Messages of God's Love: 1912

WHEN the Israelites had subdued Canaan and the warfare was over, Joshua called the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, who had left their wives and possessions on the other side of the Jordan and said to them: You have kept the commandment of Moses and have obeyed my voice; you have not left your brethren to fight for themselves. Now that God has given them rest, you return to your tents and families and possessions that Moses; gave you on the other side of Jordan. But remember Moses’ commandment to love your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments. Serve Him with all your heart, and with all your soul. And so did Joshua send there away with his blessing, and with their share of the spoil of war—cattle, silver, gold, brass, and iron, and much clothing —bidding them share with those who had stayed with the women and children. At Shiloh the two and a half tribes left their brethren and went back to the land of Gilead. When they had arrived on their side of the Jordan, they erected a great altar on the shore.

This was told the children of Israel, who immediately assembled at Shiloh where the tabernacle was set, and intended to go and fight them. But first they send Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest to the Reubenites and with him ten princes; one from each of the tribes of Israel to inquire into the matter.

These spoke to the Reubenites and Gadites and Manassehites in the name of the whole congregation of Israel saying: What is this ye have done against the God of Israel, that you should turn from following Him and build an altar, so rebelling against Him. Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us? We are not cleansed yet from it, although there was a plague in the congregation. Why must you turn away from the Lord and rebel against Him? Tomorrow God will be. angry with the whole congregation.

Now if the land of your possession is unclean, pass over to the land of the Lord’s possession where His tabernacle is and take possession among us but do not rebel against the Lord and against us by building another altar than the altar of our God. Remember Achan and the accursed thing, and the wrath which fell upon Israel, that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.

Then the Reubenites and Gadites and the children of Manasseh answered the priest and the princes: The Lord God of gods, the. Lord God of gods, He knoweth and Israel shall know; if it is in rebellion or transgression against the Lord that we have built an altar to turn from following the Lord or if to offer burnt offerings or peace or meat offerings on it, then let the Lord require it. But we have done it rather for fear of this: In time to come, your children might say to our children: “What have you to do with the Lord God of Israel? for the Lord has made the Jordan a border between you and us.” So your children would make our children cease from fearing the Lord. So we said: Let us build an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice but for a witness between you and us and our generations after us, and that your children may not say to ours: Ye have no part in the Lord. God forbid that we should turn from following the Lord or to build another altar for sacrifices than the one which is before the tabernacle.

When Phinehas and the princes heard this explanation, they were glad and answered, We perceive that God is among us this day, because ye have not committed a trespass against the Lord, and ye have delivered the children of Israel from the hand of the Lord in punishment.

The ambassadors then returned to their land and explained all to the children of Israel who blessed God. Of course they did not go to fight their brethren on the other side of Jordan. The Reubenites called the altar “Ed”, meaning “witness”, for they said: “It shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God.”

While it was nice to see the desire of these people to remember God, and their fear that their children might forget Him, we must not forget that it was their wish for the things of this life, the rich plains of Gilead for their cattle which had brought them there. God’s will for them had been the land of Canaan, and Moses tried to show them their short coming, but they had their way. Oh! let us beware and not wish to find our happiness in the things of this world, but our treasure should be in heaven, and that is where God wants our hearts.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:1, 2.

ML 01/07/1912

Yet There Is Room.

THE year 1911 has passed away and our records for that time are closed. Some of our readers have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour; but we fear that many have turned the deaf ear to His loving call, and many who began with us have passed from time into eternity and for them their life’s record is closed. They are either saved or lost.

Dear reader, how would it have been with you if you had passed away? Would you have been with Christ, (Phil. 1:23) or would you have been in torments? (Luke 16:23). If you are yet without Christ as your Saviour begin this new year with Him and be God’s guest. His house is filling, fast and He invites you for He will have His house, filled with poor sinners from this earth, and the blessed word is “Yet there is room.” Soon the door will be closed, and that word will no, more be given, and the invitation “Come for all things are now ready” will be no more offered to you.

God wants you to be His guest now. He has spread His table with every bounty love could furnish, and gives you this blessed invitation.

To you I would repeat “Yet there is room.” If you have closed the past year a stranger to Jesus and His blessed salvation do not go on through this year without Him. Come to Jesus now. All you have to do is to simply cast yourself upon Him. He has died and risen again. The work of atonement is accomplished. God’s holy claims are all met. The question of sin has been forever settled on the cross. There He “who knew no sin, was made sin.” Can you say, “For me?” You may, if you will but trust Him.

Had you anything to do you might put it off until you felt more able but when all is finished and all ready, the only thing for you to do is to come and make good to yourself by faith what love provides for your present and eternal blessing.

Oh, do not spurn the gracious invitation to a full and free salvation provided by God for poor sinners at an expense to Him of the death of His Son.

Once more, “Yet there is room.” Oh, be persuaded. The Saviour says “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” “Some guest will be the last” has been well said and then the closed door will answer the careless and indifferent ones

NO ROOM!

ML 01/07/1912

Simplicity.

WHAT a picture of simplicity we have in these two little creatures before us! The
little fellow with his big dark eyes looks at us so trustfully: he fears no harm for he does not know of the sin and evil in this wicked world, nor does he know what worry and care is. He depends, I am sure, on his mother and father, for everything he needs. How impossible it would be for a small boy to provide his own food, clothing and shelter. Maybe you boys and girls have never stopped to think how dependent you are on your parents, and how constant their care is over you. Whatever your wishes or troubles may be, your first thought is to go to mother or father; they are the ones to make all things right for you.

Just so with the Lord Jesus, —He is ever willing to do just what is right and best for His own and every believer is just as dependent upon Him as this tiny boy is upon his parents. Sometimes Christians think they can get along without taking all their cares to Jesus and praying to Him about them, but when they do this, they may be sure to have just as hard a time and be as unhappy in their hearts as a child who tries to get along without a bit of help from his parents.

Do you know Jesus as your Saviour? If so, be sure that you never think you can get along without His care and guidance each day. He wants you to pray to Him about every need you have, and to look for an answer to your prayers, too. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matt. 21:22.

The lamb in our picture makes us think of Jesus, called as He is in the Bible, the Lamb of God. Do come to Jesus while you are young and live a life for Him. You will never be truly happy till you know that your sins are forgiven. “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” John 1:29.

Mighty, mighty love of Jesus!

Greater love was never known;

Love that stooped from heights of glory—

Love that left for me a throne.

Precious, priceless love of Jesus!

All sufficient ‘tis for me;

All my sins and all my sorrows

Fully met at Calvary.

ML 01/07/1912

The Contented Flock.

WHILE the shepherdess sits upon the rock, the sheep lie about near her, resting and digesting the food they have obtained from the nice green pasture. They look so contented and comfortable.

One often sees such scenes in Scotland. In this country the sheep are generally in a pasture with a fence around it and do not need to have a shepherd with them all the time.

Have you ever seen sheep? Do you know what gentle, quiet creatures they are? You would enjoy a pretty little lamb for a pet if you could have one.

Did you ever read about sheep in God’s word: Here is one verse that tells what the shepherd says: “I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

And here are other verses telling what the sheep says: “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Some of you can repeat all of this beautiful twenty-third Psalm.

The shepherd here is Jesus, and the sheep for whom this Good Shepherd died arc those who believe in Him.

Are you one of these sheep? Can you say “The Lord is my Shepherd”?

What are the green pastures in which He makes us to lie down? What are pastures to the sheep in the picture? “Their food” you say. Just so, the pastures Jesus makes us to lie down in are food to us. But His pastures are not fields of green grass such as the sheep in the picture feed upon. No, dear children, the word of God is the pasture in which we find our food. And it is very precious food. The more we feed upon it the more we enjoy it.

Just as the sheep eat some and then rest and digest it, so our Shepherd wants us to read some in His word, then think about it—digest it. Then when we are ready for another meal we can read some more. But we must not forget that we need these meals every day.

And while we meditate between meals, let us remember these words, “BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE: FOR HE HATH SAID, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE.” Heb. 13:5.

ML 01/14/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 81. Joshua 24. The Death of Joshua.

JOSHUA had become quite old and felt that the time of his departure was near. He
had much at heart the welfare of the people of God, and wished to speak to them once more. So he called the congregation together, to remind them of God’s goodness to them. It was the Lord, he said, who fought for them, who subdued the nations and cut them off. They must take courage, keeping all the law of Moses not turning aside from it to the right nor to the left. Alas, how impossible this was for them! How often they had proved that they could not, that their hearts were wicked, and out of them proceeded only evil! And are we any better? Can we do anything toward our salvation, and toward pleasing a holy, sin-hating God? No, no indeed! God gave the law, that by it we might learn what we are, and when the heart of man had been fully told out, then God gave His Son that He might become our Righteousness, and now we are told it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us. (Titus 3:5.) Had the children of Israel realized what they were, they would not have answered as they did. “God forbid,” they said, “that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods.” Joshua had little faith in their ability to keep their word. “You cannot serve the Lord,” he answered, “for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. If you forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you after He has done you good.” But the people answered; “No but we will serve the Lord.” They were not long in proving they could not fulfill their boast. Joshua said: “Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen the Lord to serve Him. . . . Now put away the strange gods which are among you and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.” And the people said, “The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.” Joshua, then made a covenant with them and wrote these words in the book of the law of God and took a great stone and set it under an oak tree that stood by the sanctuary of God, telling the people this was a witness, lest they deny their God.

Soon after this Joshua, the servant of the Lord died; he was then one hundred and ten years old. The people buried him in the border of his own inheritance in Timnath-serah. During his life time, Israel, who had seen the wonders done by God in their midst, served the Lord, bin they soon forgot Him, as we shall see later, the Lord willing.

The bones of Joseph which they had carried with them through the wilderness were buried in Shechem in the parcel of ground his father Jacob had bought for a hundred pieces of silver.

We read that Joseph when about to die, had faith that God would surely deliver Israel from Egypt, and gave directions that when they left this country they should carry his bones with them.

Eleazar, Aaron’s son, also died, and was buried in a hill belonging to Phinehas, his son, in. Mount Ephraim.

ML 01/14/1912

"Isn't That Good?"

A SERVANT of Christ, while travelling in the lumber district of Michigan some time ago, was waiting in a station house for a train, and while there, got into conversation with a man who was sick, and had come into the settlement to consult a physician. The doctor had told him he could do nothing for him, and that he could live but a few months. The one to whom he told this, asked him how he felt about dying; had he thought of what was coming after death? “Oh,” said the sick man, “I do not fear death.” And in reply to the question “Why?” told the following touching story of the simplicity of faith in believing God’s word.

He had lived all his life among the pines; neither he nor his wife could read, they had seldom heard a sermon, and though they knew what the Bible was, did not own one. Their little boy had gone to school one winter and learned to read, and one day had met a man on the road who had spoken to him and given him a testament, and at night, while they all sat round the fire when the day’s work was done, the boy read to his father and mother.

One night he read from 1 Tim. 1; until he came to the fifteenth verse, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

“Stop,” said the father; “wife, listen to that! we are sinners, and Christ Jesus came into the world to save us. Isn’t that good?” “Yes,” said the wife, “that is good. Let us thank God for it.” And in their humble cabin, on their knees before God, they thanked Him for His great gift, which in simple faith they had just accepted. “And,” said he, in telling the story, “why should I be afraid to die, when Christ Jesus has saved me?”

Oh that precious souls out in the darkness of unbelief might so accept this “faithful saying!”

ML 01/14/1912

Fifty Years a Prisoner.

Part 1.

NOW, my friend, your time will soon be up. What will you do, when you are set free?” The speaker was a tall, broad-shouldered police officer, with an open, pleasant face, and a winning way of talking.

The person addressed, presented the fullest contrast to the other. Not only was he clothed in simple dark prison garb, but it would have been difficult to picture a less trustworthy countenance, or a more hateful, repulsive appearance than this man presented.

Both men stood on the bank of a harbor; the prisoner was occupied in placing a boat in position to carry himself and other fellow prisoners to their daily toil on the other side of the harbor.

It was still early in the day, and the boat rocked lightly on the waves, glistening in the rising sun. While the officer stood waiting for an answer to his question, he felt his heart move with pity as he perceived the hard, wild look of the old man who was bending sullenly over his work. The officer was one of the few among his class, under whose uniform, not only beat a soft heart, but who knew the One who once came down to call prisoners to freedom and to bring the glad tidings of the love of God to the poor.

Ah! he thought, if this poor old man knew something of the love of God, what a different look it would give to his hard, obstinate face. Perhaps there was something of his thoughts and feelings conveyed in the tone of his voice, when after waiting in vain for an answer to his question, he repeated it once more, for the old man raised his head and asked abruptly “What?”

“You are an old man, and you will not find it easy to get employment. What do you think you will do when you leave the prison?”

The old man raised himself to his full height, and his face assumed, if possible, a still more malignant expression, as he looked the questioner full in the face, and in snarling tones said: “The first thing I will do, when I am free, will be to blow the life out of one of your kind.”

“What? The first thing you will do, when you are free will be to murder a police-officer?” repeated the other slowly, and apparently scarcely believing his ears. “Yes,” replied the prisoner, “that will be my first work. He gave false evidence against me, that is, he said more than was true, and he shall pay for it with his life.”

I received a letter recently from an old chum, in which he informed me that “growler” (he meant by that his gun) was in good order and had plenty to eat and drink (this is plenty of ammunition).

“Well, and if you murder the policeman, what then?”

“Then I will be arrested and imprisoned again. For at my age, a man can’t get far away.” He said this with a short bitter laugh, and in the most indifferent tone possible. “Quite right: and when you have been arrested and imprisoned, what next?”

“Then, I’ll be tried and condemned.

“Yes; and after you have been tried and condemned, what then?”

“Then they’ll likely execute me.”

“Yes, and if you are executed, what then?”

To this question there was no answer. The thoughts of the poor man had apparently never yet been exercised about death. The question however had visibly startled him. “Have you a Bible in your cell?” asked the officer at last. “Yes, and I have read it through fully a hundred times just to kill time.

Have you never read, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”? Slowly and solemnly were these words spoken and they appeared to break in on the listener, for after a brief pause he replied: “No, these words are not in my Bible. I have read the whole book through again and again, and these words are not found there, ‘For God so loved the world’”—the man talked softly and thoughtfully— “no, they are not in my Bible.” “Yes, my friend, they are there. Will you promise me to find John 3:16 in your Bible when you return to your cell this evening? There you will find these words.”

“John 3:16,” repeated the mail, “yes, I will look up the, place because you are the only man who has ever spoken to me kindly, one excepted. I will search for the place in my Bible though I am convinced they are not there; not in my Bible.”

When he had spoken these words, the prison-overseer, with a number of prisoners came up and stepped into the boat. The conversation was at an end, but the good seed had been sown, and the officer prayed in his heart to God that it would bring forth fruit from the hard ground into which it had fallen.

ML 01/14/1912

A Happy Household.

WHAT a pretty picture we have before us! We like to peep inside of homes like this where all is peace and happiness. Although the walls and floor of this home look rough and bare, yet how happy its inmates seem. See the big dog holding his head down toward the little child so lovingly; I’m sure they must be the best of friends; he would not do this if the child were rough and unkind to him. Pussy, too, feels very friendly and is coming through the door way to join her companions—she also shows that she is not afraid of being kicked outside. How naughty it is in anyone to mistreat such creatures as these animals are very much like people, in that they are kind to those who are kind to them.

How much a kind, happy home means, dear children. Do you try to make your home so? Remember it is not pretty furnishings nor a great amount of money that will make it happy, it is only as the spirit of Christ is shown by those in the home that it will he so. In fact there are many very poor homes where the people in them are very happy; the secret of this is that they know Jesus arid are seeking to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Can you, say you are one of this number, one who loves Jesus and is trying in your home, in school, and everywhere you go to please Him? There is a word for you in Eph. chap. 4, vs. 32, “Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving, one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Give Jesus the first place in your hearts, make Him the supreme object in your life, and then you will be sure to have an interest and care for others around you. Think how much Jesus has forgiven you: this will make you more ready to forgive your brothers and sisters “seventy times seven”; see Matt. 18:22.

“WHOSO TRUSTETH IN THE LORD, HAPPY IS HE.” Prov. 16:20.

ML 01/21/1912

Fifty Year a Prisoner.

Part 2.

THE next morning our friend was early at the place where the boat stood waiting on the old man; who for the past twenty-four hours, had hardly been out of his thoughts. He appeared punctually as before but what had happened?

A visible change had come over him—the expression of his face, his whole bearing—all was changed. As he approached the boat, the police officer kindly wished him “Good morning!” and then asked:

“Have you read John 3:16?” “yes, I found the place. I really, did not know it was in my Bible, though I have read it through often. But he went on with a deeper earnestness in his words, “you don’t mean to say that I am included in that passage? I—a man who have spent fifty years in prison?”

The heart of our friend beat high for joy as he heard these words. Such an immediate answer to his prayer he had not expected.

With great earnestness he replied, “Yes, my friend, you—exactly you are meant. The Bible, you know, is God’s word, and God always means what He says. You belong to the world of sinners, do you not? And God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth, on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Whosoever—do you understand clearly?” The old man stood up in the boat, and stretching out his arms, cried,

“Sir, you might have burned my fingers by inches, you might have cut off my hands, I would not have bowed; but this love, such love, breaks my heart!” He sank down on one of the seats, and sobbed like a child. The police officer silently looked at him. His heart was running over with gratitude and praise to God. He had prayed the Lord to save the soul of this poor, embittered man; but that he himself, and so soon, should be an eye witness of it; went far beyond his expectation. After a while, the old man raised his head again, and said, as the tears were still streaming down his cheeks, “O, if you knew my past life, it would not make you wonder that this wonderful love has broken my heart. Since the death of my mother, I have never known what love was. I was then only five years old; but my father chased me, out of the house telling me I was to take care of myself, he had fed me long enough, and since then I have been kicked about the world, the hand of everyone against me. At first I begged; but as I grew older, that did not succeed, and I began to steal. Fifty years of my life, I have spent in prison. From that, you can guess.

I have never been out king at a time. Only one man in all the world, as I told you yesterday, besides yourself, has acted kindly towards me, and he was the governor of a prison. During the times when I was free, I often worked with gardeners and thus gained a fair knowledge of gardening. That governor heard this one clay, and gave over his garden to my care.

“I shall trust you with my garden” he said, “I wish you to plant it and look after it. If you have not enough seeds, just order what you need. If you do not know what to do, or what to sow, just ask me, and I shall give you instructions.”

“Do you think, sir, I would have allowed the tiniest weed to come up in his garden? No, never! How thankful I was for his confidence! I may say truly, that I deserved it. Others were envious of me, and tried to get me out of the place. They said to the governor, that I was dirty and loafed around, instead of working. But he answered them, that they should let me quietly alone; and to me he said his garden had never looked so nice as under my care. But the time went rapidly —too rapidly. I was soon sent elsewhere. Since this no other man has spoken to me a friendly word, till you came yesterday.”

“About ten years ago, I was convicted of setting fire to a country house. The policeman of the village witnessed against me, and said much more than what was true. So I was condemned, and when you spoke to me yesterday I had dark murder-thoughts in my heart. But, sir, I will not murder the man now. God in His great and wonderful love, has stepped into my path.”

Our friend was deeply moved. God, who is love, and who knows the end from the beginning, had sent him a message from His eternal, unchangeable word to give to the poor prisoner, the Holy Spirit had blessed the message and had convinced him of his sins and of his lost condition; and now he sat there, as once sat the man of Gadara, clothed and in his right mind at the feet of Jesus.

He longed thereafter to know more of the love of God revealed in Christ and as his new friend pointed out other passages to him, he scratched the chapters and verses on the side of the boat with his knife, in order to impress them in his mind and when his work was over for the day, he delighted to search them out in his lonely cell in the Book which was now so dear to him.

For some days our friend waited every morning at the harbor bank for the old prisoner. But one day, his hopes were disappointed. The old man came no more; another prisoner had been entrusted with the care of the boat. When after some time he made inquiries, he understood that the old man in the meantime had been set free, as his term of imprisonment had been completed.

Since then many years have gone. The old prisoner is not now among the living. The police official, however, is well known to the writer of these lines, and although he is no longer in police service, and wears no uniform, yet he has not left the service of the King of Kings, but considers it still the greatest joy of his life to win souls for Christ.

ML 01/21/1912

Answered Prayer.

ASK and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matt. 7:7, 8.

How simple, how rich with meaning are these promises of the Lord Jesus! and no conditions are attached to their fulfilment, except this, that the asker lay his request before the Lord with simple and childlike faith.

He who so asks will experience that the Lord answers his supplication, even if, in many cases, differently from what he expected.

O how many glorious answers we would have to our prayers if we would ask in more childlike simplicity and confiding trust.

Mary was a little girl of ten years who lived with her grandparents and both of them knew the Lord Jesus and had instructed their little granddaughter to take heed to her soul’s salvation. Often had they told her of Jesus and His readiness to answer our requests.

Well, one day, the teacher at the close of the lesson said, “For tomorrow the lesson will be on page—of your arithmetic.”

All wrote down the number of the page in their note books, and then with gladness hurried home.

Mary’s grandparents lived not far from the school. When she reached home and had finished her supper, she took down her arithmetic, and note book to work at her lesson, but how frightened she was when on looking at the page assigned by the teacher as the next day’s lesson, she found it was so poorly printed that not a single problem could be clearly read.

Now good counsel was needful! No one in her class, to whom she could go, lived near her, and the teacher was very strict. She was much troubled and at last began to cry, for what was to happen the next day? She was afraid of being severely punished. At this moment, her grandfather entered the room and seeing her cry, he asked the cause of her grief. Mary told him her difficulty. The grandfather looked at her quietly and then said, “Just tell Jesus! He can help you. It is an easy matter to Him!”

Mary looked at her grandfather with surprise, for how could the Lord Jesus be able to help her? but when she saw that the old man was serious in his advice, she went to the next room and asked the Lord to help her to get her lesson done, as she did not know what to do.

After the prayer she was comforted a little, but she was not yet quite confident. At last she went out into the garden, which was quite near the school house. She had not been there long when her eyes fell on a page of paper, which, crumpled up like a ball, hung on the hedge. Not thinking much about it, she picked it up and smoothed it out.

Who could describe her astonishment, when she saw that it was the very page she must have, and the print not unreadable, as in her arithmetic, but clear and distinct. With delight she hastened into the house and showed the paper to her grandparents.

When they understood the case, they kneeled down with her and thanked the Lord for having answered her request so quickly and in such a wonderful way. Then Mary worked her lesson, and I need hardly say, that this time she did it specially quick.

Mary is no longer a child. She lives no longer with her grandparents, but has a home of her own, but this remarkable answer to prayer in her childhood days, she has never forgotten. The remembrance of it in her later years has been useful and blessed, and she has told me the account so that I might tell it again to the young and old readers of “Messages of Love”, for their encouragement and blessing.

ML 01/21/1912

Close of Day.

THE sun has just set and the stacks of hay all over the field show how much work has been done. Some of the women look quite tired after their day’s work and have dropped down to rest a little before going home.

Do you ever get tired, little ones? Surely you do. Even if you have done nothing but play all day, you are tired when evening comes. I have seen some little ones so tired by supper-time that they would drop off to sleep while sitting at the supper table, —too tired to finish their evening meal.

As we grow older we have work to do and that tires us. So whether we work or whether we play, we’re ready to rest at close of day.

At this time we can look back over the day and think of many things for which to thank the Lord before we lie down for the night.

If we have had strength to work we should thank the Lord for that strength. We should also thank Him for preserving us from danger during the day. Sometimes we know of dangers that we have escaped. But more often we know nothing about the dangers that surround us.

Then, too, we have food and clothes for which to give thanks, for it is God who supplies all these things.

It should be a real joy and privilege to us at the close of each day, to lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer; to tell Him all about our work and our play, (for He delights to have us talk to Him and tell Him everything); and to thank Him for everything. We can thank Him for even the sorrows and trials, for they, as well as the pleasant things, are sent in love and are for our good.

“The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8.

“IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH.” Ps. 92:1.

ML 01/28/1912

The Indian Chief and His Son.

A CHRISTIAN friend, who is active as an evangelist among the Red Indians of Canada relates what follows:

Not long ago I found myself in the neighborhood of an Indian reservation. I had frequent intercourse with the Indians. One day I was asked by a chief to visit his son, who had consumption and was rapidly approaching his end. The chief was a Christian and longed earnestly for the salvation of his son.

As soon as it was possible I went. I found the young man suffering much. I sat beside him and talked to him of Jesus, and what He had done for sinners. But the sick man seemed not to listen; no sound escaped his lips. When I left I thought it right to tell the father. He listened with deep emotion, and then said with a sigh, “I am not learned; I can do nothing; but I am certain Jesus will do something.”

The son was an educated man. His father had given him a good education, and during the previous year he had even attended a High School. Many of the young Indians in recent days, have allowed themselves to be taught some things for their improvement. Indeed I have repeatedly noticed during conversations and reading over the word of God one or another Indian youth produce his. Greek Testament to follow the passage in question in the original tongue. Yet although this sick man had enjoyed a superior education, he did not know the Lord Jesus. He had indeed heard much about Him, but the hearing had not been mixed with faith. His father had the steadfast confidence that the Lord would hear his prayers and convert his son. “I am certain,” he said, “that Jesus will do something.”

Now it is the joy of the Lord to answer the faith of His own; and it was impossible that this chief’s faith that the Lord would do something for his son, would be put to shame.

Soon after my first visit, I went again to visit the young man. But how astonished I was when I saw him. It was not that his sickness had improved; no, his cheeks, if possible were paler and more sunken than before. But the face, once so distressed and hopeless, now beamed with joy, and the wasted hand Went out to me in a hearty welcome.

What had happened? The lost, wandered sheep had been found. The young man who before had appeared so unmoved, had accepted the Word of Life, and now peace and joy filled his heart. He loved to gather his relatives and friends round his bed and speak to them of the Saviour.

His mother wept one day, as he sat at his bedside, and held his fevered hand in hers. Now only those who have had much intercourse with Indians can understand what that meant; an Indian weeping! They are taught from their very earliest childhood not to weep, not even by the faintest sigh to betray what they are feeling. But the mother wept and a tear fell on the hand of her son. Surprised he looked up and said: “Mother, why are you weeping? Because I will so soon be happy? I am going to Jesus. I fear you are not certain you are saved; for if you are saved, you have no cause to weep. You are coming soon, where I am going—to Heaven.”

One of his last wishes was that his body should be carried to its last resting place by four believers, and that a hymn of praise be sung at the side of his grave. I need not say that his wish was faithfully carried out.

The young Indian rests now for a short time, while his spirit liberated from its fragile shell, dwells with Jesus. Soon will the trumpet sound and the dead in Christ wake up incorruptible, and together with all who belong to Christ will leave this earth forever, to rest above in the Father’s house and to sing the praises of the Lamb throughout eternity. Many Indians also will be found among the redeemed, and join their voices in the new song. What a happy blessed multitude will it be, redeemed to God out of every tribe and tongue and people.

Not one left out—Thou callest them all

To sing aloud the glory song:

Worthy the Lamb once slain.

My reader! will you also be of this blessed company?

ML 01/28/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 82. Judges 1, 2. Declension and Idolatry.

FOR a while, that is as long as the elders of Israel, who had known Joshua, lived, the Israelites continued to fear God and worship Him. But this did not last long, and little by little they got away from Him, counting upon themselves to keep the land God had given them. Joshua had told them that as long as they served the Lord, He would be with them, but if they forsook Him, He would turn upon them to consume them. But God is slow to anger and He bore with them in patience for many years, and sought to bring them back to Himself.

Soon after Joshua’s death, the children of Israel inquired of the Lord: “Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites and fight against them?” The Lord answered: “Judah shall go; I have delivered the land into his hand.”

But Judah did not quite trust the Lord, and called the tribe of Simeon to help them fight, promising they would go and help the Simeonites when their turn came. So the two tribes went to war, and the Lord in His grace, delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands and they killed ten thousands of them. The king of these nations Adoni-Zedek had fled, but they pursued him and caught him; but instead of destroying him, as God had commanded, they cruelly cut off his thumbs and great toes. It was not because God took pleasure in the death of those heathen people that He wanted them destroyed, but that Israel might not learn by them to worship strange gods, and this cruelty must have grieved Him. However, He used this to touch the conscience of Adoni-Zedek who remembered that he had done this very thing to seventy kings, who gathered round his table in the days of his strength and ate their meat at his feet. “As I have done” said he “so God hath requited me”. He was brought to Jerusalem where he died.

From there the tribe of Judah passed on to Hebron where they fought. Caleb and Othniel, his nephew, as we saw some time ago, took the city, driving from thence the three sons of Anak. And the Lord was with Judah and Simeon, and gave them victory over other cities and the inhabitants of the mountains. But when it came to the inhabitants of the valley, Judah, not counting on the Lord for strength, could not drive them out, and feared their chariots of iron, although God had distinctly promised He would be with them to drive out the Canaanites, “though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” Josh. 17:18. How much we lose when we do not take God at His word! Thus the people were deprived of their best, the valley where the ground is richest, because they did not trust the word of the Lord. Are we ever like them? The tribe of Benjamin also did not drive their foes —the Jebusites—but allowed them to dwell with them.

ML 01/28/1912

"Childlike Confidence."

ONE Lord’s day afternoon, having just returned home from Sunday-school with my little children, I seated myself on the baluster of our front porch.

My little ones played around me for awhile, when all at once, little Margaret, my daughter, who was then only four years old, came running toward me and asked if I would allow her to sit on the baluster, at my side.

I told her she was too young and small, and if I would permit her to sit there by herself, she might fall and be severely hurt.

She thought for a moment and then, in childlike confidence and trust said “But Papa, if you hold on to me I can’t fall.”

Now my dear little readers, and growl: ones too, I desire to draw your attention to One, who, when in this world of sin and woe said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27, 28.

May I ask, Have you heard His voice? Are you following Him? If so, you have eternal life and can never, never perish, neither can any pluck you out of His hand. Just as little Margaret knew her own weakness and put her trust in the strength of her father, in whom she had faith, knowing that he would hold on to her and not let her fall; so each one who puts his trust in the Lord Jesus. Christ may know, through faith, that he is saved for all eternity and can never be lost. If this little story should fall into the hands of a doubting soul, let me say to you, be like this little girl and don’t trust in your own efforts to work for salvation, as the work has already been done and all that is left for you to do, is to believe.

So, dear doubting one, put your trust in the finished work of Christ on Calvary’s cross. When the blessed Saviour said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) He accomplished a work of redemption for man, and any effort, which you might seek to put forth to add to that work, would be a denial of God having accepted His work on the cross for you.

God’s word tells us “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Heb. 9:22) Jesus shed His precious blood to make atonement for our sins, and God also tells us that, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

If you do not yet know Him as your Saviour, may you, like little Margaret, learn to trust Him today and find shelter through His shed blood.

ML 01/28/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for December.

1.“Looking for that,” etc. Titus 2:13.

2.“All scripture is given,” etc. 2 Tim. 3:10.

3.“Be not thou therefore,” etc. 2.Tim. 1:8.

4.“I thank my God,” etc. Phil. 4.

5.“This is a faithful,” etc. 1 Tim. 1:15.

6.“Study to show thyself,” etc. 2 Tim. 2:15.

7.“For the love of money,”etc. 1 Tim. 6:10.

Bible Questions for February.

The answers are to be found in James, and 1St and 2nd Peter.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Refrain his tongue”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “Joy unspeakable”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Nothing wavering”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Is longsuffering to usward”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “Bridleth not his tongue”.

6.Write the verse containing, the words, “Grow in grace”.

7.Write the verse containing the, words, “A lamb without blemish”.

ML 02/04/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 82. Judges 1, 2. Declension and Idolatry.

The tribe of Joseph sent spies to Bethel, that they might look on the land. These men found, one of the, in habitants who was willing to become traitor to his country that his life might be spared. He showed the entrance of the city to the Josephites, who smote it with the edge of the sword; only the man and his family were allowed to go. But unlike Rahab, he did not want to make his home with God’s people, for He had not learned that God is the God of heaven and earth, as she had, but he betrayed his country, only to save his life. He went into the land of the Hittites and there built another city, and called it Luz, which was the old name for Bethel. Neither of the remaining tribes drove out the inhabitants of the land, as expressly told by God to do. Instead, they were kept from their possessions, and some of them were forced to live in the mountains; others allowed them to live and pay tribute, but none of them obeyed the Lord to utterly destroy those idolaters.

Then the angel of the Lord came from Gilgal where the tabernacle was, to Bochim, and spoke to the people saying:

God brought you out of Egypt into the land He had promised your fathers. And said He would never break His covenant with you; He told you to make no league with the, inhabitants of this land, but to throw down their altars; but you have not obeyed His voice. Why have you done this? Wherefore, said God, I will not drive them from before you; but they shall be as thorn’s in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.

When the children of Israel heard these words from the angel of the Lord, they wept, and called the place “Bochim” “Weepers,” and sacrificed there unto the Lord. But they did not repent, but did worse evil, worshipping Baalim forsaking the God who had brought them out of Egypt. They served these idols, Baal and Ashtaroth, bowing and praying to them. What an awful thing this was to do! and we wonder how they dared, knowing what God is in holiness and power. Let us also take this for a warning and give the Lord His true place,— the first,—in our hearts else we too, shall have something in God’s place which would be our idol. The apostle John tells us: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” He did not mean, gods of wood or stone, but whatever keeps us from giving the Lord Jesus the first place.

God was angry against Israel, and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, who robbed them, and they could not defend themselves, and wherever they went, God’s hand was against them, and they were very much distressed.

Yet the Lord, ever pitiful, raised up judges who delivered them from their foes, but they would not listen to these, but went after other gods, worshipping them. Whenever God raised up a judge, the Lord was with him, and he would save Israel from their enemies. But as soon as he died, the people would return to their idols, corrupting themselves more than their fathers, and ceased not to do evil.

Then God was very angry and He said: Because this people have not listened to My voice, but have disobeyed Me I will not drive out any more nations, but I will leave them that I might prove Israel by them whether they will keep My way to walk in it as their fathers did or not.

As we shall see, the Lord willing, these nations proved sore trials to the Israelites, and they had to learn by sad experience what a solemn thing it is to have to do with God. And we too, who know more fully than they of old could ever know, what a God of love we have, may well fear His displeasure, for truly “our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29.)

ML 02/04/1912

Stories About India.

Number 1. How little Star found the Living God. Part 1.

STAR’s home was in Southern India and her father was a devout worshipper of the God Siva. Every day after the morning bath, all the family rubbed ashes across their foreheads, as a sign that they served this particular god. But as Star grew old enough to think, and reason about things, she began to wonder; she would look at her little, active, brown hands, and wonder who made them, who made her feet, her head, her body. Was it Siva? or was it some other god? She had learned of so many, that she was puzzled when she tried to count them. Surely, she thought, the greatest of all must be the Creator, but who is He? Naturally she questioned her father, but he did not seem to, know, and put her off. This discouraged her, but she would not give up; she would pray to each in turn, and the one who answered her, must be the greatest.

And what do you think she prayed for? A strange thing for a little child! She prayed that her disposition might be changed. Star had a trying temper and she knew it for often when playing ‘with other children, she grew so overbearing, they would not play with her. She had tried to conquer her faults, but it seemed no use; they only grew stronger. So she prayed to Siva, prostrating herself before him, ant crying over and over again, “O heavenly Siva, hear me! Change my disposition that other children may love me, and wish to play with me! O heavenly Siva, hear me! hear me! hear me!”

But, alas! there was none to hear or answer, and the child would wander into the jungle alone, and lay her head on the ground, repeat her prayer, and wonder if no one would come. Then she tried other gods, until she wearied of praying, but still she kept on, wondering, “Who made me, and why was I made?”

Well, one evening she went for water, as usual, to the well from which her people drew, on the outskirts of the town. Her little red water pot was under her arm; she had only one thought—to fill it, bring it home quickly, and run back for another, then she might go and play. But she saw a crowd gathered near the well, and being only a little girl, she forgot about her work, and stood on the wet stones by the well, and looked and listened. Describing what she saw and heard afterwards, she said, “There were three white people, and a talking noise, and a singing noise, and a box which made a noise.”

It was only an unusual noise to her, and she turned to go, but as she turned, she caught some words spoken by the native preacher, “There is a living God, He made me. He turned me, who was like a lion, into a lamb.”

Then, with the suddenness of a new discovery, it flashed upon Star that here, at last, was the answer to her questions. The God who could change a lion-man into a lamb, was the God who could change dispositions, so He must be the greatest God, the Creator. His being described as living, implied that the rest were dead.

“I will not worship a dead god,” she almost spoke aloud in her eagerness, “Siva is a dead god. I will not rub his ashes on my forehead!” Then she went slowly home, pondering those wonderful words, “There is a living God,” and she did not sleep much that night, for she wanted to lie awake and talk to the living God.

ML 02/04/1912

Washing.

LET us have a little talk today, children, about washing. Can you name some things that sometimes need washing? Some of you say “Yes, my hands and face”. Others, “My clothes.” Still others may mention windows, dishes, lamp-globes, floors, porch, walks and so on. You all agree that these different things need to be washed. Can you tell why? Most of you will say, without a moment’s hesitation, “Because they get dirty”. You are right. Dust and dirt of all kinds will get on things and soil them. In our picture the woman is carrying home her basket of clothes that she has been washing down at the stream. After while she will have to take them to the stream and wash them again, for they do not stay clean very long.

Now, can you tell what is needed to wash off this dirt? Again your reply comes promptly, “Water and soap.” Yes, water and soap will clean all these things you have named.

Is there something else that water and soap will not clean? David, the Psalmist, said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God”. Psalm 51:10. Each one of us has a wicked, unclean heart. Will water and soap clean the heart? What makes it unclean? Dust from the road, or coal dust? No. Well then, what is it? How about the unkind and selfish words and actions that we all know so much about? It is these that defile us in God’s sight. In a word, it is sin that makes our poor hearts so black. Will soap and water wash away these stains of sin? Not at all. They are so bad that nothing we can use will wash them away. But there is One who can do it for us, though it was at a terrible cost that this became possible. Jesus, God’s only begotten and well-beloved Son, died on the cross and shed His precious blood and it is that blood alone that can wash away sin.

If you make marks on your slate with a slate pencil and then wipe them over with a damp cloth where are the marks? “Gone”, you say. Can you see them or find them again? No. It is the same with your sins. If you are washed in the blood of Christ your sins are blotted out and gone forever.

Dear reader, are your sins washed away? If not, come to Jesus, for “THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON, CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 02/04/1912

Bunny Cottontail.

No doubt most of my young readers have been much interested in little rabbits, and have watched their funny antics and taken great delight in feeding them.

They are creatures suitable for man’s food, and so can be accepted from God’s hand with thanksgiving for that purpose.

There is another thing which I expect you all know about them and that is they are very destructive. They tear the bark off young fruit trees and thereby kill them; and many other things which cause the farmers to want to get rid of them.

So, here in our picture we see a trap laid for the little creature, and he is just about to go into it. It may be that the farmer has been troubled by these rabbits, or bunnies, as some children call found this an easy way to catch them and may also need some for food and he found this an easy way to catch them Man cannot be called an enemy to them, because he catches them for food, but we may learn a lesson from this in remembering that Satan has traps for our feet to catch us and lead us into sin, but he does that because he is an enemy of God, and wants to spoil all of God’s creation. So what he does is to destroy.

If that little rabbit only knew that it was a trap he was about to enter, he would not go in, but he does not know it and he is enticed by the food that is put in sight. And that is the way Satan tries to do; he puts something attractive before people to lead them on and on, still he gets them into that which will bear bad results.

The way to avoid Satan’s snares or traps is, to fear to displease the Lord, as the Scriptures give us, “THE; FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, TO DEPART FROM THE SNARES OF DEATH.” Prov. 14:27.

ML 02/11/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 83. Judges 3. Ehud.

BECAUSE of their sins, the children of Israel were not allowed to destroy all their enemies from the land. God wanted to prove them, and see whether they would give Him up for the nations’ idols. Alas! it did not take long to show what was in their hearts! They, soon forgot the Lord and served Baalim and other gods, and angered the Lord who allowed the different kings to make them their slaves. One of these, Chusham-rishathaim the king of Mesopotamia, had them serve him for eight years when the children of Israel cried to the Lord, and He sent them a deliverer in Othniel, Joshua’s son in law. He went out to fight Chushan-rishathaim, and God was with him and gave him victory. During forty years, he judged Israel and they had rest from their enemies. But at his death, the Israelites turned again from the Lord, who allowed Eglon, the king of Moab, to come against them.

The latter allied himself to the Ammonites and Amalekites and came to Jericho, the city of palm trees, and took it. For eighteen long years the children of Israel had to serve him. How fully they must have forgotten God and all their previous deliverances, to remain so long without going to Him about it, confessing their sins! But when they did (wonderful patience of God!) He sent them another deliverer, one named, Ehud, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites wanted to make a present to king Eglon and sent Ehud with it. Ehud made himself a two-edged dagger nearly two feet long, and hiding it under his coat on the right side, he presented himself before Eglon and offered the present. Then he told the king he had a secret message for him and the king sent away all his servants and the two were left alone in the summer parlor. “I have,” said Ehud, “a message from God unto thee.” A solemn message it was—a message of death. No good news for that sinner. Let us thank God that his message to sinners now is, “He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life,” and let no one despise it as unimportant, or to be delayed. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Prov. 27:1.

As Ehud pronounced these words he plunged his dagger into the king’s body with such force that the handle went in too, and the flesh closed in upon it, so that it could not be withdrawn, for Eglon was a very fat man. Then Ehud went out on to the porch, locked the &or after him and made his escape.

When the servants saw the doors locked, they thought their master was asleep, so they did not go in. Many hours passed and then the servants began to wonder why the king did not send for them; at last they took a key and opened the door, and found their lord stretched upon the ground, dead.

During this time, Ehud had had time to escape. When on Mount Ephraim, he blew a trumpet to call his people. He put himself at their head, and said: “Follow me, for the Lord has delivered your enemies, the Moabites, into your hand.” They went after him and took the fords of Jordan, and allowed no one to pass over. They slew there ten thousand Moabite warriors, and none escaped. Their masters were subdued and the land had rest eighty years. So God’s judgment falls on all those who despise Him.

After Ehud, another judge, Shamgar, the son of Anath, killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. A poor weapon, we would say, but with God’s help it was the means of delivering Israel. The Christian has one weapon, the only one we are told in God’s word, to use, and that is, that two-edged sword, “the word of God, which is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12. Let us gird this sword about us, carrying it with us, ready for use, and it will be mighty against Satan, and God will give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

ML 02/11/1912

Stories About India.

How little Star found the Living God. Part 2.

I TOLD you last week how the poor little heathen girl first heard of the living God, and how she drank in the wonderful words; they were truly living water to a thirsty soul. Today I must tell you how she came to learn a little more about our blessed God, and His beloved Son, Jesus. The morning after she heard for the first time of a living God, little Star rose from her bed with a new feeling of happiness within her. All the world looked different and she danced as she walked. Being only such a little girl, she was not confined to her own house, as most of the grown-up women in India are, but was allowed to go where she liked, only of course not to defiling places, as they consider a Christian camp to be.

But Star found her way, notwithstanding this, to the tent where a lady missionary was teaching a number of little brown children. She sat on the floor of the tent with the rest, and learned a verse of a hymn, which she found quite easy to understand. Nevertheless it was all very new to our little girl, as she afterwards said, “My heart was like a little room, it could not hold much, only I understood that the true God heard us when we prayed, and very dearly loved us all.”

When the short lesson was over, Star ran home thinking of all she had heard.

“I will pray to the living God,” she said to herself; “I will ask Him for three things, and if He answers two of the three, I shall be quite sure He hears me and loves me.” When she got home, her mother was standing on the doorstep with a switch in her hand. This meant a whipping. Quick as thought she prayed, “O Living God, do not let my mother whip me.”

Her mother caught her by the arm, “Where have you been, you naughty child? O you evil one, come here. You have been to those low-caste people!” And a stinging lash of the switch on her little bare arms and shoulders. was all the answer she saw to her prayer.

But she kept quiet. A sort of peace was in her heart, she remembered the missionary had said she might be punished for listening, but that God would be with her and help her to bear it. The mother mistook the child’s unwonted patience, however, for sullenness, and exclaimed, “Have you no feeling, are you perverted already?” and forthwith gave her a second whipping. Then Star could keep back the tears and sobs no longer, and cried herself to sleep that night.

However, next day saw her at the camp again; she felt she must hear more, although it might end in another whipping for disobeying her mother, as she had not yet learned, “Children, obey your parents, in all things.”

This day she heard for the first time of the Lord Jesus, of His great love, and of what He had done for her salvation. “This is the living God,” she said to herself as she ran home, and again she prayed, “O Jesus, Living God, out of three prayers, answer two.”

Her way led through a road bordered by tamarind trees. The ripe fruit hung low. “But it is stealing to gather fruit; you may only eat it, if it falls of itself.’ She stopped, she prayed, “O Jesus, Living God! make the fruit fall.” And a pod fell at her feet.

“One out of two; that leaves one to show for certain whether He really is hearing and loving,” she thought as she ran along, quickly now, for it was dark, and punishment was most probable.

“Jesus, Living God,” she prayed as she raced up almost breathless, to the door, “don’t let my mother whip me. O Jesus, Living God, listen to me!” How her heart thumped as she saw her mother standing on the step. But she had no switch this time in her hand; drawing her little daughter affectionately into the house, she only said, “I thought you were lost in the dark, my child. Come in and have your supper.”

This settled the question for little Star forever. She believed in the living God, He heard her, He cared for her, she would worship no other, pray to no other.

Another time, I must tell you how God opened the way for her to learn more about Himself, for I am sure you are all interested in this very real little girl, but in the mean while we must say good bye to little brown Star for the present.

ML 02/11/1912

A Faithful Valet

THE Prussian General Baron von Dyhern at the battle of Bergen on April 13th, 1759, was fatally wounded and given up by the doctors. Nobody would tell the old soldier how it stood with him. But what none of the doctors dared express, was done by his faithful valet.

“General!” he said, “prepare yourself, the bugle for departure is sounding.”

“I won’t hear anything of that,” was the rough answer.

“But, General” continued the undaunted servant, “have I ever been found unfaithful in your service?”

“No, no,” replied the dying man, “but what do you mean by that?”

“Well, it would be the first and greatest unfaithfulness, were I not in these your last moments, to care for your soul —an unfaithfulness that I could not answer for to God, to yourself, to your God-fearing mother or to my own conscience. I must tell you, because the others are afraid to. Yes, you stand before the gates of eternity, and have not a moment to lose. Cause the chaplain to be brought, that he may direct you to the right way.”

This earnest warning aroused the general. He became thoughtful, admitted thankfully the right of that faithful man, to care for his master even to the brink of the grave; he had the chaplain brought to him, and departed happy and blessed believing in Christ Jesus.

ML 02/11/1912

Fred's Birthday.

IT was Fred’s birthday. He was ten years old, and got up early that morning, as it was much on his mind that he could now write his age with two figures. But what do you think he spied when he got out of bed? Ah, he saw someone had been up earlier than he and put a package on his table. It was addressed to Fred in large handwriting. He soon saw that was for him and quickly opened it and there he found two beautiful books. One a Bible and the other a text book.

It did not take him long to get dressed that morning, and then he was off to his mother’s room with the two books under his arm. Then he got his first lesson from his birthday Bible. We do not know what the lesson was, but we know a good one to begin with.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” Prov. 9:10.

Then another one is “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105.

These are two very important portions. If we think of the holiness of God, then we are afraid to do anything contrary to His will, knowing He cannot allow sin to go unpunished, so to have the fear of Him before us, will make us wise and keep us out of many evils.

The second verse shows us how we can get proper guidance for all our path down here—it must be by the word of God. It is the lamp that gives out the light for our whole path and shows us where we Should go and what we should do.

May you, dear reader, consider these portions well,

“BLESSED ARE THEY THAT KEEP HIS TESTIMONIES, AND THEY THAT SEEK HIM WITH THE WHOLE HEART.” Ps. 112:2.

ML 02/18/1912

Five Prayers and Their Answers.

Luke 23.

MOST of you children have been taught to pray but I wonder how many of you really are in earnest, and mean what you say when you speak of God, or do you just repeat words because it is your duty to utter them? I want you to notice five prayers in the 23rd chapter of Luke and see if they were answered.

Prayer means asking, or entreating someone for something we want. If we read from the 18th verse down to the 23rd verse we will find the first prayer, which we will call the Prayer of Hatred, because people are there praying to the judge and crying out “Away with this man, crucify Him.” They were in earnest, and though no fault was found in the One they hated, yet the prayer was answered by Pilate, who gave up the Lord Jesus to them to do with Him what they would.

2. The Prayer of Despair is the next (verses 29 and 30) and here we read of people calling on the mountains and hills to fall on them and cover them. This will be uttered by those who reject Christ, and at last find out their mistake, and have no hope; they dare not cry to God for mercy because it is too late. This prayer will not be answered, and no mountain, or hill, can hide the sinner from God.

3. The Prayer of Love in the 34th verse is the most beautiful one ever uttered: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” These loving words were spoken by the Lord in the midst of His agony and rejection, on behalf of those who were His murderers, and for all sinners. It is wonderful to think of His praying for His enemies at such, a moment. This prayer was partly answered on the day of Pentecost, when many scoffers and rejectors heard the gospel, and were pricked to the heart and saved. Still to day God is answering the Saviour’s loving prayer in forgiving those who are sinners and have been enemies towards Himself but now come confessing their sin.

4. Prayer of Unbelief (verse 39), “If Thou be the Christ save Thyself and us.” This was the prayer of the dying thief who refused to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and the Saviour of sinners. Although death was near, instead of pleading for mercy he spent his last moments in scoffing at the Laid. God, who reads all hearts, never answers the prayer which comes from the lips of those who have no faith in the heart; therefore that thief did not receive an answer.

5. Prayer of Faith. The other thief, knowing what a vile sinner he was, and believing in his heart that Jesus was the Undefiled One who had done nothing amiss and. the only One who could save him, said this prayer: “Lord remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” At once came the answer, “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” (Verses 42 and 43).

O! girls and boys come to God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with faith in your hearts, and pray unto Him to save you from your sins and from the judgment; but don’t come doubting lest you should miss the blessing. Those of you who have trusted the Lord, do not be afraid to ask God as your Father for the things which you need; but ask in faith and be in earnest, and if it is for your good, He will give you your heart’s desire.

Little child, the Saviour loved you,

So He left His home on high;

Came on earth a lowly stranger

For your sins to bleed and die.

Sin had set its stamp upon you,

And must shut you Out froth God,

Jesus came to make atonement,

Though it cost His precious blood.

“It is finished!” said the Saviour;

Well He knew His work was done,

He for sin had made atonement,

He, God’s holy, spotless Son.

ML 02/18/1912

Stories About India.

How little Star found the Living God. Part 3.

EVEN in early childhood’s days, Star had been an ardent little idolater. When others stood in worship, she knelt. When others knelt, she fell on her face. “So far did I worship my god” she said sorrowfully when speaking of it. It was she who persuaded her father to spend large sums of money upon works of merit to the honor of their god. It was she who twisted the chickens’ necks when the yearly sacrifice was offered. She loved to see the goats’ blood flow, not because the shedding of blood spoke to her soul of sins put away by that precious blood shed upon Calvary, but because she thought it gave pleasure to Siva, whom she called “her god.”

But now all was changed; Star had learned of a living God, and of a loving Saviour; she had been spending some weeks with a relation, who lived close to the missionaries’ camp, and day by day the child had spent hours with these kind friends, and had been learning by degrees much about the life and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Her parents, who knew what was going on, appeared to have no objection, “Such stories could not hurt their little Star, she was only a child,” so they said and believed, but perhaps they began to wonder, at last, if all was right, for they sent a messenger to bring her home. “She must,” so they said, “take her part in a great religious festival.” She might return in four days, but come she must. The heart of the missionary sank; she knew so well what it all meant, she knew that the parents would not hesitate to use any means; however cruel or wicked, to bring their child back to the worship of Siva.

But Star had no fear. She danced about with delight. “It will all be lovely,” she exclaimed, “new clothes, new jewels, beautiful decorations, delicious things to eat,” and she added, “I will not be forced to do anything wrong. I will say, I belong to Jesus. I will tell them all about Him; it will be all right, and I shall be back in four days.”

Lovingly the lady talked to the little girl, feeling as she did so, that it might be for the last time, and then with the soft brown hands clasped in hers, she commended her to the almighty power of that One who is able to keep.

Weeks passed by, but Star did not return, and nothing was heard of her. Day by day earnest prayers went up to God, that He would work on behalf of the little lonely child, keeping her true to His Name, and delivering her from the persecution which it was almost certain she was enduring, if she had refused to worship the idol Siva, and to rub his ashes on her forehead. Did not the missionaries know of many cases, where, for a similar fault, the little victim had been beaten or starved, or even kept in chains for months at a time, and finally sent to some far distant part of the country, where it was impossible to trace them?

So the days and weeks passed on, until one Sunday morning. There was a quiet stillness over all, and as the lady sat with her Bible in her hand, reading the precious promises so comforting to all in trouble, her heart went up in a cry to God for the little child who was so dear to her.

