Messages of God's Love: 1913

WHAT a pretty scene we have in our picture: all look so happy and contented! Why is this so? You see how tame the doves are, and the little folks do not act one bit afraid; then pussy, too, looks very comfortable as she lies inside the mill on one of the bags of wheat. I think they all look so happy and trustful because there is no evil around; they know the miller is a kind man, and that no harm can come to any of them.

Then the doves find this a good place for picking up bits of grain for food, and kitty has her dish of milk served out here, too. Wouldn’t it be happy if boys and girls would choose to linger about only such places that they are sure no evil could come to them? Unsaved friends are sure to interest us in evil places, if we make them our companions, for their whole thought is only for this life, and to have as good a time as possible. How much better a time the boy or girl has who knows Jesus and seeks to live devotedly to Him! God’s Word says to saved ones to keep themselves “unspotted from the world,” and what pleasure there is in trying to do this, for we know then, that we are pleasing Him. What a lonely life the Lord Jesus had when He was on this earth, and think how men despised Him then. It is very sad that it is so, but the world still despises Him, and wants to go on having a good time in their own way apart from Him!

How different we feel when we mingle with those whom we know love the Lord Jesus; we can talk with them about Jesus, and instead of being harmed, we get food and help for our souls. So much depends upon the companionship you choose, dear children; you cannot he occupied with the Lord, His tender care over you each day and His love to you, and have worldly friends as bosom companions. In Matt. 6:24 we read, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

“THEREFORE, IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATURE:OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.” 2 Cor. 5:17.

We were all by sin undone,

Yet He loved us, every one;

So to earth He kindly came,

On the cross to bear our shame,

And to wash away our guilt

In the precious blood He spilt.

Messages of God’s Love 1/5/1913

The Martyr of Piedmont

Part 1

MY young readers have doubtless heard or read of the Waldenses, who live in the beautiful valleys of Piedmont in Italy. During the dark centuries of the middle ages, when the truth of God had almost vanished from the earth, and the Romish church had bound nearly all the people of well-known countries in ignorance and superstition, it was the Waldenses, who, in spite of the greatest pressure and the most cruel persecution, preserved the Word of God in their midst. The steep, rocky walls that enclose the valleys have heard too often the murderous shouts of bloodthirsty soldiers and the sighs and groans of dying Christians. Yet, for all the schemes, the Romish church tried, it did not succeed in banishing the blessed truths of the Bible. On the contrary, the Word of God became more and more spread, and the gospel of the grace of God was accepted by thousands.

In course of time, however, it could not be concealed that many errors had slipped into the midst of the Waldenses, The Devil, the prince of this world, goes constantly about, sowing tares among the wheat, and thus he did there. But the greater part of the Waldensian churches remained true to the truth of the gospel, and when the joyful news of the great Reformation in Germany and Switzerland had reached Piedmont, the faithful Waldenses were filled with desire to participate also in this blessing of God.

With this object they sent one of their most beloved teachers, Martin Gonin, to Geneva. Gonin was a God-fearing man, and a model to all in his life. For a long time he had noticed with deep concern the errors that had slipped in among the Waldenses, and it was his earnest hope to see them given up. He therefore. seized this opportunity to seek help and counsel from the pious William Farel, who lived in Geneva. In the closing days of the year 1556 he entered Geneva, and received a very friendly welcome from Farel.

The words of this dear man of God were a great blessing to him. Quickened and strengthened for fresh work, he returned to Piedmont in April, 1557, to preach the truth of God and to help on the work of the Reformation with all his power. But the thoughts and ways of God are not often like ours. Martin had to experience that. He was to witness to the truth in quite a different way from what lie thought. He had scarcely crossed the frontier of the Dutchy of Chansaur, as it was then called, when he was arrested as a spy and thrown into the prison in Grenoble. A trial was given him, to decide his fate. He was minutely examined, and as his answers betrayed nothing suspicious, he was declared innocent.

With joyful heart, Martin thought now of leaving the prison. But God wished to be glorified through him in another way. When the rough jailer, who felt angry at his prisoner being freed after such short imprisonment, entered his cell to conduct him into the street, it occurred to him to search his pockets. Unhappily, Gonin had various letters with him, which William Farel and other believers had written to the Christians of Piedmont. Although he had concealed them as carefully as possible, the sharp eyes of the jailer soon discovered them. A malicious smile broke over his features, and without saying a word, he left the cell and carefully closed the door. Our friend was once more a prisoner. Despondently he lay down on his hard bed. Gloomy thoughts crowded in upon him. Gradually, however, he became quieter. His eyes were directed upwards, and soon a quiet calm possessed his heart.

Three days after, Martin was led before- his judges for the second time. Scarcely had he entered when the president attacked him with the angry words:

“You are a spy after all, for you have suspicious letters with you.”

“If the gentlemen will read the letters,” was the quiet and gentle reply of Martin, “they will soon discover that they contain nothing about war or communications with kings or high officials. They contain only earnest encouragements for a holy life, according to the will of God.” “Where do you come from?” asked the judge. “You are a Lutheran; these letters prove it.” “I belong to Angronne, in Piedmont,” replied Martin, “and come from Geneva, where I have stayed for several months, and am now on my way back to my Fatherland. I am not a Lutheran, and have no wish to be. For Father did not die for me, but Jesus Christ did, and I call myself after Him—for Him I will live and die!”

He was then asked whom he had visited in Geneva. When he mentioned the well-known name “‘William Farel,” the president cried, “He is the greatest Lutheran in the world.”

“That is not right,” replied the prisoner earnestly, “he is a dear servant of God, who unfolds the Word of God, pure and uncorrupted, as it was in the apostles’ time.”

“Do you believe, then,” asked the official, “that the ordinances and teaching of the Only Holy Church, as for example, the Mass. Purgatory acid Absolution, are false?” “The Word of God,” replied Martin, is the only rule and guide for our life, and as I do not find these things you mention in it, I must reject them as errors.”

The judges appeared to be silenced by the simple and resolute words of Martin. After a few minutes’ pause, the president said:

“That is enough for today. Tomorrow we will have the priests brought together and will then see if you will make such bold answers to them.”

The prisoner was led back to his cell. Martin knew how grave the danger he was in, but his heart was filled with wonderful peace. With confidence in Him who had promised to be strength to the weak and to give them a mouth and wisdom which all their adversaries shall not be able to gainsay, he met the coming day without fear. A great number of priests and monks had gathered early in the court house. Soon after, the judges appeared in their long, dark robes. Martin was then led in and the trial began.

“Will you answer today otherwise than you did yesterday?” asked the president. “I do not know what questions will be asked me today,” was the simple answer. “In whom do you believe?”

With courage and earnestness, the prisoner looked around on the whole silent assembly. Then he said in a firm voice, “To this question I can answer in a few words, I believe in God the Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/5/1913

The Name of Jesus

PRECIOUS is the name of Jesus;

Sweetest name on earth;

Who in heaven or earth can utter

All its worth?

God so named Him. when a Saviour

He from glory came;

Fragrant now, and fragrant ever

Is that name.

Jesus! name divine and holy

To His own, how dear!

For when uttered, it will banish

Every fear.

Blessed name! the name of Jesus!

He for sins has died;

Once to save poor sinners, He was

Crucified.

Now in heaven, He still is Jesus,

To whom all must bow;

O! how glad the heart that to Him

Boweth now.

Praise that precious name of Jesus,

Praise Him evermore!

Heaven and earth shall own Him worthy,

And adore!

Messages of God’s Love 1/5/1913

A Scene in Holland

HOW active everybody and everything is in this picture. It is so cold that the horses and dogs as well as the people are made to move about lively. What a difference there is in the climate of different countries. It would be a very difficult thing for a man of Africa to live in Holland, or in any other country where the winters are very cold. God has fitted certain people and animals for certain countries; they have been born and accustomed to the climate and habits of their own country.

We see how God prepares the animals of our own country for the change of seasons. As winter comes on, notice what a heavy coat the horse is given; then as summer approaches, the hairs come out and the horse is more comfortable during the hot weather. You know how your pussy, too, has a good coat of fur in the winter, and then how she sheds this fur, when the weather gets warmer.

How careful the Lord is of all His creatures; we often do not stop to think about His care over all. The people in our picture seem very happy. The children as well as the older ones look well prepared too, for their travels on the ice. What a good time they seem to be having! But I wonder if they are among the number who have a right to be happy? It is only as the love of Jesus is in our hearts that we really have the right to be happy. The unsaved one does not know where he may be the very next hour. God’s Word says, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” An eternity away from Jesus is the saddest thing that we can think of. How different it is with a saved person! He can be truly happy under any circumstances. Should death suddenly overtake such a one, it is “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8.

Now the question for you to answer is, do you really have the right to be nappy? Satan sometimes makes people seem to be happy, who, away down in their hearts, are really not. Make sure that he is not deceiving you by giving you good times and other things to make you think you are happy. To know Jesus as your own Saviour and Lord, can alone satisfy your heart.

“HAPPY IS THAT PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD.” Psa. 144:15.

Messages of God’s Love 1/12/1913

The Martyr of Piedmont

Part 2

“How and what do you pray?”

“Just what the Spirit of God teaches me,” replied Martin.

“You despise, therefore, the ordinances of our Holy Church?” asked the president, as he cast a significant look towards the surrounding priests.

Martin took note of the look, but it did not intimidate him. Fearlessly he answered: “They are all human ordinances, which, as the Word of God says, will come to nothing.”

At these words arose low, angry voices among the audience; then here and there were loud cries of, “Why need we trouble ourselves to question him further? A child can understand that he is a cursed heretic!” The noise became greater. The rage of the fanatical monks knew no hounds.

At last the president demanded silence, as he saw the prisoner desired to speak. Only with difficulty did he succeed in restoring order.

“If,” said Martin in courageous tones, “the prophets and the Lord Jesus Christ, with His apostles, were heretics, then will I gladly be one, too. I believe in no other teaching than the teaching of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and will myself teach no other.”

The suppressed tumult broke out again with increased force. The president was forced to adjourn the trial till the following day, and the prisoner was again led back to his cell. For four days, the priests and monks sought to convince him of his supposed errors, but he answered them with strong and clear proofs, out of the Holy Scriptures. He tried to show them that it is an error to believe that Christ is offered again and again in the form of bread at the Lord’s supper, for the sins of the living and the dead. “For,” he said, “Christ by His own blood entered in once, in the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. (Heb. 9:12.) Therefore, the continuous offering of Christ is an abuse, a deception and not founded on the Holy Scripture.” This took place on the fourth day. When he had ended, there arose a dreadful tumult, “Strike the heretic dead!” was heard from all sides. “He is a child of the Devil. He does not believe in the Holy Mass and the Holy Sacrament. Away with him!”

Martin was now handed over to the chief jailer, to be shut up in a dark tower. Soon the judgment of death was pronounced on the incorrigible heretic and teacher of false doctrines. It was determined to throw him, at night, into the river Iser (a tributary of the Rhone, which flows past Grenoble) in order to prevent him addressing the people on the way to the place of execution and perhaps gain some over to the new doctrine. Martin Gonin, in the meantime, sat in his dark prison. No ray of light penetrated the thick, massive wails of the tower, no human sound reached his ear. But the light of grace illumined his soul, and the Prince of Life spoke friendly and encouraging words to the heart of the poor prisoner. The enemies outside might decide as to his life, but he knew Him who had taken the sting from death and had said: “Whosoever will lose his life for My sake, shall find it.”

It was on the 26th of April, 1557. At midnight the heavy doors of the prison creaked on their hinges. The executioner, accompanied by his assistants and the jailer, entered the narrow cell. He ordered the bands of the prisoner to be taken off, and to lead him out.

“Where are you leading me to, friends?” said Martin gently. As he received no answer, he continued: “I see very well that you wish to throw me into the river, so that nobody will see it. Do not forget, however, that God can see what is done in secret. I die willingly, but, nevertheless, I wish from my whole heart that He may open your eyes and show you what a fearful sin you are committing. Let us go, in God’s name. Let be done to me, as it may please Him.”

Quietly he allowed his hands to be bound by the jailer, and was lead away to the river. On the way he prayed quietly, and exhorted his enemies to accept Jesus as their Saviour. Thus the water was reached. Impetuously the river rolled by, but for Martin the terror of death had disappeared. Having no home down here, he directed the eyes of faith to the Father’s house above; the door of which was open to receive him.

The jailer tied a cord to the feet of the martyr: Martin begged permission to speak Only a few words to the people standing about. For the last time on this earth, he lifted up his voice, and solemnly warned his hearers to believe in Jesus Christ, and to trust in His work, which alone was sufficient to take away sin. In supplicating tones, he pleaded with his murderers to turn to the God of all grace who would accept them, also, with open arms of love. When Martin ended, a deep stillness reigned around him. All were astonished at his calmness in the face of so dreadful a death. Many eyes were moist, and here and there rose a murmur: “He has been treated unjustly; he is a man of God.” But the jailer gave the signal to end the sad spectacle. Gonin fell down on his knees and thanked God with a loud voice that He had given him such rich grace and love and mercy in His Son Jesus Christ, and had taken away the bitterness of death from him.

He concluded with the words: “O, my loving Saviour through my sins I deserved death, but Thy death has become my life. Into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” When he rose, the jailer seized him and threw a noose round his head and drew it so tight that the martyr, almost suffocated, sank to the ground. Then he pushed him into the water, and held the cord which had been fastened to his feet, till Gonin showed no more signs of movement. Then he cut the cord in two, and let the lifeless body be carried down the stream. Like a subdued lament, the waves sang their monotonous chant, but the soul, of the martyr had entered into its eternal rest, into the Father’s house, where tears no longer flow.

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10).

Messages of God’s Love 1/12/1913

Be Not Deceived, God Is Not Mocked

AT the time of the French revolution, there lived and officiated near W. in the Province of Alsace, a clergyman who, although he had never believed the Bible to be the Word of God, preached it, because of the good salary that was connected with his position. But when Christianity was openly set aside, and the terrors of the revolution reached their climax, he thought the time had come for him also to confess his unbelief: As an openly declared infidel, he mounted the pulpit, tore the Bible into fragments, and threw them on the floor, with these awful words: “Thou miserable book of lies, enough of the lies I have lied to the people out of thee. I will no longer be a hypocrite.”

When, after some years, the reaction came, and times of order and quietness, as well as liberty of conscience, in the toleration of the Christian religion; this very man sought a new place as preacher of that book which he had so dreadfully derided and blasphemed. He succeeded in finding a church, and was again put into office as clergyman. But God’s long suffering towards him was at an end. While attempting to preach again he all of a sudden became violently insane and had to be chained. No other sound came from his mouth hut the noise of the barking of a dog. In this condition he died after some time, to the warning of others, that they might fear.

“Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” Heb. 12:28, 29.

Messages of God’s Love 1/12/1913

I Don't Want to Be Left Behind

AFTERNOON lessons and addresses were over in a Sunday school not long since, and the classes were leaving in their usual order, when a girl went to get her little brother from the infant class of boys. She found him just ready to cry, and he said to her in a most dismal tone, “O, I don’t want to be left behind.”

“No, dear, of course not,” answered his sister; “I have come now to take you home, as I always do, you know.”

“O, I don’t mean that at all,” said the little fellow; “I mean what the teacher has been talking about.”

“And what has he been talking about?”

“Why, about the Lord Jesus coming soon to take all who love Him up to live with Him; and the teacher said some people would he left behind, and, O, I don’t want to be left behind.”

The little boy’s sister perhaps told him that those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus would not be left behind when He comes to call away all of His own, for he trotted home happily by her side.

Now, does not this incident show plainly to you, dear children, that even the youngest in the Sunday school—tiny boys and girls in the infant classes—can understand and can remember something at least of what is told them by their teachers if they will only pay attention.

The Lord Jesus is certainly coming, and we know not how soon, to take all His own people—all who love Him—to be forever with Himself in glory. He loves little children particularly, and wishes them to come to Him now, and be ready to go to be with Him when He comes.

Should you be willing to be “left behind,” or do you say from your inmost heart, like little Willie, “I don’t want to be left behind”?

If so, accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour right now, and you will be “ready,” and you will be one of His watching and waiting ones.

If your father or mother, whom you love so dearly, has been away from you for some time, and you know that he or she is about to return, but you do not know the hour, yet you want very much to be the first to run out and meet them, do you not keep waiting at the door, and watching from the window to catch the very first sight or sound of their coming? Our Lord said, “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.” Luke 12:37. May that rich blessing be yours, dear little reader; may you so be found, “Abiding in Him that you will not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” 1 John 2:28.

O, think of the joy, the bliss of meeting the Lord in the air, and of going home with Him! Think also of what it would be to be “LEFT BEHIND.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/12/1913

The Tomb of Grace Darling

DO you know the story about Grace Darling? These little folks in our picture have heard it many times, I’m sure, and so have come to put flowers on her tomb. This tomb is way over in England, for that is where Grace Darling lies buried. You see her grave is near the ocean side. Her father was a light house keeper on one of the islands of the sea, so she learned to love the water, and not to be afraid of it.

Early one morning in the year 1838, a steamer was wrecked near this light house, and the people were rapidly perishing. In spite of the danger of such an undertaking, Grace Darling begged her father to go with her in a boat to try and rescue some of the drowning. So the brave girl and her father made two trips over the stormy, heaving billows and saved nine out of the sixty-three passengers. News of this brave deed spread rapidly all over England, and the English people made up a large sum of money to give to this heroine.

This is one who risked her life; do you know of One who willingly gave His life to save others? You could never be saved had this One not given His life for you. You are a sinner, and you could never meet God with even one sin upon you. Jesus died on the cross to put away your sins; His life blood was given for you. “Without shedding of blood is no remission,” God’s Word says. This means your sins could be remitted or put away in no other way, than by the blood shedding of your Saviour.

How much appreciation the English people showed the girl who risked her life to save others. Do you really love the Lord Jesus in return for all that He did by dying for you? How much you owe Him for all that He passed through to put away your sins! Have you believed all this? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour? Nothing good that you can do, can save you; remember,

“IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL.” Lev. 17:11.

Messages of God’s Love 1/19/1913

Our Father's Care

Part 1

TIS now five o’clock on a wintry morn,

And there in the east lies the lingering dawn,

The old parish clock had just finished its stroke,

When suddenly starting, poor Nellie awoke:

So young and so little, so slender and spare,

What work can she do in this city of care!

She wakes up to poverty, hardship and pain—

Poor child! nestle down there, and slumber again.

But, noshe is rising—there wants nothing more,

To rouse her from that humble bed on the floor:

She catches tight hold of a rickety chair,

And stands for a moment unconsciously there;

And then, as her little limbs shiver and shake,

The light of her spirit begins to awake.

The gas lamp that burns in the alley below,

Just gives light enough in the chamber to show

Her poor mother quietly laid on her bed,—

So quiet that Nelly thinks, “Is mother dead?”

And creeps near to listen. “O, no! she’s at rest,

And here’s pretty baby asleep on her breast.

And I will not wake her—poor mother, O, no—

She says I am now all her comfort below;

And we should soon perish of hunger, she said,

If I was not able to work for the bread.”

She takes up her clothes, that had lain on the bed,

No blanket had Nelly, they served her instead;

She puts them as decently on as she may,

But many a fastening had broken away,

To fasten them close, they were folded and pinned,

To keep them from blowing about in the wind.

And over the whole was a red woolen shawl,

And mother’s black bonnet surmounted it all.

“Ah! Nelly, my darling,” the sick woman said,

“And are you now ready my good little maid?

Get off to the market before it is late,

And don’t let the loiterers tempt you to wait,

Use plenty of water to wash the cress sweet,

And tie all the hunches up pretty and neat,

And remember that God keeps you always in sight,

And sees through the dark, just as well as the light.

So run off, my blessing, and don’t be afraid,

For God will take care of my good little maid.”

“Good bye,” said the child, “I shall run all the way,

And buy the first cress in the market today.”

And so she goes forth in the dark and the cold,

A brave little girl of but eight years old.

The Farringdon market is open at five,

To sell to a hovering, shivering hive,

Of destitute children, and indigent poor,

The fresh water cresses they sell at the door.

The bright flaring lamp in the cress market shows

Their thin eager faces and old tattered clothes.

But see—pushing through the confusion and din,

That mite of a child is now hurrying in;

She elbows her way on to look at the cress,

And chooses her lot, be it many or less,

She pays for her bundle, and hurries along,

And pushes her way through the jostling throng;

Then squats on her heels in the slippery street,

To pick the cress over, and tie it up neat.

Then off to the pump she courageously goes,

Ah me! for those poor little half frozen toes!

The cold water streams on her fingers and feet,

And splashes below, on the stones of the street.

A sob and a shudder that nobody heard,

A quiver of anguish, but never a word.

She slings on her basket, the washing is

And stamps on the pavement to make the blood run,

Then raises her voice in the dim London street,

So plaintively trilling, so simple and sweet.

“Fresh water cresses! sweet water cresses!

O, pray come and buy my sweet water cresses.”

O! ye who have plenty, look out and behold

This brave little girl of but eight years old.

And Nelly’s poor mother is sick and alone,

No neighbor to visit her; no, she had none,

She could not rise up from her contfortless bed,

But this was the prayer she constantly said,

“Lord give us this day our daily bread!

We have not a friend in the world but Thee,

And we are as poor as poor can be,

O Father in heaven, take pity on me!

I have not a warrant, or merit, or claim,

Except that I come in my Saviour’s dear name,

And I have Thy promise to hear the same.

I bring unto Thee my trouble and care,

A burden too heavy for me to bear;

I bring it to Thee and do not despair.

Look down in Thy mercy and feed us today,

Thou knowest our need, and Thou knowest the way,

Thou knowest that I can do nothing but pray.

O! give to my poor little Nelly success,

That she may find custom today for her cress;

I do not ask more and I cannot ask less.

Thy hand has supported me many a year;

Through sorrow and trouble, through danger and fear,

I’ve known that my heavenly Father was near,

I’ve known my dear Saviour was pleading for me,

A poor worthless sinner accepted by Thee;

Accepted in Him who was nailed to the tree.

Now Father I wait for Thy mercy to move;

I watch for the sign of Thy pitying love,

And all my dependence is settled above.”

And thus she prayed on in her desolate home,

And counted the hours till Nelly should come.

And still little Nelly kept singing her song,

And thought to herself as she trotted along,

“They’re nearly all sold, I have only a few,

And I shall sell them in a minute or two.”

Then smiling she nodded her rough little head—

“If folks only work, they’ll be sure to have bread,

Because the kind Father who lives in the skies,

Can see us down here with His wonderful eyes.

And He can see father and mother and me,

And knows all our troubles as sure as can be.

I told Him that mother was hungry and sick;

And begged He would send me some customers quick,

And then in a minute they came for my cress,

All wanted a penn-orth, and none wanted less;

And soon I’ll be having some buyers for these—

“Four bunches a penny—sweet water cresses.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/19/1913

Forgiveness

THIS wet, chilly evening, our dear old couple are having a great surprise. Years have passed since they have seen this face now strange to them. They cannot believe what this sailor man is telling them; he is trying to assure them that he is their own son, Tom. He ran away from them in his willfulness, when, but a mere boy, for the sake of adventure on the sea. These aged parents are slow in being convinced that this is really their Tom. When they are made to realize that he is their child, do you think they will be angry with him and refuse him a home because of his past disobedience? No, indeed, they will not; this is not a loving parent’s heart. Every devoted parent is full of forgiveness for naughty children. Did you ever count the number of times that mother forgave you in one day, or in one week?

Little people are apt to do wrong many, many times every day, —how good of parents to forgive and look over these trying things.

This parent love but feebly represents the love of Jesus for lost ones. He cares for the very naughtiest people, yes, for the most willful ones, and gave His life for them before they were ever born. He knew how wayward we would be, and that there would be no hope of our making peace with God, His Father, unless He shed His blood for us.

What a wonderful thing forgiveness is, to know that we are perfect in God’s sight, because Jesus has put our sins away. Are your sins forgiven? You can never call God your Father till you believe in Jesus as your Saviour,—the only One who can cleanse you from all sin.

“Forgiveness! ‘twas a joyful sound

To guilty sinners doomed to die:

We’d publish it the world around,

And gladly shout it through the sky.”

“FOR 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.

Messages of God’s Love 1/26/1913

What Answer Would You Give?

IN a gospel address, I had been endeavoring to show, on the authority of the Word of God, that a Christian may say confidently, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:12.

“We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor. 5:1.

“We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life.” 1 John 3:14.

Perhaps you cannot understand how this can be, but I will tell you the best way to know these things. Go where you can be alone and quiet, and just kneel down, ask God to teach you by His holy Spirit, and if you do this, it is more than probable that you will meet a Saviour—the very One you need, if you are unsaved, whether you know it or not. Be honest now, acknowledge your need and accept God’s terms. Pray the publican’s prayer, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13.) If you can say this from your heart you are the one to whom these words apply; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:15) Job learned many lessons, and one important one enabled him to say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” It was the Spirit of God who taught him this, for it is impossible to learn it in any other way.

The address was closed with prayer that God would send the Word home to the hearts and consciences of those present.

After the meeting, I spoke to a girl who was present.

“Can you say what Job said, ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’?” I asked her. She was honest in her answer. Nay, more. She was honest before God, and with her own soul, and she replied, “No, I cannot.”

“Why not?” I inquired. “Is there any hindrance on God’s part? Has He not done everything to enable you to say it? Would you like to be able to say it tonight?”

She answered, “Yes,” and she was advised to go home and get alone with God.

About three weeks passed, and she came again to hear the glad tidings. The portion of Scripture read was Rom. 10:8, 9. At the close of the meeting I again spoke to her, and said there was no need to go through the old, old story, which she knew so well, having attended the Sunday school for a long time.

I told her that my Saviour was all to me that He had promised to be, and although

“My love is oftimes low,

My joy still ebbs and flows;

But peace with Him remains the same,

No change Jehovah knows.”

Then I asked her if she would have my Saviour as her Saviour, and after a few moments’ hesitation, she answered, “Yes.”

How easy it was for me to believe her, after her reply to my other question!

Dear boy or girl, or whoever may be reading this, can you say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth”? Do be honest in your answer. If you say, “No, I cannot,” I also appeal to you, and say, “Will you have my Saviour as your Saviour?”

If you say “Yes,” you will give joy in the presence of the angels of God, you will also have unspeakable joy, and you will be able to look forward to an eternity spent in His presence where there is fulness of joy, at His right hand where there are pleasures’ for evermore. (Psa. 16:11.)

Messages of God’s Love 1/26/1913

Our Father's Care

Part 2

A gentleman stood by his low window seat

And saw the poor child in the dull foggy street;

“O! Saviour,” he said, “and this infant may be

A lamb of the fold who is looking to Thee.”

And hastily tapped with his hand on the pane,

As Nelly was turning off into the lane

“All right,” thought the child as she nodded her head,

“Sure I am the woman that earns mother’s bread.”

The gentleman came down himself to the door,

A handful of bread from his table he bore,

He looked at the poor little shivering thing,

And marveled that she had the courage to sing.

“I’ll buy your nice cress for my breakfast,” said he,

“But perished with cold I am sure you must be.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Nelly, “I’m cold, it is true,

But then I have plenty of work now to do,

My father is ill in the hospital, sir,

My mother’s in bed, and too weakly to stir,”

Then lifting her basket, she cheerily said,

“So I am the woman that works for the bread.”

The gentleman told her to call the next day,

And gave her a sixpence on going away.

Then did little Nellie’s heart sing with delight,

And all things about her seemed dancing in light,

“What would mother like,” she kept saying aloud,

Unnoticed, unheard by the hurrying crowd,

The coffee smelt pleasant, and eggs white as snow,

With rolls and fresh butter were placed in a row,

But Nelly turned from them, and went on her way

“I think mother wouldn’t buy these things today.

I’ll buy her some tea, and some butter and coals,

Here’s plenty of bread and two beautiful rolls,

I’m sure she was right not to murmur and grieve,

She said, ‘Do your best, and we’ll pray and believe,’

I will always pray and believe for the rest,

And God knows I’m trying to do for the best.”

And now let us look in that poor upper room,

And, say, shall we find only sickness and gloom?

A small fire is burning, the water is hot,

The tea is put into the little teapot.

And Nelly tells over and over again,

How loud the kind gentleman tapped on the pane.

“Oh! Nelly, my blessing, the lions may roar,

And suffer from hunger; but still evermore

That word shall stand fast of our Saviour who said,

Who trust in His promise shall surely be fed;

We’re like the poor sparrows that chirp in the eaves,

Not one is forgotten, but some way receives

A crumb or a grain, that was scattered or sown

For those who’ve no storehouse or barn of their own.

I hear them a chirping before it is day,

And think to myself, you shall teach me to pray;

My cupboard is empty, and starved I must be,

Unless God should scatter some crumbs down for me.”

And so the days passed without fear or despair,

But hard days of labor and patience they were;

The rain beat on Nelly, she rose ere the light,

Her limbs were oft weary, her small face was white,

But like a brave woman, she kept to her post,

And when it blew hardest, she struggled the most.

Oh! yes, they had puzzles and troubles enou’,

The candle burnt out, and the fire burnt low,

And things would get dirty, as everyone knows,

And Nelly was little to wash out the clothes,

And rent day would come, and the rent must be paid,

And they had no help but the water cress trade.

And so they had poverty, hardship and pain,

Not two or three times, but again and again.

Yet Nelly’s good mother still held up her head,

‘Twas the will of her heavenly Father, she said,

And things would grow better, safe under His care;

If not—He would give her the patience to bear.

She’d never mistrust that His promise stood fast,

Through rough or through smooth, it would come right at last.

But tidings now reached her of sorrow and fear,

Sad news for the poor, lonely mother to hear;

Her husband was rapidly wasting away,

The doctor had said, he might die any day,

And Nelly was sent, as the day’s work could spare,

To see how he was, and to comfort him there.

One morning her mother said, “Go, Nelly, dear,

I think, by my feelings, the end must be near,

And try and remember the words we have read,

The beautiful things our Saviour has said,

And don’t let him fret for our troubles, dear man,

But cheer him, my blessing, as well as you can.”

Then Nelly set off to the great house alone,

‘Mongst the sick and the dying, as she often had done,

And through the long ward, as the little child passed,

Kind looks of compassion upon her were cast.

She stood by the bed—was her father asleep?

His face was so white, and his eyes were so deep.

Messages of God’s Love 1/26/1913

Bible Questions for February

Answers to Bible Questions for December

1.“Only take heed”, etc. Deut. 4:9

2.“If there be among you”, etc. 15:7

3.“Beware that thou,” etc. 8:11

4.“And ye shall overthrow,” etc. 12:3

5.“Thou shalt not take,” etc. 5:11

6.“Honor thy father,” etc. 5:16

7.“And thou shalt teach them,” etc. 6:7

Bible Questions for February

The answers are to be found in Matthew, chapters 1 to 14.

1.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus turned Him about.”

2.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus stretched forth His hand”.

3.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus sent the multitude away”.

4.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus went about”.

5.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus knew their thoughts”.

6.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus began to preach”.

7.Write the verse containing the words, “Jesus put forth His hand”.

Messages of God’s Love 2/2/1913

Story of Agnes T.

IT was a beautiful evening in the month of May, 1874. We had just finished a Gospel service in the hall, in the town of A—, and most of the people had gone home. My fellow-laborer and I were both preparing to go, when a young girl of about fifteen came up to us, and very politely asked, “Can I have a little conversation with you? I could not sleep last night for thinking about how I should meet God. I would like to have the assurance that Jesus is mine.” The words were spoken in faltering tones, and finished amid suppressed sobs and tears.

We told her of the One who had come down to seek and to save the lost, and how anxious He was to lay her, a lost and wandering sheep, upon His shoulder.

But Agnes did not then allow His hand to lift her up. She thought herself too bad for Jesus. A few nights after, she heard some young people speaking about Jesus’ willingness to save, and the thought crossed her mind, “If Jesus be willing to save others, He will be willing to save me, too, and I ought to allow Him to do it,” and so Agnes, then and there, just as she was, a lost and helpless sinner, committed herself to Jesus, and she was saved for eternity.

For about a year after Agnes was converted she walked with God, and served Him as a domestic servant; and in that humble sphere she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour. Her conversion was manifest in the kitchen as well as at the prayer meeting, and her testimony was blessed in leading weary souls to Jesus.

Agnes left an old Bible in the house where she then served. She was in the habit of marking favorite passages, and she had marked, among others, a verse that was read to her that night when she was anxious in the hall. It was this— “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins; return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.” (Isa. 46:22) The servant who succeeded Agnes in the same situation, in turning over the leaves of the old Bible one night was arrested and saved through reading this; and thus the simple act of Bible marking, by one who loved and walked with God, was made a finger-post to point a weary soul to Christ.

But the Lord who loved her, had chosen another path for Agnes—a path of honor and holy service, in which she was sustained to her latest hour, and enabled by His grace to glorify His name. She was called to enter the furnace of affliction, and there—in the midst of the sharpest pain, extending over a period of five years, sometimes in hospitals far from home and loved ones, and sometimes in her mother’s cottage—to let it be known how Christ can satisfy the soul, and rejoice the hearts of His saints even here. It was a real pleasure to spend a quiet hour by the side of Agnes’ couch.

We sometimes visit the sick; and we always felt on visiting Agnes that it was to our gain: she was always so bright and cheerful, and so full of Christ. She was constantly meditating on the Word, and gathering its riches for her own soul, and she liked to share them with others. One day we looked in to see Agnes, and found her reclining with her Bible open by her side.

“O,” she said, as we entered, “I’ve just been asking the Lord to send somebody to help me to beat out some gleanings I’ve been getting today, and you’ll just sit down and do it.”

“And what have you been getting Today, Agnes?” we asked.

“O, I’ve been reading about the great and costly stones being prepared for Solomon’s temple. I have only got this length with it, that they were first dug out from the quarries, and then, after that, they passed into the hands of the ‘stone-squarers’ to have all the rough bits knocked off, and to be prepared to fill their places, in the temple of the Lord. We are told that the house was built of stone, made ready before it was brought thither, and there was to be no hammer or axe heard after that.” (1 Kings 6:7.) And, grasping my hand with delight, she added— “He dug me out from the quarry five years ago, and now here I am being polished and squared; and when once He has finished the work, He will lift me up and put me into the place He is preparing me to fill in His temple up yonder; and won’t that be grand?” Yes, that will be grand; and dear Agnes is now filling her place in the temple above. The “squaring” and “chiseling” are all over now, and she has gone to her rest and home.

Most sweetly does her early choice, her joyous, peaceful life, and her triumphant entrance to her home above, invite you, my reader, to the One who can do as much for you. It was Jesus who saved and kept, and took Agnes T—in triumph to her home; and He is willing to do all this for you. Will you commit yourself to Him, and allow Him to save you?

Messages of God’s Love 2/2/1913

Our Father's Care

Part 3

She touched his thin hand, as it lay on the sheet,

And then with her little voice steady and sweet,

Said “Father! dear father,” and then kissed his brow,

“Mother wants very bad to know how you are now.”

He opened his eyes, with a heavy drawn sigh;

“Ah! Nelly, you’ve come to see poor father die—

Sit down on the bed, child—sit down by me here,

‘Tis hard work to leave you, without any fear;

You must be starved, darling, for what can you do?

The family can’t be supported by you.

And how did you fare yesterday in the storm,

With nothing to eat, and no fire to warm?”

“I’ll tell you,” said Nelly, and sat on the bed;

‘At present I’ve always earned plenty of bread.

Well—yesterday morning, the time that I wake,

Our window was rattling, ready to break.

And rain battered on it, till mother did say,

‘You’d better not go to the market today.’

You don’t suppose, father, I listened to that,

But tied your old handkerchief over my hat,

And with mother’s blessing, I got in the street;

But hard work it was then to keep on my feet.

I often fell down, and I could not go fast,

But somehow I got to the market at last.

And there the man gave such an armful of cress,

He said, in his conscience, he could not do less.

‘Twas twice as much, father, as ever I get,

And that came, you see, of the wind and the wet.

The storm kept on blowing, the rain pelted down,

But people all seemed to want cress in the town,

They looked from the windows, and came to the door,

I’d never had such luck with my cresses before.

And then the good gentleman tapped on the pane,

And, that very day gave me sixpence again.

I know ‘twas our Father who lives in the sky

That made all the people so anxious to buy.

Then just as I came to the end of Milk Street,

And thinking I’d carry dear mother a treat,

A man pushed against me, and then he turned ‘round

And said, ‘My poor lassie, you look almost drowned;

I’m off to my breakfast, if you come with me,

My missus will give you a cup of hot tea,

And maybe, she’ll find you a bit of dry clothes,

Or old pair of shoes just to cover your toes.’

And then he talked kindly, as we walked along,

And asked to what sort of folks I could belong.

‘My good little lass,’ he said, ‘can that be true?’

For I had told him about mother and you.

And how mother prayed on her bed as she lay,

And so we were sure of some food every day.

He said she was right, he had tried that himself,

He knew ‘twas the way to keep bread on the shelf.

And then his wife dried me, and gave me some tea,

And this pretty frock, and these shoes, father—see,

And put in my basket some pieces of bread,

And slices of meat, for my mother, she said.

And mother did like it, and thought ‘twas so good,

And she said ‘Our Father had sent us the food.’

And she said that all things were safe in God’s hand,

Because when He promised He gave a command,

And those who believe Him, and trust in the Lord,

Find even the tempest fulfilling His Word.

She said the old lions might roar for their prey,

Or young lions hunt through the forest all day,

And still might be hungry for want of their food,

But God’s people never lacked anything good.”

Then Nelly ceased talking and stood on the floor,

Her father said, “Nelly, dear, tell me some more.

The things that you talk about comfort my mind,

And make me more willing to leave you behind.”

Then Nelly sat still, she had much on her mind,

But words to express it weren’t easy to find.

“If I could be sure you would have a supply,

‘Twould not be so hard for me, darling, to die.”

Then Nelly looked up; “We have not wanted yet,

And got on best in the wind and the wet.

And I daresay we’ll do as we’ve done before;

Mother says there’s no end of the heavenly store.

Messages of God’s Love 2/2/1913

Saved!

I WAS reading the ether day of a little boy who had fallen into the water, and was in great . danger of drowning. Several strong men had been doing their best to save him, but without avail. Presently along hobbled a poor crippled boy who instantly went into the water, and succeeded in bringing him to land.

As I read this, it brought to my mind much of what is to be found in the Bible. For instance, that boy struggling in the water, reminded me of unsaved sinners, doing their best to save themselves. God tells us that all have sinned, and therefore are lost, and without the power to help themselves, as it is written, “without strength”. Then the men who were trying to save him, are like many today who tell lost sinners, both young as well as old, to do the best they can, and struggle on, in the hope of being saved at the end. But, just as that boy would probably have been drowned if he had been left to the efforts of these men; so if those are listened to who fail to point sinners simply to Jesus, it will prove eternal loss to those who take their advice.

But, just at the right moment, when the boy’s efforts had failed, as also those of the men, there came along one who knew just what to do, and how to do. So, my dear young friend, when there was no hope for those who had sinned against God, Jesus came to save by His atoning death those who trust in Him.

He saw His creatures struggling in sin, unable to free themselves from its bondage; so He went down, down into the dark waters of death, that He might deliver them, and save their precious souls. O, what love! What tender pity and compassion that He should thus die in the place of those who loved sin, and were His enemies! He has not only died, but lives again at God’s right hand, to save and bless everyone who trusts in Him and His precious blood. Don’t wait any longer, for He stands with loving outstretched arms to receive you. Trust in Him and be eternally saved. Then with joy you can say:

“UNTO HIM THAT LOVED US, AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN. BLOOD, .. . . TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.” Rev. 1:5, 6.

Messages of God’s Love 2/9/1913

Do You Know Anybody Yonder?

DEAR young friend, suppose yourself in a railway train, on your way to New York. You have never been there before. The place is quite new and strange to you. You know nobody. But a friend of your own has gone on before you. He knows you are coming, and has agreed to meet you on your arrival. You can depend on him. He will take charge of you at your journey’s end; and among the crowds of strange faces, and the din and loneliness of the great city, you will be free from all anxiety when tinder his care. That one assurance will dispel all your fears.

But what a sad case yours would be, if in undertaking that same journey you had no such one to meet you! You must go. The night is dark, and cold, and wet. You are a perfect stranger, without means and without friends. You are being carried swiftly along to your destination, to be turned out at midnight desolate and lonely in the heart of that great city. Would not sad misgivings and anxieties overwhelm you, as to what you would do, and where you would go, when the end should have come? Certainly you would think and plan some course, and seek with earnestness any possible advice, or help.

Dear young reader, you may in reality be in circumstances far more sad than such I have supposed. Human life is a journey. You are being surely and swiftly carried along. You must go. Soon you may be at your journey’s end—the hour of death. And perhaps you shall find yourself friendless, and helpless, and homeless, when that solemn hour shall have come. Have you any friends or any means? You will be in sad want if you have not. Are you not concerned about what you will do, and where you will go?

Some time since, I was called to visit a dying boy. He was very engaging and lovely, about nine or ten years old. Consumption had marked him out for early death, and all who saw his pale and withered face were aware that he had not long to live. His godly mother saw it, too, and was greatly concerned about his salvation. One day, as he lay on her lap, she said to him, with tenderness and tears that told her heart was breaking, “Jamie, are you afraid to die?” The tears gathered in his big, bright eyes, too, and, looking up through them, he replied, “Yes, mother, I am.” “What makes you afraid, my darling boy?” “Ah! mother, I don’t know anybody yonder. They are all strangers to me.” Then, after a short pause, during which mother and child wept together, he added, “Mother, I would not be afraid to die if you would go with me; but O! I am afraid to go away all alone to be among strangers.”

Before his end came, through the Lord’s merry and grace, he had become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and had Him for a friend; and so was delivered from all his fears.

Dear young reader, that boy told the truth. He laid bare, with a child’s simplicity and honesty, the thing which makes death fearful. Perhaps you may be less frank and open, and would shrink from making such a confession, lest you should, be thought weak and childish. Nevertheless, it is terribly true. Every unsaved one, young and old, goes away out there into eternity all alone, and goes away among strangers. Do you know anybody yonder? The dearest and best loved on earth must leave you to yourself at that dread moment. Surely, then, it is reasonable that you should consider in time, even while you are young, how it will fare with you when death overtakes you. “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee. then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swellings of Jordan?”

There is only One who can help and befriend us in the dark and lonely hour of death. Some there may be, who, for the love they bear us, would willingly die for us, or at any rate with us. But even that would do nothing to help us. They cannot come near enough. Yet there is help and hope for the dying. The service which none beside can render, Jesus can. He was dead. He has invaded its dark dominions, and emerged a conqueror on the other side of death. “He hath abolished death,” and made a pathway through it to “life for evermore.” And now, for every believer in Christ, death has no sting. Christ speaks hack from His glory to the timid and the dying, “Fear not, behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of death and the unseen world.”

“The wages of sin is death.” Christ took the sinner’s place, and suffered and died in his room. God treated Him as if He had earned the wages of sin. Accept of Christ, my dear young friend; be content that both your sin and its wages should be reckoned to Him: and then all that is His shall be made over to you. You shall never, no, never, through the long eternity, be alone. He shall be your Friend for evermore.

Messages of God’s Love 2/9/1913

Our Father's Care

Part 4

She bid me to tell you some words that God said,

I don’t think I’ve got them exact in my head;

It was a sweet promise sent down from the sky,

On purpose to comfort you, if you should die.

‘Thy fatherless children’—yes, that is the word—

‘I will certainly keep them alive,’ saith the Lord;

And then, says the promise, as plain as can be,

‘And let thy widow depend upon Me.’—

And so you may leave us contentedly here,

If God will preserve us, we’ve nothing to fear.”

“That’s beautiful, Nelly! I soon shall, he gone,

You’ll need such a Friend, in this hard world alone.”

“We’ll not be alone, father—Jesus did say,

‘I never will leave you, I’m with you alway,’

And dear mother says, though the heavens may shake,

He’ll never forsake us, He’ll never forsake.”

“That’s beautiful, Nelly! ‘tis balm to my mind,

And now I’m contented to leave you behind.”

He looked at her fondly, and then closed his eyes,

“Now tell me the poor sinner’s, way to the skies;

I’ve learned it, my darling—but still I would die;

While hearing the poor sinner’s way to the sky.

So tell me of all the sweet words that you know,

I’m longing to hear them, I’m listening now.”

“‘Tis easy for sinners to come to the Lord,

They’ve but to repent, and believe in His word,

And God, for the sake of His well-beloved Son,

Will pardon them all the bad things they have done:

And give them His Spirit, that so they may grow

Just like Jesus Christ, when He lived here below,

And they are so happy when they are forgiven,

For they are the sons of the Father in heaven.”

The child paused a moment, he motioned again;

He spoke not a word, for he could not speak then

A trembling look on her father she cast,

Tears stood in her, eyes, but her words followed fast.

“I know that poor sinners are welcome to God;

Whose souls are made pure by the dear Saviour’s blood;

I know they will come to the heavenly rest,

And lay, their tired heads on Jesus’ kind breast;

I know they will never be hungry again,

Nor cry with their trouble, nor suffer with pain.”

His, eyes looked again— “O know they will stand

With all the redeemed, at the Saviour’s right hand.

He’ll wipe all the tear, drops away from their eyes,

For no one will ever shed tears in the skies;

Or rest in the shade with the lambs of the fold;

And that, not for anything good they have done,

But all for the sake of the well-beloved Son.

No candle burns there, in that happy abode;

The city is bright with the glory of God,

And you will sing there with poor mother and me,

O! father, how happy and joyful we’ll be.

For ever and ever our songs, we shall raise,

And never be tired of ‘glory and praise,’

And that not for anything good we have done,

But all for the sake of the well-beloved Son.”

She ceased, and her dear father opened his eyes—

“Yes, that is the poor sinner’s way to the skies;

I’m going there, Nelly; the sins I have done,

Are all put away through the well-beloved Son.”

O! there was a sound of weeping, in that lonely home,

And the shade of terror creeping o’er the days to come.

He was gone—no farewell taken—gone, –without caress,

And the mother was forsaken in her -sore distress.

They’ll walk in the street, with the pavement of gold.

Messages of God’s Love 2/9/1913

Interested

AS WE look at our little darling, we are pleased to see him interested in looking at the pictures in the books, and it makes us feel the importance of putting before him such pictures as may instruct him instead of foolish things that might do him damage.

Sometimes he has to come to us and ask us what they mean and then we have to tell the story given in the Scripture that the picture is made to illustrate.

Very soon he will be going to school and will learn to read and the same care will have to be shown that he may have good and instructive reading and not the bad stuff that destroys the mind, so that it might be said of him as it was said of Timothy:

“FROM A CHILD THOU HAST KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

There is no book that can give us all we need, like the Word of God. It gives us instruction for our whole path and above all shows us Christ Jesus, God’s beloved Son, as the Saviour for us.

Have you, my dear reader, accepted that blessed wonderful Saviour that God has provided? If you have not, O, do so now, and give attendance to reading the Word of God and learn more of that precious Saviour.

Messages of God’s Love 2/16/1913

Bible History

Chapter 101.
Ruth and Naomi

THE days when the judges ruled over Israel were sad days indeed, for God’s earthly people had become without fear of Him. and every man did that which was right in his own eyes. God could not bless them while they left Him out, and to punish them He sent a famine upon the land.

At that time, there lived in Bethlehem-Judah, a man named Elimelech and his wife, Naomi. They had two sons named Mahlon and Chilion.

