:25.

Messages of God’s Love 12/24/1905

Yon Lovely Man, or Yeddie's First and Last Communion.

Granny sat over the smouldering peat below, with her elbows on her knees, relating in loud whispers to a neighboring crone the stories of the boys who had preceded Yeddie from the service, and also his own strange words and appearance. “And beside all this,” she said in a hoarse whisper, “he refused to taste his supper — a thing he had never done before since the parish paid his keeping. More than that, he often ate his own portion and mine too, and then cried for more; such a fearful appetite he had. But tonight, when he cam’ in faint wi’ the long road he had come, he cried, ‘Na. meat for me, granny! I ha’ had a feast which I feel within me while I live; I supped wi’ the Lord Jesus, and noo I must gang up the loft and sleep wi’ Him.’ “

“Noo, Mary,” replied granny’s guest, “does-na’ that remind ye o’ the words o’ our Lord Himsel’, when He tell’d them that bid Him eat, ‘I ha’ meat to eat that ye know not of?’ Who’ll dare to say that the blessed hand that fed the multitude when they were seated on the grass, has na’ this day been feeding the hungry soul o’ poor Yeddie as he sat at His table! Ah I Mary, we little know what humble work He will stoop to do for His ain puir ones who cry day and night to Him! We canna tell noo but this daft ladie will be greater in the kingdom of heaven than the Earl himsel’ puir body, that looks very little noo as if he’d be able to crowd in at the pearly gate!” “And oh, Jane, if ye could ha’ seen the face o’ your poor lad as he cam’ into the cot! It just shone like the light; and at first, even afore he spoke a word, I thocht he was carrying a candle in his hand! I believe in my soul, good neebor, that Yeddie was in great company today ,and that the same shining was on him as was on Moses and Elias when they talked with Jesus on the mount. I e’en hope he brocht the blessing home wi’ him to ‘bide on the widow that was too auld and feeble to walk to the table; but who has borne with him, and toiled patiently with him, because he was one of the Lord’s little and feeble ones.”

“Oo, aye, doubtless he did bring home the blessing, and that yc’ll get the reward of these many ‘cups o’ cold water ye’ve given him; for what’s the few pence or shillings the parish grants ye, compared wi’ the mother’s care ye give him,” said Jane.

“Aweel, aweel,” replied granny, “if I get the reward it’ll not be because I wrought for that. I seemed ne’er to ken syne the day I took the dark and orphanted lad, that I was minding and leeding, and clothing one o’ these little ones; and I ken it better to-night than ever. I ha’ strange new feelings mysel’ too, neebor, and I’m minded o’ the hour when our blessed Master came and stood among His faithful ones — the door being shut — and said, ‘Peace unto you.’ Sure this strange heavenly calm can no’ be of earth; and who shall say that Himsel’ is not here beside us twa, come to this poor place more for the daft lad’s sake than our ain?” And thus these lowly women talked of Him whom their souls loved, their hearts burning within them as they talked.

When the morrow’s sun rose, “granny,” unwilling to disturb the weary Yeddie, left her poor pillow to perform his humble tasks. She brought peat from the stack, and water from the spring; spread her humble table, and made her “porridge;” and then remembering that he went supperless to bed, she called him from the foot of the ladder. There was no reply. She called again and again, but there was no sound above but the Wind whistling through the openings in the thatch. She had not ascended the rickety ladder for years; but anxiety gave strength to her limbs, and she stood in the poor garret which had long sheltered the half-idiot boy. Before a rude stool, half sitting, half kneeling, with his head resting on his folded arms, she found Yeddie. She laid her hand upon his head but instantly recoiled in terror. The heavy iron crown had been lifted from his brow, and, while she was sleeping, had been replaced with the crown of the ransomed, which. fadeth not away. Yeddie had caught a glimpse of Jesus, and could not live apart from Him. As he had supped, so he slept, with Him.

A deep awe fell on the parish and the minister it this evident token that Christ had been among them; and the funeral of the idiot boy was attended from far and wide. A solemnity rarely seen was. noticed there, as if a great loss had fallen on the community, instead of the parish having been relieved of a burden. Poor “granny” was not left alone in her cot; for He, who had come thither after that last supper with Yeddie, was with her, even to the end.