There was a sound on the step, a little hand pushed back the door, and Star stood before her.

They never knew quite what had happened, for the little girl was very ill for many weeks. But some things were made plain. There had been a family council; they had mocked the lonely child, had ordered her to worship the idol, and rub his ashes on her forehead, and when she refused, and spoke of Jesus, punishment long and severe had followed, which was borne with such courage and meekness that the hard old father at last gave in, and much to the astonishment of all, allowed her to return to the camp.

“And what helped you most through all those weeks?” she was asked.

“I kept the Gospel of Mark tied up in my dress,” she replied, “until it was discovered and taken away. It was comforting to feel it near me, even though I could not read many verses, but when it was gone, I remembered they could not take Jesus away from me, and I remembered too, how He walked in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and how the fire could not burn their bodies, or anything upon them, except the cords. And I thought it was a good thing it burnt the cords, for they could not have walked in the fire with Jesus if the cords had not, been burnt. So I asked Him to let the fire burn my cords. After that I don’t remember anything. Only I think the fire got cool.”

Five years have passed since that day, and Star is still with the friends who brought her to Jesus. She is a tall girl now, and a great help in the Mission Camp.

She has not been left undisturbed; many a time her father has come to claim her and enforce his right to make her do as he pleased. Each time, as if compelled by an unseen power, he has been forced to go away without her. The missionaries have no human power to keep her, but when the father appears, one of them always goes away alone, and remains waiting upon God until the conflict is over. Once as he went away, he was heard to mutter, “What is the matter with me? My hands are strong to take her. It is as if I were bound and held from touching her.”

Will not some of those children who know the Lord Jesus, pray that this dear girl may be kept ever true to the Lord Jesus, arid may be much used in blessing amongst her own people?

ML 02/18/1912

The Grey Wolf.

THERE is no animal, outside of the domestic, more generally known than the wolf, as it is found in every part of the world.

In our picture we see them out on the cold snow hunting for food, and no doubt they will find it very difficult to find any, but we know God takes care of all His creatures in one way or another.

He also has an object in having all these various creatures, although we may not know what the object may be, but we do see this, that He uses their fallen state as lessons for ourselves. And the way in which He takes care of them in the present ruin of creation is very different than the way He will take care of them during the millennial reign of Christ.

The way the wolf is described in Scripture is as ravening and seeking its prey in the evening. It is very destructive among sheep, destroying more than it can eat. This makes the wolf a fit emblem of the wicked, who molest the sheep and lambs of God’s flock, and even creep in among them.

In the millennium (or one thousand years) when the Lord Jesus will reign over the earth, and Satan shall be bound, “The wolf and the lamb will lie down together.” What a change that will be from the present time. At the present, these poor creatures are under Satan’s power, and that is the reason they are ravenous, and when people hate those who belong to the Lord, they are under the power of Satan too. Do you love the Lord’s people?

“WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE, BECAUSE WE LOVE THE BRETHREN.” 1 John 3:14.

ML 02/25/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 84. Judges 4 and 5. Sisera.

WHEN Ehud was dead, the Israelites again rebelled against God; so soon they forgot all His mercies and their own promises to love and obey Him. God therefore punished them again. He cannot let His people sin, and take no notice, but, like a kind father, must, in love, and for the good of His children, punish and discipline them. Not because He hates them, but for their own good, and to bring them back to Himself.

God let Jabin, the king of Hazor, fight and conquer them. He was a descendant of that king of Hazor whom Joshua destroyed, along with all the Canaanite kings, when they united to fight Israel.

God had then given them a wonderful victory because they counted on Him, but this time, because of their disobedience, He allows Jabin to oppress them mightily for twenty years.

The captain of his army was Sisera, and he had nine hundred chariots of iron. The Israelites, groaning under this oppression, cried unto the Lord, and He, who has promised never in any wise to cast out those who come to Him, heard them and delivered them again.

At that time Israel had for judge, a woman named Deborah, a prophetess who dwelt under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim. There the children of Israel used to come to her for advice. This we know was not as it should be, for God has never put government in woman’s hand but, we remember, He created her for a fit help for man. But Deborah was truly a God-fearing woman, and was used of Him at that time of failure and ruin. When the Israelites cried to God, Deborah, at His command sent for a man, named Barak, who feared God, but had little courage to stand firm for Him, and said to him: Go now to Mount Tabor and take with thee ten thousand men from the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali and fight Sisera, captain of Jabin’s army, which God will draw to the river with his chariots and his multitude, and He will deliver them into thy hand. Then Barak said: If you will go with me, I will go, if you will not, then I will not go, which shows that his faith was in Deborah more than in God Himself. Deborah promised to go, but told him the journey would not be for his honor, for God would deliver Sisera into the hand of a woman. He lost the reward because he lacked faith. God tells us in 1St John 5:4, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” and again “According to your faith be it unto you.” Matt. 9:29.

Barak and Deborah went, and soon the Israelites had victory, because God fought with them. Sisera’s army, with its chariots, were soon destroyed and the captain himself fled on foot, and came upon the tent of Jael, Heber’s wife, a descendant of Moses’ father-in-law. When Jael saw Sisera coming, she went out to meet him and said “Turn in, my lord, turn in, fear not.” Sisera came in and lay down and she covered him with a blanket. Then he asked her for a drink and she brought him a bottle of, milk. He drank and lay down again. Then he bade her stand by the door and if any one asked if he were here to say “No.”

Sisera was soon asleep, for he was weary with fighting and running so far, and then Jael went very softly, and took a hammer and a nail and hammered the nail through his temple down into the ground while he slept and killed him. Soon after Barak came, and Jael called him, and showed him his enemy lying dead upon the ground. That same day the rest of the army of Jabin was all destroyed, and the Lord prospered the children of Israel.

Barak and Deborah knew that it was the Lord alone, not themselves at all, nor their soldiers who had gained the victory, and they sang a beautiful song of praise unto Him, confessing also the state of ruin in which Israel was, and the idolatry which had brought the war upon them. Oh! like Deborah, let us give thanks unto the Lord for all He has done for us! For He has gained a greater victory for us than that of Barak. Has He not died “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil”? Heb. 2:14. For this He left His home in heaven and came to this sin-stained earth, became a man and went willingly to the cross, to vanquish that great. enemy of our souls, Satan. And now that it is all done, it is for us to accept it and thank and praise Him for it.

ML 02/25/1912

The Sceptic and the Jew.

SOME years since, in the place known as the London Fields, in London,—a place where the gospel was often preached by some of the Lord’s people to the crowds that gathered there,—on a Lord’s Day afternoon, after several had proclaimed the good news of salvation through the Lord Jesus, there stood up a young man, a sceptic, and made light of the word of God, and especially of conversion, saying he had had a Christian mother, and at her death he was exercised, and prayed to God, if there was a God, to convert him, and make him know that his prayer was heard; but all in vain, God did not hear,—and now he knew there was no God.

And so he went on with considerable force, for a half-hour, and closed scoffing at God, at Christ and at conversion, to the seeming dismay of the witnesses for Christ that had preceded him, when, quietly and with much feeling, an old Hungarian Jew, that knew the Lord, took his place on the stone from which the sceptic had spoken, and said,—

“Friends, the young man that has been speaking seems very strong in his infidelity, —quite a giant, a Goliath,—but I think that from my satchel I can take two little pebbles with which I can slay him, and overthrow all his testimony. The first pebble” he said, as he drew out his Bible, “you will find in first Kings, eighteenth chapter, where the priests of Baal cry to their god so long in vain. Not so Elijah, for Elijah’s God heard him.” “But,” he said, turning to the young man, “your god was away; you did not cry loud enough, or, he was asleep, or had gone hunting. Your god probably was asleep.” And then, young man, you did not show the zeal that the priests of Baal did, for they, cut themselves with knives. And now the second pebble is found in John 10:27. ‘My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me.’ It is clear you were not one of His sheep, or you would have heard His voice. You were an unbeliever, in darkness. It is plain why you had no answer, ‘Without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.’ “So,” he said, again addressing the young man, “your case is clear. No wonder you had no answer. Oh hear His voice now. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Thus ended the converted Jew’s testimony, so faithfully and so powerfully given. May the day show that his words were an arrow from God, even to the young sceptic.

ML 02/25/1912

Oberlin's Mother in Law

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.” Ex. 20:7.

THIS is a solemn commandment, which hundreds and thousands break every day, without thinking that they are guilty of misusing God’s name, or what a great sin they are committing. Remember it does not only mean—Thou shalt not blaspheme the name of the Lord, nor speak disrespectfully of God! No; thou shalt not utter this holy name vainly, needlessly, in connection with unimportant and trivial things. In other words—thou shalt always utter this name with deep reverence and holy fear.

It is told of the mother-in-law of Oberlin the famous pastor of the Steinthal that she had the evil habit; of using the name of God heedlessly on every occasion. If she heard anything new, or was frightened, or wished, to emphasize what she said, she always used God’s name without thinking what she did. Oberlin was much grieved at this, and, as his otherwise kind and good mother-in-law paid no heed to his gentle remonstrances he thought of another means to break her from her evil habit.

One afternoon the old lady seated herself in her favorite spot in the arbor that stood in the parsonage garden for some little rest. Oberlin followed her and occupied himself gathering the caterpillars that had been very numerous that year, and had done damage to the vegetables. The first he found he cried out: Mother-in-law, I have got a caterpillar!”

“Kill it,” answered the old woman shortly. At the second and third he cried again:

“Mother-in-law, another! Mother-in-law, another!” and thus he continued; at every new caterpillar, sounded out: “Mother-in-law, another!”

At last the mother-in-law said, “My dear Oberlin, do kill the caterpillars and don’t be always calling me in that way!” Oberlin replied, “Dear Mother, I don’t mean to annoy you. You can be assured that I love you much—Mother-in-law, another!”

Thus it went on for a time. Finally the old lady jumped up angrily and went into the house saying, “I am an old woman and won’t be made fun of.” Oberlin followed her and said with great earnestness. “If you who are but a poor simple creature, cannot bear to have your name used unnecessarily how will God accept it, when you take His holy name into your mouth and misuse it.”

This remarkable warning fell on good ground. The old lady was brought to sober reflection, and from that moment on, fought honestly against the bad habit, and through God’s help she succeeded in overcoming.

ML 02/25/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for January.

1.“Seeing then that we,” etc. Heb. 4:14.

2.“Of how much sorer,” etc. 10:29.

3.“Who being the brightness,” etc. 1:3.

4.“Wherefore Jesus also,” etc. 13:12.

5.“But we see Jesus,” etc. 2:9.

6.“But unto the Son,” etc. 1:8.

7.“Looking unto Jesus,” etc. 12:2.

Bible Questions for March.

The answers are to be found in 1St, 2nd and 3rd, John, and Jude.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Many deceivers”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “The love of God”.

3. Write the verse containing the words, “God is Light”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “God is love”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “All unrighteousness”.

6. Write the verse containing the words, “If any man love the world”.

7. Write the verse containing the words, “Walk in truth”.

ML 03/03/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 85. Judges 6:1-12. The Midianites.

FORTY years passed happily and safely after Barak’s victory over Sisera. God kept the Israelites in peace, and gave them rest from their enemies. But this was soon over, and again the people resumed their evil ways; and then new sorrows and punishments came upon them. God sent the Midianites to fight and oppress. them. These people carne in great numbers, they brought their camels and their cattle with them, and pitched their tents in the possessions of the Israelites; and the Israelites left their pleasant homes and fields and ran to hide in dens and caves in the mountains for fear of the cruel Midianites. When the grass and corn, and fruit, grew up in the fields, these enemies took all away for themselves and for their cattle, and the pleasant land began to look barren and desolate, because the Midianites tried to destroy it. Then the Israelites cried again to the Lord, for they knew that He could deliver them, and He alone. God sent an answer to them by a prophet. He had not forgotten His people, He had promised them He never would, but He was very much displeased with them, and the prophet came to tell them this. He said: “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt . . . . and delivered you out of the land of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land; and I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but ye have not obeyed My voice.” Then the prophet went away, without bringing any kind of promise of forgiveness to His ungrateful people, nor how He was going to deliver them. He wanted them to feel their guilt, and to know how sad it is to be without His blessing. His silence would impress them and touch their conscience more than any reproaches. But He had heard their prayers, and was going to deliver them.

There was a man in Ophrah named Toash, who had a son; Gideon. Gideon was truly a God-fearing man and a believer, but his father was an idolater, and worshipped Baal. How nice it was that he did not follow a bad example, and how God blessed and used him afterwards. This should encourage all of us, big and little, and give us strength to turn from evil; although all around us might tempt us or laugh at us, for “if God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31.

One day, Gideon was threshing wheat in a secret place, for he was afraid that the Midianites would see him and take it from him. What sorrowful thoughts must have been his as he worked! The idolatry in his own household and the dreadful state of desolation all around him. He did not yet know God’s love and care, and so did not have Him as a Comforter. God has forsaken us, because of our unfaithfulness, he thought, and we are helpless.

As Gideon looked up, he saw an angel sitting under an oak tree who said to him: “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor!” How glad he should have been to hear that! He had no need to fear, nor to be unhappy, if the Lord was his friend. If we are God’s people, that is, if we are saved, through faith in Jesus’ blood, then the Lord is with us. When we are alone, or in sorrow, or danger; though we have no friends on earth, yet we have God with us to comfort us: “Lo, I am with you alway,” Jesus said just before He went back to God after His resurrection, “even unto the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20.

ML 03/03/1912

Stories About India.

Number 2. A Little Boy’s Treasure.

ONCE upon, a time a white man had been preaching to crowds of men and boys in a village in India. The sermon was over, and the missionary went amongst them and gave tracts to all who would take them.

A little boy came and held out his hand. When the gentleman heard that the child could read, he gave him a tract, and had a talk with him. He found that the boy had been listening to every word of the preaching, and what he had heard, had surprised him very, much. All his life the child had heard of cruel gods, who would do him harm, and that when he died he would, be turned into a cow, or a snake, or a frog. This white man told of a God of love, who had a beautiful home waiting for all who would come to Him. He also found that pilgrimages and washing in the great river Ganges were not necessary to take away his sins; for God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, had borne his sins, and for His sake God would welcome all who came to Him.

As the boy walked along the road he read the precious tract. It was all so new and so lovely, that when he reached home, he ran to his father in great excitement.

The father wondered what had made the little fellow so happy, but he soon found out.

“Father! O father, I have got a paper here and it tells such a beautiful story!”

“Who gave it to you”? asked, the father.

“A Missionary,” replied the child.

“What!” cried the Brahmin father in horror. “A missionary! Then tear it up at once, and run away and bathe, for you are defiled by touching it!”

Poor little boy! His lip quivered, and the bright face grew very sorrowful! He did not wish to disobey his father, but how could he tear up such a lovely paper?

“I will go and bathe father,” he said, “and while I am gone, will you look at the paper? It is so nice, I am sure you will like it, if you read it.”

The Brahmin took the paper; it was hard to refuse his obedient little son anything, and began to read it, aloud.

Soon his wife came out of an inner room to listen, and the more they read, the more interested they became, and through that little tract, the Holy Spirit spoke to that man and his wife, and by it they were taught of the one True God.

As they were talking about the wonderful things they had read, their little son returned, and how glad he was to find them reading and rejoicing over the little paper, which had made him so happy.

Now not far from where the Brahmin had read the tract aloud, four carpenters were working, and they had heard every word, and the more they heard, the more they longed to hear, so as soon as their work was finished, off they started in a boat, to follow the Missionary, who was going farther down the river. When he saw them coming, he told the rowers to stop, and he waited till they came up. How glad he was when the four men told him what they wanted; he soon forgot how tired he was, as he told these poor hungry souls about the Lord Jesus, who had been sent into this world to bear the punishment of sin, and who was so willing to receive all who came to Him, no matter of what race or color.

Soon it grew dark, and the carpenters had to say good by to their kind friend.

Their faces lighted up with joy as he handed each of them a tract; and how gratefully they thanked him for stopping his boat, and for all the wonderful things he had told them. Was not that little boy who took home the tract a very useful little missionary?

ML 03/03/1912

A Dog's Gratitude.

SOME weeks ago a dog came limping down a country road, not far from here and stopped at the toll-gate keeper’s house. As the man sat down, the dog held up its paw for inspection. The man had a kind heart, and saw at once the paw was swollen and sore. He carefully examined the foot and found there was a good-sized splinter under the skin. He opened his penknife, cut out the splinter, fixed up the wound, and the dog went away.

A few days after, as the man went out to collect the toll from a passing driver, he found a large bone at his door, and the dog he had befriended was going on up the road. This was the way this intelligent dumb creature said, “Thank you.”

This grateful dog should teach each one of us a lesson as there are many who are careless about giving thanks for the many mercies God has bestowed upon us.

Have you ever thanked God for His wonderful gift? What love it was that led Him to give His only begotten Son to die for us!

“THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

ML 03/03/1912

John 3:16.

GOD, moved with sympathy to man

SO very far from Him,

LOVED to reveal Himself in grace

THE heart of man to win.

The WORLD had wandered far from God

And in THAT distance lay

Till HE in mercy interposed

And GAVE His Son to die.

HIS Son He gave our love to win,

His ONLY Son from heaven—

Only BEGOTTEN Son was He—

That SON for us was given.

THAT tells His heart of love for us,

And WHOSOEVER now

BELIEVETH on His precious name

Shall ON to glory go.

All who in HIM have placed their trust

SHOULD ever seek and pray

That NOT on things their hearts should

set

Which PERISH in a day.

BUT follow in His footsteps here

And HAVE their hopes above

Where EVERLASTING glory reign,

A LIFE of peace and love.

ML 03/03/1912

The Pet Bird.

ARE you not glad to see this little bird free from its cage? How tame it is! It enjoys its freedom just as much as you would, if you had been shut up for a long time. It is a great pity that little birds should be caged when we know they love to fly about and build their nests in the trees.

We who are saved may liken ourselves to this little bird, and if it had not been for the Lord, who is on our side—One mighty to save—we would still be slaves to sin and Satan.

Have you been set free from this power of sin and Satan? A look of faith to Jesus, the Saviour will set you free.

“There is life in a look at the crucified One,

There is life at this moment for thee,

Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved,

Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.”

“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.” Jno. 3:14, 15.

ML 03/10/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 86. Judges 6:13-25. Gideon.

WHEN Gideon heard the angel say, “The Lord is with thee,” he looked up in wonder and said, “Oh! my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of? . . . . But now the Lord bath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” And the Lord looked upon him and said: “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have not I sent thee?”

But Gideon was fearful, his faith was feeble and small, he could not believe that he should save Israel. He knew he had no strength in himself, being poor, and his family poor, and he, the least in his father’s house. God knew this too, better than he, as He knows that none of us can do anything, not only to save ourselves, but to please God after we are saved. The Lord must give us the strength, and even the desire to do anything for Him. If we know this, we will not try any more, but tell Him so, and ask Him to enable us to walk in a Way pleasing to Himself. So God said to Gideon, “Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” Then Gideon asked the angel to give him a sign that God was talking with him and not to depart until he had brought an offering. The angel said: “I will tarry until thou come again.” Gideon went into the house and made ready a kid, and cakes of flour; he put the flesh in a basket, and the broth in a pot, and brought all out to the oak where the angel was waiting. He thought if God accepted his present, all would be well with him. But he did not understand the value of the sacrifices as had been commanded to Moses and the children of Israel. The flesh was not to be at all sodden with water, they were told, and the broth in the pot showed Gideon’s ignorance. But God, in His grace, would accept what spoke to Him of Christ, and He told Gideon to place the flesh and the cakes upon the rock, but to pour out the broth. Then the angel of the Lord touched with his staff, the flesh and the cakes, and fire came up out of the rock and consumed them. This was a proof that they were accepted of God. Then the angel disappeared from his sight, and he was greatly afraid, and said, “Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.” But God comforted him and said: “Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there, and called it “Jehovah-shalom,” or “the Lord send peace.”

ML 03/10/1912

Tom Paine's Deathbed

A YOUNG man of skeptical notions said to a Christian who sought to show him his danger, “I am prepared to live on my beliefs.” “Yes,” replied the other, “but are you prepared to die on them?” The following is an extract from the journal of Stephen Grellett, the great missionary, written in 1809 regarding the death of Thomas Paine, the notorious infidel writer:

“I may not omit recording here the death of Thomas Paine. A few days previous to my leaving home on my missionary journey, on hearing that he was ill, and in a very destitute condition, I went to see him, and found him in a wretched state; for he had been so neglected, and forsaken by his pretended friends, that the common attentions to a sick man had been withheld from him. The skin of his body was in some places worn off, which greatly increased his sufferings. A nurse was provided for him, and some needful comforts were supplied. He was mostly in a state of stupor, but something that had passed between us had made such an impression upon him, that some days after my departure he sent for me, and, on being told that I was gone from home, he sent for another friend. This induced a valuable young friend (Mary Roscoe) who had resided in my family, and continued at Greenwich during part of my absence, frequently to go and take him some refreshment suitable for an invalid, furnished by a neighbor. Once when she was there, three of his deistical associates came to the door, and in a loud, unfeeling manner, said, ‘Tom Paine, it is said you are turning Christian, but we hope you will die as you have lived;’ and then went away. On which, turning to Mary Roscoe, he said, ‘You see what miserable comforters they are.’

Once he asked her if she had ever read any of his writings, and on being told that she had read but very little, he inquired what she thought of them, adding, ‘From such a one as you I expect a correct answer.’

She told him that when very young, his ‘Age of Reason’ was put into her hands, but that the more she read in it, the more darkened and distressed she felt, and she threw the book into the fire. ‘I wish all had done as you’ he replied; ‘for if the devil has ever had any agency in any work, he has had it in my writing that book.’ When going to carry him some refreshment, she repeatedly heard him utter the language, ‘O Lord! Lord God!’ or ‘Lord Jesus! have mercy upon me!’

It is well known that during some weeks of his illness, when a little free from bodily pain, he wrote a great deal; this his nurse told me; and Mary Roscoe repeatedly saw him writing. If his companions in infidelity had anything to support the idea that he continued on his deathbed to espouse their cause would they not have eagerly published it? But not a word is said; there is a total secrecy as to what has become of these writings.”

ML 03/10/1912

Stories About India.

Number 3. Caste.

YOU cannot read very much about India, without hearing the word “Caste.” Let us try and find out what this word means, for it will help us very much in understanding the state of things in that great country, and we shall also know better the difficulties which all who try to teach the “Hindoos,” or people of India have to contend with.

Well, you must know that the Hindoos have one god whom they say is greater than all the others; his name is Brahma. They believe that this Brahma created men, long, long ago. This is the story they tell about it. They say that out of his mouth came the best and most holy men, the priests or Brahmins. Then the soldiers came out of his arms, the merchants and farmers from his legs; and last of all from his feet came the lowest people, called Sudras, who sweep and do all the commonest work.

People talk of the “Brahmin caste,” “the soldier caste” and so on.

By and by these castes got more divided, and now there are hundreds of castes such as, the weaver caste, the carpenter caste, the washermen caste, and many more.

No one can alter his caste; a child has to be what his father and grandfather were before him, and you will hardly believe it when I tell you that there are robber castes, and even murderer castes, and the little boy whose father belongs to the robber caste, must be a robber too. The Brahmins are by far the most powerful caste; they are treated almost as if they were gods; great blessings are promised to all who are kind to them. Anyone who gives an umbrella to a Brahmin will never more be scorched by the sun, but if a cow is given to him, the giver will go to heaven.

How strange all these stories sound to us who have read the Bible, and who know, because God has told us so, that we are all descended from one father, even Adam, and who also know that there is but one way to heaven, and that is by having faith in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, “Who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification.”

But I must tell you more about the Brahmins; they are not all rich, some of them are very poor, and some of the Sudras are very rich. Does this make any difference in their behavior? Oh! no, a Brahmin is just as proud, even if he has to be a beggar, and a Sudra, if as rich as a prince, is never allowed to eat with anyone belonging to a higher caste, nor would he dare to eat with you, for that would cause him to lose his caste altogether, and he would become an outcast, or “pariah” as those who have lost caste are called.

It often makes a missionary smile when he enters a cottage, to see the people putting away their food with haste, lest it should be defiled by his touch, or even by his shadow falling across it.

If a Hindoo becomes a Christian, he loses caste altogether; he is driven from his home and friends, and has to go through terrible suffering and trial. So you see it is not an easy thing for a Hindoo boy or girl to say, “I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

There was one little girl named Rajee. She went to a missionary’s school, but she would not eat with the other children because she was of a higher caste; so her mother brought her food every day, and she sat under a tree and ate it all alone. At the end of two years, Rajee told her mother that she could no longer worship idols, that she had learned to know the true God, and His Son Jesus Christ. Her mother was very angry when she heard it: She begged her little daughter not to bring disgrace on the family by becoming a Christian.

But Rajee was really in earnest; she wanted to know that her sins were put away, and she was sure that only Jesus could do this; she cared no longer for her caste, and one day she sat down and ate with her school-fellows. When the mother heard of this, she hastened to the school; and seizing Rajee by the hair, she beat her severely, then she was brought home, and cruel sufferings awaited her. The Brahmins, or priests, pretended they could cleanse the child and give her back her caste. Her tongue was burned, and she was treated with the greatest cruelty. At last she was allowed to go back to school, but she was so ill she could not leave her bed. When her mother came to see her, the little child said, “I am going to Jesus, He has washed away my sins, and I am glad to go to Him.” Then she begged her mother to give up her idols, and turn to God, and “then” she said, “we shall meet in heaven.” This was all she could say, and in a short time she was with the dear Lord, who had saved her and given her grace to suffer for His Name.

“Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1: 29.

ML 03/10/1912

Oxen Plowing.

WHAT an odd sight we have before us! I’m sure none of you children have even seen real oxen plowing a field; yet this kind of work, which today is done by horses, was really done by these animals years ago.

See how these men are plodding along, guiding and working with their faithful animals. Does this not show us how, even in those days, people were toiling and laboring to get food and earn their living?

Your father may not be a farmer and till the soil, but I am sure he is working hard each day to supply you with food, clothing and a home. Why is it that people have to labor so day by day to get these things? We get the answer to this in Genesis 3:17-20. God said to Adam, “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.”

We are the children of Adam, and have that same sinful nature. God wants us to think of this, and to remember that this world still has the curse of sin upon it. But Jesus has died to redeem you out of this world; His blood was shed on the cross to put away your sins; do you believe this? Come and own Him as your Saviour now. He cares for you, and can make you truly happy even in the hardest tasks you may be called to do. Then, children, Jesus is coming very soon to call all His redeemed out of this world. Are you ready to meet Him?

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

“THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE MARRIAGE AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.” Matt. 25:10.

ML 03/17/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 87. Judges 6:25.40. Baal’s Altar.

THE night after Gideon had seen the angel of the Lord, God spoke to him again. There was much for him to do, and now that He knew God in His love and grace, he could serve Him acceptably. So it is with the Christian, until he has found out that there is no good in himself, but that all comes from God, until he has learned to love Him and praise Him, he cannot serve Him as he should. When we have come to that, then it will be our delight to seek to do God’s will, and those around us will soon see it. Gideon must show these idolatrous people around him that he loved and served the true God, and he must begin at home. God said to him “Take thy father’s young bullock . . . and throw down the altar of Baal which thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it; and build an altar unto the Lord, thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.”

Gideon, with ten of his servants, did as he had been commanded; and during the night, (because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city) he pulled down Baal’s altar, cut the wood of the grove and offered the bullock in sacrifice to God. When the people rose, next day, they wondered, and asked one another “Who hath done this thing?” and soon heard that Gideon, the son of Joash had done it. They were very angry and told Joash to bring out his son that they might kill him.

Many times Satan has tried to destroy God’s people, and has often succeeded; many martyrs have suffered for the name of Christ, and because they would not worship idols. They knew it was better to obey God and die, than to disobey Him and live. For such God will have very great rewards in heaven. Nowadays Satan, the enemy of our souls, has other means and ways of showing his hatred of God and of those who love Him. He has scorn and ridicule for those who wish to be faithful. Shall we fear it? Ah! no, but let us remember that if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.

But God did not allow Gideon to die. He had work for him to do, and He helped him to do it, and did not let his enemies hurt him. Joash, instead of being angry, saw that Baal was but an idol, else it could defend itself, so he answered those who stood against him, “Will ye plead for Baal? Will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death ... .. “If he is a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.” On that day he called Gideon “Jerubbaal” saying: “Let Baal plead against him, because he has thrown down his altar.”

All the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the east were now gathered together at Jezreel. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, and called together a great many soldiers to fight with him against Israel’s enemies. But before he began to fight, he asked of God a sign that He would do as He promised. Gideon’s faith was not very great yet, we see, but God, in love, bore with him and did as was asked. “I will put a fleece of wool on the floor,” Gideon said, “and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand as Thou hast said.”

And it was so, when Gideon rose early next morning, he found the fleece very wet and after wringing it, he had a bowl full of water from it; but there was no dew upon the ground.

We know that the moisture in the air, which we cannot see by day, becomes cool at night, and turns to dew. But why was the fleece alone wet, and everything else dry? Because God had heard the prayer of Gideon and He wished to show him that He can do all things, and to teach him to trust in Him.

The next night, Gideon asked God to let him try the fleece again. He said: “Let not Thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once. Let me prove, I pray Thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.” God again attended to Gideon, and the next morning, all the ground was wet with dew and the wool alone was dry. Surely Gideon could not again doubt the Lord, and well he might go on now in God’s might and fight against the enemy.

God has given us also, plenty of proofs of His love and care, and mistrust of Him, dishonors Him. For “He that spared not His on Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also, freely give us all things.” Rom. 8:32.

ML 03/17/1912

Thou Art Worthy.

Let us join our happy voices

In a song of praise,

Unto Jesus, crowned in glory,

Loud the chorus raise:

Thou art worthy, blessed Jesus,

All to Thee we owe;

We Thy love shall never fathom,

Nor its end shall know.

Thou didst leave thy heavenly mansions,

With its street of gold:

And though Lord of all creation,

Like a slave wast sold.

On a shameful cross, Lord Jesus,

Thou didst bleed and die,

So that we might live for ever

In Thy home on high.

ML 03/17/1912

Stories About India.

No. 4. Schools.

WHEN we think about India we must not forget what a very, very large country it is, half as big as all Europe. And one part of India is quite unlike any other in every way, so that it would take us a very long time to even learn a very little about this immense country. Is it not wonderful to think that God knows all about it, and all about every person in it? And He cares too about each one; and it is He who has put it into the hearts of some of His faithful servants to go and teach the poor people about Jesus, and how much He loves them.

It is not easy to teach the people; many of them are afraid of Christians. They know that if they listen to them, they may lose their “caste”, and those who allow a Christian to come into their houses, do not always pay attention to what they are saying. They will listen for a minute or two, as the missionary speaks of Jesus, who has come into this world to save them from sin, and then they begin to ask questions, foolish questions, such as, “Where are all your jewels? Are you married? Who is your father?” and so on. Then when the poor ignorant women have had their questions answered, you would think they might listen a little more to the good news the kind missionary has to tell them; but no, a baby begins to scream, or the cow, or goat, or chickens, who all share the family hut, make a disturbance, or some of the little naked children playing about begin to fight, and the women tell the lady that it is time to get their husband’s supper, and she has to return to her house, feeling how little she has been able to do.

One way in which the missionaries can help these poor heathen, is by opening schools for the little girls. Formerly no girls were allowed to learn anything; till they were nine of ten years old they might play about with their brothers, after that they were often married, and then they had to stay in the women’s part of the house with nothing to do, but play with their jewels, and make sweetmeats, if they were rich; and if they were poor, work hard from morning till night with seldom a kind word and often a blow.

But now many little Hindoo girls go to school, and learn to read and write, just as you do, and you may be sure the ladies who teach them, try hard to get them to learn verses out of the Bible and sweet hymns about Jesus. One little girl said to her teacher, “I wish to put all I can of the Bible into my heart, for then it cannot be taken away from me,” Poor little child, she knew that her parents would take away a Bible from her if she showed it to them, but they could not take the knowledge of Jesus out of her heart. That is where you and I too, want the knowledge of Jesus. We may have twenty Bibles in our house, but they will not do us any good, if their words do not sink into our hearts.

Some of the little girls who go to the missionaries’ schools, are driven there each day in a big cart drawn by a bullock. These carts have curtains hung all round them so that no one may see the little maids inside. When they reach the school, one curtain is raised and out jump the little brown girls, with their happy faces, and their anklets and bangles, making such a tinkling as they run into the building.

When they are settled in their places, they have prayer, and then a Bible les son. They like to hear about Samuel, and Daniel, and Noah; but the stories they care most for are about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Once a year the Inspector comes. He is a Mahommedan, and must not see any of the girls over ten years old, so a great curtain is drawn across the room, and the children sit or stand on one side, and the Inspector questions them from the other side.

There is another school I should like to tell you of in Palamcottah, in South India. It is on purpose for deaf and dumb children. About eighty boys and girls go to this school and though they cannot sing, they all join together in a hymn, making signs for the words, and all in the same way ask God to bless them, and show them more of His love. After this, the children divide into seven separate classes, all but one of which are taught by elder deaf and dumb pupils. They use pictures to make the subjects clear. One Sunday, not long ago the lesson was on the Brazen Serpent, and how happy the English missionary was, as she went from class to class to find the elder girls, only four or five years ago, dark in heathenism, teaching the little ones how Jesus, like that serpent, was lifted up, and how if they would look to Him they should be saved.

For “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.

See Jesus crucified and slain;

Behold Him raised on high;

One look will save from endless pain

O look and never die.

ML 03/17/1912

Jack Ashore.

HERE we see a sailor boy whose name is Jack; he is probably home from a long voyage on the ocean, and is telling his sister some of his experiences at sea; see how interested she is in what her brother says. He ought to be very thankful to the Lord that his life has been spared, and that he is brought back safely to his loved ones.

I want to tell you, though, about another sailor boy; his name was Ned. He had quite a different experience from Jack. A terrible storm came up one night at sea as he was homeward bound, and his ship was wrecked on the rocks. Though but a young man, he had put his faith in Jesus and had been faithful in speaking of his Saviour to the captain and crew. This awful night the sailors heard Ned pray aloud that the Lord would rescue those of his companions in the life boat who were not prepared to die.

His prayer was answered, for among the men that were saved from a watery grave was the godless captain. When he was able to speak, he called out, “Who’s saved? Who’s saved? Where’s Ned?” God had permitted dear Ned to be left on the sinking ship; when the captain heard this, he was so touched that he persuaded his men to turn back and row against the fierce, tossing waves toward the wreck. They found poor Ned had gone down, but on a drifting plank they saw a book—tears ran down the weather-beaten cheeks of the hardened old captain as he opened the book and found it to be Ned’s Bible. Many a time had Ned begged the captain to seek the Lord and to listen to God’s word, but only sport had been made of the sailor lad’s prayers and entreaties.

The Lord had answered Ned’s prayer in preserving the lives of his unsaved companions, and in later years He answered his prayer in saving the souls of six of the crew; the old captain being the first to turn to the Lord. The underlined verses in this well-worn Bible came home with the Spirit’s power to these men.

“The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Heb. 4:12.

“THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO ALL THEM THAT CALL UPON HIM.” Ps. 145:18.

ML 03/24/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 88. Judges 7:1-10. Gideon’s Little Army.

MANY thousand men assembled around Gideon, and they pitched beside the well of Harod. The host of Midian were on the north side of them by the hill, Moreh, in the valley. God wished to teach the Israelites that their soldiers had no power to gain the victory, and that He alone could save them. So He told Gideon He would not deliver the Midianites into their hands for fear they should boast and say: “Mine own hand hath saved me,” but to tell the people that “Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return.” Twenty-two thousand went away. They could not have had much faith in God, nor courage; they were weak, fearful men who would not have helped Gideon against the enemy. One who feels that God is with him is full of courage and can truly say: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Ps. 118:6. The army was small now, only ten thousand men remained. But God told him, the people were yet too many, and that he should bring them down to the water and let them drink, and He would try them there for him.

Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the Lord told him to notice the men who lap the water, like a dog, with their tongues, and set them by themselves, and the men who kneel down to drink, by themselves. Those who lapped the water were three hundred men only; and the Lord said: “By the three hundred men that lapped, will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand; and let all the other people go every man unto his place.”

What a strange way to test people, and what could God mean by it? He wanted to show who was in earnest about this battle, this work they had set themselves to do. Did they love their comfort best? They would take their time and enjoy to the full their blessings. Others had one aim: to win a victory. They would drink in order to have the strength needed, but that was all; they would go on their way. It is true, God does give us “richly all things to enjoy,” but He does not want us to make them our object, but like the apostle Paul may we say: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Phil. 3:8.

All but the three hundred men went back to their homes, and Gideon and his little band were left on the hillside. Below them, this great host of Midianites as grasshoppers in number. Would Gideon fear? God alone knew and wanted to strengthen him. It was night; Gideon and his men were resting. God spoke to him. saying, “Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand, but if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host; and thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened.” Gideon and Phurah went down to the outside of the armed men. The tents of the Midianites and Amalekites covered all the valley, they were very many. The soldiers and their camels like the sand on the sea shore. As Gideon and Phurah approached the camp, they heard some of them talking. One man was telling his dream to his companion. That a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came to a tent and struck it and it fell and the tent was overturned and thrown down. His companion answered: That cake of bread is the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, for God has delivered Midian and all his host into his hand. When Gideon heard what was said, he rejoiced and thanked and worshipped God. Then he and Phurah went back to the Israelites and said: “Arise for the Lord hath relivered into your hard the host of Midian.”

ML 03/24/1912

The Stolen Currants.

A SHIP once foundered on a rocky coast, and was broken up by the force of the waves.

One of the passengers was thrown into the sea. He succeeded in laying hold of a plank of the ship, and clung to it desperately. He was now thrown hither and thither at the mercy of the waves; now above, then below the water. As he was on the point of drowning, suddenly he cried out loud; “Mother, I did take the currants. Yes, I did it.”

At that very moment he was fished out of the sea by a life boat that had gone out to the wreck, and brought to land. When he had recovered himself a little he was asked what was the meaning of his drowning cry. Discovered, he remained silent a little, but finally replied:

“You were surprised at my cry, and I also am surprised no less. In my youth, I once stole my mother’s currants, and denied it afterwards. I never once thought of the matter all my life since. But just at the moment when my strength was leaving me, and I could think of nothing else, but that I was going to die, there stood my mother before me with serious looks asking me about that incident. Hence my cry.”

That is a little example of the memory of man, as well as the language of conscience. That man was afraid when in the face of death, his conscience reminded him of theft in his youth.

But what would it be, to see his whole life with all its black spots in the light of Eternity, and stand before the judgment seat of Christ when each one receives according to what he has done.

“Son, remember,” said Abraham to the rich man, who was in torment, and asked for a drop of water to cool his tongue. Remember, remember! Oh what a fearful remembrance there, in the place of suffering where there is no more hope, where no ray of light penetrates the thick darkness—a remembrance of the goodness that man enjoyed here, of the many proofs of the kindness of God received, of the many opportunities given to escape the coming wrath, of all the evil done, all the unthankfulness and indifference to the love of God on this earth. But forever and ever too late! No coming back possible, the day of grace forever gone. A worm that never dies, a fire that is never quenched, is the endless portion of all the lost! Oh, my dear reader, remember, remember!

ML 03/24/1912

Stories About India.

No. 5. Scrubbing the Box.

HOW silly we should think anyone who called a cup clean which was only washed outside, and was still full of dirty water? This is a lesson which the missionaries are always trying to teach the people of India; that the inside is of more consequence than the outside, that it is the heart which must be cleansed from sin, not only the person’s ways made better.

Here is a little story which may help you to understand just what I mean.

It was the middle of the day in the city of Benares. Up and down the steps leading to the river Ganges, toiled a great Many more pilgrims than at other times. The priests standing on the bank were very, busy putting yellow or red idol paint-marks on the foreheads of the worshippers, and selling marigolds and other offerings for the sacred river.

The reason of this large crowd was that there was an eclipse. The poor people had been taught that if they bathed in’ the river Ganges during the time the sun was hidden, and gave money to the Brahmins, all their sins would be forgiven.

Whenever a crowd of heathen meets for any special purpose, the missionary comes and tries to talk to them about Jesus, the only Saviour from sin. So on the day, of the eclipse he was there, and presently he told them this story:

“A dhobie (that is a washerman) and his wife, lived in this great city, and he went down and bathed in the Ganges to have his sins washed away. As he and his wife stood in the water, he thought, ‘If, washing my body makes my heart clean, I know what I will do. There is that big box with all the dirty clothes in it. I will bring the box down to the river and scrub it; and that will make the clothes inside clean.’ The box was fetched, and the man scrubbed until his arms ached; but when he opened the box, the dirty clothes in it, were as dirty as ever, and still needed washing. “So,” said the missionary “will your hearts be dirty in God’s sight, in spite of all your bathing, till you come to Jesus and ask Him to take your sins away. Only when He cleanses it, will it indeed be white as snow.”

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.”

“Man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord seeth the heart.”

“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”

“The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

“Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.”

ML 03/24/1912

Jesus and the Children.

Jesus is the gentle Shepherd

Who, upon the cross,

Died to save the little children,

When He died for us.

Jesus loves the little children,

Loves to hear them say,

Lord, my heart is very sinful,

Wash my sins away.

Jesus calls the little children,

Calls them tenderly;

Once He put His arms around, them,

Saying, “Come to Me.”

ML 03/24/1912

Lost.

THIS little girl and her big dog have been having a play together and seem very happy. They probably have been running to keep warm, for the snow everywhere shows it is cold.

But what have they met out on this prairie—someone’s pet pussy! The poor thing is Lost: she has wandered away from her home and is in trouble. How foolish she was not to stay where she was loved and cared for; just see how frightened she is at the big dog. The little girl is holding him back, lest he harm the kitty in his rough play. What will become of the poor creature? Maybe the little girl will feel sorry for it and take it home with her.

Do you know, children, that there are many people in the same condition as this foolish kitten—they are lost and just as helpless as it is. They are wandering from God and being attracted by things in this world till they forget all about Jesus and what He wants to do for them. They might be among those who have a home in heaven which Jesus has prepared for those who love Him. They might be enjoying the real peace and happiness too, that He gives to all who have put their trust in Him: but no, they prefer to stay away from Jesus and to wander on in their own way, not heeding His loving invitations to them. Do not be among this number. Jesus wants you to love Him and follow Him. Think of all that He did for you while on the cross to save you and give you forgiveness for your sins.

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

ML 03/31/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 89. Judges 7:16-25. Gideon’s Victory.

GIDEON divided his little army into three bands of one hundred each to set them on three sides of the camp. He gave each man a trumpet, an empty pitcher. and a lamp in every pitcher. They had no swords, no spears, nor bows, nor arrows. They had God to fight for them, and needed no other arms. Gideon said to the men: Look at me and do as I do. When I blow my trumpet, you blow yours, and cry: “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”

Gideon and the hundred men with him, soon came to the outside of the camp of the Midianites. It was still night, the beginning of the middle watch when Gideon blew his trumpet, and all his men likewise, and broke their pitchers, and the lamps which had been hidden, began to shine as they took them in their left hands, and all cried “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.” They all stood in their places around the camp, but the Midianites hearing the noise, and the shouting, were very much frightened, for God had brought this fear upon them. They did not know what to do; they were like wild mad men, and fell upon one another, killing their own friends and neighbors. The whole camp was demoralized, and the Midianites who remained, fled away.

Then the men of Israel from the tribes of Naphtali and Asher and Manasseh pursued after them, and Gideon sent messengers throughout Mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites and take the waters of Jordan before them. The men of Ephraim took them and there killed two Midianite princes Oreb and Zeeb, and brought their heads to Gideon.

However strange this means of obtaining a victory might seem to some, it was God’s way and proved the right way. The trumpets had been blown before Jericho fell, we remember. Before that time, in the wilderness, God had commanded Moses to make silver trumpets, and said to him: “If you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, then you shall blow an alarm with the trumpet; and you shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies.” Numbers 10:9. It represented God’s word, the only weapon the Christian can use against his enemy, the world. It is sharper than a two-edged sword, God tells us; and if we boldly answer, when tempted, with a “God says so” the enemy will flee from us. Let us, then, study the Holy Scriptures that we may know what God says, and that we may have it at all times for our conduct in our daily walk.

Their pitchers and lamps also have a very great meaning. The apostle Paul speaks of us as “earthen vessels,” and if we are “broken,” that is, if our own will is completely set aside for God’s, then our light will shine, and the world can see it. “Ye are the light of the world.” Jesus said to his disciples, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:14, 16.

But the men of Ephraim were jealous of Gideon’s victory, and came to him saying: Why did you serve us in this way, and did not call us when you went to fight the Midianites? They seemed angry, but he answered them gently: What did I do in comparison of you? God delivered into your hands the princes Oreb and Zeeb, was that not more than I did? How kind of him to give them credit for all he could, instead of showing pride as some of us do very often. Their anger was turned away when they heard his answer; their pride was satisfied, but how much more beautiful, Gideon’s conduct! We may well imitate him, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “I am meek and lowly in heart.”

“A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” Prov. 15:1.

ML 03/31/1912

Stories About India.

Number 6. The Jungle.

PERHAPS some of the boys who have been reading these “Stories of India,” are beginning to wonder why they do not hear anything about tigers or elephants, or the other wild creatures which live in hot countries. Well, today we must talk a little about the jungle, and some of the fierce beasts who inhabit it. I do not think you would like to go into the jungle, the trees are tall and very close together, and big creepers grow everywhere, climbing from one tree to another, their thick stems, as large often as a man’s arm, making it almost impossible to walk along. Then all sorts of wild beasts are there, the fierce tiger who comes out at night to get his prey; elephants tearing down the tender branches of the trees for food, or bathing in the rivers, and streams; monkeys, oh! so many and so mischievous, springing from tree to tree, and always ready to rush into the cultivated fields or gardens nearby, and steal all they can lay their hands upon; for monkeys, you know, have no feet, but instead four hands. The people of India pay great respect to the monkeys; they consider them sacred, and though they chase them away from their crops, they would not shoot one for the world, so the monkeys become bolder and bolder, and do not mind how often they are chased away. Some very tiny boys in India have to spend the whole day watching the gardens, for fear the monkeys will come and carry everything off. The tigers do not come into the villages as often as the monkeys do, which is fortunate, as they are much more to be dreaded. But sometimes they do come, and carry off, not the garden fruits, but the men and women and children.

One day a poor woman who had to work in the fields, left her little two-year-old boy asleep on the grass, when suddenly she heard a growl, and looking up, there was a horrid tiger carrying the little fellow off. Perhaps Mr. Tiger was not hungry, for presently he laid the child down and sat opposite to him, looking very much like a huge pussy cat. The poor mother was distracted, and ran screaming for help, but just then up got the wee boy, and trotted back to the field, the tiger never offering to go after him. Who do you think was taking care of that little black baby, preserving him from danger and death? Was it not the same God, Who has so often cared for you, and kept you from harm?

One day some English soldiers had to camp near the jungle to have their dinner. They knew it was a dangerous place, so they made a barrier all round them of wagons and baggage. Just as everyone was busy eating, an immense tiger sprang over the enclosure, and seized the little drummer boy by the back of his coat, and springing back again, trotted leisurely across the little grassy slope, which separated them from the jungle. Everyone was horror-stricken; they had guns, of course, and could easily have shot the tiger, but then they were so likely to shoot poor little Johnny instead. Before anyone could determine what to do however, to the amazement of the whole party, the tiger suddenly fell dead upon the grass, and the boy got up and walked back to his companions. Eagerly they crowded round him, asking the meaning of what had happened. It was soon explained; the tiger had only hold of the lad’s clothes, and his arms were free. As soon as he realized what had happened, he noticed that his head was close to the heart of the great beast, and putting his hand in his pocket, he drew out a sharp hunting knife, and in a moment stuck it right into the creature’s heart.

A gentleman of whom I heard lately was not so fortunate as Johnny; he was out in the jungle shooting with a number of other officers, when they came in sight of a particularly large tiger. It was this gentleman’s turn to fire, but somehow, he delayed too long, and was seized in the same manner as the boy. Off went the tiger, with his poor victim knocking against the trees; his clothes torn off him by the thorny creepers; his legs scratched and bleeding. His companions followed for nearly a mile, when one of them got close up, and shot the beast in the head, and rescued the unfortunate man, who was quite unconscious. He recovered his health after a long time, but was never the same brave soldier again.

Now these two stories seem to me to teach us quite a useful lesson. Who is the roaring lion, we have to fight against, who is always waiting to spring upon us? Is it not the devil? And is he not just as able to injure us, as these fierce beasts did, the people I have told you of?

In both these stories, the victims were off their guard, and so they were easily caught. Are you sometimes off your guard? have you forgotten about your enemy, and does he lead you into sin and evil? Remember, the only way to stand against him, is to put on that wonderful armor we are told about in Eph. 6, and not to forget to take the shield of faith as well.

Another thing I want you to notice is the different endings to our two stories. The little boy succeeded in freeing himself from his captor, and we are plainly told how to make our enemy, the devil, run away from us, though we cannot destroy him. We are told to “Resist the devil and he will flee from us,”. Jas. 4:7, and again in 1 Pet. 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist.” Don’t let him have his own way with you, as the officer did, or the result will be, that he will make you a poor helpless captive, and do with you as he pleases; he knows that if you are a true believer in Jesus, if you have come to Him and had all your sins forgiven, the devil knows I repeat, that he cannot have you in eternity for Jesus has said, “None is able to pluck them out of My hand,” but, he can make you a poor miserable Christian down here, so let me warn you again to be on your guard, all the time, and not to forget to resist your great enemy if he comes to assault you.

“Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Eph. 6:17, 18.

ML 03/31/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for February.

1.“For he that will love,” etc. 1 Peter 3:10.

2.“Whom having not seen,” etc. 1 1:8.

3.“But let him ask,” etc. James 1:6.

4.“The Lord is not slack,” etc. 2 Peter 3:9.

5.“If any man among you,” etc. James 1:26.

6.“But grow in grace,” etc. 2 Peter 3:18.

7.“But with the precious,” etc. 1 1:19.

Bible Questions for April.

The answers are to be found in the first eleven chapters of Revelation.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Redeemed us to God”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “He shall reign for ever and ever”,

3.Write the verse containing the words, “The time is at hand”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “To eat of the tree of life”.

5.Write the verse containing- the words, “Am set down with My Father”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “Eat of the hidden manna”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “The blood of the Lamb”.

ML 04/07/1912

On the Ice.

A FEW short weeks ago in the city of Washington, D. C., many people were out enjoying the ice as the people in our picture are doing.

Skating is fine exercise when the ice is, firm and glassy. The children who have been skating and sliding come in, their faces all aglow with a healthy color.

But sometimes people are careless and go where the ice is not safe. Most of these Washington skaters went to a large basin where the waters were still and had frozen hard. There the ice was quite safe.

But a few miles from this basin there was a small lake which had an inlet with a strong current. This current kept the waters so stirred up that they did not freeze out in the center of the lake, but only along the shores where the current did not affect them.

One evening a high, school boy and girl left the girl’s home together for a skate on this small lake. The evening passed. Bedtime came, and the parents in two homes wondered why their children stayed so long. They waited hour after hour, but still no children. In the morning they began a search. At this lake they found a red cap, a black muff and one or two other things that they knew belonged to their children.

Then the lake was dragged and finally the two bodies were found, long cold in death.

The boy, whose father had been dead for years, was his mother’s only child. She had been working hard to support him and get him through high school; and was thinking how soon he would be able to earn something and help her.

In the other home too, there was great sorrow over the loss of a dear daughter and sister.

These young folks started out full of life and happiness, put on their skates when they reached the edge of the lake, and, not knowing the danger, skated from the ice right into, the water. Without a moment’s warning, pleasure was ended and their souls entered eternity.

Dear reader, hundreds and thousands have been cut off just as suddenly, —some to enter the presence of their blessed Saviour,—others to realize that having rejected or neglected that Saviour, they were lost forever.

Are you ready? You may say or think you are safe—that no such sudden call will come to you. O precious soul, be not deceived. God alone knows whether or not YOU will be the next. Mercy’s gate is open. Enter while you may.

“BOAST NOT THYSELF OF TOMORROW, FOR THOU KNOWEST NOT WHAT A DAY MAY BRING FORTH.” Prov. 27:1.

ML 04/07/1912

The Lie.

“Go, at once to the store, said widow Hilden to her son Hermann and fetch a half-pound of coffee. Here’s a shilling; the money you get back wrap up carefully, or you may lose it.”

Hermann went off and soon reached the store. The shopman weighed the coffee and gave him back out of the shilling two pennies. Hermann put them carefully in his pocket and started homeward. When he had gone a short way, he saw two boys like himself quarreling and fighting. “Come, Hermann and help me,” cried one of them; “Fred is too strong for me!”

“No,” replied Hermann, “I won’t play with such rude boys as you.” A moment later he suddenly stopped as if he had thought of something. What might it be? Was he going back to the boys? No; he stood still a moment, looked round him stealthily and then hurried down the next street. Here was a fancy baker’s store. Hermann disappeared in the door of the store and came out again soon after with four little cakes, which he had bought with the half of the money he got back at the coffee store. He quickly ate the cakes and started home.