When the famine came upon their country, unwilling to trust God who could care for them, to bear the trial He had sent, Elimelech preferred going among idolaters, the Moabites, a people who lived on the Southeast of them. God had said that none of them should ever enter the congregation of the Lord; they were not to be received by the Israelites much less should the latter go to them and live among them.

For about ten years, this family made their home in Moab. The two sons married two Moabitish girls, named Orpah and Ruth. But in the meantime, Elimelech died, and soon after both the sons followed him, and poor Naomi was left in that strange land with no one but her two daughters-in-law.

At the end of those years, Naomi, having heard that God had caused the famine to cease, decided to return to the land of Israel. She set out, therefore, from the place where she was, Orpah and Ruth with her, to return to the land of Judah. On the way, Naomi told her daughters to return to their homes and friends, saying to them: “The Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me;” and she kissed them, and they wept at the thought of parting from her.

If Naomi had realized what a God was hers, she would gladly have taken them with her, but she had lived away from Him so long that instead, she urged them to return to a land where she knew God was not; to their people who knew Him not! O! young Christians, do you, do we, ever by our words and our actions, hinder those who would come to Jesus? Or do we show them the way of life by pointing them to Jesus, the only One who can give satisfaction and rest? May the Lord keep us from hindering or stumbling any of His little ones.

Orpah wept and kissed her mother-in-law good bye and went away, but Ruth threw her arms around Naomi’s neck and would not leave her.

Naomi advised her to return with her sister-in-law back to her people and to her gods.

But Ruth answered: “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”

When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she ceased urging her and they went together to Bethlehem, Naomi’s old home. The people recognized her, and were much moved when they saw in what a poor condition she had come back, and wondered that it really could be she.

She spoke to them and said: “Call me not Naomi (her name meant ‘Pleasant’), but call me ‘Mara,’ (‘Bitter’) for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty; why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me.”

Do we ever, like Naomi, accuse God of treating us unjustly or harshly? Or do we take sides, with Him, knowing that He does not afflict willingly, and say: “God is righteous, and I am only reaping what I sowed. Anyway, I know He loves me; and is trying me for my own good”? Only by faith can we say that, and blessing is sure to follow such a confession. The time came when Naomi could bless the Lord for the very things she felt so bitterly, and acknowledge His goodness to her, in being the means of bringing her loving daughter-in-law to the knowledge of the true God.

Messages of God’s Love 2/16/1913

Young Pigeons

ONE morning, I received by rail from M—, quite unexpectedly, a basket containing five young live pigeons. When I opened it, a piece of paper was found inside, on which was written:

“Please liberate these birds at once.” So the little prisoners were forthwith let go, and off they flew, round and round, higher and higher, the circle increasing each time. Then they suddenly went straight northward for their home at M—, sixty-four miles distant. From a letter I afterwards received from the owner and sender (who is a perfect stranger to me as I am to pigeon flying), he said that some of these little creatures actually reached their home the same day and the rest next day, although he remarked that one of them was only fifteen weeks old and the others one year. But why should they proceed to M—? Well, just because they were born there!

PIGEONS ALWAYS FLY TO THEIR BIRTHPLACE.

when let loose. So, do the children of God when they are, in the Lord’s good time, set free from their earthly tabernacle, or when the Lord comes for them. Yes, they go straight to their birthplace, their bright and happy home in glory. They are born from above, and above they fly, when the time arrives, to the Father’s house on high, to be with and like their precious Saviour, and to bask in the warm love and bright sunshine of His own blessed presence. In John 3, we get that word to Nicodemus “Ye must be born again” (or anew), and then the blessed Saviour of sinners is presented to him for the salvation of his priceless soul.

DEAR CHILD, WHERE IS YOUR ETERNAL HOME?

Where would you proceed to if liberated today? Could you say it would “be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” or not? O, if not, do get it settled without further delay and before you are too late.

THINK OF THE LOVE OF THE LORD JESUS

in coming down from that home and settling a work, at Calvary so that you might spend your eternity in that thrice-blessed home. Do make sure, dear one, that that heavenly home is yours when the time comes, and enjoy the- sense of it on the road to the satisfaction of Him who said, “It is needful that ye should be born anew.” (New Trans.)

“There’s a home for little children

Above the bright blue sky;

Where Jesus reigns in glory—

A home of peace and joy.

No home on earth is like it,

Or can with it compare:

For everyone is happy,

Nor could be happier there.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/16/1913

Our Father's Care

Part 5

All around looked dark and dreary, troubled, full of care,

And her spirit was so weary, nigh unto despair.

“Mother must not grieve,” thought Nelly, that we are alone,

I must try and be her comfort, now dear father’s gone.”

Then she went and stood beside her, in her loving way,

And her simple heart soon found her just the words to say.

“When father heard the promise, the lovely text you sent,

He said it made him happy, and now could die content.

And such a smile he gave me, as I did never see;

He must have seen the angels, as plain as he saw me.

If you had seen him smiling, I’m sure you would not cry,

He looked so happy, mother, he did not seem to die.

And running home, so lonely, I always seemed to hear

The words that made him happy, keep sounding in my ear;+

For I am now an orphan, and you’re a widow, too,

And don’t you think it’s certain, we’ll find that promise true?”

“Yes, Nelly—yes, my darling! and we must trust it now,

And trust that God will help us, although we see not how.

The widow and the orphan are God’s especial care;

Now let us read His promise, and then we’ll say our prayer.”

And scarcely was the promise read, and scarce the prayer was made,

When through the Father’s loving care, there came the timely aid.

The gentleman—poor Nelly’s friend, so good to her before,

Had found the lowly lodging house, and tapped upon the door.

And he became their comforter, he wiped away their tears,

He softened all their poverty, through many coming years.

“It is the Lord,” the widow said, “His promise cannot fail,

And faith that’s built upon His Word is certain to prevail.”

THE END.

Messages of God’s Love 2/16/1913

Prayer

IT IS not natural to us to ask God for anything, because we are a part of a fallen race that is away from Him; so we often have to be taught that we have to do with God, and He sometimes allows us to be put in trying circumstances to make us cry to Him.

But there is one need above all that might well trouble us, and that is to get rid of the load of our sins. Has that ever troubled you, dear reader, so that you have bent your knee and closed your eyes to all that is around and cried to God about it? May you feel what a load that is, and the terrible thing it is to have to do with a holy God, and you will soon learn the way to have all your sins blotted out.

“THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.” 1 John 1:7.

Jesus, the blessed Son of God, died in the place of the sinner and bore the dreadful penalty for our sins. His life’s blood was poured out, proving that He had died, and the giving up of that spotless life was acceptable to God. Have you taken that Saviour as yours? If so, the bowing of the knee before Him will not be with such a burden, but the committing of all your ways to Him and giving Him thanks for all His love and mercies by the way.

Messages of God’s Love 2/23/1913

The Clock Struck Ten

A number of young men were walking one evening, all of them treading the path that leadeth to death. As they passed along, a church clock suddenly struck ten. The thought instantly occurred to one of them, “This is the time when at home father is taking down the Bible for family prayers.” He stopped short, and said, “I can’t go with you.” They inquired why not, and tried to laugh him into going; but he, turned and went home, and there on his knees he prayed and wept before God. It was the turning point in his career. It was the sinner arrested, convicted; saved. The voice of the clock was God’s voice to him; he heard, and obeyed. But how many there are who stop their ears to every call, and rush on to eternal ruin! Yet a little longer the voice still cries to the unsaved: “Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

Ho! all ye heavy laden, come!

Here’s pardon, comfort, rest and home.

Ye wanderers from a Father’s face,

Return, accept His proffered grace.

Ye tempted ones, there’s refuge nigh:

“Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”

But if you still His call refuse,

And all His wondrous love abuse,

Soon will He sadly from you turn.

Your bitter prayer for pardon’ spurn.

“Too late, too late,” will be the cry—

“Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/23/1913

John

SOME years ago I was riding on a donkey up one of the steep paths on the mountains of Auvergne. These mountains were once volcanoes, but are now covered with grass and with thick woods, which make the valleys cool and pleasant. Along the mountain streams are countless varieties of wild flowers—the ground carpeted with lilies of the valley and tufts of pink liles and higher up, the rocks are half hidden by heath and broom.

“How good God is,” I said to Antoinette, “to make so many beautiful things for us to see and enjoy.”

Antoinette was the donkey-woman. She walked beside me in her snow-white cap and wooden shoes, called sabots.

“These things,” she said, “were not made; they were always there.”

“But do you not know,” I said, “that God made all the things we see? The sun and the stars, the mountains and trees and flowers?”

“Nobody could go up to the sky to put the sun and stars there,” said Antoinette, “and as for them and everything else, I know that they have always been there—always. But you English people have a religion. I know all about it—you worship palm-trees, and you never eat ham.”

“There you are quite wrong, Antoinette. We worship God. Did you never hear of Him?”

‘I hear people talk about the good God, sometimes,’ said Antoinette, “but I know nothing about Him.”

We had reached the top of the stony path. The donkeys were to have a rest, and Antoinette and I sat down on a rock amongst the broom.

“I will read you something about the good God,” I said, and I opened my pocket Testament at the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. I read to her the beautiful story of the son who went into the far country, and who was welcomed home by his father, who fell on his neck and kissed him. “This story is to show what God is.” I said. “He is like that father, and we are like the son who behaved so ungratefully, but who was all the while so dear to his father, and who was forgiven as soon as he came home again. God forgives us because His Son, Jesus, took upon Himself all our sins when he died on the cross.”

But Antoinette only said, “All I see is, that the good God is not like me. I never forgave anybody and I never will if anyone behaves ill to me, I hate him and detest him, and there’s the end of it.” Now all the rest of the party arrived on their donkeys, and after gathering handfuls of wild flowers, we rode down again to the hotel.

I was very sorry for Antoinette. Next time, I thought, I must give her a penny Gospel, that she may learn something about God. She was living where Bibles were never seen. Sometimes, she told me, she went to church, and heard the priest say something in a language she did not understand, so she went seldom.

“I am not paid for going there, as the priest is,” she said, “and it does me no good.”

I was glad that we had, at the hotel, a large cupboard with a section of it filled with some hundreds of penny Gospels. And we were to have the donkeys again a few days later. Then Antoinette should have one.

A few days after, I was called in haste—the donkeys were at the door. I ran to the old cupboard where the Gospels were kept, lying in a heap of some hundreds, all mixed and unsorted. I took out one; it was the Gospel of John. “No,” I thought, “Antoinette must have one that just tells simply the history of the Lord. The beginning of the Gospel of John will be quite beyond her comprehension, and she would then not care to read more.” If you look at the first part of the first chapter, you will understand why I thought so. I took out another: again—John! I reached to a far corner of the cupboard and took out a third: again— John! “The Lord Jesus means her to have John,” I said to myself, “and He is wiser than I am.” So at the end of the ride I gave her the little book.

“It is no use to give me that, madame,” Antoinette said, “for I can’t read.”

“Have you no one at home who can read?” I asked. “O! yes, Madame, my husband is very fond of reading; he is a great scholar.”

“Well then, Antoinette, give it to him and he can read it to you.”

“O! no, Madame,” said Antoinette, “he has often had little books just like that given to him, and he never reads a word of them. He says they are heretic books and he just puts them straight in the fire. It would be a pity to burn that pretty little book; Madame had better keep it for somebody else.” Now, if I had not taken it three times out of the cupboard, and had felt sure that God thus meant I was to give her that book, and no other, I think I should have kept it. But so sure did I feel that I was to give it, that I put it into her hand, and said, “that book is intended for your husband, give it to him.” Antoinette looked surprised, but she took it.

It must have been about a week later, that the donkeys came round again. Scarcely had we started from the door when Antoinette said, “What a wonderful book that was you gave my husband! He sat for a whole hour reading it, just as if he was nailed to his chair. He neither spoke nor moved. Then he said, ‘Toinette, this is a most wonderful book; I believe there is no other book like it in the whole world; I never read anything like it before. Go and call the neighbors, as many as you can find, I must read this book to them!’ So I went and called the neighbors. Our kitchen was so full it would hold no more. Then he read the book to them, and they talked about it, and he read more and more; and so they went on reading and talking till it was past mid-night. And since then, whenever lie has a single spare minute, he reads the book. He seems scarcely to think of anything else. He says if anyone offered him a thousand francs for that book he would not give it up; it is like having the most precious treasure in the world. So it is well you gave it to him.”

“I am very glad to hear it,” I said, “you know you told me he would burn it.”

“Yes,” said Antoinette, “and I told you the truth. That day you gave it to me, he came in from his work and saw it on the table—how he frowned at it! He snatched it tip and went straight to the fire with it. Then just as he was putting it in, he stopped all at once and looked at it, and he said, ‘Toinette, I can’t burn this book, it is called John.’ Then he sat down as I told you, and read it for a whole hour without moving.”

“But I don’t understand,” I said, “why he did not burn it.” “No, Madame, but I understood,” said Antoinette, “so I did not ask him. You must know that long ago we had a little boy called John. It is twenty years since he died—he was four years old. Since then there has scarcely been a day that his father has not spoken of his little John. How they loved one another, I cannot tell you. John would never care to play with other children if he could be with his father. He used to sit by him and watch him at his work—my husband is a basket maker —and John would think he was helping his father; he would hand him the osiers, and then when the work was over, he would sit on his father’s knee and put his arms round his neck. It was like a beautiful picture to see them together. And then he died. You can understand now why my husband could not burn that book.”

Yes, I understood; and I understood too why God guided my hand to take that Gospel and none other out of the cupboard; and I understood why He had taken away the father’s darling, that long after, the remembrance of him might be the means of bringing to the poor father the knowledge of Him who said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And so would father and son meet again; for little John was amongst those of whom the Lord Jesus said, “It is not the will of My Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/23/1913

O Lord, How Manifold Are Thy Works

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small;

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings;

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,

The poor man at his gate;

God made them high or lowly

And ordered their estate.

The purple headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning,

That brighten up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun;

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

The tall trees in the green wood,

The meadows where we play;

The rushes by the water,

We gather every day.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,

How great is God Almighty

Who has made all things well.

Messages of God’s Love 2/23/1913

Bible Questions for March

Answers to Bible Questions for January

1. “And the Lord, He it is,” etc. Dent. 31:8.

2. “He found him in a desert land.” 32:10.

3. “One witness shall not,” etc. 19:15.

4. “If thou wilt not observe,” etc. 28:58.

5. “Be strong and of good courage,” 31:6.

6. “Yea, He loved the people,” etc. 33:3.

7. “The eternal God is thy refine” etc. 33:27.

Bible Questions for March.

The answers are to be found in Matthew, chapter 15 to end.

1. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus went into the temple.”

2. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus charged them, saying.”

3. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus asked them,”

4. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus answered and said unto her.”

5. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus took bread.”

6. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus called a little child.”

7. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus held His peace.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/1913

Bible History

Chapter 102.

The Harvest Field

NAOMI and Ruth, through God’s dealing with them in the land of Moab, were very poor; so they must provide food for themselves.

Ruth’s loving heart, prompted her to go in quest of something to eat, and she begged Naomi to let her go to the field and glean ears of corn after the reapers who would be willing to let her do so.

With Naomi’s permission, she went and happened to glean in the field of a very wealthy man, Boaz, by name, who was a cousin of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband.

It was a common thing in those days, for the poor women to follow the reapers, picking up the bits of grain left by them. God had told His people when they reaped their fields, they must not reap the corners clean but leave some corn or wheat for the poor. It is sad to be so very poor, but God in His mercy provided for them. We do not have to be rich, however, to be happy, that is, rich in this world’s goods, but he who has Christ as his Saviour, no matter how little he has in this life, is rich beyond compare.

While Ruth was gleaning in his field, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and seeing her, a stranger, asked the overseer of the reapers who she was, and was told: She is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the land of Moab. She asked to glean and gather after the reapers, and she has continued from the morning until now.

Boaz invited Ruth to stay in his field with his maids, and to, drink whenever thirsty from the vessels the young men had drawn.

She thanked him, bowed herself to the ground, and wondered at his grace toward her a stranger. But he answered: “I have been told all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left father, mother and country to go to a people you did not know. May the Lord reward you, may a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel under whose wings you have come to trust!” Boaz’ kind words comforted Ruth and at meal time he made her come and sit with them, and with his own hand passed her some parched corn, and when she had eaten plenty, she went back to her gleaning. When alone with his young men, Boaz commanded them to let her glean even among the sheaves, and not to reprove her but rather to let some handfuls fall purposely for her.

So when evening came, her harvest was good, and after having beaten it she took up her grain and went home bringing to Naomi what she had reserved for her after she had satisfied her own hunger.

Of course Naomi was anxious to hear what had befallen Ruth and where she had gleaned, but when she heard that is was in Boaz held she exclaimed: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. The man is near of kin to us, one of our next kinsmen.” And she bade Ruth go nowhere else to glean but to abide close to the servants of Boaz; which she did until the end of the harvest.

How many young believers are as eager to glean in God’s Word for their spiritual food as Ruth was for her temporal need and that of Naomi? It was while so busy that she was noticed by Boaz, that mighty, wealthy man, and that she found favor in his sight, and it is when engaged over the Word of God that we find nourishment for our souls, and that the Lord, whose picture Boaz is, can abundantly bless us.

May we all profit by the lesson brought out in this sweet story!

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/1913

Bessie's Bullfinch

BESSIE was a little girl about ten years old. She had no brothers or sisters to play with her, and perhaps that was the reason she loved all kinds of pets so much. One day her aunt, who was staying for a short time at the house, promised to give her a canary. Bessie was delighted; she had long wished for a bird, and to have one all of her own seemed too good to be true. But her aunt went home again; weeks and months passed on, and as no more was said about the bird, the little girl began to give up all hopes of getting it, and contented herself once more, with a little black kitten.

Nearly a year passed away, and then Bessie went to London with her mother to visit her grandparents.

This was a great treat, and you may be sure she enjoyed it very much. Nearly every day she went out either to see something curious or interesting, or to walk in the beautiful parks, or to see the handsome stores. One day, the same aunt who had stayed with them the year before, came with a carriage to take Bessie and her mother for a drive. After driving about for some time, she directed the coachman to take them to a beautiful bazaar; in this place all kinds of pretty things were sold and they went from one room to another ad firing the lovely things laid on the various tables. Bessie was made very happy by her aunt purchasing for her a little ivory brooch, and a dainty little box. All at once they entered a room full of birds of all kinds. In the middle was a very large cage of canaries, and round the room were goldfinches, bullfinches, love birds, etc. Bessie was delighted and she ran from one cage to another, admiring all she saw, but especially the bullfinches. Perhaps some of you have never seen one, so I must tell you what they are like. They are a little larger than a sparrow, but have black heads, wings and tail, a soft gray back and a pretty pink breast. All at once Bessie’s aunt turned to her and said, “I promised you a canary last sum. liter. We must see about it.” O, how Bessie’s heartbeat; she was far too timid to say anything but “thank you,” but she did so wish the bird might be a bullfinch. But soon her aunt came back to her saying, “These are not good canaries, I will get you one somewhere else.” Then they returned to the carriage and drove home. Poor little Bessie! though she seemed as quiet as ever her whole mind was filled with the idea of her bird.

“I do wish aunt would get me a bullfinch,” she thought, and then suddenly a new idea came to her. “I will ask God to put it into her heart to get it for me.” Many, many times Bessie said her little prayer; as she went out walking, or sat with her sewing in the drawing room, or lay in her little bed at night, she would say in her heart, “O, Lord, please let my aunt buy me a bullfinch, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.” It was only a simple child’s prayer, but the Lord’s ear is always open to the cry of any little one. A week passed by, it was almost time for returning home, and nothing more had been said about the bird, still Bessie did not despair. Had she not asked the Lord about it, and she was quite sure He was able to give her what she asked for. And He did not disappoint her; just two days before they left London, when she came in from her daily walk, she found a large parcel waiting for her. With eager fingers she undid it, and there appeared to the delighted child, a lovely bullfinch, in a nice brass cage. She was, as you may be sure, very much pleased with her bird, and it soon became very tame and made a sweet little pet for her, still I think that the fact of the Lord having heard and answered her prayer made the little creature much more precious, and though all this happened in any years ago she has never seen a bullfinch since, without remembering how the Lord heard and answered a little girl’s prayer.

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/1913

The Jew's Harp

DID you ever hear anyone play-this kind of harp? You see this man has the metal between his teeth, and is using his finger to strike the little steel tongue, and this, with his breath, makes the music. How interested his little boy and the neighbor girl seem; the dog, too, looks to be enjoying the tunes.

Do you love music? Nearly everyone does. Maybe you can play on the organ, piano or on some other instrument. If you cannot play, I am sure you can sing, even though it may be in a simple way, and singing is the very best kind of music. The Lord is pleased to hear His people, grown-up folks and children, use their voices in songs of praise to Him. He looks way down into the heart, and if He sees that we mean just what we say in our hymns, there is real melody to His ears in every tune.

Some people, you know, have beautiful voices and like to make music just for people to hear: in this way they display their voices and make lovely sounds, but are not thinking about the Lord at all. Do you think this is pleasing to Him?

It is very good for even tiny children to store their little minds with good hymns, and to learn in this way to praise Jesus with their lips, if they love Him in their hearts. You can see in Eph. 5:19 what kind of singing meets His approval. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hynms and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

“O Lord, we know it matters not

How sweet the song may be;

No heart but of the Spirit taught

Makes melody to Thee.”

“SING UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE HATH DONE EXCELLENT THINGS: “ Isa. 12:5.

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/1913

The Shepherd's Care

HOW carefully the shepherds keep

The flocks within their sight;

So Jesus watches o’er His sheep,

And guards them day and night.

The shepherd numbers, twice a day,

The flock beneath his care;

He knows if any goes astray,

Or sick or dying are.

So Jesus reckons, one by one,

And numbers all His sheep;

He knows if but a lamb is gone,

For He doth never sleep.

The flocks of men are bought with gold,

And grass is all their food;

The sheep and lambs of Jesus’ fold

Are purchased with His blood.

Messages of God’s Love 3/2/1913

Nature

HOW beautiful are all God’s works! All speak of His power and wisdom. The beautiful trees in all their variety; the hills and the running stream, with its abundance of fish can only cause our hearts to turn and praise the all-wise Creator—to thus turn to look from nature, up to nature’s God.

But while it is good to rejoice in the power and wisdom of God, it is better still, dear children, to be able to rejoice in His love—a love that led Him to give up His well-beloved Son as a sacrifice for poor sinners.

Sin and a holy God cannot dwell together, so Jesus took the place that the sinner deserved—being forsaken of God—and now the poor sinner who will believe in Him, may come right into His presence and will never be forsaken.

Messages of God’s Love 3/9/1913

An Answer to Faith

PHOEBE, an old faithful disciple of the Lord, knew no greater joy on earth than that of doing good and spreading kindness. Relatives, she had none, but she had many children and thankful friends in the dwellings of misery. The poor often wondered from whence she got the means to help them in the time of need; the sick received fresh courage when Phoebe sat at their bedsides and nursed them with kind, sympathetic hands. Although she could only provide for herself in a very poor way, she was always ready and happy to help others. She lived in a little cottage which consisted of only two rooms.

One fine summer evening she sat thinking at the open window. She had been reading in her New Testament, and from it had been encouraged and strengthened. Every other kind of strength she lacked. Her stock of provisions was quite exhausted and the last cent in the house given away. She could not borrow; so nothing remained for her that evening but to fast and to pray. The exercise was for her not new, but this time specially difficult. Yet she put her trust in her heavenly Father, that lie would provide her with bread. So she opened out her heart to Him and got up from her knees comforted. When darkness broke in, she desired to retire to her simple rest and closed the window. In the act of taking her nightcap from its case, her hand touched something warm and soft. The thing moved. and she was frightened a little. Quickly she struck a light, and to her surprise saw a pretty grey parrot. How and when it came in was a mystery to her. It had apparently escaped from some gentleman’s house and got into her room through the open window.

Firmly resolved to seek for the owner of the bird early next morning, Phoebe lay down to rest. The next morning she was up early and had taken up her basket to go out, when she heard the bellman announce the loss of a grey parrot which had escaped from a lady’s house, and whoever found it would be well rewarded. Phoebe brought the parrot to its mistress, who received it with delight, warmly thanked the bringer of it and put a gold coin into her hand. Phoebe was also thankful, but chiefly to Him who had led the parrot to her dwelling.

Messages of God’s Love 3/9/1913

The Miller's Son

NEAR the village of B—lived a miller with his wife and his only son. William was a fine little boy with cheeks which were the very picture of health. His parents had much joy in him, because he was always cheerful and contented, and made good progress at school where he had recently gone. There was only one shadow: ‘William was very self-willed and disobedient, and when he was in this had mood it was not pleasant to be with him. This bad fault would surely cost him dear.

When the little fellow had finished his school lessons he was accustomed to run into the village to fetch his playmates, and with them he would go up on to the high ground on which the mill stood, where all sorts of fun was to be had. Up there the wind was so strong that it would blow off and carry away their caps from their heads.

One day he had played there a long time with his little boy and girl friends. Tired, they all threw themselves down on the grass. The nimble limbs were for a little while settled in repose, while the little tongues rattled along as cheerily and loudly as the dinner bell at the mill. They chattered about everything about the windmill also, as with wonder they looked up at its powerful wings, driven ceaselessly round and round by the strong. wind with great rapidity, and causing a mysterious sighing as they flew.

“How beautifully the wings fly!” said William, “the stronger the wind blows, the faster they go ‘round. If they would only go slower, how I would like to sit on one and fly ‘round with it. That would be glorious!”

Some days after, William found himself alone in the field. It was very warm and there was not a breath of air. The windmill stood completely still. Unhindered, William could now have the pleasure of carrying out his foolhardy plan, and seat himself on one of the wings of the mill. As soon as thought, it was done. He climbed the steps which lead to the gallery that surrounded the mill, sat himself on the framework of one of the wings which hung down quite convenient to him, and tried to put it in motion. That was of course, quite impossible, as his strength was not enough by far. Just at that moment his father passed by the mill, underneath him, and seeing the foolish boy, cried out,

“Come down at once, William! If the wind comes, the wings will start, and you will be thrown off.”

“Yes, father, I am coming,” replied the little fellow. But that “Yes, father,” was not really meant. William did not think any more about leaving his dangerous position. Scarcely had his father disappeared in the house, When with the help of a chain that hung down the side of the wings, he climbed up still higher. “Hurrah!” cried he triumphantly, “if only a little breeze would come!”

His wish was realized sooner than he thought. Scarcely a minute had gone when a light puff of wind set the wings in motion. They moved indeed very slowly, but they were moving.

“How fine! How grand!” laughed the disobedient boy. But his joy was not to be of long duration. The wings rose higher and higher, and gradually William’s feet lost their hold. O, the foolish boy had not thought that his body, with the circuit of the wing, would finally get into an upside-down position. Convulsively he clung to the wing and began to cry loudly for help. The wing had attained nearly an upright position, when his parents, hearing his frightened cries understood what was wrong, and rushed out of the house. What a sight met their gaze! There hung their darling, high up, clinging to the lattice work of the windmill. As the motion had been slow, he had been able fortunately to gradually change his position. But now he had reached the highest point, and the wing of the mill began to return slowly, toward the earth again.

“Hold tight, William!” cried the parents in great fear. But the strength of the boy was exhausted. For a second he held on, then with a loud cry he was hurled from a considerable height down to the ground. My young readers can guess that the fall was no slight one. Still and pale lay the unfortunate boy his poor parents, weeping and lamenting, carried him into the house. For a long time there was no sign of life. Finally, after the most earnest efforts to bring him back consciousness, his eyes opened, and he looked wonderingly round about him. In the meantime a messenger had been sent for a doctor who, when he came, discovered that, besides some external wounds, he had broken one of his legs. Under much pain was the leg set in splints and bandaged, and now William had to lie still for many weeks and had time to reflect on the result of his disobedient conduct. His God-fearing parents inwardly thanked the Lord for the gracious preservation of their only child, while they drew his attention to the great sin he had been guilty of, and also to God’s goodness in sparing his life and preserving him from eternal destruction. William was often deeply moved, and thanked the Lord himself many times during his illness and made the best of promises. He declared that from, that time he would never again be disobedient to his parents, but would always listen to their warnings and follow their advice. Put O! he did not yet know his incurably bad heart, and therefore had not really taken refuge in Jesus.

So it came to pass that, very soon after his recovery, he forgot his fine promises, and little by little grew into the old disobedient William. So far as the windmill was concerned he always kept himself at a respectable distance from it, but it does not always need a windmill to rouse the disobedience of a child.

Just listen to what happened at another time to our young friend.

One afternoon—it was again very hot—William played as usual with his comrades, near the mill. After they had run about here and there, they all felt tired and thirsty. William’s father had strictly forbidden them to drink water when they were warm. But William was so thirsty that he forgot the order of his father, and all his other good resolves, but ran to the pump, shouting, “Come along! A drink of water will taste splendid.”

“Your father said we were not to drink cold water when we were warm with running,” cried one of the boys warningly.

“That is true,” said William, and he hesitated for an instant, but immediately he said: “But I have such a dreadful thirst. I must have a drink!”

That was an untruth. He was not obliged to drink—only he wanted to. The spirit of disobedience, which he believed he had overcome, had awakened in him with increased strength. Had he only overcome his feelings a little and taken only a small mouthful and then played again, the matter might have ended quite happily. But he drank a large amount of the ice cold water and threw himself down on the ground, hot as he was, and shortly after fell asleep. When his parents found him an hour later, his cheeks were burning with fever, and he was talking all sorts of nonsense in his sleep. The horrified parents carried him into the house and sent for a doctor.

That such an apparently trivial disobedience would result so seriously, William had not expected. For weeks he hovered between life and death. But gradually the illness reached its height, and then the fever left him. But what a sight he was! Poor boy! The cheeks, once so red and plump, were pale and sunken; the eyes lay deep in their sockets; the hands had become so feeble that he could scarcely raise food to his mouth. These were sad days for the parents of our little friend. They did not leave his sickbed day or night, and when he looked at them clearly and intelligently for the first time their joy knew no bounds.

At first William could not remember how he had become so ill; he tried to think, but his head was still too weak. But as his strength came back, remembrance was also awakened in him, and at last what had happened came back to his mind, clear and distinct. One day he said to his father, who was sitting by his bedside: “How is it possible that one can be so sick by drinking only a little cold water?”

“It was not so much the cold water, my boy,” replied his father, “but rather the foolish way in which you drank it. I believe that the Lord has again clearly shown you that you should obey your parents, even though you do not understand why they forbid you this or that. The first lesson you received did not work the desired result, it seems. Ask the Lord Jesus earnestly to change your evil heart and give you an obedient mind. He alone can save you, and against Him, not only against us, have you sinned.”

William listened quietly to the words of his father. He deeply felt he was right. He repented earnestly of his folly, and not only that, he confessed it with tears before the Lord, but prayed to Him for forgiveness and help. And the Lord, who so willingly listens to the supplications of children, looked graciously on him, sent peace to his heart and helped him to overcome his bad habits.

Thus God, as He so often willingly does, out of the evil brought good. His disobedience had cost William a broken leg and a very serious illness. But through God’s gracious guidance he was enabled to know his self-willed, corrupt heart, and to accept Jesus as his Saviour. May all my young friends do likewise. Only Jesus can cleanse your sinful heart and enable you to serve Him and live to His glory.

“CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN ALL THINGS, FOR THIS IS WELL PLEASING UNTO THE LORD.” Col. 3:20.

Messages of God’s Love 3/9/1913

A Visit to Melanchthon

WHAT a noble looking man we see in our picture, seated by the baby’s cradle. This man lived many, many years ago; he was born in the year 1497. That was just a short time after Columbus discovered our country, you know. This man was a very earnest worker, as you can see by his face, and it is to him and his dear friend, Martin Luther, that Protestantism owes its beginning. Look at the man standing by the door with the book in his hands: he has been trying to make this faithful man, Melanchthon, change his belief and turn back again to the Catholic religion, but Melanchthon is very firm in what he thinks God has shown him from the Scriptures.

This man’s great power lay in his pen. He was kept busy most of his time in writing what he felt convinced to be true regarding God’s Word. He made many enemies in this way, but he did not give up defending what he believed to be the truth. This led to his suffering exile and many other hardships in later years.

Has God permitted you to know any of the wonderful things in His Word? Yes, you surely know of the Saviour, God’s Son, who is shown forth all through the pages of that Blessed Book: He is told about in the Old Testament, as well as in the New. How happy, dear children, if we have even a bit of the great zeal of that man. Melanchthon, in setting forth this Jesus, our Saviour, and all the wonderful truths concerning Him. Our Lord will be honored and His heart made glad if with our mouths and our pens we make known the great things we know to be true about Him. These confessions will bring such real, true joy into our lives, too. The clay is soon coming when Jesus is going to confess our names to God, His Father, if we have been faithful and have had the courage to own Him before men.

“WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN, HIM WILL I CONFESS ALSO BEFORE MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.” Matt. 10:32.

Messages of God’s Love 3/16/1913

Bible History

Chapter 103.

Ruth 3 and 4
The Redeemer and the Redeemed, or Ruth and Her Kinsman

RUTH had gleaned all summer in Boaz’ field, and her heart had been drawn to him by his gracious kindness to her, so when Naomi told her she wished to see her settled, and at rest, and that according to the law, she must go and claim Boaz as her near kinsman, Ruth was very willing to obey her mother-in-law.

This law in Israel had been given the people by God, through Moses, and commanded that if a man had become poor, and sold his possessions, they were to be redeemed by his nearest relative, and if the latter could not, or would not buy them back, he was to take off his shoe and give it to the witnesses, meaning that he gave up all his claims to another kinsman.

Ruth went, according to Naomi’s advice, to Boaz, who was on the threshing floor, and there, at his feet, she told him why she had come. He blessed her, and told her not to fear for he would do all she requested, although there was a nearer kinsman than he, and, giving her six measures of barley, he sent her home to Naomi, to whom she narrated all that had passed between her and Boaz.

When Naomi had heard, she said: “Sit still, my daughter, until thou knowest how the matter will fall; for the man will not be in rest until he had finished the thing this day.”

How beautiful to see this mighty man of wealth so caring for this poor stranger that he would not be at rest until he had settled all her business for her. It is a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus who loved us, sinners, so that He could not stay in glory, His bright home above, but must come down and take our place, paying our debt when on the cross, and He could say: “It is finished,” and now the one who believes in Him has rest in the presence of God forever.

Boaz went up to the gate of the city, the place where the people were in the habit of settling such matters. There he sat down and waited. Soon the kinsman came by of whom Naomi had spoken, and who was nearer than Boaz. To him, the latter called: “Ho, such a one! Turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside and sat down,” and from the lips of Boaz, and in the presence of the ten elders of the city, he heard Ruth’s story, and was given first and full opportunity to redeem Ruth and her lands. But the kinsman said, “I cannot redeem for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance; redeem thou my right to thyself, for I cannot redeem it.” And according to the custom they had, he took off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor for a testimony. This put an end to all his claims on Ruth or her land, for he could do nothing for her. Is it not just like the law which cannot save anybody, nor make them fit for God’s presence? Even if one kept the ten commandments, that could only give life in this world, but could not make one fit for God’s presence. For this we needed a Redeemer, one who would undertake for us, and take our place in death, which we deserved. There Jesus was made sin for us, and now “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph. 1:7.

So with Ruth, what her nearer kinsman could not do for her, Boaz did. Taking the ten elders as his witnesses, he said: “Ye are witnesses this day,—Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.”

How happy this must have made poor, lonely Ruth! The elders witnessed and all the people that sat in the gate, and called the Lord’s blessing upon Boaz and his bride.

So Boaz and Ruth were married, and God blessed them, and they had a son whom they named Obed. Naomi loved this child, and she took it in her arms and nursed him. Obed lived to be a man and was the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of David, King of Israel, and many kings descended from him, and the Lord Jesus came from the line of David. Thus God honors His faithful servants.

Messages of God’s Love 3/16/1913

Happy Children

I WANT to tell you a story today of some very happy little children who lived a long, long time ago. They were tiny little things, smaller, I expect, than even the dear little children for whom I am writing this. Some of them could not walk and others were only able to toddle along holding to Mother’s hand, while others, again, were merry little boys and girls running and skipping along by themselves. But I have not told you yet where all these little ones were going. Was it to a picnic, or a treat, or to buy new clothes in the store? No, to none of these places. Their mothers were taking them to see a Person, the most wonderful Person who ever lived in the world, for He was God’s own Son.

Many hundred years before He was born one of the prophets wrote about Him, and one thing he said was that His name should be called “Wonderful.” Do you not think that is a good name for One who could do such wonderful things—make blind people able to see and lame people able to walk, and even bring dead people to life again? Well, it was this wonderful Person the little children were going to see. They were not blind or deaf, or sick in any way, and yet those mothers were taking them to Jesus, and they had a long way to go, too, for Jesus was in a place by the riser Jordan, not near to any town. He had been working very hard that day, for a great many sick people had come to Him to be healed, and everyone had gone away quite well. His disciples, John and James and Peter and Andrew, mid all the rest of the twelve, were standing nearby; perhaps they were tired and felt that their dear Master must be tired, too, for, you know, dear little children, that although Jesus was the Son of God, and the very one who made the world, He was also the Son of Man, and He was able to feel tired and hungry and thirsty, just as you and I may do. And so when these disciples saw the mothers coming with their little baby children, they were vexed, and they told the mothers to take the children away, but we read that “Jesus was much displeased.” Now, who do you think He was displeased with? Was it with the mothers or the little children, or the disciples? asked a little girl that question the other day, and what do you think her answer was? Why, she said, “I think Jesus was angry with the children.” What a big mistake that was, for Jesus is never angry with any little ones who come to Him; no, it makes Him very glad. And He was not angry with the mothers either, so it must have been with the disciples for wanting to drive them away. Then He put out His arms, and the little ones came to Him, even the youngest, and He put His kind hands on their little heads and blessed them. Were not these little children very happy? Would you not like to have been there, too? Do you remember a little hymn which says: “I wish that His hands had been placed on my head,

His arms had been thrown around me; And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,

‘Let the little ones come unto Me.’?”

Well, it is not too late; you may yet come to Him, and though you cannot see Him or feel His touch, as those little ones did, He is really a Man still, though up in heaven, and He loves little boys and girls just the same. If you could see those kind hands now, they would not look quite the same as when they were laid upon the little children, for now you would see in them the marks of those cruel nails which fastened Him to the cross, and, while it makes us sad to think what He must have suffered there, it makes us glad, too, for He has told us that it was for our sake He suffered there; that on the cross He was punished for the naughty things we have done, so that we may be fit to live with Him.

“In that beautiful home He has gone to prepare

For all who are washed and forgiven.”

Are you going, to make His loving heart glad today by coming to Him and asking Him to bless you too?

“See the kind Shepherd, Jesus, stand

With all engaging charms;

Hark how He calls the tender lambs,

And folds them in His arms.

‘Permit them to approach,’

He cries, Nor scorn their humble name;

For ‘twas to save such lambs as these,

The Lord of glory came.”

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”—Mark to:14.

Messages of God’s Love 3/16/1913

Jesus Is the Saviour for You

MANY years ago in a large city, there was a woman who went about selling Bibles. One day she came to the house where Mrs. C. lived.

Mrs. C. had no money to buy a Bible and she could not read. Neither did she care to know anything about God’s blessed word, so she politely told the woman she would not buy a Bible.

Mrs. C. looked unhappy, for her husband was out of work. They had eight or ten children to provide for and did not know how they were going to keep from starving.

The Bible woman asked her if she ever prayed to God about her trouble.

Mrs. C. said she had never prayed and had never gone to a church or meeting. She did not know anything about Jesus.

After telling Mrs. C. to pray to God for help, the woman left the house.

Mrs. C. did pray and God answered her prayer. He sent her what she needed and gave her husband work.

When the Bible woman came again to see Mrs. C. a few days later, Mrs. C. asked her where she could find out more about Jesus. The woman told her of a room nearby where all were welcome to come and hear the blessed news of salvation. Mrs. C. went and learned more about the Saviour of sinners and accepted Him as her Saviour.

Then she wanted her husband to hear the good news. At first he did not want to go and made all kinds of excuses, so Mrs. C. kept on going alone, Sunday after Sunday. But finally Mr. C. went and became interested. He got a Bible and went off to the barn to read it, because he was ashamed to have his wife know of his interest. Day after day be read it and when he, too, found salvation he did not keep the good news from his wife.

In our picture we have another woman carrying about the blessed story of Jesus’ love. She, too, may be selling Bibles, or she may have brought something in her basket for the poor. But the words she speaks to the dear little girl on the step are for you, too, dear reader. “Jesus is the Saviour for you.” Will you have Him?

God does not offer salvation to those only who are kind and good and trying to do ‘the best they can. He offers it to all—old and young, rich and poor. Will you accept it?

“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.

The moment you believe in Him you have this blessed assurance—“The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”

The vilest sinner has not a stain so dark or so deep that the precious blood of Christ cannot wipe it out.

Precious soul, do not be indifferent to God’s gracious offer of love and salvation.

“Jesus is the Saviour for YOU!”

Messages of God’s Love 3/23/1913

Bible History

Chapter 104.

Hannah’s Prayer. 1 Sam. 1-11.

THERE was a man in. Mount Ephraim who was named Elkanah. Every year he would take his family and go to Shiloh, where the ark of God was, and worship there and offer sacrifices unto the Lord.

He had two wives. One, named Peninnah, had several sons and daughters, while Hannah, the second wife, had none. This caused her much sorrow, and Peninnah, who hated her, used to provoke her and try her so sorely that she grieved and wept greatly and could not eat.

When Elkanah offered the yearly sacrifice, it was his custom to give Peninnah and her children each a portion, but to Hannah, whom he loved best, he gave a double portion. He was sorry to see her so sad and tried to comfort her.

At one of these annual trips to Shiloh, Hannah, being especially sad, wept sore, and prayed to the Lord, saying, Lord of Hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thine handmaid, but give unto her a man-child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.”

As Hannah was praying and weeping before the Lord, Eli, the priest, who saw her lips move, but did not hear her voice, thought she was drunk and went to rebuke her. But she told him she had been pouring out her soul before the Lord, telling Him her sorrow. Eli, who feared God, saw his mistake, and spoke kindly to her and hoped God would answer her prayer.

Hannah had faith that her request had been heard and that the Lord knew best and would answer her in His own good time. So she arose and went back to her husband and family. Her face was not sad anymore and she sat down and ate her meal. The next day early they went back to their home in Mount Ephraim, after having worshipped again before the Lord. The Lord was pleased to see Hannah’s faith. Faith always honors Him, and He does not disappoint it. He wants us to go to Him with all our sorrows, our trials, our needs, and to count upon Him in all our difficulties. While on the earth, the Lord Jesus often told His disciples that if they asked of God anything in His name, they would receive it. And so did Hannah receive the answer to her prayer. God sent her a son, and she called him “Samuel,” saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”

When the usual time came for Elkanah and his family to go to Shiloh to offer to the Lord their yearly sacrifice, Hannah would not go with them, but told her husband she would wait until Samuel was weaned and then she would bring him and, according to her vow, she would give him unto the Lord, that he might appear before Him and there abide forever.

As soon as little Samuel was weaned, his mother took him with her to, the house of the Lord at Shiloh. She had with her also three young bullocks, one ephah of flour and a bottle of wine for an offering unto the Lord. She made herself known to Eli as the woman who had been praying and said she: “For this child have I prayed; and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore, also, I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth, he shall be lent to the Lord.”

Then Hannah, in her great joy, prayed, giving the Lord all the glory. It was He in whom she rejoiced; He who gives power, and who saves. He who is holy, and who gives strength. The Lord is a God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed. He kills and makes alive; we are in His hands for Him to do as He sees fit; for life or death, for poverty or riches. He it is who takes beggars from their miserable condition to set them among princes, and make them inherit the throne of glory. (How wonderfully Hannah prophesied of the poor lost sinners who, by faith in Christ Jesus, would be made children of God and heirs of glory!) He upholds His own and holds the wicked within bounds. He will bring judgment upon His enemies and reign over all the earth.

Thus Hannah prayed in the fullness of her heart. O, that, like her, we would give the Lord the glory which is due Him for His great salvation, for His holiness, for His never ceasing care!

Messages of God’s Love 3/23/1913

Heavenly Mansion

A NEW ZEALAND chief, remarkable for the deep spirituality of his mind and his constant delight in the Word of God, visited here a few years ago. One day he was taken to see a beautiful mansion. The gentleman who took him expected to find him greatly astonished, and much charmed with its magnificence and splendor, but it seemed, to his surprise, to excite little or no admiration in his mind. Wondering how this could be, he began to point out to him its grandeur, the beauty of the costly furniture—brought from all parts of the world—the view from the windows, etc. Tamahana heard all silently; then looking round upon the walls, replied, “Ah! my Father’s house finer than this.” “Your father’s house,” thought the gentleman, who knew his father’s home was hut a poor mud cottage. But Tamahana went on, “My Father’s house finer than this;” and began to speak, in his own expressive, touching strain, of the house above—the house of “many mansions” the eternal home of the redeemed.

Messages of God’s Love 3/23/1913

Unhappy Children

2 Kings 2:23, 24

THE story for today is such a very sad and dreadful one, I hardly like to tell it to you, and yet it is just as true as the sweet one we had last week about Jesus taking the little children in His arms. For both these stories are written down in the Bible, and we must never forget that the Bible is God’s word, and every bit of it is true.

Well, the children we are to hear about today lived in the city of Bethel, in the land of Canaan. Do you remember how Jacob, when running away from his brother Esau, had to sleep on the hard ground one night, with a stone for his pillow? It was not a comfortable bed, but God sent him such a beautiful dream, of a ladder with angels going up and down on it, that I do not think he minded much about the bed. When he woke up, he said, “This is the house of God;” so he called the place Bethel, which means, “Beth”—a house, and “el”—God. After a time houses were built in Bethel; people came to live there, and it became a city. But though it had such a beautiful name, it was not a good city, for in it the wicked king, Jeroboam, put a golden calf, and he told the people that this was the god who brought them out of Egypt, and they used to offer sacrifices to the calf and bow down and pray to it. I do not think it was much wonder that the little children who lived in Bethel were naughty children; they were not like the little children whose mothers brought them to Jesus. They were only brought to a golden calf. And so, one clay we need not be surprised to hear that they did a very wicked thing. A number of them were playing just outside the city, when they saw God’s holy prophet, Elisha, coming along. He was an old man, and most of his hair was gone, and I daresay he looked grave and sad, for not long before this his dear master and friend, Elijah, had been taken away from him, up to heaven. But these wicked little children had no respect for the aged, or for God’s prophet, so they ran after him, shouting and mocking, “Go up, thou baldhead,” were the words they said, over and over again. Then Elisha turned back and looked on them and cursed them in the name of the Lord,” and what happened? O! such a dreadful thing. Two she-bears came running out of the wood nearby, and forty-two little children were torn and hurt by these fierce creatures. How frightened the children must have been; even if their wounds got better, they could never forget how the bears had torn and scratched them, and they would never forget either that the punishment came because of their own naughty ways. Let us hope that at least some of these little children got well, and that the terrible lesson they had had, taught them to be wiser and better.

And now, perhaps, you wonder why I have told you such a sad story, and I must tell you the reason. In these days, I meet a great many little boys and girls, too, who are something like these children of Bethel. In the first place, they have very little respect for old people; they do not like to wait on them, or take care of them, and they do not listen with much attention to what they say. Now, perhaps, these children do not know that this is displeasing to God, but if they will read a verse in the book of Leviticus, they will see that it is. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God.” Lev. 19:32. This is what the Lord says about it, and He whose eyes are in every place, marks the children who do not heed the aged and pay respect to them.