Messages of God’s Love 12/24/1905

Closing Days on Earth

The Betrayer
Matt. 26:14-25

WHEN we were speaking about Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus for His burial, we noticed that Judas Iscariot was the leader of those who criticized and found fault with this blessed act. And being the leader, he may have felt more keenly the rebuke of Jesus, who said to them, “Let her alone.” At any rate Judas seems to have gone at once to the chief priests, and bargained with them to betray Jesus. Instead of being humbled by the rebuke, and acknowledging his sin, he seems to have been offended and hardened, and was now ready to sell his blessed Master for money. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with Him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.”

The next thing we find, is Jesus sitting with His disciples at the Passover table, eating with them the last supper. John tells us that Jesus “was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, Verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.” Now there was only one in that company who had it in his heart to do this horrible deed, and that was Judas Iscariot. He had already made an agreement with the chief priests, and had been watching for an opportunity, and he had it in his heart to betray Jesus that very night. The others were all very sorry, and, no doubt Judas, too, professed to be sorry, but he could not hide from Jesus what was in his heart, and when he joined with the others in asking, “Lord, is it I?” the Lord told him it was In the course of the conversation also, John, who lay on Jesus bosom at the table, asked who should do it. And Jesus pointed out the traitor by saying, “He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it. And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” John 13:26-27. Judas went out immediately to carry out his wicked purpose, under the darkness of the night. But Jesus did not permit him to do this, without first giving him a most solemn warning. He said: “The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him; but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” It was when Jesus spoke these words that Judas said, “Master, is it I?”

Oh! how terrible must have been the state of this man’s soul! For more than three years he had been with Jesus, and had heard His blessed teachings, and had seen His mighty works; and he himself had been empowered by Jesus to heal the sick, cast out devils, and preach the Kingdom of God, and yet He betrayed his blessed Master for thirty pieces of silver — something like $16.50. Is it any wonder that Jesus, who knew his heart, could say he was “a devil”? He was the “Son of perdition,” and “went to his own place.”

We may learn from the case of Judas, that people may enjoy the very highest religious privileges, and even work miracles, and preach the gospel, and yet go down to hell unsaved, because they have never been born again, and have never in their hearts submitted to Jesus as Lord. Jesus says: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:19-23. This is very solemn. God must have reality. A sham religion will not do. We must be born again, and submit to the Lord Jesus. And this can be only when we bow to the word of God, and confess that we are lost sinners needing Christ as a Saviour.

Reader, may you not prove to be a Judas, without love to Jesus. Believe in Him, and let His love fill your heart.

Messages of God’s Love 12/24/1905

The Poachers

I EXPECT some of my readers will ask what is a poacher. He is a man who steals game or kills it at a time when the law does not allow it. So we have before us in our picture two poachers, and the little girl holding the dog back till it is time to let him run and catch whatever the men have shot.

How very wrong that is, you say. Yes, dear .children it is, and God will judge them for it. Satan wants to lead on from bad to worse. I will tell you about two poachers in the county of M——-.

Early one morning, in a remote part of that country, a poacher, fatally wounded, was carried to a little rustic cottage by a terrified comrade. It appears that they had both been roaming through the woods, during the night, in search of game. Towards daybreak there had arisen a little dispute between them. The man who was carrying the gun, thought it prudent to return home, while the other seemed equally determined to pursue the poaching still longer. It ended in a struggle for the possession of the gun, and in the struggle the loaded firearm exploded, shooting one poor fellow.

But let us return to the cottage where the dying man is laid. What a saddening sight. it is! Not that I would occupy you with the natural side of things that presented themselves there. Distressing, beyond description, must they have been to all present, but especially to the wounded poacher himself. All his earthly hopes, plans, and prospects had been rudely dashed to the ground in an instant. A few more beats of his enfeebled heart, and all will be over with him for this world. But it was neither bodily suffering nor earthly disappointments that occupied. the poor man’s mind in that solemn hour.

Two great and weighty realities stare him full in the face, filling his soul with horror and dismay. Beside them everything else seems to fade into insignificance and pass out of sight.

Not only do these ponderous realities occupy his mind, but the very walls of the cottage are made to re-echo with the expression of them, as, in anguish unutterable, he cries aloud, “MY SINS, MY SINS, AND THE JUDGMENT. DAY!”

A woman, standing by, partly in kindness to the poor sufferer, and partly, perhaps, with the desire of getting him to cease this oft-repeated and .heart-piercing cry, offered him a drink of water. This, however, only seemed to intensify his bitter anguish, and he exclaimed, in tones never to be forgotten by those who heard him, “WATER CAN NEVER QUENCH MY THIRST! MY SINS, MY SINS, AND THE JUDGMENT DAY!” And thus he passed away — passed into eternity. What an end of life’s short journey!