Before he entered the house, he wiped his mouth carefully and saw that no telltale crumb was sticking to his clothes, so that his mother would not guess what he had done. As he gave her the coffee he said:

“Mother, two of my school chums were fighting on the road, and they wanted me to join in with them; but I told them I was not going to be wild like them. Was that not right of me?”

“It is right, Hermann,” replied the wise mother, “not to be wild and quarrel; but for all that, I do not believe you are better than these boys.”

“Why not?” asked Hermann surprised. “Because you have praised your own good behavior; and proud children are not better than wild ones, but sometimes quite the opposite. But where is the change you got back at the store?”

Hermann put his hand in his pocket and drew out a penny.

“Did you not get back two pennies?” asked his mother.

“No,” replied Hermann “he gave me only one.”

“Are you quite sure?” asked the mother, looking him sharply in the eyes.

“Yes, I am” said Hermann but he could not look his mother in the face but looked out the window.

“Hermann,” said the mother again, “I am afraid you are telling a lie. Remember you can deceive me, but you cannot deceive God.”

“No, no,” cried Hermann beginning to weep, “I have not told a lie! I have not told a lie! I only got one penny back.”

Just as Hermann was crying, the door opened and his sister entered the room with his handkerchief in her hand.

“Mr. Schelf in the next street has sent this handkerchief” she said “Hermann left it behind in the shop when he was buying cakes.”

Hermann stood there, as if struck by a blow. His mother looked at him and tears came into her eyes. Ah, she knew now how the matter stood. Hermann made no sound, he stood speechless in the middle of the room, his face covered with his two hands.

“O, Hermann, Hermann!” began the mother at last in painful tones “what a bad boy you are! You are a liar, for you have repeatedly told me an untruth, you are a thief, for you have stolen a penny, and bought yourself good things with it. And you are a hypocrite, for you wished to make me believe that you were better than your schoolmates and on the contrary you are worse than any one of them.”

Mrs. Hilden then opened the door and ordered Hermann up to the garret where he was kept all day and got only dry bread and water for his dinner. Hermann wept bitterly: in his solitude, he had time to think of the great sin he had committed. Not till late in the evening was he allowed downstairs, and before he lay down to sleep, she kneeled down with him and prayed God that He would forgive his godlessness and turn his heart to Jesus.

Hermann burst into tears. He had never seen himself thus in God’s sight. A liar—a thief—a hypocrite! Hermann trembled when he thought of it. Let us hope that this solemn experience led him to Jesus and that the prayer of his mother was not in vain.

ML 04/07/1912

Stories About India.

Number 7. Would the rice be ready?

HAPPY school days in India do not last long. At a very early age, little girls are taken from school, and are shut up in their homes. When this time comes, many of them are very glad to go on with their reading, and Bible lessons with Bible-women, whose work it is to visit and teach them. By this means many have learned to love and pray to the one true God.

I will tell you the story of a little girl, who was no longer allowed to go out of doors, and for some time had been learning at home.

Her grandmother was old and went to work in the fields, but before going, used to go to the well and draw up the water in the palmyra basket (made of one large leaf, twisted together in a very clever way). A cord was fastened to this curious bucket, and it was let down again and again into the well. Each time it was drawn up and emptied into a brass vessel, and when this was full she would lift it on her hip and carry it home.

The little girl ten years old was left to cook the rice and make the curry. This is the usual food of the people of South India.

One day, alas! the grandmother went off to work, but had forgotten to draw the water. What was to be done? The little girl was forbidden to go out. She could not cook rice without water, and there was no one in the house to draw it.

The child was very much troubled; she knew how angry her father would be, if he came home and found no food ready for him.

What would you have done in such a case? Would you have remembered the Lord’s words, “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive”?

This little girl remembered that her teacher—the Bible woman—had told her there was a God who hears prayer, and helps those who pray to Him. “Now I will see,” thought the child, “whether the Christian’s God will hear me in my trouble.” So she went into an inner room, and kneeling down and putting her hands together, as she used to do at school, she prayed to the great and loving God of the Christians.

The prayer had only just ended, when she heard a knock at the door; she went to open it, and there found a little friend who had come to see her, and ran off most willingly and quickly to fetch the water; so the rice and curry were cooked and dinner was ready in good time.

Some months after this, a missionary went into the village, and heard this story from the girl. She ended it by saying “Now I believe your God does hear and answer prayer. I always pray only to Him. I want to be His child.”

ML 04/07/1912

The Prize.

WE have just seen what you readers so often see—a dog chasing a cat. The cat’s
tail looked very large as she ran from one corner to another, over a fence, and finally up a tree where the dog could not reach her. Cats are such good climbers that they generally escape the dogs that chase them.

Small dogs especially seem very fond of chasing cats. But in today’s picture the dogs are after something else. How eager they look! How closely they watch this bird! What a prize! And yet a dangerous looking one, for the bird looks fiercer than the dogs, and is ready to peck the one that dares get within reach.

There are all kinds of prizes in this world. Many of us are working for them. Prizes are generally offered to the winner in a contest or race of some kind. Some of the prizes we win help us. Some of them harm us because they draw our energies or our hearts away from better things. At best they are of little importance for they are only for time.

But there is a race, and a prize at the end of it of very great importance. This is the Christian race. The apostle Paul says, “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.” Heb. 12:1, 2. And in Phil. 3:13, 14. “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The Christian race is a long one and a hard one. It lasts all through our Christian life and for some of us that is many years. But think of the blessed and wonderful portion that awaits us above, seated with Christ, all brought about by the shedding of His precious blood on the cross, and ours ONLY through faith in that blood. Is not this a prize worth striving for?

The apostle tells us to “lay aside every weight”. If you have ever seen boys racing, you know they don’t run with heavy coats and hats on, and heavy bundles under their arms. No. They throw these all aside. So, if we would run a good race we, too, will throw aside the weights that hinder us.

What are these weights? Sin is one of them. We cannot keep our eye on Jesus if we allow sin of one kind and another. Other weights that hinder us are worldly cares, worldly pleasures, a desire to be rich—in short, anything that attracts the eye from Jesus.

Dear reader, this Christian race is the only one worth running. Are you in it? If you are, throw off the weights, that you may run more easily, and enjoy more fully the prize that awaits you.

ML 04/14/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 90. Judges 8. Zebah and Zalmunna.

WHEN Gideon and his three hundred men passed over Jordan pursuing the Midianites, they arrived at Succoth, a city of Israel belonging to the tribe of Gad.

They were very tired and hungry, and Gideon begged bread for his men, of the people of the city, that they might be strengthened, and keep up their pursuit of the kings of Midian Zebah, and Zalmunna. But the people of Succoth answered, Why should we give bread to your army? Are Zeba and Zalmunna already in your hands? Gideon answered “When the Lord has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hands, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”

From there they went to Penuel, and made the same request, and received the same answer. And Gideon said to them, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

The two Midianite kings were in Karker with all their army, fifteen thousand men, all that was left of that great multitude of the children of the east; one hundred and twenty thousand warriors had been killed. Gideon and his little handful of men overtook this great army and smote them. The two kings fled, but were soon captured, and before the sun was up, Gideon was on his way back with his men and his two prisoners. On their return they caught a young man of Succoth and forced him to write the names of the elders and the princes of Succoth, in all seventy-seven men. Gideon went to the city and
showed the kings to them saying: These are the men about which you insulted me, and said: Are their hands now in thy hands that we should give bread to your weary men? And Gideon had the elders of Succoth taken and chastised with thorns and briers, and the tower of Penuel was demolished and the men of that city killed.

After this, Gideon commanded his son to fall upon the kings and kill them, but the boy was young and afraid and would not do it. Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon: Why don’t you kill us yourself, for as a man is, so is his strength. So Gideon arose and slew them and took the ornaments from their camels’ necks.

After these victories, the Israelites came to Gideon saying: Come and rule over us, and your sons after you, for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian. But Gideon answered: “I will not rule over you, neither, shall my son; the Lord shall rule over you.”

But I have one request to make of you, that you would give me each the earrings of his prey. (The Ishmaelites always wore gold earrings, and the Midianites were their descendants.)

The people willingly consented and spread a cloak on the ground and threw into it all the earrings, and the weight of it was nearly three pounds, without counting other ornaments, necklaces, and chains and rich garments from the kings of Midian.

Gideon took all and made them into an ephod and took it into his own city Ophrah. This ephod he made in remembrance of his victory; he had begun to feel his importance and to forget that he owed all to God. An ephod was a sort of short robe worn by the priests when offering sacrifices to God. It was beautiful, made of blue and purple, scarlet and fine linen interwoven with gold threads, which spoke of divine righteousness, heavenliness and royal dignity, all found, in the Lord Jesus. But the garment, apart from the high priest, was useless, and yet all Israel looked upon it as a means of approach to God and when Gideon made this one, all Israel went and prostrated themselves before it. Even Gideon and his house were ensnared by it. This was idolatry. The Israelites now went to worship in their own way at Ophrah and not God’s way at Shiloh, the place where the ark was kept.

Was it not very sad to see this man who had been such a powerful instrument in God’s hand for the salvation of the people, become the cause of their falling into sin later on? Does it not show that unless we allow the Lord to guide us in everything, we will surely go astray? Oh! how we need to feel that we have no strength at all for good, but that God must do all for us, and in us. During forty years, until Gideon’s death the country had peace. Gideon had returned to his home, and had many wives and seventy sons. As soon as he was dead, the Israelites went back to their idols, and forgot the Lord their God who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies. They also forgot Gideon and showed no kindness to his children in return for his goodness to Israel.

Do we say: “How awful, we would certainly not do anything like that?” Ah 1 we can easily see the wrong in others, and forget we are no better, for, “As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man,” (Prov. 27: 19) says king Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. If so, then let us cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart that we may be enabled to be faithful.

“THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND; BE YE THEREFORE SOBER, AND WATCH UNTO PRAYER.” 1 Pet. 4:7.

ML 04/14/1912

Stories About India.

Number 8. Shoshi’s Work.

TODAY you shall hear of a boy who only lived nine years and yet had a very useful life.

The father and mother of this child died when he was quite a little fellow, but God cared for him, and put it into the heart of Mr. Vaughn, a missionary, to take him into his Orphanage, where he was well fed and clothed, besides being taught to read and write and do many useful things. But Mr. Vaughn did not only wish to teach the boys in his Home, to be wise and useful in this world; he knew that this life may be very short for any of us. He tried to teach them that there is one part of the boy or, girl that never dies, and he often read to them from the Bible of the beautiful place which Jesus has gone to prepare for those who are washed in His precious blood.

Little Shoshi was very young, but he listened attentively to what he was taught, and when one day Mr. Vaughn took him on his knee and began to talk to him of Jesus, the Friend of little children, he found that the little boy was really one of Jesus’ little lambs, and that he knew that all his sins were washed away in that precious blood.

It was not long after this that Shoshi began to grow pale and thin. He could not run about and play, and was always tired. So the doctor was called in, and when he had examined the child, he said to the missionary, “I am sorry to tell you bad news; but Shoshi has consumption, and he must not stay in the Orphanage.”

Kind Mr. Vaughn, was sad at heart, when he and the poor little boy started to the hospital, carrying a small bundle in which were the child’s clothes, and a Bengali Testament, which was his greatest treasure.

It was only two or three days before Mr. Vaughn went to see how Shoshi was getting on. He was in bed, very weak and suffering, but his eyes glistened with delight when he saw his friend. Presently, he pointed to a young man in a bed some distance off, and said, “Sahib, go and speak to that man. I am sure he wants to be a Christian.”

When Mr. Vaughn went to speak to the stranger he found Shoshi had been reading to him from his Testament, and telling him of the love of Jesus. “I never” said the man, “heard such words in my life; will you give me a book like it?”

“I will gladly,” said the missionary, and very soon the young man had a Testament too.

When next little Shoshi’s friend went to see him, sad news was waiting for him. The little boy had been taken suddenly much worse, and in a few hours, had gone to his heavenly home.

The missionary knew his dear little Shoshi had gone to the land where no one ever says, “I am sick,” still it was with a sorrowful heart he turned to speak to the young man, whom the dear little fellow had tried to teach about Jesus.

That bed was empty too, and on enquiry he found the man had been sent from the hospital because the doctors could do him no good. “It is well with the child,” thought Mr. Vaughn, “but how about that poor man?”

About two years after this, the same missionary was visiting the “Home for Lepers.” Suddenly a man came up to him with a beaming face. “Sahib,” he said, “do you not know me? Don’t you remember little Shoshi? Don’t you remember the man to whom he read and spoke of Jesus? I am that man, and I bless God that He brought that child to my bedside. I am now a poor leper, so have come to this home, but thank God, I have been reading the Scriptures, and now I know Jesus as my Saviour.”

This man’s name was David, and for three years he lived in this Home, always ill in bed, but no one ever saw him unhappy or cross. He used to help everyone, and there could be only peace and love where David was.

Day by day, the other lepers gathered round his bed, and he read to them the wonderful stories about Jesus, and told them of the free salvation offered to every one of them.

When at last God was pleased to call poor David to Himself, all the lepers said they had lost their friend and teacher. Do you not think that little Shoshi will hear the gracious Lord say to him, “Well done,” someday and that poor David will have some of those lepers for “A crown of rejoicing”?

ML 04/14/1912

Supper Time.

WE all like to watch animals as they are fed, especially the baby animals and tiny creatures. Even big Rover, in our picture seems to enjoy seeing the chickens eat their supper. I imagine he had his meal off this plate, and some being left, the tiny chicks took their turn. And now the unselfish mother hen seeing first that her little ones have had enough, begins to eat her supper.

God tells us in His word that there is a proper time for all things: Eccl. 3:1, so it is right for little folks to eat, yes, and to sleep, work and play. But how careful we all must be not to give too much of our thoughts and time to these thongs. We see many so-called Christian boys and girls, and men and women, too, spending all their time in these things, and taking no time for the reading of God’s word and for prayer. How sad this is when we are told to, “Search the Scriptures.” John 5:39 and to “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5:17.

Can these boys and girls really love Jesus and do this way? It makes us fear greatly that they have never been saved, that they do not know what it is to have their sins forgiven: for surely they would want to please Him by obeying His word, if they did believe in Him as their Saviour.

If you know you are saved, pray the Lord to keep you from setting your mind too much on what you have to eat, or what you wear. Ask Him that even your work and necessary duties may not so take your thoughts and time that you cannot have time for Him. He will bless you in giving up an extra hour or two of sleep on Lord’s Day morning, in order to devote the day to Him; and He surely will give you the needed strength to complete some lesson or do some task that is postponed for a time, to attend some evening meeting. He notes all these deeds of self-sacrifice for Him. Satan is glad to keep people busy with necessary work, needed exercise or anything that will give them no time to think of Jesus and eternity. But turn to Matt. 6:33. “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”

ML 04/21/1912

Stories About India.

Number 9. The Brahmin and his Family.

THE richest and proudest of the people of India are called Brahmins. They are admired and looked up to by the others, so it is most difficult for them to think they are sinners and need cleansed hearts.

But there was a rich Brahmin who had lost a dear friend. He was very unhappy, because he thought that his friend’s soul had gone into a dog, or tiger or bird, and that he would never know him again.

All at once he fancied he heard someone whisper in his ear that it was all nonsense about souls going into animals. He wished he knew what was the truth, and bought a New Testament, thinking he might find something there to help him. The end of his reading was that he became a Christian.

All his friends were very angry when they heard this. They were afraid that his wife would become a Christian too, so she was taken away from him and went back to live with her father and mother. It was a great sorrow to the Brahmin to lose his wife in this way, for he loved her dearly; but he was much comforted when she whispered to him “I will become a Christian.”

The Brahmin wished to be baptized and then there was more excitement than ever. His Brahmin friends came from all over the country, some of them walking over a hundred miles, to beg him to give up the idea. They stood round him, and one said, “You are a bad man!” Others declared, “You are mad.” But in spite of all that was said, the baptism took place.

Not long after this, his wife escaped one night from her father’s house. A missionary who knew what she was going to do, had a boat waiting for her, and she was rowed safely down the river to the place where her husband lived. How pleased they were to see one another again! And how glad he was to hear her say she also would be baptized!

After his wife had become a Christian, the man’s great wish was that his mother and sister should love Jesus. It was very difficult for him to see them. He did not dare to go near their house by daylight, so they arranged that whenever he was able to pay them a visit, he should let them know beforehand. Then, when the sun had set, and the darkness had come on, they would often hear a gentle tap at the door. When it was opened, there would be the man dressed like a beggar in torn and dirty clothing.

In spite of the rags, his mother knew him, and would take him into the house, and he talked to her and his sister of the Saviour.

After two years, he gave them a New Testament. The sister wondered where she was to hide her hook. Oh! happy thought! She would put it in one of the cooking pots. Her father, who did not want her to read it, nor to become a Christian, never came into the kitchen. She had the food to prepare, so he would never, never know about the treasure in the old pot, which was hanging on the rafters, amongst all the other brass and earthenware saucepans and kettles.

When no one was near, she took out the precious Book and read it to her mother, listening all the time lest anyone should come in, and find them out.

You do not have to hide your Bible, and no one would punish you for reading it, but do you read it every day, as this girl did? God says that the Scriptures are able to make you “wise unto salvation.” This poor girl and her mother went on reading the Bible till God revealed His Son to them, and they knew Him as their Saviour. Then they could no longer say their prayers to gods of wood and stone. They also became Christians and were baptized; and like the Brahmin and his wife, taught the heathen about the true and living God.

ML 04/21/1912

Reverence God's Word.

A FEW years ago lived a little girl named Florence M. She was the child of Christian parents, and at the time’ of our story, she was eleven years old. Her father was one of the highest officers in the army, so that Florence enjoyed all the luxury that a child could desire. Put, in spite of that, she was not really happy, for she did not know God as her Father, and the precious name of Jesus had no charm for her heart. On the contrary, Florence could not even bear to be spoken to about Him, and showed clearly the truth of this word, “the carnal mind (even in a child) is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

One morning when she was in the school-room, her governess asked her to take her Bible, and to read aloud, as usual, the chapter for the day. Some previous annoyance had perhaps gone against the child’s strong will, and excited her naturally quick temper, for seizing roughly the holy book, and uttering these dreadful words: “I am tired of this stupid, tiresome book, I hate it!” she threw it violently on the floor and kicked it.

Her governess was horrified at the sight of this impious act, and left the room immediately to go and inform Mrs. M. of what had happened.

Equally frightened, and far more deeply grieved, than could be one who was not so closely connected with the child, Mrs. M. remained for an instant, crushed with the thought that her beloved Master and Lord had been insulted, and His holy word dishonored, and that by her own child so dearly loved and so carefully brought up.

Mrs. M. cherished Florence, but she loved her Lord and His glory far more. She severely commanded her daughter to follow her to her room.

There, the poor sorrowing mother sought to show Florence, in a few short and solemn words the wickedness of her action, the greatness of her sin, adding she was convinced that God in righteousness would not allow such contempt of His holy word to remain unpunished.

But at the same time the mother said this would not exempt her from her responsibility toward God, and her painful duty toward her child, and taking her whip, she severely chastised Florence.

After this, she knelt down with her little girl, and with a broken heart she confessed to the Lord the sin in all its hateful aspect, acknowledging the right the Lord had to act toward her child as He saw fit, crying to Him with tears, that her soul might be saved, and that her sins might be forgiven for Christ’s sake.

From that sad and memorable day, a great change could be seen in Florence. She became more submissive, and seemed much impressed with the past events, so that her mother and others hoped that God, by His Spirit, had begun to show the little girl that she was, before God, a lost sinner, and that she needed the Lord Jesus as her Saviour.

A short time afterwards, Mrs. M. and Florence were looking at some fireworks. They were standing near to the place when they were fired, when an accident happened. A few of the pieces caught fire, and an explosion followed, and large pieces of burning wood were thrown in all directions. A great confusion followed among the spectators, and in the darkness, it was some time before they noticed that Florence was missing.

She was found, after a while, near a hedge, against which she had been violently thrown by the force of the explosion.

Her mother stooped down to her in great anxiety and asked her tenderly, “Are you much hurt, darling?”

With a voice so calm that Mrs. M. was greatly surprised, Florence answered, “Yes, dear mother, my foot is very badly hurt I think,” and with a groan, she added, her eyes, fixed upon her mother, “Mother, it is the foot with which I dared to kick the holy word of God.”

The poor child bore with great patience and courage the painful conveyance to her home, and afterwards the surgical examination. All the skill of the physicians was powerless to save her foot; it had been so fearfully crushed and burned, it had to be amputated Florence could not endure the effects of the operation. She slowly fell into a decline, but gave abundant proofs that the instant prayer of her mother had been granted. She now rejoiced in the certainty that, not only the flagrant sin she had committed, but that all her sins, had been washed in the blood of Christ.

In His rich mercy and in His great love, God had freely forgiven her, but she suffered, in her body, the chastisement of her sin, in order that she and those around her might learn that God is a jealous God, and that He cannot allow His word to be deliberately insulted.

During her last days on the earth, Florence gave proof of real humility and repentance. She bore without a complaint the most acute sufferings, as being but a small share of what she deserved. The Bible also, formerly so disliked, she had learned to love, and valued it highly.

In this way, calm and peaceful, Florence M. fell asleep in the Lord to be forever with Him who had cleansed her from all unrighteousness.

Dear children, this sad, but true story has a great lesson in it for us. May God cause it to sink deeply in each one of your hearts! May you learn to reverence, honor, and love this holy word of God. Remember, we are told that God has magnified His word above all His name, (Ps. 138:2) and also, “He that is of God heareth God’s words.” John 8:47.

ML 04/21/1912

The Lamb of God.

SEE all these little lambs about the baby. Do you think they have come to hurt her? If you know much about lambs you will say very quickly, “No.”

Suppose they were lions or bears or wolves; they would soon destroy the little child. But lambs and sheep are the gentlest of creatures. They would not harm anyone.

Do You know what our nice warm blankets and woolen clothes, that keep out the cold so well in winter, are made from? It is from the wool that grows on the sheep. When this wool gets long, some men, called shearers, cut or shear off the wool, and it is used to make all these nice warm things we need and like so much.

After while the sheep’s wool grows long again and the shearers give it a second cutting. Then later they cut it again and many times more.

Now, what do you think the sheep do while the shearers are shearing off the wool? Do you suppose they jump around and bleat and make a big fuss? No, they stand still and do not make a sound.

Dear children, what you have been reading about the lambs and sheep is written to help you understand better some things in God’s word. You know Jesus is called the Lamb of God.

You often read in the Old Testament about lambs being offered up as sacrifices for sins. These sacrifices were types of the one great Sacrifice that was offered “Once for all”—types of Jesus, the Lamb that was a perfect sacrifice and did not need to be offered again and again.

Because the lamb is such a meek and gentle creature, it was a suitable type of the meek and lowly Jesus, who offered Himself as a lamb to God for your sins and mine.

In Isaiah 53:7 we are told, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before the shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” Just as a sheep is so quiet when being led away to be killed, or when the shearers are cutting its wool, so Jesus went into death and endured the most terrible suffering without drawing back—without murmuring. And all this, dear reader, for you, that you might not suffer the deserved punishment of your sins. Do you love Him in return for such great love?

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML 04/28/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 91. Judges 9:1-22. Jotham’s Parable.

AFTER Gideon’s death, the Israelites forsook God entirely, and turned to idolatry. They did not profit by their bitter experience with the Midianites, and went on as if they had no account to take of a Holy God who saw their wicked ways. Gideon had many sons; the name of one was Abimelech. He was a very ambitious man and wanted to be king. He went to Shechem, where his mother’s people lived and asked his relatives to use their influence with the people. The men of Shechem were pleased with Abimelech, and attended to what he said, and gave him money, promising to make him king. With this money lie hired some wicked men who followed him wherever he went. Then he went to Ophrah and killed his brothers, seventy in all, upon one stone, except the youngest of all, Jotham, who hid himself and escaped. When the brothers were dead, the men of Shechem made Abimelech king. Jotham, hearing of it, went and stood on Mount Gerizim, and called with a loud voice to the people of Shechem to listen to him while he told them an allegory: The trees of the forest, one day, said he, went out to find a king who would reign over them. They said to the olive tree: “Reign thou over us.” But the olive tree answered: Shall I leave my fatness with which they honor God and man, and be promoted over other trees? The trees came next to the fig tree and asked him to be their king. But the fig tree answered: Should I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? They passed on to the vine and said: “Come thou and reign over us.” But the vine said to them: “Should I leave my wine which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” Last they came to the bramble, and said: “Come thou and reign over us.” The bramble answered: If you really want me to rule over you, come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, fire will come and burn all the trees, even the cedars of Lebanon.

Jotham was trying by this story to show the Israelites how foolish they were to take such a man as Abimelech for their ruler, and what the result would be. If those who were like the olive tree, the fig tree and the vine—fruit-bearing— (that is, whose works were pleasing to God, and for the good of the people,) refused to rule, because, as Gideon had said, God should reign over His people, what would the rule of such a one be except to bring them to destruction?

When Jesus was on the earth, He told His disciples that He was as one that served in their midst. If we follow His example, seeking always what good we can do to others, in honor preferring one another, (as we are told in Rom. 12:10), we shall then be far more pleasing to Him, and He has said, “Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”. Luke 18:14.

Jotham continued to speak to the Shechemites from Mount Gerizim, saying: If you have done well in making Abimelech king, and if you have treated my father’s house well, (for my father fought for you, risked his life and delivered you from the Midianites. and yet you have killed his seventy sons) then, you may rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you, but, if not, let fire come from Abimelech and destroy the men of Shechem, and let fire come from the men of Shechem and destroy Abimelech.

Then Jotham ran away, and went to live in Beer, for fear of his brother Abimelech.

It was not long before these words of Jotham’s became true, as we shall see in our next chapter.

May the Lord keep us from wanting to appear to be above others! for pride is an abomination in the Lord’s sight. In the sixth chapter of Proverbs God puts pride, lies and murder in the same list of the things which He hates. It was the root of Abimelech’s wicked crimes. Let us watch that we may be kept from it, humbly following in the footsteps of Jesus, who although He was God, yet “took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, in earth and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!” Phil. 2:7-11.

ML 04/28/1912

"Have You Such Love for the Bible?"

LITTLE George was sent by his mother one day to a store to buy soap. The store woman weighed the soap and then prepared to wrap it up. On the table, among some old papers, lay a thick book which she took in her hand, to tear off a page. George looked at the woman with surprise and cried out: “Why that’s the Bible!’

“Well, what about it?” replied the woman.

“It is the Bible,” repeated the boy, “what are you going to do with it?”

“Wrap the soap in it,” was the answer.

“Surely you would not tear up that beautiful book? It’s the Bible,” said the boy with special emphasis.

“What’s the harm in that?” replied the women somewhat annoyed. “I bought it for old paper to use in the store.”

With greater emphasis, George said: “What! the Bible? Oh, how I wish it were mine! I would certainly not tear it up.”

“Good,” said the woman, “if you pay me what I paid for it, you can have it.” She told George the price. It was only five or six cents, and being quite glad he said: “I will run right home and ask mother for the money.”

With these words, George left the store and ran home at full gallop. Breathless, he said to his mother, “Please, dear mother, give me some money!”

“What for?” she asked.

“To buy a Bible;” he replied. “The woman in the store was going to tear up the Bible and I asked her to please not; and she was willing to sell it to me. Oh please, dear mother, give me some money to buy it and she will not tear it.”

The mother replied: “I cannot, dear George. I have really no more money.” George was sad, but the mother could not help him. He turned back to the store, sobbing and said: “My mother is poor and cannot give me any money; but please do not tear the Bible, for there are so many beautiful things in it about our Lord Jesus.” The real sorrow of the boy softened the heart of the store woman. She patted him kindly on the head and said: “My dear, don’t cry anymore; you shall have the Bible, if you bring me as much old paper as it weighs.”

George had not expected that. He dried his tears and said. “I’ll do that willingly, and thank you very, very much.”

He ran quickly back to his mother and begged for old paper. She gave him all she had. Then he went to the neighbors’ houses, and asked the people for more. And when he believed he had enough, he hurried back to the store with the bundle of paper under his arm. Stepping in, he cried:

“Here is the paper.”

“Good,” said the woman; “let me weigh it.” The paper was laid on one scale, and the Bible on the other, and the scale on which the paper lay, went down, and with tears of joy in his eyes George cried: “The Bible is mine!” He then ran home to his mother and holding up the Bible in his hand, cried,

“I have it, mother! I have it!”

Now, are you pleased with little George my dear young readers? Do you also lave the Bible? George knew there were beautiful and glorious things in it. It tells us of God, who dwells in heaven, and of the Son of God, who came down from heaven, and died for sinners on the cross, and to hear and read it was such a joy for George, that he spared no trouble to possess the old Bible. Is it so with you? You certainly have a Bible at home, and don’t need to bring money or old paper to possess one. Take it, and open it, and let us read together 2 Timothy 3:15, “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.”

ML 04/28/1912

The Snow Prayer.

A LITTLE girl asked her mother one day to be allowed to go out and play in the fresh fallen snow. The permission was given and the child ran out into the open air. Sometime after, she came in again, and said, “Mother, I had to pray while I was outside.”

“Really! What did you pray?”

“When I saw the pure, white snow all around me, I remembered the snow prayer that I learned in the Sunday-school.”

“The snow prayer?” asked the mother smiling. “What do you mean by that?”

“O, mother, do you not know the beautiful snow prayer in the Bible? Surely you must know it. It is in the Psalms, and says, ‘WASH ME AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.’” (Psa. 51:7.)

The mother did not smile any more, but with a thankful heart, she pressed her child to her.

Have my dear young friends also prayed this prayer from the heart?

ML 04/28/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for March.

1.“For many deceivers,” etc. 2 John 7.

2.“Keep yourselves,” etc. Jude 21.

3.“This then is the,” etc. 1 John 1:5.

4.“He that loveth not,” etc. 1 4:5.

5.“If we confess, our,” etc. 1 1:9.

6.“Love not the world,” etc. 1 2:15.

7.“I have no greater joy,” etc. 3 4.

Bible Questions for May.

The answers are to be found in Revelation, chapter 12 to end.

1.Write the verse containing, the words, “Lord of Lords and King of Kings”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “The first resurrection”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Now is come salvation”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “The hour of His judgment”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “The Lamb is the light”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “Water of life”.

ML 05/05/1912

A Letter for the Editor.

THIRTEEN years have rolled by since our little paper first appeared and many of our early readers have gone home to be with the Lord. Others have grown from little children to manhood and womanhood.

Such are the changes that take place so rapidly in this life and soon all who have read the first papers will be gone from this scene.

With these thoughts before us and the fact that we are beginning another volume, the editor would like to press upon each young heart the importance of being ready to leave this world, and to make good the moments as they fly by, in using them for the Lord.

I am sure no one who has read the pages of “Messages of Love” can help but know the way to be ready to leave this scene. It is only by having Christ as our own Saviour; believing He has died for our sins, and that He rose from the dead. As the following scripture gives it, “He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Rom. 4:25. Then for those who are ready, the word is, “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58.

These past years have given us much encouragement to continue with the little service of sending out the paper, and trust if we are left here for another year, or whatever part of it, that much blessing may be the result.

We ask the prayers of all those who are the Lord’s, for wisdom and guidance as to what should be put into the papers, and His blessing to accompany each one.

ML 05/05/1912

Happy Times.

Do you have happy times swinging in an old-fashioned swing? See how happy the children in our picture look as they swing to and fro beneath the limb of a beautiful tree, with a carpet of green under their feet. I trust my little readers often have this pleasure.

But there are many other ways to have, happy times. A little child too young to walk, has happy times playing with his rattle, an orange, or a little toy animal. When he is a little older he likes to play with building blocks and trains of cars.

Still later he has happy times sliding, skating, and playing marbles and ball. Then work becomes interesting. Some people enjoy their studies and the different kinds of work they take up.

But often people want something more than this and look to the party, the theatre, the dance, and other worldly amusements for happy times.

Dear reader, is this the way you seek your happiness? Very likely it is, if you do not know Jesus as your Saviour. When we do not know Him, we seek happiness in worldly things, only to find that such happiness is far from satisfying. If you would know what true happiness is, you must look away from this world to the only One who can satisfy the heart. One who had great riches, honor, and wisdom, and much experience, said over and over again, “All is vanity and vexation of spirit.” But does he leave us here? No. After repeatedly showing that nothing of this earth is worthwhile, he turns our thoughts to something better, saying, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” And, “Fear God, and keep His commandments.” Eccl. 12:1, 13.

David said, “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 141:15.

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17.

What happy times we can have communing with our Lord, studying His precious Word, carrying out His blessed will, and serving Him whenever we can. This is true happiness, and when we have learned by experience what such happiness is, we will say with Solomon, of the pleasures of this world, “All is vanity.”

ML 05/05/1912

What Can Wash Away Stains?

IT all depends upon what kind of a stain you want washed away.

If you had a fall in the mud, and your face is stained with dirt, soap and water will cleanse it.

If you have brushed against some wet paint, a little turpentine will remove the stain.

If you have inked your fingers while writing in your copy-book, rub them with pumice-stone and the stain will soon disappear.

If it is tar that has blackened your hand, ask mother for a piece of butter, it will make your hand clear again.

But if you say that it is not your hands or face that are stained, but your soul, and that it is sin which has caused the stain, then there is only one thing that can wash it away before God. Do you know what it is?

“The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleans eth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML 05/05/1912

The Precious Legacy; or Twice Inherited.

NOT many years ago, a God-fearing man, upon entering the guest room of the hotel which he had chosen for his lodging place, the stranger noticed, to his astonishment, a New Testament lying on the table, which, judging by its appearance, was being much used.

“Do you read the word of God?” inquired the man of the hotelkeeper.

“Yes, sir!” responded the same, “and with much blessing.”

“Praise the Lord for it,” said the guest. “Yes, to Him be all the praise for it, and especially for the remarkable way in which He has led me and my whole house to esteem this book as our greatest treasure,” responded the hotelkeeper.

These words aroused the interest of the traveler in no small measure, and so he begged his host to tell him a little about it, upon which he related the following: “I took a nephew into my home after the death of his parents. But the boy was good-for-nothing. He behaved so badly that, in order to have quietness in my house, I was soon compelled to put him out. I gave him in apprenticeship to a very strict master, but one day Paul disappeared and no trace could be found of him. This fact gave us at first a great deal of anxiety, for what might not become of an unruly boy like him, only thirteen years old, roaming about the great city, with no one to assist him or care for him. As time passed on, we thought less about him, and were finally even glad, in this way, to have got rid of the troublesome fellow.

Well, about six months ago, a carriage stopped here with some passengers, and who was among them but Paul, dressed in the gay uniform of the National Guards. I actually shuddered when I saw him again.

‘What are you going to do here, you rowdy?’ I assailed him. ‘First you lead a dissipated life and then come back to bring shame upon me and my family!’

Paul looked at me with such a sad expression, and, pointing to his uniform, said: ‘Uncle, I have brought no dishonor upon the regiment under which I have served, as you may see from my papers; because of poor health I had to be dismissed from the Guards; and concerning my past sad life, I can say that with deep sorrow and repentance I look back upon it.’

‘Yes, yes’! I exclaimed, ‘I understand very well; run down in consequence of your careless life, not a cent in your pocket and nobody caring to have you, finally your uncle comes to your mind again.’

Paul shook his head. ‘I did not expect anything else,’ he responded quietly, ‘and all I can say in my defense is, by the grace of God I am no more the thoughtless and troublesome fellow I was before.’

‘Well, well, then,’ I said, somewhat calmed, ‘I will give you another trial, my boy,’ inviting him to come into the house.

It was not very long before I and all my family saw that the young man had indeed become very different. Of the many naughty habits which had marked his life so much before, nothing could be seen. He was as kind and modest as any young man could be. When asking him about his past soldier life, he spoke in a reserved way of what he had experienced; others told me afterwards that he had been one of the bravest of the regiment.

I was not a little surprised on the first night of his return. We slept together in my bedroom where I had a bed put up for him. Before retiring he asked permission to pray.

‘Pray!’ I said laughing; for, dear sir, I was an infidel in those days and a great mocker.

‘Pray!’ I repeated, ‘yes, I should like to hear the prayer of a soldier and a loafer; that must be something nice. Go ahead, let us hear it.’

Paul looked at me again so sadly and responded: ‘If I may ask you a favor, uncle, please, do not mock at my praying. It is not at all necessary that I should pray audibly, for God hears my prayer, though I may not speak aloud. I understand very well that you cannot trust me, and believe in my sincerity, but I hope by the grace of God to be able to prove to you that my praying is not a mere form.’

From this moment I watched the behavior of my nephew closely, being convinced in my mind he was nothing but a hypocrite, who, under the fine mask of assumed piety, was hiding his evil intentions. It was not so easy for me, as I knew him so well in the past, to trust him and believe him to be sincere; but I had to see more and more that I was in the wrong.

“IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE.” 1 Peter 4:14.

ML 05/05/1912

"Blessed Are the Merciful."

TWO little girls and a dog. What a picture of happiness and contentment! Many of you little readers have pet dogs of your own and can understand how fond of their dog these little girls are.

They are combing and brushing his hair, and he stands very quiet for he enjoys it. The children are so gentle, they do not hurt him. Dogs and cats like to be rubbed and petted when it is done gently.

But dogs and cats do not always get such good treatment. Some children tease them and hurt them, making them yelp and howl and try to run away.

Those who do this think it is smart and take great delight in it. What do you think? Are you one of these naughty children who think it is all right?

If so let me ask you another question. What does God think? Hear what He says: “BE YE THEREFORE MERCIFUL, AS YOUR FATHER ALSO IS MERCIFUL.” Luke 6:36.

Is it merciful to tease and hurt these innocent creatures? Is that the way your heavenly Father shows mercy to you? You know very well it is not.

In Psalm 146:8 we have, “The Lord loveth the righteous,” and 58:11. “There is a reward for the righteous.” And the Bible is full of precious promises to the righteous. Surely if you love the Lord you want to be righteous, —that is, do what is right. But in Proverbs 12:10 we find, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” That means he is kind to it and takes good care of it.

One fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians is “gentleness.”

If you think carefully about these different Scriptures, you must know that you displease the Lord when you fail to show gentleness, kindness, and mercy to His creatures—whatever they are.

ML 05/12/1912

The Precious Legacy; or Twice Inherited.

Paul’s health was very poor, and he became visibly weaker. His diseased lungs often caused him terrible pain. At times, when his sufferings became too intense, I heard him groan, ‘O, my God and Father, help me and be merciful to me; yet not my will, but Thine be done.’ Then again he would say: ‘Yes Lord, I know—I believe—that all things work together for good to those who are Thine own.’

But what touched me most was the unchanging meekness and kindness. He was content with anything, and so thankful for even the least favor or service we would do for him, so that my wife and children too were deeply touched.

One day I said to my wife: ‘I do not know what to think of Paul; he is so different now from what he was before. I am so surprised about it. Today he spoke to me so strangely of the goodness of God and of the deep peace he possessed, and yet he knows quite well that death is rapidly approaching. I must say that his words and ways have made deep impressions upon me.’

‘It is the same with me,’ responded my wife, ‘and I can tell you also the cause of this great change in him. Paul has become a Christian!’

‘Has become a Christian!’ I exclaimed. ‘What do you mean by that, are we then heathens?’

‘No, not just that,’ responded my wife, ‘but can we say of ourselves that we are really and truly Christians? What do we know about Christ? Have we ever cared about Him? Have we not often used His name in vain? It can be of little use to us to be Christians in name only. To be a Christian is connected with responsibility; but it has never given us any concern that we have to give account of all our deeds and thoughts and ways; and that the Lord Jesus has died for sinners and borne the just punishment of sins on that cross—well, perhaps we have known it—but whether He bore our sins, we have never troubled our minds about. Wherefore we had no right to call ourselves Christians in the true sense of the word. At least thus it stood with me until recently, but I learned a number of precious facts from Paul. In my conversations with him, I heard things which at first astonished me much, and it seemed rather presumptuous on my part to believe, and appropriate them to myself, but I can say, through the grace of God, that they are now my greatest joy.

Thus, or at least in similar language, spoke my wife. As a matter of fact I was surprised, having never heard her speak in that way before.

‘And what have you learned from Paul?’ I inquired after a pause.

‘You shall know all,’ she continued; ‘just listen! Some time ago, while Paul had one of his severe coughing spells, I sought to support him as much as possible, arranging his pillow. While doing this a little book fell to the floor. Imagine my astonishment when I recognized it to be a New Testament. Quietly putting the book back again under the pillow, I did not mention my discovery to Paul at that time. The following morning I spoke to him about it

‘O aunt,’ he answered, ‘this book I received from a dying comrade. It was his legacy to me. With his last strength, he begged me to read the little book with prayer. That I have done and it has brought me to the Lord Jesus. He is now the source of all my joy, my peace, and my blessings; for this reason do I love the book. My comrade was not afraid to die, for, he said: “I have peace with God through my Lord Jesus Christ.”’

‘Well,’ I thought, ‘if this has made the lad so happy, then it cannot do me any harm. My heart desired to know what that little book contained. From that time on, Paul has read to me quite often out of the little precious volume, and in this way I have learned many glorious truths, among them the Most important fact, that God has given His only Son for us, to die in our stead, and that everyone who believes in Him shall not be lost, but has eternal life. Then I too came to the Lord Jesus—that is I believed what God has said about me—that I am a sinner, and the Lord Jesus is the Saviour. I too know that peace which Paul enjoys, and thank God for sending him back to our house. He has longed to speak to you about these things; but he fears he is still in your eyes a hypocrite. Because of this, he has often charged himself before the Lord as being unfaithful, and has asked Him to give him boldness to confess His name and his faith in Him to you.’

This confession of my wife made a profound impression upon me. If there was yet a spark of distrust in my heart against my nephew, it was now gone forever. From this time on I was much with Paul and had many precious talks with him; and, thank God, he has blessed Paul’s testimony not to my wife alone, but to my whole family, for all—my son and my daughter, and as the last one I myself—came to the Lord Jesus. He is now each and every one’s Saviour whose presence we enjoy. We can now say like those people in the fourth chapter of the Gospel by John: ‘Now we believe . . . . for we have heard ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.’

Paul is no more in our midst, for the Lord has taken him to Himself. But (laying his hand upon the little book which had caused the conversation) here is his precious legacy. Twice the book has been inherited, and we cannot thank God enough that we were favored with such a precious inheritance. The book has indeed become a good treasure to us all, and God has blessed His word to our hearts. We have learned to know Christ, and in Him we possess such an abundance of riches, for which we shall thank God through the endless ages of eternity.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Eph. 1:3.

ML 05/12/1912

Sheep.

WHAT a pretty flock of sheep we see in our picture; their wool looks so white and clean in the sunshine. The faithful old shepherd is leading them to some distant grassy hill of which he knows. He has cared for sheep for many years; see how kind he is to carry this little lamb which could not keep up with the rest of the flock. What would he do if one of these sheep would stray away from the flock? I think he would hunt until he could find it; then if it had fallen into a ditch or puddle of water, the crook at the end of his staff would help him to pull it out. How carefully he must have watched these little things, but he knows everyone and they know him. They cannot get mixed with other flocks, for each sheep wants to follow its own shepherd, and knows his voice.

Are you one of Jesus’ little lambs? You are His if you have been saved, and He is watching over you as faithfully as this shepherd is watching over his flock. Even if you become careless about Him and do not care to hear about Him nor be with His people, He will still follow you and speak to your heart and conscience. He will not let you go. Look up Matthew 18:12 and 13 in your Bibles. If a human shepherd has such love and care for his sheep, how much greater the love of Jesus, the Great Shepherd, must be!

Be sure and listen to the voice of Jesus. He speaks to you through His word, the Bible. There are many voices in the world calling dear children away from Jesus. Satan puts it in the hearts of many to lead children and young people into evil; He does not want you to think of Jesus and is pleased to have you interested in just anything else. But Jesus says, “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME; AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND.” John 10:27.

ML 05/19/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 92. Judges 9:22-57. Abimelech.

FOR three years Abimelech reigned over the Shechemites. But they soon tired of their cruel king. God remembered all that Abimelech had done to his brothers, and He could not let him go unpunished. The people of Shechem rebelled, and tried to kill him. They set men to hide and wait for him in the mountains, and they would rob anybody who passed that way.

A man named Gaal went to live with the Shechemites and won their confidence. One day when they had gone to the vineyards to gather the grapes and tread them down to make wine, they were merry, and having a good time. They went into the house of their god, ate and drank and cursed Abimelech. And Gaal said: “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem that we should serve him? Is not he the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) and is not Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? Would to God this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech. Increase thine army and come out.”

When Zebul, the ruler of the city heard these words, he became very angry and sent, secretly some messengers to Abimelech, to tell him of Gaal’s coming, and that they were fortifying the city against their king. He also advised Abimelech to come during the night with his army and lie in wait in the field and at the break of day, to fall upon the city. Abimelech followed Zebul’s advice and came against Shechem, with his men divided into four companies.

In the morning Gaal saw them and said to Zebul: These are men coming down from the mountain; but Zebul said: They are shadows of the mountains. After a while Gaal said: There are more people coming by the high land, others by the plains. Then Zebul answered: Where is now thy mouth which said: Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? Is not this the people thou hast despised? Go out now, and fight against him.

Gaal went, and fought with Abimelech but the latter chased him, and he fled; and many were killed and wounded, even to the gate of the city. Zebul drove them away from the city, so that they could not live there anymore. The next day, the Shechemites went into the fields, and Abimelech, hearing of it, went out against them. Those who had been left in the city rushed out, and fought with him all that day; but they were slain, and Abimelech took the city, beat it down and sowed it with salt.

The Shechemites who escaped, ran to their idol’s temple, but Abimelech and his soldiers, followed them there. They cut down boughs of trees and put them around the temple and set fire to them. All those in the tower died—one thousand men and women. Then Abimelech went to a city named Thebez and tried to take it. The people all fled to a strong tower within the city. Abimelech pursued them there, fighting against it. Then a woman on the top of the tower took a large mill stone and threw it down upon his head. He was badly wounded by it, and knew he could not live, and he cried to his armor bearer, “Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew me.” The soldier did so and Abimelech fell dead. And when the Israelites saw that he was dead, they returned each man to his house.

So was fulfilled Jotham’s prophecy that Abimelech would destroy the Shechemites, and they him. And so did God punish him for his dreadful crimes. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” for He must punish sin. Happy, indeed, those whose sin is covered, to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity. (Ps. 32:1-2). The blood of Jesus Christ alone can blot out our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML 05/19/1912

Mirza, the Gospel Man.

FAR away in the east, there is a land called Arabia where the sun shines hot and bright almost all the time There you would see sandy plains and rocky mountains, little villages of white flat-topped houses and groves of tall graceful date palms. The people who live in Arabia are called Arabs, and they are thought to be descended from Ishmael, Abraham’s elder son. Most of them still live in tents as Abraham did, and travel about from place to place on camels to find pasture for their flocks and herds.

But sad to say, they do not know God as Abraham knew Him. Abraham was called “the friend of God,” but these poor Arabs are Mahommedans. Though they believe in one God, they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but in a false prophet called Mahommed.

However there are some Christian missionaries now in Arabia who are trying to teach the people about the true God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Twenty-four years ago, that is in 1888, a missionary was travelling through Arabia on his way to the coast. He was travelling with camels over the desert, and he halted on Sunday because he would not travel on the Lord’s day. He invited all the people of the caravan to stop and hear him preach. As they were sitting on the ground, he opened the Gospel and read John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” He preached on the text and afterwards prayed. The following day the caravan broke up and travelled on.

The missionary never knew what was the effect of his sermon, but there was one man called Mirza who could never forget the words of that wonderful verse. He wandered about for a long time with his camels and tents, but at last settled down in the mountains of Oman.

Here, one night last year there came to his memory the story of the sermon, and he could not throw it off, but spent a sleepless night thinking of Moses and the serpent and the wilderness. So he knelt and prayed to God that He would send someone to him who could teach him more about the wonderful verse which he had once heard and never forgotten. Then it seemed as though he was in a dream. Someone said to him, “Tomorrow morning people will come to you carrying Holy books, and they will explain to you the verse which is perplexing you!” So he got up before sunrise and sat by the wayside, expecting the fulfillment of the promise he had received in his dream. He was sitting just outside a little village in Oman.

That same morning there were going along that very road two brothers called Ibrahim and Seyyid, both Arab Christians. They had a load of Bibles and Christian tracts, which they used to sell to the people and tell them of the good news the books contained.

But this morning as they walked along, they remembered that the last time they had come to that village, the people had beaten them, and taken away their books and burned them publicly. They were afraid that this would happen to them again, so they decided to enter the village secretly, buy some food and get away before trouble should come to them.

They did not know that the Lord Himself was sending them to tell Mirza the good news of salvation; but when Mirza saw them coming, he felt sure that they were the men who were to explain to him about the serpent in the wilderness. He rose smiling and said, “Come on; everything is ready and I am expecting you!” They thought it was only a trick to get them into the town where the people would treat them ill, but they followed him nevertheless, and came to his house. There he gave them refreshments, and immediately began to ask about the Holy book. He bought a Bible in Persian and in Arabic, and said, “Please show me the verse about Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness.” When they explained to him this verse and the Message of the Gospel, he began to understand and to believe that the serpent in the wilderness was indeed a type of Christ, and that Jesus was the Saviour of sinners.

Do you too, dear children, understand this verse? You have heard how the Lord Jesus was lifted up on the cross, how He died for our sins. If you look up to Him, and put your confidence in Him, He will save you. You may be quite sure that if you trust yourself to Him, He will receive you at once, for He knows you apart from every other child in the world now, and thinks of you.

After Mirza knew and rejoiced in his own salvation, he said, “I find I am in debt to tell the news which I have heard to a dear friend of mine, a brother who lives in this village.” To his great joy, his brother also accepted Christ as his Saviour. Mirza went on selling Bibles and speaking of Christ to everyone, so that all the people in that region call him “Mirza Injili,” or Mirza the Gospel man. He has endured persecution in no small degree because of his boldness in confessing Christ, and reading the Bible to the people.

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

ML 05/19/1912

Which?

IN the Cathedral at Worcester, there is an ancient slab, bearing as its inscription the solitary word, “MISSERIMUS,”— “Most Miserable.”

Down in the Catacombs— those vast underground chambers of the dead, where the early Christians endeavored to hide from their fierce persecutors —engravers on a stone embedded in the wall stands this beautiful word, “FELICISSIMUS,”— “Most Happy.”

If you were to be laid in your grave this week, which of those Latin inscriptions would most truly represent your condition?

No time should be wasted,

Thy moments are precious;

Thy time for departing

From earth draweth nigh:

Then come now this moment

And He will receive you,

And then come to take you

To be with Him on high.

ML 05/19/1912

Kindness.

I WONDER who owns these animals we see in our picture? It must be some very kind man for they seem to be eagerly waiting in a group for him. We cannot see the man, but he may be behind the horse hitching it to the buggy.

The big dog is holding the whip in his mouth, so his master is surely about ready to start on a drive. How interesting it is to see the dogs so anxious to be with their owner; they would not care to be near him if he were unkind to them We read in the Scriptures that, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” Prov. 12:10.

How can a Christian man or woman boy or girl be unkind to any person or any of God’s creatures, when they realize each day how much God is doing for them? Do we think enough about the Lord’s goodness to us? We know Jesus loves us so much, and has shown such grace to us in forgiving us our sins; can we not show a little more of this love and kindness to others! It may be difficult to love someone who is contrary and disagreeable to us, but we must remember that Jesus loved us and died for us when we were “dead in trespasses and sins,” and were enemies to Him.

Let us think often of Jesus and of what He is doing for us right now as He is at God’s right hand in heaven.

“OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN!” Psa. 107:8.

ML 05/26/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 93. Judges 11:1-29. Jephthah.

THE Israelites had now sunken deep into idolatry. They worshipped many false gods —Baal, Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, of Moab, of Ammon, of the Philistines—entirely setting aside the only true God, the One who, had delivered them from Egypt and its bondage and brought them to that beautiful fruitful land of Canaan.

God’s anger was aroused against His people for their sins, and He allowed the nations around them to vex and oppress them so much that they cried to the Lord for deliverance. But the Lord answered them, “Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from all the Canaanites? And yet you have forsaken Me and served idols. Go cry to them and let them deliver you from your troubles.”

But the children of Israel said: “We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto Thee. Deliver us only, we pray Thee, this day.” Their consciences were reached and they were brought to confess their sins, and to acknowledge God’s righteousness in judging them. God heard their cry, as He does of every sinner who comes to Him. “If we confess our sins,” He says “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

The children of Israel would not have been really repentant, had they kept their strange gods with them. They showed their sorrow by putting them away and serving the Lord.

At that time the Ammonites gathered together and encamped against Gilead. The Israelites assembled at Mizpeh. The princes among them, and the people asked who could lead them against their foes, saying that whosoever would, should be, made head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

At that time there lived a Gileadite named Jephthah. He was a brave warrior, but his brothers did not love him and told him he should not inherit any of their father’s wealth, and they showed their hatred of him so, that he fled from them, and went, to live in the land of Tob. Some people went away with him also.