And, in the second place, we see many children who have very little reverence for God’s people, or God’s Word, or even for God Himself. Like these foolish children of Bethel, they mock and laugh at holy things, and some of them even dare to take God’s holy name in vain. Do you say, “Yes, I have often done these things, but God does not send bears to destroy me.” No, perhaps not, but He is not forgetting your wicked words and ways. He is marking them down, each one, in His book, and some day you will have to give an account of them. If you confess them to God now, and ask Him to forgive you, for the sake of the One who bas died for you, He will blot out all those sins in the blood of Jesus, and all will be well, and you may be like the happy children we heard of last week. But if not, and if you will go on, mocking at good things, saying evil words, and telling lies, then you, too, will be cursed children, and the Lord will someday have to say to you, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt. 25:41.

Messages of God’s Love 3/23/1913

Are You One of Jesus' Lambs?

MOST little children are fond of looking at a flock of sheep. How happy the little lambs appear as they gambol and skip about, and how bright the countenance of the little ones as they watch them running to and fro. And there’s the kind shepherd, too, that looks after them all; sometimes bringing their food to them, or turning them into a pasture of rich green grass. It is a pretty sight, and as one thinks of it, we feel how good it is of the Lord to compare His people so often to sheep and lambs.

He said,

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” John 10:11.

He could not have us around Him, and make us His flock unless our sins were put away, so this good Shepherd died upon a cross of wood; and His precious blood that was there poured out, washes away the sins of all who come to Him. Having died and been buried, this good Shepherd, Jesus, rose again, and is now seated at God’s right hand. 1 Cor. 15:3, 4. Heb. 1:3.

Every day He keeps calling young and old to come to Him, and He never turns one away. Have you come, dear child? Are you one of Jesus’ lambs? Would you like to be? Do you say, Yes? O, come then, come to Him now, for His love to little children is the same as when He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.” Mark 10:14.

Delay no longer. Come now! Jesus will welcome you, pardon you, save you, feed you, and take care of you, both now and forever. The Bible tells us, “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isa. 40:11.

And now, dear little children,

A Shepherd’s up on high,

Who came to seek the straying,

Who all deserved to die.

For sin each lamb had ruined,

And far from God had led;

But O! what love unbounded!

He suffered in their stead.

Messages of God’s Love 3/30/1913

Tell Them of Me

ONE winter’s evening, as I was returning home, weary and longing for rest, a note was put into my hands, in which were the following words: “Miss — is dying. She wishes to see you. Lose no time in going. Her moments are numbered. She has no peace. May the Lord go with you!” The young lady to whom the note referred had been ill of consumption for three years, during which period I tried, but in vain, on several occasions to see her. I was therefore much surprised and pleased at this sudden invitation. My fatigue seemed to vanish away in a moment, and, looking to the Lord for help and guidance, I did as I was asked, and soon reached the residence of the young lady. My name having been sent up, I was shown into her bedroom, where a mournful silence reigned, and the soft dim light of a shaded lamp gave an aspect of sadness to the chamber of death. On my entrance the mother of the dying one approached me noiselessly, and said in an undertone—

“My daughter is anxiously looking for you. I am so much obliged to you for coming so quickly. It is very kind; only I must warn you that she is very weak indeed, and unable to bear much talk. The doctor says that she must not be excited in any way, but kept perfectly quiet. In fact, he gave strict orders not to allow any strangers to speak to her, but those who have been in constant attendance. But my dear child would have you sent for in spite of his orders, and I did not like to refuse her last wishes.”

“But, madam,” I replied, “I am told that your daughter is very unhappy at the prospect of death; that she has no peace with God. Should not every means which God hath put within our reach be tried to bring your poor child’s soul to rest on Jesus in this supreme hour, ere it is too late? Think of the duration of eternity! What are a few fleeting moments of bodily distress to be compared with forever and forever, without end?”

The afflicted mother said no more, but went up to the bedside of the sufferer, and told her who was there.

“O, I am so glad, mamma!” she replied. “Tell her to come near me.”

On approaching, I was struck with the mournful, restless expression of her features, and after a few words of sympathy and condolence my heart was too full to say any more.

“Come close to me,” said the dying girl, “and let me look at your face; for my eyesight is so dim now that I can hardly see you.” And putting her arms around my neck she drew me closer to her, and kissed me, saying, “O, yes; it is you, dear! I am so weary, so weak. I cannot say much. I well remember when last we met in the school-room of the old church. I have not forgotten your words, and the sweet story you told us of Jimmy, the little negro boy, who had just died in the Refuge, although I took no notice of them as conveying any particular message to me. But, as you see, I am now very ill. I have not long to live. I may die tonight, and I am going to hell.”

These awful words she repeated with terrible emphasis, while anguish and despair were sadly depicted on her poor, wasted countenance.

“My dear child,” I exclaimed, “what makes you say that? And how comes this dark despair while there is a Saviour—Jesus—able and willing to save to the uttermost all who come to Him in simple trust?

You have heard the truth preached faithfully by a minister of the gospel for many years, and the way of salvation has been pointed out to you.”

“I have never loved Jesus,” she replied. “My heart has never been His. True, I made an open profession, when I was confirmed, to give up the world; but it was a lie—an empty form, without any meaning or reality to me. I deceived the minister who examined me, and led him to believe that my heart was changed when I knew that it was not. I am lost! I feel it. I am going to hell! There’s no hope now; ‘tis too late! ‘tis too late!”

While uttering these broken sentences, her mother came to the foot of the bed and said:

“My dearest child, if you have any love for me, do not repeat those awful words any more. It is most painful for me to hear; and one would suppose that you had led a most wicked life, or committed some great crime.”

“O, mamma,” she cried, “I am very sorry to grieve you, who have always been so kind to me; but I cannot help saying what I feel, I am so unhappy, so weary. I am worse than any poor criminal woman that ever lived; for I have sinned against light and knowledge, against warning after warning which God sent me, to make me think seriously; hut I would not believe, and tried to put away from my mind all I disliked to hear which had reference to the salvation of the soul and a life hereafter. These last three years I have been ill, slowly declining: still I deceived myself with false hopes that I should get better.”

Here she stopped, quite exhausted. I was utterly dumb and powerless before such a solemn, impressive scene, not knowing what to say. Those words, “Because I have called, and ye refused” (Prov. 1:24), came to my memory with much force; and all I could do was to fall on my knees before the Lord by her bedside, and implore Him to show to that poor, sin-stricken soul the power of His all-cleansing blood. Then rising, I prepared to go; and taking an affectionate leave of her, she said, “Come again tomorrow morning; I may still be here.” Sadly I took my homeward way, followed by the echo of that terrible cry, “1 am going to hell,” which seemed to haunt me even in my sleep. The next morning I hastened to her bedside again, but there was no change. That mournful wailing cry of despair continued day and night, nor could she take any comfort from those many precious passages of Scripture which declare God’s love for sinners to all who will believe. Satan had persuaded her that she had rejected Christ, and was past all mercy. Her unworthy confirmation and the deception she had practiced upon the minister seemed to trouble her most. I tried to show that, if lost, it would not be for one sinful act alone, nor for many, but for rejecting Christ; that her salvation did not depend upon how few sins she had committed, but upon trusting Jesus as her own and only Saviour, quoting, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” To this she replied,

“Yes, I know this text very well, but I can’t believe it is meant for me; I wish I could.”

“But tell me,” I said, “who are the persons whom the Holy Spirit calls whosoever?”

“I suppose anybody,” was her answer. “Just so, my dear child. And can’t you rank yourself with them?”

“No, I cannot. I have no faith; I cannot trust,” she mournfully said. “I feel so wicked, and outside everything God says in the Bible.”

Finding that words were of no avail, I could only pray and intercede for her with God, that this huge stone of unbelief might be rolled away from her sad, wearied heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling her to look away from self to Jesus, and there find peace. A few short days passed slowly on in this same state of mind, in self-loathing and confession of sinfulness; but, as far as I can judge, not a ray of light or of hope seemed to dawn on her soul. The night before she died, a young lady friend, one who loved the Lord, and myself, were silently and prayerfully watching our dear dying friend, when she asked us to sing to her some of her favorite hymns. The first she chose was—

“I heard the voice of Jesus say,

Come unto Me, and rest.”

When we had done singing, she said, “It is sweet. O, if I could only take it to myself! for I am so weary, worn, and sad, and so wicked.”

I then stood weeping by her bedside, and said, “My dearest —, won’t you give to our dear, precious Jesus the glory to save you? I will agree with you that you feel yourself the vilest of the vile; but the Saviour died for such, not for the righteous.”

Looking at me earnestly, she whispered, “I cannot believe; I cannot trust; I can only hope.” Knowing that I had a work in connection with the Young Women’s Christian Association, she said, “Tell them of me. Rich or poor, high or low, young or old, tell them of me. Tell them not to leave their salvation till they come to die. but to make sure of it before it is too late.”

Before we parted she wished to have a portion of Scripture- read to her. My friend chose the incident related in Matthew 14:30, 31—Peter walking on the water to go to Jesus; then lacking faith, and feeling himself sinking, in his distress he cries to the Saviour, who hears him, and saves him, reproving at the same time his want of trust to hold him safely on the waves.

The last night passed quietly away. Her last morning on earth dawned slowly and sadly through the curtained window of her chamber. She had not spoken all night, though perfectly conscious; but, owing to her extreme weakness, she was past all power to do so. Her sorrowing mother stood watching and silently weeping beside her child’s bed, when, suddenly making an effort to raise herself, she lifted up her dying eyes to heaven, and with a voice of surprising strength she cried, “Lord, save me; I am perishing!” She then fell back, and died.

Shall we be thought presumptuous to cherish the hope that as her spirit left the body and met Jesus the Lord on the other shore, He said to her, as unto Peter, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Dear reader, do you ask why this most melancholy scene has been recorded? It was the dying request of one who had bitterly felt the terrible consequences of an empty profession, and a mere head knowledge of Christian truths. Although strictly moral, well-educated, and refined; and observer of religious forms, and possessed of many good qualities; one who never gave her parents cause of trouble or uneasiness; and, so far as man was concerned, who may be said “never to have done any harm”; and yet when death approached she felt with intense reality that something was lacking. What was it? “Faith in the Son of God”; faith, not in religious forms and moral ways, but in a personal Christ, a risen, glorified Saviour. “He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.” She was Christless! How terribly conscious she was of this let her last days and nights of ceaseless, weary anguish tell; but let them not tell in vain to you, if you are resting where she, when in health, once rested, or tried to rest. Let her dying moan, “I am going to hell!” ring in your ears till you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Messages of God’s Love 3/30/1913

Bible Questions for April

Answers to Bible Questions for February

1. “But Jesus turned,” etc. Matt. 9:22.

2. “And immediately Jesus,” etc. 14:31.

3. “Then Jesus sent the,” etc. 13:36.

4. “And Jesus went about,” etc. 4:23.

5. “And Jesus knew,” etc. 12:25.

6. “From that time,” etc. 4:17.

7. “And Jesus put forth,” etc. 8:3.

Bible Questions for April

The answers are to be found in the Gospel of Mark.

1. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus said, Let her alone.”

2. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus taketh with Him.”

3. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus cried with a loud voice.”

4. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus, moved with compassion.”

5. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus took bread.”

6. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus looking upon them.”

7. Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus said, Forbid him not.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/6/1913

The Gospel of Christ Is the Power of God Unto Salvation

MR. NOTT, missionary in the South Sea Islands, was on one occasion reading a portion of the gospel of John to a number of natives. When he had finished the sixteenth verse of the third chapter, a native, who had listened with avidity and joy to the words, interrupted him, and said, “What words were those you read? What sounds were those I heard? Let me hear those words again.” Mr. Nott read again, the verse, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” when the native rose from his seat, and said, “Is that true? Can that be true? God love the world, when the world not love Him? God so love the world, as to give His Son to die that man might not die Can that be true?” Mr. Nott again read the verse, “God so loved the world,” etc., told him it was true, and that it was the gracious message God had sent to them; and, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but be happy forever. The overwhelmed, feelings of the wondering native were too powerful for expression or restraint. He burst into tears, and as these chased each other down his countenance, he retired to meditate in private on the great love of God which had that day touched his soul.

Messages of God’s Love 4/6/1913

A Free Entrance Into Heaven

THE dismal day was quite in keeping with the mood in which I was traveling by coach across the country. Departure from home had been trying, having left behind my eldest brother, evidently hastening on to an early death. Besides this, another disappointment had met me, on account of which I had undertaken the journey. Dark melancholy enwrapped my mind. Praying and meditating, and dreamily following my thoughts, I whiled away the precious hours. Excepting the regular attendant, I was alone in the coach. Naturally timid, I was not at all willing, in such a mood, to start a conversation, being quite ready to seek excuses against the inner voice, bidding me take advantage of the opportunity to tell the man the word of life. But soon the Lord Himself opened the door wide, asking His servant to just deliver the precious message.

The evening having come, I asked the attendant what hour we would arrive at H—, and how long we would stop there. Giving the desired information, he added, he would be released from duty at that place, for he was living there, and his wife was so very sick and would no doubt die. His voice trembled when speaking of it.

My sympathy was awakened, and with it the earnest desire to tell this man of the love of God.

Continuing, he related how, after having served in the army, he had received this position soon after he had married. His life with his wife had been quite happy, but consumption had set in, which was now threatening her life. He lamented being so seldom at home, on account of his work, and concluded with the sad declaration: “If our God takes my wife away, then He might as well take me out of this world, too. I really don’t know what I should do here without her. I have no desire to live and might as well die with her.”

“But are you ready to die?” I asked him.

He looked rather surprised, as though he had failed to grasp the true sense of my question. I spoke further of eternity and the judgment of God, into which death ushers the sinner.

“And what do you think of me?” he asked. “Do you consider me a bad man?”

He went on talking. His previous instruction had been “to fear no man and do what is right,” and “to be faithful and upright.” That was his way of salvation. He had also heard of a merciful and kind God who had created us all, and who was so gracious and good, that He would readily overlook our few shortcomings if our hearts were only right; and also of Jesus, the best man that ever lived on earth, and how God had given us in Him an example for our lives.

One could readily perceive the man had not the least idea how altogether different the Word of God speaks. Of the work on the cross, as the only way of salvation, he did not know the least about. The Bible he knew as the good book, containing such interesting stories. He also related how his wife had received a Bible from her godfather at the time of confirmation, but he knew more of the illustrations and binding than of its contents. Nor had he neglected his “religious duties” altogether, for he had been quite regular at “communion” with his wife, as often as it was required of them, though not lately, because of her illness.

Our conversation became very much in earnest, and the more the cross was presented to him, the more he gave attention; neither did he interrupt, except with exclamations of surprise at the truths he had never heard before, or with questions which gave evidence of the deep interest his heart was taking in the matter. He could not understand how it was, but I assured him that all I had said was to, be found in the Word of God, and that this was the truth of God and His way of salvation.

The following verses made solemn impression upon his soul:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”—Eph. 2:8:9.

These words went straight to his heart and I believe they become in his soul the seed unto eternal life.

With such interesting conversation the time passed by quickly. My melancholy had given place to real joy and standing in the full sunshine of God’s grace I was able to testify with a grateful heart to the abounding fullness of His love through the gift of His Son.

When nearing the town, and compelled to stop our conversation, the attendant took my hand, pressing it with both his hands, heartily expressing his gratitude for what I had said to him.

“I am so sorry we cannot be together a few more hours,” he said, adding: “But my dear sir, why were you so silent all day and never spoke of these things to me? How much more we might have talked about them.”

This question cut deeply into my heart, compelling me to confess my guilt before God and him.

“Then you must not refuse me one request,” he continued. “You must come with me to see my wife. She has never heard such comforting words. Please come right on with me.”

I wondered whether it would be advisable for a stranger to visit one so very sick, and so late in the evening.

That would not matter at all, he thought; it would be good for her to hear the words of comfort, so that she might be saved, and die with peace and assurance. He was not able to tell her what he had heard, hardly realizing how he stood; but his heart had received blessing such as he had never known before.

I could see the leading of the Lord in all this. The coach stopped. The attendant asked the first one we met the question, “Is my wife still living?”

To the affirmative answer he gave a hearty “Thank God!” and throwing his bag to one of his fellow-attendants, he hastened homeward in company with myself, having given orders to the driver to stop at his house for me.

My friend was somewhat excited. Repeatedly he said, “O, how glad my wife will be to hear that she can go to heaven free, without any price.”

The nearby dwelling was soon reached. When turning from the street into a dark lane, which led to his house, he took my arm to lead me, saying: “Blessed God, who would have thought that in all my trouble I should have such joy!”

Thanking him for guiding me through the dark court and up the stairs, he said: “It is worth my while, for you are going to show my wife the way to heaven, as you have shown to me.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/6/1913

The Camel

THERE are beautiful plains, hills, valleys, forests and deserts, etc., in this world. God has made them all, and He has made animals fit for each. The camel is one that is made fit to go in the desert where there is little water, and often great distances apart, and where the sand is blown up in great clouds. He can close his nostrils completely, and pass through it unhurt. His humps of fat sustain him without food for quite a while, and he is so constructed that he can take a supply of water that will last him for days.

When a traveler is preparing to cross a desert, he feeds his camel well, and gets the hump or humps of fat quite large and has the camel lay in a large store of water; also supplies himself with food and water, because he knows there is little in the desert to supply his or the camel’s need.

We may learn a lesson in this—that this world is like a desert, where there is nothing to satisfy, and nothing that can meet the need of our souls; so, in order to pass through this world and be satisfied, we must start out with a supply from another scene.

First we must know Christ as our own Saviour, as the One who has died for us, and atoned (or covered) all our sins before God, and can say, He is mine. Then the path through this world must be in company with Him, and we will enjoy His love and learn day by day how dear we are to Him. We are so dear that He gave Himself for us, and what more can a man give than his life. Our blessed Lord and Saviour did not say, I will give you many worlds, but He gave Himself, and will never be satisfied till He has us in the glory with Him and like Him, sharing with Him all that He has. This can sustain the believer through this world where there is nothing to satisfy.

“I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE: HE THAT COMETH TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER; AND HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME SHALL NEVER THIRST.” John 6:35.

Messages of God’s Love 4/6/1913

The Hay Field

THE hay harvest is earlier in Holland than in some other countries where it is colder; but when that time comes, no matter where, nor how it is done, either by the old way or by the new methods of machinery, the farmers soon get thirsty and tired; and in these parts the women will come out to the field with a jug of cool water to refresh their husbands. God has permitted man to know what thirst is, and He has provided water to quench the thirst.

But there is another kind of thirst, a thirst for something very different than water, and that is, the longings of the soul. So the Lord Jesus, when He was here on earth, said to the Jews, who were very religious, on the last day of a feast, “If any man thirst let him come unto Me and drink.” Their religiousness would not satisfy them, nor will mere religion satisfy any of us today. We need to get rid of the load of our sins and find peace with God. So the word that the Lord Jesus gave then, is what is needed now. “If any man thirst, let Him come unto Me and drink.” John 7:37.

“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” Matt. 11:28.

We must come to Jesus, who has died for us, in order to get rid of our load of sin, and He alone can satisfy the thirst of our souls. Have you come to Him dear reader? If not, you cannot know what rest of soul is, nor what it is to sit down and be truly satisfied. The terrible thing is, if you will not come to Jesus now, and get your soul’s need met, you will have to hear Him say by and by, “Depart from Me”. Which will it be with you?

Messages of God’s Love 4/13/1913

Bible History

Chapter 105.

1 Sam. 2:11-36. Hophni and Phinehas

While Eli, the high priest, feared God, his sons did not; but on the contrary, although priests themselves, they were very wicked men. When the people brought an offering for a sacrifice unto the Lord, the priests would send their servant with a three-prong flesh hook to plunge it into the pan where the meat was boiling, and whatever was brought up with it, the priest took for himself. And when, according to the law, the man who offered a sacrifice wanted to have the fat burned upon the altar, the servant would come and say, “Give me some flesh to roast for the priest.” And if the man answered, “We will first burn the fat,” wanting to give the Lord His portion first, the servant said, “No, but you shall give it me now, and if not, I will take it by force.” How great the sin of those two young men! They were robbing their God of what was due Him, and caused the people to despise the holy sacrifice.

And though the conduct of his sons was known to Eli, he did not restrain them, but only said: “Why do you do such things, for I hear of your evil deeds by all this people? Nay, my sons, for it is no good report that I hear; ye make the Lord’s people to transgress. If one man sin against another, God will judge him; but if a man sin against God, who shall entreat for him?” But Hophni and Phinehas cared nothing for their father’s reproof, and they continued in their evil ways until the Lord resolved they should die.

But Samuel’s behavior was a happy contrast to that of those wicked young men. From his earliest childhood he waited upon the Lord, girded with a linen ephod (the coat that the priests wore when officiating in the tabernacle), and he grew and was in favor, both before God and men. Year after year his loving mother would bring him a coat which she made for him, for she was far from forgetting him, although she had parted with him, to lend him to the Lord. As she worked on the little garments for her dear boy, I am sure she looked forward with great longing to the time when she would go with Elkanah, her husband, to sacrifice unto the Lord at Shiloh. The Lord was pleased with Hannah for her faithfulness and self-forgetfulness, and He blessed her and her husband, and gave them three sons and two daughters. Indeed, there never is anything done for the Lord that does not bring a hundred-fold reward, for our God delights to give; more willing is He to give than we are to receive.

One day a man of God came to Eli and said to him: “Thus saith the Lord: Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father (Levi) when they were in Egypt, in Pharoah’s house? Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, and to offer sacrifices upon Mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before Me? And did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? Wherefore do ye trample upon My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded to be offered in My habitation; and honorest thy sons above Me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel, My people? Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith: I said indeed that thy house, and thy father’s house, should walk before Me forever, but now, the Lord saith, Be it far from Me; for them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold the days come that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, and there shall not be an old man in thine house forever. And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from Mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart; and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age. And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die, both of them, and I will raise Me up a faithful priest (Samuel) that shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind, and I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before Mine Anointed forever.”

How often God has to set us aside because of unfaithfulness to Him. Yes, we can truthfully and sorrowfully say we have ALL gone astray, all chosen our own way. It is only in Christ that God has found that faithful priest, who has done according to that which is in His heart and in His mind. It is only as we reflect Him and act like Him that we can please God.

“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” 1 Peter, 2:21.

Messages of God’s Love 4/13/1913

A Free Entrance Into Heaven

We entered the sitting-room. At my request he went to prepare his Wife for the visit, and upon entering I heard him say: “Louise, I have with me a gentleman who is going to tell you the way of salvation and how to go to heaven.”

“Lord,” I prayed, “magnify Thy Word, and give blessing.” The man then led me to the bedside of his wife.

A most touching and pitiful sight met my eyes. The sick woman’s cheeks were highly colored, and the eyes showed that peculiar brightness which gives evidence of consuming fever-beat.

I greeted her with a few words of sympathy. She pressed my hand in response and appreciation.

“You are very near death.” I continued, “and our gracious and merciful God, who desires not the death of the sinner, but that he might turn to Him and live, is sending you now the message of peace through the Saviour of sinners. Would you like to be saved and know your sins forgiven?”

“Alas!” she responded, hardly audible, “I know not how it is with me. I am so afraid to die.”

Upon this remark I showed her the cause of the fear of death, and that it gives evidence of sin. Also, that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” I testified to her that the Lord Jesus Christ through his death had taken the power from death, and was now saying through his servant: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth in Me hath everlasting life,” adding the word spoken to Martha (John 1l:25, 26): “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

She was not able to converse much, but listened with close attention, and with her eyes riveted on me, she seemed to drink in every word. Occasionally the husband would interrupt with a confirming exclamation, as “Just think, Louise, all this we receive free. We can’t earn it, and we need not try.” We always thought if we would but do what’s right and keep our hands from taking our neighbors’ goods, we would surely go to heaven.” “That’s what they have always told us, but it is all counterfeit with which one can deceive man but not God. Now we know better.” “The Bible says, ‘Freely are ye saved.’ Where is that precious verse, sir? Please show it to us.”

Requesting a woman, who was attending his wife during her illness, to hand him the Bible, he said: “You see, sir, here is the beautiful Bible my wife received, of which I told you before. It looks like a new one. God forgive us for making so little use of it, but I did not know it contained such comforting verses, otherwise I would have made more use of it. With God’s help, it shall be different from now on.”

I began to read Eph. 1:3-7, and 2:1-10, where we find the glorious declaration: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” I added only a few words of explanation. The impression the word of the grace of God in Christ Jesus made upon the dying one was deep and real.

I then read Isaiah 55:1-3: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: come ye, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price.”

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”

“Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”

Turning again to the sick one, I spoke to her of the grace of God, offering her at the very brink of death eternal life as a free gift, and the forgiveness of all her sins. And how God could righteously thus deal with sinners, having found a ransom—His own blessed Son—who paid the great debt of our guilt with His own precious blood.

Taking my hand and being- deeply affected, she said: “Is God really willing to receive me even now? Is it not too late?”

My heart was full of the sense of the all-sufficiency of the precious blood of Christ: of the evidences of God’s mercy and the depths of His grace.

Again I spoke of the grace which stoops down to the lowest and frees him from all his sins, clothing him with the righteousness of God which is by faith in Christ Jesus; also of the gift of God, which “is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” After pointing her to the Lamb of God, I read the invitation of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” encouraging her to go to Him in faith, just as she was, taking Him at His word.

A glance at my watch told me the time had almost expired.

“O, I wish you could stay with us longer, dear sir!” said the man.

“You are to me as an angel from heaven!” whispered the sick wife. I pointed them to the Lord, and commended them to God and the Word of His grace.

The man requested me to mark in his Bible the verses which I had read, so that he might read them to his wife.

The dying one seemed as though she reflected the light from beyond this scene, and I am persuaded that at the Lord’s coming He will reveal the wonders of His grace wrought that night, for His own glory.

I went on my journey into the night, thankful that I had just come from the deathbed of one who had found life at the very brink of death, and a free entrance into heaven and into the very presence of a Saviour-God.

As for myself, His matchless grace put me deeply to shame, and I had much to talk to the Lord about. His word to me was, “Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season.”

Only a little service,

While seeking to live for God,

‘Mid darkness, and sin, and sorrow,

Where Jesus, Himself, once trod.

Only a little waiting,

Dear child, let your light shine bright,

For Jesus will come, and take you

To glory, and love, and light.

Messages of God’s Love 4/13/1913

Herculaneum

ACCORDING to accounts of travelers, and the excavators of the ruins of this city, it was at one time a flourishing and prosperous place, and the artistic and literary relics which have been found, show the high state of civilization the people were in then compared to the condition of the people at the present time in that vicinity.

A day came, in the year 79, that the glory and grandeur of that city was laid low, and the people were engulfed in the ruins as the result of the earthquake, and then melted lava from Mt. Vesuvius buried them completely. As far as is known, very few people escaped. We may be sure of this, they did not try to save the precious things they had accumulated around them; they fled for their lives to get as far away as they could from that burning mountain, and find a place that would be secure.

Would any of us think it strange that those few who could escape should have taken advantage of the means at hand to do so? I am sure we would all say they would be very foolish if they did not. But they had no warning. Earthquakes come at a time when we do not expect them, and the melted lava from Mt. Vesuvius is poured out with very little warning, so that the people could not flee till it was upon them. But there is a time of terrible judgment coming upon this world, when the wrath of God will come upon all who despise and reject Him, and have no fear of God before their eyes; and God, in His grace has given warning about that coming wrath, and has also told us the means of escape. God is holy and righteous, and therefore cannot allow sin to go without its due punishment, so in His love He provided a competent Saviour—His beloved Son—who alone was able to go down into death, the wages of sin, and rise triumphant out of it. He, therefore, can save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.

Have you, my reader, come to God through Christ? If not, may you do so now, as we know not what moment the Lord will come, and the day of grace will be over, and judgment will be poured upon the scene. If you have already come to that Saviour, may you be diligent in warning others of the coming judgment, and the way of escape through the Lord Jesus Christ.

“BEHOLD THE LORD COMETH WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS, TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT.” Jude 14, 15.

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/1913

Bible History

Chapter 106.

1 Samuel 3.
Samuel

SAMUEL was still living with Eli at Shiloh, serving the Lord in the tabernacle. Eli had become old and was unable to see clearly. His sons, we know, were wicked priests, and their influence upon the people was bad; also God’s Word was seldom heard, and an open vision was not frequent in those days:One night, after Eli had retired, Samuel went to lie down in the temple of the Lord where the ark was, and the light still burning,. He heard a voice which he thought must be Eli’s, but it came from God, calling: “Samuel, Samuel.” He arose immediately, and ran to Eli and said, “Here am I; for thou calledst me.” But Eli said, “I called not; lie down again.” Then Samuel went back and lay down, but soon the voice called, “Samuel.” Samuel still thought it was Eli’s voice, and he went a second time to him, who said: “I called not, my son; lie down again.” Samuel did not know it was the voice of the Lord, because he had never heard it before. A third time the voice was heard, and as before, the child arose and went to Eli to see what he wanted. When Eli saw Samuel coming to him a third time, he began to think it must be God calling the child, so he said: “Go, lie down, and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.”

Had not Samuel been an obedient boy, accustomed to live in the presence of God, he would have been filled with dread at the thought of a holy God. But in simple trust, he went back, as Eli had told him, and lay down as before. How pleasing this must have been to the Lord! And He came and stood by, and called as He had the previous times, “Samuel, Samuel.” This time the lad answered simply, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” And the Lord told him He was going soon to do a fearful thing, so that all would be astonished. He was going to punish Eli and his family, because of the wickedness of the sons and the indifference of the father, and He would spare none of them, and neither sacrifice nor offering would be accepted for them.

Samuel remained on his bed until morning, fearing to meet Eli, and to tell him his vision. But he went on about his usual duties, opened the doors of the house of God, until Eli called him: “Samuel, my son!” With his accustomed obedience, Samuel answered, and went to Eli, who asked: “What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee, hide it not from me.” So Samuel told him all, hiding nothing, although it must have grieved him much. Eli knew God had spoken, and he felt the justice of it, and only said, “It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

Eli’s submission to God’s will shows us that he was true at heart to Him but it was not enough, for he had proved that he loved his sons more than God. Yet his love was unwise, and not for their good. God tells parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to teach them obedience and the fear of God. That is true love toward their children. And the word to children is, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Eph. 6:1. Many, indeed, are the passages of Scripture which show God’s will in this, and the first commandment with promise is, “Honor thy father and mother, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Eph. 6:2, 3.

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/1913

I Am Not Going to a Christless Grave, Are You?

I WENT into a street car in Buffalo, and when the conductor came for my fare, I gave him the leaflet, “Where Hell Is”. As I handed it to him, he laughed, and said, “You always give me one of these religious papers; I suppose you think me a very wicked fellow, but I am about as good as they make them.”

I held up my Bible and asked, “Do you see this book? It tells me, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.’ Jer. 17:9. That means your heart and mine. It does not sound so very good, does it?”

“O, well,” he said, “there is plenty of time for me to think about these things. I am still young.”

“Yes,” I said, “but if you go into any graveyard, you will see graves of all sizes. A little girl once asked her mother, how old must one be before he dies. The wise mother gave her child a long piece of string and told her to go into the graveyard and measure the graves, and every time she measured to tie a knot. Soon after the child came back with the string full of knots. ‘Look, mother, the graves are all sizes.’ ‘Yes, dear, people die at all times and ages.’”

Again the young man laughed and said, “There is plenty of time for me.” Little did he think, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Luke 12:20. On leaving the car I said, ‘‘Remember, the time is short, and you need not go to a Christless grave and to hell; Jesus died for you.”

This young man had only been a conductor six or eight weeks, but during that time 1 had often met him, and always gave him a tract. As this was not a busy line, I often had a little talk with him and other conductors. Also, we have some who, like Epaphras, “always laboring fervently in prayer.” Col. 4:12. Well would it be if all who distribute tracts had the same.

The next morning I traveled by the same car, but a new conductor was there, who told me that the one I had spoken to the day before, had intended going for an afternoon’s pleasure, but in jumping from one car to another, had missed his footing, was run over by the car and injured, so that in a few hours he died.

I felt very badly, thinking he had indeed found a Christless grave, but later in the day I was told that he had accepted the Saviour and wished me to know that he was not going to a Christ-less grave. I went to his home, and as I looked upon that young man’s dead face, I could not help thinking what an awful warning to anyone who thinks there is plenty of time.

I tell you, time is short. (See Psa. 89:47.) “After this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27. God in His love and mercy had given this young man time; but, O, how short the time was! God gave him a last message.

Reader, this may be God’s last message to you! Remember, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. Are you trusting that doing the best you can will save you? Listen, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” Prov. 28:26. Again, “He that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Prov. 28:14. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Prov. 29:1. O, won’t you come to the Saviour now? — tomorrow may be too late.

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/1913

Earnestness

ROWLAND HILL, in an address to the people of Wotton, said, “Because I am in earnest, men call me an enthusiast. When I first came into this part of the country, I was walking on yonder hill, and I saw a gravel-pit fall in and bury three human beings alive. I lifted up my voice and called for help so loud that I was heard in the town at a distance of nearly a mile. Help came and two of the sufferers were rescued. No one called me an enthusiast then, and when I see eternal destruction ready to fall on poor sinners, and to sink their souls into an eternal hell, and call on them to escape, shall I be called an enthusiast now? No! I am no enthusiast in doing so; I CALL ON THEE ALOUD TO ELY FOR REFUGE TO JESUS CHRIST, THE ONE SET BEFORE THEE IN THE GOSPEL.”

“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.

Come, then, little children,

And listen to His love,

For He is still the same today,

Though now He dwells above;

Though your hearts are full of sin, Jesus’

blood can make you clean.

Messages of God’s Love 4/20/1913

The Ark

There was a noble ark,

Sailing o’er the waters dark

And wide around.

Not one tall tree was seen;

Nor flower nor leaf of green,

All, all was drowned.

Then a soft wing was spread,

And o’er the billows dread

A meek dove flew.

But on that shoreless tide,

No living thing she spied

To cheer her view;

So to the ark she fled,

With weary, drooping head

To seek for rest.

Christ is the ARK, my love;

Thou art the tender dove— ,

Fly to His breast!

“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” Matt. 11:28.

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/1913

True Joy

A CONVERTED Brahmin by the name of Dondaba, after confessing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptized in His name, lost all his possessions — houses, villas, orchards, farms, money and other’ riches, as well as wife and children.

When someone asked him how he was able to bear such sorrow and tribulation, and whether the cross was sufficient for him in this hour of trial, he exclaimed:

“Alas, so many ask this question, but no one ever asks me how I can bear the joy that I now possess in Christ. Let me Say that notwithstanding the sorrow, my soul is filled with such joy that no mortal is able to express or comprehend it.”

“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 Peter 1:8.)

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/1913

Bible History

Chapter 107.

Eli’s Death. 1 Sam. 4.

SAMUEL grew and the Lord was with him, for he gave heed to God’s Word, and kept it in his heart. O! if God’s Word was as precious to us, and we read it with the knowledge of who is talking to us, how much more effect it would have upon our lives. He could bless us as He did Samuel, for it would then become a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

All Israel soon saw that Samuel was favored of God, and he became known through the whole land, from Dan to Beersheba, as the prophet of the Lord, for God continued to appear and to reveal Himself to him in Shiloh, and before long all the people heard the prophecy concerning Eli and his sons.

Israel at that time was at war with the Philistines—a nation dwelling on the southwest of them. The Israelites had pitched their camp in Ebenezer, while their enemies were in Apheck, and had arrayed themselves against them, and very soon smote Israel, and about four thousand men of the Israelites lay dead in the field.

When the children of Israel came back to the camp, the elders said: “Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that when it cometh among us, it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” So instead of saying, God is speaking to us in this way; He is displeased with us, let us go to Him and confess our sins; He will forgive and deliver us from the Philistines, they trusted rather to the ark (which was but a symbol of the Lord’s presence among them, and not to God Himself), and with the ark, were those two wicked sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas. When the ark was brought into the camp, the people rejoiced greatly and shouted so the noise was heard in the camp of the Philistines, who were greatly afraid, and said, “God has come into the camp. Woe unto us. Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? These are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Quit yourself like men and fight.”

And so the Philistines fought fiercely, and again defeated the Israelites, who fled each to his tent. The slaughter was very great, and thirty thousand men of Israel were killed. Among the dead were Hophni and Phinehas, who fell together, according to the word of the Lord.

And the ark of the covenant was taken; the ark in which they trusted to deliver them, was carried away by the Philistines into their own country! God showed his sinful people that He was not with them now.

A man from the tribe of Benjamin ran from the battle-field and came to Shiloh; his clothing was torn and he had placed dust upon his head in sign of sorrow. As he came into the place, Eli was sitting on a seat by the roadside, watching, for he was greatly worried about the ark. The fugitive had soon told his sad story to the people, and cries and groans were heard. Eli, hearing the noise, inquired; and the man came and said: “I am he that came out of the army and I fled today out of the army. Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among thy people, and thy two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.” As Eli heard the ark mentioned, he fell backward from his seat, and broke his neck and died, for he was old and very heavy. Upon him, too, had God’s judgment fallen for his failure to correct his sons in their wicked ways.

On that day Phinehas had a son born to him. His mother, in her sorrow, called him Ichabod, meaning “The glory is departed from Israel” because the ark of God had been taken.

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/1913

Neddie

Or, “I know the Lord and he knows me.”

A CHRISTIAN at B—. heard one day of the illness of a poor boy, called Neddie, about sixteen years of age who had been kept toiling in a mill from earliest childhood, even the simplest rudiments of education being entirely neglected. Having found, him in a cottage near, under the care of a poor woman, the visitor sat down by his side to speak to him of his soul and eternal things. He proved to be so ignorant, that he did not even know of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, yet expressed a desire to be saved, if he only knew how, when his state and need had been explained to him.

His visitor said, “God is in heaven, and has sent His Son to die for us; and He is willing and ready to save us just as we are.”

And then, as he could not read a single word in the Bible, sought to teach him to repeat from memory that beautiful verse in the third of John, “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;” concluding by saying, All He wants of you is to say from the heart, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” (2 Cor. 9:15.)

She left him, promising to speak with him further if his strength would permit him to walk the next day as far as her house, which was near at hand.

He came down, and his friend asked him if he remembered, and would repeat the text he had sought to learn the day before. “I cannot say all that,” replied the poor lad, “but I can say, ‘Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.’”

Being visited many times after this, he always evinced a growing desire to hear about the things of the Lord, and expressed a wish that he could get a little stronger, as he thought that then lie could learn to read, and would know more about Him. Another kind friend, taking- an interest in his case, taught him his letters; and before he died, he could spell out the text, “God so loved the world,” etc.

One day, a young Christian man met him strolling in a wood near his home, and asked him if he would like him to read a little out of the New Testament. Receiving his assent, he drew the book from his pocket, and as he did so, remarked, “You know, Neddie, it is not, he that readeth, but ‘he that believeth hath everlasting life.’” God in His wondrous grace used these words in power to his soul, and from that moment Neddie had full assurance that he had passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Returning home, the woman at the house where he lived noticed the brightness of his countenance and said—

“Who have you met today, Neddie?”

“Why, I net Mr. B—, and he told me it was ‘he that believeth,’ not ‘he that readeth,’ hath everlasting life. And though I cannot read, I’m sure I believe on the Lord Jesus, and I’m sure I have eternal life: “ The Spirit of God had fastened these words upon him, and although that which bad been read passed from his memory, “he that believeth hath” was indelibly written upon his heart.

On another occasion, two or three Christians were found at his bedside, for he had been gradually growing worse, and one of them, while praying, thanked the Lord that the angels would carry the souls of those who died in Him safely to heaven. This caused poor Neddie great trouble, having been previously told that to be “absent from the body” was to be “present with the Lord;” so much so that he could not sleep, but during the night called the woman who attended him, and said;—

“I cannot sleep. I do not know angels, and they do not know me. If they come in the night, they wouldn’t know what to do with me. I thought it was the Lord that was to come for me. I know the Lord, and He knows me.”

The poor woman, not knowing how to reply, took her Bible, and sought to comfort him by reading from that blessed portion of Scripture, the fourteenth chapter of John, “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me,” etc.

How beautiful the simple faith of this poor boy, “I know the Lord, and He knows me.” What grace of the Lord thus to reveal Himself to one so ignorant, taking up this poor lost one to share with Himself God’s kingdom and glory forever.

Neddie lived several days after this, and his whole conduct and manner, as well as the confession of his lips, till the day that he fell asleep in Christ (1 Cor. 15:18) testified clearly that the great change he professed was indeed a reality. Though passing through great suffering, no complaint ever passed his lips, but he often expressed his gratitude to the Lord for His great kindness, speaking with the deepest affection and reverence of the One who had died for him, and whose precious blood had cleansed him from all sin (1 John 1:7).

And now, dear reader, may I ask you the question, “Do you know Neddie’s Saviour? Can you say with him, I know the Lord and He knows me?” Simple and unlettered as he was, Neddie found pardon and peace through faith in God’s beloved Son. And why not you? Learned or unlearned, none can be saved through any other. Reading about Him, believing about Him will not give you the life you need, but “he that believeth on the Son path everlasting life.” Such are His; He knows them, and they know Him (John 10:14). Are you one? If not, there is nothing before you but the wages of sin, “death.”And after death comes the judgment. But God gave His Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). Neddie received this inestimable gift; knew that he possessed it, and is now gone to be with the One he loved. The moment his soul was absent from his body, Neddie was ushered into the presence of his Lord. Reader, the Lord Himself may come according to His word (1 Thess. 4:15-18); where are you bound? Is it to be in eternal bliss with Christ? Can you now say, “I know the Lord and He knows me?” “He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/1913

Never Perish" Who?

LISTEN— “They shall never perish!”

Who shall never perish, who?

We would learn to whom it speaketh,

Who, and whence they are, would know.

Listen—’tis the words of Jesus,

And ‘tis spoken of His sheep—

In His hand in perfect safety,

He has promised each to keep.

Born they were as sons of Adam,

Sinful, fallen, of the earth,

They have heard the word of Jesus,

And have now a heavenly birth.

Now from Satan’s power delivered,

Jesus takes them in His love;

They shall “never, never perish,”

He will bear them safe above.

Messages of God’s Love 4/27/1913

Bible Questions for May

Answers to Bible Questions for March

1.“And Jesus went into the,” etc. Matt. 21:2.

2.“And as they came,” etc. 17:9.

3.“While the pharisees,” etc. 22:41.

4.“Then Jesus answered,” etc. 15:28.

5.“And as they were eating,” etc. 26:26.

6.“And Jesus called,” etc. 18:2.

7.“But Jesus held His peace,” etc. 26:63.

Bible Questions for May

The answers are to be found in the first twelve chapters of the gospel of Luke.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus, perceiving the thoughts.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus rejoiced in spirit.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus went with them.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus perceived their thoughts.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus was found alone.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/1913

Telling Mother

A CLUSTER of young girls stood about the door of the school-room one afternoon, when a little girl joined them, and asked what they were doing. “I am telling the girls a secret, Kate, and we will let you know, if you will promise not to tell anyone as long as you live,” was the reply.

“I won’t tell anyone but my mother,” replied Kate. “I tell her everything, for she is my best friend.”

“No, not even your mother no one in the world.”

“Well, then I can’t hear it; for what I can’t tell my mother, is not fit for me to hear.” After speaking these words, Kate walked away slowly, and perhaps sadly, yet with a quiet conscience, while her companions went on with their secret conversation.

I am sure that if Kate continued to act on that principle, she became a virtuous, useful woman. No child of a pious mother will be likely to take a sinful course, if Kate’s reply is taken for a rule of conduct.

As soon as a boy listens to conversation at school or on the playground which he would fear or blush to repeat to his mother, he is in the way of temptation, and no one can tell where he will stop. Many a man dying in disgrace, in prison, or on the scaffold, has looked back with bitter remorse to the time when first a sinful companion gained his ear, and came between him and a pious mother. Boys and girls, if you will lead a Christian life, and die a Christian death, make Kate’s reply your rule: “What I cannot tell my mother, is not fit for me to know”; for a pious mother is your best friend.

If you have no mother, do as the disciples did; go and tell Jesus. He loves you better than the most tender parent.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1, 2.

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/1913

Shushilla, the Little Burdwan Girl

(A true story told by a lady missionary.)

ONE day I was driving in the cool of the evening along a pretty shady red road in Burdwan, in the province of Bengal, when I saw two dear little girls dressed in white muslin saris—this is the name of their dress—with pretty borders to them. They were playing and laughing, just as you would do, near their house. I felt as if I loved them already, and longed to get them to come to our day school, where they might hear about Jesus and His love for little children.

After alighting from the little gari (carriage) I went up to them, and said, “Is your mother at home, and do you think she would see me?” Half frightened and half pleased at being spoken to by a white lady, they ran and opened the door in a high, red brick wall, which led to the court yard of the house. I followed my little friends, and soon reached the zenana. Perhaps some of my young friends may ask what a zenana is. Well, it is that part of an Indian gentleman’s house where his wife, and any other of his female relatives, live; also his children and his daughters-in-law.

The Hindoo and Mahommedan ladies are not allowed to go out to church or any public place, so they never get a chance to hear about God, nor is any man from outside permitted to enter the zenana, except, perhaps, an old guru (religious teacher) who shows them how to worship their idols. So you see the only way they can ever hear of Jesus, and all He has done for them, is for Christian ladies to go and visit them in the zenana. But to return to my story. The dear little mother was even more shy than her children, and drew her sari over her face, just leaving one eye uncovered in order to take a sly peep at me. She was standing under the thatched verandah of her little house and said something in a low tone to her eldest little girl, who scampered off and soon returned with her father to talk English to the white lady.

The gentleman knew who I was, and seemed quite pleased with the idea of sending his little girls to our school. Then I asked if he would allow me to come and teach his little wife to read and write and do needlework. But he said, “O, no, I could not think of that; you would tell your Bible to her.” “Yes,” I said, “but that would only do her good.”

“No, no,” he replied, “your religion is for you, and her religion is for her; she must not hear yours. She is only a weak woman, and would want to be a Christian. She must stay in her own religion.”

So I took leave, and went home, where we all prayed earnestly that the little girls might be allowed to come to school on the next morning, and that they really might learn to love the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, you know you can send a message round the world by the cable, and get an answer in a wonderfully short space of time; but even that is not so quick a means of communication as a heartfelt prayer, just sent up to our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. The answer comes directly sometimes and we see and know it; at other times, although we know He has heard us, the answer does not come exactly in the way we expected, or for some wise reason, God delays to answer, and often, when we may have forgotten all about our prayer, we find it fulfilled.

Have you tried this? If not, do try it. Tell Jesus all your wishes and all your troubles. Little people have troubles as well as big people, but He can help you to bear them all.

Now, this time the answer came at once to our prayer; the next morning the two little girls arrived, looking so neat and clean, and very soon they were seated on the lowest step of the gallery, delighted with their first reading book. After the opening hymn and prayer, and the Bible lesson were over, they set to work diligently to learn their letters.

“What a funny alphabet!” you would say if you saw their book, but if you heard them repeating the first four letters, I think you could not keep from laughing, for it sounds just as if a number of rooks were cawing. Here they are, “kaw—khaw—gaw—ghaw.”

Shushilla, from the first, was an industrious little girl, setting herself to master her lessons in a brave, quiet way; but what we noticed with most joy, was, that the stories of the Bible and her texts and hymns were what she took real delight in.