Now, dear children, notice; this man looked in two directions. Backward, he saw his sins; forward, the judgment day. Well might he then make those cottage walls ring with his shouts of soul agony. But has it ever struck you that everyone must sooner or later face those two realities? and you, dear children, no exception to the rule.

The true Christian has already looked them full in the face, and that in the presence of God. Neither his sins nor the judgment they deserve, cause him one moment of anxious fear.

And why need the believer tremble, when he thinks of his many sins, and their just judgment? Christ bore His sins upon the cross, and suffered the penalty due to them, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24. “FOR CHRIST ALSO HATH ONCE SUFFERED FOR SINS, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, THAT HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD.” 1 Peter 3:18. The work of redemption has been finished. God declares Himself satisfied, for Christ is risen from the dead, and the glory of God has welcomed Him back.

Messages of God’s Love 12/31/1905

Closing Days on Earth

The Last Passover
Matt. 26:17-20

MY readers are, no doubt, familiar with the account of the passover as it was instituted when the Lord passed through the land of Egypt, and destroyed all the first born of the Egyptians, because Pharaoh refused to let the children of Israel go free from their cruel bondage. A lamb was slain, and its blood was sprinkled on the door posts and on the lintel over the door of the houses of the Israelites, and this blood distinguished between the houses of Israel and the houses of the Egyptians. Wherever the Lord saw the blood, the destroyer entered not. The Lord said to the Israelites, “The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt,” Exod. 12:13. In this way the Israelites escaped the awful doom which befell the guilty Egyptians. Then when .the blood was sprinkled, they ate the slain lamb, roast with fire, with bitter herbs, and with unleavened bread, their feet shod, their staff in hand, all ready to march out of Egypt at the Lord’s command.

From that time the children of Israel observed the feast of the passover yearly, as a memorial of their wonderful deliverance out of Egypt. At least they did this after they reached the land of Canaan.

Now in Matt. 26, we have an account of the Lord Jesus keeping this passover with His disciples for the last time. In this account, and in the one given in Luke 22:1-16, we have something of what filled the soul of Jesus in connection with this last supper. In Matthew He says “My time is at hand,” and in Luke He says, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”

We can understand these words only when we remember, that Jesus was Himself the great passover Lamb, as Peter says, the “lamb without blemish and without spot.” And Paul also says, “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” The lamb that was slain on the passover day was just a type of Christ, “the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.” And just as the Israelites were saved from judgment by the blood of the passover lamb, so those who believe in Jesus are saved from eternal judgment by His blood which has been shed for sinners.

All this Jesus had before Him when He sat with His disciples at that last supper. When He said, “My time is at hand,” He was thinking of the moment drawing near when He would be slain to make atonement for sin. And oh! how the depths of love in His heart are unveiled, when He says “With desire, I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” There He was looking at the little lamb lying on the table which had been “roast with fire,” and in that roasted lamb He ‘saw a type of the terrible suffering He was about to go through. He must come under the fire .of divine judgment, be like the lamb “roast with .fire in order that God’s holy judgment might pass over. His people. And yet He could say “With DESIRE, I have desired to eat this passover with you.” Precious Saviour! How His heart burned with love to His poor unworthy disciples. And if you believe in Him, you are the object of the same love. For you He has borne the scorching fire of God’s wrath against sin. Oh! does not your heart burn within you, as you think of such love? There never was love like the love of Jesus. And it was God’s love revealed in Him.

In the evening Jesus partook of the last supper, and the next morning He was condemned to die, and was nailed to the cross.

Oh! what thoughts filled His heart as He sat with His disciples at that supper table. The betrayer sat at the table with Him, and Jesus knew what was in His heart. He knew, too, that Peter and all the disciples would be stumbled because of Him that night, and He knew that after a trial of mockery in the night, and in the morning, He would be nailed to the cross. He knew that He must drink the cup of God’s wrath on account of our sins, and yet He set His face as a flint to go through it all. Truly His love is beyond measure.

Do you know His love? Does your heart respond to it? If not, may His love melt your poor heart as you read these words.

Messages of God’s Love 12/31/1905

The Close of the Year

The Year is drawing near its close,

Already is its end begun:

The moaning wind, congenial, blows,

And sadly sets the rayless sun.

It had its birth in snow and cold.

Its spring was blithe, its summer gay.

At autumn’s fall ‘twas growing old.

And short is now its winter’s day.