At the time when the Ammonites threatened Israel, the Gileadites thought of their brother Jephthah, and went to him to fetch him from Tob. “Come,” they said, “and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.” But Jephthah answered, “Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? Why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?” But they said: “Therefore we turn again to thee now that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and, be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” They also promised at his request that, if he came back victorious over the Ammonites, he would become their chief. How Jephthah’s history reminds us of that of the Lord Jesus. Like the Gileadites of their brother, the Jews said of Jesus: “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14.) After His rejection and death, He went away, but will come back and be acknowledged as the Head or King of Israel and fight for them against their enemies.

Jephthah went with his brothers, the Gileadites, and became their captain. He sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites to ask him why he had come to fight Israel in their land.

The Ammonite king answered: “Because Israel took away my land when they came up out of Egypt, ... .now, therefore, restore those lands again peaceably.”

But Jephthah sent back the messenger with this answer: Israel took not away the land of Moab or of Ammon; when they came from Egypt through the wilderness they sent to the king of Edom to ask to be allowed to pass through their land; but he refused to let them. In the same way to Moab who would not consent. They went around these countries and not within their borders. Then Israel sent to the king of Amorites, asking the same favor. Instead, of granting it the Amorites gathered together to fight Israel. God delivered them into His people’s hands, and Israel possessed their land. So now that God has given us this land, shall we give it to you? Whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess. Israel has dwelt in this land for three hundred years; why did you not recover that land within that time? So we have not sinned toward you, and you do us wrong to war against us. Let God be judge between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon. But the king of Ammon would not heed Jephthah’s messengers. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he passed over into the land of the Ammonites to fight them.

Oh! that we may, like Jephthah, allow no one to deprive us of the blessings God has given us! Christ’s death not only has saved us from the wrath to come, but has made us a place in heaven so sure that the Apostle Paul tells us we are already seated there. (Eph. 2:6.) If such is the portion of all believers in Jesus, and that it is by grace, through faith that we are saved, not of ourselves, but the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast, what is there to fear? Shall we allow the enemy to rob us of the peace that is ours? No, let us, like Jephthah, cling to God’s promises, and say: We will possess the land that God gives us.

ML 05/26/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 1. The Pharisee.

AS WE read the account of our Lord’s life, as told to us in the four Gospels, how often we meet with this word “Pharisee.” Would you not like to know who these Pharisees were, and what made them so important in the eyes of the people? The name, Pharisee, comes from a word which means “Separated,” and their great object was to keep separated from everything which they considered would make them unclean.

You must not think that in the days when our Lord Jesus Christ walked through the land of Palestine, the Jews alone were living there; far from it; people of many races might be found in the land; Greeks, Romans, Syrians, and many others. Now all of these nations were heathen, and their manners and customs, as well as their religion, were quite different to those of the Jews. To have anything to do with these “outsiders,” as they were considered, caused uncleanness to a Pharisee; he would not buy from them or sell to them; he would not help them if in trouble, nor would he employ them in any way.

Perhaps at first the Pharisees did good, for they strove to hinder the people of the Jews, from becoming like the heathen nations around them, but as time went on, they became more and more narrow in their thoughts and ways, until, at last, the Lord Jesus had to say these terrible words to them, “In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold the tradition of men.” Mark 7:7, 8. To understand just what this means, I must tell you that the Pharisees did not only teach men to keep the law of God, which you remember was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, but they declared that God had told Moses many other things which were not written down, but which Moses repeated to Joshua and Joshua to the elders, and so on. These traditions the Pharisees spoke of as a “hedge about the lane,” and they paid more attention to them than to the word of God. One thing which they insisted upon was “purification,” continual washing, for fear of having touched something which they called unclean. The Lord Jesus speaks of this also in Mark 7, “Ye hold the tradition of men,” He says, “as the washing of pots and cups.”

Another point which they insisted upon was the keeping of the Sabbath. This we know God had commanded his people to do, but the Pharisees added to what the Scripture told them. They must not eat an egg laid upon the Sabbath; they would not send a message to a Gentile, for fear it should be given on the Sabbath; they would not even help one in trouble for fear of going contrary to their traditions. You remember how, when the Lord Jesus healed a man who had a withered hand on the Sabbath day, the Pharisees were so angry, that they are described as being “full of madness,” and “They took counsel how they might destroy Him.”

ML 05/26/1912

Trusting God.

IT was a cold winter’s afternoon, and very slippery were the icy streets of a town, when my two little friends, Fanny and Willie, were wending their way home (from school it might have been), but it is a long time ago, so I forget. Poor Fanny found it hard to keep on her feet, and I expect, many a time, nearly pulled her little brother down as she held his hand. At last, Willie said, “Fanny! why don’t you do as I do? I say, ‘Please, God, help Willie from slipping’ and I don’t slip.”

Children! this is true and my once little friends are big ones now, and I dare say, sometimes, find slippery paths of a different kind. Do you know what I mean? Look at this verse in the Bible, Psalm 119:117th verse, “Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe.” That was David speaking to God, and he was not a little child afraid of slipping on ice; but afraid of slipping away from doing what was pleasing in God’s sight. That is what I mean about slippery paths of a different kind when you are grown up. God loves little children to put their trust in Him. He likes you to ask Him to help you at school, or in any difficulty you may be in. But best of all, He loves to have you put your trust in Jesus —His beloved Son—as your Saviour and then you can never, never slip out of His hand.

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7.

ML 05/26/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for April.

1.“And they sung a new,” etc. Rev. 5:9.

2.“And the seventh angel,” etc. 11:15.

3.“Blessed is he that readeth,” etc. 1:3.

4.“He that hath an ear,” etc. 2:7.

5.“To him that overcometh,” etc. 3:21.

6.“He that hath an ear,” etc. 2:17.

7.“And I said unto him,” etc. 7:14.

Bible Questions for June.

The answers are to be found in the first 15 chapters of Proverbs.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “He pondereth all his goings”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “Abomination”. “Delight”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “It maketh rich”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Lying lips”. “His delight”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “The path of the wicked”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “With all thine heart”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “If sinners entice thee”.

ML 06/02/1912

Old John's Dream.

THERE lived a good many years ago in the city of Exeter, in the south of England, a very poor old man, whose home was in a wretched court, in the poorest part of the city. It was a place where you could find, nothing but sin and evil. One wretched, dwelling seemed more desolate and dirty than the next, and it would have been impossible to find a decent home, where drunken quarrels, and wicked words were not heard.

The old man had been a terrible drunkard, he knew very well what it was to be in jail, and often he had neither food nor clothing. One day however while in a drunken state, he met with a severe accident, which nearly cost him his life. When he recovered from this illness, he signed the pledge, and at the time I am telling you of, he had not tasted liquor for twenty years. Do you think old John was ready to go to heaven now, because he had become a sober man? No, he was more fit perhaps to live upon the earth, but no nearer heaven, for the Lord Jesus has Himself told us, that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John was in some ways a reformed man, but he was not yet a new man.

But God, who is rich in mercy, was looking down in love and pity on this poor old sinner, eighty years old, and still in his sins, and one night he had a strange dream. He dreamed that God promised to give him something, and that he repeated to him this verse “Christ hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” No doubt old John had heard these words somewhere before. He may have even learned them as a little child, but be that as it may, he had quite forgotten them, until God brought them again to his memory in this strange dream.

When John woke up, he thought a great deal about his dream, and especially about those wonderful words. He was so afraid he might forget them, he wrote them down upon an old piece of slate he happened to have.

In the course of the day as he was sitting in his little room, still thinking of all this he heard an unusual noise in the court, and opening his window, he put out his head to see what was the matter. There was a man standing, quite different looking than the ragged dirty looking objects who were generally to be seen there. This man was decently dressed, and he held in his hand a book, yes, the book of all books, the Bible. And as he stood there, in that miserable court, he was reading in a loud voice, so that all should hear, the very same words John had dreamed about, “Christ hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust that He might bring us to God.” Old John could keep quiet no longer, and as the words fell upon his ear, he shouted out, “Thank God, I’m saved.” In a few minutes he came downstairs with the piece of slate in his hand, and showed the people who had gathered round, the words written upon it, and told the story of his dream. He kept rubbing his hands for joy and delight, and saying again and again, “Thank God, I’m saved.”

“How do you know you are saved?” asked the young man, who had just been repeating the verse.

“Why, sir, don’t you see? Christ died for me. He suffered, ‘the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.’ I am the unjust one, Jesus was the Just. I must be saved.” John never changed his mind about this; he was always willing to tell the reason for the hope that was in him, and his faith stood firm, for he knew Whom he had believed. In his dying hours he could say, “I am looking up; Christ is there, and I shall be there with Him soon.”

Now dear children if you do not already know this verse, would it not be nice for you to learn it too, not to forget it until you are eighty years old, but to believe it just now. You will find it in 1 Pet. 3:18, “Christ hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”

ML 06/02/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 1. Part 2. The Pharisee.

WE SPOKE last week of the Pharisees’ devotion to the “Traditions of men,” putting aside for them the pure word of God. Making clean, as the Lord Jesus told them, the outside, while within was all manner of evil. (Matt. 23:26.)

Today let us consider a little the dress and appearance of a Pharisee. Let us fancy we are walking in the streets of that beautiful city Jerusalem 1900 years ago. Do you see that man coming towards you? His long robe is strictly plain, but above it is a shorter garment, with a broad fringe of blue around it; bound on to his forehead is a small parchment roll, and a similar one is seen upon the left arm, fastened by black leather straps wound round the hand and arm. These are the “phylacteries” of which our Lord speaks in Matt. 23:5. On the parchment is written various passages of Scripture, taken from the books of Exodus and Deut. The Pharisee places immense importance on the wearing of these. He says that Moses received the law of their observance from God on Mount Sinai, and that they are more sacred than the golden plate on the forehead of the high-priest. They are reverenced as highly as the Scriptures, and like them, may be rescued from the flames on the Sabbath, though not worn upon that day, as that would be carrying a burden, and therefore unlawful. Are you wondering what the broad blue border, or fringe to the upper garment is for? To answer that question we must turn to the book of Numbers, Chapter 15:38. There we find the Lord commanding that the children of Israel should make them fringes of blue in the borders of their garments, that when they looked upon it, they might remember to keep all the words of Jehovah. In the days when our Lord was upon earth, all Jews wore this border to their garments, and no doubt when we read of the poor woman who said, “If I may but touch the hem of His garment I shall be healed,” we can believe it was this fringe or border of blue which she laid her hand upon.

But to go back to the Pharisee, who, as our Lord tells the multitude in Matt. 23, “They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarged the borders of their garments,” we shall presently see stops suddenly in the middle of the street, he draws his feet together, arranges his clothes, and bending his body so low that “the skin over his heart would fall into folds,” he begins to repeat his prayers; the hour, according to the tradition he delights in, has come for prayer and nothing must hinder him. “The very salutation of a king,” it was said, “must remain unreturned; nay, the twisting of a serpent around one’s heel must remain unheeded.” Nor was it merely at certain hours the Pharisee must pray. He must pray on entering or leaving a village; in passing through a fortress, if he met with danger, or saw anything new, beautiful, strange or unexpected. And the longer the prayers, the better, for the Pharisee said, “Much prayer is sure to be heard,” and “Long prayers prolong life.” They also felt it a great merit to say many prayers; and to utter a hundred benedictions in one day was a sign of great piety. I might go on and tell you much more about the Pharisees, but time fails me, and I think you know enough about them now to understand what kind of men they were, whom our blessed Lord met day by day. Men whose holiness was purely on the outside; whose good deeds were done to be seen by men; who had no real value for true devotedness to God, and who when they came in contact with One who was absolutely holy, only desired to crucify Him, and get rid of Him from off the earth.

But while we see so clearly where the Pharisee sinned, let us take care that we ourselves are not like him. Let us be sure that we are not only patching up and painting over the outside, while the inside is full of evil, but let us remember that it is with the heart God has to do, and that His eyes can see us through and through, for He has said, “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7.

ML 06/02/1912

Her Jersey Pets.

IT IS toward evening so we can easily guess why this girl is leading the cows homeward, and why she is carrying a jug in her hand. She has found her pets in a fine meadow lot where they have been nibbling the sweet grass all day, so she will have her jug filled with milk quickly when she begins her task.

How much people depend upon milk! We need it when we are tiny children to make us grow; we need it every day in cooking our food, and we specially need it when we are sick to give us strength.

But this kind of milk only feeds our natural bodies. God has told us in the Bible that we need food to make us grow spiritually. We eat our meals every day, and how weak we feel, if we have to go without them. Some claim to know Jesus and neglect to read His Word and what weak Christians it does make them. Dear children, do read God’s precious book every day for food for your soul, and think carefully about what you read.

We eat our food and then digest it; now when we read what the Lord says to us, we want to apply it to our lives, this is like the digesting of our food. It is a very, very sad thing to read the Scriptures and not take heed to what they tell us.

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

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” Psa. 119:9.

“The word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8.

ML 06/02/1912

Cattle in a March.

HOW much these cattle seem to like the water; they have hunted this marsh to get away from the heat. The trees, too, spreading over the water makes it more comfortable for them here. We are glad they can have such a refreshing spot.

Not only cows like to wade in water, but how much little boys and girls enjoy doing so, too! You have been wading at some time I know; how cool the water seemed to your tired, hot feet, and how you liked’ to splash about in it. These little lakes and marshes are of so much comfort to us.

Isn’t it good of the Lord to give you these things for pleasure, as well as the things which supply your needs? But these things you can enjoy only as long as you live down here on the earth. Does His love for you stop here? No indeed, He has made a way for you to be saved, so that you can go to heaven if you should die, and have eternal life with Him. How has He made this way possible? It was by the death of His Son, and if you believe in Him as your Saviour, you can be sure of happiness not only in this life, but for eternity. Do you know that you are a sinner? Have you been to Jesus to ask Him for forgiveness of your sins? Where will you spend eternity?

“Who is like unto Thee, O Lord?’ Exodus 15:11.

“HE THAT IS OUR GOD, IS THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION.” Psa. 68:20.

ML 06/09/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 94. Judges 11:29-40. Jephthah’s Daughter.

BEFORE Jephthah set out to fight the Ammonites with his brothers, the Gileadites, he vowed a vow unto the Lord and said: “If Thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, then, whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace, shall surely be the Lord’s and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” What a thoughtless promise to make! As if saying: If God will do me this favor, I will return it with another. Shall we bargain with the great Giver of all good? King David in the 116th Psalm says, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” And that is what He wants of each of us, that we should accept with thankfulness what He offers. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

Jephthah then set out to fight the Ammonites in their own country, and the Lord gave him victory and delivered that people into his hands. He destroyed twenty cities as well as the plains and the vineyards, and so subdued their enemies for that time.

When the battle was ended, Jephthah went back to his house in Mizpeh. He had one daughter, his only child, and she was very dear to him. This daughter loved her father very much, and when she heard of the victory, she thought she should see her dear father again. So she waited and looked for him, and when she saw him coming, she ran out to meet him, dancing and singing for joy.

When her poor father saw her, he tore his clothes in his distress at the remembrance of his vow, and cried out: Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, thou troublest me. I have made a promise unto the Lord, and I cannot break my vow. But his daughter answered that he must keep his vow, since God had given him victory over the children of Ammon. But she begged that she might, for two months, go with her companions and mourn among the mountains. She went and came back at the appointed time to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed,” which no doubt was done according to Lev. 27, by a substitute being provided in her place. We cannot for a moment think that God would allow him to offer her as a sacrifice, or that He could accept it, but He allows us short times to learn lessons in a very painful way. What if a dog or any other unclean animal had first passed the doorsill of that house to meet him? Would it not have been an insult to offer it to God? It would, and God has made provision for one making such a vow; (see Lev. 27:11-15.) Let us remember then, that all we have, we have received from Him, and is His for us, to use for Him, but the first thing for us to give Him, and that He can accept, is the undivided obedience of our hearts, for, He says “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” 1 Sam. 15:22. After this vow was performed on Jephthah’s daughter, (whom we must admire for her submission to her father) it became a custom in Israel, that the young girls should lament her during four days out of each year, evidently to celebrate her continued sorrow that she had to remain single the rest of her life. This condition in Israel accounts sufficiently for Jephthah’s grief.

ML 06/09/1912

A Joyful Surprise.

AN OLD man named Robert J. living in a certain village was poor in earthly goods, but rich in faith. He had known his Lord and Saviour for many years, and sought to live well-pleasing to Him. The poor, far and wide, knew the simple old man who had always a kind word ready, and when necessary did not think anything of sharing his last piece of bread with the needy. He was so faithful and earnest in visiting the sick, that even the danger of infectious disease could not keep him away. Where others drew back for fear, there he was, consoling dying believers, or pointing the unconverted to their lost condition, and to the crucified Christ.

One day he came home very tired. He had been wandering about for hours, and was glad to have the chance of resting his weary limbs, but scarcely had he sat down, when someone called for him to visit a dying man in the next village. Our friend at first felt little inclined to go. His weary body seemed to say: “I can really walk no more;” an inner voice whispered, “Try it, the Lord will give strength; it is for a dying man.” At length he got up and said to himself: ‘I shall go; it is written: ‘Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’” Gal. 6:9.

Arriving at the village, he soon found the house he had been directed to. It was a poor dwelling enclosed in a little garden. At his knock, the door was opened by a cleanly dressed woman who said, “Come in, the sick person will be real glad to see you. He has asked for you repeatedly. The doctor has just been here and thinks he will not live over the night.”

Robert entered and found the sick man very weak indeed. After a few questions about his bodily condition, he said, “My friend, it is a very solemn thing, to lie there with the consciousness of having to appear soon before a holy God to give account for every word, thought and deed.”

“Yes, it is a very solemn matter,” replied the sick man; “but I know Whom I have believed.” Robert was greatly surprised, for such an answer he seldom met. Indeed he was not quite convinced for he knew how often many rest on false hopes; he put a few more questions, therefore to the sick man, but the answers proved beyond a doubt that he had come to Jesus with his sins and had found forgiveness and salvation though His blood.

“‘How long is it since you have found the Lord?” asked Robert overjoyed.

“About twenty years ago. Yes, my conversion was quite a wonderful one. It happened through an extraordinary miracle.”

“A miracle?” asked Robert; “every true conversion is an extraordinary miracle. Is it not the greatest miracle, that a man who is dead in trespasses and sins, becomes born again through the Holy Spirit?”

“Yes, indeed,” said the man, “that is true; but my conversion was an extraordinary miracle like those in the Old and New Testaments.”

“Impossible, my friend,” was Robert’s answer, for he feared that the sick man was putting his trust in the remarkable manner of his conversion, instead of the work of Christ.

“You may think so,” replied the sick man, “but you will judge differently when you have heard about it. Till about twenty years ago, I had lead a godless life. I drank, I swore and made Sunday especially a day of sin. One day I was sent into a field to mow hay. Before that I had promised some comrades to spend the evening in a saloon, drinking. I went to the field, taking my dinner with me, for my house was too far away to go back for it. It was only bread and cheese, for I was too poor to buy better food. Arriving in the field, I sought a place to hide thy stock of food.

I tied it in my handkerchief and put it in a hole in the hedge. There was nobody besides myself in the field. When midday came, I went there to eat my scanty meal. My little package still lay in the same spot just as I had left it. Carelessly I unwrapped it; but what was my astonishment, when I found a tract inside! At the first glance I could scarcely believe my eyes; but it was actually so. I opened the tract and read it, and then my whole body began to tremble. I, knew that no man had been in the field. If so, I would have seen him. God himself, I thought, has sent me this tract by an angel. I read it and read it again. The tract spoke of my sinful and lost condition, and warned me to flee from the wrath of God. I fell on my knees and for the first time in my life, cried from the depths of my heart: ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’ I resolved firmly, as God Himself had sent me this tract, to begin a new life from that hour and only live for the Lord. You can easily imagine that I did not go to the saloon that night. I was very unhappy and felt all broken down. I knew the greatness of my sins and my crimes, and it was a long time before I found peace and forgiveness. But the Lord had mercy on me, and at last granted me the grace to accept the Lord Jesus through faith; and from that time my heart was filled with peace, joy and thankfulness. I was a new creation, as it is said in 2 Cor. 5. I have since then been much persecuted and through it have unfortunately experienced much weakness, but the faithfulness of my heavenly Father has sustained me, and I rejoice that I shall soon be up there with my Lord, and praise Him throughout eternity for His unspeakable grace. Now, can I not say truthfully that my conversion was brought about through an extraordinary miracle?” With these words, he looked at Robert questioningly, who, however, seemed to be deeply moved with the account and remained silent for a time, till finally he asked:

“How long did you say it was since this happened?”

“‘It will be twenty years next month,” replied the sick man.

“Was the place where the field lay not called Ponder’s Bush, and the owner’s name Jonas?” questioned Robert with an agitated voice. And when the sick man answered in the affirmative, he continued:

“Praise the Lord! I can explain the miracle. On that morning, I was taking a walk near the field. Through the hedge, I noticed a man hiding something. I was curious to know what it was, thinking it might be something stolen. When the man had departed, I went and examined the little bundle, but found it to contain only bread and cheese. I was about to go away, when it occurred to me that I had some tracts in my pocket and thought it might do no harm to place one inside. I did it, and thought as I went away: ‘Who knows whether the Lord will not bless the reading of this tract to the heart of that man.’”

It was now the turn of the sick man to be astonished. Indeed, it was a striking moment. Old Robert was moved, because he had found the fruit of seed he had planted twenty years before; and the sick man was moved, because that God had made known to him before his death, the man who had been the, means of his conversion.

Not long after, he fell asleep in quiet peace; and old Robert went again with renewed courage to his work of making souls acquainted with salvation through Christ.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58.

ML 06/09/1912

One Who Will Never Die.

THIS picture makes me think of a story I once read about a little girl named Alice and her little kittens. They were very pretty kitties like the ones in our picture, and were great pets. Alice watched them every day getting bigger and bigger and it seemed as though her heart loved them more and more. All the time she had to herself was spent in playing with her pets, and each morning and evening she shared her milk with them.

But one day when Alice was at school, a fierce dog got into the yard where her kittens were, and killed them. When the little girl found out they were dead, her grief was extreme, and for days she cried.

About a month later, a baby brother was born into Alice’s home and this drew her thoughts away from her kitties; she became so fond of baby that she was quite happy once more. Her little heart had again an object that occupied it; sometimes she was allowed to hold the dear wee one in her arms, and this was a great pleasure to her.

But this is a sad world, and baby was only six weeks old when it took ill and died, too. Poor Alice’s little heart seemed fairly broken now. The day that baby was buried, she threw herself into her mother’s arms and in a fit of weeping, cried out, “Oh mamma! mamma! the kind farmer gave me my kittens, and I loved them so, and they died; then God gave us a baby, and I loved it more than my kittens, and now it is dead; can’t you give me something to love that will never die?”

Her mamma pressed the little girl to her own sorrow-stricken breast and said “yes darling, I can tell you of ‘One who will never die.’” Alice listened eagerly while her mother told her of Jesus, and how by His death He had put away the sins of those who love Him, and that if she would give her heart to Him, He would give her ease and comfort, as well as tell her that all her sins were put away by His death. Then she would hear Him saying to her, “I AM HE THAT LIVETH AND WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE.” Rev. 1:18.

Alice had often heard this before, but it had never struck her in the way it did now. She felt how much she needed the One that says “I am alive forevermore,” and there and then, on her mother’s breast, she believed on Him, and began to love the “One that will never die.”

Think of all this carefully dear children: will you not follow Alice’s example and believe on Him who died on the cross for you? Give your heart to this “One who will never die.”

ML 06/16/1912

The Poet's Conversion.

YOU have often heard, I dare-say, of the poet William Cowper. He wrote some of the beautiful hymns we love to sing. One begins,

“Of all the gifts Thy love bestows.

Thou Giver of all good,

Not heaven itself a richer knows

Than the Redeemer’s blood.”

And another hymn which is known far and wide is,

“There is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,

And sinners plunged in that blest flood

Lose all their guilty stains.”

We may judge from these hymns, that William Cowper knew the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and believed that all his sins were washed away. Would you like to hear how he first learned to know this wonderful truth?

Well, you must know he was a man who had terrible fits of melancholy, when everything around him looked dark, and he could find comfort in nothing.

During one of these terrible attacks, he tells us, that he flung himself into a chair near the window, and seeing a Bible there, ventured, once more to apply to it for comfort and instruction. The first verse he saw was the: 25th verse of Rom. 3, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

“Immediately,” he says, “I received strength to believe it, and the full beams of the Sun of Righteousness shone upon me. I saw the sufficiency of the atonement He had made; my pardon sealed in His blood, and all the fulness. and completeness of His justification. Unless the Almighty arm had been under me, I think I should have died with gratitude and joy. I could only look up to heaven in silent fear, overwhelmed with love and wonder.” But the work of the Holy Ghost is best described in His own words; it is “joy unspeakable and full of glory!” It is one hundred and fifty years since William Cowper was brought to know the Lord, but though everything in this world may be very different now to what it was then, it is a great comfort and blessing to know that God’s word is just the same, and that sinners can come to Him in just the same way as they did then. Still even in these difficult and dangerous times, “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Tim. 2:5, 6.

ML 06/16/1912

The Stones Will Become Bread

PROFESSOR Konig was a very, liberal man. As long as he had anything himself, no one in want applied to him in vain. On one occasion he had given so much away, that his wife was obliged to complain that there was neither bread nor flour in the house. This was his reply: “The stones will become bread before Professor Konig dies of hunger.” And these words of the faithful man were almost literally fulfilled.

A few hours later an unknown gentleman came to him with a paper, which he wished translated into a foreign language. The professor started at once, and soon had it finished. After some time the stranger returned for the translation. “How much do I owe you?” he asked.

“For such a trifling affair, nothing.” replied the professor. The stranger would not hear of it, but Konig persisted in his refusal to accept payment, so nothing remained for him but to depart with thanks for the professor’s kind act.

On the way home he turned over in his mind how he could reward the professor for his kindness. He had not gone far when he saw a miller who was well known to him. An idea struck him that he at once put into force. He called the miller over to him and commissioned him to send a sack of flour to the professor. The miller executed the order, and took the sack of flour the same day to the highly astonished professor.

A few days later, the stranger called again, and enquired if the flour had arrived.

“Yes, indeed,” answered the professor, “but you make me ashamed by such a rich reward for such a trifling service.”

Hereupon he asked the stranger his name.

“My name is Stone,” was the reply.

“Wife, come here quickly!” the professor now cried. “Just think, this gentleman’s name is Stone! Did I not tell you—the stones will become bread before Professor Konig dies of hunger.”

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:6, 7.

ML 06/16/1912

The Youthful Martyr.

SOME years ago a boy named Iverson was sent out by his parents to bring home some cows- and pet them into the stalls. They were feeding in a meadow at some considerable distance from his home. Confidently, the thirteen-year-old boy started on the way. When he had gone about a mile, he came to a place where there were some orchards, separated from each other by hedges. At one of these hedges stood a number of boys, all bigger and stronger than Iverson. He knew them well enough, but did not keep company with them, as they were known all round the district as the godless youths, who went about annoying people, and playing all kinds of bad tricks. As soon as they saw him, they ran to him, got hold of him, and placed him in the center of them.

“Leave me alone,” he cried trying to tear himself free from them, “I must fetch our cows.”

“You can do that also,” said the youths, “but first you must climb over that hedge, and fetch us apples from that tree.”

“I won’t do that,” answered Iverson. “God says, ‘Thou shalt not steal’—and I will not steal.”

The whole crowd burst into loud laughter and cried;

“If you don’t, then we’ll throw you into the water.” With this threat, these wicked youths had frightened other boys, and forced them to do their bidding; but young Iverson was not moved by it. To whatever they might say, he answered simply: “Do what you like with me, but I will not steal.”

Becoming enraged by this firm resistance, the boys dragged him actually to the bank of a stream which flowed nearby. Unmoved by his pleadings and tears, they threw him into the water. He came up again, and when they asked him if he would steal the apples, he answered; “I will never steal.”

This heroic refusal, instead of awakening shame, embittered the godless youths still more. When Iverson, who was up to the neck in water, laid hold of the bank with his hands to keep himself from drowning, they struck him with a stick on the fingers so hard that he was obliged to let go. However he succeeded in keeping his head above water, and he cried with the full strength of his voice “I will not steal, even if I must die.” Now the rage of the youths knew no bounds.

With a long stick, they hit him so long on the head that he lost consciousness and sank under the water.

Was there nobody near who could hear his cries for help? Nobody who could have saved him out of the hands of these heartless young men? my readers may ask. No, unhappily no one was near to render help. The poor, but god-fearing Iverson sank into the deep and was a few minutes afterwards a corpse. The wicked youths ran away.

A quarter of an hour later, a man passed the spot, who, seeing what had happened, procured help and informed Iverson’s parents of the sad occurrence.

I need not describe the horror and sorrow that filled the hearts of the poor parents, when they saw the corpse of their beloved son. He had always been an obedient boy, and had won the love of all who knew him. The word of God had early found entrance into his heart, and he had been one of the most diligent scholars in the Sunday-school. No one listened more attentively, than he when the leader of the school spoke of the love of the Lord Jesus for poor lost sinners—of Him who had said: “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven;” and just this fear of God, which had ruled his whole life, had been the cause of his early death and his name is worthy of being put among those martyrs who have died for the sake of their faith.

The story soon became universally known; and these godless youths received their well-deserved punishments. On the spot where the youthful martyr’s life was lost, a high stone was erected, on which the name and fate of Iverson were engraved, so that his remembrance might be for blessing.

May all my young readers thus learn that it is far better that a child of God should suffer, and if God permits it, even to die for his faith, than transgress the commands of God.

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

ML 06/16/1912

"Rejoice in the Lord Alway."

THE rooster and hens have a pan of food and seem to be enjoying it, while the pups look on longingly, as much as to say, “We would like some too.”

The pups are quite young and are probably afraid to try to get part of the food in the pan, for chickens are not gentle creatures at all.

Do you, ever see other people enjoying something and wish you had some too? Naturally we often wish for things we cannot have.

Some people have more money than we. Some have better health. Others have a sweeter disposition or prettier faces. Some are more intellectual and some have special talent for music or some other art. Some have happier homes.

All these things we naturally covet. And the more we see others enjoying them, the more we want them ourselves.

But if we are Christians, this should not be so. The Lord loves us and gives us what is best, though we may not always think so.

If you had much money, you might not spend it for the Lord.

If you had a beautiful face, you might feel proud of it. The Lord does not want us to glory in such things, or feel above other people on account of them.

If you were a skillful musician or artist, you might be more interested in your music or drawing and painting than in your Bible.

Whenever the Lord withholds anything you would like to have, there is a good reason for it. Perhaps He has some lesson to teach you. He has a great many ways, and often strange ways, of teaching His children.

Then do not be unhappy on account of not having some things you would like so much to have. Thank God for the many good things you do have, and be content. You have the Lord Jesus, and He is more than all else.

“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY.” Phil. 4:4.

ML 06/23/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 95. Judges 12. Strife Among Brethren.

AFTER Jepthah’s dreadful vow was fulfilled, the people of Ephraim, jealous of his fame, came to him, and said: “How is it you went to fight the Amorites, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn you and your house over you.” Jephthah answered: When the children of Ammon pressed us so, and would fight with us, I called you, but you would not come to help us, and when I saw that you did not help us, I took my life in my hands and went to the children of Ammon, and the Lord: delivered them into my hand; and now you come and want to fight against me.

What selfishness the Ephraimites displayed in their action! To have done nothing, and yet want the glory of the victory! How active was Satan in bringing quarrels among those brethren! They had been living away from God, and had no strength to resist Satan in his effort to scatter them, as a wolf would the sheep. How glad they should have been to see their common enemies, the Amorites, subdued, whether by others or by themselves! Instead, what jealousy and pride.

Once before, we read of them coming to Gideon when he had fought the Midianites, and of being angry with him because he had not called Ahem, but that time a fight was avoided because Gideon was humble and willing to let them have the credit for it, but Jephthah was not so, and his answer shows how much he thought of what he had done.

From words, they went to fighting, and Jephthah gathered his men, the Gileadites and smote the Ephraimites. They took the fords of the Jordan from them, and guarded those passes. When one of those who tried to escape, was caught, they would ask him whether he was an Ephraimite. If he answered, “no” they told him to say “Shibboleth” (meaning Jehovah, or God) and if he could not pronounce it aright, but said “Sibboleth”, they would kill him. In this way, forty-two thousand Ephraimites died. So, through jealousy and desire for the first place, this awful. slaughter was brought about.

How unlike the blessed Lord Jesus they were! And how unlike Him we are too! He, the Lord of heaven, when on earth, was as one who served. He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet; He went through Samaria, a long journey, just to see a poor sinful woman, with whom no one else wanted to have anything to do. He was often tired, never thinking of Himself in His service for others. What a contrast between Him and the men of our story! O, that we might imitate Him more! “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister (or serve) and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45. The apostle Paul tells us in Phil. 2: 3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.”

During six years Jephthah judged Israel. After his death other judges were over Israel, and during that time they were at peace. This did not last long, however, as we shall see, the Lord willing, in our next chapter.

ML 06/23/1912

The Negro and the Blood.

In Southern climes some years ago,

Where dwelt unhappy slaves,

Ere Mercy’s had had snapped their chains,

Where freedom’s banner waves.

A negro for some slight offense

His master’s wrath incurred;

So in a shanty he was lodged

For punishment deferred.

The shades of night had all enwrapt,

And silence reigned supreme;

The prisoner, on the cabin floor,

Lay in a troubled dream.

He dreamed the fatal morn had come;

He heard the dread command;

He saw the strong armed negro there,

With the dread whip in hand.

He startled from his troubled sleep,

And scanned the shanty round;

Just then a star began to peep,

And lo—a flaw was found!

With ‘bated breath he listened long,

But not a sound was heard;

Until, while working at the roof,

The shanty rafters stirred.

A minute more he’s on the roof,

He takes a fearful bound,

And risks the leap amid the gloom,

But lights upon the ground.

And fear lends strength unto his feet,

As onward now he speeds,

O’er barren waste; through tangled brake;

Through bogs of wiry weeds.

A swollen stream he bravely breasts,

Then mounts the rocky steep;

His weary limbs a while he rests

In slumber cairn and deep.

The sun now gilds the eastern hills

And ushers in the day,

The negro wakes, regains his feet;

And hastens on his way.

Well nigh exhausted though he be,

He does not heed the toil;

He knows that in a few more miles

He’ll be on British soil.

Can he but gain a well-known spot,

Where British waters lave

Its grassy banks;—he knows full well,

He’ll be no more a slave.

Once more he-rests his weary limbs

Full length upon the ground.

Why does he start? Alas! the hears

A too familiar sound.

He springs upon his feet again,

His mind upon the rack;

He speeds as one who runs for life,

The hounds are on his track!

They’re coming nearer. On he speeds.

Dread thoughts his spirit flood.

He knows the hounds will never rest

Till they have had his blood.

And swift he bounds across the plain,

With terror-stricken face,

He hears the baying of the dogs;

They gain on him apace.

A sudden thought comes o’er his mind,

He stops,—regains his breath,

The question soon must settled be,

Will it be life or death?

Again the dreaded sound; he hears

The dogs upon his wake,

He knows ere he can reach the stream

Must surely overtake.

He has a knife somewhere concealed,

He opes the keen, bright blade,

And o’er his left extended arm,

A deep broad gash is made.

And, drop by drop, lets fall the blood,

Regardless of the pain,

Then takes some tattered bit of dress

And binds his arm again.

And gathers up his strength once more,

And runs with all his might,

For lo! —the master and his dogs

Have fallen on his sight.

He seeks the stream! he rushes on,

But e’er he reached the flood,

The hounds, the master at their heels,

Have gathered round the blood!

The master coaxes,—beats his dogs;

Persistently they stay

Around the little pool of blood,

Nor will they move away.

The race is o’er, the stream is reached,

He fears the dogs no more,

With one bold plunge he’s in the stream,

And soon he gains the shore.

His feet are now on British soil,

He’s under friendly care,

No wrathful slaver and his dogs

Can ever harm him there.

Christ’s precious blood has ransomed me,

From Satan’s mighty hand,

And through each day, where’er I stray,

‘Tis by His grace I stand.

I cleave to Him with all my heart,

And take Him all my care,

For well I know the mighty foe

Can never harm me there.

Be this my joy, whate’er the trial,

Of prison, fire or sword;

Whatever foes beset my path,

My Refuge is the Lord.

ML 06/23/1912

Which Are You Like?

WHILE out walking, I met an old man. He sat on a seat reading the newspaper. His face bore an unsatisfied, unhappy look. I went up to him and politely offered him a tract. He looked at it and shook his head.

“Please take this leaflet”, I said; “it speaks of Jesus and of the way in which man can be happy forever.”

“No,” he replied in an abrupt and sharp tone, “I don’t wish it.”

Ah, there was no heart for Christ; no love for His blessed person. The name of Jesus had no sweet sound for the ear of that old man. Saddened, I went further along. In a few minutes, I met another old man with snow white hair. He appeared to be ill and feeble, for he went on crutches and seemed to be suffering. To him I offered the despised tract, and behold, he not only took it, but said with a joyful voice:

“You serve a good Master.”

“Do you know my Master?” I asked.

“Do I know Him?” cried out the old man, a tear rolling down his wan cheeks. “Yes, thank God, I have known Him for fifty years. When I was still a youth, I took Him as my Friend and have never regretted it. He is a good Master and the best Friend that heaven and earth can give.”

“Then do you find Jesus precious also in your old age?” I asked.

“O yes; very precious,” he replied. “He is beside me in my old feeble days, He never forsakes me, and very soon I shall be with Him.”

It was a joy to look on that dear old face on which old age and sickness had carved deep furrows, but which beamed with heavenly brightness. We parted with a hearty hand shake and the words; “We’ll meet again, above!”

Which of these two men do you resemble, my dear reader? Would you not like to be as that worthy old man, who was so happy even in sickness, and on the brink of the grave? If you would, then do as he did, and take Jesus now as your Friend. Truly, you also will never regret it.

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Ps. 32: 1.

ML 06/23/1912

Truant Tommy.

IT IS such a lovely afternoon that little Tommy has been tempted to do something very naughty. He lives near this stream and so knows just where he can lie in the sunshine and watch the tiny fish as they jump about in the clear water. He seems to be having a good time, and he had thought this would be far more fun than going back to school, but now way down in his heart he is very unhappy. He realizes now that he has deceived his parents, and he knows he will be punished both by them and by his school teacher when his disobedience is found out.

You are very glad that you are not Tommy, are you not? What a foolish boy to choose a good time in such a wrong way, and one which can last for such a few hours.

Does this not make us think of the people all around us today, who are so eager for the pleasures of this world, which are but for a moment, that they care to hear nothing about Jesus? They know this life is uncertain and that their good times may be ended any day, yet they go on and have their own way, surely knowing that punishment will follow. God wants us to listen now to His Word and to His Son, Jesus. He says, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED; HEAR YE HIM.” Matthew 7: 5. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart. “Heb. 3:8.

It is a very sad thing to know that you are doing wrong, and then to continue in it. Take Jesus as your Saviour while you are a child, and then seek to live for Him. He loves His own dearly and will keep them from doing evil, if they only depend upon Him each day for this. “He will keep the feet of His saints.” (1 Sam. 2:9.)

ML 06/30/1912

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth."

THE sound of many voices coming from a winehall in one of the narrow streets of the city with which our narrative is connected, is in great contrast to the quietness around. A few marine officers are together with their friends, drinking wine and discussing various subjects. Our readers would no doubt have been shocked to hear the conversation of these young men. In their presumption and semi-intoxication, they went so far as to mock at God, His Christ and His Word. They cursed and blasphemed, and were not afraid to mock at the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The most arrogant of all these men was an officer of about 25 years of age. This young man had once professed to be a Christian and had for a little time walked according to his profession. But gradually a change had come; he had left the narrow path and had finally gone so far as to deny the Lord who had bought him. Now he was the one who without the least sense of shame and fear denounced and blasphemed the blessed name of the Lord Jesus. His resurrection he called the greatest nonsense that had ever been made up.

He had just now risen from his chair, the filled glass in his right hand, to open his mouth once more in blasphemy and mockery. Not a word had as yet come from his lips, when suddenly he put the glass down, falling with a mad exclamation back into his chair.

“Who blew out the light?” he angrily asked his comrades. “Who dares to do such a thing when I intend to speak?”

“What is the matter with you?” rang the voices together. Are you going to
commence your speech by a fairytale about the eternal darkness?”

“Light! Light!” cried the officer, “I am not joking. Is it not pitch-dark? Who is mocking me?”

All jumped now to their feet, staring at their comrade. “Could he have lost his eye-sight?” they asked each other. But, no, that could not be possible. How could he become suddenly blind? Yet thinking it to be a joke, they sat down again, and, concluding to cure him of his joking, some held a lighted candle and matches before his eyes, near enough to burn the hair of his head.

Unfortunate man! The smell of burning hair told him his call for light was in vain. Instantly the awful fact became evident to him—Your eyesight is gone forever. You are blind, blind! —dead and buried to this world which you have loved so much. Henceforth there is no happiness—nothing for you to enjoy, for all is dark. There is nothing left for you of all the glory of this world but a sad recollection of it and a shattered life.

Like mighty peals of thunder, these thoughts stormed upon him, and settled with awful heaviness upon his soul. With an unearthly cry which penetrated the very bone and marrow of his friends, the one thus judged of the Lord, broke down, falling to the floor. His friends, no longer doubting that this was terrible reality and not a mocking joke, lifted him up and carried him to the hospital.

Here the poor man awoke, after some time, to new heart-rending exclamations of terror and remorse.

The physician had little hope of his recovery, explaining the incident with the fact of a severe hemorrhage of the blood vessels of the eyes.

“The only thing that perhaps might help, would be perfect quietness and rest, inwardly and outwardly,” was the encouragement from that side.

This seemed to the stricken one equal to being doomed to life-long blindness, for how could he obtain inward rest, being in a state bordering on insanity. Again and again he sought to end his life, so that it became necessary to have him constantly watched.

Not many days after the sad occurrence, the Mother of the unfortunate man arrived, having been notified. She lived in a distant town. The shock which the unexpected news gave her, and the painfulness of the meeting of mother and son need no comment.

“Mother, I am lost!” exclaimed, the son in a tone of deepest, remorse, when he heard the voice of his mother, who in the past had admonished him so often, and in her loving way had drawn his attention to his evil ways and to the end of such a course. She bore the misfortune of her son with great calmness and resignation, for she had learned to see God’s hand in all things, and she hoped with all confidence, that God’s only purpose was, by this sore affliction to draw her straying child out of dreadful misery to Himself.

“No, no, my son,” she exclaimed, “you may yet be saved”. With these words she pressed, with tears of sympathy, the head of her comfortless and despairing child to her loving heart.

The following day she took the sufferer, on whom the mother’s presence had a wonderful and calming influence, out of the hospital, going traveling for a while. She sought the advice of some of the best physicians, but all declared the case to be hopeless. When every chance for his recovery had vanished, she returned to her country home. Here she would care for her son, pray for him and read the Word of God to him. Perhaps God might give grace to the unhappy man to come to himself and see his condition before God as a lost and guilty, sinner. He was as yet in a terrible state. Sometimes he would lament about his fate in mad helplessness, then again deep melancholy and dejection would take possession of him.

The mother did what only a loving mother-heart can devise. Untiringly she sought to comfort him in his affliction, and ever and again would she speak of the love of the Saviour who is calling the laboring and the heavy laden to Himself to give them rest. At first the sufferer resisted strongly, but this was followed by a state of indifference. All this was nothing for him, it did not concern him at all. Again at times it seemed as though a beam of light was penetrating the darkness of the heart and mind, but they were only momentarily.

Yet the mother would not cease to read and pray, and the Word of God proved its wonderful power at last here too, as it has done so many thousand times.

One evening, while the mother of the blind man was occupied with the Word by herself, her son for the first time asked her to read a little to him. Gladly she consented, and opening at the book of Job, read the 19th’chapter. When coining to the words, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” he begged her to stop. Had he not mocked and blasphemed about the resurrection and everything pertaining to it so many times? How could there be a Redeemer for him! Sadly he shook his head. Job with all his afflictions could be happy and say: “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” but he! alas! with him all was dreary and dark. “O, mother!” he cried, “how can I believe that my Redeemer lives! That Jesus is living, I know, for He has shown me His power, but how can I be delivered from my sins? Have not I for myself closed heaven’s door, how can I ever enter?”

Deep and hopeless anguish came from the voice and words of the unhappy man. But the mother lost not her confidence in God; she knew He was a God rich in mercy and of great compassion. Again she spoke to her son about the infinite love of the Saviour that receives the greatest sinner and washes him clean from all his sins. The blind man listened silently; he had heard it so often in the past. It now caused him to see more and more what a great sinner he was. O, what a load of sins he had piled upon his soul in blaspheming and mocking such a Saviour; but it was so different today. Although he saw, in that light which reveals the secrets of the hearts, and lays bare every thought, the great load of his sins in a deeper measure than ever before; yet be realized at the same time also, the infinite love of God as revealed in Christ, and this gave him boldness to go to Jesus just as he was; and how strange—how beyond human comprehension—that very moment when his heart was yielding to that blessed One, a deep peace took possession of him and filled his whole inmost being. With rejoicing lips he exclaimed: “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” The good Shepherd had found His sheep and there was rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God.

Two years have elapsed since the young officer has suddenly been stricken blind. In spite of the severity of the affliction, mother and son had received many spiritual blessings—at least, during the latter part of the trial. Hope was budding now in the hearts of the two thus blest, for did it not seem as though the blind son had at times felt something like scales drop from his eyes? Then it seemed to him as though he could penetrate the darkness and see his mother’s dear face. But it had only been for a moment. Yet, with God all things are possible. He had caused His divine light to shine into the benighted soul of the poor man, should He not be able to restore to him the light of his eyes? So they waited and hoped with patience upon the help of the Lord.

Mother and son had spent a day of much blessing together. Although just two years had passed by since the sad occurrence, yet the recollection of it only caused their hearts to give thanks and praise to God for His grace and goodness, to use it thus for their eternal blessing. A long time they had sat together, speaking of the darkness into which sin had plunged man, but also rejoicing over the light which God had caused to shine in the believers’ hearts. Unitedly they had given thanks and praise to the Lord and then retired. The following day the mother led her son into a meadow near the house, where an abundance of sweet-smelling violets were blooming. The blind man enjoyed the balmy air and with deep draughts he inhaled the rich aroma pervading the atmosphere. But although he knew God as Creator of a scene telling forth His power and goodness toward man, yet now he knew Him in a nearer relationship, and again his lips opened in thanks and praise in remembrance of His rich mercies toward such a one as he was. Lifting his hands heavenward, with face upward, he exclaimed: “It is enough, Lord, I know that my Redeemer liveth.” At the same moment a strange sensation came over him. Brightly the sunlight entered his eyes. He was blind no more. He saw again; saw the sweet face of his dear mother, and with unspeakable joy he fell into her arms. Their hearts overflowing with praise and thanks, mother and son knelt down amidst the sweet spring flowers to give thanks again to God who is able to work such wonders by His grace.

ML 06/30/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for May.

1.“These shall make war”, etc. Rev. 17:14.

2.“Blessed and holy”, etc. 20:6.

3.“And I heard a loud voice”, etc. 12:10.

4.“And He hath on His vesture”, etc.19:16.

5.“Saying with a loud voice”, etc. 14:7.

6.“And the city had no need”, etc. 21:23.

7.“And He said unto me”. etc. 21:6.

Bible Questions for July.

The answers are to be found in Proverbs, from chapter 16 to end.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Keepeth his soul from troubles”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “He that speaketh lies shall perish”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Despise not thy mother”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Sweet to the soul”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “He is a shield unto them”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “Slow to anger”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “Shall suddenly be destroyed”.

ML 07/07/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 2. The Sadducee.

I WAS telling you last time that the Pharisees made what they called a “hedge” about the law, by adding to it on all sides. For instance, when they read the command given by the Lord in Ex. 23:19, “Thou shalt not seethe (or boil) a kid in his mother’s milk,” they said, “No flesh shall be cooked with milk under any circumstances.” This they declared was a “hedge” to protect God’s law. We have seen what the Lord said about it when He was upon earth, “Ye reject the commandment of God that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:9.

Now the Sadducees were exactly opposite to the Pharisees. They taught that the law of Moses was to be taken just as it was written, neither adding to it, nor taking from it. They declared that the Pharisees were over much righteous, and that they believed in being only righteous, and it is thought that the name, Sadducee, came from the word “zaddikim” which in their language meant “righteous:” But though all this sounds right, and we all agree with them in not accepting the traditions of men, we must not forget that they too held doctrines which are quite opposed to the word of God. We are told plainly what they believed, or rather did not believe, in Acts 8, “The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit.” This doctrine is what they tried to puzzle the Lord Jesus with, but He who knows all things, and has all wisdom, answered them in such a manner that they dared not ask Him any other question. (Luke 20:27-30.) The Sadducees were not so large a party as the Pharisees, and were forced to bow to their opinion in all points connected with the sacrifices, burning of incense, and other parts of the temple worship, for there were priests who were Pharisees, and also priests who were Sadducees. (John 11:47, Acts 5:17.) We find however that the Sadducees belonged to the richest and most luxurious people of the Jews, including many wealthy priests, while the Pharisees were supported by the mass of the people, who looked up to them, with the greatest reverence.

Another point too we may notice, that in the Gospels we find the Pharisees opposing the Lord Jesus and His works and words in every possible way. But after He had gone back again to His Father in heaven, and His disciples began boldly to preach the resurrection of the dead, we read again and again of the Sadducees’ hatred to this doctrine, for how could they who did not believe in any future state, accept the fact that the Lord Jesus was risen from the dead; we see this especially in Acts 23, where we read the account of Paul’s imprisonment. Even now in our days we find, people who do not believe in a hereafter, but if we should meet with such, let us remember the words of the Lord Jesus, when questioned by the Sadducees, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matt. 22:29.

ML 07/07/1912

Bible History.

CHAPTER 96. Judges 13. Manoah.

JEPHTHAH judged Israel six years and then died. Then the people began again to sin against the Lord, and He gave them over to their enemies, the Philistines, for forty years. This was a long time to be in sorrow and trouble, but the Israelites deserved punishment. Many times they had displeased God, and now He showed them again the evil of sin by letting them suffer. But God did not forget His people, though He punished them; He knew how to deliver at the right time, and He could have a deliverer ready to save them when He pleased.

There was a man of the tribe of Dan named Manoah. He and his wife feared God; they had no child. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, and told her she should have a son, who would begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.

He would be consecrated to God, a Nazarite, from before his birth. A Nazarite was a man, who set himself apart to God, to serve Him for a certain length of time in a very special way. Three things a Nazarite was forbidden to do. First, he could drink no wine or anything that came from the vine, because wine is a type of joy and cheer. In Jotham’s parable we saw that the fruit of the vine “cheereth God and man”. God did find joy in man before sin entered in the world, but now He can do so no longer, for sin is come between man and a holy God. One who consecrates himself unto the Lord, cannot any more find joy and pleasure with those who do not love Him, for God is not in all their thoughts (Ps. 10:4), and if he wants to live pleasing to God, he will give up worldly friends and worldly pleasures.

A second thing a Nazarite was not to do: He was not to cut his hair during the whole time of his Nazariteship, for long hair showed openly that he had given up his personal dignity as a man, in order to devote himself to the service of God. It was and is, as 1 Cor. 11 tells us, a shame for a man to have long hair. How many of us are willing to be nothing, to be made fun of, despised for Christ’s sake?

A third condition was imposed on the Nazarite. He was not to go near any dead body. If he did, he was defiled and would have to start his vow over again, shave his head, and offer sacrifices of purification, to show he had failed. Neither for his father, mother, brother nor sister, was he to break his vow of Nazariteship. He was not to consider even his dearest ones, when he set himself apart to God. “He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.” Matt. 10:37, 38.

The son who was to be born to Manoah and his wife, the angel of God told her, was to be a Nazarite during his whole life, and no razor should come upon him.

Manoah’s wife wondered very much when she heard what the angel said, and she went and told her husband. Manoah did not doubt what the angel had said, for he had faith in God. He knew nothing was too wonderful for God to do, but he feared that he and his wife might not do what they were commanded and not bring up the child rightly; so he prayed God to send the angel to them again, to tell them what to do.

God heard Manoah’s prayer. A few days after, the woman was sitting alone in the field, when looking up, she saw the angel standing by her. She ran directly and called her husband. Manoah followed his wife and came to the angel, and asked: What shall we do to the child when he shall be born? The angel repeated what he had told the woman before, and then Manoah said: I pray thee, let us detain thee until we have made ready a kid for thee. The angel answered: I will not eat of thy bread; and if thou wilt offer a sacrifice, offer it to God, for Manoah did not know who the angel was. He asked further: What is thy name? The angel answered: Why dolt thou ask my name since it is a secret?

Manoah then prepared a sacrifice and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord, and God sent fire upon the sacrifice to consume it, while Manoah and his wife looked on. As the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Then they both were very much frightened and fell on their faces to the ground. Manoah, filled with fear, said: “We shall surely die, because we have seen God,” but his wife said: If the Lord was pleased to kill us He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a meat offering from us, neither would He have told us these things.