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/1913

In the Pasture

THIS is the time of year when we like to visit the farm, and see the horses, cows, pigs and chickens. All the animals are so interesting to us. This lady in our picture has brought her little boy out to look at the calves. What quiet, gentle little creatures they are. Why do they look up so eagerly at the boy? I believe they think that he has something good for them to eat,—you see one of them is smelling his hat. Then little colts and calves like to be petted; they are specially fond of children; that is, of boys and girls who treat them kindly. These calves look as though they were well fed; they must be in a good pasture. They will grow rapidly if they are kept here.

Have you ever learned the twenty-third psalm? The Lord is talking there through His servant David. Read the first part of the second verse. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” Where are the green pastures for the Christian, —is it not the Bible where their souls may be fed? The Lord gives us so ‘many good things in His Book, the Bible, that it takes a life-time to feed upon them all; even then we don’t learn nearly all the wonderful things He has given us in it.

Do you know how cows and calves lie down to chew their cud after eating their food? It is only in this way that they get the greatest good from what they cat. So the Lord wants us to read His Word very thoughtfully, and then to think over again and again what we have read. This is chewing our cud. The twenty-third psalm talks about sheep instead of cows, but they chew their cud the same as cows and calves do. How contented these animals are when they lie down and chew their cud! We will realize just such contentment and happiness in our souls if we think over carefully the verses, every time we read in the Scriptures. What joy and peace a verse like this brings to either a saved child or grown person that meditates upon it, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin,” 1 John, 1:7. Then the verse, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee,” Isa. 26:3, is another that will give us such confidence in the Lord. One more verse that we should keep before us and really think about is, “Behold, I come quickly.” Jesus is speaking here. If we read and ponder over these beautiful verses He has given us in our Bibles, we will learn to love Him more, and long to see Him.

“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I SHALL NOT WANT HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES.” Psalm 23:1, 2.

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/1913

Room for the Children

“Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14.

Let the little children come

To a Saviour’s breast;

Little souls feel weariness,

Little hearts need rest.

Jesus wants a tiny hand

In the harvest field;

To the touch of fingers small

Giant hearts may yield.

Jesus wants a baby voice,

Praises sweet to sing—

Earth’s discordant choruses

Shaming, silencing.

Jesus bids those little feet

Carry comfort rare

To some troubled, weary soul,

Full of dark despair.

Little saints have work to do,

Precious souls to win,

Standing at the golden gate

Asking others in.

Perhaps amid the crowding throng,

No one else might see,

That some little faces asked,

“Is there room for me?”

Heaven is full of little ones—

God’s great nursery,

Where the fairest flowers of earth

Bloom eternally.

Messages of God’s Love 5/4/1913

Fear

HERE in our picture we can look right into the parlor of an elegant home and see so many grand things, but the people in this parlor do not seem at ease. What an anxious expression is on each face! This picture was taken in France during the time of war, so we cannot wonder at the family seeming so fearful. Do you see what the lady has in her hands? She has been making some white ribbon into rosettes, and left the ends or streamers hanging; the little boy has pinned some of these ribbons on his shoulder. He wants people to know what side or party his parents belong to. You know how you pin a tiny flag on your coat on the Fourth of July, or how you wear your school colors to show what school you belong to.

We cannot tell just what these people are thinking, but we can see that grandma is looking up, and her hands are folded on her chest. We can hope that she is asking the Lord to take care of them and to protect them from their enemies. During the long years she has lived, she probably has passed through many dangers and trials, and has found the Lord faithful in caring for His own dear ones.

Even little children can look to Jesus and depend on His care for them, when they know that any danger is near. Remember this the next time that you feel frightened. Some little folks are afraid to be left alone in the dark. A tiny boy of three years of age was going upstairs to bed one night, and the hall was very dark, but he called out to his papa, “You need not come, I’m not afraid, papa, Jesus is with me.” This child had been taught the love of Jesus, and how sweet it was to see him put his full trust in Him, while still such a little boy. This simple confidence in God is the only thing that will give real happiness all the time, no matter what happens to one. “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

“IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE IN MAN.” Psa. 118:8.

Messages of God’s Love 5/11/1913

The Lightning

A GENTLEMAN went one day to a distant town on horseback, and while returning in the evening was overtaken by a very severe storm, the rain poured in torrents, and it became very dark, and he lost his way.

After going some miles in the fierce storm, not a single star was to be seen, and no friendly light in a window, suddenly the gentleman was startled by a vivid flash of lightning, when, what was his horror to find that he was galloping along upon the edge of a steep precipice, and both horse and rider might at any moment have been dashed to pieces below!

Was the lightning flash a friend or an enemy? Why, a friend of course, although it gave both man and horse a fright! Now, he saw his danger and was able to escape from it.

Such scriptures as, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His, power,” may come to some readers like the lightning came to the man, and startle them, but that will not matter as long as it will show them their danger, and lead them to flee to a place of safety from the coming wrath.

The wicked jailer in Acts 16, was dreadfully startled by the earthquake, and came trembling and cried out, “What must I do to be saved?” and in Acts 24, we find that “Felix trembled,” but, foolish man! he put off coming to Christ till “a convenient season,” which never came.

Some years ago meetings were being held in a large building with a sloping roof and it was in the depth of winter. The snow was deep, but hundreds came through it night after night, and many were coming to the Saviour.

One night, during the address, the snow came down from the sloping roof with such a crash, that it made some of the children jump! No doubt, it sounded all the louder because of the intense quiet over the meeting. That night there was a wonderful work of the Lord, especially among big boys from 13 to 15 years old. Two of them were very bad boys, indeed; they owned they were the worst boys in the place. Both these boys were converted and became preachers of the Gospel.

Years afterwards one of these preachers said that it was the snow falling off the roof that startled him to think about his soul. He thought the judgment day had come, and he was not ready.

O, children, flee to Jesus, the only place of safety from the storm of coming judgment, which is sure to fall upon this world—upon all those who reject the blessed Saviour now so lovingly offered to them.

Now, is the day of salvation!

Messages of God’s Love 5/11/1913

Shushilla, the Little Burdwan Girl

Part 2

Four years have passed away; Shushilla and her little sister, and now a little brother, are most regular attendants at the school. Examination day has come round, and great excitement prevails, for there are a number of beautiful prizes to be tried for, and each child has worked hard in the hope of earning one.

Shushilla is sure of one or more. The other children say she has been such a good scholar she is sure to pass. But when the great day arrived the little girl was absent, very sick, we are told, with malarial fever. I went to see her, and found her fretting because she could not be present at the prize giving which would take place shortly.

“Do you remember,” I said, “when the Lord Jesus was on earth, He cured Simon’s wife’s mother, who was sick of a fever?” “O, yes,” she said; “I have been asking Jesus to make me well enough to go to the Prize Day.”

And the Lord Jesus did make her well enough, and though she could not get a lesson prize, not having been at the examinations, she was a very happy little girl when the conduct prize, considered the best of all, was awarded to her. It was such a big doll, nearly as big as Shushilla, who, though now eight years old, was very small for her age.

I think it was about a fortnight after this, when I heard the fever had returned and little Shushilla’s life was despaired of. She liked me to go and repeat a few texts or a hymn to her, or pray with her. One clay I ventured to say to her very gently, “Shushilla, dear, I think perhaps the Lord Jesus is soon going to take you to heaven. Are you afraid to die?” “O, no!” she, said, with such confidence that I was encouraged to ask her, “What is it makes you not afraid to die?” She replied, “Because Jesus has washed away all my sins in His precious blood,” and then slowly she said the text: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” With what a lightened heart I went out on the verandah! There her mother was sitting, crying. I tried to comfort her, and said, “You see your little one loves Jesus, and is not afraid to die!” She said, “O, yes, she is quite happy, and often talks to us of Jesus.”

I replied, “There must be something in having faith in Jesus Christ, when it takes all fear of death away,” and then I went on to beg the sorrowful mother to have the same faith in Jesus that all her sins might be washed away. She listened as she had never done before, but still clung to her own gods.

Well, to everyone’s surprise, Shushilla rallied again, but only to be a sweet, patient little sufferer for three years, to witness for the Lord Jesus, and be “A little candle shining in the dark,” giving light to all those around her. Her grandmother and her mother became more diligent in their worship to their false gods, hoping to do away with any influence Shushilla’s faith in the Christian’s God might have.

This was a grief to the little girl, and she sometimes spoke to me about it. Whenever any of us visited her, She asked us to sing the hymns she had heard at school, and she would repeat over to herself all the texts she knew.

Sometimes her mother would taunt her with the words, “You are an unclean Christian,” and try to —scoff her out of reading the New Testament, but she persevered. One day I found the poor child very sad over this, and I spoke to her mother about it. She told me that she felt Shushilla’s faith was true, for it made her so good and patient and obedient, and she promised not, to tease her any more, but just allow her to follow her Jesus; and she kept her word. It was wonderful to see the change in her father, too. He never spoke against the Bible now, as formerly, and gave orders that his little girl should not be interfered with. When she was about nine years old, she had a present of a nice Bible, and it was her constant companion. She loved the story of Joseph, and one day I found her learning the 14th chapter of John, quite of her own accord.

Another day Mrs. Chowdhav, an earnest Christian Bengali lady, was visiting her. She said, “I’m so glad you have come; I have been reading this (pointing to Eph. 2) and I could not understand it all by myself.”

One day she was very ill, and after I had been sitting with her for a little while she said, “There is a place prepared for me in heaven, and I am soon going to it.” However, she rallied again, and we all felt the Lord had a work for His little one to do for Him, and so it proved, for the mother began to listen to her child and used to allow her to read the Bible to her.

Part 3

Well, the time had come for my furlough —that is, leave to go home. I was glad to think of seeing all the dear ones at home, but it made me sad to leave little Shushilla and others whom I felt I should never see again down here. But the doctor shook his head and would not hear of my staying longer, so, go I must.

It was hard to go and see little Shushilla for the last time. There she lay on a mat on the floor, covered with a quilt. After a little talk, a verse or two from God’s book of great comfort, and a short prayer, I rose to go. Poor Shushilla struggled up, and she, with the others, followed to conduct me to the gate of the court yard. As we said good-bye she gave me a few words of sweet assurance that Jesus loved her, had forgiven all her sins, and would soon take her to heaven, which was indeed a witness for Jesus before her mother and little brothers and sisters. As her mother took my hand, she said: “I do believe in Jesus now.” Tears were blinding my eyes as I turned away, but not unmingled with joy for the little one whom the Lord Jesus was using to show forth His praise.

Not long after I reached home in England, I had a little letter from Shushilla, beautifully written in red ink, of course, in Bengali. Amongst other things, she wrote, “I am still very ill, but quite happy, as I know Jesus Christ has washed away my sins in His precious blood, and prepared a place for me in heaven.”

A few months after this I received a letter from Burdwan to tell me little Shushilla had gone to her long wished for home with Jesus. A year after, upon my return, some of the first friends I visited were Shushilla’s parents, but seeing me brought back all the poor mother’s grief, and we could do nothing but weep together. The next time I went the mother was calmer and was able to answer my questions about her little girl. “Was she conscious?” “Yes, perfectly, to the last. Her father and I were standing by her bed, and looking at us earnestly she said, ‘Father, Mother, believe in the Lord Jesus, and follow the to heaven!’ Her grandmother brought a small idol, and holding it up, said: ‘Look to this god, he can save you.’ Shushilla turned her face away, saying, ‘No, Jesus is my God; He can save me.’ Those were her last words.”

It was a joy to find that Shushilla’s mother no longer believed in the worship of idols, and instead of doing her daily “puja” (worship) to her false god, she prayed to the real God, through Jesus Christ, and read Shushilla’s Bible. Since that time she, too, has died, trusting in Jesus and knowing her sins forgiven. Our little girl’s father still lives. He speaks very differently about the Bible and the Christian religion, but he has not yet made up his mind to give up everything for the sake of the Lord Jesus and be baptized.

Are some of the little boys and girls who read this true story wishing, in their hearts, to feel happy like Shushilla, and know that Jesus has washed away their sins in His precious blood, and prepared a place for them in heaven? O, be quite sure, the Lord Jesus loves you just as much as He loved Shushilla He is longing for you to come to Him. It is said of Him, “He shall gather the lambs with His arm,” and He, Himself, said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” He is saying to you, “Come unto Me.” Go and tell Him you want to love Him; tell Him you want your sins forgiven. Will He turn away and not listen to you? O, no, never! He will give you His Holy Spirit to help you to love and follow Him every day. He will help you to obey your parents, and to be kind to your brothers and sisters.

Messages of God’s Love 5/11/1913

The Nest

HOW very happy these dear children seem! What a lot of them there are, too; can you count the number? This is an old elm tree that they are in; it has been split open by lightning, or by the wind in a storm at some time. Now the children can climb up into the hollow places and make a fine nest for themselves. What makes these children so happy? Isn’t it because they are having a good time in a way that is not displeasing to their parents? It is so good to see little folks happy, because they know that they are doing what is right.

Whom do you wish to please besides your parents and teachers? If you know Jesus as your own Saviour, He is the main One, I am sure. Did any child ever make fun of you for not doing as he did, because you wanted to please your Lord? Boys and girls that are faithful to Jesus, are sure to have this experience at some time. But we are told in the Bible that we ought to be, happy even at such times. “If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye.” 1 Peter, 4:14.

The Lord will protect you from harm, even though some boys or girls may get very angry with you, and threaten to harm you for not joining them in some things they do, that you think is not right in the sight of God. We read in the Old Testament of three boys who would not do evil, as the people around them were doing, and so they were thrown into a terribly hot furnace. They suffered all this because they really loved the Lord; and what an awful thing it was to be thrown into such a place! What happened to them? It was a wonderful thing, but God brought them out of it without a hair of their heads being scorched, nor even the smell of fire on their clothes.

A God that could do such a marvelous thing for those boys, is surely just as able to care for you, and to give you courage to do what is right and good in His sight—even though all the other children may laugh at you for it.

“WHO IS HE THAT WILL HARM YOU, IF YE BE FOLLOWERS OF THAT WHICH IS GOOD? BUT AND IF YE SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, HAPPY ARE YE.” 1 Peter 3:13, 14

Messages of God’s Love 5/18/1913

Bible History

Chapter 108.

The Ark in Captivity. 1 Samuel 5.

ALTHOUGH, for wise designs God had allowed the ark to be captured, and even taken into an enemy’s land, He watched over it. It was first carried to Ashdod and placed as an offering in the temple of Dagon, the greatest of the Philistine gods. This idol had the head and hands of a man and the body of a fish. Before such an idol they placed the ark of the living God, in utter ignorance of who He was! No wonder that, when the people of Ashdod arose early the next morning, an amazing spectacle met their sight: Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark, prostrate, in the attitude of subjection. Whether they believed or not that this was an accident we do not know, but they picked him up, and set him in his place again. The next morning they went in, no doubt wondering what would be the result, and as before, found Dagon fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord, but the head and the palms of his hands were cut off and lying on the threshold, and only the body of the idol remained. Terror might well strike the heart of Dagon’s priests and worshipers, but it did not cause them to fall upon their knees before the only true, the living God. It only added another superstition to their idolatry. From that day forth they carefully avoided, on entering the temple, to tread upon the threshold; a superstition which was long continued, and which reminded them, against their will, of Dagon’s overthrow.

If they had then recognized God as the living God, and had done away with their false gods, they would have avoided the plagues which He sent upon them. But they repented not and the Lord sent mice that spoiled their land and a dreadful disease upon the people. They knew this came from the God of Israel, and said: “The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us; for His hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.” If they had said instead: We will put away our idols, and serve Jehovah, what a blessing would have been theirs! How blind they were! But has it not been so before their time, and ever since? God tells us that the natural mind is enmity against Him, and that because (as we read in John’s gospel) He is the Light shining in darkness, “every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

The lords of the Philistines came together to decide what to do with the ark. They concluded to transfer it to another of their cities, perhaps supposing that for some cause this one was not suitable. They sent it to Gath, but upon these inhabitants God also sent the plague as upon the men of Ashdod, so that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, suffered greatly.

From Gath the ark was removed to Ekron. When the people saw it coming, they were frightened and cried: “They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.” Much against their will they received it, and eagerly they requested the lords of the Philistines to remove it, when they saw the same plagues come upon them that had come upon the other cities. For seven months the ark was taken from one place to another, but everywhere God’s power was manifested, and everywhere rejected. What a dreadful thing, we might say, to refuse to bow and acknowledge God after these proofs of His power, and refuse to put away their gods of stone and of wood. It certainly was, and it is so still in this world. People still cry in their heart: “Away with Jesus,” as they did when they nailed Him to the cross. And yet “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12.) He offers a free pardon, yes, more, eternal life to guilty sinners, and men refuse it and reject Christ as their Saviour. Little readers, if you have not accepted Him as your Saviour, you are crying with those who stood by the cross: “Away with him; we do not want this man to reign over us.”

Messages of God’s Love 5/18/1913

I Wonder When the 'Forever' Will Begin

I WILL tell you a true story of a little girl, only I must give her another name because she is living.

Amy B—was put into my class; she was with me just four Sundays. For so short a time I felt very much drawn to her. She always brought the lessons, a verse of Scripture and hymn, so nicely learned; she listened so attentively to the Bible lesson, and was quite a help to me. On the fifth Sunday no Amy came; I found myself looking at the door hoping she might come late.

On Monday afternoon, I started to find my little absent child. When I came to the road, I could not find the house; either I had the wrong number or forgotten to take it, I cannot quite remember. I walked up and down the road hoping to see Amy’s bright little face. I began to reason with myself that she had only been away one Sunday, and belonging to the middle class my visit might be considered an intrusion. So I returned home, trusting to see her on the following Sunday. But Sunday came and brought no little Amy. My lesson went on sadly. What do you think, dear children, made me feel so sad? I did not know if Amy loved Jesus. I always made a point of teaching my little ones of the love of Jesus from God’s word, and praying for them after class, so finding out gradually the state of their hearts toward the Lord Jesus, but I had not had time enough in Amy’s case. On Monday I was determined to find Amy out if possible. After a little trouble I was successful, and was face to face with the dear child’s mother. When I explained who I was: “I am so thankful you have come; my child has kept asking for you. I did not know where you lived, or I would have sent for you. Amy is dangerously ill with whooping cough and congestion of the lungs. We sit up at night with her. Last night I thought she could not possibly live. Today; all the doctor says is that she is not worse, but still in danger.” The poor mother went on, weeping. “She is our only child.” I tried to comfort her by saying, if the disease, rests, perhaps that is a good sign. The mother showed the way, the door was closely curtained, I found myself sitting on the side of the bed, holding little Amy’s hand. She was sadly altered for so short a time. She was propped up with pillows, breathing with great difficulty. She was a pretty child, with large speaking brawn eyes, and clustering brown curls, hanging over the pillow. In my haste I had not asked her mother the state of her heart; I felt indeed it was a solemn time, this might be death. Feeling how incapable I was, I lifted my heart in earnest, silent prayer that God would give me the grace I so much needed to speak the right word and deal faithfully with this darling child. I said, “Amy, God has given you a kind mother and a good doctor; they are doing all they can to make you better, but if it is God’s will that you should die soon, what then?” I had scarcely finished speaking when Amy, with great effort, raised herself, leaning on her elbow, her face beaming with joy. “I am not afraid to die; I love Jesus. I wonder when the ‘forever’ will begin,” and then fell back exhausted. I gently wiped the damp from her forehead, afraid to speak for fear of making her worse. Tears of thankfulness filled my eyes. In a few minutes she spoke again. “I love papa and mamma dearly, but I love the Lord Jesus, O! so much more; I should like to go and be with Jesus; I should only be there a little while first; they love Jesus, they would soon come.” I felt it a great privilege to be there with that dear child. Just seven summers had passed over her head, and she so full of love to Jesus; “To depart and be with Christ is far better,” was her experience. It was not heaven, or the “many mansions,” but the Lord Jesus Himself that filled her with joy. The joy of the Lord was her strength in this hour of weakness. “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” (Matt. 21:16.) I read the twenty-third Psalm. I told her the Good Shepherd was watching over and caring for her, His little lamb, and if she would only let Him, He would guide her with His loving hand each step of the way. We had prayer together, then I left, promising to come in a few days.

The Lord saw fit to restore little Amy; she very slowly recovered. At last she was able to leave her bed. How I used to enjoy going to see her, because we both loved Jesus. You must not think, dear children, that Amy could not play like other children. One day I found her giving her dolls and cat a ride in the arm chair, that she had turned into a carriage, with a sun-shade over them. When I went into the room she would bring her Bible at once, climb into my lap, putting her arm around my neck; in that way we used to talk over a few verses and pray together. Amy had a real love for. God’s word. Do you think, dear children, if you give your hearts to Jesus you are more likely to die? I believe many grown-up men and women can look back and say, I loved Jesus when I was six, or eight years old. Are you old enough to sin and grieve God? May God’s holy Spirit lead you to Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John, 1:7). Only those who love Jesus are truly happy. Come to Jesus, dear children, you will find joy and peace in believing. May you be like little Amy, living in the sunshine of God’s presence.

Messages of God’s Love 5/18/1913

Bible Questions for June

Answers to Bible Questions for April

1.“And Jesus said,” etc. Mark 14:6.

2.“And after six days,” etc. 9:2.

3.“And at the ninth hour,” etc. 15:34.

4.“And Jesus, moved with,” etc. 1:41.

5.“And as they did eat,” etc. 14:22.

6.“And Jesus looking upon them,” etc. 10:27.

7.“But Jesus said,” etc. 9:39.

Bible Questions for June

The answers are to be found in Luke, from chapter 13 to end.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus had cried.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus saw her.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus heard these things.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus Himself stood.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus turning unto them.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus answering said.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/1913

The Power of the Word of God

A POOR student of the University of Leipsic, in Germany, having occasion to undertake a journey to his distant friends, was in want of the money needful for the purpose, and went to a Jew for a loan upon his Hebrew Bible and Greek Testament. The latter contained the Greek and German texts in opposite columns. The Jew, little as he valued this book, was prevailed on to let the student have half a rix-dollar (that is, about fifty cents) on it.

During the student’s absence the Jew determined to read the Testament through, with the view of confirming his enmity against the Lord Jesus Christ, and to be the better prepared to testify his zeal for the Jewish faith. He concealed the book from his family, and commenced its perusal, which, as the young man was absent seven weeks, he had time to do; but as he read, he was surprised and impressed, and was at times ready to exclaim, “O, that Jesus were my Saviour!” When he had gone through the book, he was greatly perplexed and astonished that he had been able to find nothing to increase his hatred of Jesus, but had rather discovered much that was sublime and heavenly. He now charged himself with folly, and resolved to open the book no more. He adhered to this resolution for several days, but was soon compelled to peruse it a second time, intending, however, to be more careful in ascertaining that Jesus and His apostles had deserved the hatred of Jews in all ages. Still he was unable to find what he wished, while he was impressed with the consolation which the New Testament imparts to the afflicted, and with the immortality of glory that it reveals, which seemed to remove the anxiety long felt by him on this subject. He was constrained a third time to read the book; and now the history, the doctrines, and the promises of the Lord Jesus destroyed his opposition, and melted his soul. He was overcome, and shed tears, resolving to embrace the doctrine of the cross. He announced his change to a Christian minister, purchased the Testament of the student, to whom he became a warmly attached friend, and continued to give evidence of being a consistent Christian.

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39.

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

GENESIS — “IN THE BEGINNING.”

Genesis is the record of this world’s creation,
Whereon the wondrous plan of God’s salvation
Would be wrought out by blood—sin’s sole oblation.

EXODUS— “GOING OUT.”
B. C. 1574.

Exodus tells the mode of God’s redemption,

How blood alone can give from guilt exemption

Jehovah’s wondrous plan of intervention.

LEVITICUS — “RELATING TO THE LEVITES.”
B. C. 1490.

Leviticus shows the way of worship true

Priest, altar, minister, and victim too,

Together rendering what to God was due.

NUMBERS — “THE NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE.”
B. C. 1490.

Numbers unfolds how God His own can aid;

How by redemption each is precious made;

How strong are they whose help is on Him stayed.

DEUTERONOMY— “REPETITION OF THE LAW.
B. C. 1451.

Deuteronomy declares Jehovah’s claims,

And how His love the saint’s glad head inflames;

How full the answer prayer to God obtains.

JOSHUA— “THE SAVIOUR.”
B. C. 1451.

Joshua displays the wondrous power of faith

How life is gained by passing on through death,

And what a refuge firm God’s people hath.

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/1913

The Child and the Criminal

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

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

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

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

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/1913

Just Home From School

JUST home from school, but how different today from other days! As a rule the little girl is so glad to come in and kiss mama and put away her books and slate and have a little time for play, or help mamma by running errands. But today what a change; she has come in slowly, with a sad face, and with a note from the teacher. Her mamma has just read it and turns to ask what she means by this misdemeanor. But there is no answer—the head can only be hung in shame.

How plainly we can see that every wrong thing must have its bad result. Had this dear little girl only thought of the end, it might have kept her from this sorrow and shame; yea more, it would have saved her mother from having a sad heart, too; for you know parents feel badly when their children turn aside to what is wrong. So you see it is not only ourselves who have to suffer for our wrong doings, but those we are connected with as well.

But someone may say, “What is to be done if we do wrong?” It is well to remember that every wrong thing is against the character of God, and He is our Maker; and so He holds us responsible for having dishonored His character, and He, being righteous, cannot allow sin to go unpunished. So it is not only that we have sinned against our neighbor when we have done him a wrong, but it is against God and His character. So the Scripture says, “The face of the Lord is against them that do evil”. (1 Pet. 3:12.) The first thing is to confess our sin.

“HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER; BUT WHOSO CONFESSETH AND FORSAKETH THEM SHALL HAVE MERCY.” Prov. 28:13.

God will have mercy, not by passing them over when we confess, but letting us know that He had to punish His be-toyed Son on Calvary’s cross for the sins of His people, and that He bore the penalty there, which was death—banishment from His presence in those hours of darkness. It is through that death that God has been able to come out to us in mercy; but if there is no confession, we cannot know anything about His mercy to us through His Son. If we have known what God has done. for us in the gift of His Son, and we do what is wrong, we need not expect mercy in our path down here, unless we come to Him as His child and confess our wrong, and He says to such, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9.)

Messages of God’s Love 6/1/1913

The Wayfarers

HERE we see some people that have been traveling on foot and have stopped to refresh themselves by this stream. They would not be so tired if they were traveling in a wagon, but the country roads are hard on their feet, and they need rest by the way. Do you see the lady across the road? She has noticed the tired strangers, and is sending her little girl with something for them to eat. It is near dinner time, and she wants to share her meal with these weary ones.

Do you remember ever getting very, very tired? Grown up people are more apt to get worn out than children are, because they have greater burdens to carry, and heavier duties to perform. But there is one great burden which ought to weigh down heavily upon both old and young, and that is sin. Thousands have felt this weight, and have gone to Jesus to get this awful load lifted from their souls. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. God would have each one feel the weight of sin, and then to realize the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus.

“IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL.” Lev. 17:11.

How we, who are saved, do long to have others see themselves as God sees them, and to have them feel that they are utterly lost, until they have proved the value of the blood of Jesus!

Many people are very kind and very thoughtful of their neighbors and friends, as the lady in our picture who is sending food to the weary ones across the road, but God’s Word tells us that our heavenly Father is far more ready than any human being is, to give us good things. See Matt. 7:11. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask Him?”

O, have you not heard of that wonderful love,

That flows from God’s heart so free,

Which led Him to give for a perishing world

His Son to be nailed to the tree?

O, sweet is its rest to the weary and worn,

Who deep feel the burden of sin;

It seeks for no merit, its bliss to inherit,

No goodness without or within.

Believe that wonderful love,

The gospel is free,

God sends it to thee,

Believe God’s wonderful love!

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/1913

Three Times Saved

MOTHER’S darling boy was dying. Two little ones had already been taken. Must this one also leave her? The fond mother knelt by her child, and humbly besought the Lord to spare him, to grow up an earnest servant of God. And the Lord heard, to the astonishment of everyone; the little fellow recovered. But fresh dangers awaited the mother and her little son. Their home was far away in India, and just about this time, the terrible Indian mutiny broke out, in which the Sepoys, or natives, murdered every white man, woman or child they could find, in the most cruel manner.

One night their faithful. Hindoo servant roused the household in a terrible fright. “Wake up, wake up;” he cried, “the rebels are upon us,” and he hurried them out of the house, the mother seizing her little boy and following, she, knew not where; but looking back a few moments afterwards, she beheld her happy home in flames.

The rebels had thought to surprise them, but the One who never slumbers or sleeps, was watching over them, and sent them the warning in time to save them.

But the danger was not over; the maddened blacks followed them, shrieking with wrath and fury at being disappointed of their prey.

On, on the poor, terrified woman fled, following the steps of the faithful attendant, going she knew not where; but ever hearing behind her those fearful shrieks and yells.

At last they reached an old, deserted bungalow. “Go in, go in,” said the servant. The breathless mother hesitated, as she saw the roof was off, and the door gone. What defense would this be?

But the servant knew its want of defense was its best defense, for the enemy would not think of attacking so undefended a house. So in they went. The place was half full of hay, in the midst of which the mother knelt with her arms around her boy. Did she pray? Rather, did she cease to pray? It was a time of trouble; surely she might claim the promise, “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses.” Psa. 107:19. O, the blessedness of having a prayer-answering God!

Tramp, tramp, tramp. The rebels were coming. What, if they guessed their hiding place, and set fire to the hay? There was no escape; they had no defense, not even a door which they could close and bar. But had they no defense? Was not God their defense? Had they not His promise, “I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord; and thou shalt not be given into the hand of men of whom thou art afraid ... . because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the Lord.” Jer. 39:17-18.

Nearer came the rebels; they were at the door; would they enter? The mother’s heart almost ceased to beat. But on they passed, two hundred of them, drunk with the blood of other victims. Once more the boy was saved, through a mother’s prayers.

Their trustworthy servant stayed with them, and after many more hair-breadth escapes, they reached a place of safety.

Time passed on, and now the lad is eighteen, and again he finds himself in the greatest danger. Not from illness, or wicked men this time. No, he is strong and healthy, and at home in peace. But at a service which one evening he attended, the Holy Spirit touched his heart, and showed him he was a lost guilty sinner, under the wrath of God, and in danger of everlasting punishment. He went home in much distress, and spent the night in prayer. In the morning, before he entered the office where he worked, by God’s grace, peace and pardon came to him. He saw his sins put away, not by his own doings; but by the perfect work of another. He knew he was saved, and he looked so happy that his companions asked the reason. Was he ashamed to tell them? No, he said right out, “I know that I am saved; my sins are washed away in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Was not that enough to make anyone happy—to be saved, and to know it?

Later on, he went as a missionary to the Hindoos. He said, “One of them saved my life, and now I want to spend my life in telling them of Jesus Christ, that great Saviour.” Have we found Jesus to be our Saviour? If so, shall we not give ourselves up to Him, to use as He pleases, for “We love Him, because He first loved us”?

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

JUDGES — “HISTORY OF THE RULERS.”
B. C. 1425.

Judges man’s utter failure cloth record—

How man, most favored, still forsakes the Lord;

Yet power is still to faith the sure reward.

RUTH— “SATISFIED.”
B. C. 1322.

In Ruth the wondrous ways of God do

shine

In grace and power to keep the royal line,

Through Ruth and Boaz, of the Seed Divine.

SAMUEL—“ASKED OF GOD.”
B. C. 1171.

Samuel the sovereignty of God makes known,

And tells the choice of David for the throne,

When Saul, through faithlessness, was

overthrown.

KINGS—“HISTORY OF THE KINGS.”
B. C. 1015.

Kings is a picture sad of every ill

By kings committed, of imperious will;

The kingdom rent:Jehovah faithful still.

CHRONICLES—“HISTORY OE THE TIMES.”
B. C. 1015.

In Chronicles man’s government is seen

An utter failure; yet across the scene

Bright rays of faithfulness oft intervene.

EZRA—“A HELPER.”
B. C. 536.

Ezra presents us faith most sorely tried—

God’s house rebuilt, though pressed on

every side;

So strong are they who in the Lord confide.

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/1913

Nellie and Her Lost Glove

I KNOW how much little ones love to hear about other children, so I am going to tell you about a dear little girl whose governess I was some years ago.

Nellie, like many other little girls and boys I have known, had the habit of taking off her gloves when out of doors. She had often been told not to do so lest she should lose them.

Well, one day, while riding in an open carriage with her papa, mamma and myself, she forgot what I had so often told her, and took them off. They were a nice new pair of gloves.

In a few minutes she found she had lost one. Her papa, who was very angry with her repeated disobedience, desired her to get out of the carriage, and go and look for it, saying he should drive on, and she might either wait for our return, or go home again. We were about a mile from the house, and it was a lovely, bright day early in June. I felt very sorry for the clear little thing, knowing that she was naturally very timid, and would feel terrified at being left alone, so I asked to be allowed to help her to look. But her papa, wishing to punish her, would not allow me; so I could only ask the Lord to be with her.

I can see her sorrowful little face now, as we drove off, and left her by the road-side.

We were gone nearly two hours, and you can fancy how often my heart was with Nellie during that time, as I wondered whether she had found her glove, and was still waiting for us to return, or had gone home; and very glad I was when we started homewards.

As we neared the spot where we had left her I anxiously looked out for her little figure; and about a quarter of a mile nearer the house than we had left her we saw her standing by the road-side awaiting us.

She looked up very happily, showing us the glove; but her red, swollen eyes told their own tale.

Her papa asked her where she had found it. She told him that it was given her by a man who had found it in the road; and nothing more was said.

On reaching home, Nellie went to the nursery, and I did not see her again until after tea.

I had gone to my room to get ready to go to a small Bible reading which I had for some old women in the village near, and Nellie came to ask if she might go with me.

As I knew their mamma never objected to any of the children going if they wished. I told her, yes; and she ran off to get dressed.

I felt there was something peculiar in the child’s manner, as she put her little hand in mine; and we were scarcely out of sight of the house before she said, “Oh! I am so happy; I know Jesus now.”

“How is that, Nellie?” I asked. “Tell me about it.” She then gave me the following account, which I will tell you in her own words as nearly as possible.

“After you had all left me I felt rather afraid of being quite alone. But all at once I thought, well, if it is true, as Miss G. has so often told me, that Jesus is always near, and knows everything about us, and loves us so much, He must know why I am here, and all about my glove. I will ask Him, and then I shall see if it really is true. So I knelt down, and said, Oh! Jesus, have you really died for me? And, oh! dear Lord Jesus, do take care of me, and let me find my glove.”

“I felt very happy while I was kneeling down; and somehow I felt that Jesus was really very near and listening to all I said; and when I got up, I felt so sure I should find the glove, and not a bit afraid, and everything looked so bright and beautiful.

“I went on a little way, and looked about, as I went, for my glove. In a few minutes a man came along, and said, ‘Well, little maid, what are you looking for?’

“I told him, ‘a brown kid glove.’

“He laughed and said, ‘Well, I wonder whether this is it,’ and held up my very own glove.

“I was so glad, and thanked him very much.

“As soon as he was out of sight, I knelt down behind the hedge, and thanked Jesus, oh! so very much; for I knew He had made the man give me my glove, and that He had heard me ask Him for it.

“I did not go home, because I liked staying out there in the sunshine, thinking how good He was; and He seemed with me all the time.

“So you see,” she added, “I do know your Jesus now; and He is mine, too.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/8/1913

Beach Pleasures

I WONDER how many of you children have ever been to the beach in the summer time,— if you have not been to a beach along the oceanside, maybe it was one by some lake shore. What fun the boys and girls do have at such places wading, bathing and swimming! Did you ever try jumping the waves as they came rolling toward you?

The boy in our picture does not have on his bathing suit, but looks as though he had been wading out into the water trying to catch some little fish in his net. He seems to be tired now, and is sitting quite still, thinking a bit. There is really no better place I know of to think and to ponder than by the water. This boy is sitting on some moss-covered rocks, but you know there are usually benches along the beach where people may sit. On hot evenings these benches are sure to be full of people. They often sit for hours and watch the waves as they come dashing up on the sand. The water, with its beautiful coloring and the shadows cast over it, makes a lovely sight for the people to look out upon. We do hope the hearts of these people are led to think of Jesus, as the grandeur of His work is before them; it surely must fill them with awe and wonder, for all they look upon is so far beyond the power of man.

We surely ought to feel what tiny, weak creatures we are, when we see all the mighty works of God about us; just look at the heavens above you, the miles upon miles of land around you and the great bodies of water that we know divide continents—do these things not show us God’s power? Yes, and the love of God is shown, too, by permitting the lost as well as the saved to enjoy all these beautiful things—how unworthy any of us are of them! How we should love the Lord for all His goodness; these are gifts we can have only as long as we live down here, but God’s greatest gift to us is His Son, Jesus Christ. It is Jesus alone who can make us happy for both time and eternity. All these other gifts will fail to bring comfort or peace unless we know Him.

“HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS.” Rom. 8:32.

“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust Of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” Isaiah 40:12.

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/1913

The Water of Life

The Lord and Saviour, from on high,

Exalted on the throne,

The Lamb of God, who came to die,

And did for sin atone,

Now welcomes all—the vilest, worst—

That none from Him may shrink,

And sweetly cries, “If any thirst,

O, come to ME, and drink.”

He burdens none with heavy tasks,

But freely He doth give,

No good He claims, no price He asks,

His terms are, Drink and live.

For worth thou mayest be counted first,

Or deep in evil sink;

His words are still, “If any thirst,

O, come to ME, and drink.”

Then listen to His loving voice,

The welcome of His grace,

Accept His bidding, and rejoice,

His offer now embrace.

The cloud of judgment soon shall burst,

Be wise, then, and bethink

Thee of His cry, “If any thirst,

O, come to ME, and drink.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/1913

Eternity

PASSING the other day through a burial-ground in the country, an inscription on a head-stone struck my eye. The stone was by the side of the path, where everyone could see it; and it was placed there in memory of a youth who died at the age of 17 years. The inscription was—

“Reader, one moment

Stop and think,

That I am in eternity,

And you are on the brink.”

A youth only 17 years of age in eternity! “And you are on the brink!” Yes, though you may be young, apparently healthy, full of life and spirits, you are on the brink of eternity. Where will you be in eternity? Are you reconciled to God by the death of His Son? (Romans 5:10.)

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

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

NEHEMIAH— “REST OF THE LORD.”
B. C. 446.

In Nehemiah zeal ‘mid danger shines,

To work for God, and perfect His designs;

Faith ne’er gives up, but e’er on God reclines.

ESTHER — “SECRET.”
B. C. 521.

Esther discovers God in very deed

Hidden, yet working for His people’s need;

The Gentile fallen, the Jew extolled instead.

JOB — “HE THAT CRIES.”
B. C. 1520.

Job brings the saints’ accuser up to view,

And tells how Job was searched thro’ and thro’;

Of all his conflicts, and his troubles too.

PSALMS — “SACRED SONGS.”
B. C. 1017.

The Psalms, prophetic, point to David’s Son,

And laud the victories which shall yet be won,

When, sorrows past, Messiah fills the throne.

PROVERBS — “WISE SAYINGS.”
B. C. 1000.

The Proverbs show us who are truly wise,

And folly paints in its forbidding guise,

And tell their end who wisdom’s voice despise.

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/1913

God Counts

A BROTHER and sister were playing in the dining room when their mother set a plate of cakes on the table and went out.

“How nice they look!” said the boy, reaching to take one.

His sister earnestly objected, and even drew back his hand, repeating it was against their mother’s direction.

“She did not count them,” he said.

“But perhaps God did,” answered the sister.

So he withdrew from the temptation, and sitting down, seemed to meditate.

“You are right,” he replied, looking at her with a cheerful, yet serious air, “God does count, for the Bible says that the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/1913

The Power of Love

Or, The Red Man’s Testimony

WE ASKED an Indian brother, a warrior of old,

How first among his people the glad tidings had been told?

How first the morning star arose on their long heathen night,

Till souls who sat in darkness were rejoicing in the light?

And he answered, “Many a summer has

come and gone since then,

Yet well I can remember! I can see it all again!

A teacher came among us of the country of your birth,

And told us of the living God who made

the heaven and earth.

“But we asked if he had been a fool or

thought that we were so;

For who among our sons did not the one

great Spirit know?

So he left us; and another came and told of sin and shame,

And how for sinners was prepared a lake of quenchless flame.

“But we bade him teach these things at

home among the pale-faced men,

And if they learned the lesson right, we,

too, would listen then.

At last another stranger came, of calm and gentle mien,

And eyes whose light seemed borrowed from yon blue clouds between.

“Still in my dreams I hear his voice, his smile I still can see;

Though many a summer he has slept beneath the cedar tree!

He told us of a mighty One, the Lord of earth and sky,

Who left His glory in the heaven for men to bleed and die;

“Who loved poor Indian sinners still and longed to gain their love,

And be their Saviour here and have them in His Father’s home above.

And when his tale was ended, ‘My friends’, he gently said,

‘I am weary with my journey, and would fain lay down my head’;

“So beside our spears and arrows he laid him down to rest,

And slept as sweetly as the babe upon its mother’s breast.

Then we looked upon each other, and I whispered, this is new!

Yes, we have heard glad tidings, and yon sleeper knows, them true.

“He knows he has a friend above, or would he slumber here,

With men of war around him and the warwhoop in his ear?

So we told him on the morrow that he need not journey on,

But stay and tell us further of that loving, dying One.

“ ‘Twas thus we heard of Jesus first and felt the wondrous power

Which makes His people ‘willing’ in His own accepted hour.”

Thus spoke our Indian brother, and deeply, while we heard,

One cheering lesson impressed, and taught by every word—

How hearts, whose echoes’ silent long no words of terror move,

May answer from their utmost depths the soft call of love.

O mighty love of God, what wonders Thou hast wrought!

What victories Thou yet shalt gain, surpassing human thought!

Let faith and hope speed forward unto earth’s remotest bound.

‘Till every tribe and nation shall have heard the joyful sound.

Yet sinners must also be warned of the wrath to come, for the Scripture says: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 1:7, 8.

Messages of God’s Love 6/15/1913

Playtime

THESE boys have been given an afternoon off from their school duties, and what a good time they are having! You see they don’t have to loiter off with other boys, but are perfectly satisfied in staying near home and their mother.

Can you see their home? These big trees are just outside of their yard. Mother is letting some of her housework go, so as to be out here with her boys; she likes to be with them, and to see them having a happy time in a right way. She is picking up chips while the oldest boy is holding baby sister. He is waiting his turn to play see-saw. Do you see the neighbor children in the distance? They are playing near their home, and seem to be enjoying themselves, too.

You may be very thankful if your parents have taught you to play at home, and have not allowed you to wander away with other children for hours at a time. Satan is ever ready to get little people, as well as grown up people, into evil. God blesses the children that listen to father and mother, and who do not choose to spend their holidays and playtime out of their parents’ sight.

This watchful care of your parents is but a faint picture of God’s love and care over you by night as well as by day. “He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psa. 121. Remember this, you may be some place where father nor mother can see you, but God sees you, and cares for you. It is when we realize how much God loves us, that we are lead to love Him. His love cannot be measured: the gift of His only Son, Jesus, proves this to us. What goodness God shows to care so for us! “Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom. 2:4,

“THE BELOVED OF THE LORD SHALL DWELL IN SAFETY BY HIM.” Deut. 33:12.

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

ECCLESIASTES — “THE PREACHER.”
B. C. 977.

The Ecclesiastes is the preacher’s theme;

Of life and death and future judgment teem;

And stamps as “vanity” each worldly dream.

SONG OF SOLOMON — “SONGS WRITTEN BY SOLOMON.”
B. C. 1014.

The Song of Solomon is wondrous fair!

And counts the glories which in Jesus are,

And how He makes the chosen bride His care.

ISAIAH — “THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.”
B. C. 760.

Isaiah to the Gospels is allied,

And tells the sorrows of the Lamb who died,

His death, and reign o’er all creation wide.

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/1913

A Wise Answer

A HOLLANDER, who had settled at the Cape,’ once .noticed a poor Hottentot reading the Bible, and said contemptuously to him, “Put that book away, it is not for the like of you.”

Quietly replied the black: “It is indeed for me, sir!”

“How do you know that?”

“Well,” was the calm answer, “my name is mentioned in it.”

“Your name?” asked the Hollander surprised. “Where is it then?”

“Here, sir,” said the man, pointing to the open page and placing his finger On the text: “‘This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’” (1 Tim. 1:15.)

And then, he added, “‘Sinner!’ that is my name, and therefore the book is also for me.”

Dear reader, your name also occurs in the Book of God. Whether you hear a great or a humble name in the -world, before God there is no other name for you but the one— “sinner.” And, therefore, that book is also for you. So make right diligent use of thy property, and see to it earnestly that thy name also is found written in the “Book of Life.” (Rev. 20:11-15.)

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/1913

Bible History

Chapter 109

1 Sam. 6. The Philistines Return the ark

FOR seven months the ark of the covenant had been held by the Philistines. But God had sent plagues upon them that they might learn that their idols were not to be compared with the living God, whose ark he had given as a type of Christ. They did not want God, however, and were anxious to get rid of the ark and of His presence among them. Are there not many who at this present’ day take the name of Christians who have idols of their own? Perhaps, reader, you are among them. Perhaps self or friends, perhaps worldly pleasure, or money, or fame is your idol. Have you hardened your heart, like the Philistines, when Christ has been presented to you and said with them, “The ark shall not abide with us?” If you now say, “Depart from me, I do not desire to know Thee,” He will hereafter say to you, “Depart from, Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” Is it not better that you should learn to rejoice in His presence, than to dread it? And that you can do if you take Christ as your Saviour, for then, you shall learn that He is “love” and that in “His presence is fullness of joy.”

A council of the priests and diviners was called by the Philistines, who reproached their lords with hardening their hearts, and advised them without delay to make suitable preparations for the restoring of the ark to its rightful abode. Instead of receiving a ransom they were to pay one. A present was to be sent consisting of golden emblems of the mode of their punishments. They were in sets of five according to the number of the Philistine lords, and were to be placed in a coffer by the side of the ark.

A new cart was provided and two nursing cows tied to it, while their young were shut up at home. The ark was placed in the cart and the coffer with the golden emblems by its side. The cattle were left unguided, that they might choose their own path. If, as was natural, they returned to their calves, it would be plain that the plagues which had befallen them were but accidents and not sent of God for the ark’s sake; but if the cows went toward Canaan, the Philistines would know that God had done them this great evil. Unless forced to do so, they would not own God’s power, and anxiously looked for a pretext which could make them think it was only a “chance” that happened to them.

But nothing happens by “chance.” God is over everything, and He was watching over the ark. The poor cows wanted to go back to their young, and were lowing for them, but their Creator commanded them to go to Israel’s country, and they went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh; along the highway, not turning to the right, nor to the left. The lords, of the Philistines watched the team go, convinced now, no doubt, that God had shown His power in the matter.

It was the time of the wheat harvest, and the reapers were in the valley, so they saw the cart coming toward them. Attracted by the unusual spectacle of a vehicle drawn at will by animals which they did not recognize as theirs, and the strangers following it, the Beth-shemites, looked more closely, and knew it was the ark, their long-lost treasure returned to its possessors. They rejoiced greatly, for the glory which had departed seemed restored to them. God who had forsaken their land would now be favorable to them, they thought. The Levites came forward when the cart stood in the field of Joshua, and took down the ark and coffer, and laid them upon a great stone which was close at hand. Then they cut the wood of the cart for fuel for a fire upon which they offered the two cows as a burnt offering.