And such is Man! To sorrow born;

His childhood and his youth, how fleet!

His ripen’d fruits soon fall, and warn

That death and he ere long must meet.

The new-born babe may breathe, and die;

And death the jocund boy embrace;

No youth can from his arrow fly;

Nor strongest man outrun in race.

How sad the thought! That death to all

Brings not a happy, sweet release;

That many, oh, how many! fall

Where pain and anguish never cease.

How blest are they, who have a life

Beyond this fleeting breath on earth,

Who, though they walk this world of strife,

Are born again, have heavenly birth.

For should they die, it is not death,

In Christ they live for evermore;

They but e*hale their mortal breath, Then, are with Him whom they adore.

His heavenly clime no winter knows,

There cannot glide a shade of gloom;

But all enjoy, in pure repose,

Eternal summer’s bliss and bloom.

Messages of God’s Love 12/31/1905

Redeeming the Time

ONE Lord’s day, a few years ago, after a happy meeting at which I had been at the Lord’s table, where I had broken bread in remembrance of Himself, in accordance with His own word, recorded in 1 Cor. 11:1. I was detained at home in the afternoon in the expectation of receiving a visit from an honored servant of Christ, who had promised to call on me; when I found myself thus prevented from visiting two or three poor and afflicted children of God, upon whom I had purposed to call on that afternoon. I, therefore, endeavored to occupy myself at home for the short time that was necessary; and lifting up my heart, said, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” It presently occurred to me that I would use the opportunity to speak of Him and His salvation to our little maid, to whom, though she had “lived with us some time, and had been present at our family readings of the word of God, I had never yet pointedly spoken as to the state of her soul. I, therefore, on this occasion saw her by herself, and endeavored to be as simple as I could, while directing her attention to the narrative of the Brazen Serpent in the wilderness, and of the application by the Lord of that precious type to Himself, as the Saviour of the world: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Numbers 21; John 3) .

My visitor arrived soon after, and my conversation with him, and other subsequent occupations, caused me to forget that I had spoken to the little maid. We, however, were very pleasantly reminded of the fact about three weeks’ after, by finding one morning on the breakfast table a note addressed to us, in which she informed us that she had been thinking much of the subject to which her attention had been directed on the afternoon referred to, and that she now knew Jesus as her Saviour, and hoped that she might not fail. to live to His glory. In a year or two afterwards, it seemed good to the Lord to take her to Himself, away from all the snares and temptations of this present scene. One has, however; a pleasant reflection in having first spoken to her under the circumstances. which I have related.

Messages of God’s Love 12/31/1905

Messages of God's Love: 1905

Table of Contents

Bible Questions for January

A Converted Mahometan

How Is It With You?

Teddie and the Frog

The Flying Fish

My Grandfather's Conversion

Life in Death, or the Open Bible

Now or Never

The Baker Boy Brandenburg

Snow

A Saviour of Sinners

The Little Stranger

The Stork

Be Ye Also Ready

John and the Nail Hole

A Canal in Holland

Why? or It Was for Me

God Knows

Edith

Bible Questions for February

Lost in the Woods

Little Things

An Escape from Death

The Sparrow

The Little Shoe Black

Tears of Joy

Eternal Life

God's Word Our lamp

Billy Bray

Scenes From Real Life

We Are Not Strangers, Sir!

The Beautiful Flock

Conversion of Mirza Mahomet Ali

I Don't Want to Go Away

Bible Questions for March

Not Yet in the Land

The Touch of Faith

Confidence

A Voice from the S. S. Down in Barbados

The Serpent and the Tiger

On the Plains of Moab

The Debt Paid

Prayer

Overcome

Melita

All for Christ

The Shepherd and His Sheep

Balaam Starts on His Journey

Melita

Right or Wrong

Bible Questions for April

Balaam's First Effort to Curse Israel

The Camel

Would Jesus Like a Little Girl Like Me?

Afraid

Balaam's Second Effort to Curse Isreal

Incidents in the Welsh Revival

The Rescued Child

A Feeding Lesson

Balaam's Third Effort to Curse Israel

Johnny's Confession

A True Story

Fishing

A Star Out of Jacob

The Fisherman's Joy

Cleansed

Those That Seek Me Early Shall Find Me

Sick Sheep

Before the Storm

Moses on Mt. Nebo

The Little Cripple

Ready to Pardon

Bible Questions for May

Editor's Notice

Bring the Little Ones to Jesus

The Burial of Moses

Whomsoever

A Place of Safety