We do not wonder at the fear shown by Manoah and his wife, for man with his sinful nature may well tremble in the presence of God. However wonderful it was for an angel to appear to them, and announce such glad news, how much greater, how much more wonderful for God’s own dear Son to come down, not only to appear to some God-fearing man and depart again to His heavenly home, but for thirty three years for Him to tread this sin-stained earth, and the end of it—and for this purpose did He come —to give Himself a ransom for many; to die, that His blood might cleanse us from our sins! All that time, He, the true Nazarite, lived separate from sinners, although always going about doing them good. His heart was entirely devoted to God and also His work, and nothing ever kept Him from doing His Father’s will. To his mother He said, when she looked for Him in the temple: “Wist (know) ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” He had one thing to do—His Father’s will—and to that He separated Himself perfectly.

Every believer in the Lord Jesus is now called to be a Nazarite, that is, to separate himself, or herself unto. God, not by outward signs, as in the days of Manoah, but by the true separation of the heart from the world. “They are not of the world,” Jesus said of His followers, “even as I am not of the world.” John 17: 14.

ML 07/07/1912

Not by Chance.

SOME years ago, a lady entered a store and asked for an empty box, in which she wished to send some flowers to a friend. The storekeeper who was busy at the time, drew out a few boxes, found one empty and handed it to the lady, and thought no more about the matter.

Two months later the lady entered the store again, and reminded the store-man of the apparently unimportant occurrence. Then she told him that in the empty box there happened to be a picture tract, and thinking it might please her friend’s child, she allowed it to remain. Shortly afterward she received a note thanking her for the box of flowers and saying that she could never thank her enough for the tract that was enclosed. She had been troubled for a long time about her soul, but had not been able to find rest and peace in Jesus. She had at length become so burdened, that her husband was concerned about her health. Just when she was in her greatest distress, the box arrived. On unpacking it, the picture caught her attention. She had read the tract, and found in it that which met her need. God had through it, shown her that the work of Christ had been forever accomplished, and that for her, a sinner, there remained nothing to do but believe and rest on that work. And now, she was quite happy, knowing that the Lord had forgiven all her sins; and had made her suited for His glory.

The tract left in the supposed empty box was not by chance, my dear reader. God’s hand is in everything.

ML 07/07/1912

The Guardian.

SEE how carefully this little girl is watching baby sister; the tiny one needs to be guarded lest she tip out of her crib. How many pretty things this little girl has around her for toys: I imagine they were her Birthday-gifts. We know what her name is, for we can see it on her work box. With a doll, ball, tiny houses and little animals to play with, isn’t it a wonder that she is so faithful to baby? Fanny’s mother is probably busy in the kitchen and has left baby to her care. How happy the child is that is faithful in whatever task mother, father, teacher or employer gives him to do.

There is someone guarding over you, dear child, even more faithful than Fanny is guarding over the baby. It is Jesus. He is watching you and if you are His child, He will keep you from stumbling, and doing many very sinful things: Your parents are your earthly guardians, but Jesus is the. heavenly guardian over all His own saved men and women, boys and girls and tiny folks.

You will never get too big to need His care and protection. Isn’t it good that He loves to watch over you, and is even more tender toward you than your own dear parents? We will never realize how much Jesus loves us until we are taken to be with Him—then we will have a whole eternity to praise Him for taking such good care of us each day while we were on earth. How little we deserve this care: we are by nature so wilful and sinful!

Many verses in the twelfth chapter of Luke show God’s watchfulness over His children. He tells us in verse seven of that chapter that He has even the hairs of our head all numbered. So, dear children, do not let us be careless of Him; it is so wrong to do just as, we please. “YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN, FOR YE ARE SOUGHT WITH A PRICE.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

ML 07/14/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 3. The Scribe.

A SCRIBE or lawyer was one learned in the law of Moses, and whose business it was to teach it to others. We hear of scribes in the old Testament, especially in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. In these two books, perhaps you remember, we get an account of the coming back of God’s people from Babylon, where they had been for seventy years as a punishment for their sins. We read that Ezra was a “ready scribe in the law of Moses,” (Ezra 7:6) also that he had “prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” Ezra 7:10. How he did this we read in Neh. 8, where “they spake to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses.” This he did, and read it to the “men, and women, and all’ who had understanding,” and it is nice to see how he read it. We are told it was distinctly, and that he gave the sense, and caused the people to understand it. Is that the way we read the Bible?

But a scribe had not only to read the law of God, but also to make copies of it; these copies were written on parchment, which as you know is finely prepared skin, and also on papyrus, a sort of paper made from reeds. This paper is mentioned in 2 John verse 12, and we hear of parchments in 2 Tim. 4:13. The pens they used were reed quills, and the ink was, generally black, though sometimes we hear of writing in gold or red. As not many of the people could write they depended on the scribes to write their letters for them, and I have been told that even now you may see scribes in the streets of Jerusalem, writing letters for those who cannot do it for themselves. The person tells the scribe he wants a letter written, saying such and such things, and the scribe has to do the rest.

In the time of our Lord we hear much about scribes. They were the learned people of the time, and alas! were as opposed to the Lord Jesus as the Pharisees and Sadducees. We hear of one in Luke 10, trying to tempt Him with hard questions, but it only drew from the Lord’s lips that beautiful story we all know so well of the poor man who fell among thieves, and was saved by the certain Samaritan. Is it not a picture of how Jesus Himself has come to save every poor sinner, who can do nothing to help himself?

Our Lord’s teaching must have been a great contrast to that of the scribes, for eve read in Matt. 7: “The people were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught them as One having authority and not as the scribes.” But still we read of “doctors of the law,” (the highest title a scribe could gain) listening to His teaching, having come out of every town of Galilee and Judaea, and while thus listening, a man, sick of the palsy, was let down before Jesus, from the roof. We all know the story and how Jesus not only healed his body but forgave his sins, and you remember the scribes reasoned and said Jesus spoke blasphemies, but before long we hear that they were amazed, and filled with fear, saying “We have seen strange things today.”

It is nice to think that some of the scribes were afterwards found following the doctrines of Jesus, for we read in Titus of “Zenas the lawyer”, (Titus 3 13) who was evidently a servant of God, and also of Apollos, “A man mighty in the scriptures” who became a most devoted preacher of Jesus Christ. Let us try to follow the example of the scribes in searching the scriptures; but unlike them, let us seek to find in them Jesus the Saviour.

ML 07/14/1912

The Emperor and the Child.

SAVED at the last moment! So you would have said had you seen the instance I am writing about. Another moment and the poor child would have met death under the feet of an infuriated elephant.

Yes indeed, the danger is imminent, only a step between the child and death! He must be a noble man who risked his own life to save a little child. And what kind of a child is this lying on the ground immediately before the powerful angry creature? Perhaps the child of some wealthy honored parents? No; it is the child of a pariah, a poor neglected creature of the lowest class of India, which a real Hindoo would scarce turn his hand to save. Then, you say, the deliverer must be a pariah himself!

But this, dear reader, is not so in this instance. He is not pariah but a Hindoo of high rank. Indeed what will you say when I assure you that he is none other than Baber the well-known and celebrated emperor of India. Dressed as a common citizen he would go about the streets of his royal city that he might have a better knowledge of the doings of his subjects. Going about thus he saw a great elephant, which had torn loose from its keepers, racing down the street, and how one of his subjects, though it was but a paria-child, was in danger of being killed. While everyone were bent on saving themselves, the emperor stooped and quickly took the child clearing the path for the angry brute, thus saving the child, and without knowing it at that moment, —saving his own life.

Right close by where this noble deed was done was a murderer who thought to take the emperor’s life. He was of the army, Gohur by name. He called the justice with which the emperor ruled tyranny and thought he would be doing a good work if he disposed of the tyrant. He had recognized his ruler inspite of his disguise, and was just in the act of doing his bloody work when the elephant caused all this commotion in the street. He saw, that the supposed tyrant had a heart which beat in love to his fellow creature as perhaps none other in the whole realm. It disarmed him completely. He cast himself before the emperor on the ground and cried: “My lord! I was your enemy. I thought to have killed you, but I did not know you; I thought you were a tyrant; but I now see your love for your people. Take my sword and slay me, who sought after your life!”

But the Monarch lifted him up saying: “My friend, you wanted to kill me, but you did not know me. Now, since you know me you will love me; I know I appoint you a member of my body guard, and I trust you to watch over my life from this on.”

My dear reader! Have you understood the thought that lies in this short narrative? How many people who know not God! They think Him to be unjust and cruel, in a word, a Tyrant. It is a thought native to the heart, for we cannot trust Him, the seed of distrust has been sown in the garden of Eden by the serpent, it is in the heart still. And yet what a God of grace He is! Man by wisdom knows not God, and if he thinks God to be hard, or as it is written “austere” it is only because he knows not God, he knows not that God is rich in mercy. If this ruler has risked his life to save a poor outcast child,” God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christ died on the cross for His enemies. Dear reader, ponder over this great love of God; the love of Christ, it could not be greater.

Dear reader! don’t you want to do like this would be murderer did, come to God and own what a mistake you had made in your ignorance and blindness? When this man saw his mistake he passed judgment on himself “take my sword and slay me.” But he found favor with his kind ruler. You will find grace and mercy, —just what you need, for He desires not your death, but that you should be saved.

ML 07/14/1912

The Prisoner Set Free.

ONE day a man caught a beautiful bird and put it into a cage and gave it to a neighbor of mine to take home to his children, thinking it would please the children, and in this he was right, for the little ones were very fond of any kind of pets. The children’s mother did not like to see the little bird made a prisoner, so she asked her husband to let it fly away, but he refused.

The father was generally at home on Saturday afternoons, and as a rule was bitsy in his garden, where his wife would often join him.

One beautiful day in the summer time, they were listening to the poor little bird trying to sing behind its bars, and the mother said, “Just look at the lovely blue sky, and at that poor bird fast in its cage!”

Her husband did not answer in words but going to the place where the cage hung, he opened the door. The little bird had not forgotten the use of its wings, for it flew out at once, and went up, up, up, singing all the time, until it was quite out of sight. How happy it must have been to have its freedom once more!

This reminds us, dear children, that those who do believe in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are just like our poor little bird— a prisoner. They try to be happy without the Lord Jesus, but it is impossible, for they are prisoners of sin and Satan, and the pleasures of the world only make us long for more, so that we are never satisfied.

The little bird could not open its prison door itself, and neither can you, dear children, free yourselves from your sins, but God in His wondrous love and grace, has sent Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, to set the prisoner free. You have only to do as the little bird did. It accepted the open door as the only way to freedom. The Door of Salvation stands open wide for you, and Jesus says, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,” and then you, too, will sing a true song of happiness. (Jno. 10:9)

May you enter before it is too late, and may you know Jesus as your own Saviour, so that when He comes, you may be ready to meet Him in the air, to be forever with Him.

ML 07/14/1912

The Cat and the Catbird.

SEE how the cat in our picture is eyeing the bird; she is leaving her pan of milk, and is thinking she may have a far better meal. The bird seems to know that it must not fly down to the ground with such a foe so near, but is risking itself on a limb of the tree not far from the ground. It is foolish to go this far, don’t you think so? Suppose pussy would give a sly spring—I fear the poor bird would be caught—then its freedom would surely be gone, and it would be killed, unless some person rescued it.

This makes us think of unsaved people, doesn’t it? They are caught and held in bondage by Satan and sin, though many do not know it. If they run the risk of not accepting Jesus as their Say. four, sure death will meet their souls, and that for eternity.

Do you know what the word redeem means? Jesus died on the cross to redeem, or buy back, your soul from sin and eternal doom. A tiny baby, though it looks so sweet to us, is born in sin. God’s Word says, “All have sinned.” This includes everyone, from the most aged to the smallest child; all are sold under sin, and if Jesus had not died to redeem us from this awful curse, we would all be forever lost. How much the blood of Jesus means to us who have believed in its cleansing power!

“YE KNOW THAT YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS, AS SILVER AND GOLD, . . . . BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, AS OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH AND WITHOUT SPOT.” 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.

ML 07/21/1912

The Eight Old Men.

IT is related of a certain libertine, a most profligate and abandoned character, that he happened once to enter “a church” at the time that Scripture was being read.

And as the chapter proved to be the fifth of Genesis, it was not, if judged by a human standard, one of the most interesting portions of the Word of God; nor would any truly converted person have considered it to be a likely one to be used of the Spirit of God to the blessing of this wretched man’s soul.

But as my reader may not have his Bible handy, I will just say that the chapter is that. which begins, “This is the book of the generations of Adam,” and which gives the genealogy down to Noah.

It is chiefly filled with names and ages; and one who is not convinced of the value of the whole Word of God might account it dry and unattractive, while even an evangelist might find it difficult to preach the gospel from such a Scripture.

Yet from all eternity had it been ordained, in the counsels of the God of grace, that this apparently mere historical record should be the means of bringing everlasting blessing to the soul of this poor abandoned profligate.

It was one little expression occurring eight times over in the chapter that wrought this blessed result. It consisted of but three words, and three shorter words you would scarcely find together anywhere in your Bible. They were these— “AND HE DIED.”

There are eight old men spoken of in the chapter. One of them lived to be 777 years old, more than ten times as old as men of full age generally live now; but the end came, “and he died.” That was Lamech, the son of the oldest man that ever lived, and the grandson of a man who never died at all! but Lamech died.

Then another of these old men, Mahalaleel, lived to be 895 years of age; yet we read, “and he died.”

Enos, his grandfather, lived ten years longer, but “he died.”

His son surpassed him by five years; this was Cainan, but he also “died.” Cainan was a most remarkable man, for about 250 years before his death, he could have said, what no man but he could ever say, that he was the great-grandson of a man who had never been born (Adam, whom God created), and that his own great-grandson had gone to heaven, but had never died (Enoch, whom God translated). But, as I have said, “he died.”

Seth, the brother of Cain and Abel, lived no less than 912 years, “and he died.”

Adam lived 930 years, but he had no childhood and no youth; and it would appear that the years of his manhood were therefore more in number than those of any man who ever lived, yet of him also it is recorded, “and he died.” Physical death had been pronounced of God to be the direct effect, both to him and to his seed, of the sin he had committed, and this chapter is full of the testimony which each death afforded of the divine verdict and the reality of the divine penalty upon man’s transgression.

Jared, the father of Enoch, lived to be 962, “and he died.”

But Methuselah, Enoch’s son, lived to the unprecedented age of 969, lived to be nearly a thousand years old! Why, if a man were to live to such an age now, men would say he would live forever; but God never forgets. It is appointed unto men to die, and even Methuselah was no exception; for we read, “and he died.”

It was the reading, then, of this remarkable Scripture which was proceeding in “the church,” and thus eight times over fell upon the ears of this poor profligate, “AND HE DIED’’.

These eight old men lived on an average over 900 years each, but they died, every one of them, and he who listened to the brief narrative of their lives and their death, felt so deeply impressed with the fact that he also must die — in other words, the Spirit of God so drove these three words eight times over in upon his soul—that he could never forget them nor escape them.

His conscience was stirred to its depths. The plowshare had penetrated his soul, and He who made those deep furrows forgot not, to pour the oil and the wine of His richest, sweetest grace into the gaping wounds He had made.

Thus a Saviour’s precious love and a Saviour’s precious blood were apprehended by faith. The sinner’s heart melted under the discovery of God in grace having given His Son to die on behalf of those who were on the highway to an eternal hell, and that Son of His bosom, the blessed Man Christ Jesus, having agonized under the terrible load of our sins, His life and His life’s blood given for our redemption, the Just One having thus died for the unjust to bring us to God. This blessed discovery gave peace to his conscience, the work done upon the cross was so precious and so complete; and He who did that work became thenceforth an object, a worthy, blessed object, for the present and eternal rest of his heart.

Dear reader, I will only add one thing more from that fifth chapter of Genesis.

There are not only in it the eight old men who died, but there is one mentioned who left this scene a comparatively young man; this was Enoch, and he is spoken of in a way that none of the rest are. It is recorded of him that he “WALKED WITH GOD: AND HE WAS NOT; FOR GOD TOOK HIM,” and this is put in instead of the words, “AND HE DIED.”

He lived just 365 years (or a year of years, that is exactly as many years as there are days in an ordinary year); but what a blessed, if a comparatively short, life was his! He knew God, or he never could have walked with Him, for that implies intimacy; and instead of dying, God exempted him from the common penalty. And by Hebrews, 11:5, we learn that he pleased God, and this was the distinguishing feature of his life.

Now, dear reader, if you know God, which is the privilege of all who come to Christ, and if you please God, which is the privilege of those who have faith in Him, then you also can, like Enoch, look forward to being translated without seeing death; for though death is the penalty of sin and the common heritage of sinners, yet Christ has said, “Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die.” (John 11:26.)

And thus when He comes, which may be at any moment, we who have believed, and are alive and remain, shall be caught up in a blessedness even greater than Enoch’s, and shall see Him, be like Him, and be with Him forever! This shall be the undying portion of all those who have believed unto salvation, and who are waiting for the Lord Jesus when He comes.

May you, through His love and grace, be among that blood-washed and eternally-happy company. Reader, neglect it not.

ML 07/21/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 97. Judges 14. Samson’s Feast.

THE Lord remembered His promise to Manoah and his wife, and soon gave them a son whom they called Samson. As the child grew, the Lord blessed him, and gave him great strength of body, fitting him for a deliverer of Israel against their enemies, the Philistines.

When he had, become a young man, he saw in the city of Timnath, a Philistine woman, who pleased him, and he asked his father and mother to give her to him for a wife. But his parents, who knew that God had forbidden the Israelites to marry those of any other nations for fear that they might become idolatrous like them, asked Samson if there were not enough women, of his own people, without going among the heathen for a wife. But Samson persisted, and finally he, with his father and his mother, went to Timnath to see the woman. On the way, when they were among the vineyards, a young roaring lion came towards Samson. Instead of being frightened, the Lord gave him strength, and Samson boldly took the lion, and without weapon of any kind, and with his bare hands, tore him as he would a kid. He said nothing of this to his father and mother or anyone else, but kept on his way to Timnath to see the Philistine woman. He talked with her and was pleased, and resolved to make her his wife. When he returned sometime after to take her, he stopped on the way to see what had become of the lion. Some wild bees had made their nest in the carcass, and Samson found much honey there. He took it and ate it, and brought some to his father and mother, but he did not tell them where he found it.

Arriving at Timnath, Samson, according to custom, made a feast. When all were together, Samson said to the thirty young men who were with him: “I will give you a riddle to guess, and if you guess rightly, within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments, but if you cannot guess it, you shall give me thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments.” The young men agreed to that, and said to him: “Put forth your riddle, that we may hear it.” And Samson said: “Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.” During the three days that, followed, they were unable to guess the riddle, and on the last day, they came to Samson’s wife and said to her: Entice your husband to tell us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire. You have called us to take from us what we have, haven’t you? Samson’s wife begged Samson, and cried before him, and accused him of lack of love for her since he would not tell her his riddle. He refused at first, saying he had not even told his father and mother, but she kept on crying and begging, and it worried him so that he told her. She immediately went and told the young Philistines. On the seventh day, as the sun went down, they came to Samson and said: “What is sweeter than honey, and what is stronger than a lion?” But he answered them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have found out my riddle.” And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and killed thirty men of the Philistines, and brought their garments to those who had expounded the riddle. But he was very angry, and he went back to his father’s home. And his wife was given to another young man whom he had made his friend.

Poor Samson did not find the happiness he sought among the enemies of God’s people. What a mistake ever to think so. God wants his children a separate people standing apart from a world who hates Him. “Love not the world,” He tells us in 1St John, 2:15, 16; “neither the things that are, in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Neither need we think that we shall fare better than Samson, for the path of disobedience is not a path of blessing, but of difficulties. O, that we may, like King David, pray more often, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.” (Psa. 27:11.)

ML 07/21/1912

Whom Do You Follow.

SEE the pretty picture we have today! A little donkey and its mother donkey. And what a treat they are having, eating those beautiful flowers.

How do you suppose the little donkey found the flowers? Do you not think the mother found them first and began to eat them? Then when baby donkey saw his mother eating, he followed her example and began to eat too.

The little chickens see the mother hen scratching for worms, and soon they also begin to scratch for worms. Little children see their mothers sewing, ironing, washing, sweeping, and they want to do these same things. When the baby is out playing with his brothers and sisters, he wants to do what he sees them do. It is natural for the young to watch the older ones and want to follow their example. They would be very strange young ones if they did not.

Let us look again at our picture. The flowers are growing in a house and hanging out through the open window. Perhaps when the people of the house come in and find that the donkeys have been eating up the pretty vines and blossoms, they will feel quite badly about it. So we see the donkeys are doing what they should not do, though THEY do not know any better. The old one is setting the young one a had example.

How often the baby children do naughty things they see their brothers and sisters doing. They are just as quick to do the bad things they see others do, as to do the good things, and very often a little quicker.

So, little reader, you must be very careful to set a good example to those around you. For the younger ones especially, watch us and do as we do. We should not let them see us do anything but good.

But if you are going to set a good example for others to follow, where will YOU look for an example to follow yourself? Paul, the apostle, said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ”. 1 Cor. 11:1. And again, BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD AS DEAR CHILDREN.” Eph. 5:1.

Jesus, the Lord, is our perfect example. If we are following Him and doing as He wishes us to do, it will be safe for others to follow our example.

Do you know of anyone else who wants us to be his followers? “Yes”, someone says, “Satan”. He surely does. He likes to get people to do wrong and wicked things, and then see the younger ones and the weaker ones do the same things after them. He has plenty of followers, too.

But you are not one of them, are you? If you are, stop and think where he will lead you. He is on his way to the lake of fire, and some day, if you keep on following him, you will find yourself in that dreadful place with him. But if you are a follower of the Lord Jesus, you are on your way to heaven.

Whom do you follow?

ML 07/28/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 4. The Ruler of the Synagogue.

BEFORE speaking of the Ruler of the Synagogue, let us consider the synagogue itself a little.

It makes this more interesting when we remember how many times our Lord taught in the very synagogues I am going to tell you of. Again and again in the story of His life, we read of His teaching, and in some cases doing miracles in the synagogue. Every town possessed its synagogue, a square or round building placed if possible on a hill, or in some central place.

The inside of the building was arranged in a somewhat similar manner to the tabernacle, that is to say, it had three parts, answering to the court, the holy place, and the most holy. In the first division sat the people, the men and women divided from one another by a wooden partition. In the second part was a raised platform, and a pulpit of wood upon it, and the third part was taken up by a chest or ark as it was called, containing the rolls on which was written the law; a veil hung in front of this, and the lid of the chest was called the “mercy seat.” In this building the people of the town would assemble on the Sabbath days, and there was also service on market days, so that the country people might have the opportunity to attend.

They began the service with two short prayers, one of which I will give you a copy of, that you may have some idea what the Lord heard, and probably repeated when as a boy He went to the synagogue of Nazareth. This is the prayer. “With great love hast Thou loved us, O Lord our God, and with much overflowing pity hast Thou pitied us, our Father and our King. For the sake of our fathers who trusted in Thee, and Thou taughtest them the statutes of life, have mercy upon us, and teach us. Enlighten our eyes in Thy law; cause our hearts to cleave to Thy commandments; unite our hearts to love and fear Thy name, and we shall not be put to shame, world without end. For Thou art a God Who preparest salvation, and us hast Thou chosen, from among all nations and tongues, and hast in truth brought us near to Thy great name, that we may lovingly praise Thee and Thy Oneness. Blessed be the Lord Who in love chose His people Israel.”

And all the time they were speaking of God’s salvation, the very One who was offering them salvation was in their midst, and they would not have Him. Does not this speak to us too, who are perhaps asking God to have pity upon us and save us, when all the time the wonderful work of redemption has been accomplished, and God is offering eternal life, and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ to all who will receive it.

But we must return to the synagogue and its service; after these short prayers had been offered, the “Shema” was repeated. This consisted of three short portions taken from the books of Num. and Deut. (Deut. 6:4-9, Deut. 11:13-21, Num. 15:37-41.) The prayers and “Shema” were repeated aloud by one man, chosen by the Ruler of the synagogue, and he also called upon someone in the congregation, to read a portion from the law; and another portion from the prophets. They stood up to read, but sat down when about to preach. We see this in Luke 4, where our Lord read to the people a passage from the prophet Isa. and then sitting down, he preached such a wonderful sermon, that all “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.”

We hear a number of times of the Rulers of the synagogue, in the Gospels. They were men well thought of, and learned in the law, and were appointed to their post by the laying on of the hands of at least three, who had themselves received “ordination.” If we look at Acts, 13:15, we shall see that Paul and his companion, Barnabas, when in the Gentile city of Antioch, went into the synagogue, and there after the reading of the law and the prophets, the Ruler of the synagogue asked them to preach to the people, which they did with such power, that the following Sabbath “Almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.” We may learn several things from this passage if we look at it carefully. First, that synagogues were not only to be found in the land of the Jews but were established all over the known world, wherever Jews could be found. If there were too few Jews in a city or town to build a synagogue, they chose a place by a river or stream, where they could get together for prayer, as we see in the city of Philippi. (Acts 16:13.) Secondly, we see that the office of the Ruler of the synagogue was to arrange who should speak, or preach, or in any manner lead the service. Thirdly, we may notice that the service was held upon the Sabbath day.

Before we leave off talking about the Rulers of the synagogue, we must look for a moment at the power which these men had. They could turn persons out of the synagogue, as was done to the man in John 9 who being healed of his blindness, confessed that Jesus was the Christ. They also had power to scourge and imprison, as we learn from the words of the Lord Jesus in Matt. 10:17 and Luke 21:12; and in Acts 9 we find Paul getting letters from the High Priest to the synagogues, that through their power he might cruelly persecute the Church of God. Now we must leave the subject of the synagogue and its Rulers, just reminding you first that Jairus, whose only little daughter Jesus raised from the dead, is spoken of as a “Ruler of the synagogue.” (Luke 8:41.)

ML 07/28/1912

"He Being Dead yet Speaketh."

ON MAY 28th, 1911, a party of prospectors recovered from an abandoned cabin, beyond the Valdez Glacier, Alaska, the bones and personal effects of F. B. F., of Boston, a miner, who had been missing since the fall of 1908. F. and his partners attempted to reach the fourth bend on the head waters of the Klutina River, but ran out of supplies. The partners turned back, but F. wandered into the old cabin and perished with hunger and cold.

The dying man kept a record of his last days on the margin of an almanac. Some of the entries follow: “Feb. 1. No food yet.” “Feb. 9. Ditto. I am awfully weak.” “Feb. 17. Ditto. May the Lord have mercy on me. I thank Him. Amen.” “Feb. 20. Ditto.” “Feb. 28. Ditto. Do not expect to get up again.” “F. B. F.”

Thus another has been added to the Tong list of searchers for gold that perishes, who have lost their lives in the attempt. What tales of hardship and suffering would be told, if dead men’s bones could speak; yet there they lie, strewn in the path of the vain searcher of earth’s fickle wealth, as an awful warning to all who would pass by. “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:26.

According to the diary of F. B. F., we are led to believe that God in His grace enabled him to know that there was mercy still reserved for him ere he passed out of time into eternity, from whence none return. There was doubtless the sense of his helplessness and the certainty of meeting a holy God as a sinner, and that led him to say, “Lord, have mercy on me.”

That was an appeal of faith and a confession of absolute helplessness. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13. “By grace are ye saved through faith.” Eph. 2: 8. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5: 6.

F., having assurance that he was heard, could say, “I thank Him, Amen.”

Friend, can you too thank God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us—for His unspeakable gift? That love, unsurpassed, has been displayed at the cross, where Jesus, the holy Son of God was sacrificed, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16.)

ML 07/28/1912

The Lord Himself Shall Come.

Dear children, have you ever heard

That Christ the Lord will come,

With angel’s voice and trump of God,

To call His people home?

The saints of God, from death set free,

With joy shall mount on high;

The heaven shall ring with praises loud,

They’ll meet Him in the sky.

O! say, if He should come tonight,

Would you in terror be,

Or would you lift your heads with joy

The blessed Lord to see?

O! children, seek the Saviour now

The Saviour full of love;

And when He comes He’ll take you up

To His bright home above.

ML 07/28/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for June.

1.“For the ways of man”, etc. Prov. 5:21.

2.“The sacrifice of the wicked”, etc, 15: 8.

3.“The blessing of the Lord”, etc. 10:22.

4.“Lying lips are abomination”, etc. 12:25.

5.“Enter not into the path of the wicked” 4:14.

6.“Trust in the Lord”, etc. 3:5.

7.“My son, if sinners entice thee”, etc. 1:10.

Bible Questions for August.

The answers are to be found in Psalms 1 to 20.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “All nations that forget God”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “My strength and my redeemer”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “As silver tried in a furnace”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Walketh”, “Standeth”, “Sitteth”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “My footstep’s slip not”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “Put their trust in Thee”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “He is a buckler to all those”.

ML 08/04/1912

Hailing the Ferry.

ISN’T it good to be happy in our work. The children in our picture look so happy, and yet they have been busy. Their mother, too has been busy; she is hurrying to get their supper while they have been to the washerwoman’s for the clean bundle of clothes that you see in the wagon. The old ferry-woman will soon be across for the children; and take them back in her boat, as she sees the little girl calling and waving. The big sister is kind to baby in letting her ride with the clothes; and little brother is being kindly cared for by the other sister. Each is serving the other, and is being made so happy by it. They show us that they love one another.

What a wonderful thing love is! How it helps us to do some very hard tasks when we know there are dear ones at home who love us, and who are pleased when we do our work faithfully. Who is it that has shown the greatest love that we have ever known about? You say immediately, “It is Jesus.” Yes, He loved us so much that He died for us; and how good to know that such a great person as He, loves us still. You are one of millions of children; yet He knows you and cares for you.

I trust you know Him, and that you are seeking to please Him. You may not tell even brother or sister, but if you do the smallest thing just to please the Lord Jesus, He takes notice of it; for nothing slips His eye that is really done in love to Him. Let us seek to return, in some little measure, at least, the great love that the Lord Jesus has shown to us. “IF A MAN LOVE ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS: AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM.” John 14:23.

ML 08/04/1912

The Shepherd's Sermon.

SOME years ago a shepherd was driving a flock of lambs through a village. Just as he was passing the first cottage, a young woman crossed the street to fetch water from the spring nearby. As she stood at the well, she laughingly called to the shepherd: “Would you not make me a present of one of these beautiful creatures? You have plenty of them.” The shepherd, who was a true Christian replied: “These lambs, don’t belong to me; therefore, I cannot give you one. But there is a Lamb—the Lamb of God — and you can have Him free. John says: “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” He spoke and passed on.

Thank God, the words uttered were pressed right into the heart of the young woman, to perform, a work for God and the salvation of her never dying soul. “There is a Saviour, and you can have Him free.” What a word! Has it found its’ way into thy heart, my reader?

About a year after, our shepherd came with another flock of lambs on the same road. He had quite forgotten the short conversation with the young woman. When he reached the cottage, the young woman looked at him, immediately recognized him and stepped to the door.

“Here, man!” she cried, “that was a splendid word you gave me.” “What word?” asked the shepherd. “Do you not remember passing by about a year ago?” she asked. “Surely, but I don’t remember speaking to you.”

“But I remember, and I thank God for it. I asked you if you would not give me one of these beautiful lambs. You said the lambs did not belong to you, but there was a Lamb — the Lamb of God—that I could have free. At that time I knew nothing about the Lamb of God; but now I know Him, and know that He has taken all my sins away.” The shepherd now remembered the words he had spoken. His words proved themselves as “Words spoken in season,” and the Scripture says, “How good they are!” With a joyful, thankful heart, he went his way astonished at the wonderful ways of God’s grace. How insignificant are often the means that God uses. All must work out to the praise of His glory.

My reader, is God’s Lamb not enough for you? Could you wish more? God has provided Himself a Lamb and that Lamb has been slain in your stead. The offering has been presented and accepted; yes, thank God, the empty cross, the empty grave, and the throne occupied above—all witness in earnest, solemn manner that God, through the work of Christ on the Cross, has been glorified; that now every sinner can find peace and forgiveness through simple belief on Jesus Christ,—the Lamb of God. If you ask: “What must I do?” my answer is “Nothing!” Jesus has done everything. Believe on Him and thank God for “His unspeakable gift.” And then go and let your life adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! (Titus, 2:10.)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (John 11:27-28.)

ML 08/04/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 98. Judges 15. Samson and the Philistines.

ALTHOUGH Samson had left Timnath in great anger, and gone back to his father’s house, he soon wished to see his wife again. So he took a kid as a present to her, and went to her father’s house. It was then wheat harvest time. But when he reached the house, his father-in-law would not let him see her, and said to him: I really thought that you hated her, therefore, I gave her to thy companion; but now her younger sister is fairer than she, marry this one instead of her.

Samson’s anger was again aroused and he sought to be revenged on the Philistines. He went to the woods and caught three hundred jackals and tied them in couples, tail to tail, put a fire brand between the two tails and let them go among the corn in the. fields. Of course, the corn was burnt down to the ground, with the vineyards and the olives.

Then the Philistines inquired who had done that, and when they heard it was Samson, because his wife had been taken from him, they went and took his father-in-law and his wife and burnt them alive. Samson, at this, was still more angry, and said to them. If this is the way you will act, then surely I shall avenge myself upon you, and after that, I will cease. And he struck them right and left, and broke arms and legs. Then he went to dwell in a cave of the rock Etam.

Then the Philistines gathered themselves together, and went up to Judah and encamped against them at Lehi. The men of Judah had no mind to fight their oppressors. Not only had they not cried to God to deliver them out of their hands, but they did not even wish to be delivered. How low they had sunken! They inquired of the Philistines why they had come against them. When the answer came, “To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he has done to us,” three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in the rock Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this that thou hast done unto us?” Samson answered, “As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.” Then his brethren, the men of Judah, said: “We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines.” Samson made them promise they would not kill him, but only take him prisoner, and deliver him into the hands of the Philistines. He let them bind him with two new ropes, and take him away from the cave. He, went with them to Lehi, where the Philistines were encamped. When the latter saw him, they shouted against him. But the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and the cords that bound him were snapped as if burnt with fire, by his great strength. Then picking up a jawbone of an ass, he slew one thousand of the Philistines.

After the slaughter, Samson was very thirsty, and he cried to God and thanked Him for his deliverance, and asked for water. God heard him, and answered him by cleaving the hollow rock at Lehi (New Trans.), and water came out, He drank and was revived, and in thankfulness, called that place “En-hakkore,” meaning, “The spring of him who calls.” During twenty years, Samson ruled Israel. That was why God raised him up that he might deliver Israel from the Philistines. What might he not have done with the great strength God gave him, if he had lived in obedience to God! And so it is, too, with the child of God, not that we have strength in ourselves to please God, or to resist the temptations Satan places on our paths, but if we trust Him, He will give us, not as to Samson, the great bodily strength perhaps, but the moral power to do His will and work for Him and those who love Him in a world which hates Him. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13.)

ML 08/04/1912

Minnie's Temptation.

MINNIE G. was the only daughter of godly parents. She had early known the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, and she loved Him. Almost from infancy she would say to others, “Do you love Jesus?” All knew her as a happy little Christian.

Like many others, Minnie, one day, left the loving shelter of her home, to go forth into the world—a child of God—bearing bright testimony to His name.

One day, while living with a lady who employed her as cook, she was very unhappy. Her mistress, a seemingly religious lady, although void of the true love of Christ in her heart, practiced little deceptions. She seemed greatly annoyed to find her maid above such un-Christ-like actions, and did her best, we are sorry to say, to personally annoy her. It had been so on the day of which we speak. Minnie was cooking the dinner, and the tempter whispered, “Burn up the dinner, and get even with her. Your mistress will treat you better for it. You will show her you can take your own part.”

Minnie was angry and miserable and was almost on the point of yielding to Satan’s advice, when a voice within said, “Do all to the glory of God”.

Her eyes filled with tears, for these were her mother’s last words on her leaving the old home. She thanked God she had not yielded to temptation, and said to herself, “I’ll cook the dinner for the Lord Jesus; if He is my guest, I shall be sure to do it well”.

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

“But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.” Col. 3:23-25.

ML 08/04/1912

A Feast of Cherries.

CHERRIES are ripe. How good they look! The four girls appear much interested and ready to enjoy a good feast.

And what a beautiful spot they have chosen for this feast—under a fine big tree, and surrounded by pretty flowers and shrubbery.

Dear children, whom are we to thank for such feasts as this? Who made the cherries grow and turn a bright pretty red? Who made them sweet and juicy? Who made the grand big tree and the beautiful flowers?

To all these questions you will answer, “God”. Yes, dear reader, you cannot name one good thing for which the Lord is not to be thanked. “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17.

He has given us so many feasts to enjoy, and our hearts should always be filled with thankfulness.

But there is one gift far above all other gifts—a gift that affords a far greater feast than any feast of cherries or flowers. Many of you know about this gift—how God gave His own beloved Son to save poor lost sinners. Many of you have accepted this gift and have feasted on that blessed One. You know how He satisfies the heart, and what joy and peace accompany such a feast.

If any of you have not known this gift, be assured now that it is offered to You, and that you, too, are invited to the feast.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that path no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price.” Isaiah 55:1.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“Of all the gifts thy love bestows,

Thou Giver of all good,

Not heaven itself a richer knows

Than the Redeemer’s blood.”

“THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.” 2 Cor. 9:15.

ML 08/11/1912

"He That Hath Pity Upon the Poor Lendeth Unto the Lord."

THE weather was cool and fine, and on the shore the fishermen were busy, hastily rigging out their boats for herring-fishing. The women had also appeared—most of them carrying a baby— besides several children, holding to mother’s apron. The oldest ones generally carrying a basket which contained father’s dinner.

With few words they took leave of one another. The days are short, and the fisherman must hasten if he expects a catch worthwhile. At seven o’clock all boats but one — which was Jacob Brand’s—were out in the sea.

Little Joseph Brand and his sister Susie stood on shore, waiting for papa’s farewell kiss. Nor had they long to wait. As soon as everything was ready, Jacob pushed from the shore. Their eyes followed him, waving their hands, and quietly the believing wife committed her husband to the care of their heavenly Father.

While mother went home, the children stayed on the shore for a little. Susie exchanged a few friendly words with Greta, a poor orphan girl, being cared for by her grandfather; he also was a fisher, like most of the villagers, and had just gone away with the rest.

“I wish I were big,” said Joseph, “then I could, go fishing with father.”

“No, I never want to go on that terrible ocean!” cried” Greta, “it is far too dangerous!”

The children laughed, but Greta did not join in with them. Susie looked at the little black coat of her friend and became more earnest, and lovingly putting her arm around the neck of the little girl, they returned hand in hand into the village.

Toward noon the weather, which was So clear in the morning, took a turn. A heavy fog now lowered over the surface of the ocean, and very soon after a strong wind began to blow. The older villagers, who could no more go fishing, began, one by one, to arrive at the water’s edge, brought there through fear of some terrible happenings.

Soon the older ones were no longer alone. The women had left their cooking and had anxiously followed the men, and before very long the boys and girls came too. At last the entire village population was gathered and all listened with anxiety to the roaring of the sea, in the meanwhile carefully watching from time to time the expression on the face of “Old Nicholas” who was a kind of village oracle, or wise man.

Susie and Joseph looked thoughtfully at the great waves that fell at their feet. Greta, who was shaking and trembling, stood behind them, closing her eyes each time a wave came near. The sea was for her only something terrible, doing mischief.

“Look at that pretty white foam!” cried Susie, while she threw a handful toward her brother.

Greta shook her head. “No”, said she, “it is not pretty. When I see the foam, it reminds me of father, how the waves threw him on to the shore, all covered with foam. O, if only grandfather was home again!”

The wind increased in violence, the ocean waves sounded louder and the rain came down in torrents. “The storm is coming now!” said Old Nicholas, shaking his head, and from mouth to mouth went the words, “The storm is coming now!”

Old Nicholas was right. Before evening the storm had come. I will not try to describe it. It howled and raved and groaned and rolled and bubbled, and hissed in a way impossible to imagine unless we have seen such a storm. One by one the fishers came back. It required all their skill to land without their boat being over thrown and smashed to pieces, but they succeeded. Toward eight o’clock all the vessels were in safely except the boat of Jacob Harmsen, Greta’s grandfather, which was still missing. Jacob enjoyed the respect of all, so that all were looking anxiously for him. Finally, the majority had to go to their homes. Only a few strong men remained to wait, and if necessary, hasten to his aid. But the darkness became such, the foam on the waves could not be seen, to say nothing of an approaching boat.

ML 08/11/1912

The Fruit Sermon.

O TASTE and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. (Psa. 84:8.)

“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Pet. 2:3.)

Suppose a captain had a vessel of his very own, and one day he bid his wife and children good bye and started off to Australia with a valuable cargo on board, telling them that he expected to be away about a year. After he had reached Australia, and emptied the vessel of its cargo, he sailed about among a number of islands, and anchored off one of them, and allowed the sailors to row to shore and spend a few hours on the land.

When they came back in the evening, we will suppose that they told the captain that it was a desert island, not a single person living there, but they had found a number of trees, such as they had never seen before, covered with the most delicious fruit, and had all eaten plenty and enjoyed it very much, and had brought a basket full for the captain to taste of.

“But what does it taste like?”

“O, captain, we cannot explain, it is simply lovely! better than peaches, apples, pears, grapes, plums, strawberries, or any other fruit.”

So the captain tastes it, and is delighted, and tells the sailors that they must wait there a day or two, strip the trees, and take home a great ship load of this wonderful fruit.

Suppose, when they reached home, the captain took a basket full to his house, and gave some to his wife and children, and they were all enjoying this new fruit, and praising it very much, except his youngest little girl eight years old, who would not have any, and kept on saying, “I don’t like it, father.” “But, my dear child, just taste it.” “No, thank you, father, I don’t like it.” Now what a foolish child she would be to say she did not like it, when she never even TASTED the fruit!!

Those who have not tasted the grace of God, and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and say that they would not like to be Christians, are quite as foolish as that child, for how can they tell before they taste?

The precious word of God says to all such:

“O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

It is a new kind of joy that nobody can know until they taste for themselves.

You would think that the little girl could hardly be in her right senses to say that she did not like the fruit that she had never tasted!

And it is really a kind of madness that keeps people from coming to Jesus to be saved. Their hearts have gone mad; you can read about it in Eccl. 9:3. “Madness is in their hearts while they live.” Will you taste NOW and see how good the Lord is?

ML 08/11/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 5. The Minister.

WHEN we think of a minister, the picture of a man in a black coat and a white tie, rises up before our minds, and we imagine that his business must be to preach in some church or chapel. But the minister spoken of in the Bible, was not this kind of a man; his work was to attend to the care of the synagogue, and especially to look after those precious rolls of parchment on which the law and the prophets had been so carefully written out by some learned scribe. In Luke 4, we notice that when the Lord Jesus had read in the synagogue the portion in Isa. which especially applied to Himself, He closed the book, and gave it again to the minister, who, no doubt, put it back in the chest where it belonged. But what precious words fell then from the lips of the Lord Jesus. He had been reading of One, who, anointed by the Holy Spirit, should preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken hearted, give sight to the blind, and now sitting down, according to the custom of the synagogue, He tell His hearers, that He is that very One, that He has come amongst them to do all these things. And did they receive Him with joy? O no, we read in the end of the story that they were filled with wrath, thrust Him out of the city, and tried to cast Him over the steep hill upon which the city of Nazareth was built.

Do you wonder at them, and say: “I would not have done so”? Well, there are many even to-day who will not receive the gracious, loving invitation of the Saviour, to come to Him for salvation, and it is just possible that you are one of these.

The minister, in the days when the gospels were written, had another office besides taking care of the rolls of the law, and generally attending to the needs of the synagogue. It was he who was the schoolmaster, and taught the little Jewish boys to read. The expenses of those schools were met by contributions from the congregation of the synagogue, and the school was held in this building. A little boy was sent to school at six years old, but before this, he had to learn a good deal from his father. At three years old, the teaching began, and the little fellow had to learn his letters. These were drawn on a board until the child knew them, and then, he began to read in a book. At five, the Hebrew Bible was begun, so that when the child went to school, he had already made some progress in his education. The teacher was very careful how the children behaved, and they were taught to be just, kind, and truthful. The teacher must not lose patience if his pupil did not understand, but make the lesson plainer. The hours for play are from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon, and in the hot months they only had four hours’ schooling, and at this time the children were not allowed to be punished. No teacher was employed who was not a married man, and the highest honor was attached to his office, if worthily discharged.

Great care was bestowed upon orphans, and the children of the poor. In the Temple there was a special box, called “the secret,” in which money was collected for their keep and education. To adopt and bring up an orphan, was regarded as a very “good work.” So, do you not agree with me, that the little Jewish boys were well cared for, and if they paid attention to their teachers, should have been well educated? Little girls however were not sent to school, although they learned much at home, and went regularly to the synagogue.

That some Jewish women were well taught in the Scriptures we learn from 2 Tim. 1, where special mention is made of the mother and grandmother of Timothy. Priscilla too, in Acts 18, was evidently a woman learned in the Scriptures.

ML 08/11/1912

Hay Makers.

HERE we have a picture of the harvesters about ready to return home. Do you little readers know what harvesters are? Have you heard of harvest time? It is the time in the summer or fall when the hay, grain and corn are ready to be reaped and gathered in. Gathering it in is called harvesting. And the people who reap and gather it in are called harvesters.

Farmers always like to have a big harvest, for that means money to them—money with which to buy food, clothes, and other comforts.

The Bible tells us of another kind of sowing and reaping. (Gal. 6:7, 8, 9.) “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

What are the seeds we sow when we sow to the flesh? Perhaps some of you will say, “Naughty things we do.” Yes, anything naughty we think, say, or do; anything unkind or selfish; anything we do to please ourselves. When we sow seeds of this kind they will not grow into anything good or beautiful. They are bad seeds. And we should not want to sow such seeds any more than the farmer wants to plant seeds that will grow up into thorns and thistles and troublesome weeds in his field. We know he does not want these.

What do you think sowing to the Spirit is? “Sowing good seed,” you say. Yes. Whenever we do anything for the Lord—when we seek to help others and
do them good for the Lord’s sake, we are sowing to the Spirit and we shall reap good and blessing to our souls.

May everyone who reads “MESSAGES OF LOVE” be happy, like the harvesters in the picture, because he is reaping a good harvest. If any of you are sowing to the flesh, stop and think of the corruption—the sorrow and trouble you must reap. How much better to reap “Life everlasting” and to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

“THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONQSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE.” (Gal. 5:22, 23.)

ML 08/18/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 6. The Honorable Counsellor.

NO DOUBT you all remember the name of one honorable counsellor, spoken of, also, as “a good man and a just.” In each of the four gospels we read of Joseph of Arimathea, who came with Nicodemus, and begging the body of the Lord Jesus from Pilate, the Roman Governor, wrapped it in linen clothes, with spices, and laid it in his own new tomb; hewn out of a rock. Now both Joseph and Nicodemus, belonged to the great Council of the Jews, known as the Sanhedrim. It consisted of seventy-one members, and was closely connected with the synagogue of Jerusalem. There were also smaller councils in other towns with twenty-three members in each. The ruler of the synagogue, of whom we spoke the other day, must always belong to the Sanhedrim; the members were also called elders or rulers. The great council in Jerusalem consisted of the chief priests, scribes and elders, the high priest being at the head of it.

It was before this council the Lord Jesus was brought after spending the night in the high priest’s palace, mocked df the men who held Him, blindfolded, and struck upon the face, and yet in His infinite grace, having thought for Peter, and giving him that look which broke his heart.

We read, “And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council.” (Luke 22:66.) Before this council, which had to judge religious matters almost entirely, they accused Him of laying claim to being the Christ, the long looked-for Messiah, “Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” they ask, and Jesus answers simply, “I am.” Then the high priest rent his clothes, and said, “Ye have heard the blasphemy,” and they all (that is all the council), condemned Him to be worthy of death. (Mark, 14:61.) But according to the Jewish law, they had not power to put any man to death, as we read in John, 18:31, so they led Him away to Pilate, the Roman governor, and here, knowing that Pilate would care nothing about religious questions, they bring against that patient, gracious Man, Son of God, as well as Son of man, accusations of quite a different kind: “We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” But I need not follow the story although; you know it well, and how the Jewish rulers, the members of that council, which should have given justice to all, persuaded the people to ask for the liberty of a robber, that the Holy, spotless, Son of God, might be condemned to death by the heathen governor. And so He died, giving Himself up freely to all this indignity, the mocking, the cruel scourging, the spitting, the buffeting, the terrible suffering upon the cross, the agony of which we can never understand, for there in those three hours of darkness, He, the sinless One, was bearing the load of sin, and the wrath of God. Do you believe this? Do you believe that He bore the punishment of your sin on that cross? If you do, the Scripture tells you, that eternal life is yours.

ML 08/18/1912

"He That Hath Pity Upon the Poor Lendeth Unto the Lord."

Joseph and Susie thanked God for having brought their father home safely. Then they went to sleep under their warm cover. But for poor Greta, the night seemed very long. If overcome for a moment by a restless sleep she saw in her dream a body lying on the shore covered with sea foam, and she would awaken with a scream. Next morning her pillow was wet with tears.

Old Jacob had not yet returned. At an early hour Joseph and his sister went to the shore to see how things looked. It was a sad picture. Large quantities of sea-weed, covered with black slime lay around in confusion, with which were mixed parts of wrecked vessels washed ashore. The fishers’ boats had been pulled as far up the shore as possible. Out on the ocean no sail could be seen anywhere. The saddest among all the sad sights was the appearance of the little girl who sat on a board near the sea crying as if heart-broken.

The two children felt real sympathy for their little friend. As well as they could, they tried to comfort her, but she would not be comforted. Toward noon, the sad news was all over the village that old Jacob and his nephew’s bodies had been washed ashore; his nephew having accompanied him on the trip.

Poor Greta! What was to become of her? The fishermen were nearly all poor and most of them had large families. Who would have pity on the poor little one?

“She’ll have to go to the poor house,” said one woman.

“That’s the best thing. She will be well treated there,” suggested another.

The last speaker was a rather well-to-do lady, who had no children, and would have been in a better position to take the little girl in than any other person in the village.

Greta was very sad. Occasionally, when Joseph and Susie played with her, she became more cheerful, but would suddenly run away with a loud lament: “O, dear grandfather!” and withdraw into some secluded place.

The following Saturday, after dinner Joseph and his sister were sitting at home. Susie rocked her youngest sister to sleep, while Joseph was trying to carve a boat out of a block of wood.

“I wish Greta wouldn’t have to go to the poorhouse”, Joseph said suddenly. “So do I”, came the answer. “I wonder why father and mother don’t take her into our home.”

“Do you wonder? Just think how many we are, and everything so costly.”

“That is true, Joseph,” thoughtfully she looked into the blazing fire, and seemed to listen to the humming of the tea-kettle. All at once her face brightened, and she exclaimed happily, “Joseph, couldn’t we earn something so Greta wouldn’t need to go to the poor house?”

“Us two, Susie? I don’t understand you. How could two children, such as we are, be able to earn anything?”

Susie knew of no answer to that, but did not give up the thought on that account.

On Sunday both air and sea were still.

As the bell sounded from the village church, many a fisherman with his wife, wended their way to thank God for His preservation through danger during the past week, and to plead for those that go out to sea. Jacob Brand walked along with his children, Joseph and Susie, while mother stayed at home with the smaller ones. Susie could not help constantly thinking of the poor motherless and fatherless Greta. As soon as meeting was over, she took hold of her father’s arm and begged, “Dear Father, please let Greta come to our house.”

“Gladly would I do that, my child, if only I knew how I might care for her. But think, there are so many mouths to fill, and no one but myself to earn. Mother has more work now than she can do.”

Susie uttered a sigh. After a while she said, “Father, shall we not go to the grave of our little Christine?” Father nodded. The little grave looked newly made. Silently the fisherman and his child stood before the low mound and looked at the flowers planted on it.

“Father!” Susie began once more, “might not the Lord have taken her away, so that you could give Greta her place?”

She stopped suddenly, surprised at her own words. The fisherman passed his hand across his eyes, kissed his child on the forehead, and as they turned homeward, he said: “We will see Susie, we will see”.

At home, dinner was on the table. It consisted of potatoes and a pitcher of water. They never had anything besides, nor wished for anything different, indeed, they were glad and thankful, if there were enough potatoes for all. As Susie received her portion, she looked at her father and said: “Father! I might get along, with half as many.”

Then the fisherman told his wife their little daughter’s wish, and her mother’s heart was touched. And, although she, the faithful manager of the household, knew better than any, the difficulties which the reception of the strange girl must necessarily bring, she said, next morning, to Susie: “Now, my child, we will try it for a couple of weeks, but you will need to see to earning something yourself.”

This was happy news for our little friend. As quickly as she could, she went to Greta, calling joyfully: “Just think Greta, you don’t need to go to the poor house! Pack up your things quickly and come with us; you are to sleep with me and be my little sister. What do you say to that?”

It was no small disappointment to our poor Susie, to notice that Greta showed not the least bit of pleasure over this great news. Nor did she express even a word of thanks, but followed her with a dissatisfied expression on her face. The child had been spoiled by her grandfather and was untrained.