But the men of Beth-shemesh also had to learn what it is to have to do with God. In their pride at having been chosen as the ones to receive the ark from their idolatrous neighbors, they forgot God’s command, that none should gaze upon or touch the holy things, but they presumed to look into the ark, whereupon the Lord smote fifty thousand and seventy men of the Beth-shemesh. The people lamented greatly at this great slaughter, but their punishment did not bring about true repentance. Instead of acknowledging their guilt, they proudly asked: “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?” Instead of urging His stay they inquired: “To whom shall He go tip from us?” They sent messengers to the men of Kirjath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have brought again the ark of the Lord; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.” They were as anxious to get rid of the ark, as the Philistines themselves, showing that their hearts were no better than their heathen neighbors, and proving what God says is true, “There is no difference, for all have sinned and come ‘short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:22-23.)

All are in need of a Saviour, whether outwardly upright and moral, whether religious or not, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Young readers, are, you still crying, like the idolatrous Philistines or the religious” Beth-shemites, “Away with Jesus,” or do you find joy in the Lord’s presence?

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/1913

Annies' Reward

I WONDER how many of my young readers go to Sunday school. Perhaps most of you do; and if so, I know that you are looking forward to the end of the year, when, very likely, you will receive a reward.

I am going to tell you about a little girl, nine years old, whose name was Annie. She went to Sunday-school, and at the end of the year she had a reward given to her.

What do you think it was?

Well, I will tell you. It was a Bible.

In another Sunday-school I know of, a Bible is given to each scholar for bringing eight new scholars, and a little girl has lately received a. nice Bible with her name, Louise J. WERNER, in gold letters on the front cover.

Now this surely is the best gift anyone could possibly have, for the Bible tells us the way to heaven; and I am sure that every girl and boy wants to go there.

But you have all done naughty things, and so God says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23.)

He could not allow you to be in heaven with even one sin upon you; so if you are to be there, it must be without your sins.

But then the Bible tells us that God loved us so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world, but the people hated Him, and nailed Him to a cross of wood. And while He was hanging there, God laid on the Lord Jesus all the sins of those who believe on Him, and punished Him instead of them; as we read in I Peter 2:23, “Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”

So you see that if you come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, and simply believe that He died for you, God will pardon all your sins, and give you eternal life; then you will be ready for Jesus to come, for He said “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also: “

We trust that all of our young friends will read their Bible and thus learn the blessed truths which are able to make them wise unto salvation.

The Bible tells us Jesus came.

From glory bright and fair;

God’s perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb,

His mercy to declare.

The Bible tells us Jesus died,

A sacrifice for sin;

The gates of heaven to open wide

That all may enter in.

The Bible tells us Jesus rose

And left the silent grave,

Triumphant over all His foes

The mighty One to save.

The Bible tells us Jesus lives

Again upon the throne,

The blessed proof the Father gives

That mercy’s work is done.

The Bible tells us He will come

To take His saints away,

To dwell with Him in His sweet home,

Through everlasting day.

The Bible tells us all may come,

And drink at mercy’s stream;

And Jesus soon will share His home

With all who trust in Him.

Then let us value that blest Book,

And at its pages often look;

The Bible is God’s Word.

Messages of God’s Love 6/22/1913

A Drawing Lesson

WHAT a study this little boy has before him! Just see how hard he is trying to draw a face on his slate that looks like his “little sister.

Can you see the funny lines he has made? She will not think it looks much like her, but brother is making such an effort, that she will be pleased with whatever he does. Did your little brother or sister ever give you something they had made all by themselves? You know how delighted they were with it, and, maybe, it was very imperfectly done. Probably you felt like laughing at the uneven cuttings or big stitches, but how much you thought of it because the hands of the little one had made it! The tiny gifts draw out the hearts of parents and older ones for the dear little people; it all shows out love.

Are you one of God’s dear children? If so, every little deed done because you love Him, is precious to Him. “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41. This verse applies only to saved souls. God cannot credit you with any good works until you first come to Jesus for the saving of your soul. A lost soul has nothing good to bring to God. You must first accept God’s gift eternal life through believing in Jesus, before He can accept one single thing that you do. It makes us sad to see how many people are working and trying hard to please Him, who are not His children at all.

“THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT.” John 6:29.

“All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6. How different is God’s plan and way of salvation from what man’s plan would be; man wants to get to God by some good deeds he has done. See Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.”

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/1913

Bible History

Chapter 110.

1 Samuel 7. Eben-ezer

THE men of Kirjath-jearim were not unwilling to accept the offer made by their neighbors of Bethshemesh to go and fetch the ark from that place and bring it to their town. They came and fetched up the ark and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar, his son, to keep the ark of the Lord. For twenty long years it remained there, apparently forgotten by the Israelites, who seemed to care very little what had become of it. But at last they began to feel their sin, and mourned after the Lord. The prophet Samuel, who was now a man, then spoke to them and said:If you really want to return to God with all your hearts, then you must put away your idols, and prepare your hearts to serve the Lord only; then He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. The Israelites did as Samuel had said, and did away with their idols, Baal and Ashtaroth, and turned to the Lord. Then Samuel called all the people to Mizpah, and there he prayed for them. They felt their sins; their forgetfulness of God, and as a picture of their weakness, they poured water upon the ground, and fasted all that day, and cried, “We have sinned against the Lord.” That was just what God wanted of them—to acknowledge their evil ways, and cry to Him. He now could bless them, and protect them from their enemies; while He could not when they clapped their hands and shouted in glee because the ark was among them. Then, their trust was in the ark; now in the Lord. Then they were self-confident; now they acknowledged they had no strength. God could not, and would not refuse to hear them. Did He not say, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out”?

When the Philistines heard that the Israelites were gathered together at Mizpah, they went there to fight against them. The Israelites were much frightened when they heard that their enemies were coming. They went to Samuel who had become their judge, and asked him to pray to God continually for them, that He would save them from the Philistines. Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering unto the Lord, and prayed to Him for this people. The Lord heard him and promptly answered him. While the sacrifice was being offered, the Philistines, who had arrayed themselves in battle, came near to fight, but God sent a dreadful thunderstorm, which frightened the Philistines so that they fled, and the Israelites followed, and killed them in great numbers. So God Himself fought for them and gave them the victory.

“If God be for us: who can be against us?” we read in Rom. 8:31. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also, freely give us all things?” (Verse 32.)

When the Philistines were conquered, Samuel took up a great stone and set it up near Mizpah, for he wished all Israel to remember God’s kindness to them in saving them from their enemies. When, in future years, the Israelites should look upon that stone, they would think, Here God was merciful to us, and delivered us from our cruel enemies, the Philistines. Samuel gave the stone a name; he called it “Ebenezer,” which means “the stone of help,” because, he said, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

The Philistines were all gone; the cities which they had taken from the children of Israel were restored to the latter, and they had peace.

Samuel judged them, all the days of his life. He used to go around from one place to another, in a circuit, attending and caring for them all, then would return to his home in Ramah. This place was his headquarters, and there he built an altar unto the Lord.

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/1913

What, Then?

To the Unbeliever

“He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

After the joys of earth,

After its songs of mirth

After its hours of light,

After its dreams so bright—

What then?

Only an empty name,

Only a weary frame,

Only a conscience smart,

Only an aching heart.

After this empty name,

After this weary frame,

After this conscience smart,

After this aching heart,

What then?

Only a sad farewell

To a world loved too well,

Only a silent bed

With the forgotten dead.

After this sad farewell

To a world loved too well,

After this silent bed

With the forgotten dead—

What then?

O! then—the judgment throne!

O! then—the last hope—gone!

Then all the woes that dwell

In an eternal HELL!

To the Believer

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” John 3:36.

After the Christian’s tears,

After his fights and fears,

After his weary cross,

“All things below but loss”—

What then?

O! then—a holy calm,

Resting on Jesus’ arm;

O! then—a deeper love

For the pure home above.

After this holy calm,

This rest on’ Jesus’ arm,

After this deepened love

For the pure home above—

What then?

O! then—work for Him,

Perishing souls to win.

Then Jesus’ presence near,

Death’s darkest hour to cheer.

And when the work is done,

When the last soul is won,

When Jesus’ love and power

Bring the expected hour—

What then?

O! then—the crown is given,

O! then—to rest in heaven,

Endless life in endless day,

Sin and sorrow passed away.

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

JEREMIAH— “GRANDEUR OF THE LORD.”
B. C. 629.

In Jeremiah tenderness we see,

And sins deplored in bitterest agony,

And Israel charged with her inconstancy.

LAMENTATIONS — “SORROW UPON SORROW.”
B. C. 588.

The Lamentations are a sea of woe,

Where sighs are heard, and tears incessant flow,

For Judah’s sake, because of sins brought low.

EZEKIEL — “THE STRENGTH OF GOD.”
B. C. 595.

Ezekiel doth unfold God’s glorious rays,

And how His judgments all bespeak His praise,

And all the glories of the latter days.

DANIEL— “JUDGMENT OF GOD.”
B. C. 607.

Daniel’s the history of the Gentile kings,

And Judah’s bondage clear before us brings—

Jehovah’s judgments for their many sins.

HOSEA— “SALVATION.”
B. C. 785.

Hosea shows us Israel, once so blest,

With Judah of all glory dispossessed,

By God rejected, for sins unconfessed.

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/1913

There Is Some One Waiting for Me Up There

DEAR Fred C.’s earthly course was a short one, but he left a bright testimony behind him. Not that he was strong to fight life’s battles, but that yielding himself to Christ as a boy, he was given strength to bear weakness and pain in patience.

This he did for many months, and often while sitting by his bedside, his bright smile, when the name of Jesus was mentioned, spoke to me of a heart which treasured that dear name.

Just before he passed away, the doctor bent down to hear what he wished to say.

“Do you think I shall linger here much longer, doctor?”

“No, I do not,” he replied.

“Because there is someone waiting for me up there,” added Freddie in a faint whisper.

Perhaps when you read this you will say, I suppose Fred had lost his father or mother or some dear friend, who would be waiting for him. But no, dear reader, it was not that. He meant that Jesus Himself would be waiting for him.

What a precious testimony’ to God’s boundless grate and Christ’s constraining love! “Whom not having seen, ye love.”

Dear young reader, boy or girl, can you also say, “There is someone waiting for me up there”?

God loved you so much that He gave His only Son for your salvation. Christ died for you. Has that love so laid hold of your heart, that you can say, “He loved me and gave Himself for me”? If not, hearken now and take God’s offered grace; believe His word, that Christ, who died for our sins, has been raised again for our justification, and like Fred C. we will be able to say, “There is some one waiting for me up there.”

I have a home above,

From sin and sorrow free;

A mansion which eternal love

Designed and formed for me.

The Father’s gracious hand

Has built this blest abode;

From everlasting it was planned—

The dwelling-place of God.

Messages of God’s Love 6/29/1913

Bible Questions for July

Answers to Bible Questions for May

1.“And Jesus, perceiving,” etc. Luke 9:47.

2.“And Jesus, being full of the,” etc. 4:1.

3.“In that hour,” etc. 10:21.

4.“Then Jesus went,” etc. 7:6.

5.“And Jesus returned,” etc. 4:14.

6.“But when Jesus perceived;” etc. 5:22.

7.“And when the voice was past,” etc. 9:36.

Bible Questions for July

The answers are to be found in John, chapters 1 to 10.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “When Jesus saw him.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus heard that.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus beheld Him.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus stood and cried, saying.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus walked in the temple.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus stooped down.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus hid Himself.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

JOEL— “HE THAT WILLS, OR COMMANDS.”
B. C. 800.

Joel predicts what Gentile power will do,

And how that power His people will pursue;

Yet God protecting still the remnant few.

AMOS— “LOADING, WEIGHTY.”
B. C. 787.

Amos declares the patience, firm and strong,

Of God, though angered by His people’s

wrong;

Forsaken, tempted, yet forbearing long.

OBADIAH— “SERVANT OF THE LORD.”
B. C. 587.

In Obadiah Edom’s judgment flows

For bringing Israel through a sea of woes;

Thus God doth humble all his people’s foes.

JONAH—“A Dove.”
B. C. 826.

Jonah God’s faithfulness in grace declares

The wicked city and the prophet spares;

So God in mercy for the contrite cares.

MICAH—“Poor, HUMBLE.”
B. C. 750.

Micah Samaria threatens with a blow;

Jerusalem too he sees in dust laid low;

On all God’s enemies he utters “Woe!”

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/1913

Now I Know She Loved Me

A FEW years ago a youing woman who was living at home with her mother, who had ever been to her an affectionate parent, conceived the singular idea that her mother had really never loved her! Every effort was made by her friends to eradicate the thought she harbored in her mind and the mother strove anxiously to win back the affections of her child, but all to no purpose. The daughter clung tenaciously to her infatuation, and at length gave effect to it, leaving, solely on this account, her mother’s roof, and betaking herself to a distant part of the city in which they lived.

There she obtained lodgings, and strange to say, very shortly afterwards the house took fire, and the young woman was in imminent danger of being burned to death. Her mother, however, had rushed to the burning building, and in spite of every entreaty, succeeded in penetrating to the room of her daughter, whom, with superhuman strength, she actually carried down into the open air, safe and sound. But the shock and the exertion were too much for the devoted mother, and she sank down dead at the feet, of her child. This remarkable circumstance was a terrible lesson for the hitherto infatuated daughter, dispelling forever the wicked idea she formed of her parent, and her first and thrilling exclamation was, “Now I know she loved me!”

But it was too late. She had found out her lamentable mistake only when it was beyond its remedy. Willingly would she have given all she possessed to have had but a moment’s opportunity of recalling the imputation cast upon her devoted mother. But she “found no place of repentance.” The die was cast, and to retrace her steps was as impossible to her as to restrain or reverse the planets in their courses!

And now, dear reader, let me entreat you to consider whether you have not more grievously wronged an infinitely greater love. While your eye has followed my little narrative, you have probably felt touched with the self-sacrificing affection of the Mother, and grieved over the unfeeling heart of the daughter. Nay, it may also have occurred to you that this young. woman would never have been in the burning house, but for the perversity of her unbelief in a love that was stronger than death. It was she who occasioned the death of her mother, and the latter laid clown her life in rescuing her daughter.

And does it not remind you—surely it must—how One died, the Just for the tin-just, to bring us to God? We sinners caused the death of Christ on account of the sins we had committed. Our hardness of heart, our forsaking of God, turning our back upon Him and denying His love— what a course was ours! In point of fact, when rightly seen, it was we who crucified Him, putting Him to open shame. It was my voice among others that cried, “Away with Him! away with Him! not this man, hut Barabbas.” It was I who for His love gave Him hatred. But He whose love was such that many waters could not quench it, nor the floods drown it, He endured to the uttermost what was clue to you and me, laying down His own life to give everlasting life to us.

Again, it was indeed a grievous thing for this young person so long to doubt her mother’s priceless love; but how intensified would have been our indignation had she continued in her unbelief after her mother’s noble act of rescue. Yet, alas! this is what So many are doing every day, doubting, if got denying, the love that appeals to them, and notwithstanding the matchless proof of it furnished in the wondrous fact that God’s own Son has given His life for us! And, be it remembered, a more terrible conflagration than the burning house awaits the rejecters of God’s love; and when that crisis comes, no loving heart with mighty impulse of affection will rush to your rescue; no brave arm, human or divine, will be stretched forth for your deliverance. He whose dove has been refused shall then say, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” (Prov. 1:26.) And the issue shall be blackness and darkness, and the lake of fire forever.

Not yet is it too late to learn the immeasurable heights and unfathomable depths of that infinite love which beseeches you to be reconciled to God. Not yet has it been said of you, “Found no place of repentance;” for He, who died to rescue us, lives again, and what joy would there be in the presence of the angels of God did but your heart exclaim, “Now I know that He loves me!” May He write this striking incident upon your souls, my readers, and above all so make His love known to you that, being no longer insensible to its precious reality, you may be able sincerely to say, “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/1913

Too Cheap

A PREACHER of the Gospel had gone down into a coal mine during the noon hour, to tell the miners of that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ. After telling them the simple story of God’s love to lost sinners—man’s state, and God’s remedy—a full and free salvation offered,—the time came for the men to resume work, and the preacher came back to the shaft, to ascend to the world again. Meeting the foreman, he asked him what he thought of God’s way of salvation. The man replied:

“O, it is too cheap; I cannot believe in such a religion as that!”

Without an immediate answer to his remark, the preacher asked:

“How do you get out of this place?”

“Simply by getting into the cage,” was the reply.

“And does it take long to get to the top?” “O, no; only a few seconds!”

“Well, that certainly is very easy and simple. But do you not need to help raise yourself?” said the preacher.

“Of course not!” replied the miner. “As I have said, you have nothing to do but get into the cage.”

“But what about the people who sunk the shaft, and perfected all this arrangement; was there much labor, care, thought, and expense about it?”

“Indeed, yes; that was a laborious and expensive work. The shaft is eighteen hundred feet deep, and it was sunk at great cost to the proprietor; but it is our only way out, and without it we should never be able to get to the surface.”

“Just so. And when God’s word tells you that whosoever believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life, you at once say, ‘Too cheap!’—’Too cheap!’ forgetting that God’s work to bring you and others out of the pit of destruction and death, was accomplished at a vast cost, the price being the death of His Son.”

Men talk about the “help of. Christ” in their salvation—that if they do their part, Christ will do His; forgetting, or not seeing, that the Lord Jesus Christ by Himself purged our sins, and that their part is but to accept what has been done.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement, of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa. 53:5, 6.)

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/1913

Reading

THIS little girl seems to be all alone, and very thoughtful. What book can she be reading? She seems so serious, that it surely must be God’s book, the Bible. What a different book it is from all others! You know if we really think as we read its pages, it goes down very deep into our hearts, and many times condemns our thoughts and actions—for it is God that is speaking to us in the Bible.

God has made His Book to fit all classes of people, and all ages. A tiny child may turn to the simple gospels and there find the way to be saved; then the grown-up man, very wise in the things of this world, may read the same pages, and see himself there a lost man, a stranger to Jesus. God wants both, the young and old, to come to Jesus and get forgiveness of sins. You cannot be happy till you do.

“TO HIM GIVE ALL THE PROPHETS WITNESS, THAT THROUGH HIS NAME WHOSOEVER. BELIEVETH IN HIM HALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.” Acts 10:43.

The little girl in our picture may be reading a bit to herself before she goes to school. Do you do this? God is pleased to see you searching the Scriptures for yourself, and not depending only on the family worship, or hearing God’s Word read at meetings. See Psa. 119:0 and 15. “Thy Word have I hid in- heart, that I might not sin against Thee. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.”

Besides reading God’s Word, we find prayer so important. Do you remember the story of Daniel in the Bible? He learned to come alone before God often in prayer, and that while he was but a boy. Later on, he was thrown into a den of lions because he continued to go to his room several times a day and pray to the true, living God. Do you pray? Can you say to God: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up?” Psa. 5:3.

Messages of God’s Love 7/6/1913

The Interruption

IT ONLY takes a little thing sometimes to divert the attention even from that which is important. A little fly alighting on the child’s arm could cause him to stop taking his food.

A fly is not as common a thing to the little child as to those who are older, therefore he likes to take a good look at it, and during all that time he has stopped taking his food. But some may say, that is not much time to take up. No, it would not be, because a fly is soon gone to another place; but the lesson to learn this, that if we have that which is important filling our minds, and allow other things to come in and divert our thoughts before we have finished the matter, we will never be successful. There is one thing of great importance, and we should not allow anything to come in and hinder us in having it settled; that is, having our souls saved, and thus be able to come into God’s holy presence. The psalmist said:

“ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED OF THE LORD, THAT WILL I SEEK AFTER; THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.” Psa. 27:4.

In order to dwell in God’s presence it is necessary to have our sins put away before Him, for He is more holy than to behold iniquity. It is therefore through Christ, and Him alone, that we can come to God; for He is the One who has stood in the sinner’s place, under the judgment that the sinner deserved, and has atoned for sin. Again, Jesus could say, “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6.) Now, dear reader, allow nothing to interrupt, or hinder you in having this one and all-important subject settled, so as to be able to come into the presence of God and dwell there through the. Lord Jesus Christ alone as the One who has shed His blood for you.

It is important that we give our attention to all that we have to do, and allow nothing to interrupt or divert our minds; and if important in the things of this life, how much more important in eternal things!

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/1913

Bessie's Mistake

IT was an old story that Miss W— was telling the girls, and yet if we might judge by the look of fixed attention on the faces of the eight or ten young women seated in the class, on Lord’s day afternoon of which I am about to write, this story was a very interesting one.

Very simply, but as one to whom the story of a Saviour’s love had brought rest of soul and joy of heart in believing, Miss W— told the girls the way of salvation through faith in’ the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible lesson was the story of Timothy, who when a little boy, had listened to the Bible stories from the lips of his grandmother, Lois, or his mother, Eunice. (2 Tim. 1:5).

Bessie M— had just finished reading 2 Timothy, 3:16, ‘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.’”

Miss W— closed the Bible, and said, “As I look round my class, my eye rests on many of whom I can truly say, ‘From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures!’ Most of my girls are daughters from homes where the Lord Jesus Christ is loved and honored. Not one of these can plead ignorance of the Word of God. All know the Bible is true, and I am sure there is not one inn-our class who would not feel shocked and grieved at hearing one word said against this precious book.

“But how many are truly wise unto salvation through faith in Christ?

“‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ And only those who have looked in faith to Christ are really wise.

“You cannot earn or buy salvation: it is a free gift. ‘For the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23.) We accept a gift and thank the giver, do we not? and just so with the gift of salvation.

“‘Sinners now on Christ believing, Everlasting life receiving.’”

But as the superintendent’s bell (which almost always rang before either Miss W— or her girls thought it could be so late) gave the signal for closing lessons, Miss W— ceased speaking, and began to mark the class register; but not before she had noticed an anxious gaze on the usually bright face of Bessie M—; so, looking to the Lord for wisdom and grace to say the words that would best meet Bessie’s need, she detained her for a few moments after the other girls had passed out, pointing out one or two passages of scripture, and urging her to decide at once for Christ.

The following Lord’s day afternoon, Miss W—’s school girls were again around her. The clouds had all gone from Bessie’s face, and she looked so bright and happy that Miss W— felt almost sure she had some good news to tell, so she proposed that they should walk home together. Bessie was quite willing, and when. Miss W— said, “I think you have something to tell me, Bessie dear,” her answer was, “Yes, indeed I have. For a long time I have been wishing to be a Christian, but last Sunday I was so unhappy, I felt as if I could not bear it any longer—I felt I was such a sinner—so I just went to God in prayer, and asked Him to forgive all my sins and wash me in the precious blood of Christ.”

Bessie stopped speaking, so Miss W—asked, “Did He hear and answer you, Bessie?”

“O yes, I am sure, quite sure, He did.” “Why are you sure?”

“Because I feel so happy. It cannot be wrong to feel happy, can it Miss W—?” Bessie asked, as she looked up wonderingly into Miss Wilson’s earnest face.

“No, indeed, Bessie, it is not wrong to be happy; we are told in the Word of God to ‘rejoice evermore.’ (1 Thess. 5.) In believing in Christ we ‘rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ (1 Pet. 1:8.) But trusting joy is not the same as trusting Christ. Happy feelings may and will pass away, but the Lord Jesus Christ is a real, living person, and if I am trusting Him, the change in my feelings does not affect the ground of my peace, because I am trusting only in His finished work, and that is altogether outside myself.

“Do not think, dear Bessie, that I want to discourage you or hinder your joy. I can and do give thanks for another of my girls who has, I believe, really and truly come to Jesus; but I desire to help you to see more clearly God’s way of peace.”

A few weeks later, and all the gladness had gone out of Bessie’s face, and the old troubled, anxious look was there again.

Of course, Miss W— wanted to know the reason of this change. Tears were in Bessie’s eyes as she said, “O, I am afraid I have been making a mistake; I told you I was saved, and I really did think it was true; but I do not feel happy now.”

Mr. F—, the superintendent, was passing at that moment, so Miss W— turned to ask him a question.

“Is there any verse in your Bible that says, ‘Whosoever feeleth happy shall be saved’? My Bible says it is ‘whosoever believeth.’ (John 3:16.) But Bessie seems to think it must be a mistake.”

Perhaps Miss W—’s question gave Mr. F— a clue to the real state of things. He answered: “My Bible says, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’” (Acts 16:31.) And sitting down by Bessie with his Bible opened in his hand, he pointed to her that salvation is to be received by faith in Christ, not by any doing or feeling of our own.

Did Bessie see where her mistake had been?

Yes; I am sure she did, for though soon after she took a new situation and went to live at some distance from the school, Miss W— received a letter from her; which, as I think you will be pleased to read, I am going to copy for you.

“My Dear Teacher:

“I have not forgotten you, though this is the first opportunity of writing I have been able to get. I am very comfortable in my situation, and getting on nicely by the Lord’s help, for He is always willing to help those who trust in Him.

“How glad I am that you ever told me of His love.

“I shall never forget that Sunday afternoon, when you drew me to your side, and said, ‘Do trust in the Lord Jesus now, dear Bessie; He loves you, He died for you,

He wants to save you.’ I took your advice, and trusted in Him, and now I can sing:

“‘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 must close my letter now. Please give my love to all the girls, and believe me, “Your affectionate scholar,

“Bessie.”

I think Bessie’s mistake is one into which many young believers fall, putting feeling in the place of faith, or really trusting joy, instead of trusting Christ.

Perhaps some of my readers are making this mistake, too. If so, I would urge them to look away from self to Christ; and peace —settled peace—will follow in the faith-look at Jesus. It is something like stepping from the shifting sand on to the solid rock.

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/1913

The Books of the Old Testament

NAHUM — “COMFORTER.”
B. C. 713.

Nahum foretells, the world and all its power

Shall be destroyed in judgment’s bitter hour,

When vengeance shall awake, and wrath devour.

HABAKKUK— “A WRESTLER.”
B. C. 626.

Habakkuk o’er God’s erring people yearns:

For their apostasy his spirit burns,

Yet to the God of his salvation turns.

ZEPHANIAH — “THE LORD IS MY SECRET.”
B. C. 630.

Zephaniah utters all the judgments sore

Jehovah on Jerusalem will pour,

Which, blest by Him, rebelled yet more and more.

HAGGAI — “SOLEMNITY.”
B. C. 520.

Haggai urges on God’s host to build

The second temple, which Jehovah willed

More than the first with glory should be filled.

ZECHARIAH — “MEMORY OF THE LORD.”
B. C. 520.

Zechariah brings Jerusalem up to view,

And tells the nations what distress they’ll know

Unless they there in lowly worship bow.

MALACHI— “A MESSENGER.”
B. C. 397.

Malachi Israel’s folly doth record,

Yet tells of those who “thought upon

the Lord”—

Jehovah’s jewels—blessing their reward.

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/1913

Can You Spell Repentance?

THESE words were once addressed by a dying child to a godless father! The man was going on in his wickedness, but the child on her sick-bed was bound for heaven, and was soon to be in the presence of Christ. Unhappy about her wretched parent’s state of soul, she one day suddenly addressed him with, “Father, can you spell repentance?” And through the blessing of God, the question was effectual in awakening his conscience. “Spell repentance!” said he, “why, what is repentance?” Nor did God allow him to go unanswered. He found what a stranger to it he was—a guilty, lost sinner, ready to perish. But through grace repentance unto life was granted unto him, and he learned to spell out its eternal significance. By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom God has exalted to give repentance and remission of sins, he got the knowledge of salvation, and lived to bless God for the little question that his dying daughter put to him, and which God used to turn him upside down that He might bless him for eternity. That’s the way to spell repentance in the school of God! Dear reader, have you ever been to that school, or have you never yet learned to spell?

Messages of God’s Love 7/13/1913

The Pet Lamb

I DARE say my little readers have all read, or heard, about Mary and her little lamb, as the piece of poetry runs:

“Mary had a little lamb;

Its fleece was white as snow;

And everywhere that Mary went,

The lamb was sure to go.”

Well, here we have a picture of Mary and the lamb which followed her to school one day. You can see the schoolhouse off in the distance; and Mary has laid down her book and slate on the ground, and is fixing the ribbon on the neck of her little pet. No doubt, Mary thought a great deal of her lamb, and the lamb thought a great deal of her.

But now I want to tell you of another lamb, mentioned in the Bible. You will find an account of it in Exodus 12. God’s people had been in bondage under the cruel king of Egypt, and God was going to deliver them. Pharaoh, the king, had refused to let them go, and God had sent nine different plagues upon him and his people, and still he hardened his heart, and would not let God’s people go. God had said to Pharaoh, “Israel is my son, even my first-born,” but Pharaoh did not care, and now God was going to take his first-born, and the first-born of all in the land, both of man and beast. It would be a terrible night, when the destroyer entered into every house, and slew the first-born.

But the children of Israel were in the land too, and how would they escape the destroyer, for they were not better than the Egyptians? Well, God provided a way for them. If you read Ex. 12, you will see that they were to take out of the flock a lamb for every house—a lamb without blemish—and this lamb was to be slain instead of the first-born child. On the evening of the night that Jehovah was to go through the land to smite the Egyptians, the children of Israel were to slay their little lamb, and catch the blood in a basin, and they were to sprinkle this blood on the door-posts of their houses, and on the lintel over the door; and the Lord said:

“The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”

So you see, dear children, it was the blood of this lamb that protected the first-born of the children of Israel in Egypt on that dreadful night.

Now Scripture tells us of still another Lamb, of which this lamb was only a type Jesus is the Lamb that God has provided for sinners. His blood has been shed, and shelters every sinner who believes in the Lord Jesus.

Now let me ask you to read the text in John 1:29.

“BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.”

Messages of God’s Love 7/20/1913

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

SOME years ago in a little town, a young man was observed entering a place of meeting. The preacher read Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you,” and earnestly and lovingly pressed upon his audience the importance of immediate preparation for eternity.

The message went to the heart of John Lorne. He was a young farmer, who thought more about the price of grain than of the freeness and fulness of God’s salvation, and had “made up his mind” to “get on” in the world. Of course, he had no intention of being lost; he did not purpose neglecting his soul altogether. O, no! he was too wise for that! But there was plenty of time for him. When the verse was read, however, the words sank deep into his heart, and he could not get rid of them. The address appeared to be specially for him. But he would not yield.

As the preacher portrayed the terrible danger to which men expose themselves by seeking first wealth, ease, honor, pleasure, or fame, he trembled. He said to himself, “There is no use in him preaching. I am not going to be a Christian just now. I am not going to ‘seek the kingdom of God at present. When I get married and comfortably settled in life, then I shall cast in my lot with the people of God.”

On the succeeding Sunday he went to a meeting in another town, glad to be at as great a distance as possible from the scene of his awakening. Great was his terror and surprise to find that the speaker took for his text, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” The Spirit of God carried home the words with redoubled power. The uncertainty of life, the hollowness and deceitfulness of riches, the nearness to eternity and judgment, were fearlessly and faithfully proclaimed. He trembled: “Seek ye first” rang in his ears, and found an echo in his heart. There was a terrible conflict going on—a conflict between light and darkness—between the god of this world and the Lord Jesus Christ. He was “almost persuaded,” but not entirely.

“No,” said he, “I won’t at present. I’ll wait till I have my farm well stocked, and clear of debt; until I am married and my family grown up—then I will become a Christian.”

Years intervened. John Lorne acquired what he had aimed for. He was considered one of the wealthiest farmers in his neighborhood. But with his money he was not happy; and the resolution- formed in his younger days was never carried out. He lost his reason, and was often seen wandering up and down the country, pointing to every young man he met, and saying, “Young man, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness!”

My dear young reader, has the story of John Lorne a voice for you?

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal. 6:7.

“Because I have called and ye refused ... . I also. will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” Prov. 1:24, 26.

Messages of God’s Love 7/20/1913

Annie

DEAR children who love the Lord Jesus, can be disciples of His; and I want to tell you a true story, to show how God can richly bless any little service a dear child may do for Him, and that very often at a time when he or she may not be expecting it.

The little girl I am writing about had early learned that she was a lost sinner, and then, when she heard the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15), she joyfully accepted Him as her own Saviour, and found peace and rest in believing in Him.

I would like every dear child who reads this to ask themselves these two questions: first, Do I know that I am a sinner? The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23); and then, secondly, Have I trusted in the Lord Jesus, whose precious blood can alone wash away the terrible stain of sin and make me whiter than snow? Because I must tell you that none of you can do any work for the Lord Jesus until you have first trusted in Him as your Saviour, and if you try to work for Him before you are saved, God plainly tells you that all your righteousnesses are simply “filthy rags” in His sight.

Now, to go on with our story, Annie was an only child, and she, no doubt, had many mice toys to play with; but she had one thing of which, she was more fond than anything else, and this was a dear little grey cat. I am sure you will agree with me, that a pet pussie is much nicer than even the prettiest doll or any other toy, because they have to stay just where you like to put them, and cannot love you back again, whereas a pussie is so fond of its little master or mistress (if they are kind and do not tease it), and it will run after them and purr so loudly when petted or stroked.

One day poor Annie had a great trouble, for she could not find her dear little cat anywhere; and she came to her mother in great grief, saying, “O! mother, dear, I have lost my cat—what can we do to find her? Will you come with me, and enquire at different houses to see if she has wandered there?” Then she added in a low voice, “Is it right to pray about it, and ask God to let me have my pet again?”

“Most certainly,” her mother answered, “nothing is too small to take to our Father in heaven. He knows all our troubles, but He invites us to bring them to Him, and to feel quite sure of His interest. We will go as you wish, and you shall decide the way to take in search of the wanderer.”

Now I must tell you that since dear Annie had known the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, she much wished for others to know Him too, and when she went out, she was in the habit of giving away little gospel books: and on this day, although her young heart was full of trouble, she nevertheless did not forget to take some books with her, when she set out with her mother in search of her missing favorite; and as they called at different houses, asking the inmates if they had seen anything of a pretty grey cat, she left behind a little book, to tell of the Saviour’s love to poor, perishing sinners.

You will perhaps be surprised to hear that she did not find her pet again. God, her loving Father, had a wise reason for not granting her this request; but He allowed her loss to be the means of blessing to two precious souls that day, although Annie did not know about it in this life. She lived to grow up, and when she was about nineteen years old, the Lord took her home to Himself.

Some little time afterwards two of her aunts were looking for some apartments in the same neighborhood where Annie and her mother had gone that day so many years before, and at one house they were surprised by being asked if either of them had called at a certain house some years before with a little girl, who, while searching for a grey cat, had left behind a little book, called, “Lord, show me myself.” Both the mistress of the house and her servant had read it, and the Lord had graciously used it to the conversion of both their souls, and they so much wished the giver of it to know the happy result.

You may imagine how surprised and pleased Annie’s two aunts were to hear all about it, as they both loved the Lord Jesus; and then they were able to tell the lady some interesting details about Annie’s death.

Now, does not this simple incident show how the Lord can bring great blessing out of any small service which we may render to Him? And ought it not to encourage every dear child who really loves Him and wishes to serve Him, to work diligently for such a blessed Master, remembering that the Scripture says, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good”? (Eccl. 11:6.) And again, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9.)

Messages of God’s Love 7/20/1913

A Mother's Love

IS IT not a pretty sight to see a dear little baby lying in his mother’s arms! We often see it, and have, no doubt, noticed by the expression of the mother’s face, how much she loves her baby; but if we look at him, we see, not so much an expression of love, as, a picture of helplessness.

The little one cannot do anything for himself, but the mother must do everything for him; first, because she loves her little baby; second, he is not strong enough to take care of himself.

This reminds us of the love that God has shown to us, for the Bible says:

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

This is beyond a mother’s love for her baby.

Have you ever thought that God really loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you, so that you may be saved through Him? And He loved us when we were helpless and could not do anything for ourselves in order to be saved. He looked upon us in love, and knew our helplessness, so He did everything for us.

“WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.” Rom. 5:6.

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/1913

The Books of the New Testament

MATTHEW— “GIVEN.”
A. D. 38.

Matthew presents us Jesus, as alone

The “Son of David”—Heir to David’s throne,

Who soon as “Lord” shall through the earth be known.

MARK— “POLITE, SHINING.”
A. D. 65.

Mark as the “Servant” e’er obeying God,

Who in the path of loving service trod,

Though sinking oft beneath the weary load.

LUKE— “Lummous.”
A. D. 63.

Luke as “the Christ,” the “anointed One” from heaven,

The “glorious Man” to whom all power was given;

And Satan oft from wicked man was driven.

JOHN— “THE GRACE OF THE LORD.”
A. D. 97.

John as the “Word made flesh,” God’s only Son,

Who lived and died to make God’s glory known,

And claim for us a seat upon the throne.

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/1913

A Little About China

THE readers of this little paper have probably heard something of the wonderful work which is going on in the immense country of China. In all parts the people seem ready to listen to the gospel, though, alas, there are so few to tell the good news, compared with the vast multitudes who are longing to hear it. Mr. Hsiao, a Chinese Christian, writes: “Everywhere we go, the people welcome us. They are ready to listen to our preaching, and many believe.”

This man, Mr. Hsiao, has charge of a party of twelve colporteurs. They travel, and so far as possible, live on a large houseboat. Every morning, after Bible reading and prayer, they go out, two by two, and visit as many homes as possible, telling the people of the precious gospel story, and leaving with them, as a free gift, a copy of some portion of the Scriptures.

As these colporteurs entered one home, a man of more than eighty years of age, hearing that preachers of “the foreign religion” had come in, summoned all his strength to shout out his disapproval, and forbid them to speak.

Their hearts were moved with compassion as they saw his extreme age and feebleness, and they insisted on telling him, very gently, of the love of God, and salvation through Jesus Christ. As the message got hold of his heart, and the Holy Spirit led him to an understanding of it, he said, over and over again, “I shall most certainly believe the Lord. I shall most certainly believe the Lord, that I may receive forgiveness of sins.”

Another day they visited the Chief of the Police. After some conversation with him, they gave him a copy of a part of the Bible. Turning over the pages, his eyes fell on the Ten Commandments. He read them through and immediately exclaimed, “I have not kept one of these commandments, but have broken them all; what shall I do?” The colporteur replied that there was nothing for him to do, for Jesus had done it all—had paid the full penalty for sin, when He suffered on the cross, and now all that remained for him to do was to repent of his sins and accept Jesus as his Saviour. We may hope that he accepted this message of salvation, for after a long and interesting conversation, he parted from his new friends, saying, “I have, indeed, received a great blessing today.”

Another man, Mr. Chen, met two colporteurs on the road and begged them to come to his house. He said he had been on a pilgrimage to the “Sacred Mountain,” and when there, had been given a Testament. From reading this he had learned that idols were false, and that men should worship the one true God, but he did not know just how to do it. The men gladly told him the wonderful story of atonement through the shed blood, and of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Mr. Chen’s face shone with joy as he heard the good news, and he said, “Now for the first time I understand that by simple faith in Jesus Christ I may be saved. I shall never make a pilgrimage again, but fully trust in Jesus to save me.”

One more story I must tell you of a man who had vowed to abstain from many kinds of food, as an atonement for his sins. The colporteurs, happening to meet him, asked him to accept a book.

“What book is it?” he asked.

“A gospel book,” they replied.

He at once put down the load he was carrying, and exclaimed, “O! for such a long time I have been trying to learn about this gospel teaching, but have had no opportunity. Now you can tell me.”

After an earnest conversation, he said, “For years I have worshipped the sun, to obtain forgiveness of sins, but all in vain. Now you tell me that Jesus is able to forgive sins. From this day I shall trust Him.” They gave him a New Testament, first having marked many passages for him to study, and as they parted he said, “Today I thank Jesus for sending you to tell me the gospel.”

What a contrast this simple gospel, preached by Christian Chinamen to their heathen countrymen, is to what we read of in the large Buddhist temple, at Chingtechen. This temple is on a lofty hill, overlooking miles of winding river and broad stretches of rice fields and rolling hills. In it is a three-eyed, fierce looking idol, brandishing a club, and bearing an inscription in four Chinese characters, meaning “Who would come to have their sins forgiven?” On the right side of the idol is a scroll, on which is written, “If you are not a bad man, what need have you to fear me?” and on a scroll on the left hand is “The sinner certainly will not be forgiven.”

What joy to be able to give to these poor Chinamen a message from the One True God, telling them that all sin may be forgiven, put away forever, by faith in the one sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Will not some who read this little paper pray that God may send out many faithful laborers into this great country, where the fields are white unto harvest?

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/1913

Black and White

Can anyone tell what is blacker than coal,

And whiter than storm-driven snow,

In the heavens or earth, from equator to pole,

The ocean or caverns below?

The raven is black—dark as ebony night—

And sable the Ethiop’s skin;

But they’re whiteness itself, and as bright as the light,

Compared with the blackness of sin.

There’s nothing, we know, that is whiter than snow,

But the soul that is washed in the blood

Of Jesus, Who died ‘neath our judgment and woe,

And poured out the sin-cleansing flood.

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/1913

God Is Not Mocked

MY business took me some time since to a squalid part of the town. Entering into conversation with one of the inhabitants, she spoke of her poverty, and complained bitterly of the wild, dissolute conduct of one of her daughters.

As she continued, the one of whom she spoke entered the yard, and the mother loudly upbraided her. Grieved to hear a mother thus publicly rebuke her daughter, I walked up to the latter, a tall, comely girl of sixteen years, who was accompanied by two females of low character.

“My girl,” I said, “do you know that someday you will have to stand in God’s presence, and give an account of yourself to Him?”

“I don’t care for Him,” she replied, defiantly.

“Don’t care for Him,” said I, “why, if you stand before Him in your sins, He will have to send you to hell.”

“That’s where I mean to go,” she boldly replied,

“Hush, Liz,” said her abandoned companions in a breath; and, shocked to hear such awful language from one so young, I walked away.

Soon after, typhoid fever broke out in the town, and nearly fifty people were attacked, and the wanton girl amongst them.

One day she expressed a desire to get up, but the nurse told her it would be her death if she did so.

“Then I will die,” replied she, and forthwith left her bed.

Fearing neither God nor man, she insisted upon doing her own wild will: the fever increased, her reason gave way, and she went out of the world, it is said, with an oath on her lips.

Reader, God is not mocked. Have you accepted the great salvation which He is offering to sinners? (John 3:16.) You may not openly defy Him, as did this unhappy girl; but you may express, in your neglect of His salvation, your contempt of His wonderful love, shown in the gift of His beloved Son; but, remember, God is watching you, and knows exactly what you think of His love and salvation, and what you are doing with it.

Be warned. He who took away the bold rejecter, may also take away the cold neglecter. Very soon you may find yourself in eternity along with the one of whom you have read.

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

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/1913

Lessons From a Mouse Trap

PERHAPS all our little readers have heard mother or father at some time or other say, “We have mice in the house, and must get a trap to catch them.”

If so, you will not be surprised if I tell you that some of these little creatures have found their way to us, and that we, too, have bought a trap to catch them. This is not one of the ordinary cheap ones, but quite a large one, and really a clever invention. I think you can imagine how interested we all were in reading the instructions, telling us how to set it, and I feel sure you would like to know how to do it, too.

Well, there is a little tin door suspended from the top, and connected with a small platform, which, when little mousey runs over it, drops the door, preventing him from getting out again.

Then there is a little passage leading up to a swing trap-door, and when he gets on this it turns over and tumbles him into a can of water, and he is drowned.

But I have not told you what tempted little mousey to go inside. Well, the instructions tell you to put a little piece of cheese in it, but in addition to this, to lay a little train of flour from a few inches away right up to the door of the trap; and it was from this that I learned my important lesson. It made me think how this was like Satan, who deceives us. He does not lay a train of flour, but he puts sinful things before us which he knows we like; leading us on from little to more, until we quite forget that we are on the broad way which leads to destruction.

Where are you, dear young reader? What little pleasure is Satan deceiving you with? O, do take care! Stop at once! Think, O, think, where you are going! Jesus says, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” He shed His precious blood to redeem you, and wash you from your sins. Only trust Him now, and you will be His, and He will be yours, for ever and ever, and He will preserve you from the many snares and traps Satan has for you, if you will put your trust in Him.

Messages of God’s Love 7/27/1913

Bible Questions for August

Answers to Bible Questions for June

1.“And when Jesus had cried,” etc. Luke 23:46.

2.“And when Jesus saw her,” etc. 13:12.

3.“Now when Jesus heard,” etc. 18:22.

4.“And as they thus spake,” etc. 24:36.

5.“But Jesus turning unto them,” etc. 23:28.

6.“And Jesus answering said,” etc. 17:17.

7.“And when Jesus saw.” etc. 18:24.

Bible Questions for August

The answers are to be found in John from chapter 10 to end.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus ofttimes resorted.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus gave him no answer.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus spake of His death.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus therefore had received.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus knew that His hour was come.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus said not unto him.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Jesus saith unto him, I.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/1913

Affection

A MIDST all the ruin that sin has brought in on this world, it is good to see the traits which God has implanted in each animal, manifesting themselves. If we look at the picture before us, we see affection among the lions. No doubt you all know the lion is a wild, fierce animal, and if he gets the chance, would tear a man in pieces. That is on account of sin having come in. It is not that God so made them, but Satan, being the prince and the power of the air, and that ever since sin came into the world, works in these animals and causes them to be wild and savage; but the time is coming when Satan is to be bound, and all the wild animals will be quiet, net only with their own kind, but with all others as well. How good it is to see them at times, now, manifesting affection—that which God has given to them. We too should show affection for one another. But let us not forget that although we might show a great many good traits and seek to act according as God had intended, that would not make us fit for God. We must believe in Jesus as the One whom God has sent to die for sinners, and thus take Him as our own Saviour. In no other way can we come to God or be fit for His presence than through the Lord Jesus as the One who has died for us.

“THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.” Acts 4:12.

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/1913

The Chinese Boy Teacher

I HAVE been much interested in reading about a Chinese boy who was brought to an open confession of the Lord Jesus as his Saviour when about thirteen.

At the age of fourteen, he went from Wun-chau, in the seaboard province of Cheh-Kiang, where he lived, to a city forty miles away, to attend on a native preacher. He had been well instructed in the truth by a Scotch missionary, who has departed this life “to be at home with the Lord.”

One day this lad strolled into a Buddhist temple, and there found an old man worshiping idols. He waited till the man had finished his devotions; then, seating himself by the side of the devotee, he said: “Venerable, grandfather, do the idols see and hear you when you worship?”

“Yes.”

“But you see they ‘are made of clay; how can they answer your prayers?”

Said the man, “I do not worship the clay, but inside the idol there is a spirit that can see and hear.”

The boy, who had often heard Mr. Stott answer such questions as these, said: “You say there is a spirit in the god; but look at this one—it has a dirty face; it has not been washed for ever so long. There is another whose nose is broken off; and it has not the sense to have it mended. This one has had part of the beard on its upper-lip taken away; yet it has not been able to protect itself. What is the use of a spirit inhabiting a body that cannot protect it better than this?

“We have a spirit within our bodies, but rats do not run away with our beard. I can speak to you and you can hear, because of the spirit within. Let the spirit leave our bodies, and we are dead, like the idols, and cannot protect ourselves.”

The old man was struck with the wisdom of the boy, and asked where he had learned such wonderful things. He replied, “In the school at Wun-Chau. But I can tell very little. If you go to the preacher, he can tell you more.”

The old man went, and took his wife with him. They learned of the Saviour, and at last believed. That was the beginning of a good work in the city, where there are now about a hundred professed Christians.