That morning it was again very stormy, and the fisherman had hardly caught anything. On such days there were very small meals at Jacob Brand’s. Susie knew well how small the store of potatoes was that day, but she brought her new guest home with a glad heart. Greta brought a good appetite with her. That the meal tasted good was easy to see, as she seemed in her eagerness not to notice how Susie pushed half of her own potatoes over on to her plate.

After the meal, the children went to the shore together.

Soon a conversation was started between Joseph and Susie as to the best way to earn something.

“How would it be for me to go along the cliffs in search of shrimps?” suggested Joseph.

“Me, too,” cried little Edward.

“No”, decided, Susie: “you are still too- small, and you stay with me.” She would rather have gone with Joseph herself, but felt it was her place to stay with the little brothers and sisters.

Only an act of kindness

That you, little child, may show,

While seeking to please the Saviour,

And more like Himself to grow.

Only a glimpse of sunshine

That you, little child, may shed,

To brighten a path of sorrow

Where others may fear to tread.

Only some self-denial,

Attended, perhaps, with pain,

But all that is loss at present

Will someday be richest gain.

ML 08/18/1912

Training Fido.

WHAT a good time this boy is having with his dog; he has trained him to do so many different things. Maybe you have a dog have you taught him to sit up and say please or thank you by barking? Animals may be taught to do many cute things, but it takes patience to train them, for they must do the same thing over and over again before they are able to do that thing well. This is true of children, too, is it not? Their parents and teachers have them repeat their tasks many times before they can do them perfectly. What patience and love is needed by these older heads; their care must be constant over the little ones to lead them to do right.

If you are a saved child, you are in God’s school as well as in your day school. You must listen to His Word in order to learn the lessons He wants to teach you; then if you are willing to do what He asks of you, you will be very happy. As long as the Lord leaves you down here, you will continue to be in His school, and how thankful you will be when you see His face, if you have learned the lessons He has sought to teach you.

Sometimes a child is permitted to do something very bad, to show him how naughty and sinful he is by nature. As we see how dreadfully sinful we are, we realize more the holiness of Jesus, and how He only is able to keep us from sinning. “Kept by the power of God.” (1 Peter 1:5) “Without Me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5:)

“BE NOT WISE IN THINE OWN EYES; FEAR THE LORD, AND DEPART FROM EVIL.” (Prov. 3:7.)

ML 08/25/1912

Short, Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 6. The Honorable Counsellor.

Going on to the Acts we find the apostles brought before this council, several times; in chapter 5; they are shut up for a night in the common prison, but set free by an angel, so when the officers are sent to bring them before the council, they are puzzled to find them gone, and the next thing they hear is that they are standing in the temple, teaching. On being brought before the council, they refuse to obey the command, not to teach in the name of Jesus, and are, therefore, beaten. The council having this power, thought it was not lawful for them to put any person to death. However, in chapter 7, we see that in their blind rage and fury, they go beyond their power, and Stephen is stoned. Stoning being the Jewish mode of putting, to death; and crucifying, the Roman. Paul also. was brought before the council (Acts 23:1), by the Roman captain, who had rescued him the day before, front the furious mob who would have killed him. We read that, “He commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear”. (Acts 22:30.) Now the elders and scribes who composed this council were not all of one mind, for some were Pharisees, and some were Sadducees; so the Pharisees took part with Paul, while the Sadducees would have torn him to pieces; so once more the Roman captain rescued him, and from this time on, he was kept a prisoner by the Romans until sent by them to be judged by their emperor in Rome.

It is pleasant to turn away from the chief priests, the elders and the scribes, who composed this council, and who were blinded by their hatred to the name of Jesus to all sense of right and justice, it is pleasant to turn from them to that “honorable councilor,” who would not consent “to the counsel and deed of them,” who with his fellow councilor, Nicodemus, came out boldly at the last, and showed such love and devotion to Him who had won their hearts.

ML 08/25/1912

"He That Hath Pity Upon the Poor Lendeth Unto the Lord."

It was quite late when Joseph got home, both wet and tired. But he had been successful. His mother showed him how to prepare the little animals so as to be saleable. The next morning quite early he got up and hurried in hopeful expectation to Mr. Wilkins, who was the village store keeper. The door was locked and he had to wait a half hour.

At last the owner arrived. “Mr. Wilkins, here are some fine shrimps,” came the greeting from Joseph.

“Thank you, my boy, I don’t need any,” he answered.

Joseph was disappointed. That his wares might be refused, had not entered his mind. But he did not lose courage. He went from house to house, and cried out loudly: “Fine shrimps. Who Will buy fine shrimps?”

But no one seemed to want his sweet morsels. The young salesman was rather depressed by the time he had gone well over the village, and arrived at a little white house on the outskirts of the place where there was a pretty garden, a little to the side of the street.

“Miss, don’t you need some nice shrimps?” Joseph called out to a girl who was shining the doorbell.

“Wait a moment, boy, I will ask my lady.” She hurried through the door, but soon came back leading an elderly, well dressed lady by the hand. It was the lady of the house, who came herself to buy some of Joseph’s shrimps. She looked friendly and possessed a gentle voice, but kept her eyes closed; she was blind.

“Yes, my child,” said she, “I will gladly buy some of your shrimps. I believe I have not eaten shrimps since my girlhood days, when I climbed around the rocks on the coast for them. What is your name, my boy?”

Joseph told his name and added that he would rather sell the whole basket.

“But my boy,” said the blind lady smiling, what could I do with it? I would like to have thirty cents worth, but more than that Johanna and I could not possibly eat. Why would you like so much to sell me the whole basket?”

“Father has decided, because Susie begged him, to take Greta into our house so she wouldn’t have to go to the poor house. But now there is not enough to eat for all of us, and Susie and I are trying to earn something to help. But it is hard to do,” he added with a sigh.

“Can Susie sew?” asked the blind lady sympathizing.

“Yes.”

“Then send her over here this afternoon.”

Joseph’s announcement caused rejoicing at the fisherman’s home.

Greta promised to look after the little ones, so Susie started right after dinner to Mrs. R., the friendly blind lady. She was so eager, she forgot her mother’s command, and rushed wildly across the street. Quite out of breath, she arrived at the white house. Mrs. R. received her at once into her room, asked about one thing and another, and especially about Greta. The answers she received seemed to satisfy her.

“I will do what I can,” said Susie at last. “Joseph and I would so much like to earn something to help father because he took Greta into the house.”

“Very well, my child, here are three sheets to be hemmed. If you do the work well I will pay you 7 cents apiece. You are willing and have good eyes, which alas, I have no longer. When God took away my sight, I was very sad at first. I would rather have died, because I thought I was not good for anything in the world. But God showed me it was wrong to think so. You see even today I can do something for you and Greta. Keep up your courage, my dear child. Trust in the Heavenly Father, and all will be well.”

Arriving at home, Susie wanted to commence her work at once. But that would not do. Mother needed her little daughter all the rest of the day. It was a hard test for her zeal. But Susie tried to obey without murmuring.

“I’ll get up early tomorrow,” she said to Joseph. “I can well get along with an hour less sleep.”

“But day break is rather late these days,” interrupted her sensible brother, “and candles are dear.”

“That’s so, Joseph,” she said in a low disappointed tone, “what shall I do?”

Joseph had a way. That evening he went to Mr. Wilkins and begged a candle, promising to run errands in payment. The store keeper was kind enough not to refuse our young friend this time.

Susie was up next Morning at five o’clock. But with her haste she did not forget to kneel down to pray before beginning her work. Then she went to work with a happy heart. It was a real pleasure to her to serve the little stranger, as she gladly gave up an hour’s sleep.

Yes, dear young readers, it is a pleasure to be able to do something for others, and God is with us in this service.

Before the week was over the sheets were done. Susie and Greta went together to take them.

Johanna pronounced the work well done, and Mrs. R. kindly stroked Susie’s cheek.

“Can’t Greta work,” she asked. The child looked ashamed and put her fingers in her mouth. Susie answered for her.

“Then you must learn, Greta. Come over here at two o’clock every afternoon. Johanna will give you lessons in sewing, won’t you, Johanna?”

“Certainly, Mrs. R.”

From that time Greta came at the appointed hour every day to the white house. Johanna took considerable pains to teach the orphan child who had not learned anything, and Greta learned to the satisfaction of her teacher. Nearly every day she got something to take home to her foster parents; such as cold meat or pudding. In this way the winter passed in a better way at the home of Jacob Brand, than they had expected.

The spring came, and with it the fishing trips began again. It seemed as though a special blessing rested on the home of Jacob Brand. They had never had such steady success in catching. Susie was hired to do sewing in abundance. Joseph was errand boy for Mr. Wilkins, and besides his board, received good wages for a boy of his age. Greta was no longer the spoiled, discontented child of former days. She had learned to work.

Two years have passed since the above was related. Once more we step into Jacob Brand’s cabin. A sad picture meets our eye. Susie, our dear Susie, has been sick a long time. She is so pale and thin we hardly recognize her. She is just saying farewell to her loved ones. She feels that her hours down here are numbered. But this knowledge does not make her sad. She knows she is passing from faith to sight. Soon she is to see Jesus, her Saviour, in whom she believed, and whom she so gladly served. Her bed has been placed near the window. She breathes heavily. Slowly the sun sets. And with the setting sun her breathing is weaker. And as that fiery ball hides below the ocean horizon, Susie Brand takes her flight from earth. Very peacefully she went home to Jesus. Farewell dear child! Farewell till that meeting over there!

She was buried beside little Christine. And as they all stood silently at the open grave, her father thought of the words Susie had spoken on that memorable visit to this same spot, and repeated them to his children, “Father, might not the Lord have taken her away, so that you could give Greta her place.”

Who was it now who put her hand into that of the sorrowing father? Who was it on that long day of the funeral, cared for the children and kept them quiet? It was Greta. Who was it later on, when father came home tired from a fishing trip, that ran to meet him, relieved him of his heavy hat and brought his slippers? It was Greta. And when the poor mother lay sick in bed for weeks, from having nursed her child through her long illness, and from her bereavement, it was Greta who took her place as manager, who smoothed the pillows of the sick mother and tenderly cared for her. She was truly now the sunshine of the home.

Mr. Brand and his wife did not forget Susie. How would that have been possible? But they regarded Greta as a precious gift from their dying child, and they often remembered Susie’s last words:

“Dear Parents! Greta will be your eldest daughter when I am gone. You had pity on her, and now she will care for you.”

ML 08/25/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for July.

1. “Whoso keepeth his”, etc. Proverbs 21:23.

2.“A false witness”, etc. 19:9.

3.“Hearken unto thy father” etc. 23:22.

4.“Pleasant words”, etc. 16:24.

5.“Every word of God is pure”, etc. 30:5.

6.“He that is slow to anger”, etc. 18:32.

7.“He that being often reproved” etc. 29:1.

Bible Questions for September.

The answers are to be found in Psalms 20 to 40.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Tongue”, “Mouth”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “Sword”, “Dog”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Clay” “Rock”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Evil”, “Guile.”

5.Write the verse containing the words, “Salvation,” “Honor”, “Majesty”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “Instruct”, “Teach”, “Guide.”

7.“Write the verse containing the words, “Of good courage”.

ML 09/01/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

CHAPTER 7. The Centurion.

THERE are, you know, a hundred cents in a dollar, and a hundred years in a century, so you will not be surprised to learn that a centurion was a man who was commander of a hundred soldiers. Not Jewish soldiers, but Roman, for the land of Israel, in the days when our Lord Jesus Christ was preaching and teaching, and working miracles, was under the dominion of that great nation. And yet the centurions, of whom we read in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, appear to have been, at least God-fearing men. We read of one in Luke, 7: who loved the Jewish nation, and had even gone to the expense and trouble of building a synagogue for the Jews in Capernaum: The ruins of this very synagogue have been dug up, not so many years ago, and they are very beautiful and costly. I do not know whether this kind centurion was in the habit of attending the synagogue he had built; if he was, perhaps he had heard the Lord Jesus teaching in it, or perhaps he had heard of Jesus through Jairus, the ruler of this same synagogue, whose little daughter, you remember, Jesus raised from the dead. But, however, that may be, he had heard of Jesus, and when he was in trouble about a sick servant who was very dear to him, he felt sure that He was the very One who could help him. Yes, and more than that, he believed that it only needed a word from the lips of that gracious Master to restore his servant to health. And did Jesus disappoint him? O, no! He never disappoints true faith. We do not even read of His speaking “the word,” but the servant was whole from that very hour. Another thing I want you to notice in this little story; not only did the centurion get his desire, and the servant get the healing, but someone else was made glad. Do you know who that was? Why, it was the Lord Jesus. He always rejoices in faith; He loves us to confide in Him, to trust His power and His love; to come to Him with all our requests, and to make known to Him all our desires, being quite sure that He loves us far too well, not to do the very best for us. And not only does He rejoice in His own people coming to Him, but He is longing for sinners to come to Him, and He will never drive one away, never say one is too bad, for His own word is, “I came to call sinners.”

We read of another centurion, who was present with his soldiers at the most solemn event this world has ever seen; I mean when our Lord was crucified. He saw the meek and lowly Jesus nailed to the cross; he saw the darkness over all the earth; he felt the great earthquake which accompanied it, and he heard when Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “It is finished;” and what effect did it all have upon him? We read that he exclaimed no doubt, in wonder and fear, “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” Can we not say the same, as we gaze upon that wonderful scene, and can we not add to his words, and say, “The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me!”

We cannot consider all the centurions mentioned in Scripture, but we must look at one more, and he has a good character too. We read of him in Acts, 10, and we find him spoken of as “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people (God’s people, the Jews), and prayed to God alway.” He was a Roman soldier, a Gentile; one with whom the Jews would not even eat, and yet he loved and feared God, and may we not be quite sure that God loved him? We cannot go into the whole story here, but it is very interesting to read, and we can learn a great deal from it.

First, it is nice to think that God is watching us, and knows our names. He sends an angel to speak to Cornelius by name; and, again, He speaks to Peter by his name. Then we see how the Lord arranges it all just to fit in, as we might say. He tells the centurion to send for Peter, and then just at the right moment, He explains to Peter by a vision; what he is to do. And again, we see Peter’s obedience. It must have seemed very strange to him to be told to go and “keep company,” as he says, with one of another nation., It went against everything he had ever been taught from the time he was a baby, but if his Lord told him to do it, why, he does it at once. He says to Cornelius when he arrives at his house: “I came unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for”. And then how beautiful the end of the story is, how Peter explains to them, that Jesus, of whom they had heard, and of whose death no doubt they knew, was in very deed the Son of God, the One ordained to, be Judge of giving and dead, and yet because He had died, and had been raised again, remission of sins was offered to everyone who would believe in Him. And we find that all who heard that wonderful, and yet simple sermon, did believe. They asked no questions; they raised no objections, but they believed exactly what they were told; it was God’s message to them, and all they had to do was to believe it. And lastly, the Holy Ghost is poured upon them—God’s gift to those who believe — “After that ye believed ye were healed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” (Eph. 1:13.)

Now before we close let me ask you if you are like Cornelius, the Roman centurion? Have you accepted the Word of God? Do you believe the message He has sent you, possibly many times? and if you have, do you know that you are “sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, unto the day of redemption?” (Eph. 4:30.)

ML 09/01/1912

The Dying Captain.

THERE is an affecting tale told of the captain of a small sailing vessel who was taken very ill. They were far from land, and the vessel carried no doctor. The captain, realizing that death was approaching, became troubled in soul and very anxious. He sent for his mate, but the difficulty was beyond the mate’s power to solve; he could only mutter a vague hope that “He wasn’t as bad as he thought.” The captain then ordered him to send down the boson, but he was still more indefinite when confronted with the question, How to prepare for dying. He was sent on deck, where he gave it as his opinion that the “old man” was “going off his head,” and the crew was sent down one by one with the same result, until in despair the captain summoned the poor cabin-boy. Johnny gave it as his opinion that if his old mother were there, there wouldn’t be any difficulty, so in agony the captain asked him what did he think his mother would do. Johnny replied that the very first thing his mother would do, would be to ask for a Bible. When directed by the captain, who began to see a ray of hope, Johnny found a Bible. He said that the next thing she would do, would be, to turn to the fifty-third of Isaiah, and this the dying man begged him to do without delay. When after, some difficulty he had found it, his face brightened and he said, “Captain, my mother always taught me to read a bit of it in this way: He was wounded for Johnny’s transgressions. He was for bruised Johnny’s iniquities, the chastisement of Johnny’s peace was upon Him, and with His stripes Johnny is healed.” The poor face on the pillow was turned questioningly towards the reader, and the fast darkening lips framed the question, “Who is He, Johnny?” “Jesus, captain”, said the boy. Still the same longing look, till the boy humbly suggested with an inward tremor, for a captain is a great man in the eyes of his cabin boy, “Suppose, Captain, you read it with Jesus name and—and with yours”. So they began, the man’s deep voice, upon which the hush of death was fast falling, following the lad’s clear treble, “Jesus was wounded for Captain Smith’s transgressions, Jesus was bruised for Captain Smith’s iniquities: the chastisement of Captain Smith’s peace was upon Him, and with His stripes Captain Smith is healed.” The ship rose and fell rhythmically to the slow swell, the timbers creaked and the bulkheads groaned; still the deep voice, growing more indistinct now, toiled after the treble until silence fell. Then, whilst an ineffable look of supreme content crept over the storm-battered face and a light into the upturned, fast-glazing eyes, his lips were seen to move: “Jesus . . . with Jesus’ stripes I am healed.”

ML 09/01/1912

The Resting Place of the Deer.

HERE are two fine deer, and their two pretty baby deer. And they have such a splendid resting place under this beautiful biz tree with its shading branches.

All around are tall grass and ferns, so, lying down, the deer are well hidden. A person would have to get quite near before he could see them.

They feel safe in this nice secluded spot, and they are pretty safe. But still some hunter might come along and discover them. They would be safe no longer.

Dear reader, are you safe? Perhaps you have a very comfortable and beautiful home, well-guarded against storms, fire, thieves, and other dangers. You may think you have a resting place that is safe from every harm.

Yet at any moment, and in a way you least expect, trouble may come. Are you ready to have your resting place — perhaps your very life—taken from you in a moment?

Not unless your Soul has found a resting place. If you have learned to know and love the One who said, “COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST” (Matt. 11:28), you have indeed found a resting place secure from every danger. With your soul resting there, you need have no fear about earthly resting places.

O do not be content with anything less than the safety which Christ alone can give—the rest that nothing can disturb.

“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8: 38, 39.) In such a love is eternal rest.

ML 09/01/1912

Rustic Civility.

RUSTIC CIVILITY—Perhaps these are words that many of you little children do not understand. So first we will find out what they mean.

“Rustic” has to do with the country. And “Civility” is another word for politeness or good manners. Then “rustic civility” is good manners in the country, or good manners of country people.

This is a beautiful country scene, with the road winding through the woods and the happy-faced children at the big gate. What do you think they are doing? The oldest child is going through the motion of tipping his hat, or making a salute. They see someone coming and have kindly opened the gate so this person or persons may pass through without any trouble.

Often children in the country are more polite and show more kindness to strangers than children in the city. If you live in the city, do not let the country children put you to shame.

The Lord is pleased when you show respect to others, especially older people; and He wishes you to show kindness to all.

“AS WE HAVE THEREFORE OPPORTUNITY, LET US DO GOOD UNTO ALL, ESPECIALLY UNTO THEM WHO ARE OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.” (Galatians 6:10.)

ML 09/08/1912

A Real Hero.

THE STORY I have to tell you today is a perfectly true one, but it is very sad. As I stood near to the place where it had happened, not so very long before, and heard all the particulars from an eye witness, I felt as if I had rarely heard anything more sorrowful. It was a beautiful spot; a large bay close to one of our sea port towns. When the tide was full, the water rushed up into the bay, filling it on stormy days with huge ocean waves; when the tide was out, the bay was empty, just a bed of glistening sand, with a fresh water stream running through the middle of it. On one side of this bay was a large factory, and a broad strong breakwater had been built on this side to prevent the water from running up into the street and houses on stormy days. When the breakwater was built, the owner of the factory bought a life buoy, in case of accidents, and at the suggestion of an experienced sailor, 500 feet of rope was attached to it.

“The life buoy is useless without rope,” the sailor had remarked; “it may support a man in the water, but it cannot bring him to land.”

One particularly stormy day in October, the men who worked in the factory were returning from their dinner, when a sudden cry fell upon their ears, “A boy in the water!” Sure enough, the little lad had been amusing himself by throwing sticks into the water, and the wind being too strong for him, had blown him into the bay. Amongst the men at this moment, on the breakwater, was one strong active young fellow, of perhaps twenty years old. He had practiced swimming from a child, and was as much at home in the water as on land. On seeing the child’s danger, he did not hesitate an instant, but throwing off his coat, sprang into the raging waves, and almost immediately seized the little boy. But now a fresh difficulty arose. How was he to land, on that breakwater, with the waves rising mountains high around him, and the wild wind dashing him every moment farther from it? “The life buoy!” shouted the lookers on, and many willing hands were ready to throw it over. But alas! when the coil of rope attached was unrolled, it was found to have diminished to less than one hundred feet, and as the life buoy was thrown into the water, the rope being too short went with it. It was the last chance for the brave lad and the little child he still had held tightly with one arm. He succeeded in reaching the buoy and putting it on. It held him up in the water, but as the old sailor had said, it could not land him. A boat was launched, but was instantly broken to pieces by the angry waves beating it against the strong wall of the breakwater. Time passed on, the poor young fellow had exhausted his strength trying to reach the land on the further side of the bay. The little boy slipped from his weary arms, and he himself sank for the last time in the raging sea. He had given his life in his endeavor to save another, and his fellow citizens were not slow to admire his courage and self-sacrifice. A beautiful monument was raised in one of the public parks, and on one side was carved the figure of the brave boy, with the child in one arm, vainly trying to reach the land; and on the other side this verse was carved: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13.) Did you ever hear of greater love? Yes, you have heard of One who laid down His life, not for His friends, but for His enemies. What wonderful love His must have been, and little bay or little girl, it was for you! Perhaps you say, “I am not His enemy.” Ah! you do not know. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Saviour, you are a child of wrath, a sinner, an enemy of God. Is that a hard thing to say? it may seem so to you, but it is true, for God’s word says so. And it has another side to it, too; a very joyful, happy side, for if you are a sinner, you are the very one Jesus died for. Are you not glad of that? Does it not make your heart rejoice to think that although you are a sinner, Christ died for you? He took the punishment for all those naughty things you have done, and O, what a dreadful punishment it was; not only suffering so terribly upon the cross, but in those hours of darkness, bearing the wrath of God against sin, “All Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over Me,” He says, and no man can ever know what that suffering means. And yet we read of it lightly, while our hearts are moved to love and pity as we think of that brave young man who laid down his life for the little boy.

“No man of greater love can boast,

Than for his friend to die;

Thou for Thine enemies wast slain!

What love with Thine can vie?”

ML 09/08/1912

Two Wells and Their Stories.

The First Well.

WE MUST go back fifty years, and fancy ourselves in the little island of Aniwa, one of the far off New Hebrides, if we wish to watch the digging of the first well I am going to tell you of. These islands are formed of coral, made, as you may have heard, by little insects, so small that you could not see them, and yet they are used of God for such great works. Surely He can use, who and what, He pleases to do His work, and He desires us to acknowledge His power and might, for He says in Ps. 111, “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.”

In these coral islands, we do not find Springs of water, as we do in our own country, so the people are dependent upon the rain, which falls very freely at one time in the year. They are obliged to preserve this water in tanks, and as you may imagine, after a time it becomes very unwholesome for drinking. When the noble missionary, John Paton, went to the little heathen island of Aniwa, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to these poor naked savages, he found it impossible to ‘get any good water, so after much thought and prayer, he decided to dig a well, near the Mission House. But to his surprise, he found the natives most unwilling to help him. They had never seen water coming from anywhere but the clouds, and they declared it was impossible for the “Missi,” as they called Mr. Paton, to bring rain from below. It could not be done they said, and they would not give any assistance, no matter what was offered them. So Mr. Paton had to work all alone, and hard, heavy work he found it. At his first attempt, it fell in, and if the Lord had not been caring for him, he would certainly have been killed. But the brave man was not discouraged; again he set to work, carefully supporting the sides as he dug. The heat was very great, and he was almost worn out with the unaccustomed work; his hands were torn and bleeding, but still he labored on, and as he worked he prayed continually that fresh water might be found, for being so near the sea, his one fear was, that the water might be salt, and good for nothing. And as he worked and prayed, the natives around him watched and laughed at the idea of the white man’s God giving them water from beneath.

But at last the great day came. John Paton went one morning to his well, and there was water, fresh water bubbling up, all ready for use. He quickly contrived to get a pail full, and then he offered it to the unbelieving savages. It was hard to get them to taste it, and when they were persuaded to do this, they declared he had got the water from somewhere else. “Come and see for yourselves,” cried the missionary; “look down the well and you will see the water,” but no one would venture so near the edge. At last they made a line of men, holding on to one another, and in this way each got a peep in, and was convinced of the reality of the water.

And now their opinion of the “Missi” and of his God, began to change. Their chief, who, though friendly to Mr. Paton, had never professed to believe in the Lord Jesus, was greatly moved, and coming to Mr. Paton, expressed a wish to address his people in the little meeting house on the following Sunday. Hearing of this, nearly all the inhabitants of the island collected to hear the sermon. They were a strange looking group; some had little or no clothes, some were dressed in odd garments given by the missionary, but all were eager to hear what their chief had to say about the water, which the white man’s God had given them. It would take too long to repeat all the sermon, but he told his people, that the water had been given them by the one true and living God, and, he said, we had never seen water come from below, so we did not believe the Missi, when he told us his God could give us water in this way. Now we see that he was right, and shall we not believe him when he tells us that his God has given His only Son to die for our sins? The people listened to their chief with the greatest attention, and the result of it all was, that nearly everyone in the island decided to give up the worship of their false gods, and begin to worship the one true and living God, who had done so much for them. The next few days were full of interest and excitement. The poor ignorant creatures began, as a first step, to bring their gods of wood and stone to be destroyed by the missionary; some were burnt, some were buried, and some cast far into the depths of the sea. From that day we may say heathenism was at an end in Aniwa. The people crowded to the meeting house, there to be taught of Jesus and His love. Their interest seemed to increase rather than grow less, and in most instances, their changed lives showed the reality of their belief in the one God, and His only Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. They left off their continual fighting, and killing of one another, and they treated their wives and children with love and kindness; they never forgot to ask God’s blessing upon their food, and many of them attempted in their own way, to have prayer with their families night and morning. What a change from the darkness of heathendom, to the glorious light of the gospel of God; from being naked cannibals, to sitting clothed and in their right mind at the feet of the Lord Jesus; but the Holy Ghost can teach as no man can, and to the power of God alone, the missionary gave all the credit of this wonderful change, “Not unto us, O Lord; not unto us, but unto Thy name be all the praise”, were the words that ascended from his thankful heart.

ML 09/08/1912

"Such an Offer."

SUCH an offer! Full and free?

Is it really meant for me!

That all my sins on Christ were laid,

That all my debt by Him was paid?

Yes: Jesus says it, who has died:—

“Believe”, and thou art justified.

Such an offer! Pardon now

For hidden sin, and broken vow!

For years of cold neglect and scorn;

Can mercy’s ray upon me dawn?

Yes: Jesus died instead of thee;

His death for thine, must be thy plea.

Such an offer! Peace and joy

Untainted by the world’s alloy;

The sweet assurance of a Friend

Who, loving, loves unto the end;

The knowledge now of sins forgiven

And of a home prepared in heaven.

O, what goodness! Lord, I take

This offer Thou dost freely make!

My one desire shall henceforth be

To live for Him who died for me.

Spread glad news, thro’ every-nation!

Instant—free—and full salvation.

ML 09/08/1912

A Humble Servant.

COULD any four children be happier than these we have before us! They have been gathering wild roses by the road side, and big sister has to carry the bouquet, for it is all that the little folks can do to hold on to the donkey. What a humble creature this donkey is, serving all the children. He seems willing to go where ever the little girl wishes to guide him, and to carry his load of tiny tots, too.

I wonder if you are as ready to serve others as this patient animal is. Most boys and girls want their own way, and are often very naughty about giving up their way so as to please their play mates or their parents. It is displeasing to the Lord to have His children think only about themselves, and to be unwilling to serve others. Our natural hearts are very independent and proud, but if we love Jesus, we must seek to yield our wills to Him; He would have us love and serve one another.

We read in the Scriptures that even Christ did not seek to please Himself; His entire life was one of humility, and service for others. In Mark 6:31-45, we see the loving way in which Jesus served the multitudes. One day He was very weary, and told His disciples to go with Him in a ship to a desert place where they might rest a while; but the people that had been listening to Jesus saw them departing in the ship, and ran afoot to meet Him as He reached the other side. When He found them there, He did not reprove them, but was filled with love for them and again began to teach them. His service for the people about Him was constant, teaching, healing and going about among the poorest of them. How wonderful was this untiring love of Jesus! It is the same for you today, dear children. “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day and forever.” (Heb. 13:8.)

Open your Bibles and read Phil. 2:4-12. “AND BEING FOUND IN FASHION AS A MAN, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF, AND BECAME OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS.” (Phil. 2:8.)

ML 08/15/1912

"Jesus Said It."

IN A SMALL room lay a young workman dangerously ill. The room was as tidy and comfortable as the mother of the sic k man, a poor widow, could make it. At the window, stood a row of pretty red flower pots, and the carefully attended flowers spread a pleasant fragrance in the room. Otherwise the poverty of both occupants was evident at the first glance. Michael, as the sick man was called, had not worked for a long time, so mother and son depended on the little that the thrifty woman earned by washing and cleaning.

When I entered the room, a friendly smile lit up the face of the sick man. He was always alone, and, therefore, welcomed a visit with double joy. “How are you doing, Michael?” I asked.

“Bodily, not the best,” he replied. “The sickness seems to increase.” “If you must die, Michael, what then? Are you sure that you will go to Jesus?”

“Thank God, yes! I am absolutely sure that I will go to heaven.” “What makes you so completely assured, Michael?” I asked again. “I’ll tell you,” was the reply. “You see, Jesus has said, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you —’ therefore, He says it also to me— ‘He that heareth My word’—and I have heard His word — ‘and believeth on Him that sent Me’ — and I have believed, — ‘hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life.’ Jesus has said it; and He cannot tell a lie.”

Michael’s’ faith was simple and childlike. Jesus has never yet deceived a poor lost sinner who has trusted in Him, and His words were life for the poor sick man. He was not deeply learned in religious things, but one thing he knew that he was a poor lost sinner, and that Jesus had died for him; and further that he trusted Jesus fully when He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you.”

Would you not like to have such childlike faith, dear young reader? I think that you sometimes have a feeling about your sins, and tremble at the thought of the fearful judgment that waits the impenitent sinner. If it is so, if you are convicted of your lost state, and long for forgiveness of your sins, then just listen to the words of Jesus. They are the words of the Son of God who cannot lie. He Himself once said, “I am the truth” and “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” Do you believe the words of Jesus? I don’t ask you if you believe them to be true, but, have you believed in Him with your heart and in His message of love? If so, you have eternal life. For: “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” (Jno. 5:24.) Jesus said it.

ML 09/15/1912

Two Wells and Their Stories.

The Second Well.

THE WELL I am going to tell you of today, had none of the excitement, and even romance about it, which were connected with that wonderful well in the New Hebrides, the digging of which was the means under God, of bringing so many ignorant heathen to the knowledge of the love of Jesus. No; this was an ordinary common place well, in an ordinary common place farm yard in our own country. It had been a useful well too, as all wells should be, the water for use in the house, and also that needed for the horses and cattle had been drawn from it for many a day; but now there was something wrong, the well was as deep as ever; the windlass and pails were in their accustomed place; the little stone wall around it was in perfect order, and yet for weeks past no one had attempted to use it; can you guess the reason? Why yes! it is easy to see there could be no water in it, and of what use is a well without any water.

Is it not so with a Christian? The Lord Jesus has told us that if we believe in Him, there shall be in us “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14.) But some who profess to have Jesus for their Saviour, though, like the old well I am telling you of, they seem all right outwardly, know very little of the springing up within them of that living water, so freely given by Jesus, and of what use can they be to others? The boys on the farm, where our old well stood, were compelled to haul water in barrels from another well, about a half a mile away. This was very hard work, especially when they had to provide not only for household needs, but for the stock as well.

Now these boys had no mother but were looked after and cared for by an old servant who had lived in their family for a great many years. She was an ignorant woman as the world counts, but one of God’s dear children, and a woman of great faith, and given to much earnest prayer.

One evening, Ann, as she was called, was sitting in the kitchen with the boys around her, telling them some of the remarkable ways in which her heavenly Father had answered her prayers. When she concluded, Henry said:

“Ann, why don’t you ask your Father in heaven to send water to our well? It has been dry two months, and when I looked at it today, it was still as hard and dry as this floor.”

Perhaps the boy hardly meant what he said, but Ann began at once to think over the matter. When she retired to her little room that night, she knelt in prayer, and told the Lord all about it: “How can I say to the boys, ‘My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory,’ if there is no water in the well? They will not believe me.” So this poor woman prayed on, pleading with her Father, in whose unbounded love she trusted, to send water, and convince the boys that He could and would answer prayer.

When she came down next morning, Henry was out, preparing to go for water as usual. To his great surprise, Ann took up two pails, and at once started for their own well. He watched her from the window, as she hooked the pail to the windlass and began to lower it. If she had done this the night before, it would have gone with a bang to the bottom, but now, there was a splash, and Ann began to wind up the windlass again, and at last put the pail upon the well-stand full of water. Presently, with both pails full, she walked back to the house. What effect this wonderful answer to prayer had upon Henry, I cannot tell you, but that the whole story is perfectly true, many neighbors around can bear witness, and never since that day has the well lacked water.

Now, cannot we learn from this true story to trust more in our God and Father? It may not always be His good pleasure to answer us in the way He answered Ann, but He has told us to come to Him with everything, not only the big things, but the very little ones, His ear is never weary of listening to us. His heart is always full of compassion. His love never fails. Do not be afraid, come to Him with all your needs, whatever they may be, and just leave them all with Him, and if He does not see that it is best to give you just what you are asking for, He will give you what is quite as good, His own peace to fill your heart, so that the worry and trouble are gone, and you can rest in His arms as a little child rests in the strong arms of its father. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7.)

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear;

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

O, what peace we often forfeit,

O, what needless pain we bear;

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

ML 09/15/1912

Lassoing a Bear.

WHAT a sight we have before us! How frightened you would be if you were in the place of these men. Their lives are in great danger: we all know how very fierce bears are when they are attacked, or when they are hungry. Isn’t it good that we live in a settled country, where we need not fear the wild beasts of the forest? You probably have seen a bear, but I am sure it was behind iron bars, or was penned within stone walls. None of us would want to meet one of these animals in the street or in our own yard: they seek flesh to eat, and will prey upon man or beast. The lion has the same ferocious nature. Have you ever seen a lion? He can make a tremendous roar, and is called the king of beasts, for he is the strongest of any of the wild animals.

While we feel we are safe from ever meeting a bear or a lion, even in our woods, yet we do have a great enemy who has been compared to a lion. Do you know who it is? God has warned us about him in the Bible. He calls him an adversary, which means an enemy. Satan is this adversary, and he is great and powerful. He comes to boys and girls in a pleasing way to make them sin; he tells them there is no harm in this thing and that, and they don’t realize that he is like these wild beasts, leading them on to harm. It is this evil one who puts it into the hearts of people to neglect their greatest Friend, the Lord Jesus. Let us give our hearts to the Saviour, who loved us so much that He gave Himself in death for us. He is able to keep this wicked one from having power over our lives. “Kept by the power of God.”

“BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.” (1 Peter 5:8.)

ML 09/22/1912

What Is the Bible?

THERE are very few of you who cannot answer this question. I expect you will tell me that the Bible is the Word of God; and that is quite true. If you look carefully into the Book itself, you will find that the Scriptures are called by that name more often than any other. You may read also of “the Word of life,” “the Word of righteousness,” “the Word of patience,” and “the faithful Word;” for the Bible tells us how we may have everlasting life; how the righteousness of God is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; it tells also of His patience and long suffering in still calling sinners to come to Him; and of all His faithfulness.

Then in the Old Testament, as well as in the new, you will find other names by which this book is called. In the prophecy of Jeremiah God says, “Is not My Word like a fire? and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” You know that fire will melt a block of ice, and will warm anything that comes near it; so God’s Word can melt the hardest heart, and make it warm and tender; and if a heart is stony and hard, the hammer of God’s Word can break it up, so that the seed sown in the garden of that heart, may live and grow.

The Lord Jesus tells us in Luke 8, that “the seed is the Word of God.” You remember the parable He told about the sower sowing the seed, and how some of the seed fell by the wayside where the ground was trodden hard by passers-by, some on stony ground, some among thorns, and some on good ground. The seed was all alike, but the ground was different. He told His disciples the meaning of the parable. We know that whenever God’s Word is read or spoken, the precious seed is being sown again.

What sort of ground is there in your heart, dear children? Is it so hard that you do not want to understand the Word, and so forget it? Is it so stony and dry for want of the Living Water (which the Lord Jesus gives to all who ask Him), that the seed springs up only to wither away? Is your heart so full of your work, and your play, and the things that you have or you want, that you don’t take the trouble to think about the Word you read, and the seed gets choked? Or is it a heart that hears and understands, that believes and remembers, and keeps and does the Word of the Lord? If so, then there will be fruit from the seed sown; love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. All this fruit may not come at once, but if the seed grows, there is sure to be some; for “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

If your heart has received and believed the Word of God, and your feet have begun to walk in the narrow way that leads to life, then the Bible is something else to you. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psa. 119:105.) That Word will show you how to walk in the paths of righteousness where the Good Shepherd leads His sheep; how to follow Him, and how to turn away from the things that would displease Him. He will help you to remember and do what it says.

More than this; if you belong to the Lord Jesus, through faith in His Word, you are told to put on the whole armor of God; and to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” You need that sword, if you are to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. God has given us this sword and He wants us to learn it and know it, so that we may be able to use it, so that the enemy may not lead us astray.

We read that every Word of God is pure, and we read of tasting the good Word of God. The Word of the Lord is right (Psa. 33:4), and His Word is true (Psa. 119:160); it will never deceive us nor lead us astray. The Word of the Lord is tried; not one word has failed or ever will. All Scripture is profitable; it was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope. Jeremiah could say, “Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” King David could say, “This is my comfort in mine affliction.”

So we have in the Word of God a fire and a hammer, good seed, a light to guide us, a sword to fight with, food for Our souls, sure guidance, faithful promises, profitable learning, joy for our hearts, and a comfort in trouble. It tells us of the One who came that all these things might be ours, and of His Father who sent Him.

If you want to understand it better, ask the Lord as King David did, “Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” If you know anything about it, you know that it is sent to us from God; and the more you know it, the more you will treasure it.

ML 09/22/1912

"'Cause They Killed Him."

CHRISTIAN gentleman on going home late one evening, saw a number of ragged lads — beggars, thieves, or both — standing in a knot, talking, laughing, and swearing. Just as he passed, one of them shouted some jeering piece of impertinence after him. He turned round, and said kindly to the one who had spoken:

“Did you speak to me, my boy?”

He shuffled a little away, muttering, “No, sir.”

“The gentleman then stepped into the middle of the dirty group, saying,

“Boys, listen to me. I have something to tell you—a sort of story.”

They were all silent in an instant, and then, in few and plain words, he told them of the kindness and love of God to the world that, “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); after which he spoke to them of the life, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ, trying to tell all he could about it, and using the words of Scripture as much as possible. As he spoke of how weary and tired and hungry the Saviour often was, all was silence. Then as he went on to describe the closing scenes of that wondrous life, in the way he thought most likely to present its reality vividly to their minds, he heard an occasional scuffle, as one and another pushed nearer to hear how the Lord had suffered for sin on the cross. They listened with faces of awe —dirty enough, but solemn—to hear of the agony in Gethsemane, the cross and death of Jesus; and by-and-by he heard, and God heard too, little vulgar sobs of uncontrollable emotion. Dirty hands wiped dirty faces, and their round eyes never moved from the speaker’s lips, as he told them that, while he spoke to them, Jesus was there, and that His love was as great that night as when He died upon the cross for sinners.

The story ended; no one spoke. Suddenly the gentleman said:

“Now lads, He loved us very much; ought not 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.

They looked at one another. Then one held his hand up. A little mass of rags, with only one shoe and a little grimy face, half hidden by his tangled hair, with an old battered hat without a rim, held up his dirty little hand. It was a touching sight. One and another followed, till all the hands, just twelve in number, were up.

The gentleman then said, slowly, “You all wish to love Him; now, dear boys, hear what He says to those who love Him; ‘If a man love Me, he will keep My words.’” Then to him who had first held his hand up, he added, holding out his hand, “Shake hands on it that you will promise me to try and keep His words.”

At once the little hand was put in his for a hearty shake; and, giving the lads a little money to be shared amongst them, he wished them good-night. So they parted.

About three weeks afterwards, the same gentleman, in company with a friend, was going along a main thoroughfare, when a little shoe black made a dive forward and stood grinning with delight before them. The gentleman had not the least notion of who he was; so at last said, “Well, my boy, you seem to know me; who are you?”

“Please sir, I’m Jack.”

“Jack—Jack who?”

“Only Jack, sir, please sir.”

At once it occurred to him who the lad was. “I remember you now,” he said. “Have you tried to keep your promise to show your love to the Lord Jesus by obeying Him?”

“Yes sir, I have; indeed I have,” he answered, earnestly.

The gentleman stopped a little, making an excuse by letting him clean his shoes. “Can you read, Jack?” he asked.

“Yes, sir; not over well; but I can manage to spell out a page.”

“Would you like a Testament of your own, where you could read the story you heard the other night?”

There was no answer, but such an expression of delight that the gentleman said, “I see you would like it, Jack. Come to my rooms at—tomorrow, and you
shall have one.”

Exactly at the appointed hour Jack was there, having first washed himself at a neighboring pump, and plastered down his hair. His friend shook hands with him, and said he was glad to see him, adding, when the boy was seated by his side:

“Jack, why do you want a Testament?”

“To read about Him you told us of,” said he shortly.

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

Jack nodded once, shortly and decisively. There was no doubt about it. “Why do you love Him?”

Jack was silent. His little features moved in a singular way, his eyes twinkled, his breast heaved. All at once he dropped his head upon 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. The fervent belief in the Saviour’s death, the clear view that it was for him, and that he did in no way deserve it, had melted this poor little heart as it never had been melted before.

Jack’s name was then written, or rather printed, at his request, “werry large” in his Testament. Then, after the gentleman had prayed and talked with him about his serving Christ by speaking of His love to others, they parted.

From that time Jack longed to tell other sinners of the love of Jesus, and the way in which they might be made happy now, and dwell forever with Christ in heaven.

This is always the case where Christ is truly known. Dear reader, is it so with you?

ML 09/22/1912

The Queen of the Vineyard.

WITH a plain little chair for a throne, an old umbrella for a canopy, and a wreath of grape leaves for a crown, the youngest child makes a contented looking little queen.

Just outside the door you see the grape vines. The basket inside shows they were full of fruit. And now the children are feasting on the grapes they have gathered.

They have made the youngest one queen, and are serving her very attentively and kindly.

You may learn from this that you should play contentedly with your little brothers and sisters, or friends. You should be unselfish and ready to give them the first place.

But there is still another lesson this picture teaches us.

If you should go out to the grape vine and look carefully, do you think you would find any thistles on it or any poison berries? No, not at all,

Perhaps on the other side of the door, just out of sight, is a bramble bush. Let us look closely at that. Are there any grapes on it? Are they any peaches or other good fruit?

Surely not. We would never find these delicious fruits on a bramble bush or on any kind of a weed. Each tree and plant bears the kind of fruit that belongs to it by nature.

As God’s Word says, “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:17, 20.)

When you see a tree with peaches on it, you know that is a peach tree. When you see a plant with ugly berries on it, you know that plant is a weed.

Little reader, do you know that you are bearing fruit? Every act, word and thought are fruit of some kind, — either good or bad.

If you do not love the Lord Jesus, nothing you do is good in God’s sight. You are like a corrupt tree that can bear only bad fruit.

But if you love the Saviour, you have eternal life — a new life that can bring forth good fruit.

Everything you do for Jesus, and because you love Him, is the fruit of this new life and is good fruit. The old, bad nature is still with us, and when it acts, the fruit is bad.

Now, dear reader, if those about us See us doing and saying naughty things, will they think we are followers of Jesus? No; they will judge us by our fruit, just as we know a tree by its fruit. Remember the verse above,—“By their fruits ye shall know them.”

Then let us ask God daily to help us at all times not to yield to this sinful nature which produces only bad fruit. Let us seek to please Him in everything. Then others will know by our fruit that we are children of God.

“BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST’S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU.” (Eph. 4:32.)

ML 09/29/1912

I Have Found Christ.

IT WAS Sunday evening. The preaching of the gospel had already begun, when a soldier entered into the hall, selected a seat and listened attentively. A Christian lady who sat behind him, handed him a hymn book, pointing out the verse:

Just as I am—without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to thee:

O Lamb of God, I come.

The invitation pressed on his heart. The Holy Spirit, for a time back, had been working in his soul. His heart was full to overflowing. He said nothing, but warm tears filled his eyes and fell slowly on the hand that directed him to the assurance that just as he was, and right there, he might come to Jesus.

Without doubt, that soldier would have fearlessly met the enemies of his country, and would have sacrificed his life for his fatherland; but to break out in tears before a woman and others around him, was too much for him. He was ashamed, rose up quickly and left the hall.

How the enemy uses everything to rob us of the blessing that the Lord so graciously offers us; and O, how often he succeeds! But although the soldier had not courage to confess the blessed Name of Him, to whom he had been brought so near, the Lord did not let him go. He followed him into the barracks. O, how good, that He does not get wearied, seeking after the lost till He has found him, and with joy brought him into the Father’s house.

The soldier decided to go to bed. Lost in deep thought, he searched his pocket for his watch key. But as he was putting the key into his watch, his hand slipped, allowing the key to fall to the ground. Just as he was stooping to look for it, some of his comrades entered the room.

“What have you lost?” said one of them. The Lord opened the lips of the soldier.

“Don’t ask me what I have lost”, he replied; “rather ask me what I have found. I have found Christ!”

The others stood as though fixed to the ground. Perhaps they would willingly have mocked; but the courageous, open confession of their comrade, and the look of joy beaming from his face, closed their mouths.

It is written: “That is, the word of faith, which we preach; that, if thou shalt confess Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 8:8-10.)

Just this had happened to our soldier—knowing Christ, a blessed peace filled his heart, and be knew now that he was saved. More than that, indeed: he knew that he belonged to the Lord and that Jesus was his Saviour. “Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh”.

Philip, in old time, gave expression to the fulness of his heart in a similar way. “We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets have written”, he said to Nathaniel, and when that one in doubt asked, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” he replied in the Lord’s words, “Come and see.” His faithfulness did not go unrewarded; for the soul which he led to Jesus, was brought into the presence of the Lord with the cry: “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God.”

And who knows what fruit the decided confession of our friend may have produced for God’s glory!

My reader! Have you also found Christ? And if you have found Him, is it your longing desire to lead others to Him? If you have “tasted that the Lord is gracious,” if you have really tasted for yourself, then your friendly and pressing invitation, “Come and see,” will as certainly find one or another soul for Christ. And what a gain is even a single immortal soul!

ML 09/29/1912

"Come Home."

A SHORT time ago, my attention was called to a printed bill, in which the loss of two boys was advertised, and a reward offered to anyone who should restore them to their sorrowing parents. The boys who had strayed were brothers, of the ages of twelve and six years, and, if I rightly remember, had been absent from home for nearly two weeks. Here was a source of trouble and unhappiness both to the children and to their parents. The bill contained a request that any person who might obtain tidings of the children, would at once communicate the information to the parents; and, what was very natural and touching, the children themselves were earnestly entreated to return home.

In what a state of anxiety must the poor parents have been! and, if they knew the One who is the Hearer of prayer, how must their heart have been poured out to Him on behalf of their wayward and wandering sons! What a sad return these children had given for all the love and care which had been bestowed upon them! Do you ever think, dear children, that your parents, especially if they have tasted the love of God, feel far more for you, when you go wrong or act naughtily, than you do yourselves? And, if you have not come to Jesus, but show continued evidence of your desire to keep at a distance from Him, O, how do parents who love His name grieve over your unbelief and hardness of heart! How they pray to God that your souls may be saved? How they endeavor that the Word of His salvation shall be presented to you in all the fullness of His love and the preciousness of the name of Jesus!

And can you be indifferent to all this love and care for your souls, and turn a deaf ear and a hard heart to their tender beseechings and earnest entreaties? O! while you are yet young, listen to the voice of God speaking to you through His Word, and by the kindly solicitations both of your parents and of all your real friends.

I wish you to observe that the two boys referred to, were of an age that even the younger of them must have known that it was wrong thus to wander away from home. They were not like little things, who may be lost unconsciously to themselves. No; they were both old enough to be aware that their act was one of self-will. And you, dear children, who are able to read this narrative, have the witness in your conscience when you design or commit some wicked act. You know, for instance, that it is sinful to act deceitfully, to tell an untruth, or to speak or behave disrespectfully to your parents. And have you not sometimes felt pride or anger, or envy, or some other evil passion rising in your heart? No doubt you have; and does not God take notice of all these things and thoughts? How, then, will you meet Him? How can you give an answer to Him who is holy? Well, indeed, you cannot give any satisfactory reply. But I will tell you what you should do. Believe His love to you, a sinful child, as shown in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He Himself knew no sin, yet was there made sin for us, and put it away by the sacrifice of Himself, in order that they who believe in Him might have forgiveness of sins through His blood, and appear before God in all the beauty and perfection of Him who shed it.

The troubled parents requested that whosoever could assist them in their search after their wandering sons would kindly do so. Who could resist such an appeal? Would not one have been delighted if he could have helped them in any way? And, dear young believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, would you not consider it to be one of the greatest joys which you could have to be a helper in any humble way in bringing a poor lost, sinful soul home to the bosom of the Saviour? Do you not know some children who appear to you to be wandering away, like lost sheep, from the only One that can save and bless them? Can you not, then, try, in some way, to bring them to Him? Do you, pray for them? Do you let them see that you love them? Do you ever whisper the sweet name of Jesus in their ears? Do you try to invite them to the Sunday-school, or to the preaching of the gospel? O, there are numberless ways of helping in the blessed work of seeking to save the lost; and may your young hearts be so fresh in the love of Christ that you may endeavor, through His grace, to draw some precious soul to Himself.

The parents offered a reward to anyone who would restore their lost children to them. And what a reward does the God of all grace pour into the bosom of those whom He uses in bringing poor sinners home to Himself! Does the true-hearted servant of Christ wish to be recompensed by man for telling the good news of the grace and love of God? No; he is so abundantly blessed already in Christ that it is his delight freely to tell of the grace of God to poor prodigal sinners. And well, indeed, is he rewarded when he has the witness in himself that he has sought the glory of Christ in his efforts to win souls to Him.

One more word to you, my dear young friends, who have not rested in the bosom of Jesus. See, how the parents earnestly entreated their children to come home. So would we, on behalf of God who loved the world, and sent His Son that sinners might be kept from going down to the pit, beseech you now, while your hearts are yet young and tender, to come home to Jesus, that you may find an eternal home of joy and blessedness in His bosom of love.

Come, come, come, O come home!

ML 09/29/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for August.

1.“The wicked shall be turned,” etc., Psa. 9:17.

2.“Let the words of my mouth,” etc., 19:14.

3.“The words of the Lord,” etc., 12: 6.

4.“Blessed is the man, etc”,. 1: 1.

5.“Hold up my goings,” etc., 17: 5.

6.“And they that know Thy name,” etc., 9:10.

7.“As for God, His way is perfect,” etc., 18:30.

Bible Questions for October.

The answers are to be found in Psalms 40 to 85.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Loadeth,” “Benefits.”

2.“Write the verse containing the words, “Poor,” “Trouble.”

3.“Write the verse containing the words, “Salvation of God.”

4.“Write the verse containing the words, “Mercy,” “Truth,” “Peace.”

5.“Write the verse containing the words, “Lovest,” “Hatest.”

6.“Write the verse containing the words, “Heaven,” “Earth.”

7.“Write the verse containing the words, “Refuge,” “Strength,” “Help.”

ML 10/06/1912

Traveling in India.

A HINDOO, having had his conscience awakened, inquired of various Brahmins, how he might make atonement to God for his sins. All agreed that it was by torturing his body, that his guilt was to be expiated; and the mode recommended was:

“Thou must drive a number of iron spikes through thy sandals; and on these sandals thou must place thy naked feet, and walk to the sacred station, at the Godavery River (distant 480 miles). If, through loss of blood, or weakness of body, thou art unable to proceed, thou mayest halt, and wait for healing and strength. When thou halt performed this, thou mayest ‘hope’ that thy soul will be cleansed.”

The poor Hindoo was in earnest to save his soul; and severe as the penance was, he did not hesitate, but immediately set out on his painful journey. At length he felt compelled to halt beneath a wide-spreading tree.

It happened that a Christian missionary was accustomed to take his stand beneath this very tree, and to proclaim the word of life. The poor foot-sore devotee had not been there long, before the missionary came to his wonted labor, and cried aloud, “The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth from all sin.” He began to describe what sin was in the sight of God, and pressed guilt home; he showed the utter hopelessness of man’s saving himself by any self-imposed suffering; and pointed out God’s way of salvation, through the blood-shedding of his own well-beloved Son.

The poor Hindoo drank in every word; and at length, plucking off his sandals, sprang up, and cried out, “This is what I want!” He gladly received and believed the Word, and became a living witness that the blood of Jesus Christ does cleanse from all sin.

ML 10/06/1912

Dear Little Willie.

A great crowd of people had gathered around

A small ragged urchin stretched out on the ground

In the midst of the street; and some cried, “For shame!”

And others, “Can any one tell us his name?

For that poor little body, now bleeding and still,

Was all that was left of once bright little Will.

A great heavy cart had come rattling that way

Where Willie and others were busy at play.

And the poor little fellow, now stretched on the stones,

Seemed only a mass of bruised flesh and crushed bones.

But still there was life, and a kind doctor said;

“We must take the child home and put him to bed.

He must have all the care we can possibly give,

And it may be the poor little fellow will live.”

But, alas, for poor Willie! he had no nice home,

He lived in an alley, in one little room;

And his poor mother, working from earliest light,

Had often no supper to give him at night.

But joy for poor Willie, for not far away

From the place where all bleeding and shattered he lay,

Is a very large house standing back from the street,

With everything round it so quiet and neat,

Which many good people had built in His name

Who healed all the sick when from heaven He came;

And who promises blessings that ever endure

To those who shall comfort the sick and the poor.

So there, in a room, large and cheerful and bright,

Little Willie was laid on a pillow so white,

The walls with bright pictures were all covered o’er;

Will never had seen such a clean place before.

Long rows of small beds, with small tables between,

The coverlets white, and the beds painted green;

And so many children, all sick, but so bright;

Will almost forgot his great pain at the sight,

But the poor little boy suffered terrible pain

When the good surgeon came to examine again

Those poor little limbs; and he said that, next day,

He must bring his sharp knives, and cut both legs away.

O, how could he bear it! O, what should he do!

So small and alone, he could never get through.

And then he knew well that he never could run

And play with the boys, as before he had done.

Poor Willie! he felt that, in all that great city,

There was no one to help him and no one to pity.

It was night; in the hospital ward all was still,

Save the low moans of anguish from poor little Will,

When a dear little girl in the very next bed,

Turned round on her pillow, and lovingly said:

“Little boy, what’s the matter? Are you very ill?”

“O, yes,” said poor Willie, “and what is worse still,

The doctor is going to hurt my legs so

Tomorrow, I never can bear it, I know.”

“But Jesus will help you,” said dear little Sue;

“He suffered and died, Willie, for such as you.”

The child was astonished, and thus made reply:

“Why, Susie, who’s Jesus? and what made Him die?”

“O, Willie! how sad! I thought everyone knew

You didn’t go to Sunday-school; isn’t that true?”

“No, I never have been,” the boy made reply;

“But tell me of Jesus, and what made Him die?

“Well, Jesus,” said Susie, “came down long ago,

Because He was sorry we all suffered so,

And would be so naughty. And He was a child,

Just as little as we, but so gentle and mild.

And when He grew up, He went all through the land,

And healed all the sick with a touch of His hand,

And He took little children right up on His knee—

O, Willie, I wished it had been you and me!

But some cruel men caught Jesus one day,

And beat Him, and mocked Him, and took Him away,

And nailed Him with nails to a great cross of wood.

O, wasn’t it hard, when He’d done them such good?

How He must have loved us to die on the tree!”

“But,” said Will, “if He’s dead, how can He help me?”

“Why, I’ll tell you,” said Susie, “though now He’s in heaven,

In the Book He has left us, a promise is given

That whenever we want Him, He’ll come to our aid.

I’m so sure He loves me, I’m never afraid.

I know that He’s come to this hospital here;

And though folks can’t see Him, they feel He is near.

I know, for I’ve tried it again and again,

He helps us bear sickness and sorrow and pain.”

“O, how good!” said the boy, with a long thankful sigh,

“But I am so small that He might pass me by;

So I’ll put up my hand, just so He can see,

He’ll know that I want Him and come right to me.”

When the bright sun peeped in on that little white bed,

The hand was still raised, but poor Willie was dead!

The sad look of pain had gone from his face,

And the sweetest of smiles had taken its place;

For far off in heaven, that beautiful land,

Kind Jesus had seen little Will’s left hand,

Dear friends, who have read this sweet story, you see

That trusting in Jesus will save you and me.

O, that all who of Jesus’ great mercy have heard,

Would, like dear little Willie, take Him at His word!

ML 10/06/1912

On the Way to School.

THE little one in our picture looks very thoughtful as he walks along with his books under his arm. The others seem busy studying their lessons.

A great many children do not care enough about their lesson to do this, but go romping and playing, till the bell calls them into the school room.

You all know something about going to school. Why do you go?

Some say, “We go because we have to.” Others say, “We go to have fun.”

Still others say, “We go to learn.” This last answer is the one you should all be able to give. Many of you who do not take an interest in your lessons will be sorry someday, when school days are over and you no longer have the opportunity to study with good teachers.

The youngest who read, or hear this read, can tell of the pretty things they learn to make when they start to school or kindergarten.

Older ones can tell how they are learning to read, write and spell. Still older ones are learning arithmetic, geography, history and so on.

Did you notice the rainbow in the picture? When you get into high school and study physics or physical geography, you will learn about the rainbow and what causes it.

But God tells us something about the rainbow that we do not find in our school books. Sometimes teachers read from the Bible each morning at the opening of school, and the pupils who listen carefully may learn much about God’s Word.

But in many school rooms the Bible is never read, perhaps because the laws of the city or state forbid it.

You know that many hundred years ago, God destroyed the earth with a flood because of the great wickedness of the people. They were all drowned except Noah and seven others who went with him into the ark.

When the flood was over, God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. He placed the rainbow in the heavens for a token of this promise, saying: “And it shall come to pass when I bring a cloud over the earth that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:14, 15.)

But dear reader, people are as wicked now as they were before the flood, and God’s patience will not endure forever. He will not break His promise and send a flood, but He will destroy the earth in another way.

The storm of God’s wrath will surely fall on this wicked world, and it may be very soon.

But as there was a way of escape in Noah’s day, so God has provided a way of escape for you. Are you safe from the storm that is coming? Have you found shelter in Christ? For in Him only is refuge from this storm.

“By the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water perished: but the heavens and earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:5-7).

But before this terrible time comes, the Lord will descend into the air, and all, both living and dead, who have believed in Him, whose sins are washed away in His blood, will be caught up to meet Him in the air and to be forever with Him. (1 Thess. 4:16, 17.)

“YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME, AND WILL NOT TARRY.” (Heb. 10:37.)

He may come before another sun sets. Will He take you?

Christ is coming, O be ready;

Let not slumber dull your eyes;

Do not say, “My Lord delayeth”;

He is coming, O be wise!

Some with empty lamps will hasten,

Seeking oil for them to buy;

But alas! they’ll never enter;

Vain for them has been the cry.

Such, with hearts of anguish burning,

When they find the door is shut,

Will, in terror, cry, “Lord open”;

He will say, “I know you not”.

Then be ready, O be ready;

Heed the cry while yet you may;

With lamps trimmed and burning brightly,

Wait that coming, blessed day.

ML 10/06/1912

The Young Princess.

PERHAPS some who read this paper have wished, at times, that they were the children of rich parents. Perhaps you have even wished that you were a king’s son or daughter, so that you would have very fine clothes, and plenty of good things to eat, and all the money you wanted to spend.

Here is a little princess, the daughter of a king. She is being dressed up in elegant clothes, and everything must be just so.

Do you think she looks happy? Does she not rather look as though she would like to run away and be free from such a careful and fancy toilet?

Most of these children in royal and many wealthy families are not nearly as happy as you may imagine. Sometimes they are not allowed to play with other children at all.

A well-known king, who died about two years ago, was one of these. He was constantly watched by those who took care of him, and for years he was kept from playing with other boys, for fear they might have a bad influence upon him.

These wealthy children especially in royal families—have teachers at home. They do not know what it is to go to school and romp with other children on the play grounds before school and at recess.

Neither have they as good opportunities to go to Sunday-schools, where they can learn about the Lord Jesus, and how He died on the cross for sinners. If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you have something better than all the money in the world.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. 9:10. “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!” Prov. 16:16.

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

It is far better to be rich in faith, than to be rich in gold and silver.

ML 10/13/1912

The Only Remedy.

WILLIAM was the only son of a pharmacist, Dr. N. He was such a loving boy, always lively and happy. Many envied him because of his pretty face and beautiful curls. Yet the little fellow was not to be envied; appearances often deceive. Rosy cheeks and a pretty face are not always signs of health, and to the casual observer, many appear to be strong and robust, until a sudden flush of the cheeks betrays the gnawing of disease at the seemingly strong body.

With William this was the case. His outward looks were deceiving. The precious little bud had begun to wither. The little boy, who before was so full of life and joy, began to grow dull and weary. For a long time, his father sought to persuade himself and others, that the case was not as serious as it really was, but at last he had to admit that his child was fatally ill, and he was fading away. Everything possible was done to hinder the progress of the disease, but all remedies proved insufficient — nothing was found to give the little sufferer the desired health back again.

“O, papa,” exclaimed the little one in great fear; “I do not wish to die! Just think, how terrible to be laid into the dark, cold grave! And there I must always stay, must I not, papa? O, that makes me so afraid! Is there no way to get to heaven? Have you any medicine for that, papa?”

Poor man! What answer could he give to such pitiful words? He tried to make the child think of other things, for he could not give a direct answer, as he did not know the way to get to heaven, and his well-equipped pharmacy had no remedy for such a case.

The only Physician who was able to help him, he did not go to. He did not want to go to the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, who invites the tired and sorrowing ones to Himself, so kindly, saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.)

William grew worse from day to day, and had to keep his bed. No one now envied him. Those who had known him before, with his round cheeks and blooming face, would not have recognized him.

But was there no one who knew of the only remedy which was of avail at this time? Did none of the friends of the pharmacist know that great and loving Physician who dispenses His wonderful remedy altogether without money and without price?

Yes, there was one. To be sure, he was not classed among the friends of Dr. N.

He was not a learned man, nor a fellow-druggist, but only a boy, whom the Dr. had picked off the street to run his errands.

So it was not a rich man, nor a nobleman, and yet he was rich and noble.

He was an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. He had become rich through faith in the One who had become poor in coming into this world and laying aside His glory in order to go to the cross to take our place in judgment, and redeem us to God by His blood. He now knew God as his Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and therefore was made both rich and noble.

Like William, he at one time was unhappy and full of fear in regard to eternity, but he now knew that all his sins were washed away in the blood of Christ.

David, the errand boy, had often wished to speak to his master’s sick son about his soul’s salvation, but had not found an opportunity. He was not allowed to enter the sick room, for his master knew that he was a Christian, and with his heart at enmity against God, it was no wonder he did not allow the boy to visit the little sufferer.

David, therefore, was very much astonished when his master came to him one day, and said, “William wishes to see you, David. Go and entertain him for a while, and seek to brighten him up.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” said the boy gladly.

“But one thing, I tell you, boy, not a word about religion, you understand! I do not care for you or your views, and Willie shall not be bothered with them.”

David stood there quite shocked; was such language possible in the face of death, and that from a man of common reason?

“I am not to speak of the Lord Jesus, Doctor?” he exclaimed, “That is impossible. I must speak of Him!”

“Listen, David, my child wishes to see you, and for that reason I would like for you to go to him, and if you do as I have told you, you shall have a dollar.”

One dollar! That was quite a large sum for David, but he did not waver for a moment.

“O, Doctor,” he exclaimed: “That would be a bad promise. I want to show him the way to heaven, and tell him of the only remedy which can help him.”

The doctor began to get provoked. What, should an errand boy instruct his son? When David remained firm, he sent him away, but he had not reached the door when he was called back.

“Come back here,” commanded the doctor; “go and entertain my boy, but see to it that he keeps under the covers.”

This David promised gladly and with a happy heart he soon sat near the bedside of the little sufferer, holding his thin and wasted hand in his own.

Before long he began to tell him of his beloved Lord who suffered and died for sinners, who once tasted that bitter cup of judgment for us, that we might have a remedy for our great need. He pointed the troubled one to the loving Saviour, who was wounded for our transgressions, who was bruised for our iniquities, with whose stripes we are healed.

As these words of comfort came flowing from the lips of the little evangelist, the sick one did not turn his eyes from him. That was just what he so greatly needed—rest for his troubled soul.

William did not have to be urged to come to Jesus. He was so glad that he was allowed to come, just as he was, with all his sins, into the outstretched arms of the Good Shepherd.

He there and then believed in Jesus as his Saviour and found rest and peace in Him, which he so much desired. He had now found the sure and only remedy—the way in which he would reach heaven—through the Lord Jesus Christ, who says, “I am the Way.”

The effect this assurance of salvation had upon William was remarkable. While before this he was downcast and unhappy, and at times almost in despair, he was now able to sing for joy, in spite of his pain. He knew he need not fear the dark, cold grave any more, and that he was no longer facing an uncertain future, and death would only safely land him at home with his Saviour.

An hour later his father entered the room. One look was sufficient to convince him that a change had taken place with his little son. Instead of meeting a sad and troubled face as before, he now looked into a pair of eyes beaming with joy, and from two children’s voices, one strong and the other weak, the words of a beautiful hymn to the praise of the Saviour’s love and grace, sounded in his ears.

We do not know what, at this time was going on in the heart of the doctor, but the Lord was pleased to use the departure of his little son for his salvation.

Just before William passed away, the parents and relatives surrounded his bed, moaning and weeping, but the little sufferer began to sing one of his favorite hymns with a clear, but weak voice, but in a short time, his voice gave way, and he fell back on the pillow. A deep sleep came over him, and he slept on into a happy eternity, to awaken in the presence of the Lord.

“Truly, Jesus has taken away all his pain,” whispered his father when he saw such a peaceful departure.

The father was not yet saved, but the wonderful change which had taken place in his son during the darkest days of his life, had made a lasting impression upon him, but a deeper work was yet to be done in the heart of the once proud and rebellious man, and the same remedy which had met his beloved little one’s need, should also prove abundantly sufficient for his.

Not long after the death of his child, the doctor became seriously ill and lingered for some time between life and death, but a change came for the better, and at the doctor’s own request, David was sent for to come and wait on him.

Here, too, the faithful little witness did his duty cheerfully. In order to make good use of his time, when he thought the doctor was sleeping, he would go over the verses to be learned for the next Lord’s day in Sunday-school, repeating them in a low tone. But quite often the sick man was not asleep, nor did he interrupt the boy, but listened quietly. In this way he heard the Word of God.

As David was, one day, bringing the doctor a cup of broth, he stepped quietly into the room, as he was accustomed to do. The sick one was all alone, and had not noticed the errand boy enter. On his bed before him lay the open Bible; David heard him whisper in much earnestness, “O, Lord Jesus, Thou true and only source of salvation, wash me from my sins!”

Thus Dr. N. came to Jesus, and he proved the preciousness and efficacy of this only remedy — the only means of salvation—Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Do you, dear reader, know Him as your Saviour?

“I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.” (John 14:6.)

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

Jesus is a loving Saviour,

Love it was that brought Him low;

Come, He says, in words of mercy,

Prove My loving-kindness now.

Jesus is a mighty Saviour,

Strong His outstretched arm to save;

He has vanquished death and Satan.

He has triumphed o’er the grave.

Jesus is a willing Saviour,

Fully, freely, He forgives;

And the soul which looks unto Him

From that happy moment lives.

Jesus is a righteous Saviour.

He has suffered once for sins;

Death He suffered, era in triumph

He could bring redemption in.

Jesus is a lasting Saviour,

Ever will His love endure;

Souls which rest by faith upon Him

Are eternally secure.

ML 10/13/1912

Watt's First Experiment.

THE little boy in our picture lived many years ago, and his name is well known, because he made a wonderful discovery.

You see him here experimenting with the steam from the teakettle.

His young mind saw wonderful possibilities in the force of steam. He kept on studying and experimenting until he became a man.

At last he found out how to use steam so that it would run an engine. Later on other men studied this steam engine, and invented the locomotive that pulls our trains, and the engine that runs our big steam boats.

A great many little boys are thoughtful and try to study out things for themselves.

Others are lazy and want to play all the time. Which do you think is better? God has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to think. And He wants us to use them in the right way.

He says: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.” Prov. 6:6.

Even the tiny ants keep busy, storing up food for winter. Have you ever watched them? If not, do so, and see what busy little creatures they are.

We were not made to be idle, but to be useful, to ourselves and to others.

And in our work, whatever it is, let us seek to please and honor the Lord. Through faithfulness we can lead others to Him.

ML 10/20/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 8. The Publican.

WHEN we read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, we cannot help noticing the frequent mention of the publican or tax gatherer. And we notice too, that in every case, he is spoken of with dislike and contempt.

The publican is spoken of in the same class as “The sinner,” or “The heathen,” and one of the reproaches thrown at our blessed Lord was “He eateth with publicans.” Why was this hatred? we may perhaps inquire, and what was the cause of it? We must remember, to begin with, that the Jews at this time were not a free people; they had come under the dominion of the Romans. Roman soldiers, and their centurions walked the streets of Jewish cities and towns; Roman castles and temples adorned their streets, and even in Jerusalem itself, Herod the king, had built a magnificent theatre, and amphitheater, to which gladiators were brought from all parts of the world, and in which heathen games were continually held. And from every country under her dominion, Rome must have money, and this money must be collected; yes, and taken often times by force, from the people of the cities, and the country round about.

Far away in distant Rome, lived rich noblemen, who were the real publicans, but of them we hear nothing in the Scriptures. They did none of the work, only secured their share of the profits. They employed men in Palestine to carry on the work, and they in their turn let it out to slaves, or some of the lowest of the people. These are the publicans of the New Testament.

If we turn to Luke 19, we read of “Zacchaeus, which was chief among the publicans,” and it adds that he was rich. This was natural, as he was one of the supervisors, or master tax-gatherers in the rich district of Jericho, and no doubt he had had his share of the taxes paid on the balsam grown in the country around and exported in large quantities.

For everything brought into the country or taken out of it, was heavily taxed —there were harbor taxes, bridge taxes, road taxes, town taxes. The farmer had to pay taxes on his grain, the merchant on his goods. The traveler, the caravan, the peddler, met the publican at every bridge along their road, at the entrance to every city. Every bale had to be unloaded, and all its contents tumbled about and searched; even letters were opened, and on everything the tax gatherer laid his own rate of taxation, often far beyond its value. Need we wonder that the publicans were hated by all, that the Jewish Rabbis ranked them with heathens, and with sinners, with murderers, and highwaymen; that they were not allowed to bear witness in a court of law, and that their charitable gifts were refused.

And yet, how wonderful to think that these men, hated and despised by all, were the very ones our Saviour collected around Him.

Can you not picture to yourself the publican, Levi, sitting on the busy road side, at the receipt of customs. He is waiting to stop the passersby, to examine their merchandise, to extort as much from them as possible, but suddenly a gracious voice strikes upon his ear. How different from the tones of hatred, defiance, or entreaty, he is wont to hear, and what marvelous words meets his ear, “Follow Me.”

Was he ready to do this? Yes, the ill-gotten gains had no longer any attraction for him. He leaves all, and follows that One, who is in future to be His Master, and his Lord. It is Luke who tells us this, and also that Levi made a “great feast in his own house” for Jesus and His disciples, but when Levi (who perhaps you know is also called Matthew), tells us the story of his own call in Matt. 9, he does not speak of the great feast, or remind his hearers that he had left all. A true disciple of Jesus, he has learned something of the humility which always marked his Master. It would take too long to mention in detail all that is said of the publican in Scripture; but one trait we notice all through, he is ever welcomed by the Lord Jesus. His loving heart is willing to receive and to pardon the man despised and hated by all. Not that the sin was overlooked by Him, but He loved the man, the sinner, and He Himself tells us that He had come on purpose to call such to repentance. The proud Pharisees, the respectable, and outwardly religious class, had no use for Jesus. What had they to repent of? But the vile and degraded publicans welcomed with joy, One who could forgive sins, whose loving words led to repentance from even grievous sins, and to renouncing them forever. Let us listen to what the Lord Jesus tells us about this very thing, remembering whose words we are reading:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give titles of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, ‘God be merciful to me, the sinner.’” (Luke 18:10-13.) Will you ask yourself the question solemnly, Have I repented even as this publican?

ML 10/20/1912

A Folded Lamb.

A LITTLE baby once died and the small sister asked her mother where the baby had gone.

“To be with Jesus.” replied the mother.

A few days afterwards a friend called, and the mother said to her friend, “O, I am so sorry that I have lost my baby.”

The little girl looked up into her mother’s face, which was wet with tears, and asked, “Mother, is a thing lost when you know where it is?”

“No, of course not, dear.”

“Well, mother, you told me that baby was gone to be with Jesus; then how can he be lost?”

Not gone from memory, not gone from love,—

But “gone to our Father’s house above.”

A lady dressed in black, used often to come to the meetings held in a Mission on the sand at a watering place. One, morning at the close of the service, she wanted to speak to me, and she looked so miserable. She told me that God had taken away her baby, and she was very angry with Him for doing so. She said, “I have given up all religion. I don’t go to church at all now; and never read the Bible, and never pray. Your services here are the first I have been to for a long time.”

“I will tell you about a shepherd who had a fine flock of sheep, but very hot weather came, and the grass where they were feeding became dry and parched. A river ran along the side of the field, but the water was very low on account of the dry weather. Just over the other side of the stream there was a far better pasture, so the kind shepherd wanted to get his flock over the stream, but they hesitated, and did not appear willing to cross over. So the shepherd took up a little lamb, and began to cross over on the stepping-stones, carrying it in his arms. The old mother sheep followed after him, bleating, and looked at the shepherd as if she would say, ‘What are you going to do with my lamb?’ Soon all the flock followed them to the other side, into the good pasture.”

I showed the lady how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, had been obliged to take her little lamb, over the narrow stream of death into the heavenly pastures, and that He had done it in great love to her soul, to lead her to loosen her grasp of things in this world which are passing away, and cause her to set her affections on things above.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1.)

“WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO.” (Luke 12:34.)

Precious, precious blood of Jesus,

Shed on Calvary,

Shed for rebels, and for sinners,

Shed for me.

Precious blood that hath redeemed us

All the price is paid!

Perfect pardon now is offered,

Peace is made.

Though thy sins are red like crimson

Deep in scarlet glow,

Jesus’ precious blood can make them

White as snow.

Precious, precious blood of Jesus,

Ever offered free!

O believe it, O receive it,

‘Tis for thee!

Precious blood whose full atonement

Makes us nigh to God!

Precious blood, our song and glory

Praise and laud!

ML 10/20/1912

Gathering Sticks.

HERE are some little folks who have been very busy. It must have taken them a long time to chop these sticks in lust the right lengths and then to bundle them up so neatly. They seem happy about their work though, and feel they have done their duty well. They are not thinking how soon these sticks will come to an end; they will keep the fire but a short time and will all be burned to ashes. The children will then have the same task to perform.

This is true in the life of everyone, is it not? The very same duties are to be done each day—over and over again. How good to show a cheerful spirit in doing our work, as these little children are. Saved boys and girls work cheerfully, so as to please the Lord, as well as to please their parents. We are told in Col. 3:17, that whatsoever we do, in word or deed, to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. So we want to do even the little disagreeable things in a way that is pleasing to Him.

In 1 Cor. 3:13 the apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit tells us that a day is coming when the works and ways of saved people shall be tried. The Lord will lay open and show every act that we have done, whether it was pleasing to Him or not; so we are to be careful and take heed that each little thing is done in a way to honor Him.

In 1 Cor. 3:15, we find that if we have not done what is acceptable to the Lord Jesus, our works will be burned, and we will lose in our reward; but our souls will be saved. “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

ML 10/27/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 99. Judges 16:1-21. Samson Taken.

ONE DAY, Samson went down to Gaza, a city of the Philistines, to spend the night. As soon as the inhabitants heard of it, they laid in wait for him thinking they would kill him on his going out in the morning. But Samson arose at midnight, and went out to the gate of the city, took the doors with the two posts and went away with them, bars and all, and carried them to the top of Mount Hebron. What wonderful strength God had given him! What power over his enemies! And yet not greater than that which is given to those who have faith in the Lord Jesus. He, Himself, said to His disciples: “Verily, I say unto you. If ye have faith, and doubt not, . . . . ye shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” (Matt. 21:21.) So that the smallest child, with no strength of his own, if he goes to the Lord in prayer, believing that he shall receive, with all his needs, his troubles and his cares, the Lord will hear and answer him.

There was a woman of the Philistines whom Samson loved. To her, the Philistines went, and told her to find out from him whence his great strength came. If she succeeded in finding out, and would tell them, so that they could take him, they would give her eleven hundred pieces of silver. Delilah, who loved money better than Samson, said to him, “Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee?” Samson answered, “If they bind me with seven fresh cords that have not been dried, then I shall be weak, and be as another man.” The woman then told the Philistines, who brought her the seven cords, and she bound him with them. In the meantime, some men had hidden themselves in the room, awaiting to take Samson. When Delilah thought she ‘had made him secure, she said, “The Philistines are upon thee, Samson.” Immediately he broke the cords as if they had been touched with fire. But Delilah said: “Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound?” Samson told her if they were to bind him with new ropes which had never been used, then he would become as weak as another man. Delilah quickly followed the suggestion, and taking the ropes she bound him with them, and said: “The Philistines are upon thee, Samson,” but he broke the ropes like little threads and escaped again from those who, as before, were hiding and waiting for him.

A third time, Delilah, begged him to tell her his secret, “Samson, hitherto thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: tell me wherewith thou mightest be bound?” He answered, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with a web.” When Samson was asleep, Delilah wove his hair and fastened it with a pin; then she told him the Philistines were coming, and he awoke directly, and went away with the pin, the beam and the web.

Poor Samson thought that being so strong, put him beyond danger. He had forgotten that the path of disobedience is a dangerous one. He was not the man separate from evil, the Nazarite, that the angel had said he should be. He was the associate of a bad Philistine woman, contrary to God’s Word. We all think he might have seen that she was seeking his hurt, but God allowed him to be blind to it, because of his sin. It reminds us of that verse in 1 John 2:11, which tells us that those who walk in darkness, that is, in a path away from God, have their eyes blinded by darkness. It was the way with Samson, and so, when Delilah begged him until it grieved his soul, and told him he did not love her, else he would not have deceived her so, he told her, finally, that he was a Nazarite, and he was never to shave his head, or he should be like any other man. Delilah saw he had told her the truth this time, so she sent word to the lords of the Philistines and said, “Come once more: Samson has told me the truth.” The lords of the Philistines were glad to think that they should soon have their enemy in their hands, and came directly. The cruel woman, when Samson was asleep, called a man to shave off all Samson’s hair; when he had finished, she cried, “The Philistines are upon thee, Samson.” Samson arose and thought to do as at other times, but his strength was gone; God had taken it away. He could not defend himself now; his enemies came, and took him, put out his eyes and bound him in copper chains. They carried him to Gaza where they set him to grind at the wheel in prison. What a lesson is in this for us. If we go on with the world, making friends of those who do not love Jesus, we shall have no strength to resist evil, and Satan will lead us further and further away from God, to our eternal loss. We know, of course, that we have to meet dairy with those who are not saved, and often have to do with them in business, at school, etc. But it is finding our pleasures in them and with them, that is contrary to God’s will, for He says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ... Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” Read 2 Cor. 6:14-18.

“KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THIS WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER, THEREFORE, WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD, IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.” James 4:4.

ML 10/27/1912

Loved Me, Sought Me, Found Me, Saved Me.

I HAVE a Friend whose faithful love

Is more than all the world to me,

‘Tis higher than the heights above,

And deeper than the soundless sea:

So old, so new,

So strong, so true;

Before the earth received its frame,

HE LOVED ME. Blessed be His name!

He held the highest place above,

Adored by all of heavenly fame,

Yet, such His self-denying love,

He laid aside His crown, and came

To seek the lost,

And, at the cost

Of heavenly rank and earthly fame,

HE SOUGHT ME. Blessed be His name!

It was a lonely path He trod,

From every human soul apart,

Known only to Himself and God

Was all the grief that filled His heart;

Yet from the track

He turned not back

Till, where I lay in want and shame,

HE FOUND ME. Blessed be His name!

Then dawned at last that day of dread

When, desolate yet undismayed,

With wearied frame and thorn-crowned head

He, now forsaken and betrayed,

Went up for me

To Calvary,

And dying there in grief and shame,

HE SAVED ME. Blessed be His name!

Long as I live, my song shall tell

The wonders of His matchless love;

And, when at last I rise to dwell

In the bright home prepared above,

My joy shall be

His face to see,

And, bowing then with loud acclaim,

I’ll praise Him. BLESSED BE HIS NAME!

ML 10/27/1912

The Little Chimney Sweep.

I HEARD a story long ago, of which I am often reminded when looking on a group of happy children. Perhaps if you hear it, you will value the many privileges you enjoy, more highly than you have done. A little chimney-sweep went over from Savoy to London, many years since, to engage in his toilsome work. He had no means of obtaining an education, but his desire was so great for learning that he was always on the watch for an opportunity, hoping in some way to secure what he so much wanted. One morning as he was going to his work he passed a number of boys at their play. The first thing that attracted his attention was a long row of their school books hanging on a fence. He went to them, and taking up a book, began wistfully turning over the leaves, though he could not read at all. Very soon one of the boys came to him, and, in a surly tone, asked him what he was about. The little chimney-sweep answered mildly, and taking a marble from his pocket gave it to the school-boy, asked to be allowed to look at the pages, in which he was interested. The privilege was granted. When the boys were done playing, and were about to leave the ground, the poor Savoyard asked the owner of the book to read a few lines to him, which request was complied with. A new thought entered his mind, and he made this proposal—that he would give this boy a marble for every letter he would teach him. To his great joy, the school-boy consented, and morning after morning they might have been seen together. The chimney-sweep was an apt scholar. He began to be encouraged, but one day the school-boy told him that he could instruct him no more, for his sooty fingers soiled the books and his parents had forbidden it. The poor chimney-sweep turned sadly away. In a moment all his hopes were blasted. The disappointment was almost too great for him to bear, but as he went down the street, he passed the gate of a church-yard. The tombstones stood near the entrance, and he could see the letters on them— “In memory of,” etc.

He went in, and as he laid his fingers upon the letters cut in the marble, he thought, “Nobody will blame me for studying here. My sooty fingers won’t stain these letters, and if they do, the next rain will wash them clean.” Again he went to the school-boy, and he, with several of his mates, agreed to teach the chimney-sweep in turn, and day after day he went with some of those boys into the church-yard, and in that sad school he learned the alphabet, but these boys became deeply interested in their little sooty scholar, and through their influence, friends multiplied about him. He was brought into the Sunday-school. There he learned to read the Bible, and as he read he loved it.

He stored it up in his heart as a precious treasure. He became a happy Christian boy, and lived to be a useful, faithful, Christian man. As you think, dear children, of the long and weary path that poor chimney-sweep had to take—how hard he had to struggle before he could reach anything like you enjoy—does it not make you feel grateful for all these blessings? Think of your happy home, of your Bible, and of the many good books and papers placed in your hands, and of your Sunday-school, and ask yourselves each one, “Am I faithfully improving these privileges? Am I grateful for them? Can I give a good account concerning them when I am called to answer to Him who has filled my path with blessings?”

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Col. 5:2.)

ML 10/27/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for September

1.“I said, I will take heed”, etc. Psa. 39: 1.

2. “Deliver my soul”, etc. 22:20.

3.“He brought me up”, etc. 40: 2.

4.“Keep thy tongue”, etc. 34:13.

5.“His glory is great”, etc. 21: 5.

6.“I will instruct thee”, etc. 32: 8.

7.“Wait on the Lord”, etc. 27:14.

Bible Questions for November.

The answers are to be found in Psalms 86, to end of book.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Above all thy name”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “To be had in reverence”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Door of my lips”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “East”, “West”, “Removed”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “Full of compassion”, “longsuffering”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “Hid in mine heart”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “Thou art God”.

ML 11/03/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 9. The Samaritan.

IF YOU look in the end of your Bible, you will probably find a map, entitled “Palestine at the time of our Lord,” and if you examine it carefully you will notice the small district of Samaria lying immediately between Judea and Galilee. How was it that in the very midst of the Holy Land, we find a race of people with whom, as we are told in John 4, “The Jews had no dealings,”? To answer this question we must go hack several hundred years before the birth of our Lord Jesus. Perhaps you remember that when Solomon, the great and wise king of Israel died, the nation was divided. Ten of the tribes following the wicked Jeroboam, and only two, besides the Levites, remaining true and loyal to Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Some years after this division, Omri, one of the kings of Israel, as the ten tribes were called, bought the beautiful hill of Shemer, and built upon it a magnificent city, which he named Samaria. But I am sorry to tell you it was a very wicked city, and after bearing with it for many years, God gave it into the hands of the king of Assyria, about seven hundred years before the Lord Jesus came to this world. Listen to what we are told about it in 2 Kings 17, “Then the king of Assyria came up and besieged Samaria three years, and he took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria. For the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord, their God, and walked in the statutes of the heathen, and set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree. For they served idols whereof the Lord had said, ‘Ye shall not do this thing.’ “Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight. And now the beautiful land, the land of vines and figs and pomegranates, the land flowing with milk and honey lay desolate. This did not please the great conqueror, Shalmaneser, so he brought men from Babylon and other places to till the land, and people it. These men were heathen; they worshiped the false gods they had brought with them, and “feared not the Lord.” But a terrible punishment fell upon them; down from the mountains, and out of the rocky ravines came lions, and slew some of them. When the king of Assyria heard this, he sent one of Israel’s priests back to the land to teach the people how to worship the Lord. And so a mixed religion sprang up, for the people feared the Lord, and vet they served their own gods.

There was always a feeling of hatred and bitterness between these Samaritans and the Jews, and about three hundred years after this, when the Jews came back to their own land, after their seven years of captivity, we find the Samaritans trying in every way to hinder them from building the temple. This enmity was still going on when our Lord was walking up and down in the land of Israel; on one occasion when passing through the Samaritan country, He was refused a lodging because He was on His way to Jerusalem; but how did the lowly Jesus receive this insult? Did He return evil for evil, did He hearken to the bitter words of His disciples, and call for fire to come down from heaven to destroy the city? O, no, had He not come to seek and to save the lost, even the poor Samaritan, and would He destroy him?

And we all know how the woman in Jno. 4, thought it strange that He would ask a drink of water from a woman of Samaria.

On the side of the well He sat in the burning midday sun, talking to that poor woman, and finally telling her the wonderful fact, that He, who to her eyes, had appeared a poor weary traveler, was in reality the Messiah, the Saviour, the Son of God.

At another time we hear of His healing a poor Samaritan leper, who with nine others, companions in misery, had sought His help, and our Lord does not forget to draw attention to the fact, that the only one of the ten who returned to give thanks, was “this stranger.” On one occasion we read that the Jews called Jesus “A Samaritan,” as a term of the greatest reproach. He does not contradict them, but on another occasion, in a parable, He takes the Samaritan as a picture of Himself. For as that good Samaritan came down to where the poor man was, bound up his wounds, and put him on his own beast; so had the Lord Jesus come down to where sinful man was, helpless and hopeless, that He might take upon Himself the punishment of his sin, and make the sinner fit for the presence of God.

If we turn on to the Acts of the Apostles, we shall again find Samaria mentioned. The evangelist, Philip, went down and preached Christ to that city, and the people received the word with joy. Many of the men and women and even children must have remembered that lowly Man, who a few years before had sat on Jacob’s well, and afterwards remained two days with them teaching them about God and the One whom He had sent into the world. And now what wonderful tidings for them to hear, that this same Jesus, the very One whom they had seen and heard, was God’s own Son, that in the form of man, He had died upon the cross, bearing their sins in His own body on the tree, and that now He was risen and seated on the right hand of God. Do you wonder that “there was great joy in that city”? And yet this is the same message that to-day is brought to you. Have you received it as these poor despised Samaritans did, and has it caused great joy in your heart?

ML 11/03/1912

"None in Hell."

TRACTS everywhere!” said a young man, with a sneer, as a young Christian boy handed him a tract one Lord’s day afternoon.

“No,” said the boy quietly, “there will be none in hell,” and passed on. God fastened that single sentence as a nail in a sure place, and he could not get rid of it.

“None in hell!” seemed to echo in his ears every time he saw a tract, and soon after that he was converted.

Dear reader, there will be no tracts in hell—neither gospel invitation, nor gospel entreaties.

How eagerly the lost multitudes, in the hopeless region of despair, would welcome the first invitation of mercy; but their day is past, their time of grace is over.

They will remember how many times, while here on earth, they heard of the wondrous love of God in the gift of His Son, and through Him salvation was offered to them; but instead of gladly accepting Him as their Saviour and receiving rest and peace for their souls, and all eternal blessings in Him for eternity, they turned away and refused God’s love and mercy. Many invitations were offered to them while they were on earth, but there are “None in hell!”

How are you, my dear friends, treating these golden opportunities, solemn warnings, and loving invitations, such as, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life;” (Jno. 3:16). “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;” (Matt. 11:28.) “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” (John 6:37,) etc. etc.

Accept these invitations speedily, while you have the opportunity, for O, remember, there will be “NONE IN HELL!”

But if you will not heed, your doom is fixed — “Because I have called, and ye refused: I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded:

“But ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof:

“I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh:

“When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you:” Prov. 1:24-27.

“THEN SHALL THEY CALL UPON ME, BUT I WILL NOT ANSWER; THEY SHALL SEEK ME EARLY, BUT THEY SHALL NOT FIND ME.” Prov. 1:28.

ML 11/03/1912

A Perilous Journey.

HERE is a picture of a stream, flowing through a very rocky mountainous piece of country. Even though there is water, there is no sign of trees or grass, and the place looks very much like a desert.

Climbing over the rocks is a woman with her precious burden. Where is she going? Where has she been? Perhaps she has just left her home to go and visit a friend. Whether that be so or not, the journey she is taking looks rough and full of peril, or dangers. But she knows the dangerous places and how to get over them, for she has always lived in that kind of country.

Suppose, though, she should put the little boy down, and go on ahead of him. How well do you think he would get along following her? Don’t you think he would soon slip on the steep rocks and fall, or cut his tender little feet on a sharp stone, or perhaps tumble into the stream? Yes, he surely would. But he is safe and happy, supported by his mother.

Dear reader, is not this a true picture of the Christian’s journey through life? This world is full of dangers and perilous places. We are beset on every side by all kinds of sin and harmful temptations. And if we were left to ourselves, we would have many a fall and many a hard knock. And when we get away from the Lord, we do.

But as long as we are content to cling to the Lord Jesus in confidence, as the little boy in the picture clings to his mother, we are safe, and He will help us over the rough and dangerous places.

Dear reader, you cannot afford to get away from this blessed Guide. You need Him every day, every hour, and for every step. And if you see troubles and difficulties ahead that look insurmountable, remember those precious and comforting words in Exodus 14:13, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”

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

ML 11/03/1912

Embarkation of the "Mayflower" For America.

ABOUT 300 years ago there were great religious changes going on in England. The English rulers wished to throw off the power of the Pope at Rome, and have an independent church system of their own. This was more for political and personal reasons, than because their consciences were exercised by the truths that had spread since the time of Luther and the reformation.

There were many, however, especially among the common people, who had learned the precious truth about Christ and the way of salvation, since the Word of God had fallen into their hands.

Because they were true followers of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, they were greatly persecuted by the Catholics, and later by the church of England.

In 1604, when King James of Scotland came to the English throne, there were in England more than 30,000 of these persecuted people.

They were called Puritans because of their desire to live a pure life. Three hundred of the Puritan ministers were silenced, imprisoned or exiled during the first year of King James’ reign. Many of them fled to Holland, to escape persecution. Here they were undisturbed, yet they could not feel that it was home, surrounded, as they were, by another nation.

At this time young America was just beginning to be settled. The Puritans thought they would find in this country plenty of room and freedom, and believed it would be a good place to start a colony.

Accordingly preparations were made and on the 6th of September, 1620, one hundred one (101) of these pilgrims sailed away from Holland in a ship called the “Mayflower”.

For nine weeks they were tossed about on the stormy ocean, but finally reached Massachusetts Bay in safety. Here they landed in the cold November weather, with no homes to go to. But they were brave and courageous, and though many died from the cold and exposure of that winter, not having sufficient shelter, some of them lived to build homes.

Later on they sent for more of their friends in Holland. Year by year others came over, and the colony at New Plymouth grew rapidly.

Many of you readers can trace your ancestry back to these people and be thankful that the Lord spared them to spread His blessed gospel in a new country. Many of them were God-fearing Christians, and it was God’s will that they should come here when they did—where they could worship Him in peace and teach their children all about Him.

It was truly God’s mercy to many individuals and to this great country of America, to send to it such people. Let us thank Him for all His wondrous ways in the past as well as in the present.

“O THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN.” Psa. 107:8.

ML 11/10/1912

Bible History.

Chapter 100. Judges 16:21-31. Samson’s Death.

SAMSON was now in Gaza, in prison, alone, blind, away from his own. He had much time to think about his past ways. He had sown disobedience and had reaped sorrow. It is always so, for we are told positively, that “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7.) But Samson also had time to think of God, and to turn to Him in his sorrow. That is why God allows His children to be afflicted, that they may turn to Him, to learn of His ways and to trust Him in all things. During this time, Samson’s hair had begun to grow again, and with it, his strength was returning. The Philistines worshiped an idol called Dagon. They thought it had delivered Samson, their great enemy, into their hands. So when they had taken him, and he was in their power, they made a great sacrifice unto Dagon, and praised it and made merry, playing and singing. Then they said: “Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.” So they brought him from the prison house, and they laughed at him, and made sport of him, and made him stand between two pillars in the house of Dagon, their god.

The house was very large and full of people—men, women and children; about three thousand of them were upon the roof, looking at Samson and laughing. All the princes were there too. Samson asked the boy who led him, to let him lean against the pillars upon which the house stood, and he took hold of one with his right hand, and of the other with his left hand. Then he called upon God, and said: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then he cried, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed himself with all his might, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people that were inside the house and upon the roof. All died, and Samson with them. During his life time, he had killed many Philistines, but at his death he destroyed more than he had in all his life.

Then his brethren and relatives came down and took him and brought him to their home place where they buried him. Thus ended the sad life of Samson, and it was written for our learning that we might profit by the warning and lesson it teaches us. We have the Lord Jesus for a model. Let us seek, by His grace, to imitate Him. Then His strength will be ours, and God will say of us, “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” (Ps. 84:7.)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

“The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (¤ Jno. 2:15, 17.)

ML 11/10/1912

Left Behind.

OUR TRAIN stopped at the station of E—where, as usual all was bustle and noise with people passing to and fro. We troubled ourselves little about what was going on around us. We heard indeed some loud shoutings but took no notice of them as we were busy talking. Thus a few minutes went past. At last one of us said, “Why are we stopping here so long? The train should have left long ago.” Another opened the window and looked out. The next moment he turned around to us with the words, “This is a pleasant surprise! The train is gone. The two last carriages have been left behind.”

We all sprang up, called a railroad official who was near, and asked him what it meant. “You have been left behind”, he answered dryly.

“But why has no one come to tell us to change coaches?” we replied, showing that we were annoyed.

“I passed both coaches and called out frequently as loud as I could,” he replied. “It is your own fault if you remained sitting.”

What could we say? We had heard him calling but had not heeded. Happily another train arrived an hour later, so we were still able to reach our destination the same evening.

Our little self-guilty mishap reminded me of another more serious matter.

How many will be left behind when once the Lord comes to take His redeemed people to the Father’s house! How many, who had heard the warning call so often, but had not heeded! Occupied with the things of this world, their business, their family, their friend-circles—that they had neither time nor desire to occupy themselves with such solemn matters.

The warning call, the pleading to turn in time and come to Christ, met their ear; but they did not heed, they had far too many things to do and think about.

But O! for those who are left behind at the coming of the Lord; there will be no late train, so to speak, to take them to heaven. It is then forever too late! No hope, no more entrance, only a fearful looking for of judgment. All who have accepted the friendly invitation of the Lord Jesus, and during this period of grace have found a refuge in Him, will be with Him in the glory—in the Father’s house—where no suffering can ever reach them. No enemy can there afflict them. For them the coming of the Lord is the most joyful, the most glorious reward of their faith — the
blessed fulfillment of their hopes.

What can full joy and blessing be,

But being where Thou art.

ML 11/10/1912

The Clock.

Part 1.

LET US see if we can learn a lesson today from the clock. I remember when I was a boy that the clock was a great wonder to me. One night when left alone in the room, I went over to the mantle-piece and stood a long time staring at the clock, and for the first time saw the large hand move. How delighted I was! The clocks generally used in this our day are much smaller than were used in olden times and also more delicate, and there was a time when there were no clocks such as we are speaking about.

I suppose we might truly say the sun was the very first clock. Perhaps my boys and girls will say: “I did not know that the sun was a clock.” Yes, when God lighted up the sun, He not only intended it for light, but also that we, by it, might reckon time; that we might learn its value and regulate our employment by it. And so God placed in the heavens a most magnificent and perfect clock, which tells the hours, the days, the weeks, the months, the seasons and the years; a clock which no one ever wind s up, but never stops and never goes wrong. By the apparent daily rotations of the sun in the heavens over our heads, it measures for us the days and the hours and this so correctly, that the watchmakers in Geneva regulate all their watches by its place at noon, and from the most ancient times, men have measured upon sun-dials the regular movement of the shadow.

The first mention of the sun-dial you will find in your Bible in 2 King 20:11, also Isa. 38:8, about 700 years before the time of our Lord Jesus Christ. But nothing is known of the character or construction of this instrument.

The earliest of all sun-dials of which we have any certain knowledge was the hemicycle or hemisphere of the Chaldean astronomer Berosus, who lived about 340 B. C. The dial of Berosus remained in use for centuries. In the 18th century, clocks and watches began to take the place of the sundial.

No doubt, if we could compare one of the early clocks with our clocks of today they would look rather clumsy: in fact the clocks used to stand on the floor, as they were so large, and who hasn’t heard of “Grandfather’s Clock”! Now I want to speak of the different parts of the clock or at least some of the parts of which there are very many as anyone, who has taken out the parts and tried to put them together again, can tell you. We will choose a clock such as we might see anywhere today in the schoolroom or in the railway station. Some of the parts can be seen and many cannot be seen, but we are going to speak first of the parts that are seen, which are, the face and hands. The case also can be seen, but we will talk about that last of all.

If we speak of the face, it makes us think of the faces of the little boys and girls, and how we like to see them nice and clean, and sometimes when we look into the faces of children we can tell whether they are good or bad, and whether they are happy or sad, and also can tell when they are angry. God said to Cain who killed his brother Abel in anger: “Why art thou wroth, (angry) and why is thy countenance (appearance of the face) fallen?” (Gen. 4:6.) He thought no one saw him kill his brother, and no one should find it out, but God saw it, as He sees everything, but he could not hide the effect of anger on his face. How nice to see a happy face. And do you know how to have a happy face? Those who love the Lord Jesus and know He has washed all their sins away in His own precious blood, have happy faces, and can sing, “O, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.” When we think of how much He loved us, and that He died for us, and is coming for us, and we are going to see His face, how can we have sad or cross faces? We shall see His face, that face that men once spit upon when He was here upon earth, when He was called the “Man of Sorrows”, but now that He has risen from the dead, having finished redemption’s glorious work, and we can see by faith the “glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ.”

ML 11/10/1912

The Fight Interrupted.

THE BOYS in our picture are surely far from being happy: they have gotten into trouble on the school ground. When their days’ work was done, and they were on their way home, two of the boys began fighting, and now the master has had to come to find out what the trouble is. The small boy, carrying his bag of books, is trying to explain to the teacher who he thinks is to blame.

It may be that one boy did better work than he in the schoolroom and that he became jealous because the teacher commended that one; or, it may be that the one boy told something against the other boy. We don’t know for what reason they got into such an ugly temper, but we do know some naughty words must have been spoken, for it is our tongues that always get us into trouble.

What a face the boy has that stands there with clenched fists! How unhappy he must feel way down in his heart, as he knows he has hurt the boy who is leaning against the well, and, besides, has disgraced himself so.

Our natural hearts are so wicked, and capable of every evil thing. Look at James 3:7, 8. There we find how our tongues speak forth the wrong things that are in our hearts. “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” You see we have no power of ourselves to control even our lips; it is as we depend upon the Lord Jesus each day, that we can use our tongues rightly. “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few.” Eccles. 5:2.

“BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE JUSTIFIED, AND BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE CONDEMNED.” Matt. 12:37.

ML 11/17/1912

Given and Accepted.

WHEN I was converted to God, I thought I had only to tell my friends and neighbors of the priceless treasure I had found. to induce them to take refuge in Jesus also. But how astonished I was, when I found that they either listened to me with indifferent, wearied faces, or began to count up their good works, and speak of their piety! To accept a free undeserved gift, is humbling to the pride of the human heart. To receive all freely, and be unable to give anything in return for it, is exceptionally hard for man to think of.

“I do the best I can,” said one of my friends. “I pray every day and try to leave off evil and do good,” said another.

The truth that salvation and life are God’s gifts to the sinner, and that only faith is needed to receive them, seemed to them impossible to be understood.

One day at the request of a friend, I visited a poor woman who lived in a thickly populated part of the city. Her husband had forsaken her. For a long time she had been lame from rheumatism and was obliged to keep her bed. Her four children were still too young to be able to earn anything. Already she owed several months’ rent to the landlord, and he had threatened to put her out on the street, and sell her little stock of household goods. Thus her position was the saddest imaginable.

It was a bitter cold morning when I went to visit this poor woman. The sharp wind cut my face. After a few inquiries, I found the miserable dwelling. At my knock, a pale looking, ragged child opened the door. As I stepped into the room, I saw the sick woman on her miserable bed. She stared at me with a look so questioningly, that it went to my heart. Ah, she thought she saw in me the bailiff, who had come to put into execution, the hard-hearted threat of the landlord.

How great, then, was her astonishment when I sat down with a friendly greeting and began to ask her about her circumstances. These were indeed sad enough—no fire on the hearth, no bread
in the cupboard, not a cent in the house and added to these, the prospect of being driven out into the cold of winter with her children in an hour or two. In such a condition, a sympathetic, kind word is of double value. But the joy of this poor woman reached its highest point when I informed her that I had come, in order to pay the backstanding rent, and to provide food for her and her children. Great tears of joy rolled down her sunken cheeks, and she pressed my hand warmly again and again. Words she could not find; but her tears and thankful looks spoke louder than words could. The children stood round the bed and listened with open mouths, and how eagerly the oldest one ran to fetch bread and butter, when I handed him a piece of money. The poor children had not seen good bread and butter for a long time. In a few minutes he was back with the desired food, and it was a delight to see how happy they were over it.

Now, you see, my reader, that it was not difficult for this woman to accept what was offered to her in love. She was in the deepest need and therefore grasped thankfully the gift which was held out to her. She could do nothing for herself and therefore only too glad when another would not only pay her debt but make provision for herself and her children.

What a lesson for you. As a sinner before God, you are as helpless as that poor woman, though you may not think so. You may do your best, but you cannot pay the debt incurred. You can do nothing for yourself, because you are bankrupt before God. But He will freely clear the debt, and give provision for the rest of your way if you but received His gift. The gift of God is eternal life. He is waiting, ready to give. May He open your eyes, that you may see how needy you are, and make you to be willing to accept His wondrous gift.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

ML 11/17/1912

The Clock.

Part 2.

THE HANDS are the next thing we can see on the clock, and there are two of them, and we have two hands also. The clock has a long one and a short one. The long hand points to the minutes, while the short one points to the hour. The minutes make the hours, and the hours the days, and so on. These two faithful hands go round and round the face of the clock telling us the hour to rise in the morning, to have our breakfast, to go to school, and telling us the hour to go to bed. These hands never grow weary, though always busy.

Now, what about our two hands? God’s Word says, “Working with your hands the thing which is good.” (Eph. 4:28.) “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” (Eccles. 9:10.) “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord.” (Col. 3:23.) Some hands are very tiny and not strong, yet they can find so many little things to do for the Lord Jesus. A cup of cold water can be given in His name, which shall not lose its reward, or a tract can be handed to someone, telling of a Saviour who loves sinners and has died for them. The pillow of some sick or suffering one can be smoothed out, and a word of comfort given, the finger pointed to some verse in the Bible, or on a wall text.