Now what about our idols? What did the aged Apostle John mean, when he closed his First Epistle with the tender words, “My little children, guard yourselves from idols”? Should not our motto be, “Jesus only”? Having eternal life in Him, and being one with Him as to our position before God, surely He ought to be the object of our first affections. While we think of how the inspired writer warns all Christians, young and old, against “loving the world, and the things that are in the world” (chap. 2:15-17), let the words of a well-known hymn be the language of each of our hearts:

“Is there a thing beneath the sun

That strives with Thee my heart to share?

O, tear it thence, and reign alone,

The Lord of every motion there:

Then shall my heart from earth be free,

When it has found its all in Thee.

“Lord, draw my heart from earth away,

And make it only know Thy call;

Speak to my inmost soul and say,

‘I am thy Saviour, God, thine all!’

To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice,

To taste Thy love, be all my choice.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/1913

Emily's Temptation

Part 1

EMILY was a little girl about nine years old, who lived in a nice house in the country with her father and mother, her brother and sister. Near the house was an orchard with apples and pears and plums growing in it. One day in the autumn, when the plums were ripe, the children picked a large basketful of damsons, and their mother boiled them down with sugar, to keep them for the winter. Emily and Lucy, her sister, watched their mother doing this, and when all were finished, and the jars neatly tied down, the little girls carried them upstairs to the storeroom. As Emily was putting one of the jars on the shelf, she noticed that the paper was loose and she put her finger in and, taking out one of the damsons, put it into her mouth. It was so nice that she was tempted to take another, and was going even to take a third, when she heard Betty, the maid, coming up, so she covered the jar quickly and hurried away.

Some months had passed away when one evening, just as it was getting dark, Emily was passing the storeroom door and saw that it was open. Suddenly she remembered the damsons, and it occurred to her to go in and take just one. Everyone was downstairs. “No one will see me,” she said to herself, but she forgot that the eye of God was upon her, for He sees everything we do, and knows even the secret thoughts of our hearts, but at that moment the fear of God was not in Emily’s heart; so in she went and took not one, but three or four of the damsons; then she went and washed her face and hands and ran down to her tea.

On the Sunday following it was very rainy, and no one went out, so Emily’s father called the children and servants into the parlor and read the 139th Psalm to them. Then he talked to them about the meaning of it. He told them that there is no place where God is not present; that if a person went into heaven he would find God there; and if he went into hell, he would find God there. He said that God is in every part of the earth, and of the sea, and of the sky, and that, being always present in every place, He knows everything we do, and everything we say, and even every thought of our heart, however secret we may think it. Then he went on to say how foolish it is for people to do wicked things in secret and dark places, hoping that God will not know it, for the Psalm says, “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me: even the night shall be light about me”; and again in Isaiah we read, “ Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” (Isa. 29:15.)

You may be sure Emily did not feel very happy while her father was talking to them, and she said to herself, “I will never take another, plum,” but when evening came all her good resolutions left her, for she was trusting in her own strength, and did not ask the Lord to help her to overcome this great temptation. However, when she reached the door of the cupboard, she thought of her father’s words, and stood still for a moment to consider. “There is nobody in this room,” she thought, “and nobody sees me, it is true, but God is in this room, He sees me, His eye is upon me; I cannot hide what I am doing from Him, for He knows everything. I will not take any more damsons; I will go back, I think. But yet, as I am come so far, I will just take one; it shall be the very last, and I will never come here again without leave.” So she opened the closet door and took one damson, and then another and then two more. While she was taking the last she heard the cat mew. It startled her so much that she spilled some of the red juice upon her dress. When she observed this, she was afraid her mother would see it, and ask what she had been doing; so she did her best to wash out the stain, but in doing so she made the front of her dress very wet, so that even her underclothes felt damp and cold. It was a cold evening, but Emily was afraid to go near the fire, lest anyone should notice her wet clothing, so she sat shivering at a distance, and wishing, oh! so often, that she had never gone to the storeroom or touched the plums. What a lot of trouble a small sin, as we count it, brings us into; and how true it is, “The way of transgressors is hard.” Emily’s troubles were only beginning now, but I must wait until next week to tell you the rest of the story.

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/1913

Thou God Seest Me

Filled “with all joy and peace in believing.” “Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Rom. 15:13; Eph. 5:19.)

From the glorious heaven,

Where the angels are,

God looks down on children,

Seeth them afar.

Heareth all they ask for,

All the night and day;

Watches like a father,

All their work and play.

As a father giveth,

So He gives them bread;

Saves them out of danger,

Watches by their bed.

Tell all little children

Of God’s constant care;

That He loves and pities

Children everywhere.

Messages of God’s Love 8/3/1913

Patience

WHEN my uncles were little boys, they had a big dog named Rover. They liked him very much, and he liked them because they were kind to him. They had a harness for Rover, and when there was snow on the ground they hitched him to their sled. He liked to draw them that way, and carried them quickly to any part of the town.

Rover was very much like the dog in the picture. This dog looks patient and gentle. No doubt he loves the children because they are good and kind to him.

We often see children very impatient and naughty, and quite willing to slap and punch each other. Do you think the dog ever does this way? I think not. Then let us learn a lesson from the noble dog that is always so faithful and good to its little masters.

God loves us and has given us many good things. He showers His blessings upon us day after day. If we love Him we ought to try to please Him and show patience, gentleness and kindness in all our ways—at all times and in all places.

“WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST ALSO HATH LOVED US.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/1913

Are You Saved?

“WELL, Jimmy, ‘Are you saved’?” was a question I put one Lord’s Day evening, after a gospel meeting, to a little fellow ten years of age.

“Yes,” he replied, “I am quite confident now that Jesus died for me. I used to think I was all right because father and mother were saved, but I found out that I was all wrong; but now I know for a certainty that Jesus has borne all my sins away.”

“What do you think is the reason why the Lord Jesus does not take us to heaven as soon as we are saved?” I asked.

“O, because He wants us to tell others of His love. We ought not to keep it to ourselves, you know,” he answered.

Earnestly we would ask you, dear young reader, Are you saved? Can you say, “Jesus has washed all my sins away in His own precious blood”? If not saved, we would urge you to lose no more time, for “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2.)

Come to Jesus where you are, and as you are. He turns none away, but receives all who cast themselves upon Him. No one is too great a sinner for the Saviour to save. “This is a faithful saying ... . that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:15.) Soon the day will come when the saved will be taken up to meet the Lord, but the unsaved will go into eternal torment. Be wise! Time is short. Decide for Jesus.

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/1913

The Books of the New Testament

ACTS— “DOINGS OF THE APOSTLES.”
A. D. 64.

Acts are the records of the Holy Ghost—

The chronicles of Jesus’ valiant host,

Who served and followed Him at every cost.

ROMANS— “STRONG, POWERFUL.”
A. D. 58.

The Romans teach us how God can be just,

Yet save in righteousness poor sinful dust,

Who in the precious blood of Jesus trust.

CORINTHIANS— “ORNAMENT7 OR BEAUTY.”
A. D. 56.

Corinthians tell us who the Church compose—

What order ruled, what heresies arose,

And what the gifts Christ on the Church bestows.

GALATIANS— “WHITE.”
A. D. 52.

Galatians show the law’s dire curse and shame

Was borne by Christ, who to fulfill it came;

That Christ, not Law, the sinner can reclaim.

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/1913

Under God's Protection

GOD watches over His own night and day. Under His protection they can rest securely. Without His will, not a hair of their heads can be harmed. In the little things, as well as in the great, we can always recognize His faithfulness and loving care, provided our eyes are open to see it. But frequently we fail in this. If it goes well with us, we do not reflect and own that it is only God’s goodness that surrounds us. If no misfortune meets us, we forget that on all hands we are surrounded by dangers. How many such dangers the good hand of God has turned away from us, without our being conscious of it, only eternity will reveal. But it pleases Him often to make His preserving care known to us. The little circumstance which I may relate here is an example.

A few days ago, I returned home about eleven o’clock in the evening from a visit. When I get home so late it is my habit to go straight up to my room, read for about a quarter of an hour, and then go to bed. On this evening, I remained down stairs; why, I do not know. I lighted the gas, and in doing so, my eye fell on a book which lay on the table. The title only was known to me. I glanced inside, ifs contents interested me and I began to read. I heard my brother up-stairs going to bed. We slept in the same room. Then all was still around me. Had I gone upstairs as usual, I would have followed his example.

I read on and on. When I finally glanced at the clock, it was half past twelve. I was surprised, for I did not imagine I had been reading so long. I jumped up, closed the book and saw that all windows and doors were closed. Then I extinguished all the lights and went upstairs.

On my work table were a few papers which I looked through. Then I went into my bedroom. It was a stormy night. The wind howled and rattled at the windows, so that the panes shook. There was nothing surprising about that. What did surprise me was that my bedroom door and all the other doors of the house were rattling in a very peculiar manner. Surely, I had forgotten to close a window. To make sure I stepped out again into the hall. Ah—what was that? A slight smell of smoke caught my nostrils. I stood still a moment and drew in a deep breath. Without a doubt, something was on fire in the house. I quickly awoke my brother. He was still deep in sleep, but soon became alarmed, and threw on his clothes. Stepping out into the passage, he confirmed my fears. With a couple of springs I jumped down-stairs lighted the gas, and opened the door of the dining room. Thick and suffocating smoke met me. I had to turn back, the smoke took away my breath. On a second attempt I succeeded in lighting the gas in the dining room, and then I discovered the cause of the smoke. Near the stove lay and hung some wet clothes to dry. The stove was burning fairly strong, and as I afterward noticed, a strong draught from an upper window which had not been properly closed, had revived some half-burned cinders in the room. Whether the floor, or the linen had first caught fire I do not know; in any case everything was glowing and smoking such as to blind us.

Again and again we had to go out and breathe fresh air to avoid suffocation. It was too dangerous to open the windows, on account of the strong wind outside. It was fortunate that the clothes were wet; they would otherwise have easily burst into flame. We threw the burning pieces on the floor, stamped them out with our feet and placed the rest in a tub of water. Thus we succeeded in mastering the fire. The smoke was not so easy to get rid of, but from it now we had nothing to fear. The washing was destroyed and a hole burned in the floor. But that was of little moment. The Lord, in His mercy, had protected us from a grave danger, and it is needless for me to specially mention, that when my brother and I were able to go upstairs, we first kneeled down and thanked God for His preserving care.

My dear reader! Does this little incident not show how the Lord cares? What compelled me on that evening specially to remain up till after midnight, contrary to my usual custom? What prevented my going to bed at my usual time? And why did the door rattle so unceasingly, that I had to go into the hall to investigate the cause? “Chance,” unbelief would say. My answer is: “Because God guided it so.” As I afterwards was convinced everything in the house was tightly closed, and—what was the most wonderful—when I at last lay down in bed, the doors no longer rattled, although I lay awake a long time, and the storm outside raged and roared. Truly:

The storms may roar without me;

My heart may low be laid,

But God is round about me

And shall I be dismayed?

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/1913

Emily's Temptation

Part 2

You remember I told you last week how Emily, while taking the damsons from the bottle, spilled the juice on her dress and in trying to wash out the stain, got very wet and cold; so you will not be surprised when I tell you that she took a severe cold, and for some time was very ill indeed. She was so ill that for some days the doctor feared she would not recover, and you can imagine how distressed and frightened her parents and brother and sister were. But how do you suppose the little girl felt herself? She knew well enough what had brought on the illness which was causing so much trouble, and she knew, too, that she had sinned against God, as well as against her parents. As the fever got worse, her head was too confused to let her think clearly, and all she could feel was as if a great eye was looking at her; whichever way she turned the eye was there, until at times she would scream out with fear. For nine days poor Emily lay very ill, but the Lord in His goodness, spared her life, and on the ninth day she fell into a long, peaceful sleep. When she awoke she was very weak, but the fever was gone, and from that day, she began to recover. As soon as she was able she confessed to her mother all the naughty things she had done. She ended up by saying, “I thought God would take no notice of my sin. I thought He was not looking at me when I was stealing in the dark, but I was much mistaken; His eye was upon me all the time, and now He has made me feel His anger, but oh! how good of Him not to send me to hell. I might have died, and then where would I have gone?” Then Emily’s mother talked to her of God’s love, and how He has promised to forgive those who confess their sins to Him. Emily did not talk any more that day, as she was still very weak, but a few days afterward she said to her mother, “I know now that God has forgiven me, even though I have been such a naughty child, and I love Him very much, and I want to please Him.”

“He has forgiven you, I have no doubt,” said her mother, “but can you tell me why God has forgiven you? Did He forgive you because you were sorry for your sins?”

“No,” said Emily, “my being sorry was no goodness of mine. I should never have been sorry if God had not made me so.”

“Why then are you sure God has forgiven you,” said her mother.

“Because,” answered the little girl, “I know that the Lord Jesus Christ has died for me. He never did anything wrong, but he bore the punishment of my sins; I understand this now, but I never did before.”

When Emily was well enough, her father took her for a nice drive. How she enjoyed it after her long illness, you may guess! It was March when she took ill, and now it was the end of May. The fruit trees were in blossom, and the gardens full of spring flowers; and in the fields she saw young lambs with their mothers.

“O!” said Emily, “How sweet it all is! How pretty the wild flowers are, and there is a perfectly white lamb, not a spot about it.”

“Who is compared in the Bible to a lamb without blemish, and without spot?” asked her father.

“Why,” said Emily, “mother and I were talking about that. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb without spot, who died for our sins.” Her father smiled, and taking out a little Bible, he read these words, “Forasmuch as 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.” While he was reading. the carriage had come to an exceedingly shady and beautiful wood. Primroses and violets and other sweet flowers grew along the edge, but what pleased Emily most, was the soft, gentle cooing of two wood pigeons or doves, which she saw sitting on the branch of a tree.

“How soft and pretty they are,” she exclaimed, “but the noise of the wheels has frightened them away.” Then her father reminded her of how the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and abode upon the Lord Jesus and told her that He has been promised to all those who believe, that He might dwell in their hearts and make them as gentle and harmless as a little dove, for the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness.” (Gal. 5:22.)

Little Emily soon got quite well and through the grace of God, was quite a different child from what she had been before, for the love of God was now in her heart, and she feared to grieve that One “who loved her and gave Himself for her.”

Messages of God’s Love 8/10/1913

Death

THE POOR stag lies dead! Hunted, perhaps, by men and dogs, until it could no longer run, and now it is stretched on the cold ground in the snow. One might think, to look at its large, plaintive eyes, that life was still there. But, no! Do you see those black, ugly birds gathering, and with greedy, open mouth and outstretched wings, ready to pounce upon the poor creature, lying stiff and cold? That tells us that death is there, for the vulture and the crow feed only on bodies from which the life has departed, and they are now hastening to make their ghastly feast. “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.”

Death is a sad and solemn thing, and it is a thing that may well bring terror to the heart of one who is unsaved, for beyond its portal is blackness and darkness, gloom and anguish, for all who will not accept God’s offered way of salvation.

There are many who feel no terror, for Satan so blinds their minds, they are thoroughly dulled to the dreadful future that awaits them; and this is exceedingly sad, for, if their eyes were opened, they would see that they are hanging over the brink of an awful precipice; and gladly would they flee for refuge to the only place of safety.

O, dear boys and girls, rejoice if you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour! For you, the sting of death is gone, because Jesus has suffered for your sins, and God’s wrath will never fall upon you on account of those sins. For you, death will only be falling asleep, to waken in the presence of Him who has loved you with an everlasting love.

If you know Jesus, can you not speak to those who do not know Him, and warn them against going on in carelessness and entering upon the awful “second death” which will never come to an end!

If you know Jesus, even the first death, the “falling asleep”, may not be for you, for He is coming, and those who are His, when He comes, will never have to pass through death at all. Will not that be blessed?

“We shall not all sleep, but we 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.

“THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH.” James 5:8.

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/1913

Bible History

Chapter 111.

1 Samuel, 8. The New King.

FOR many years, Samuel judged the people of Israel, and when they hearkened to him and obeyed him, they were safe and happy, because he ruled them wisely and taught them to fear and love the Lord. But Samuel had grown very old, and he had his sons help him to govern the people, and made them judges. Alas! these sons were not like their God-fearing father —they loved money better than God, and took bribes, and when men gave them money, they brought judgment in their favor.

The Israelites had grown tired of being a separate people, to let God alone lead them and teach them; they wanted to be like the nations around them, and have a king also. It was a sad thing, was it not, and makes us think of many true believers in the Lord Jesus who want to be like the world—like those who are not saved—so that others can hardly tell they are the Lord’s? Such are not willing to bear the shame, and forget the words of the Lord Jesus, “Whosoever, therefore, shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven, but whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in Heaven.” Matt. 10:32, 33.

The Israelites were very glad to have an excuse, and they came to Samuel, and said, “Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways; now make us a king to judge us like the nations.” Samuel was much displeased when he heard this, but instead of answering, he went to the Lord and told Him all about it. God told him to do as the people said. If they wanted to set Him aside, He who had led them all those years, had fought their battles, had kept them through so many dangers, then they should have their wish, but they would also bear the consequences of their sin of rebellion against Him.

Samuel went back to the people and told them what God had spoken. He said they had angered God; they had rejected Him, not Samuel, and the king they wanted, far from making them happy, would take them for his slaves. He would take their money and their fields for himself, their sons and daughters for his servants, and they would cry for deliverance from their selfish, cruel king, but it would be too late, for the Lord would not hear them, then.

But the people did not care for what Samuel said, nor for his warning, but they cried out again, “We will have a king over us, that we may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”

Samuel went again to the Lord and told Him what they said, and God granted their wish, and would give them a king, but for their punishment, not their blessing.

We are weak and foolish, and do not know what is for our good, but God knows, and loves us so much that He will not keep from His children anything that is good. So when He takes away, or does not give us what we ask for, we may be sure we are better off without it, and ought to be patient and submit quietly, knowing that “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him, also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32.

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/1913

How Hugh Helped the Missionary

A Story for Little Boys

LITTLE Hugh lived in England, in one of the large cities found in that country. He was only eight years old, but he could read nicely, and he liked to get a book about “Adventures,” as he called it. He thought he would like to go out and camp in the woods and shoot real lions or bears. One day his father brought home a gentleman to tea. He was a missionary, and he had come from the cold north country where the Esquimaux live in their funny little “igloos” or houses made of ice. Hugh could hardly eat any supper, he was so busy listening to the wonderful stories the missionary told. True stories of adventure and hardship; of long journeys on the ice, in the bitter cold; of want of proper food and shelter, and all to tell the gospel of God to these poor, ignorant men, who had never heard of Jesus, and did not know anything about having their sins forgiven. At first Hugh was too shy to ask any questions, but after tea the gentleman took him on his knee, and he began then to feel more at home with him.

“Did you ever see a big bear, or a lion or an elephant?” he asked. His new friend laughed as he told him, lions and tigers and elephants could only live in hot countries; but he said, “I have sometimes seen white bears, and grizzly bears, and fierce, dangerous creatures they are.”

“Were you not afraid when you saw a bear?” said Hugh.

The missionary confessed that he was afraid. “But,” he added, “God can take care of us, you know.”

“Yes,” Hugh replied, “I know that, and I wish I could come with you, and help you to tell these poor men about Jesus.”

The gentleman did not laugh at the little boy this time, but he said, “You are too young to come with me yet, but you can help at home, by asking the Lord to bless the words spoken, and to save many of the poor Esquimaux.” When Hugh went to bed that night, he thought of those words, and when his usual prayer was said, he asked God very earnestly to bless the poor Esquimaux, and he added, “Don’t let the big white bears kill my missionary.”

Do you think God heard this prayer? I am sure He did, for little Hugh asked it in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he really meant what he said.

When you say your prayers, do you really mean what you say, or do you just say what you have been taught, without thinking about it at all? This little boy did not forget about “his missionary” as he loved to call him, and every night he earnestly prayed his little prayer.

Many months passed, and at last one day a letter came from that far north country, and in it was a message for Hugh, to tell him, that as his friend was paddling in his canoe, down a narrow stream, suddenly he saw on the bank a huge white bear. There seemed to be no way of escape; the creature saw him and made ready to spring, when suddenly he appeared to change his mind, and turned away in another direction. The missionary wrote, “I thought of my little friend in England, and how he was praying every day that I should be protected from the big white bear.” “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15.)

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/1913

Robbing the Poor Birds

TWO boys were roaming through the woods one day, when they saw a bird’s nest high up in the trees.

Now their parents had told them not to hunt for nests or to climb the trees for them, as it was cruel to take away their tiny houses; and if Alfred and Frank had been obedient boys they would have remembered this, and left the nest where it was.

But Alfred was determined to get it almost as soon as he caught sight of the nest. With some difficulty he managed to climb the trunk and reach the upper branches, where the nest was lodged. He was pleased to find there were four pretty eggs in it, and at once began to pull the nest away from the twigs by which it was held.

While doing this, however, he did not notice that he had placed his foot on a dead and rotten branch; and as his weight began to bear more directly upon it, a sudden crack was heard, and before Alfred could save himself, by grasping another and firmer branch, he dropped the nest and the eggs, which were all smashed on the path, and fell himself, nearly twenty feet, to the ground.

Poor Alfred! this was a sad ending to his expected pleasure, but it was well earned by his disobedience; and although Frank had not, like him, been up the tree, I think he was equally at fault, for he did not seek to help Alfred to do right, and looked on with equal interest while his brother sought to get the nest.

Alfred was not really injured, but was much bruised and shaken by his fall and unable to walk home, so that Frank had to do his best to carry him on his back. This was a slow way of returning, as Frank had often to stop and rest.

I think both boys will remember that day, especially as they could not hide from, their dear parents what they had been doing; and I trust, too, it will remind them that all wrong-doing will meet its due reward. The Bible says, Our sin “will find us out,” and that “The soul that sinneth it shall die.” This is the course of things; the punishment may be withheld for a time, but will be sure to come at last, unless there is confession of our sins, and the happy result of confession—forgiveness. O, how sweet is forgiveness, and if my reader has not tasted it, I trust he may soon do so.

Messages of God’s Love 8/17/1913

The First Step

JUST learning to walk!

The baby kittens are getting old enough to play and run about, and are having fine fun with the ball of yarn that has dropped out of the drawer. And the baby boy is taking his first step. How proud he looks as he tries for the first time, with his mamma’s help, to walk. But if his mamma should let go of him, what would happen? Very likely he would fall. He needs her help.

So it is with the young Christian. When we believe on the Lord, our spiritual life begins. We are babes in Christ.

Then we learn to walk in a way pleasing to God. And without His help we must surely fall.

A dear little girl was once walking down the street with her papa. She wanted to walk alone, although he had told her she would fall if he did not take her hand.

He let her try it, and soon she did fall. Then she wanted to hold just one of her papa’s fingers. But that was not enough, and she fell again. At last she let him grasp her hand and then she was safe. She could not fall while his strong hand was holding her up.

So we must put all our confidence in Goa, and not trust our own strength.

“Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.” Psalm 119:117.

“For I, the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13.

There is something else we ought to know about the first step. It is the hardest one. The second one is a little easier to take, and the third one is still easier. After a while it is so easy to take steps, that we take them unconsciously. We do not stop to think how we do it.

So it is with the first step of sin. If we do something we know to be wrong, our conscience hurts us. But if we do that same thing a second time, our conscience does not hurt us quite so much, and the third time still less.

Finally our conscience does not hurt us at all, and we find we have formed a habit of regular wrong-doing.

Be very careful, dear children, never to take the first wrong step. If you don’t take the first, you can’t take the second. But if you do take the first, Satan will help you all he can to take a great many more.

It is also true that if you take a step in doing good, you will find it easier to take another one. If you speak kind words and do kind acts to please the Lord, you will find great joy and pleasure in it. You will want to continue taking such steps.

It is not always easy to do a thing you know is right. But it will become easier as you do it oftener.

“ABHOR THAT WHICH IS EVIL; CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD.” Rom. 12:9.

Messages of God’s Love 8/24/1913

Now or Never

A YOUNG coal miner had to descend a mine before the rest of the pitmen arrived. It was about two o’clock in the morning. He stepped into the cage, and was soon slowly descending the shaft, some sixty fathoms in depth. For a short time after leaving the edge of the shaft all went well; but suddenly, when some twenty fathoms below the surface, the cage caught the side of the pit, and tore away a portion of the woodwork; some of it fell down the shaft, other portions fell upon the top of the cage. The young man was in imminent peril, and he knew that, unless some great deliverance came, the cage must be smashed to pieces and he be a dead man in a few more moments. Then he remembered that some thirty fathoms from the top was an old disused mine, and that the “eye,” as the pitmen call the hole or entrance, was still open. He at once made up his mind to try the desperate course of leaping into this hole, as the cage passed by it. The risk was fearful, but the only chance for his life lay in getting out of the cage, for the timbers continued to fall upon it from the sides of the pit.

He prepared for the dreadful leap across the yawning chasm as soon as the opening should appear to view. In a few seconds it came in sight. With firmly closed lips, and every nerve of the body at the utmost stretch, he made a spring. The gulf was crossed, and a place of safety reached.

O, what a palace those slimy, wet walls of the old mine seemed to that young man! Had he remained in the cage he must have been dashed to pieces; had he been one second later in leaping into the hole in the mine, he would have been hurled to the bottom of the shaft. It was with him “now” or “never.” He took the “now,” and was saved through God’s mercy.

Sometime after this narrow escape from death, the Holy Spirit led this young man to see his vileness and his sinfulness in the sight of God, and for months he was in a wretchedly unhappy state of soul.

He made his condition known to several Christians, but obtained no help from them; indeed, they rather hindered his finding rest, for the substance of their advice was, “Believe; only believe, and it will be all right by and by”; or they would ask the question, “Do you feel any better?” Instead of showing the young seeker whom and what he had to believe, they cast him back upon himself —miserable self.

Holding a responsible office, the young man’s duty was to examine the “workings” of the mine, to see if they were free from explosive gas, and safe for the men to work in. One morning, after making the accustomed examination, he retired to a distant part of the mine, to pray and seek rest in Christ, as he had done for some time.

On this occasion he had in his pocket, a part of a tract which had impressed him a few days before, and upon his knees, by the light of the Davy lamp, he read the tract, part of which was as follows—

“It is not by repentance”—he had been seeking to repent— “nor by prayers”—he had prayed much— “nor by cries”—often and long had he cried— “nor by tears”—he had wept much— “but through a full trust in Christ, we are saved!”

Full trust in Christ! Simple faith in Him! No, this he had left undone; all the rest he had tried; and instead of trusting to Christ, he had been trusting to himself. Yes, instead of faith in what Christ had done, he was trusting in his own doings. The young man now saw his error; and more, he saw that Christ alone could save him, and he there and then trusted Him, and was filled with holy joy and, peace.

Years have passed away; that once young man still lives to praise the Lord, who saved him, and often does he repeat these words to himself: “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Psa. 40:2.)

God has His “now” and His “never.” Here are a few of God’s “nows”:—

“Come; for all things are now ready.” (Luke 14:17.)

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

And here, reader, is one of the “nevers” of God’s word. O, may it never be your portion to hear it as addressed to you! —

“I never knew you: depart from Me.” (Matt. 7:23.)

Messages of God’s Love 8/24/1913

A Neglected Warning

THERE was little to indicate a coming storm. The sky was not overcast with clouds, nor was the sea rough; all nature seemed calm.

“There was, indeed, one monitor; but so peculiar was its warning, and in such plain contradiction to it was all that was seen around, that it was disregarded: —the glass stood low—it could not be lower. Its warning was unmistakable. Yet, spite of it, we risked the storm and went out to sea, in order to gather our nets and bring home some fish.”

Such, in substance, were the words of one of the fishermen of B—. The fleet sailed out. Some boats had gotten as far as ten miles from their iron-bound coast, and the men were busily employed raising the nets, when, suddenly, and without expectation, a dense darkness surrounded them, followed by a terrific blast of wind.

All hope of hauling in the nets was abandoned, and the one absorbing effort was to save their own lives. The fragile fleet was driven helplessly before the fury of the tempest, neither sails nor oars being of the smallest advantage; and the unnatural darkness rendered the situation all the more appalling, for the harbor could not even be descried. On drifted the frail barks, each moment bringing them nearer the rocks, until, alas! the fatal crash came, and the life of many a man who went out so gaily but a short time before, was lost beyond the reach or assistance of the friends who were lining the shore,

“It was an awful day,” said the fisherman, over and over again, as he narrated the incident which was engraven deeply on his memory, “and men were drowned within sight of wives or mothers—an awful day.”

“But, oh, why did you neglect the warning of the glass?” I asked him.

“We thought we would risk it,” he replied.

Yes, neglected warnings are common affairs, and faithful monitors are frequently treated as false prophets; “The monitor may be a croaker, and his admonition a myth,” say they. Noah warned his contemporaries, but his advice was scorned. His warning, however, was sound, and the flood followed. The prophets warned the nation of Israel of its captivity and dispersion; but a deaf ear was turned to them, and the scattering came. Christ forewarned Jerusalem of her fate, and she would not hear; that fate followed —Jerusalem was destroyed. And the apostles, by the Spirit of God, have predicted “judgment to come,” whether to an impenitent sinner or an impenitent world. That judgment will certainly come.

Yes, friend, the prophetic glass is low—could not be lower. The Word of God declares, with awful certitude, that the wages of sin is death, that after this is judgement, and that this judgment is eternal. Such are the plain announcements of God.

But where are the appearances? Is not the sky almost unclouded? Is the sea not calm? That may, or may not, be. Appearances, in this case, are thoroughly deceitful. Multitudes have followed them, and have been the victims of their own folly.

Say not that you will “run the risk.” Such a step is not courage, it is madness. You run into certain death. At times, the leader of a “forlorn hope” escapes for, in such rushes, escape is just possible. But, sinner, your hope is absolutely forlorn; you run in the teeth of the whole truth of God, and you know your doom. O, friend, be warned! Open your eyes and read your prospect—sin—death—judgment—the lake of fire! The glass could not be lower; pay attention to its warning, and make your escape to the cross and the Saviour.

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27.)

Messages of God’s Love 8/24/1913

What Is Stronger Than a Lion

(Judges 14:18.)

A POOR woman in Africa was walking in the country with her two little boys, when a lion came out of a thicket, and advanced slowly towards them.

It was a terrible moment for her heart, for they were quite unprotected, and at some distance from their village. But a mother’s love was quick to plan a way of escape for the children from the paws of the savage beast.

She put the little boys behind her, and bade them run away home as fast as they could; and then, facing the lion, she began to shout, and wave her arms, calling him cruel monster, and other hard names.

It was a very daring and dangerous thing to do, but it succeeded; for the lion stopped, and stood looking at the woman, as if wondering what all her shouts and waving of arms might mean.

In a few moments, more alarmed than enraged, the lion turned round, and bounded off again into the thicket, where he was speedily lost to view.

The thankful mother, who had risked her life for the sake of her children, now hastened to follow them, and in a short time they all arrived safely at the village.

How great the love this African mother showed! How it proved stronger than a lion! No marvel that God’s Word says, “Love is strong as death.” (Song of Solomon 8:6.)

Such was the love of the Lord Jesus that He did indeed give up His life, and go down into death for our sakes. By so doing He has delivered all who believe in Him from the one who has the power of death. That one is the devil, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (Heb. 2:14; 1 Peter 5:8.)

Dear child, believe in Jesus now, and He will save you forever from sin and Satan’s power, and take you safely, in due time, to His eternal home.

Messages of God’s Love 8/24/1913

Uncared for

THESE little folks look quite forlorn in their tattered garments, bare feet, and unkempt hair. There is a sad expression on the little girl’s face, and her hand is extended as if asking for alms. They are, probably little beggars, and are now, perhaps, hungry and discouraged, for their basket is empty, and the poor boy is wiping the tears from his eyes on his sister’s apron.

I hope that the dear boys and girls who read this paper, will ever be ready to help those who are in need. God tells us, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Prov. 21:13.

It would be a dreadful thing to cry to God and not have Him hear us: and if we would avoid this, we must not stop our ears at the cry of the poor. Again God tells us, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” Prov. 19:17. Now, is it not wonderful and beautiful to think that we can lend to the Lord; and to know when we help the poor, that the Lord takes note of it.

May be some of you think you would like to help needy ones, but you think you have nothing to give. Let me suggest a little plan to those of you who have faith in God—for without faith we cannot please Him. Heb. 11:6. It is only those who are the Lord’s, who can acceptably serve Him. This is the plan: Get a little box, which you might call “the Lord’s box,” if you like, and put it in some drawer or safe place. When you have money given you, put part of it in this box; or if you are old enough to earn money in some way, always put aside a portion for the Lord, out of what you receive. Then ask the Lord to guide you as to how to use what you have devoted to Him.

When need arises for the poor, or when help is needed for the work of the Lord, you will have a little fund on hand from which you can draw with a glad heart.

It is a very great privilege to be able to give to the Lord; and He grants us this privilege, and gives His rich blessing with it. Try this plan, dear children. You will find your hearts will be opened, your souls will be enriched, and in a special way God’s love will rest upon you.

“The liberal soul shall be made fat.”

“GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER.” 2 Cor. 9:11.

Messages of God’s Love 8/31/1913

A Great Flood

IN the year 1821 There, was a dreadful flood at St. Peters-burgh.

In the previous autumn the weather had been unusually tempestuous through the whole of Europe.

The wind, which set in from the west, blew with resistless force, so that the waves of the Atlantic were driven in the bosom of the North Sea, thus mightily swelling the waters of that vast expanse, and these in their turn poured into the Baltic, and from thence into the gulf of Finland, close to St. Petersburgh.

“On the 19th of November,” writes Dr. Patterson, who with Dr. Henderson was residing there as a principal agent of the Bible Society in that city, under the patronage of the Emperor Alexander, “the wind became a perfect hurricane. The water of the canal before the Bible House rose very fast, and I soon perceived it to be up to the street, which lay higher than most parts of the city. All the men on the premises, nearly one hundred, were ordered to remove the thousands of bound Scriptures to the highest part of the building; the gates were shut and secured with planks and earth, and every means resorted to keep out the enemy. For two hours we succeeded, but the water then rose to about four feet in the streets, undermined our garden wall, and rushed with violence against the door of the building where the men were at work, shutting them all in, so that they were obliged to escape through the window, up to the waist in water, to gain the second floor. What a scene now presented itself! —a widespread sea of water, stretching out itself on every side, with the houses just appearing above it. The hurricane tore up the fairest and finest trees, and rolled up the iron roof of our building like a sheet of paper, carrying it away in the air. Fear was on every side at the devastation which was now being made. We saw one of the sentry boxes on the other side of the canal swimming down the stream, and another with the policeman himself inside, fairly carried off along the side of the street. where, passing a poor fellow wading up to the neck in water, he took hold of him and saved his life. The kitchen and lodging apartments had several feet of water in them, and in some up to the very roof. The large heavy barques in the river were lifted high and thrown down upon the shore. All the horses that were kept in the stable were drowned; those that were let loose swam for their lives and were saved. Boats were got out, but it was impossible for them to live, except in the shelter of the neighboring houses, and hundreds perished by overcrowding into them. Many log houses on the island were lifted from their foundations and carried into the stream, with their inhabitants on their roof. Whole villages, with houses, people, and animals were swept away. The prisoners in the fortress were drowned.

“But much as St. Petersburgh suffered, Cronstadt, from its lying lower, suffered still more. The hills were covered with the waves, which threatened to submerge the whole island. Ships of war were driven from their moorings and set down high upon the land. One of them of a hundred guns was never gotten off. Stacks of corn were borne to a great distance, and cattle buffeting the torrent were mingled with the corpses of persons drowned, or at their last gasp. The Emperor, in a shattered state of health, beheld the tumultuous scene with the greatest consternation. Wringing his hands he cried, ‘It has come upon us for our sins’; and lifting them up to heaven, he implored the Almighty to let His anger fall .on him, but to spare his people.

“The day wore away, and still the waters continued rising. Had they continued rising during the following night and day, what would have been seen but a universal wreck? But about four o’clock in the afternoon, just when deliverance was most needed to prevent the entire destruction of the city, the bow of promise appeared. One of the most beautiful rainbows was seen stretched across the sky. (Gen. 9:11, 17.) It was as a, voice from heaven testifying to the mercy and faithfulness of that God who declared to Noah that the waters should never again overflow the earth. Encouraged by this token of peace, everyone looked up, and lo! the rising of the water was stayed. Hope was kindled in many an anxious breast, and they who feared the Lord gave thanks to His name, saying, ‘He retaineth not His anger, because He delighteth in mercy.’

“Great were the depredations occasioned in these few hours. Houses thrown down, or rendered unfit for habitation, bridges broken, and roads strewed with ruins everywhere met the view. Many corpses and pallid living sufferers in all parts made their appearance. In Cronstadt five hundred persons perished, and in St. Petersburgh one thousand, besides many others who were disabled and maimed for life.”

Yet many were the instances in which mercy rejoiced against judgment. The following touching one is recorded by my esteemed friend, Mrs. Henderson, an eye and ear witness of the transactions she relates. “Early in the morning, before the wind had risen so high as to give any indication of the coming catastrophe, a poor German mechanic and his wife, who resided in a low part of the city, were obliged to go out on business. They were pious and industrious, and much respected. The wife dressed her two little children, a little boy five years of age, and his sister, a year younger, gave them their breakfast, and was prepared to leave them at home for as short a time as possible, at most for two or three hours. When the mother turned the key of the door to depart with her husband, she inwardly commended her beloved ones to the care of her Heavenly Father. They took their way, confident of His love and care, to that part of the city to which their business called them, and which was known by the name of Nevesky, a street running in a direct line from the Admiralty, and familiar to all who have viewed the metropolis of the Russian Empire. On reaching the house to which they were journeying, they proceeded to transact the business that required their attention, and were so engrossed by it as not to observe the rapid encroachment of the unwonted tide. On opening the door they beheld, to their surprise and consternation, the flood as it covered the ground, rising higher and higher, and threatening destruction to man and beast. The first impulse of the father was to wade through the, water, then knee deep, to the rescue of his children; but the idea seemed hopeless, for the room in which he had left them was so situated partly below the level of the ground, and in a low quarter of the town, that the water must have entered it and done its fatal work! And then, his dear wife, if he were to leave her; what must be the event? No one could tell how far the waters might prevail, and should he abandon her she might be drowned in his absence. On her part she could not urge her husband to venture, lest his life should be sacrificed in the attempt. They looked at each other in perplexity and disquietude, and then turned their eyes upward in silent prayer to Him whose arm is not shortened that it cannot save, nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear.

“In their distress they felt their only resource was in prayer, not for the life of their children, for that they could not hope for, but that themselves might be prepared to resign them, and say with the bereaved Patriarch, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Thus watching and praying, they passed the weary hours, waiting with anxious longing for the waters to subside. At four o’clock in the afternoon, as we have said, the tempest abated, and the waters began sensibly and rapidly to decrease. The flood had risen, indeed, within a single step of the apartment occupied by the writer of the narrative, and the whole family felt how seasonable was their deliverance. Mournfully tempered, however, were the joyful feelings of the agonized parents, whose gratitude for their personal preservation was mingled with the bitter prospect of finding their darling children lying pale, and cold, and lifeless in a watery tomb. Three painful hours elapsed before it was safe for them to venture through the water yet in the streets to the humble dwelling that contained all they held dear on earth. They reached the door, and as it moved heavily on, its hinges the mother’s heart fainted within her. They looked in and saw the bodies of their dear ones stretched out on a small round table motionless, and locked in each other’s arms. No water covered them, but on looking up it was evident, from the state of the room, that the flood had reached far above the height of the table, and that the rest of the furniture had been completely under water. The fatal consequences seemed inevitable. The father approached the table; he looked at his children—they breathed; he laid his hand upon them—they were warm, they were in a sweet sleep. ‘God be praised,’ said the mother, and roused the lovely little sleepers from their tranquil slumber. On opening their eyes, and recognizing their parents, they clung to them with fond delight, interrupting the caresses bestowed upon them by cries of hunger. Some remains of biscuit from the mother’s pocket were instantly shared between them; and after a short while they sought to solve the mystery of their preservation, by asking them what they had been doing, and what had happened to them during their absence.

“‘When you and father,’ said the boy, ‘were gone, we played about the room.’ The water began to come in under the door, and I got some chips of wood, and sissy and I played at ships, and the ships sailed along so prettily. Then the water came over our shoes, and we got upon that chair; and when it came up a little more, we got frightened, and so we got upon the table, where it could not hurt us, and played on the table; and when we were very hungry, we laid ourselves down and went to sleep, till you and father came home. From this recital, and from the fact of the surface of the table being dry, it was apparent that when the water had risen to its height, it had lifted it up like a little raft, bearing up its precious burden, while in its subsidence it was let gently down, and the slumbering babes were unconsciously and wonderfully preserved, to be restored to the arms of their praying parents. They were joined by their neighbors in the adoring exclamation, ‘What hath God wrought!’”

If any read this paper that know not the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, they will do well to turn to the third chapter of the Second Epistle of Peter, and learn, though the earth will not meet another flood, yet it is to be burnt up, and the works that are therein. Where will you be then?

Messages of God’s Love 8/31/1913

Bible Questions for September

Answers to Bible Questions for July

1.“When Jesus saw him,” etc. John 5:6.

2.“Jesus heard that,” etc. 9:35.

3.“And he brought him to Jesus,” etc. 1:42.

4.“In the last day,” etc. 7:37.

5.“And Jesus walked,” etc. 10:23.

6.“This they said,” etc. 8:6.

7.“Then took they up stones,” etc. 8:59.

Bible Questions for September

The answers are to be found in the Acts, chapters 1 to 14.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “Might receive the Holy Ghost.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “Promise of the Holy Ghost.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Lie to the Holy Ghost.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “Filled with the Holy Ghost.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Resist the Holy Ghost.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “The gift of the Holy Ghost.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Full of the Holy Ghost.”

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/1913

Two Mothers

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

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

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

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

“PRESERVE ME, O GOD:FOR IN THEE DO I PUT MY TRUST.” Psa. 16:1.

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/1913

Bible History

Chapter 112.

1 Sam. 9. Saul.

THERE was a man of the tribe of Benjamin, named Kish, and he had a son called Saul. Saul was a very fine young man and very tall; so tall that he was head and shoulders taller than anybody else in Israel. One day, some of the asses of Kish went astray and were lost. Kish called his son and said: “Take one of the servants with thee and arise, and go to seek the asses.” Then Saul and his servant went up and down through the neighboring country without finding them. At last, Saul said to the young man with him, “Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.” But the servant said, In a city nearby there is a man of God, a very honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass; let us go there; perhaps he can show us where to go. So they both went to the city where the prophet lived. This prophet was Samuel, who was also called, a seer. He lived at Ramah in Benjamin where Saul and his servant were traveling.

When they came near the city, they met some young women going to draw water and they asked: “Is the seer here?” And the women answered. He came today to the city, for there is a sacrifice of the people in the high places. Go and find him immediately in the city, before he goes to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat till he come, because he blesses the sacrifice, then they eat what is permitted. So go up now, for you shall find him at about this time.

Saul and his servant soon came to the gates of the city, and there they saw an old man, Samuel himself, going to the high place. The day before, the Lord had told Samuel, “Tomorrow about this time, I will send thee a young man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain (or king) over My people Israel.”

And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord revealed to him that this was the man whom He had sent. Saul asked him, “Where is the seer’s house?” Samuel said: “I am the seer, go up before me unto the high place, for ye shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let thee go and I will tell thee all that is in thine heart. As for the asses that were lost three days ago, they are found. The desire of all Israel is on thee, and on thy father’s house.” But Saul wondered and said, “Am not I a Benjaminite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families in the tribe of Benjamin?”

Samuel now took Saul, and his servant and brought them to the parlor and set him in the chief place among those whom he had invited; then he called the cook and told him to bring the portion he had required to be kept on purpose and it was set before Saul, who was so greatly honored by Samuel because he knew him then to be chosen of God as the king.

When the feast was ended, the prophet brought Saul to the top of his house and told him he wanted to speed him on his way.

And as they went, Samuel said: Tell thy servant to walk ahead, but stand thou still for a while that I may show thee the Word of God. Then the prophet took a vial of oil and poured it over Saul’s head, and kissed him, saying, “Is it not because the Lord has anointed thee to be captain over His inheritance?”

What a solemn thing this was for Israel, that God was going to give them the wish of their hearts, i.e., to have a king in order to become like the other nations! The time would soon come when they would reap the fruits of their self-will. O! may we who are the Lord’s, take warning from this, and seek to know what He would have us do, rather than go on in our own way which is sin. Let our prayer be, “Teach me THY way, O! Lord.” Psa. 86:11.

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/1913

The Bell Is Ringing

PASSING along the main thoroughfare of a large seaport town, not long ago, I noticed that people were hurrying past me, hot and breathless, towards the end of the street. It was quite dark, and to the stranger it became a matter of surprise why such haste was manifested without any apparent cause or object.

I was making my way to the railway station, but there was plenty of time, and I had no cause to exert myself unnecessarily. But seeing the “eager, anxious throng” pushing onward, I quickly made my way over the footbridge which spans the lock-pit between two docks, and forms part of the main road.

The bell which had been ringing for some minutes then ceased, and all hurry and bustle amongst the foot-passengers as suddenly subsided.

On inquiry I found that in this great town, which is intersected by docks, vessels are at certain intervals passed through the dock-gates, during which times the drawbridge is lifted, and all traffic is suspended—sometimes for half an hour at a stretch. In order to give due notice of this obstruction, the gatekeeper rings a large bell as a note of warning, and those acquainted with the usages of the place are at once aware that unless they make haste they will be delayed.

A gentleman who, like myself, had just passed over the bridge, exclaimed breathlessly, “Thank God for that bell ringing! If I had not got over, I should have been lost, for the train, on which I am going on a matter of vital importance, leaves in so many minutes, and ‘time and trains wait for no man.’”

Midst the flickering of the lamps on the quay side I could see the rapidly gathering crowd. Some had rushed up “just in time to be too late,” others had been sauntering lazily along, heedless of the warning bell. And how many there might have been amongst that company to whom a few minutes were just then “of vital importance”!

To my mind a very striking analogy was suggested; and it is ono of those lessons which anyone of us may profit by, if we keep our eyes open to the circumstances which surround us in our everyday life.

The bell of grace rings out an invitation to the sinner; the voice of the preacher echoes God’s message, “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” The glad tidings of a dying Saviour’s love are told out by those who have been sought and found by the meek and lowly Jesus.

We see men hastening on in the race of life; and though the night is dark, and the object of their pursuit is undiscerned by those around them, yet they press forward towards the mark for the prize of their high calling.

Others, again, linger by the way, disregarding the ringing of the bell, or the affectionate appeal of the preacher. They have “plenty of time.” They want to get over the bridge, and they mean to do so, but there is no cause to hurry.

Presently the bell stops, and the bridge is raised. Those who have passed safely over are at once peaceful and calm in the certain knowledge that their onward course will be unimpeded. On the other side, there are expressions of vexation and disappointment, anxiety and regret.

Reader, the hour is coming—God only knows how soon—when the bell of grace will be hushed forever! The preacher and those who have crossed over will be occupied in singing the song of the redeemed, in the presence of the King of Glory. And the door, which no man can open, will be shut forever!

Are you striving to enter in at the strait gate, whilst the warning bell is ringing? It may be that the last of its shrill notes are now being wafted to your ears, and that presently there may be joy and peace on one side, and blank despair on the other.

The gate is still ajar—nay, wide open; and the message of God’s love is ringing in your ears— “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Millions have crossed the bridge; millions more are pressing along with fast hurrying feet, accepting the Saviour’s loving invitation, “Come.” And all are welcome.

The gatekeeper refused no man, whether in fustian or broadcloth, while the bell was ringing, but both were equally refused when the time of warning had expired.