It is for the idle hands that Satan finds mischief. Just as the hands of the clock point out the hours for duties, and tell us the time for everything, so we ought to point out the time for sinners to be saved: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2.) And as we were saying before, the hands of the clock go round and round, the minutes making the hours, the hours days, the days weeks, the weeks months, and the months years. We are reminded that time is hastening on to eternity, so may we say with the Psalmist: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psa. 90:12.) There are different kinds of hands we want to look at. First, there are “pierced hands.” “They pierced My hands” was spoken by the Spirit long before the sad event happened. You will find those words in Psalm 22:16. Surely you must all know of whom they speak—the Lord Jesus. And again the Spirit of God, long before the Lord Jesus came into the world as a little babe, spoke these words through the prophet Zechariah, “And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends”. (Zech. 13:6.) And we know from the Scriptures that these prophesies have been fulfilled. His hands were pierced when He was put upon that cruel cross, and I wonder how many of my readers can say, Those hands were pierced for me, because of my sins? O, how He must love poor sinners, in that He was willing to suffer thus, that they might believe and be saved. After He rose from the grave, He said to Thomas, one of the disciples, “Behold My hands,” and when Thomas (who had doubted when told that Jesus had risen from the grave) saw the pierced hands, he said, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20-28.)

We will next speak about the hands which put Jesus on the cross, and they are called “wicked hands”. The apostle Peter, while speaking to a great crowd of people at Jerusalem after Jesus had ascended to heaven, said, “Him (Jesus) being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” (Acts 2:23.) Perhaps those who read these words will say, How dreadful! I would not have had a hand in that wicked deed, had I been living in that day. But, my dear friend, if you do not accept that blessed Saviour and His finished work, God will surely hold you guilty of His death. If you prefer pleasure, or anything else instead of Jesus, you are saying, “Away with Him,” just as they did when He was crucified, and if you meet Him at His throne unsaved, you will meet Him as a Judge, and those pierced hands will be a witness against you.

Another kind of hands we read about in 1 Tim. 2:8. They are holy hands, “Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting,” which is the attitude of prayer. If we know our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus, then we know we are children of God, “Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,” (Gal. 3:26,) and knowing God as our Father, we can come to Him and ask Him for everything we need. It was a custom in olden times to pray with uplifted hands. In Psalm 134:2 we read, “Lift up your hands in holiness, and bless the Lord”. (Marg.) But we read in Isaiah 1:15. “When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” If we expect God to hear our prayers we must live apart from sin. There must be no wrath nor unbelief. We ought to be simple, like the poor boy whose mother had no more food in the house; they had prayed for food, and when the mother had expressed a doubt about getting a quick answer, he replied, “He’ll hear ds scraping the barrel.” The boy had no doubts.

ML 11/17/1912

Caught in a Thicket.

LITTLE reader, you have seen a good many pictures of sheep and have often read about them. Do you see in this picture anything different from the other pictures?

You have seen sheep in the meadows and you have seen them on the hills.

But did you in any of the other pictures see one sheep caught in the brush or thicket as in this one?

Did you know that the Bible tells us about a sheep caught in a thicket? If you have studied about Abraham you may remember about this sheep.

Abraham lived many hundred years ago, and was a man who loved the Lord. He did not have any little boys, but after a long time God gave him one. He called this son Isaac and loved him very much.

Now God had promised Abraham that Isaac would grow up to be a man and would be the father of many nations, who would inherit large possessions.

But one- day when Isaac was still a young boy, God told Abraham to take him up to a mountain in the land of Moriah and offer him up for a burnt offering.

Why do you think God told Abraham to do this? Could God keep his promise to Abraham if Isaac was killed? And even if Abraham had not cared about the promise, do you think he would kill his own dear child?

God wanted to test Abraham’s faith, and He could not have asked him to do anything harder than this.

Let us see what Abraham did.

He got some wood and a knife and everything ready and started with Isaac for the mountain.

While they were on their way, Isaac asked his father where the lamb was, for he knew his father offered up lambs for sacrifices, and he could not understand why he had started away without any lamb for this sacrifice.

Do you think Abraham said, “Isaac, I am going to offer you up this time instead of a lamb?” No, he did not. He said, “My son, God will provide, Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” Genesis 42:8.

But when they had reached the place of which God had told Abraham, he built his altar and put the wood on it. Then be bound his little boy and laid him on the wood, and took the knife, ready to kill him before setting the wood on fire to burn the offering.

But just then an angel called from heaven and told him not to strike. God proved that Abraham would give up his Only son in obedience to Him. But He spared him that sorrow.

When Abraham looked around he say a sheep caught in a thicket, and he offered this sheep instead of his son Isaac. God had provided the lamb just as Abraham told Isaac He would.

Dear reader, let us learn from this story to have faith in God and to obey Him in everything, no matter what it is going to cost us. He can give back more than He takes.

There is another and very important lesson that we should learn from this. Abraham was willing to offer up his only son in obedience to God, which was a type of God, in His wondrous love, giving His only Son the Lord Jesus—the Lamb of God—as a sacrifice for us, to take away our sins.

Isaac asked his father, “Where is the lamb?” and Abraham answered, “God will provide Himself a lamb,” which He did—the ram for Isaac, and His blessed Son for us.

Those who now believe in Jesus as their Saviour are, like Isaac, delivered from death. You will not fear death, because you will be able to say, Jesus, the Lamb of God, died instead of me. Jesus bore my sins in His own body on the cross.

Have you, my dear reader, accepted Him as the One whom God provides for you? Remember,

“THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.” Acts 4:12.

ML 11/24/1912

Short Talks on Scripture Characters.

Chapter 10. The Leper.

THE leper must have been ones. of the saddest sights, which met the eyes of the Saviour, as He went from town to town, and city to city, preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom, and healing the sick. Forbidden by law to enter into the dwellings of men, they lead a life of misery and poverty, shift out from their homes, covered with a most loathsome and painful disease which little by little destroyed every part of their bodies, dirty and half starved, with no possibility of cure from any physician, what hope or comfort was left to the wretched beings upon whom this terrible affliction had fallen? And many, many such were found all through the land of Canaan in the days of our Lord. Do you think He looked upon them unmoved? Far from it, we read over and over again that He was “moved with compassion,” His tender heart was filled with the deepest pity, and every sufferer who came to Him was healed and comforted. We read in each of the first three Gospels, the story of a man full of leprosy. The disease had spread all over his body, and limbs, he was covered with loathsome sores, eating away his flesh, causing him great suffering, and making him unable to support himself in anyway. Shut out from his fellows, shut out, from the worship of God in temple or synagogue, there was nothing to look forward to, but a life of suffering, and a miserable death, despised and neglected by his friends, who believed that leprosy was a direct, judgment of God, and therefore the sufferer was only worthy of contempt. But this poor man heard of One who had, power even to heal the leper. What wonderful news, could it be true? He would go at once and find that Man. Can you not enter into his thoughts as he hurries to the place where Jesus is to be found? Would he not say to himself, “Is it possible that I, a man full of leprosy, can be healed? I have no money to pay for such a cure, I have no one to speak for me, will the Master take notice of such a one? I am sure He is able to heal me, but will He?” And now he is in sight of the mighty healer, his great, need makes him bold, he hurries forward, throws himself at His feet, and utters his piteous entreaty, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.” What love, what power is shown forth here! The power of God, and the love of God appearing in that lowly Man, who instead of driving the unclean leper from Him, put forth His hand and touched him. We know that leprosy is a type of sin. We know that every one, man, woman or child, is tainted with it, and we know too, from God’s own Word that no power on earth can remove that taint. Have we, like-that poor trembling leper, gone with simple faith to the only One who can and will heal us, and cast ourselves before Him, and besought for cleansing, and pardon?

But when the leper was healed, Jesus charged him to go to the priest, and offer for his cleaning as Moses commanded. Shall we look for a moment at what our poor man must offer? Well, first, he must get two little birds—sparrows. They were plentiful enough in the trees around him, and if he could not catch any, why, you know, they could be bought, two for a farthing. Then he must have a little bit of the tall cedar growing near Jerusalem, a handful of the little herb, hyssop, springing out of some old wall, and a bit of scarlet wool or cloth. Now the priest is ready, and one little bird is killed in an earthen vessel over running water, and the other little bird, with the cedar and scarlet and hyssop, is dipped in the blood of the dead bird, and then it is let fly into the open heavens, also some of the blood is sprinkled on the cleansed leper, and the priest pronounced him clean.

I wonder if you can see any meaning ins all this for yourself? Are not the two little birds a type of one Saviour? One is put to death in the earthen vessel —type of Jesus, who being found in fashion as a man became obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8), and the living bird is let loose to fly with the blood upon him into the open sky—type of Jesus, raised by the power of God, and ascending up into heaven. “Delivered for our offenses, raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25.) And now every sinner who comes to Him, will be sprinkled with that precious blood, and, like the leper, pronounced “Clean”.

“How precious and pure is the truth!

How simple and lovely its words!

‘Tis suited for age and for youth,

As shown in this type of the birds.

A bird of the air was to die,

Instead of the leper unclean;

And Jesus, whose home is on high,

Descended to suffer for sin.

The bird must be clean of its kind,

Or else it were unfit to be slain;

And none could in Jesus e’er find

A blemish, a spot, or a stain.

The bird in a vessel of earth

Must yield up its blood and its breath;

And Jesus, of heavenly birth,

In form as a man suffered death.

The blood of the bird that was slain,

The living one bore to the sky;

So Jesus, in rising again,

The worth of His blood took on high.

The leper, with blood seven times

Was sprinkled to render him clean;

So sinners are cleansed from their crimes,

In blood which atoned for their sin.”

ML 11/24/1912

The Clock.

Part 3.

WE WILL go on to another part of our clock, which will be the spring. How necessary this part of the clock is; in fact, the clock could not run without it. You might have ever so many wheels, and parts, but if you have no spring, your clock will be useless. We will liken the spring to the Spirit of God, which dwells in every child of God; so if a Christian is living according to God’s Word, all his ways, words and actions will come from the Spring, or the Spirit, and they will be good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” (Eph. 2:10.) But the spring in the unbeliever is the flesh, and it produces wicked works. “And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now, hath He reconciled.” (Col. 1:21.) So if we want our clock to run properly, we must’ see that nothing interferes with the spring, and we are told in Eph. 4:30, “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Did you ever close yourself in a room alone and listen to the clock, and hear its tick, tock; tick, took; tick, tock, and imagine it said all sorts of things to you? You can tell by its evenly measured and regular sound, if it is running properly. Likewise, we little Christians ought to give out a clear and distinct sound. Our works ought to be such as become the Gospel of Christ, “Be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Not only when we are amongst God’s people, but everywhere. (To be continued.)

ML 11/24/1912

"O, Give Thanks Unto the Lord, for He Is Good."

We plow the fields and scatter

The good seed o’er the land,

But it is fed and watered

By God’s almighty hand:

He sends the snow in winter,

The warmth to swell the grain,

The breezes and the sunshine,

And soft, refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above,

Then thank the Lord, O, thank the Lord

For all His love!

He only is the Maker

Of all things far and near;

He paints the wayside flower,

He lights the evening star;

The winds and waves obey Him,

By Him the birds are fed;

Much more to us, His children,

He gives than daily bread—

All good gifts around us,

Are sent from heaven above,

Then thank the Lord, O, thank the Lord

For all His love!

We thank Thee, then, O, Father,

For all things, bright and good,

The seed-time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food;

Accept the gifts we offer

For all Thy love imparts,

And, what Thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us,

Are sent from heaven above,

Then thank the Lord, O, thank the Lord

For all His love!

ML 11/24/1912

Answers to Bible Questions for November.

1.“Blessed be the Lord”, etc. Psa, 68:19

2.“Blessed is he that considereth”, etc. 41:1

3.“Whoso offereth praise”, etc. 50:23

4.“Mercy and truth are met together”, etc, 85:10

5.“Thou lovest righteousness”, etc. 45: 7

6.“Whom have I in heaven”, etc. 73:25

7.“God is our refuge”, etc. 46: 1

Bible Questions for December.

The answers are to be found in the first sixteen chapters of Deuteronomy,

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Forget”, “Depart”, “Teach”.

2.Write the verse containing the words, “Poor man”, “Poor brother”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Beware”, “Forget not”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Break”, “Burn”, “Hew down”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “Vain”, “Guiltless”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “May be well with thee”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “Sittest”, “Walkest”, “Liest”.

ML 12/01/1912

The Clock.

Part 4.

SOME clocks have an alarm attached to them, and this is very important, because it is needed to insure the waking up of those who sleep soundly, and how glad we are for its warning ring when we are obliged to rise at a certain hour. Without it how often we would be too late! Let us who are the Lord’s, like the clock, sound an alarm, for judgment is coming on this world, and upon all those who refuse the Saviour.

Many there are who do not realize their danger; they are, as it were, asleep, and need the alarm to awaken them. If they sleep too long, they will be too late to enter heaven when the Lord Jesus comes to take home all His redeemed ones. If you will turn to Matthew 25, you can read about some who came too late, and they found the door closed.

So it will be, there win be no entrance after “once the Master of the house has risen up and shut to the door.” O, happy, happy portion for those who will be inside the door, inside the Father’s house, but sad! sad!! for those outside, where there will be “weeping, and gnashing of teeth.” O, may not one who reads these lines be found asleep when the Lord comes, but may you be awakened to see your great danger, and hear the loving invitation of Jesus, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.)

Now, young Christian, let us be concerned about the danger of those all around who do not yet know Jesus as their Saviour, and faithfully sound the alarm. “Blow ye the trumpet ... . and sound an alarm ... .let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” (Joel 2:1) “We do not well to hold our peace.”

We will now speak of the outside of the clock, which we call the case. A clock could run without the case, and even keep correct time, but without it, we would have an incomplete clock. Likewise we have a case or body, and, as the works of the clock are hidden within the case, so we have an inner part which no one can see, and that is the soul, which never dies. We read in Gen. 2:7, “The Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul,” Like the clock, the soul can, and does, leave the body at death, and while the body dies, the soul does not. When the believer dies, or as the Scripture speaks of it, is put to sleep, the soul goes to be with Jesus to wait in His presence until He returns for all His loved ones, and during that time, the body lies in the grave, and returns to dust, from whence it was formed. When death has come into the family circle, and taken one who has the knowledge of sins forgiven and peace with God, as we look upon the loved one, what a comfort to be able to say, “He is not here.” As one dear young man said to his mother, who was weeping at the thought of soon having to part forever in this life from her eldest son, “Mother, when you look upon my wasted form, just remember I’m not here, it is only my poor body. I will be at home with Jesus,” and now he is waiting in His presence for His return, and when Jesus returns, all who have died in Christ will return with Him. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.” (1 Thess. 4:14.) Then their bodies, long since returned to dust, will be raised up and changed like unto the body of the Lord Jesus—body, soul and spirit reunited to go with Jesus to the Father’s house. But, you say, What about those who may be alive when the Lord comes? Blessed fact, they will go too. I will give you God’s Word. Find 1 Thess. 4:16,17: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

So we know that all will not die. “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, (die) but shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:51,52.) What a glorious hope for all whose sins are washed away, to be taken up out of this world where all is sin, sickness, sorrow and death, and where we so often displease and forget the One who has loved us and given Himself for us. And best of all, to see the One who has loved us and died for us.

While we wait for Him who is going to take us up, let us so live that our faces will bespeak our joy, that others may see that we have been with Jesus. Let our two hands be active in whatever little service the Lord may allow and call us to do. Let us lift up the hands which hang down. The clock stops some times and refuses to go, so we take it to the jeweler, and he tells us it is dusty and dirty, and needs oiling. So, we, too, gather up defilement from this wicked world and need cleansing, “with the washing of water by the Word” (Eph. 5:26), and we need also the word of encouragement— “Therefore ... ..be ye
steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58.) “Wherefore ... ..let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1, 2.) Let us be sure that all our work and service is done through the force and energy of the Spirit of God, (our Spring) then we know all will be to His praise and glory, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.” “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Let us send forth a clear and distinct “tick,” “living epistles known and read of all men.” Our words and ways will then be in keeping with the Word of God.

ML 12/01/1912

What Is a Saviour?

A SAVIOUR is one who saves; just in the same way as a doctor is one who cures; a banker is one who lends money; a baker is one who sells bread each person has a special object and work, which is expressed by the name he bears.

You do not go to the banker to be cured of disease; nor to a doctor to present a check; the title of each denotes his office and character. Just so it is with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks of Him as “a Saviour”. Why? Because, “He shall save His people from their sins”. (Matt. 1:21.) That is His special office and work; therefore, when people want to get rid of their sins, the word is, “Go to the Lord Jesus”. Jesus Himself says, “Come unto Me”. Why then should people go to others for salvation? Men cannot save, works cannot save, promises cannot save, crying, praying, self-denial cannot save; the word is, “Look unto Him and be saved”.

Will the doctor cure? Yes, he will, if he can.

Will the banker pay? Yes, he will, if he has the money.

Will the baker sell? Yes, he will, if he has the bread.

With each of these there is an “IF”.

There is no “IF” with the Lord Jesus; the “IF” is with the sinner. “IF” you go to Him, He can, He will, He waits—without money, without price—to save the sinner who will only come: who will only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

ML 12/01/1912

Playmates.

A KITTEN, a string and a little boy or girl. You all know what fun that means. Many of you could tell stories about kittens you have had or seen. They are very interesting little creatures and make good playmates for children.

In our picture all the children look happy as they watch the kittens. Even the kind mother is interested in their play.

Do you think any of these children would hurt the kitten? Do you think they would hurt each other? Hardly. They have kind faces and seem to enjoy playing peaceably together.

Some children; however, would rather tease and hurt kittens than play kindly with them.

And some children are always quarreling and hurting each other.

If you were asked whether the Lord Jesus would rather see children quarrel, or play peaceably together, you would certainly all give the same answer, for You know very well that quarreling is not nice or right.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9.

God loves peace not trouble. If we are like Him, as His children ought to be, we, too, will love peace and will want to be peacemakers.

We will not only be kind and refuse to quarrel ourselves, but when we see others quarreling, instead of looking on and enjoying it, we will try’ to stop the quarrel. We will play kindly with the kittens and dogs or any other pets we have.

Don’t you think this will please God?

“EVEN AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO DO YE.” Col. 3:13.

ML 12/01/1912

The One Who so Loved Me.

Jesus, I know that Thy blood can save,

For I know that it has saved me;

I once feared death, and the cold dark grave,

And the darker eternity.

I felt my sins were a fearful load;

No language my sorrow could tell;

And O, as I walked the broad, broad road.

I knew ‘twas a journey to hell.

But I heard of One who loved me so,

That He came from His throne on high,

To bear the weight of my sin and woo,

And to bleed on the cross, and die.

He washed my sins in the crimson flood

That flowed from His opened side,

And I knew I was saved by the precious blood

Of the Lord who was crucified.

So now, a sinner, redeemed by blood,

In Christ accepted I stand,

And wait, as a blood-bought child of God,

For my home in the heavenly land.

And this is the joy I seek below,

As I sing of His love so free,

That others the wondrous love may know

Of the One who has so loved me.

ML 12/01/1912

A Gleaner.

WHAT a hard-working woman we have before us in our picture! Do you know what she has on her shoulder? You have seen wheat growing, and know how it is put into shocks all over the field. This woman has been busy in the wheat field all day, picking up the scattered bits of grain which the reapers have dropped in their days’ work. We do not see women do such work as this in our country, but if we lived in the poorer parts of some foreign country, as in Germany or France, it would be a common sight to us. Other women are also gleaning in this field, you see. These gleaners will take the leavings home with them, beat out the grain, and have it ground into flour.

In the Old Testament God commanded the owners of fields and vineyards not to do any gleaning after harvest, but to leave that for the poor and needy. “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.” Lev. 19: 9, 10.

Can we not draw a lesson from this for ourselves? The Lord gives us all that we have, and supplies our needs. If you are old enough to work and earn money, it is lie that gives you the strength to earn that money. Should you then keep all the good things He thus gives you, and use them just for yourself? No, if you want to please Him, you will be thinking of others, and leaving bits here and there for needy ones, as He may direct you. These bits may be in money, food, clothing, or even in the paying of a visit to some poor, lonely one, for the Lord’s sake, when it may cause you real self-sacrifice to go. Such doing and giving may not increase one’s wealth down here, but the Lord notes each little thing really done for Him, and is going to reward those who thus live for Him. Then how happy it makes one’s own heart to be cheering others along the way.

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:24, 25.

“HE THAT HATH PITY UPON THE POOR LENDETH UNTO THE LORD; AND THAT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN WILL HE PAY HIM AGAIN.” Proverbs 19:17.

ML 12/08/1912

The Weary One at Jacob's Well.

HE HAS come from far, that weary One

Who sits by the lone well-side;

And tired and faint, ‘neath the Eastern sun,

He rests in the fierce noontide.

O cool are the waters far below,

And thirsting is He to drink;

But a greater thirst His heart doth know,

As He sitteth on the brink.

And known to Him ere it meets His ear,

The tread of those coming feet;

An erring one to the well draws near,

Whom His heart goes forth to meet.

Goes forth with love and with healing grace,

For He knoweth all her need:

With a careless glance she scans His face,

But His heart she cannot read.

And yet those miles He has traveled o’er,

And has waited for her there:

Has thirsted that she might thirst no more,

But unfailing waters share!

And O, He knoweth, He knoweth well,

The price which Himself must pay;

Her tears to wipe and her fears to quell,

And her sins to take away.

To clothe her soul in the garments white,

That washed in His blood must be;

And His mind foresees—O wondrous

sight!

His Cross and His agony!

The holy God and the sinner met!

What marvelous grace is here!

She hears His voice, but she knows not yet

Herself to her God so near.

So far in sin, but so near in grace,

So near to the heart of love!

O erring child of Samarian race,

Rest here like a weary dove.

He tells of a fountain clear and deep,

That she need not seek afar;

Of the still sure waters, where His sheep

So tenderly shelter’d are.

He tells her of joy beyond her ken,

And He shows her who He is;

“His delights were with the sons of men”,

Whom He came to fill with bliss.

O happy moments for Him, for her!

She the joyful tidings bears,

He sits regardless of hunger there,

For His Father’s joy He shares:

That another lost one has been found,

And to do His Father’s will

Is His meat and drink—He looks around

For some other heart to fill.

‘Twas thus from His chosen work of grace

He was never turned aside;

And His human wants could find no place,

Until love was satisfied.

O God, our Father, in Christ Thy Son

Is Thy “perfect love” revealed!

And well may our hearts rejoice, each one

By Thy Holy Spirit sealed.

Of love so high, unto depths so low,

Stooping in grace to shine—

Not men nor angels, nor God doth know

Of a love, O God, like Thine!

ML 12/08/1912

"The Word of Our God Shall Stand Forever."

COLONEL ALLEN a noted infidel, had a favorite daughter on a dying bed. Being sent for to the bedside, she said to him. “Father! I feel that my end is drawing near. Tell me, am I to believe what you have taught me or what I have learned from my mother?” Her mother was a Christian, and had instilled the truths of salvation into the mind of her child.

The father paused, fixed his eyes on his child, his frame was convulsed with the struggle between pride and affection, truth and human reason. Presently, with quivering lips, he exclaimed, “Believe, my child, what your mother has taught you”.

All the accurately-argued sophistries of human imagination fail when brought to the realities of death and the great hereafter. Much as giant intellects would like to triumph over God, they have to bow before The Great I AM.

“He that believeth not, is condemned already.” “He that believeth on the Son HAT everlasting life.” John 3:18-36.

ML 12/08/1912

A Little Boy's Prayer and Its Answer.

IN ORDER to show my young readers that God hears and answers prayer, I am going to tell you a story of a little boy whose prayer was answered in a wonderful manner, although, as you will see, he made a great mistake in the way in which he asked. It is a true story, and happened in Germany.

This little boy when quite young had lost his father, and was by this sad event deprived of the means of continuing his education. Now this was a great grief to Frank; for he was not like some children, who are quite pleased to be idle, and very glad when their teacher is away and cannot teach them. Frank knew that he was ignorant, and had much to learn before he could become a good or useful man; and his great desire was, that he might be admitted into a school founded by those Christians called Moravians, where children were taught to know and love Jesus Christ, and other things besides, which it is necessary for them to learn, in order to gain their living.

His poor mother wished it as much as he did; but without money, without friends, poor and unknown, he had but little to expect in this world. Happily for our young orphan, he had heard of Him “who is rich in mercy to all who call upon Him”; and of Jesus, who has said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven”.

This poor little boy was a Christian, and trusted simply and entirely in the Saviour; he believed that He would help him, and was most anxious to make his distresses known to Him. “But how can I go to Jesus” said he; “I will write to Him, and will tell Him everything.” This he immediately set about doing, and wrote nearly the following words:

“My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I have lost my father: we are very poor; but I know Thou tellest us in Thy Word, that whatever we shall ask God in Thy name, He will give it to us. I believe what Thou sayest, Lord Jesus; I pray, then, unto God, in the name of Jesus, that He will give my mother the means of placing me in the Moravian School. I should like so much to continue to be taught. I have prayed unto Thee, but I now love Thee more. Give me also wisdom, and everything that is good.”

He then folded up the letter, directed it, and looking very grave all the time, but yet very happy (for he felt sure his Saviour would answer it), he carried it to the Post office.

Now you may, perhaps, think that Frank was very foolish, and may wonder that a boy who knew Jesus Christ, and was, no doubt, in the habit of praying every day, should be ignorant that the way to ask anything of God is to pray to Him; and that He can hear the softest whisper, or see our thoughts and wishes, even when we do not put them into words. However, you must not be in too great haste to blame the little boy. Recollect how young he was, and this was probably the first earthly trouble he ever had on his mind. He now wanted money to pay for his schooling, and this, perhaps, seemed to him quite a different thing from praying for spiritual blessings, and, therefore, in his simplicity, he thought he must set about it in quite another way. Very likely he had heard that by the Post was the quickest way of sending messages to our friends at a distance, and of getting answers from them; and as he had read in the Bible that Jesus had gone up into heaven, and heaven seemed to him very far off, he probably thought this the best way of sending to the Lord Jesus Christ, to tell Him his troubles. It was, therefore, quite an act of faith in little Frank; and you will hear how God, who looks at the heart rather than at the manner to which things are done, kindly condescended to answer him.

The Postmaster, seeing the direction, thought that the letter was from some foolish or mad person, and, therefore, threw it aside for a time; but when he had sent off the other letters, he took it up again, looked at the writing, and saw it was that of a child. He opened it, and was very much affected by reading this infant prayer. He showed it to a friend of his who was a Moravian, and who took the letter and read it at a meeting of the Moravian Society. There was a rich and kind lady present, the Baroness de la Lippe, and when she heard it read, it seemed to her like a message from her Saviour to tell her to take care of one of His “little ones.” Accordingly, she took the young orphan under her protection, and placed him at the school where he so much desired to be. Thus you see, though the letter itself never reached heaven, yet the prayer contained in it did; and so will all prayers, which, like this child’s, are offered up in faith, and in the name of Jesus; for has He not said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do?”

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matt. 7:7.

ML 12/08/1912

The Meadow Lark.

DO THE birds ever waken you early in the morning with their sweet songs? The meadow lark is a specially sweet songster; the one in our picture looks very happy with his mate. We cannot see it, but their nest is nearby in this meadow.

We should thank the Lord for giving us the birds and so many things out of doors to make us happy. Saved boys and girls have the right to be the very happiest of all of God’s creatures, and if their hearts are full of love for Jesus, they will want to open their mouths often in songs of praise to Him. We read a great deal about our mouths in Scripture. In Matt. 21:16 we find that even babes and children may say things that will bring praise to the Lord’s name. We can tell what people are interested in, too, by what they talk about; so the Lord Jesus says in Matt. 12:34, that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh”.

So, dear children, let us think more about the Lord Jesus each day, and about what He has done for us; then I’m sure our mouths will speak for Him, and we will love to praise Him, too.

“BY HIM, THEREFORE, LET US OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD CONTINUALLY, THAT IS, THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS, GIVING THANKS TO HIS NAME.” Heb. 13:15.

ML 12/15/1912

Wondrous Love.

MANY years ago there was living in the State of New York a woman and her only child, little Johnny. The woman was not a widow, but times being bad, her husband had gone to seek better fortune in California. After months of suspense the promised letter arrived, bringing the welcome news of brighter prospects, and the desire for the wife and child to join him by the next vessel.

They took the train for New York City, and immediately embarked for California. For two or three days they had lost sight of land.

One day Johnny sat close beside his mother upon the deck. Suddenly, in frightened amazement, he and his mother started to their feet and for a moment stood to listen to the awful cry of the passengers and crew below. The ship was on fire! The terrible news was soon passed from one to another, till everybody echoed back the cry—fire! fire! fire!”

When all hope was gone, the captain ordered the boats to be lowered. The last boat touched the water’s edge and was quickly filled, and a man standing up with his oar was pushing off from the burning wreck. At that moment the mother and Johnny ran to the bulwarks of the ship, and with clasped hands begged to be taken into the boat.

“The boat is full, and we can take no more”, was the cry from a score of voices as the oars splashed in the water. The poor frantic woman turned away in mad despair, as the flames already made their way on the deck. But one man’s heart was moved by the pitiful sight of the boy’s scared look as he clung to his mother’s gown.

“Comrades,” said he, “it seems cruel to leave that woman and her child without trying to help them, let us try and make room for one”; upon which they shouted back to the ship—

“We’ll take one of you, but we can’t possibly take you both; make haste and one come, there is no time to be lost.”

For a moment the mother looked at the boat; there was her only hope of deliverance, and life had never seemed so sweet to her before; for a moment she looked at her child, and he was dearer to her than life itself. She could waver no longer, she caught him in her arms.

“Johnny,” she said, “when you land safely in California and see your father there, tell him, with your mother’s dying love, how she stayed on the burning ship that you might be saved. Farewell, and may God watch over you, my darling boy!”

He kissed his mother, who was loth to part with him, but with a last “goodbye” the boy was lowered by a rope down the ship’s side into the boat. The sailors took him amongst them and rowed off for their lives. He stood waving his little pocket-handkerchief, whilst his mother repeatedly kissed her hand to him, straining her eyes to get along last look at the one she loved so well, scarce heeding her own danger as her whole soul was set on saving him. Presently the rumbling noise told of the explosion, and as the ship was shivered into a thousand pieces, Johnny saw his mother no more. But could he ever forget the last interview? Would not the impress of that loving look be branded on his inmost soul with a hotter fire of love than even the flames of that burning ship! How could he forget her? She loved him and gave herself for him. “Greater love,” saith the Scripture, “hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” Doubtless this woman would not have sacrificed her life for a common sailor or a fellow-passenger, but for her child—for Johnny (and to her there was but one Johnny in the world)—she was willing to be blown to pieces for his sake, if by any means he might be saved.

This son would be a base miserable wretch if his heart did not swell at every memory of that mother’s dying love. And yet, what is that love? It is but a shadow! It fades into insignificance before the overpowering love of Him who died—not for those who had any claim
upon Him, as this child had upon his mother, but for His foes. O, what love, what love was His! We can truly say of Him— “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.” His was more than a mother’s love; many waters could not quench it, neither could the floods drown it. For Jesus went through a more awful fire than the flames of the burning ship. And for whom did He endure this? It was for me. And what has His thus dying done for me? It has saved me from the fire that is never quenched, where the worm never dies in hell. Wondrous love! wondrous love! is the only answer to it all.

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

ML 12/15/1912

"Thou Shalt Not Steal."

IN A LARGE town in France, the cashier of a commercial house had just finished his day’s work. He laid his pen down and began to count the rolls of gold coin which glistened on his desk. His face betrayed deep inward excitement. He took his pen up again, then laid it down, closed his eyes, opened them again a moment after, to look at the sum spread out before him. What was the matter with him? While he held the gold in his hands, he was thinking of his wife, who had been sick for a long time, his numerous children and their needs, the house expenses which he had to pay, and which were already overdue. His income was decidedly not sufficient to meet all. In spite of the greatest economy, he could not make ends meet. And the gold which he was counting was an old debt of his employer, which had just come in, but which had already been forgotten by the firm. Nobody but himself knew that it had been paid. If this sum only belonged to him, it could be so useful. Could he not then ... ... ..? The cashier looked around him; he was alone. He shuddered at the bare thought of what was running through his mind, closed his books, took the gold pieces and laid them in the safe. Then he went home. On his way home, it seemed to him as though he was being followed by an invisible enemy; during the whole evening he remained lost in thought. His wife hardly knew him as the same person, and the children looked at him perplexed. During the night he could not sleep, the rolls of gold seemed to bewitch him. He tossed restlessly on his bed, till at last his anguish of soul wrung from him the cry: “Lord, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.” And this prayer he repeated till the attack ceased, and worn out he fell asleep. In the morning Mr. R. opened the old family Bible and read on the first page the following words: “August 4th, 1822. The Lord has given us a son: Christian Rene. May God preserve this son to us, and make him a Christian and give him to be faithful to the Lord as long as he lives.”

“April 7th, 1839. Our son, Christian Rene, has come to Jesus in living faith. We have prayed with him and exhorted him to be true to his Lord and Saviour. I have given him as a watchword, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33.) Our son has earnestly accepted this exhortation.”

After Mr. R. had read these lines, he fell on his knees. He remained in prayer a long time before his God. When he arose, his face had assumed its former cheerfulness. He went to the office, opened the cashbook, and entered the sum of gold that had come in the previous day, into the space he had left blank. After the lapse of an hour one of the members of the firm said to him, “We have decided to advance your salary 500 francs as a proof of our entire confidence in you.”

Mr. R. was dumb with surprise and inward emotion. What passed through his mind, we will leave the reader to judge for himself. Late in the evening, when he was alone with his wife, he confessed to her what a dreadful temptation had befallen him, and how the Lord had so graciously come to his help, by means of the lines written by his father in the old Family Bible. He then told of the pleasant surprise which had come to him, and they both together thanked God with joyful hearts that He had preserved the father from so dreadful a sin, and at the same time had graciously considered their needs and provided for them accordingly.

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

“If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, thou art my confidence; . . . This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.” Job 31:24-28.

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold.” Psa. 19:9,10.

“Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.” Prov. 23:17.

ML 12/15/1912

The Scanty Meal.

WE LIKE to see animals enjoy their food, especially when they have been working hard. The three horses in our picture are hungry; we hope they will be given more feed and be treated kindly. Each one seems to be eating quietly, and not trying to get the other’s portion. But this is not always true with animals: we often see them quarrel and fight to get what belongs to the other.

Do boys and girls ever act this way? How naughty it is for little brothers and sisters to fuss and quarrel over the same toys or over something good to eat. Each heart is naturally so very, very selfish, that it wants to please itself rather than the other child. Even tiny folks should be taught to give up to one another. The Bible tells us not only not to think on our own things and to want our own way, but to think also on the things of others. Christian boys and girls ought to be interested in the welfare of others, and be pleased when they succeed. We find many grown people though, who are jealous of their friends and neighbors who have better things than they. The Lord Jesus would have us who know Him, be happy and contented with just what He has given us. In 1 Tim. 6:6 we read, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” So the important thing for Christians is, to live a life that is pleasing to God—a godly life and a contented heart? The happiest people are those whose thoughts are not centered upon themselves, but who are really anxious to do for others in Jesus’ name.

Are you interested in knowing that your associates are saved? Do you seek to comfort those in need, by words and deeds that are Christ-like? Think what the loving Saviour has done and is doing for you, dear children, and surely it will bring forth love from your heart to Him and others.

“MY LITTLE CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD, NEITHER IN TONGUE; BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.” 1 John 3:18.

ML 12/22/1912

The Bird's Mistake.

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

“O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in Me is thine help.” Hosea 13: 9.

HAVE you ever seen a sparrow? Of course, you say, “I have seen thousands.” Well, I will tell you a story about one that I saw some years ago. Returning from a walk one afternoon, I was rather startled, as I went along the gravel path leading to my friend’s house, by a strange noise coming from the conservatory. On getting close, the sound increased. I could see no one inside, so I hurried in, and found to my surprise that the cause of all this ado was a poor little sparrow.

It had flown in at the open door of the glasshouse, and seemed very much ruffled and perplexed to find that it could not fly out through the glass window at the other end.

As soon as I entered, its freight increased tenfold. It flew wildly from side to side, and from pane to pane, dashing itself against the glass with terrible force. Whenever I tried to catch it, the Poor little creature would dart away from me, just as though it were mad, and give itself such a frightful knock that it was evident it would soon be killed.

So I called a servant, and we both tried hard to get hold of the little thing. But it was no use. It seemed determined to kill itself. We were, however, determined to save it, if possible. It made our hearts ache to see how fearfully the sparrow was hurting itself!

At last our foolish little bird gave its head a crack against the glass, and then fell right down on to the mould in a flower-pot, quite exhausted, lying there trembling and panting. We took it up very gently, and put the little weary thing into some cold water for a moment, just to refresh it. We then carried it out into the garden and laid it on one of the shrubs, fearing that it was too far gone to recover. But what was our joy after a little while, to see it move, then shake itself about, and soon afterwards fly right away into a tall tree!

Now, dear children, having read my story, you must not skip over the rest. Having read the text, mind you pay attention to the lesson. The sparrow got itself into danger and trouble. Yes, it was its own fault. No doubt the pretty flowers in the conservatory looked very tempting; but it had no business to go in at all. And is not this just like the sinner?

Read Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” Also read Hosea 13:9: “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.”

A missionary, addressing a school, observed, “There is nothing we can properly call our own,” and put the question, “Can you think of anything that you can call your own?”

“Yes sir,” said one of the heathen girls, “there is, I think, one thing. Our sins are our own!”

Yes, dear children, your sins are your own, and every soul in hell will have to cry out for ever, “I’m lost, I’m lost! and it is all my own fault.” You are indeed a sinner. You have sinned against God, and no sin can ever enter heaven. What will become of you? Let us look at our text again.

The bird soon found out its danger, and tried to escape out of prison, but it was easier to get in than to get out.

See how hard the little creature tried to save itself! It dashed itself against one pane of glass after another, trying all ways but the right. And is not that just like the sinner?

As soon as the Holy Spirit of God shows a little boy that he is a lost sinner, and in real danger of being lost forever, the first thing he is almost sure to do is to try to save himself.

“O,” he will say, “I must begin to be a good boy, and then God will love me and save me.” So he tries to behave better than he used to. But it is all of no use; he cannot save himself!

Now, I pitied the sparrow when I saw it in such trouble, and I was quite able to set it free. Yet the foolish bird would not believe that I came as a friend, but flew from me as if I were its enemy. And so it is with the sinner.

When our dear Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, looked down from heaven, and saw that all the boys and girls, and men and women, were in dreadful danger, and quite helpless, His loving heart was filled with pity, for

“He knew how wicked man had been,

And knew that God must punish sin;

So, out of pity, Jesus said,

He’d bear the punishment instead.”

Then He left His bright home of glory in the skies, came to this world, and poured out His precious life blood. And now He stands at the door of the little sinner’s heart, and knocks and knocks again with that pierced hand from which the blood flowed. But no! the door does not fly open as you would expect. How is it? Why, the sinner looks on the Lord Jesus as an enemy, and not as a dear, kind Friend.

O, dear child, whoever you are, reading this paper, how have you treated the Lord Jesus—as an enemy or as a Friend?

Perhaps He is knocking once more at this very moment. Open—open the
door directly, and let Him come into your poor heart. At last, when the little bird was quite weary and worn out with trying to save itself, it fell down utterly helpless. Now was the time to prove that I was its real friend. Did I beat and scold it for treating us so badly, and keeping us so long waiting? No, I saved it. I carried the little weary thing to the refreshing water, and then put it in the warm sunshine, where it soon soared heavenwards!

O, poor little sinner, the sweet voice of the Lord Jesus says, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”

“I heard the voice of Jesus say,

‘Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast.’

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in Him a resting-place,

And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

‘Behold, I freely give

The living water, thirsty one,

Stoop down, and drink, and live.’”

Are you weary? Are you tired of trying to save yourself? If so, Jesus will gladly save you. Will you give yourself to Him just now? “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22: 17).

Poor mistaken bird, you say, to try and get away from the friend who was longing to save it. But, O, what a much greater mistake the sinner makes who tries to get away from that dear Friend who is waiting to be gracious!

O, come then, dear child, at once, and drink of the refreshing stream of God’s grace. Come and bathe your weary soul in the fountain of your Redeemer’s blood, rejoice in the sunshine of His love, and set out on the road to heaven.

ML 12/22/1912

O, I Am so Glad!

SOME time ago I was traveling with a Native Evangelist from India. We had been holding meetings in Portland. God greatly blessed the Word, and many yielded themselves to God. Leaving there for a distant part we took the cars for a six days’ journey.

My friend was dressed in European clothes, but wore his turban as a distinctive mark that he was an Indian. As we took our seats, I noticed a girl about fourteen get in with her mother. She kept looking at my friend, and I could not help being amused,

The curiosity of the child got stronger, till at last she said to me,

“Please, sir, is that a real live Hindoo?” pointing at my friend.

“Yes,” I replied.

“O, I am so glad; can I speak to him? Do you know I have often thought about the Hindoos. In our mission band we give our money to convert the Hindoos. O, I would like to talk to him.”

I told her how glad he would be to speak to her. “He knows English well, and loves children,” I said. So I introduced her to him. She asked him a great many questions about India, its customs and ways, what they ate, and what kind of clothes they wore.

At last she got through, and then my friend said, “Now you have asked me a lot of questions, it is my turn to ask you some. May I?”

“O, yes,” she replied.

“Have you really given your heart to Jesus? Can you say your sins are all forgiven? You have sent your money to India to convert the heathen, but are you converted?”

You ought to have seen the change in her face; how all the brightness went out of it. She hung her head and spoke so low we could scarcely hear her say, “I am not sure I can say so.”

My friend put his hand on her arm in such a loving way, and spoke so pleadingly, that it quite won her heart. “Well and would you not like to be quite sure?”

And he went on to tell her all about Jesus—how much He loved her, what He suffered, and how He bled and died so that her sins could be forgiven, and to make her His own dear child.

She looked up with tears in her eyes and said, “O, yes I would.”

So he showed her how she could be saved. First to see herself a sinner and confess her sins, and then to take Jesus as her own personal Saviour, by believing what God says in the Bible, that Jesus bore all her sins in His own body on the tree. The dear girl then and there just took Jesus as her own personal Saviour, and O, how glad she was. We did thank God!

The next day they got off the train, as she was leaving she came up with such a beaming, happy face to say goodbye, and said,

“O, I am so glad I met you, for now I can say, Jesus is my own Saviour.”

I shall never forget her bright smiling face, and the joy she had when she said,

“Now I know my sins are all forgiven, and I belong to Jesus.”

Now, dear boys and girls, or you who may read this, supposing I were to ask you this same question: “Are your sins forgiven?” What would you say? Would you hang your head like this little girl did? Or could you look up brightly, and say,

“Yes, thank God, for Jesus’ sake all my sins have been forgiven, and Jesus is my own Saviour”?

Which would you do? If you are not quite sure, I beg you for your own soul’s sake, for Jesus’ sake, Who bled and died for sinners, give yourself up to Him right away.

ML 12/22/1912

Arming the Young Knight.

TO FIND a scene such as today’s picture gives us, we would have to go back several hundred years. The center of attraction in this picture is a knight.

Knighthood originated in England nearly eight hundred years ago, and lasted for about five hundred years. Knights were trained from childhood for the service they were to render. When grown and fully prepared, they went out to fight—sometimes for their religion, sometimes to protect the weak and oppressed who needed help, and sometimes for other reasons. In any case the knight was thoroughly armed.

We can readily see this if we study our picture carefully. He was dressed from head to foot in armor, made of many pieces of metal, fastened together.

See how interested all the family are. Some of them are putting on the pieces and fastening them together, while the others look on. The father has his pinchers, hammers and other tools, to make the armor secure. Little sister is holding the helmet, which will be put over his head the last thing.

Dear reader, why was the knight dressed in this way? Was it not that he might be safe from the attack of the enemy? This armor could not be pierced by swords and daggers, and thus often kept the young knight from being killed. If we expect to go into a fight without being killed, we must be armed for that fight.

Are you armed and ready to fight? Perhaps you are surprised at this question, and answer, “I don’t fight!”

It is true you do not go out to fight the way the young man in the picture went; but if you are a Christian, there is a battle for you to fight, and the Lord tells you in His Word how you should arm yourself for this battle.

You do not have to fight against some man who has a sword. Your enemy is Satan. He is the enemy of Christ Jesus and of all His followers. You, as a Christian, should be a follower of the Lord Jesus, and always watching against this dangerous enemy.

Do you ask how you can fight him? Well, he does not come to you with a sword or a gun. You all know that. But he puts naughty thoughts in your heart, and these naughty thoughts often make you say and do naughty things.

God, in His Word, tells us the weapons we need, to save us from these attacks of Satan. You will find it in Eph. 6:10-18, and Heb. 4:12.

In this armor, your sword is the Word of God. If you meet Satan with God’s Word, he is defeated. If our thoughts are filled with God’s precious truth, there is no room for the naughty thoughts Satan would like to thrust in. This “Sword of the Spirit” is a wonderful sword, and will give you victory in every battle, if you use it.

The shield is the piece of armor held up to ward off the darts that the enemy hurls. Our shield is the “Shield of Faith”. If a man gets frightened and drops his shield, it is no protection. So we must not filar, but have faith in God. Here again the darts of Satan cannot reach us.

Dear reader, this is a great warfare we are waging, and we need constantly the Lord’s help.

Let us keep the eye fixed on Him and be ever armed with the perfect armor He supplies, so that we can say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight”. 2 Tim. 4:7.

ML 12/29/1912

"Jesus Is Mine."

JESSIE R—was a gay and thoughtless girl the first time I met her. She was at home for a few weeks with her friends during the holidays. Her cousin, who was a Christian, was very sorry to see Jessie growing up to be a young woman, caring only for the pleasures of the world. She had often spoken to her about the Lord Jesus, and told her of the blessedness of being His; but Jessie had always put her off with a laugh and a sneer. Like many young people, Jessie thought that if she became a Christian she would lose all the joy, and have to become very grave and sad.

No doubt many people get frightened at conversion, by the miserable-looking faces that some religious people wear. They give one the impression that Christ makes people miserable, and they frighten others away from Him. The Lord Jesus never made anybody sad and gloomy. He has made thousands of hearts to bound with perfect joy, and filled their tongues with singing. None are so truly happy as the people whose sins are forgiven.

But I must tell you about Jessie. Meetings for preaching the gospel were being held in the place were Jessie was spending her holidays, and after much persuasion Jessie’s cousin got her to promise to go. It was not that she cared a bit for the preaching, but she did not like to be continually refusing her cousin. She went, and was astonished to see everybody so happy. It was entirely different from what she expected. Girls of her own age were there, singing the praises of the Lamb, their very faces beaming with joy. Some of them were her companions in childhood. She knew them long ago, and now they were saved and on the way to heaven. First one, and then another of them went up to Jessie, and told her what the Lord had done for their souls. She felt uneasy, and deep down in her heart she wished that their joy was her own. Next night she offered to come of her own accord, and sat deeply interested. The hymn was given out and sung by a company of new-born souls with great power and sweetness—

“O, I have such good news for you;

A story wonderful and true:

‘Twill make you happy, that I know;

It made me glad, and now I go

To sing my great Redeemer’s song

With the happy saints above.”

Jessie could not restrain herself. The tears began to course down her cheeks, and she made no effort to hide them. Sitting down by her side, I told her of the One who came down from God to die that she might be saved, and how He had finished the work, and gone back to sit on the Father’s throne, and was waiting there to gladden the heart of every one who by faith commit their souls to Him. I pressed upon her the necessity of immediate decision for Christ, and urged upon her to make Him the Saviour and portion of her soul. I was not very sure whether she did so then or not, but we were all anxious to see her the following evening.

As I was passing on my way to the meeting, she came out of her father’s house with her Bible in her hand. There was no need for asking Jessie if she was saved. The beam of joy in her countenance told its own story. She came up and warmly shook hands with me, saying— “Jesus is mine”.

She has gone back to the busy city, with its temptations and sins; but the “everlasting arms” of her Saviour-God are underneath, to uphold and keep her. She wrote some time ago, to tell us that her joy is still in the Lord, and she does not regret having made Him the portion of her soul.

“Jesus Christ: whom not having seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Pet. 1:8.

ML 12/29/1912

The Needlework.

“As for God, His WAY is perfect.”

2 Sam. 22: 31.

“He is the Rock, His WORK is perfect.” Deut. 32: 4.

“I have finished the work which Thou gayest Me to do.” John 17: 4.

“It is finished.” John 19: 30.

A YOUNG girl, about twenty years old, who was very skillful with her needle, used to work for a large lace factory; she gave her master great satisfaction, and earned a good sum each week. She could copy the most difficult pattern exactly, and whenever the employer had some very special piece of work to be done, that needed great care, he would give it to Maggie, who did the work at her own home.

One day she told her master that she would not be able to work for him much longer, as she was to be married in a few weeks. “I am very sorry indeed, Maggie, that you are going to give up the work,” said he, “and scarcely know what I shall do with some of my difficult patterns.”

“O, sir, if you don’t mind giving the work in future to my younger sister, Mary, I think she will be able to give you perfect satisfaction, as she has so often seen me working, and can manage it nearly as well as I can.” “Well, I will gladly give her a trial.” So Mary soon began to call at the factory for the work, and the master found that she was quite competent and reliable.

One day he sent for her, and said that he had a large and important order, but the pattern was very difficult, and the work had to be done in about three weeks, So he showed her the design, and asked whether she could undertake to do it.

Mary examined it carefully, and said she fully expected to be able to manage it; so took the work home and began it in right good earnest.

But something happened that was very sad for poor Mary—the next day she was taken seriously ill! Poor girl! she tried to work but could not; her head throbbed and her hand shook, and she was obliged to go to bed and have the doctor, who told her she must not attempt to get up or do the needlework. That was a great blow for Mary, but she sent for her sister Maggie and told her what the doctor said. She was much distressed at the thought of not completing the work, and said, “What am I to do, Maggie?”

“O, never mind about that, just lie still and make haste and get well; I will take the work away and finish it in good time for the master.”

The day came, Maggie brought back the work beautifully done, and Mary was well enough by that time to take it to the office.

The gentleman examined it carefully, compared it with the pattern, and said: “I am very much pleased indeed, Mary, it is perfect; but did you really do it all yourself?”

Mary blushed, and was obliged to say, “No, sir, I only commenced it, and then was taken ill, and my sister finished the work for me.”

“O, never mind who did it,” said he, “the work is well done,” and he paid her handsomely.

Surely I need not tell you how she thanked her kind and able sister, who really did the work for which she obtained a reward!

And we, who were sick with the terrible disease of sin, and could never obtain salvation by our own efforts, can only fall down before our blessed Saviour, who has accomplished the work of redemption for us, and thank Him, not only with our lips, but in our lives, and crown Him Lord of all.

“What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” John 6:28.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT.” John 6:29.

The gospel of Thy grace

My stubborn heart has won;

For God so loved the world,

He gave His only Son,

That “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!

Shall everlasting life receive!”

The serpent “lifted up”

Could life and healing give,

So Jesus on the cross

Once died that we might live;

For “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!

Shall everlasting life receive!”

“The soul that sinneth dies,”

My awful doom I heard;

I was forever lost,

But for Thy gracious word,

That “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!

Shall everlasting life receive!”

“Not to condemn the world”

The “Man of Sorrows” came;

But that the world might have

Salvation through His name;

For “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!

Shall everlasting life receive!”

ML 12/29/1912

Messages of God's Love: 1912

Table of Contents

Answers to Bible Questions for November.

Bible History.

Yet There Is Room.

Simplicity.

The Contented Flock.

Bible History.

"Isn't That Good?"

Fifty Years a Prisoner.

A Happy Household.

Fifty Year a Prisoner.

Answered Prayer.

Close of Day.

The Indian Chief and His Son.

Bible History.

"Childlike Confidence."

Answers to Bible Questions for December.

Bible History.

Stories About India.

Washing.

Bunny Cottontail.

Bible History.

Stories About India.

A Faithful Valet

Fred's Birthday.

Five Prayers and Their Answers.

Stories About India.

The Grey Wolf.

Bible History.

The Sceptic and the Jew.

Oberlin's Mother in Law

Answers to Bible Questions for January.

Bible History.

Stories About India.

A Dog's Gratitude.

John 3:16.

The Pet Bird.

Bible History.

Tom Paine's Deathbed

Stories About India.

Oxen Plowing.

Bible History.

Thou Art Worthy.

Stories About India.

Jack Ashore.

Bible History.

The Stolen Currants.

Stories About India.

Jesus and the Children.

Lost.

Bible History.

Stories About India.

Answers to Bible Questions for February.

On the Ice.

The Lie.

Stories About India.

The Prize.

Bible History.

Stories About India.

Supper Time.

Stories About India.

Reverence God's Word.

The Lamb of God.

Bible History.

"Have You Such Love for the Bible?"

The Snow Prayer.

Answers to Bible Questions for March.

A Letter for the Editor.

Happy Times.

What Can Wash Away Stains?

The Precious Legacy; or Twice Inherited.

"Blessed Are the Merciful."

The Precious Legacy; or Twice Inherited.

Sheep.

Bible History.

Mirza, the Gospel Man.

Which?

Kindness.

Bible History.