And so “God is no respecter of persons.” The day of grace is lengthened out, dear reader, for you—whoever you are, or in whatever station in life you may be. And Jesus, the Lamb of God, who died for sin, is stretching forth His hands still, and bidding His servants ring the Gospel bell of invitation— “Come.” And all you have to do is to accept of the gift of eternal life so freely offered—will you?

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/1913

Hearing and Speaking

We all have in our heads two ears,

And but a single tongue;

And in this fact a truth appears,

That speaks to old and young;

To all it says, but most to youth,

Who wisdom e’er should seek:

Be swift to hear, and learn the truth,

But not in haste to speak.

Messages of God’s Love 9/7/1913

The Old Blacksmith

DID you ever visit a blacksmith’s shop? Cling! clang! the hammer comes down on the anvil. How absorbed the man is in his work. Why? I think he is anxious to have a very good job when it is finished. What do you think that fire behind the blacksmith is for?

“O,” you say, “I know. That is where lie puts the horseshoe to get it hot.”

Yes, that is right. But do you know why he wants to get it hot? No? I will tell you. If you take a piece of iron and put it into the fire, when it gets very, very hot, it will not be hard like a piece of cold iron, but will be soft enough to bend, when you pound it, instead of breaking. So the blacksmith takes a piece of iron and puts it into the fire, then when it becomes hot and softer, he takes it out with his tongs and holds it on the anvil while he pounds it with his hammer into whatever shape he wants it. This is what the blacksmith in the picture is doing.

I want to tell you, dear children, what this reminds me of. Did you know that sometimes our wills are very hard, like iron, and when we follow our own wills instead of God’s will, it leads us into all kinds of wrong-doing, so that our characters become hard and bad like our wills. God does not want His children to be like that, so He must find some way to soften us, so that He can mold us the way He wants to have us. In God’s Word, fire is often spoken of as a type of punishment or affliction. This is like the blacksmith’s fire. When God puts us into the fire of affliction, our wills become softened, just like the iron in the blacksmith’s fire, and then He is able to mold us to His own will. How much better if we would follow God’s will, and He would not need to put us into the furnace of affliction.

“SHOW ME THY WAYS. O LORD; TEACH ME THY PATHS. Psa. 25:4.

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/1913

The Cobbler of Hamburgh

ON a fine summer’s’ evening, as crowds of artisans were passing along the streets of Hamburgh, to drink coffee and hear the music at Altona, a shoe-maker was cobbling his shoe beneath an awning near his door, above his head was a starling, which sang and chattered, and seemed to keep a busy talk with its kind-hearted possessor. Hans would say half aloud— “Thou art a happy bird, and well provided for, and why should not I be a happy Christian with such mercies?” and so he would begin to sing one of the fine old German psalm tunes.

While thus engaged on the said evening, hardly looking up from the sole of the large shoe before him, and heedless of the crowded street, a young man who was passing by stopped and addressed him, saying, “Well, friend, —beg pardon—but you seem a merry fellow!” The person who thus spake had the look and dress of a student. Hans looked up, and replied with a cheerful voice, “Merry! to be sure I am; and why should I not be so?” “All are not so!” replied the student, with a sigh. “Why should you not? Your own poverty might afford a sufficient cause for sadness. But you have no one, I suppose, to take care of but the bird up there, who seems, by the way, to be as jolly as yourself!” “And why should he not be merry, my little speckled-breast?” said Hans, chirruping to his starling. “But he is not all my family, young man, for I have a wife and seven children to provide for with these hands; but see, I can sing at my work!”

The student was silent, and began to think how, in spite of having youth and health on his side, with fair prospects of success in the world, he yet had no peace with God, and knew not Jesus Christ! He was a Jew, and felt that for his soul old things had passed away, but nothing had as yet become new! And so, while on his way to seek some repose froml the music in the public gardens, he was arrested by the busy and happy cobbler, and by a sudden impulse was induced to address him, in order to discover from what source one so poor, and vet so contented, drew his happiness.

Again resuming the conversation, he said. “I confess, friend, I am surprised to see a poor artisan like, you so cheerful.” “Poor!” exclaimed Hans, “how knowest thou, friend, how my account stands with the bank? Poor! I am richer than ‘thou knowest.” “It may be—it may be,” said the student, with a smile; “I must have heard, though I have forgotten thy name, in the Exchange, or when in the bank.” “Enough,” said Hans, “thou hast confessed thy ignorance of me!” and then stopping his work, laying his hand on the student’s arm, and looking at him earnestly, he said calmly, “Stranger, I am not poor. Don’t pity me: envy me, for be it known to thee that I am a King’s son!”

The student started, made a low bow, and departed. “Poor fellow; poor fellow!” he muttered to himself. “And art thou happy only because thou art mad? I have sought strength and comfort at thy mouth in vain.”

A week passed, and again the student traversed the same street, and there, in the old place, was Hans, busy as ever. The student, as he passed, took off his cap, and said, “Good evening to your royal highness!” “Halt, friend,” cried Hans, with a cheerful but firm voice, “and come here for a few minutes. I am glad I have seen you again. You left me abruptly the other evening. I suppose you thought me mad. But I am not, but in sober earnest. I tell you again I am a King’s son, and when you interrupted me I was singing a song about His kingdom. Would you like to hear it?” “Surely, if it please your royal highness,” replied the Jew, with a benevolent smile, and anxious to gratify his strange acquaintance, whose insanity he never doubted. Hans, having provided a seat for the young Jew, began to sing a hymn on “Thy kingdom come,” and when it was finished, perceiving that it was listened to with apparently deep interest, he asked if he understood its meaning.

The Jew shook his head, upon which Hans proceeded to explain all he knew about the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the glory of its King. Beginning with the promise uttered in Eden, of One who should bruise the serpent’s head, he pointed out the growth of prophecy from age to age, showing how “all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the Psalms concerning Christ”; how it “behoved the MESSIAH TO SUFFER, and to enter into His glory; how all power was now given Him; how He was to establish on earth a universal kingdom, ‘never to be moved,’ which embraced Jew and Gentile in one citizenship; and how every subject in His kingdom was a son and heir, yea, a “joint heir” with Christ the King, and would ‘reign with Him for ever and ever!’” As old Hans expatiated on these promises, his work was laid aside, his eye beamed with love and hope, and deep feeling gave eloquence and grace to his language. The Jew sat at his feet, gazing up to him with his full black eye, and so absorbed by all he heard for the first time in his life of the promise made of old unto his fathers, that he was roused from his waking dream only by Hans taking him by the shoulder, and saying, “Now thou seest how I am a King’s son, and why I am happy, for I know and love this Jesus, and all things are mine. Young man,” he asked with emphasis, “believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest! For, unless I mistake thy countenance greatly, thy fathers did; and thou, my son, believing in them, must also believe in Him whom they have foretold, and whom God hath sent to perform the mercy promised to thy fathers.”

The Jew was silent. Unutterable thoughts passed through his mind. “Where,” he asked meekly, “can I learn more of this?”

“From this book,” said Hans, handing him a Bible. “Go home, and read there about the kingdom, and return it to me when thou hast studied the passages I shall point out to thee. And whilst thou art doing this, I shall, like Moses, pray for thee, and ask One for thee, whom as yet thou knowest not, but who knoweth thee, and who is greater than Moses!” The young man grasped Hans by the hand, and taking off his cap, made a respectful bow and departed.

My story is ended. The young Jew has been for many years an eminent and successful Christian missionary to his brethren in Silesia. He found the One, of whom the prophets wrote, to be his Saviour.

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/1913

The Story of a Match

I HOPE none of our little friends play with matches. If you see one on the floor, you should pick it up carefully, and take it to someone who knows how to put it away safely.

A little friend of mine was seen the other day with her hand tied up; and what do you think was the matter? She had gotten hold of a box of matches, which in some way caught fire, and burned the palm of her hand. Think what it might have been if her dress had been set on fire!

I am going to tell you a story of what happened at one time in Switzerland, and which shows how much mischief one match may do.

At seven o’clock one morning, the entire village of N. was burned to the ground, except two or three houses which were at some distance.

The chalets (or cottages) were, without exception, built of wood, even roofed with wooden tiles; and the hot sun had already almost scorched the wood. In little more than an hour, nothing was left except smoldering ruins, the flames had spread with such rapidity.

The village, I was told, contained about eleven hundred inhabitants, who, alas! were able to save literally nothing; all they could do was to throw open the doors of the stables and cow houses, and the terrified creatures rushed out wildly, and many of them, I fear, perished.

The fire was caused—now listen, dear children—by the throwing away of a lighted match, most carelessly. A woman was carding a mattress, made of some kind of hair, and she stopped her work to make coffee on an alcohol lamp, throwing away the match—still lighted! And then you know what followed.

But there is another, and even sadder lesson to be learned from this very sad story. In the third chapter of the Epistle of James, we read, “Behold, how. great a matter a little fire kindleth! and the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” James 3:5-8.

Do you not know how one word sometimes provokes to anger, and leads to a quarrel, perhaps a fight. And no one can put out this awful fire—no one hut He who said, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” Matt. 11:28-30.

Therefore, dear children, go to the Lord, and tell Him what you find in that naughty heart of yours; and then, if you feel the anger rising, ask Him to help you against it, and you will find what a blessing it is to live in peace, whether it be with your schoolfellows, or in your own home—for, sad to say, even brothers and sisters sometimes quarrel among themselves.

And, above all, think how our sins cost the sufferings and death of the blessed Lord Jesus!

Should we not hate our sins and desire to be saved from them?

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/1913

Saved by a Sheep

DID you ever hear the story about a tiny boy who was saved by a sheep? Well, here it is:

A big warship was lying off the coast of Portsmouth, when a very loud noise was heard, and as the people on shore looked to see what it was, the big ship burst into flames.

The father and the mother of this little boy were with him on the burning ship.

The father took one of the biggest sheep on board, and tied his little son to its back, and threw them both into the sea. The sheep swam to the land, and the dear little boy was saved.

Could the tiny boy do anything to save himself?

No. he could do. nothing but lie still.

And you, dear child, need to be saved, too; and all you have to do is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for you, and who loves little children. It was He who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

If the Lord Jesus loved you so much as to die for you, ought not you to trust in Him, and to love Him in return?

Messages of God’s Love 9/14/1913

Sparrows

THERE is no bird so common, or of as little value as the sparrow. There are not only a great many of them, but their feathery coat is not beautiful and their song is not sweet, like many other birds. But there is one thing that is good to remember—God’s Word lets us know that He takes the same needed care of the sparrow as He does of other birds. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father;” (Matt.. 10:29), and the Word continues, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

How many there are who fret and trouble themselves about the affairs of this life, and so occupy their time in putting forth great effort to gain something in this life, that they have little or no time to give to God’s Word, or to pay attention to eternal things.

They forget that God cares for all, and provides food and raiment for all His creatures, and thus He is the preserver of all men, but especially of those who believe.

So, it is wrong for any to worry about how they can get along, but how much worse for those who believe, for God has loved them so much that He did not even spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for them all.

May each one young or old, who reads theses lines, seek first to know and confess the Lord Jesus as the One whom God sent for them, and rejoice, not only that He has saved them, but that they are such objects of His care, that the very hairs of their head are all numbered and that they are of more value than many sparrows.

“MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.” Phil. 4:19.

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/1913

Bible History

1 Samuel 10.

Saul Made King

AFTER Samuel had anointed Saul, he told him God had chosen him for the leader of His people Israel, then he sent him on his way, prophesying all that would befall him by the way, how two men would meet him to assure him that the asses were found, then further, three men carrying three kids, three loaves of bread and a bottle of wine, would offer him two loaves which he would accept. Still further when he came to the “hill of God” where there was a garrison of Philistines, he would meet a company of prophets coming down from the high places with musical instruments, and they would prophesy. Then continued Samuel, “The Spirit of the Lord will come upon Thee, and thou shall prophesy with them, and shall be turned into another man; and let it be, when these signs come unto thee that thou do as the occasion serve thee; for God is with thee. And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.”

Although the Israelites had asked for a king, because they had rejected the Lord Himself, as He told them, still in His wonderful kindness and patience, He was fitting Saul for the place he was to occupy. God gave him a new heart, put His Spirit upon him, that he might have the wisdom to govern the people. We, who have such sinful, wicked hearts, can hardly understand such wonderful love and goodness. How quickly we would say, “They deserve a harsh, cruel king and should have him.” Ah! this same wonderful love was manifested towards us in a far greater way! When we had no thought of Him, no desire for Him, God so loved us that He sent His only beloved Son that we might not perish, but have everlasting life!

All the signs Samuel had given Saul came to pass, and when he came to the hill, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied with the prophets. Those who had known Saul before, were greatly surprised and when they saw and heard him, they exclaimed, “What is this that has come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Saul met his uncle soon after, and the uncle asked him and his servant where they had been. Saul told him they went to seek his father’s asses, which were lost, and when they could not find them, they went to the prophet Samuel, and he told them that they were found. Saul said nothing about his having received the kingdom, for at that time he was a modest young man.

Samuel now called all the people together to Mizpeh, and said to them that they had wished for a king. God who had brought them from Egypt, would have gone with them, but they had rejected Him, and now He would give them their wish. He told them to call all their tribes before the Lord, and He would choose a king for them.

When all the tribes had come one after another, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen; then Samuel called the families of that tribe, and the family of Kish was chosen and Saul was chosen out of that tribe to be king of Israel. The people looked for him, but could not find him. They inquired again of God, if Saul was the right man, and the Lord answered, “Behold, he hath hidden himself among the stuff.” They ran and fetched him from there, and when he stood among the people he was taller from the shoulders up than anybody else. Then Samuel told all the people to look at the man the Lord has chosen for them, for there was none like him among the people.

Great shouts went up from the multitude, and they said, “God save the king.”

After the rejoicing was over, Samuel wrote the laws of the government of the kingdom in a book and laid it before the Lord. Then the people scattered to their different homes.

Saul also went to his house in Gibeah, and took with him a band of men whom the Lord had well-disposed in his favor.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psa. 118:8, 9.

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/1913

From a Bible Colporteur in New Zealand

IN 1868 I was on a colportage journey, and on the bank of the Motueka river I overtook a digger with whom I entered into conversation. I found him very open and communicative. He had received, he said, a religious training in his youth from a mother of whom he spoke with warm affection.

At an early age he went to sea, and had continued a wanderer ever since; but although he traveled far and wide he could never get beyond the reach of his mother’s influence. He was not religious, he said, but he knew what it meant, for he had had a touch of it once, and “O, then,” he added, with an animated countenance, “I felt so happy—nothing seemed able to disturb my peace. I felt this especially on Sundays, when I took delight in Bible meditation and prayer.”

All his friends he believed to be dead, and that a property was awaiting his arrival at home; “but” said he, with a defiant air, “I will never return until I have a decent coat on my back.” This last remark suggested to me the parable of the Prodigal Son, and as I had no Bibles for sale, my stock having preceded me on a pack-horse, I alluded to that parable, and reminded him that if the prodigal had waited until he had a good coat on his back, he would never have returned to his father.

I then asked permission to refresh his memory by reading that portion of Scripture to him. To my surprise, however, he refused, and begged me not to do so, adding, “I cannot bear to listen to it—it touches me so; it reminds me of my mother.” These words strengthened me in my desire to read it to him, but my every effort only seemed to add to his excitement. “Don’t read it, sir! I can’t bear to listen to it.”

Seeing him thus resolute, I thought there was no use in persisting, and closing my Bible, I said—

“Well, if you order me off, I will go.” But, thank God, this was a brand. to be plucked from the burning. Just as I was turning away, he seemed to relent, and said, “Don’t go, sir. I don’t want to offend you; and if you will read it, read it, and I will endeavor to listen.” Then, with an evident effort to control his emotions, he folded his arms across his chest, and leaned back against a tree, while I read him that incomparable parable.

As I read, the strong man was bowed down, and he wept like a child. Before parting we knelt down together, and in the solitude of the New Zealand bush offered up the sweet incense of prayer unto God. The next morning, he came to the Baton, and purchased a copy of the New Testament, in which I wrote his name and direction to that fifteenth chapter of Luke.

Three years after, when on his way to Australia, he heard that I was stationed at Wakefield, and immediately turned off his road, a distance of eighteen miles, to thank me for that conversation which I had had with him in the bush, and especially for the prayer at its close. “That prayer,” he said, “broke my heart.” He then told me that after I had left him he felt miserable. He tried to pray when he reached his tent, but for a long time he could do nothing but weep. At last he thought of a prayer he had learned at his mother’s knee, and he poured forth that prayer unto God.

This relieved him somewhat, but still he could not find peace. He, however, resolved, God helping him, to amend his ways. He continued in this anxious, troubled state, for several months, till one day he encountered another colporteur, to whom he immediately unburdened his mind. This man opened his Bible, and spoke to him of Jesus, and as he spoke God was pleased to shed light upon his understanding, and enable him to receive the truth in the love of it. And from that hour he rejoiced, believing that the blood of Jesus Christ had cleansed him from ALL his sins. (John 1:7; Col. 1:12; Heb. 10:14.)

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/1913

Then She Is Rich

THIS was the remark of a little Sunday-school boy, who, being very ill, was visited by the p teacher. The teacher, on leaving him, observed that she was going to visit a poor sick woman. “Does she love the Saviour?” inquired the boy.

“Yes,” was the reply, “I hope she does.”

“Then she is rich,” replied the boy. And was he not right? He that loves Jesus, and has Him for his Saviour and Friend, must be rich. “For your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”

Messages of God’s Love 9/21/1913

Happiness

THIS circle of children with their bright, happy faces reminds us of the many times we, too, have played on the lawn, or in the meadows and woods. Surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers, we have often listened to the merry songs of the birds, and felt thankful to God for allowing us to enjoy all these pleasant things.

But some dear little ones are sick, and never able to go outside and play and run about like those in our picture, and I want to tell you about one of these.

His name was Bobbie and he had been lying on a small bed in a Children’s Hospital for two years. The nurse said he had hip disease, and his sickness was incurable. His face had grown white and thin, and his eyes large and hollow, but the little hand that was lying outside the bedclothes, and looked hardly strong enough to lift a feather, was raised to shake hands with some friends who went to the hospital to see him. All the other children were having their tea, yet, though a large mug-full stood beside Bobbie’s bed, he did not seem inclined to taste it, but lay with his eyes closed, and a peaceful look on his little wan face.

“Well, Bobbie,” said one of his friends, “are you happy?”

“Yes,” said the child.

“Loving Jesus?”

The thin lips parted this time with a smile, and the same answer. “And are you happy to go to Him, Bobbie?” asked his friend.

They caught another faint “yes,” and bright smile.

How could a little child of eight years (for that was Bobbie’s age) really be happy lying there every day, never seeing any birds, or trees, or flowers, and never able to run about like other boys? It seemed strange to his friends, but Bobbie’s second answer gave the secret. He said he loved Jesus.

There was One, who, more than eighteen hundred years ago, had given him a proof of His love—such as Bobbie could never forget. It was Jesus. Yes, it was the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved little Bobbie with such a deep, such a wonderful love, that He left His beautiful home on high, where He was daily His Father’s delight, and came into this world to endure the shameful death of the cross; that by shedding His own precious blood, He might bring poor sinners to dwell with Him forever in His Father’s house.

Yes, dear children, while we enjoy health and strength, and are able to romp and play, let us thank the Lord for His wonderful love to us, and if God sees fit to lay us on a bed of pain and sickness, we may be happy in thinking of His love and of going to be forever with Him, even when we are suffering in body.

“O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, CALL UPON HIS NAME:MAKE KNOWN HIS DEEDS AMONG THE PEOPLE.” Psa. 106:1.

Messages of God’s Love 9/28/1913

Bible History

Chapter 114. 1 Samuel 11.

Saul and the Ammonites

WHEN Saul had been made king, he returned to his home in Gibeah, no doubt, awaiting to know what he should do.

For some time previous, the Ammonites had oppressed the tribes of Israel which had remained on the east side of Jordan. And now in their self-confidence, they came with Nahash, their king, at their head and encamped against Jabesh-Gilead, a city in the land of Gilead, belonging to the tribe of Dan.

Filled with fear, the inhabitants of Jabesh begged Nahash to make an agreement with them, and they would serve him.

But the proud king answered them, “On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.” The elders of Jabesh asked for seven days’ respite, so that they might send messengers to Israel and see if any were willing to help them.

The messengers came to Gibeah and told the people, who wept when they heard the tidings. Saul, who was coming out to see the herd of cattle, heard the cry and asked what ailed the people. The Spirit of God came upon him as he heard the answer, and he became very angry and took a yoke of oxen, cut them to pieces and sent them to all parts of Israel by the messengers, saying, “Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.” The fear of the Lord came upon the people at these words, and they all came as one man—three hundred and thirty thousand altogether. Word was sent to the people of Jabesh-Gilead, “Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help.” Great was the rejoicing in Jabesh at this news, and they sent word to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.”

The next day, Saul made three companies of the people, and early in the morning, they came to the Ammonite camp, and slew until the sun was hot; those that remained were so scattered that not two were left together.

While the Israelites, as a nation, had received Saul with joy when he was made king, yet there was a band of lawless men who despised him, and had brought him no present, thinking, how could such a man save us? But Saul, although he knew of it, paid no attention to them. But after this victory over the Ammonites, the people in their enthusiasm for their king cried, “Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” But Saul answered, “There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel.”

Samuel then spoke to the people saying, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal and review the kingdom there.” The whole multitude followed Samuel, and they offered peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all Israel rejoiced together and feasted.

This was a fair beginning to Saul’s reign, and it would seem as if Samuel’s prophecy was not to come true; and the sin of the people, in rejecting the Lord and wanting a king in His place, to be forgotten. It only shows that “the Lord is long suffering to us and not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

But the time would soon come when they would reap what they had sown, and would feel the burden they had willingly put upon themselves.

Let us ask the Lord to preserve us from our own wills and to be subject to Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy parts.” Prov. 3:5, 6.

Messages of God’s Love 9/28/1913

Except Joe Whitbread

THE following circumstances were related by a Christian lady, well known to the writer, shortly before she was taken from this world to be forever with the Lord.

She was visiting in Dorsetshire, and had been asked by another Christian to see a poor woman at a village about two miles from Bridport. On arriving at the cottage she learned from a neighbor that the woman in whom she was interested had gone out

But this neighbor, hearing from the lady, Mrs. R—, that she had called to speak with the woman about her soul, remarked that there was a sick man, Joe Whitbread, living a few doors lower down who would be glad of a visit.

Mrs. R —immediately went to the house, and after knocking at the door, walked in. She found the man was alone and very ill, being in fact doubled up with pain before (Original Material Illegible)

After speaking with him for a few minutes concerning his health, she turned the conversation to his state before God. He unhesitatingly declared that in that respect he was all right, as he had never injured anyone in his life, and was not a bit afraid to die, altogether evincing his state to be one of stubborn self-righteousness.

Having heard all he had to say without making much answer, she proposed to read him a little from the Word of God. He made no objection, and she accordingly opened her Bible at the scripture commencing Romans 3:9, reading it as follows, very slowly, and with much emphasis upon the words in italics:

“‘What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin’—except Joe Whitbread.

“‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one’—except Joe Whitbread.

“‘There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God’—except Joe Whitbread.

“‘They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one’—except Joe Whitbread.

“‘Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God’—except Joe Whitbread.

“‘Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight’ —except Joe Whitbread.

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the ‘righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference’—except Joe Whitbread.

“‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’—except Joe Whitbread.”

When she came to the last of these verses, he cried out in great distress, “O, stop, ma’am! I can’t bear it anymore! O, stop, stop, ma’am!”

She, affecting surprise, asked what was the matter, remarking, “I’m only putting together what God says and what you say. God says, ‘All have sinned;’ and you say you have not; so that must be ‘except Joe Whitbread.’” Only a few more words passed, and she left.

A day or two afterwards, Mrs. R —paid a second visit; but to her surprise was refused admittance. His wife was this time at home, and stated that he was confined to his bed, very much worse in health, not able to see anyone, and she firmly refused to let her enter his room.

However, Mrs. R—found out that he had been visited the day before by the clergyman, who was much surprised to find how his parishioner had been disturbed from the false security in which he had previously been so comfortably lulled; that he had received the sacrament, administered by the clergyman, who had assured them that he was all right; and they were charged on no account to admit the lady to see him a second time!

As the woman persisted in obeying them clergyman’s injunction, Mrs. R—had very reluctantly to forego an interview with the poor invalid.

Believing the Lord would yet open a way for her to see him, she made a third visit a few days later when she found the woman tractable, and succeeded in gaining admission to the dying bed of the sufferer. The moment she appeared in his room his face brightened up with joy and gladness, and he exclaimed how delighted he was to see her, having been longing for her to come.

When his transports had subsided, he related what agonies of soul he had gone through since her first interview with him, so much so that a report began to spread in the village that he had lost his reason; but the Lord had revealed Himself to him, and it was all now PERFECT, CLOUDLESS PEACE, and he was longing to depart and to be with Christ.

They accordingly rejoiced and praised together for the wondrous grace that had rescued him from the self-righteousness in which Satan had held his prey. A few days afterwards he fell asleep, having been full of joy from the moment he found peace to that in which his spirit passed into the presence of Him whose precious, perfect work had made him meet to be a partake’ of the inheritance of the saints in light.

“There is NONE that doeth good, no, NOT ONE.” Rom. 3:12.

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

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

Messages of God’s Love 9/28/1913

The Saviour's Love

The Saviour is gracious,

His love is a well,

His blood, O, how precious;

Its worth who can tell?

He loved us so truly,

He came from the sky,

That He, the Most Holy

For sinners, might die.

The love of a mother

Or father is great;

The love of a brother

And sister is sweet;

Yet who but the Saviour

For us could have died,

To bring us forever

With God to abide?

From heaven, His dwelling,

That bright, blessed place,

He sweetly is telling

Us all of His grace.

In mercy delighting

He speaks from above,

Poor sinners inviting

To trust in His love.

Messages of God’s Love 9/28/1913

Bible Questions for October

Answers to Bible Questions for August

1.“And Judas also” etc. John 18:2.

2.“And went again into,” etc. 19:9.

3.“Howbeit Jesus spake of,” etc 11:13.

4.“When Jesus therefore,” etc. 19:30.

5.“Now before the feast,” etc. 13:1.

6.“Then went this saying,” etc. 21:23.

7.“Jesus saith unto Him,” etc. 14:6.

Bible Questions for October

The answers are to be found in the Acts, from chapter 15 to end.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “I will call for thee.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “The word of His grace,”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Christ must needs have suffered.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “He should be the first that should rise.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Thou shalt be saved.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “Repentance.” “Faith.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Preaching the kingdom of God.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/1913

Bible History

Chapter 115. 1 Samuel 12.

Samuel’s Warning

SAMUEL was now an old man, and soon he must leave the children of Israel whom he had guided and taught so faithfully. Once more he would speak to them as one who loved them, and had their good at heart. So when the people were at Gilgal and had rejoiced anew over their king, the faithful old prophet said to them, I have listened to your voice, and I made a king over you. And now he walks before you. As for me, I am old and my hair is white, and my sons are with you. I have been with you since I was a child until now. If I have oppressed or wronged you, if I have taken a present from any in order to corrupt judgment, I will restore it to you. The people all said, You have never oppressed us nor taken anything from any man’s hand.

Samuel continued, “The Lord is witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have found nothing against me. It is the Lord who brought your fathers from Egypt; now, wait and hear what I have to say to you. God sent Moses and Aaron to your fathers in Egypt to deliver them and to bring them to this land. Very often they forgot God, and He punished them, and allowed enemies to fight and conquer them. He sent Sisera, the Philistines, the Moabites, and many other enemies to fight against them. But when your fathers repented and turned to God, and gave up their idols, then the Lord had mercy, and saved them. He sent them men to deliver them—Gideon, Jephthah, Samson and many more. Now you have asked for a king, because you did not want God to reign over you. And He has given you Saul. If you obey and serve the Lord, then He will not forsake you, but if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but are disobedient and rebellious, then God’s hand will be against you and punish you as He punished your fathers. And now God is going to do a great thing that you may know how much you have sinned against Him in asking for a king.”

It was harvest time, when it never rains or thunders or lightens in Palestine. But Samuel prayed to God to send a storm, to show His great power to the people, and to teach them how angry He was.

God heard Samuel’s prayer and sent a fearful storm of thunder, lightning and rain, and all the people were greatly afraid. Then they cried aloud, and asked Samuel to pray for them, and they confessed they had sinned in asking for a king.

Samuel felt for the people and spoke kindly to them saying, “Fear not, although you have sinned, yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve Him with all your heart, and He for His great Name’s sake will not forsake you, because it pleased Him to make you His people. As for me, I will not cease to pray for you, and I will teach you the right way. Only fear God, and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for you see what great things He has done for you. But if you do evil, you shall perish, you and your king.”

This was a very solemn warning, which alas! the Israelites soon forgot! O! may we ever remember that God, although “The God of all grace,” is a holy God, “more holy than to behold iniquity,” and that “the wages of sin is death”; but (thanks be unto God for it) “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/1913

The Wonderful Jewels

A LADY who had lost all her health in following the gaieties of the fashionable world, was reclining on her bed, longing for the society and pleasure that she once enjoyed. She told her nurse to fetch the box that held her jewels, so that she might amuse herself in recalling to her memory the festive seasons when she had worn them to the admiration of so many. “Now, nurse,” said she, “would you not like to have some of these jewels?”

“No, ma’am, not at all; for I have jewels much finer.”

“How can that be, nurse? Mine are the finest jewels in the land. Where are yours? You never wear them.”

The nurse held up her Bible, saying, “My jewels are in here.”

The lady, thinking that there were some hidden away in the book, said, “Take them out and show them to Me.”

“Why, ma’am, my jewels are so precious, I can only show you one at a time.” Then she opened her Bible and read— “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil. 4:11. She told her of the treasure that she had in heaven; how that, though poor, she had a loving Father, who provided for her, and the great happiness that she had in Him, and how she was patiently waiting for the Lord to come.

“Why, nurse, I never heard anything like that; how happy you must be to feel as you do! I wish I could do the same.”

The next day the lady said, “Nurse, I should like to see another of your jewels; the one you showed me was beautiful.”

The nurse again opened her Bible, and read— “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

From the few words that followed, the lady’s heart was opened to feel that she was a sinner, that Christ Jesus was her Saviour; and she soon found rest, peace, joy, in believing and trusting Christ Jesus as her Saviour also.

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/1913

I Wish I Were Somebody Else

OH,” says the cooper, “mine is a hard lot, forever trotting round like a dog, driving. away at this hoop.”

“Heigho,” sighs the blacksmith, “this is life with a vengeance, melting and frying one’s self over the fire.”

“O, that I were a carpenter,” ejaculates the shoemaker. “Here I am, day after day, working away, cooped up in this little seven-by-nine room.”

“I am sick of this outdoor work,” exclaims the carpenter, “broiling and sweating under the sun—if I were only a tailor.”

“This is too bad,” cries the tailor, “to be compelled to sit perched up here plying my needle; would that mine were a more active life.”

“Were ever such a life as mine?” said the housemaid, “ever on the run to carry out the whims of misses.”

“The days are too long,” says the mistress; “how one is plagued with these servants.”

“Trade is shocking,” says the shopkeeper; “people won’t buy, and I can’t get my money in. I wish I were in a situation.”

“Happy fellow,” says the assistant; “here am I kept hard at it from morning to night, while master can go out whenever he pleases.”

“Was anything so perplexing?” says the merchant; “that bill due tomorrow, and not a penny in the bank to meet it; I wish I were out of this concern.

“O!” groans the lawyer, as he scratches his head over some perplexing case, “I would rather be stone-breaking than at this.”

“What! another ring at the bell,” says the doctor, as he turns out of his warm bed. “I wish I were sound asleep some twenty miles from here.”

And so it is, all through life; none content, nothing will satisfy but CHRIST. A real Christian never wished to be something else.

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/1913

That's Me; That's My Prayer

A POOR Hottentot in South Africa lived with a God-fearing Dutchman, who kept up family prayer daily. One day the latter read from Luke 18, “Two men went up into the temple to pray.”

The poor savage, whose heart had been touched with the finger of God, looked up with deepest interest as these words fell from the reader’s lips, and whispered, “Now I’ll learn how to pray.” The Dutchman continued until he had reached the words, “God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men,” when again the Hottentot whispered, and this was what he said, “No, I’m not; I’m not; BUT I’M WORSE.” Again the Dutchman read, “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” And again there was a whisper, “I don’t do that: I can’t pray like that; what shall I do?” said the distressed savage.

The reading was continued until they came to “the publican, standing afar off.” “That’s where I am!” cried the poor African. “Would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,” read the other. “No more can I,” said the Hottentot. “But smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” “That’s me; that’s my prayer!” cried the poor creature, aloud now, being too deeply moved to confine himself to whispers, and smiting on his dark breast, he prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” like the poor publican had done, and he at once became a saved and a happy man.

The word was mixed with faith—how truly, how simple! He appreciated it, and thus it was he appropriated it, and he was saved by the blood of Christ. Dear reader, are you?

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/1913

Begging

POOR doggie and kittie want a share in their little master’s lunch, and just watch how they beg, in their own way, and it seems as if he pays no attention to them! They are evidently hungry, still he keeps all to himself. What would you call a little boy like that? Would you not call him selfish? I am sure you would. But very likely he is kind at times.

This is very much unlike the way God has treated us. He gave His Son to be a sacrifice for us on Calvary, and charged Him there with sin, and turned His face away from Him and left Him alone. And this is not all that God has done—all who believe in Jesus not only escape the punishment they deserved for their sin, but He gives them to share with the Lord Jesus where He now is at God’s right hand. So, all that belongs to the Lord Jesus, He will share with those who believe in Him.

Truly, God is a giving God, and He is not giving all that blessing, and showing that wonderful love, because we are begging Him to give, but He is offering such a full, free salvation to whosoever will accept it.

My dear reader, what are you doing about it? Are you taking God’s blessed salvation, and thanking Him for it, and now seeking to live to His praise? Or are you treating His gift with indifference?

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

Messages of God’s Love 10/5/1913

Arabs Lost in the Desert

WHAT a sad sight we have before us in our picture; these poor people are starving to death! Without food and without water, they are filled with despair. See their, empty jugs lying on the rocks, and they cannot get a bit of water anywhere around to fill them again. How faint and distressed the poor creatures look that are sitting on the ground; the child seems limp and almost dead. But what is the girl doing, that has climbed high up on the rocks? She seems to be looking far into the distance. She must feel very weak; see how thin her arms and body are. She is hoping and longing to see some camels coming loaded with food and water: Companies of people with their camels, called caravans, often cross the deserts, carrying spices, fruits and merchandise from one country to another. It is a dreadful thing if a caravan gets out of water. The camels can go for days without water, as they have peculiar stomachs that can store away enough to last them for a long time. Sometimes travelers have to kill some of their camels to get this water. Can you see the remains of a camel in the picture? It may be it belonged to these poor Arabs, and they killed it to give them till some travelers passing by, would pick them up. Help must come soon, or they must die.

Our poor bodies depend so much upon our food; our meals supply the strength they need. But children, we have a soul as well as a body; the body demands so much attention each day that many do not think about the soul. But which is the more important? The soul never dies, whether saved or lost,—and the body lives down here only for time, and that time may be very short for you. Many die very young. God’s Word says,

“FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? IT IS EVEN A VAPOR, THAT APPEARETH FOR A LITTLE TIME, AND THEN, VANISHETH AWAY.” James 4:14.

Do not give so much thought to the food, clothing and care of your body, that you neglect your soul. Come to Christ Jesus for the saving of your soul —then find in Him the necessary food for it each day. Jesus laid to the people when here on the earth; “My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” (John 6:32, 33.) Do you remember what the Israelites fed upon when in the wilderness? It was manna, and it had to be gathered each day. Manna is a type of the blessed Lord Jesus and pit is only as you know Him as your own Saviour, and feed upon Him and His Word each day that your spiritual life can grow. Your soul must have food as well as your body.

Messages of God’s Love 10/12/1913

Bible History

Chapter 116. 1 Samuel 13.

Saul’s Disobedience

KING SAUL went on very well for one year, and after two years’ reign, he chose men for his army; some were with him and some with his son Jonathan.

Jonathan smote one of the garrisons of the Philistines, and they heard of it. Saul caused it to be published at the sound of the trumpet throughout all the land of Israel, and that they were hated for it by their enemies, the Philistines. The people gathered themselves to Saul at Gilgal, and the Philistines, with thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and a countless multitude of people, came to camp against them at Michmash.

But faithless Israel hid themselves in caves and bushes and pits, as if they had no God in heaven to save them, and some of those Hebrews (so called by the peoples around them), who had wished to become a nation like those around them, went away into countries on the other side of Jordan, and lived there. The remainder of the people waited with Saul at Gilgal, trembling.

Samuel, the prophet, was not with them; but he had told Saul to wait there for him seven days, and then he promised to come and offer the sacrifice and seek God’s mind and His blessing. Saul and the people waited till the seventh day; then they looked for Samuel, who did not appear. God was proving the king to see whether he would be obedient and faithful, but, alas, Saul had no faith. The people began to scatter from him, and that was too much for a man who “made flesh his arm,” instead of the Lord. Something must be done, he thought, and he began, against his conscience, to offer the sacrifice himself. As soon as he had done so, Samuel appeared, and Saul went out to meet him. But Samuel greeted him with these words: “What hast thou done?” Saul tried to explain how the Philistines were coming upon him, and he feared he should not have time to make supplication to the Lord. But Samuel did not accept the excuse; he replied, “Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord, thy God, which He commanded thee; for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought Him a man after His own heart.” When Samuel ceased speaking, he went away and left unhappy Saul alone in his unbelief.

What a loss to Saul, as a result of his lack of faith! Have we, who are saved, not often followed in his footsteps? Have we not, like him, gone into paths of self will, instead of obeying at all costs the Word of God? Only through faith can we please God, and “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” King Saul had no faith, although he knew God’s will through the prophet Samuel. He is like those people who think that it is enough to do all the good they can—to go to church, and many other praiseworthy things—but who leave out Christ as their Saviour. And yet that is the one thing needful.

When Samuel went away, Saul counted his army, and he found he had only six hundred men with him. Spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines, and they went about to see what they could rob from Israel.

The Philistines did not even let them have a smith to make swords or spears to fight with—no one had a sword or a spear, but Saul and Jonathan. These enemies of the people of God who had crept in among them, had not only taken away their liberty, but also their weapons of war. Is it not so with Satan’s captives? They first let him in among them, and then he takes away all their power to put him out. Faith alone, through the power of God, can overcome the power of the enemy.

Messages of God’s Love 10/12/1913

Alice

A New Zealand Story

THE work of God is the same everywhere, and amongst all—among the poor and the rich, the civilized as well as the savages.

Our young readers will see this in the story which follows, and which, without doubt, will interest them.

A little band of Maoris (the original inhabitants of New Zealand are thus named) settled themselves a dozen leagues from the town of Wellington. A lady who found them in the neighborhood, having learned that they had amongst them a young girl whom they said was dying, went to see her; and found her lying on the ground in one of the huts, in much suffering. Her parents told the visitor that the doctor had seen their child, and had not given them any hope that she could recover.

Alice (the name of the young girl) was fifteen years old, and had been ill for several months. She spoke and understood a little English, and liked to be visited, but when Mrs. M. (the lady who came to see her) spoke to her of the love of Jesus, she perceived it was a subject to which Alice was a total stranger. She knew nothing even of God.

Several Maoris were found there, and listened to that which Mrs. M. said to Alice, but in hearing the simple words with which. she presented to them the love which Goa had manifested toward sinners, in giving Jesus that He might die for sin, they shook their heads with an air of unbelief. After having told them to prepare stalks of dry flax to make a bed for Alice, and having promised to return the following day, Mrs. M. took leave of the young girl.

The Maoris live very simply. They have no furniture in their cabins. The earth is covered with mats of flax or hemp, which they make themselves. It is on this they sleep at night, a coarse cover spread over them, and their arms serve as pillows. During the day they seat themselves on the ground. To take their meals they assemble themselves around a large dish, and when the crumbs and scraps have been swept away, their housekeeping is done.

The following day Mrs. M. returned to see Alice. She arranged the stalks of flax under a cover in order to make a bed for the poor girl, who expressed warmly her gratitude, and showed herself willing to hear again the message of the grace of God. The parents were grateful for the care given to their child, and thanked Mrs. M. with effusion. They asked her name, for they do not give a surname to anyone, and from that moment commenced to call her “Marie,” and desired her visits.

At one time, a whole day passed without Mrs. M. being able to go to the “Pah” (the name of the camp). When she went the following day, the mother went to meet her, and said, “Alice cries; white woman not come to see Alice.”

On this occasion, a real need seemed to be awakened in the soul of Alice. “Tell me more about Jesus.” After having listened attentively to the Gospel, which was presented to her with great simplicity, she remained silent, evidently plunged in deep thought; then looking up, with an expression of joy, “I see, I see,” she said; “Jesus died for my great sins.”

The good seed had fallen into good soil prepared by God. The darkened spirit of the young Maori girl was clearly illuminated by the Spirit of God. She believed in Jesus, the Saviour; joy and peace filled her heart during the days she still remained on earth. She suffered much, but in the midst of all these sufferings, she listened greedily to the words of God concerning Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit, she had learned that she was purified by the blood of Jesus; she was made fit for the presence of God. Some hours before her death, she assured her friends, who were around her, that she was going to Jesus. “Jesus will take me, and you will come also?” demanded she of Mrs. M., to whom she was greatly attached.

When given the assurance that they, would meet again, and would be forever with Jesus, she appeared satisfied, and as a last request, she begged a kiss, “a good kiss from the white lady,” Her wish having been granted, she remained peaceable and happy, though suffering greatly. She murmured softly to herself, “All white! All pure!” And as they asked what she said, she replied in a loud voice, so that all could hear her, “Jesus has taken all my sins! Thanks, thanks, thanks, Jesus; thanks!” And it was thus she passed, to be with her Saviour. Although the Maoris have little or no knowledge of God and His Christ, they have a great fear of the devil, and are very superstitious. They believe that “Taupo,” the bad spirit, strives to take possession of the dead body; that is why they place a guard around them. The Maoris came from all the adjacent parts to take part in the “tangi,” that is to say, the time of the mourning, before the funeral. Lamentations were ‘continually heard, and while the coffin was carried to the tomb, musket shots were fired to frighten “Taupo.” The dead body is not safe until the grave is filled up. It is also their custom to bury with the body, all their possessions.

The funeral service of the Church of England was read by a Maori minister. The tears and sighs of the relatives around the tomb tore one’s heart. Nothing is known of a life beyond the grave. The future for them is but darkness, until the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus, shines in their heart.

A young man, brother-in-law of Alice, showed great emotion during the funeral, and remained near the grave after all the others had gone. As he was going, he said, in a loud voice, “Good-bye, my girl, take care of yourself.” As he went away slowly, Mrs. M. had observed him, joined him, and said to him, “Do you think that Alice can take care of herself?” He replied, “She is in safety now; Taupo cannot take her.”

“Yes,” replied Mrs. M., “she is in safety near Jesus.”

“Jesus? Who is Jesus?”

He had never heard of God, nor of His Son, and when the history of the great love of God was told him for the first time, he asked:

“God lives in heaven?”

“Yes.”

“And God took Alice to live with Him?”

“Yes.”

That seemed too strange, and too marvelous to him; his mind could not seize it. After some time he said, “You tell me Alice lives with God; then I shall cry no more for Alice.” He asked still several questions, and seemed surprised that God could love the poor Maoris. “You say Maori man can go to God?” But little by little he understood that truth that God is love, and that He has made a way for all the poor sinners, the black as well as the white, so that they may come to Him by Jesus.

(Translated from French.)

(To be continued.)

Messages of God’s Love 10/12/1913

The Lost Shoe

WE have here a picture of a man who lived many years ago; you can see this by the style of his clothes. He came here when our country was newsy settled—in the colonial days. He seems to be in trouble now, for he has found that his horse has lost its shoe. It may be that the road ahead of him is very rough and steep, and that he fears the horse may stumble and fall. It is growing dusk and the poor man doesn’t like to risk being thrown from his horse. He wants to travel rapidly, and would give a great deal if his horse had a sure footing over these dangerous roads.

Do you know that you are traveling a roadway, too, day by day? In the Bible God tells us about two roadways; one is broad, and the other is narrow. You are traveling one of these two. In Matthew 7:13 and 14 we read that most people choose the broad road, because they want to do as they please and not listen to the Lord Jesus, but God warns you to choose the narrow road. That is the safe way, where you may have Jesus walk with you.

Do you like to start out on a road that is strange to you, and you do not know where it leads? We can’t see where the man in our picture is going—the end of the road is too far off for us to see. But you want to know where a road leads, before you travel it, don’t you? God tells us just where the broad road ends, and where the narrow road ends. He says, “Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”; then, “Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Those who choose the broad way apart from God are unsaved, while those who choose the narrow way are saved for eternity. Make your choice now, dear child. There are only two classes of people in the world as God looks at them —the unsaved and the saved. Believe in Jesus as a Saviour and know yourself saved. The narrow path is then the one for you, where Jesus wants to have you walk. Your footing then will be very sure for both time and eternity. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18.

Messages of God’s Love 10/19/1913

Alice

A New Zealand Story

(Continued.)

The effect that the Gospel had produced in Alice, the calm, the patience and the joy of her last days, had struck the Maoris, so that after the funeral, all those of the hamlet wished to hear themselves the good news that God had sent to them, and desired that others could also hear the message to them. They requested “their white mistress” to come at a fixed day, to tell several Maoris “the good news” concerning Jesus. Mrs. M. came to the “Pah” at the day fixed, and found twenty-seven Maoris assembled to hear. She seated herself on the ground, with her Bible on her knees, and told them the message of peace and pardon for all those who believe. As soon as she ceased reading, they looked with astonishment at the Word of God, which contained for them a message. They asked several questions, saw themselves as sinners, and inquired seriously the way of salvation. No doubt the Spirit of God worked in their hearts.

They heard joyfully, that Jesus had died for their sins, and received Him as their Saviour. One young man asked, “Would Jesus save me?” adding, with a voice which his conscience caused to tremble, “I have stolen silver from my brother.” A woman said, “Jesus died for a white woman, and Jesus died also for poor Maoris?”

It was late in the evening before Mrs. M. could leave, so great was their desire to hear the Word, and the interest which they showed in listening to that which was said to them. Mrs. M. spoke to them in a very simple manner, repeating over and over again the same sentence until they had seized it. One of them asked, “Where have these words been this long time? I never heard them in church.”

In many places there are churches for the Maoris, with ministers who have studied and have been consecrated. But how vain and useless is human teaching! The Word of God declares: “Ye must be born again,” and that new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The following morning, at five o’clock, Mrs. M. was awakened by the noise of Maori voices near the house where she lodged. Rising and dressing, she went out, to find over twenty Maoris, who, knowing that she was going to leave that day, came at that early hour, saying that they “wished to hear more good words about Jesus.” She brought them in, and three hours were spent in listening to the Word of God, and they praised and blessed the Lord for His grace. Several of them prayed, giving thanks to Jesus in their incorrect expressions “for having saved their souls in dying for their black sins.”

Thirteen Maoris confessed that Jesus was their Saviour, and were filled with joy. The mother, brother and brother-in-law of Alice were amongst the number of the saved souls. Her father was a very old man, who understood but little English. One of her sisters was a giddy girl, and quite indifferent, whilst those around her received the Gospel with happiness. An old man of seventy-two years, his face radiant with joy, said, “Jesus loves me; Jesus saved me; yes, I understand every word you say.” (He was asked if he understood.) “I am so happy,” he replied.

It was with much regret that they took leave of their “white mistress,” and she returned to the city, recommending them to God, knowing that He who had begun a good work in their hearts, would certainly take care of His Maori children. Many prayers ascended to God for them, but several weeks passed without having news of them.

One afternoon Mrs. M. experienced a strong impression that she ought to go to see them. It was quite clear in her mind. It seemed that a voice said to her, “You must go tomorrow to ‘Pah.’” As soon as the morning came, she went,, and finding the door of the house where she had lived, fastened, went directly to the Maoris’ Pah. As soon as she drew near to the enclosure, she heard groans, which announced a sad event among the Maoris. She went into the hut, and found Alice’s father near his end. The mother came to her, saying, “I know Jesus sent you! I asked Jesus to send you, and bring you safely.” God had granted her request, for the weather was beautiful, after a period of rain and cold. About thirty Maoris were around the dying man, and their deep groans penetrated the heart.

The old man stretched his arms toward Mrs. M. when he saw her, and said, “You said good things to Alice.” “Yes,” replied Mrs. M., “and now I am come to tell ‘you good news about Jesus.”

He seemed to be in great distress of soul; his tears flowed freely, while he repeated sadly: “Too dark—afraid to die—too black.”

At different times the simple message of the Gospel was repeated, “God loves you; Jesus died for you; Jesus can wash you from all your sins.” For some time Mrs. M. doubted if the old man understood. But little by little he laid hold of what it was to be washed from his sins, and replied, “Yes, I know,” and by several signs and words he showed that he received the Gospel. Then he said to Mrs. M., “You say, Thank you, Jesus! Poor old man.” She replied, “Shall I thank Jesus for having washed you from your sins?” “Yes; you say, Thank you, Jesus! Poor old man!”

The Maori pastor and another man were near the dying man during that conversation. The pastor asked Mrs. M.’s permission to read the prayers for the sick. The old man was asked if he desired it. Turning himself towards the pastor, he said, “I am not sick; I have Jesus! You have not Jesus; your book is not good.” The pastor withdrew, but Mrs. M. gave him her New Testament, and asked him if he knew. Jesus for himself. He seemed much surprised, took the book and seated himself to read. He had opened at Luke 10. After having read, he came to Mrs. M., and said to her, “I have never had that ‘good part’; have not been seated at His feet.” During that same afternoon, he also received salvation. He knew that he was a sinful man, but that God had pardoned him, and that Jesus had died for his sins.

Before the old man died, the pastor was able to say to him that he also had found Jesus. He said, “You go to be with Jesus; I remain in order to work for Him and speak of Him to the Maoris.”

The old man had truly passed from death to life, and his last words were full of joy and peace, returning thanks and rejoicing to meet again his Alice.

A few moments before his death, he called his wife, and raising his hand, he said. “Listen! Singing! Light! Beauty! Jesus, Jesus! The blood of Jesus!” Then he said to his son, “Do not call tangi for me. I go to Jesus.” Less than five hours after the arrival of Mrs. M. the old man had finished, in a triumphant manner, his life on earth, and had entered into the presence of his Lord. His wife said after his removal, “I cannot cry. He was so happy, so happy!”

All those who were present seemed strongly impressed, and received willingly some Maori tracts.

The daughter, who at first showed herself so indifferent, had been led also to believe in Jesus, and joyously said to Mrs. M., “Jesus is my Saviour; mother told me good words.” Several of those who were there knew how to read, and one of them pointed out in the passage of the Gospel of John 3:16, the word “whosoever,” said, that is myself.”

The pastor, in taking leave of Mrs. M., said to her, “I return to O., but am another man. I am able to give thanks to God for having now the good part that Mary had. I wish henceforth to preach to the Maoris Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.”

This is all we know at present of that marvelous work of God. ‘How true it is “My Word . . . shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11.)

(Translated from French.)

Messages of God’s Love 10/19/1913

Do You Love the Saviour?

A LITTLE converted Wamacqua girl, when asked if she loved Christ, answered, “Yes, I do; and I desire to love Him more.” When asked why she loved Him, since she had never seen Him, she answered, “He loved me first, and died for me on the cross, that I might live.”

Another converted heathen was asked the state of her mind; she replied, “Happy! happy! I have Christ here,” laying her hand upon her heart, “and Christ there,” pointing up to heaven.

Ah, children, no one can be happy, unless he has the love of Jesus shed abroad in his heart, but with Him he can be happy anywhere and everywhere.

“CHRIST IS NOT ENTERED INTO THE HOLY PLACES MADE WITH HANDS, .... BUT INTO HEAVEN ITSELF, NOW TO APPEAR IN THE -PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US.” Heb. 9:24.

Messages of God’s Love 10/19/1913

The Post Boy

HOW interested these girls seem in getting their letters; they have walked in from the country to meet their brother, for they are sure he has a letter for them from mother. Their mother is visiting in a neighboring town, and they are eager to hear from her!

You can see by the pleased look on their faces that he has told them that one has come for them.

There is One in heaven who has written you many messages in a book called the Bible; do you ever read His letters? He is One who loves you very much—far more than your parents do. The book of John is full of His loving messages—there He gives such kind invitations to all unsaved ones to come to Him to have their sins put away. Read the third chapter. In that chapter He says, “Ye must be born again,” and then again in the sixteenth verse He tells us of His Father’s love, and how God the Father made it possible for people to be born again. Do you know that verse, John 3:16: “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.”

Now look at the last verse of that chapter —what an awful thing if you do not listen to the Saviour!

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

Turn to the tenth chapter of John. What beautiful promises are given in verses 28 and 29. Jesus says to those who put their trust in Him. “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”

Messages of God’s Love 10/26/1913

The Happy Land

At a palace of pleasure,

A few years ago,

Where grand folk resorted,

And passed to and fro,

A sceptic and others

Were dining at ease,

Whilst waiters around them

Sought humbly to please;

When, suddenly rising,

In richness and grace,

Came a pure, childish voice,

That filled all the place.

The diners were startled.

From whence came the sound?

At the door stood a child,

Bare feet on the ground.

Her clothes were all tattered,

Her figure forlorn,

A sight in our city

To make angels mourn.

But, oh! on her face such

A flush; sweet and grand,

As she sang childhood’s song,

“A bright, happy land.”

“There is a happy land,

Far, far away,

Where saints in glory stand,

Bright, bright as day.

O, how they sweetly sing,

Worthy is the Saviour King!

Loud let His praises ring;

Praise, praise for aye.”

The waiter was angry;

He rushed to the door.

“Be off, you young urchin,

Don’t come any more!”

He turned back disgusted;

No thought of that song;

No thought of the singer

As he walked, along.

“How dare you act harshly?”

The sceptic cried out.

“What harm was she doing?”

lie said with a shout,

“Recall her at once, sir,

And bring her to me;

That singing was lovely;

The child I would see.”

They brought the child to him;

She sang the sweet strain,

“There is a happy land,”

To him once again.

The guests all around them

Were thrilled with delight;

The singing was lovely,

The singer a sight!

To her said the sceptic,

“Your voice is divine,

But the theme of your song

Is no faith of mine.

There’s no life beyond death,

No land bright and fair.”

“Why, sir,” said the singer,

“My mother is there!”

“Your mother? O, well, child,

‘Tis merely a dream;

None other is with her,

Or heaven has seen.”

“Why, sir, you’re mistaken;

In that happy land,

My Jesus is with then!

It’s wondrous, it’s grand.

“And father and I, sir,

Will soon join the throng,

To sing with the ransomed,

To join in their song.

No sorrow, nor crying,

No starving, nor pain,

But ever with Jesus;

O, blest be His Name!”

The sceptic, still smiling,

Said, “Where is your home?”

“With father, at Hoxton;

We live all alone.

But father is ailing,

He can’t leave his bed,

And I earn, by singing,

The living,” she said.

“Poor child! Take me with you;

Your father I’ll see.

Now, don’t be afraid,

But come home with me.”

They came to the garret

Where, dying, was laid

The father, kept cheerful

By that little maid.

The sceptic (a good man),

Was pricked to the heart,

At the sight of their love

The tear-drops would start.

He paid for the father

To have every care,

And a home for the child,

That singer so fair.

The father sank lower,

Alas! he soon died;

Consumption had claimed him,

Would not be denied.

The sceptic, still loving

That sweet little maid,

Prepared for her future,

While she for him prayed.

But, alas! the exposure

Of her little form,

While singing for father,

All tattered and torn,

Had sown the fell seedlings

In her feeble frame,

And soon that young singer

Would be but a name.

The sceptic was troubled.

He sent her to stay

At a good nursing-home;

But she faded away.

And there many moments

He spent by her side.

Alas! the sweet singer

Sank lower, and died.

But, as she lay dying,

She said, “Shall I sing

My own little song, that

To you did me lying?”

“O, yes!” cried the sceptic,

As he took her hand.

Then she sang once again

Of that happy lard.

“There is a happy land,

Far, far away,

Where saints in glory stand,

Bright, bright as day.

O, how they sweetly sing,

Worthy is the Saviour King!

Loud let His praises ring;

Praise, praise for aye.”

The voice was so feeble,

But, oh! it was grand;

So sure to that maiden,

Her place in that land.

His eyes filled with tears,

No words could he speak,

No feeling of comfort

From it could he seek.

She raised her frail form,

She gazed in his face,

And then, with a smile of

Ineffable grace,

Said, “Mother has gone there,

And Jesus there, too;

And I’m going to them,

But what will you do?

“Won’t you come to Jesus?

To that happy land?

Won’t you love and serve Him

With that happy band?”

Then feebly she sang,

Her heart in the song,

Increasing in fervor,

As she went along:

“Come to that happy land,

Come, come away:

Why will you doubting stand?

Why still delay?

O, we shall hapy be,

When, from sin and sorrow free,

Lord, we shall live with Thee,

Blest, blest for aye.”

The singer had finished

(Her life scarce begun);

She lay down, ceased breathing;

Her work, it was done.

But, oh! the sweet gesture

Of love, ere life fled!

The strong man was humbled,

The singer was dead.

He pleaded for mercy

To One who, in love,

To save wretched sinners,

Came down from above.

And was he rejected?

O, infinite grace!

The sinner was pardoned,

In Him found a place.

She was laid in the tomb;

Her body at rest;

Her soul with her loved ones,

And Him she loved best.

The strong man took, counsel

In prayer at the throne,

To serve her Saviour

He claimed as his own.

He lives to declare Him,

Whom long he disowned;

The blessed Lord Jesus

His heart had enthroned.

He tells oft how Jesus

Came down from the sky,

In tenderest pity,

To suffer and die.

He tells how poor sinners

Before Him can stand,

In perfect acceptance,

In that happy land;

That, redeemed by His blood,

On that happy shore,

Their sins and iniquities

Remembered no more.

And often the story

He tells of the child,

Who sang once so sweetly

The land undefiled;

How then by the cords of

His love God had led

And freed him from Satan,

Gave life from the dead.

‘Tis true, friends! Believe it!

Our Jesus has died;

For sin on the cross He

Was once crucified.

His hands and His feet, they

Were nailed to the tree;

And all this He suffered,

For you and for me.

Yes, sinners believing

He’ll pardon and heal;

All, all who their sins and

Their wretchedness feel.

Not one is excepted;

All sinners may come;

His work is completed;

God’s pleased with His Son.

In love I beseech you,

No longer delay;

Come now to the Saviour,

Come, friends, while you may,

O, hear that sweet singer,

Her childish refrain,

Her last dying effort,

Plead yet once again:

“Come to that happy land,

Come, come away;

Why will you doubting stand?

Why still delay?

O! we shall happy be,

When, from sin and sorrow free,

Lord, we shall live with Thee,

Blest, blest for aye.”

This story is faithful,

This story is true;

The sceptic’s blest Saviour

Make your Saviour, too.

You own you’re a sinner,

Then own Him as Lord;

Bow down in His presence:

His name be adored!

And then, oh! with Jesus

In that happy land,

With all the redeemed ones,

Rejoicing you’ll stand;

Who loved us who saved us,

From death, sin and shame,

To Him be the glory!

Praised, praised be His Name.

Messages of God’s Love 10/26/1913

Bible Questions for November

Answers to Bible Questions for September

1.“Who, when they were come,” etc. Acts 8:15.

2.“Therefore, being by the right,” etc. 2:33.

3.“But Peter said,” etc. 5:3.

4.“And they were all filled with,” etc. 2:4.

5.“Ye stiff-necked, etc. 7:51.

6.“Then Peter said,” etc. 2:38.

7.“Wherefore, brethren,” etc. 6:3.

Bible Questions for November

The answers are to be found in Romans.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “God hath not cast away.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “God shall judge.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “God commendeth His love.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “God hath received him.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “God spared not.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “God imputeth righteousness.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “God, who quickeneth the dead.”

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/1913

Bible History

Chapter 117. 1 Samuel 14.

Jonathan’s Victory

WHILE Saul, in his unbelief allowed the Philistines, the enemies of his people, to ravage , their land, there was one near him who had strong faith in God. Jonathan, the king’s son, had seen what had gone on at Gilgal. He knew the Philistines should be driven from among his people, so he said to his armor-bearer, “Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines.” But he did not tell Saul, or the people, what he was going to do. Saul was taking his ease under a tree, with the six hundred men who had remained with him. With him sat also Ahiah, one of the priestly family rejected by God, for his father was Ichabod, the son of Eli’s wicked son, Phinehas.

So, without the people’s knowledge, Jonathan and his armor-bearer started out toward the camp of the Philistines. The way lay between sharp rocks on either side, and was steep and rugged, but it did not stop the two brave men, who went on, knowing that the Lord can save by many or by few, and that there is no restraint with Him. Jonathan told his servant that they would show themselves to their enemies, and if the latter said, “We will go down to you,” they would remain where they were, but if they were invited to go up and fight, it would be a sign that the Lord had delivered the Philistines into their hands. As soon as they saw Jonathan and his armor-bearer, they said, “The Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they have hid themselves,” and they cried, “Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.” This was the signal Jonathan had been waiting for, and full of trust in the Lord, he turned to his companion and said, “Come up after me; for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” What humility, as well as faith in Jonathan! He could have claimed the victory, and said, into MY hand they were delivered; but he counted himself as only one of God’s people. It was Israel’s cause, not his glory. Could God disappoint such? Never! And, strong in the Lord, the two climbed up the rock on their hands and feet, and about twenty of the Philistines fell before them. They fought in a small field, and the Philistines trembled very much; and the earth shook greatly.

Saul’s watchmen were looking about, and soon saw the Philistines scattering about, and beating down one another. When Saul heard of it, he ordered the men with him to be numbered, that he might find out who were missing. It was Jonathan and his armor-bearer. Saul was afraid, and asked Ahiah to bring the ark of God, which they had taken with them, but while the ‘king was still talking, the noise increased, and he said to the priest, “Withdraw thine hand,” and he took his people to the battle. All Israel joined, even those men who had gone to live with the Philistines, and whom the Lord Himself called Hebrews, because they had forsaken Him; all followed hard after the enemies, and the Lord delivered them into His people’s hands.

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/1913

The Eft

WHAT does this boy have in the bottle? The children surely seem interested in looking at it; maybe he is having them guess what it is. You know what a lizard is; this little creature is very much like a lizard, but is called an eft. While it lives in water, it feeds on fish, so you see this boy was thoughtful in putting some tiny ash in the bottle with the eft for its food.

Just think how many, many creatures are found in the water, —in the ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans! Then how many insects, animals and other living creatures are found on the land. Did you ever stop to think how wonderful all the things are that God has created? Just think how many beautiful things there are in nature, too, —the trees, plants and earth, all blossoming and dressing themselves in green. As you look at these things, be sure and let them lead your thoughts to Jesus—the One who made everything that was made. (See John 1:1, 2 and 3.) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.”

Though all these things look so lovely to us, do you know that not one of them is perfect, —there is a blight on every single thing. We may not see the imperfection unless we are hunting for it, but still it is there. Why is this? God’s Word says that every person and thing is under the curse of sin. What an awful thing this is! It was because of this dreadful thing—sin—that Jesus was not wanted when He came down from heaven to this world. Think of God the Son coming into this world which was made by Him, and the world not knowing Him and despising Him! He knew that all mankind would be forever lost if He did not come down and die to put away their sins. So He willingly gave Himself on the cross to redeem you from this curse, if you will only put your trust in Him. How much that Creator and Saviour has done for you, dear child—do give your heart to Him while you are still young!

“REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH.” Eccles. 12:1.

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/1913

"Can It Be Rubbed Out?"

I HAVE been lately reading a story of a little French boy, whom God used to bring his father and mother to Jesus. The story was told by the father many years afterwards, and it is as follows:

When I was young I was a complete stranger to the Christian faith. It seemed as if the prayers of my pious mother were useless. God was to me simply an idea, and I believed the Lord Jesus Christ to have been just a good man; nor did I believe in either heaven or hell. Notwithstanding this, when I married and became the father of a family, I allowed my children to be taught the Bible.

One evening my wife told me that our little Charles had been very naughty during the day. I reproved him seriously, and sent him to bed as a punishment.

Sometime after he had been put to bed, I heard him crying, and going to his room, I asked “What makes my little boy cry?” He would not answer me at first, but at last he said,

“O! papa, the angels.”

Astonished at his reply, I said to him, “Well, Charles, what about the angels?”

“They have written the naughty things I did today down in God’s book,” he answered through his sobs.

“No doubt,” said I, “they have written down that you disobeyed your mother.”

“Papa, papa, is there no way of rubbing it out?” asked the little fellow, in the greatest distress.

Very sorry to see him so unhappy, I said to him, “Yes, my child, the story of your naughtiness can be rubbed out, but it is necessary to ask the good God to forgive you.”

Charles stopped crying. “I will ask Him.” he said, “but should I not kneel down to pray to God?” And he got quickly out of bed, and knelt down; then, after thinking a moment, he added, “Papa, if you knelt down with me, perhaps God would listen better.”

I had not knelt in prayer since I was a little child, and I would not have let my friends see me in that position for the world, and yet how could I refuse my dear little boy; so I knelt down beside him.

“O! dear papa,” he then said, “pray instead of me, for you know so much better than I do what to say to God.”

This was a fresh difficulty. What was I to do? It was impossible to refuse my child such a natural request, and yet I had never prayed. I cannot tell you how I felt as I tried to express the desires of my little son. When I had finished, and we had both said “Amen,” and risen from our knees, Charles looked at me very gently, saying, “Are you quite sure that the story of my disobedience is all rubbed out from God’s book?”

“Yes,” I replied, wishing to comfort him, “it is all gone.”

But he was not satisfied yet. “What did the angels wash it away with?” he inquired; “did they use a sponge?”

“No, no,” I said, “with the blood of our Saviour,” for the old story my mother had so often told me, came back to me.

Little Charles was silent for a long time; at last, looking at me with eyes full of tears, he asked gravely:

“Has God written anything down in His book about you, papa?”

“Alas! yes, I fear so,” I answered.

“And about mamma; did she ever do anything wrong?”

“I expect so,” was my reply.

He had still another question: “All that you have done is washed away, is it not?”

I could not answer this; the question made me tremble. I felt as if I were no longer in the company of my little child, but in the presence of a Judge with eyes like a flame of fire. I tried to murmur, “I hope so,” but at that moment I heard a sob behind me. My wife had followed me into the room, and heard all that had passed. Together we knelt down, father, mother and child, and prayed to the God of all mercy, who pardons freely, and yet whom we have so long forgotten. We asked Him to receive us, poor, lost sheep, who had been wandering from Him so long, and to cleanse away our sins in the blood of His dear Son, Jesus Christ, and He heard and answered not only our prayers, but the prayers of my dear mother.

“What can wash away my stain?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

O, precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow,

No other stream I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins.” (Isa. 44:22.)

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/2/1913

We Cannot Both Be Saved

HOW rough the waves look in our picture! The little pilot boat has been sent out to help the people in the big ship; there is great danger of the vessel being wrecked, and the poor people being drowned.

There was a vessel dashed against a rock, some years ago, and the little pilot boat did not get to the people in time—no help came, and the life-boats were driven about by the furious waves, till most everyone was drowned. There were two men on this fated ship that I want to tell you about. They had struggled about in the water until they found themselves both holding on, and clinging for dear life to the slender mast. It was a frail support, too frail to bear their weight, and, as it sank beneath his grasp, one of the drowning men began to curse and swear.

The bitter words reached the ears of his companion, who grasped the other end of the mast, and in a moment resolved to do something. “We cannot both be saved,” he said, as a sudden wave bore him nearer to his friend; “this poor mast will only float one of us, and if you sink as you are, you must be lost forever.” Then, with one last look upon the face of his friend, he let go his hold and drifted away. No help was near, so he soon sank, to rise no more, within the sight of him for whom he had given his life. But a short time passed before help did come to the young man, who still held to the drifting mast, and he was saved.

Day after day, the picture of his friend sinking beneath the waves was ever before his eyes, and all the voices of this world’s mirth could not drown those last solemn words of warning to him, “as you are, you must be lost forever.”

It was not until the rescued man was himself brought to God, that he began to understand how much he owed his friend. Then it was that he found heart to tell the story of the Christ-like death of his friend. Then he realized that his friend had saved him not only from the death which threatened them both as they drifted on the sea, but from the unspeakable woe of that endless death, which must have been his portion had he died in his sins. Do you love the One who died to put away your sins? Can you say, “who loved me, and gave Himself for me”? (Gal. 2:20.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/1913

Bible History

Chapter 117. 1 Samuel 14.

Jonathan’s Victory

Saul spoke to the people, saying: “Cursed be the man who eats any food until the evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies.” The people were faint for want of food. They came to a wood, and saw honey dropping on the ground as they passed, but they dared not touch it for fear of the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father’s words, and he dipped his rod in the honeycomb, and ate it, and felt better. Then they told him what his father had said, and he answered, “My father has troubled the land.” He said he felt much better for having tasted a little honey, and how much more if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies.

Saul, who doubted God’s power to save His people, could not understand His goodness to His creatures in providing for them. Those who do not know God, cannot understand His ways of love.

When the battle was over, the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground, and ate them, with the blood. This was expressly forbidden of God; the blood which represented life was to be offered to the Lord, who had said, “The life of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls, for it is the blood which maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Lev. 17:11.) So God held it sacred, because it pointed to the precious blood of Christ, which would be shed on the cross to make the great atonement for sinners. In this way, Saul, by his order to abstain from food, caused the people to sin, for they were so hungry, they would not wait. When Saul heard what they were doing, he said, “Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.” Then he called upon the people to bring their animals, and he built an altar to the Lord, so they would kill their sheep and oxen there. This was the first altar Saul built.

After this he said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them, and not leave a man of them.” The people were willing, but they must first inquire of the Lord. Saul asked counsel of God. “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Wilt Thou deliver them into Israel’s hands?” But God did not answer him that day.

And Saul called the people and cast lots to find out whose fault it was. His conscience was too fast asleep to make him realize HE it was who had sinned, and that it was because of his disobedience God was silent. How sad! The lot fell upon Jonathan; he came up and said, “I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand, and, lo, I must die.” Saul answered, “Thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.” But the people would not allow that he should be put to death, for they said, “Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid; as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; km he has wrought with God this day.” And so his life was spared.

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/1913

Bring the Children With You

“The Master has come over Jordan,”

Said Hannah, the mother, one day;

“He is healing the people who throng Him,

With the touch of His finger, they say.

And now I shall carry the children,

Little Rachel and Samuel and John;

I shall carry the baby, Esther,

For the Lord to look upon.”

The father looked at her kindly,

But he shook his head and smiled;

“Now, who but a doting mother

Would think of a thing so wild?

If the children were tortured by demons,

Or dying of fever, ‘twere well,

Or had they the taint of the leper,

Like many in Israel.”

“Nay, do not hinder me, Nathan;

I feel such a weight of care;

If I carry it to the Master,

Perhaps I shall leave it there.

If He lay His hands on the children,

My heart will be lighter, I know;

For a blessing, for ever and ever,

Will follow them as they go.”

So over the hills of Judah,

Along the vine-rows green,

With Esther asleep on her bosom,

And Rachel, her brothers between,

‘Hong the people who hung on His teaching

Or waited His touch and His word,

Through the row of proud Pharisees hastening,

She pressed to the feet of the Lord.

“Now, why shouldst thou hinder the Master,”

Said Peter, “with children like these?

Seest not how, from morning till evening,

He teacheth, and healeth disease?”

Then Christ said, “Forbid not the children;

Permit them to come unto Me;”

And He took in His arms little Esther,

And Rachel He set on His knee.

And the heavy heart of the mother,

Was lifted! earth-care above,

As He laid His hands on the brothers,

And blessed them with tenderest love;

As He said of the babes in His bosom,

“Of such is the kingdom of heaven”;

And strength for all duty and trial,

That hour to her spirit was given.

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/1913

A Day in the Mountains

ONE evening a young girl, whom I will call Violet, and two boys, Gerald and Hugh, who were staying at a hotel, decided that the next day they would climb one of tire nearby mountains, and see the view from the top. The morning was fine, and off they started, being bidden by their parents to be back not later than half-past six in the evening. When they came to the foot of the mountain they thought it would be a much quicker way, besides giving them more fun, if they went straight up instead of following the winding path. At first they all enjoyed the climb very much, but after a time, it became rather tiring work; however, they agreed that it was very pleasant to be going a different way from other people. Several times they thought they must be almost at the top, but as the day was wearing on, and they were feeling hungry, they decided to have lunch, and then to, rest a little. After about two hours more they reached the summit, where a most lovely scene lay before them. It was some years ago, but Violet remembers distinctly, the beauty and grandeur of the snow-covered mountains by which they were surrounded.

After they had finished counting the mountain tops before them, the watch told them it was much later than they had thought it was, and taking a look round, they came to the conclusion that the side of the mountain opposite to that which they had come up, would be the shorter way home. They hoped to save time, but in a little while the descent became very rough work, even for the boys, while Violet could get only very slowly down the steep places. Presently it became smoother, so they all set off running, for it was getting late. As they ran, they heard someone shouting, to which they paid no attention, but the shouts being repeated, they looked round and saw a man running rapidly after them, and calling eagerly to them. They waited. In a few minutes he came up to them, almost breathless, and when he could speak, he said, “O, it was well you stopped when I called to you, for in a few minutes more you would have gone over the precipice below us, and then nothing could have saved you from being killed at once.” The man spoke in French, but they all understood enough to know the narrow escape they had of death, when not at all thinking it was near.

Children, death is not likely to be brought before you in quite such an unexpected way, but are you ready for it? Two of the three of whom I am telling you, knowing that they were sinners, had asked the Lord Jesus Christ to wash their sins away in His own precious blood, which cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7.) One of them had often heard about salvation, but he had never asked God to make him fit for heaven. Dear children, ask yourselves, “Which of these three am I like?”

The man, who, under God’s guidance, had so kindly saved the lives of these brothers and sister, told them they had wandered very far from home, and that he must go to his cottage and get a lantern, as it would be dark before they could reach the foot of the mountain.

It soon became dark, and part of their way led through a wood, and glad they were of the guide and his lantern. By and by they saw lights in the distance, and then heard shouting, which the guide, familiar with the different mountain cries, told them meant that people were searching for them, and wanted to know if they were unhurt. He shouted, “All are safe!” And in a little while the young wanderers were with their parents, who, as they welcomed them back, and heard their story, could not be thankful enough to their heavenly Father for having shielded them from the great danger to which they had been exposed.

I need scarcely add that our young friends did not attempt this kind of mountain climbing again.

Now, I think you will agree with me that you may be hastening on, not knowing whither you are going, very much in the manner of our three young friends. And my question to you is, “Is the path you are taking, a safe one? Would it lead you at last to be forever with the Lord Jesus in heaven? Or would it bring you to the judgment?” This paper is a voice calling upon you to stop, and I trust you will heed it, as did our young friends the kind old guide, whose voice saved their lives.

Suppose, after the man had told them of their danger, Violet, Gerald, and Hugh had refused to go with him, and be guided by his lantern, whose fault would it have been if they had been lost? And whose fault would it be if you should not enter heaven? I think the lantern which the guide carried, is like the Bible, which shows us the way to heaven, and which those who love it can say, “Is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105), and I pray you may be guided by God’s Word in the right way, and that your lives may be spent to the glory of God.

“I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE:NO NAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.” John 14:8.

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/1913

Every Moment Important

Every moment is important!

Much upon each one depends,

In it blessing may be treasured,

Like the cloud, sweet showers which sends.

Yes, each moment is important!

Much upon each one depends;

It may lead, alas! to sorrow—

Downward oft its pathway tends.

Let each moment, then he valued,

All the more for soon ‘tis past;

Now, believe in Christ, for surely,

Every breath may be thy last!

Messages of God’s Love 11/9/1913

When My Father and My Mother Forsake Me

I WANT to tell you about a little girl whom I will call Daisy. Her home was not a happy one, for her father and mother were both drunkards, and she had no brothers or sisters.

But there was one thing made her happy. Sly used to attend a Sunday-school, where she learned about the Lord Jesus and His love to children. She heard how He came down from heaven to die for them on the cross, so that if they believe in Him they might have their sins forgiven, and be taken by-and-by to live with Him forever in His own bright home above; as He said when He was down here on the earth: “Stiffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).

Daisy’s father and mother did not love their little girl, and went away to a town a long distance off, where she could not follow them.

Poor little Daisy! What to do she did not know.

But though it seemed as if she had nobody in the world to love her, yet the Lord Jesus was watching over His little lamb, and taking care of her.

She had an aunt living in another part of town; so one cold winter evening, she found her way to her aunt’s house, crying bitterly, and wanting to be let in.

Presently, the door was opened, and Daisy was taken in, and allowed to live with her aunt. So you see that the Lord provided a home for her, proving what the Bible says to be true: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” (Psa. 27:10).

A short time afterward, the Sunday-school superintendent went in search of Daisy, and having reached the house where she was living, he knocked at the door. While waiting for his knock to be answered, he was pleased to hear the voice of a child singing. Then the aunt came to the door, and asked him to come in; and he saw Daisy with her Sunday-school hymn book in her hand, sitting on the hearth, and singing those beautiful words:

When mothers of Salem

Their children brought to Jesus,

The stern disciples drove them back,

And bade them depart;

But Jesus saw them ere they fled,

And sweetly smiled, and kindly said,

“Suffer the children to come unto Me.”

No doubt, most of my young readers are fond of singing hymns, and I do hope you like them, not only because of the pretty tunes, but because, you have come to the Lord Jesus, and are trusting to His finished work, and love to sing of Him who has washed away all your sins in His precious blood.

Messages of God’s Love 11/16/1913

How Little Lily Was Saved Out of the Well

SOME little time ago, whilst visiting the village of C—, I called at a cottage to see a Christian woman and her husband, when the following story was related to me about a little girl that was sitting by the fireside. She was an adopted child, about six years of age, and her name was Elizabeth W—but usually called “Lily.”

A few yards from the cottage door, which was one of three or four in a row, there was a well, some sixty or seventy feet in depth, and one day Lily had gone out to play in the garden, and as she was standing on some paling very near the well, her little foot slipped, and the poor child fell down the well into the water. Her screams were heard, and the man and his wife ran out; their first thought, of course, was to save the child, but how was it to be done? for the old well-rope was not strong enough to bear a man’s weight. But, my dear little readers, man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and so it proved on this occasion. He who knows the end from the beginning, without whose knowledge not even a sparrow falls to the ground, had not forgotten poor little Lily, and showed, as you will see, His wonderful care over her. The man immediately ran to a neighboring farmhouse, where he was kindly lent a strong new rope, with which he hastened to the well, and just at the moment two men passed down the road, and come at once to help. Lily, after falling down into the water, which was about fifteen feet deep, came up again to the surface, dreadfully frightened, but not much hurt, and, stretching out her little hands, clasped hold of some slight projection from the side of the well; and her body being partially supported by the water, she was enabled to hold on for a little while. The man, who loved little Lily, at the risk of his own life, was lowered by the other two into the well, and his wife, in the meanwhile, went into the cottage with another woman, and knelt down and prayed God to save the child and her husband. As the man neared the water, the others, who were letting him down, fearing he would be under it before they were aware, stopped lowering him, when he could see his dear Lily, apparently lifeless, and quite helpless, sinking, as he thought, for the last time. He hurriedly called out to them to lower him quickly, and to his great joy was just in time to clasp her in his arms. He was then gradually drawn up, holding his precious charge very tightly until they reached the top of the well in safety. Lily was soon restored to consciousness, and could then tell how ineffectual her attempts to save herself had been by holding on to the side of the well. On being asked what she thought when in the water, she said she thought her Father would save her; and she now calls Jesus her Saviour.

And now, my dear young readers, that I have told you how dear little Lily W— was rescued from the well, let me tell you what it reminded me of when I heard about it. I immediately thought that the little girl down in the dark well, with nothing to hold her up, or help her out, vainly trying to save herself, only to find her strength gone, and just about to sink lifeless under the water, was like all little boys and girls, and grownup people, too, who are not yet saved by God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. All belong to a fallen race (Rom. 3:23), at a distance from the bright sunshine of God’s blessed Presence (Ephes. 2:13), down in the darkness of this world (John 1:5), many trying in vain to save themselves, only to find that they are quite helpless, without strength (Rom. 5:6); but what does God’s precious Book tell us about? O! my dear young friends, it tells us of Jesus, the precious Saviour, and how He came all the way from heavenly glory, right down to where poor helpless sinners were, to deliver them out of their dreadful condition (1 Tim. 1:15) just like the kind man went right down the well with the rope, and took up and saved poor little Lily. But before Jesus could take one little girl or boy from this dark, sinful world to glory. He must first die on the cross (John 3:14) and shed His precious blood to wash their sins away (Heb. 9:22); and now what have you to do? Why, give up trying to save yourself, and simply trust in this dear Saviour, believe on His precious Name, and, just as Lily was clasped in the strong arms of the one who came to save her, you will find yourself in the arms of Jesus, who came to save you, and then you will be truly able to sing:—

How loving is Jesus, who came from the sky,

In tenderest pity for sinners to die!

His hands and His feet were nailed to the tree,

And all this He suffered for sinners like me!

How gladly does Jesus free pardon impart,

For all who receive Him by faith in their heart!

No evil befalls them, their home is above,

And Jesus throws round them the arms of His love.

A few more moments, and it would have been too late; Lily must have been drowned. A few more moments, dear young readers, and it may be too late for you to be saved.

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

But Lily found herself in her kind friend’s arms out of the well in the sunshine, and at home in her adopted father’s house; and so also, if you now believe on the Lord Jesus and trust Him, and Him alone, you will find yourself brought out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9), at home and happy in the presence of God, children with the spirit of adoption crying. “Abba Father” (Rom. 8:15); and soon, very soon, Jesus, the Lord Himself, will come and take you to that beautiful place that He has gone to prepare in the Father’s house above (John 14:3; Rev. 22:20).

At the name of Jesus

Every knee should bow;

Children, trust in Jesus,

Trust in Jesus now.

Jesus cometh quickly,

All to Him must bow;

Trust in Jesus only, Now.

Messages of God’s Love 11/16/1913

Prepare to Meet Thy God

(Amos 4:12.)

ALBERT and Arthur are two boys who like to speak to each other about the Lord Jesus, for they know Him as the One who, by his death on the cross, has saved them from their sins.

One day, while out for a walk together, Albert told Arthur of a gentleman who used to say in a loud voice to those whom he met, “Prepare to meet thy God.”

As they walked on they overtook a man, though a stranger to Albert, was well known to Arthur, as he lived in the village where Arthur was brought up.

The thought came into Albert’s mind to say these solemn words, “Prepare to meet thy God” loud enough for the man to hear them.

He did so twice, and the man suddenly stood still, as if something had struck him, and made him unable to move. Perhaps he was thinking deeply of the words he had just heard. May God have blessed them to his soul.

Only a few days later, someone came into my room, and said, “Such a sad thing has just happened. Mr. R. has fallen down dead in the road outside here, and there is a large crowd gathered.”

Wonderful to relate, it was the very same man who, two or three days before, had heard Albert say, “Prepare to meet thy God.”

Dear children, the only way to meet God with joy is to meet Him in Jesus, whose words are, “Suffer the children to come unto Me.”

Have you come to Him yet? If not, come to Him now.

Messages of God’s Love 11/16/1913

The Lost One Found

WHAT child has not experienced that feeling of utter loneliness which takes possession of one on finding that friends or relatives, supposed to be somewhere within sight or hearing, are nowhere near; and the desolation and fear which fill the mind, when, on running hither and thither, no traces of them can be found, when hope is almost given up, and all sorts of evil seem to threaten?

Many have been lost in woods; others in the crowded thoroughfares of our great towns and cities; while others on the sea-beach have wandered to and fro in a vain search for the well-known face and smile.

Then, when the heart is sick, and the limbs are weary, the fruitless wanderings abandoned, the tears trickle, the sobs burst forth, and strangers showing pit undertake the charge of the lost little one, who forthwith is conveyed to some friendly house, or to the police station, to await the inquiries of anxious parents or guardians.

How gladsome then is the meeting of the seeking and the sought. The truant is folded in the arms, and caressed with the fondest love, joy filling the hearts of both alike. Though great is the happiness of the lost one in being found, the joy of the finder exceeds. Joy upon earth is this. Is such joy in heaven? Indeed it is. One of the most precious portions of the Word of God, the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, sets before us the surpassing gladness of heaven over a lost sinner found.

The joy of the shepherd in finding the wandering sheep:

The joy of the woman in finding the missing silver:

The joy of the father in welcoming the prodigal son,

are all presented before us for Our learning, telling of the heart of God towards the lost ones; towards those who could not find their way back into His presence; who were guilty, and judgment-deserving, and dead in their sins.

Have you found out your lost condition, dear reader? Has your deep need ever pressed itself upon your conscience, and forced you to cry, What must I do? All your efforts are without avail; all your endeavors are but fruitless. Give up, then, your useless labor dead works can never please a living God. Let “Lost I Lost!” be your cry. That cry is ever heard, ever answered by the Saviour Himself. For such He cares, for such He came, suffered and died. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10.)

Your cry of “Lost!” will be answered by His cry of “Found!” as, rejoicing, He bears you home.

His work upon the cross meets the whole need of the sinner, for it has answered the whole claim of God. Believe on Him, and all the value of His atoning blood will be seen upon you, and you will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life, and to be here for His glory and praise, who was here for your salvation and peace.

May you be among the company of lost ones found again, and thus be one over whom there is joy in heaven.

Messages of God’s Love 11/23/1913

What Is the Profit?

THE subject of this narrative was a young man, brought up in a Christian home, with all its hallowed influences and sacred associations. Instead of following in the steps of his godly parents, an inordinate ambition to amass wealth and climb to the top of the commercial ladder swayed him completely.

One Lord’s day, tired of the home life, he decided to visit some relations in a neighboring town. On reaching the house, he was, informed that the family had gone to church. Turning on his heels, he muttered: “Bother this religion!”

In order to while away the time, he went for a walk. Suddenly a storm broke over the town, and he was compelled to seek refuge in a church. The place was crowded; a vacant seat was found just in front of the preacher, ad aged and faithful servant of Christ.

He was just announcing his text

“WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?” Mark 8:36.

He repeated it three or four times, then said: “There may be a young man in this company who is determined to get on at all cost, to become a wealthy man, or to attain a position of influence in this world. If- so, let me ask him to seriously consider these words: ‘What shall it profit a man, if he, shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’” How far these words affected him, it is difficult to say, but let us follow our young friend. He went to London. The restraints of home gone, he plunged into all the gaiety of the great city.

Like many another, he sought satisfaction in one continual whirl of pleasure.

What the prodigal found in the far-off country was that companionship with the world brought him down to feed on husks, and this he had to learn also.

The Lord Jesus, in speaking to the guilty (laughter of Samaria, said: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” (John 4.)

Every sin-stained stream of earth bears witness to the truth of these words. Have you found this out, my reader?

God had His eye on the young man of our story. Wherever he went those words rang in his ears: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” They spoiled his pleasure, and disturbed his peace.

Dissatisfied with London, he determined to visit Paris, hoping amid fresh scenes of gaiety and pleasure to find the satisfaction he craved for. God followed him there. Those words continually rang in his ears: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole World, and lose his own soul?” Sleep departed, anguish and agony of soul possessed him. He retraced his steps to London and stayed the night at a hotel.

The Spirit of God had been working in his soul, teaching him the emptiness of earth’s wealth and splendor; the hollowness of its gilded charms. As he retired to rest he heard someone singing, “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds.” Listening attentively he found it came from the adjoining room. Looking through the keyhole, he saw that the singer was an old gentleman. After the hymn was finished, he read the Word of God and then knelt in prayer.

The listener could resist no longer, he knocked at the door.

A voice from within said, “Who is there?”

He answered, “A young man in deep anxiety of soul.” “Come in! come in!!” There and then he pointed him to Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and spoke of the precious blood which cleanseth from all sin, and fits the vilest sinner who believes, for the presence of God.

In that room, divine light shone into the young man’s soul, he discovered for himself the value and preciousness of the name of Jesus.

The courts of heaven rang with triumph; another repentant sinner had turned to God. through the Lord Jesus Christ, for salvation.

Our young friend retired to rest (real rest this time). A divine peace filled his soul; his thirst had been quenched at the fountain of living water.

What the world had failed to give, he found in Christ. He was both saved and satisfied. He did not awake until a late hour in the morning, and to his sorrow ‘found the old gentleman who had pointed him to Christ had gone, hut the peace and rest remained with him.

Years rolled by and he became a successful man of business, but instead of the love of money controlling him, he delighted to use his means to minister to others.

Through the good hand of God, in process of time he again came across his old friend, who was in temporal need. You can picture the deep joy of his heart in being able to minister to and care ‘for him. He had reaped spiritual blessing, and it was a delight to minister temporal good. If you had asked him in after life: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” he would have answered, “Misery, eternal misery!”

What is your answer? Put in the scale on one side the wealth of a Rockefeller, a Morgan and a Rothschild; and in the other the value of your immortal soul. Your final destiny hangs upon your answer.

Messages of God’s Love 11/23/1913

I Hope So, Sir

THEY were four bonnie, bright children who lightly sprang into the train, and seated themselves near to me.

After giving them some picture tracts, I began to speak with these little ones about the Lord Jesus, that loving One who took the little children “up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” I found they knew a great deal about this loving Saviour, and one of them, a little girl, told me she knew she was a sinner, but the blood of Jesus Christ had washed all her sins away, and made her whiter than snow. I asked this dear child if she would meet me in heaven, and she answered so simply, “O, yes, sir.” And when I asked her how she knew it, she replied, “Because Jesus has died for me!” I then turned to one of the others, a little boy of about ten years, and asked him the same question, “Whether he would meet me in heaven?” But he could not give me the same answer, but said, “I hope so, sir.”

Now, my little reader, are you like the girl, who could say she was going to heaven “because Jesus died for her,” or like the boy, who could only say “I hope I am going there”?

Let me tell you a little story about “hoping.”

I was one day visiting with a brother of mine, and having found out the time the train would leave to take me to my home, and that there was not a minute to spare, I started off and ran to the railway station, through the ticket office, and up the stairs to the platform: a train was waiting ready to go, into which I stepped, and in a few moments we were out of the station. I took a seat, and made myself very comfortable, and expected I was on my way to my home, and that soon I should reach it. Yes, my little friend, I hoped I was going the right way. In a little while the train stopped at a station, and looking out of the window, I saw the name of the station written up, and then found that I was going the wrong way. Yes, though I was so comfortable in my seat, hoping I was nearing my home—yet, every time the wheels had gone round I was farther from it than before. Well, I need hardly tell you that I quickly opened the door and left the train which was going the wrong way, and crossing the track, after waiting a little, asked for the right train, and soon got back again, and then on to my home.

This mistake only cost me a few minutes time, but there are a great many people who are making a mistake which will cost them eternity.

Yes, a great number of men and women, boys and girls, are going on day by day “hoping” that they are getting nearer to heaven, when all the while, as each day closes, it leaves them nearer hell than when it commenced. My hopes did not take me to my home, and the hopes of poor shiners will not take them to heaven. O! how terrible it will be for poor lost souls to find out too late, that they have, all their lives, been going the wrong way.

How did I make such a mistake? I was a stranger in the neighborhood, and did not ask a porter or guard, who would readily have told me that I was on the wrong platform. And how is it so many thousands of people think and hope they are going to heaven at last, though they are in the broad road that leads to hell? It is because they do not look into the Holy Word of God; they do not search the Scriptures to see whether they are right or not.

My little friend, do not be satisfied with “hoping” you are on your Way to heaven. God says, the only way of salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ, “For there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12.) The Lord Jesus says, “I am the way.” (John 14:6.) The only way to heaven, by which a poor sinner can go, is through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save sinners, and who says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/23/1913

The Sheep Fold

IN THE early morning, the faithful shepherdess remembers her sheep, and goes to let them out to the green pasture. They have been shut in all night, kept from all harm, and examined carefully as they went in, to see if they needed any attention. Some may have been torn with the thorns, and needed a little oil put on to heal; or a thorn pulled out of the foot, and so on; and not one of them was afraid of her, for they knew her voice and her tender care.

How good you say, it was for those sheep to have such a shepherdess as that.

Yes, and would you like to be looked at as a sheep with a faithful shepherd; or, in other words, would you like to be a sheep, belonging to the Lord Jesus? If you would, He 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.” Have you heard His voice? Perhaps you say, I don’t know what that means. Well, think of this, He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” You know now what He has said, but have you obeyed and come to Jesus with your load of sin? If you have, that is hearing His voice, and it marks you as one of His sheep, and then He tells you He knows you and gives you eternal life and you shall never perish. Is not that a wonderful thing for Him to do for His sheep? Indeed, far more than the shepherdess, as pictured before us, could do for her sheep.

But there is another thing He has done that shows His great love for His sheep, and that is that He has given His life for the sheep. We all deserve to be shut out from God’s presence for our sins; but He loved us so much that He gave His life up for us and was forsaken of God that we might not have to bear it ourselves. How great is that Shepherd’s love for His sheep. May you be enabled to say, “The Lord is my Shepherd, He has given His life for me, He knows me and He has given me eternal life, and now I follow Him.”

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.” John 10:11.

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/1913

Bible History

Chapter 118. 1 Samuel 15.

Saul’s Rejection

AFTER his first victory over the Philistines, Saul became very active against the enemies of Israel. He fought against the Moabites, Edomites, Amalekites, and delivered, his people out of the hands of those who spoiled them. Whenever he saw a strong, or a brave man, the king took him to be in his army.

But in spite of his energy in fighting for the Israelites, in spite of his being a fairly good king over them, God was not pleased with Saul; he did not walk by faith, seeking to do God’s will, or be dependent upon the Lord. No, he did what he thought good in his own eyes, caring nothing for the glory of the One who had raised him to the throne.

One day, Samuel came to him and told him he came with a message from God. He who had made him king over Israel, wanted him to go and utterly destroy the Amalekites, that wicked people who had so ill-treated the Israelites, when they were passing through the wilderness. Amalek had tried to hinder them from entering the promised land. God had not allowed it to pass, but He must judge that wicked nation for it, as He must also judge those who seek to hinder God’s children on their way to heaven. We know that faith and prayer will overcome the efforts of Satan. May we make use of these weapons!

Saul prepared himself to answer the Lord’s command, which was to utterly destroy all that the Amalekites had, to spare nothing, but to slay men, women, little ones, oxen, asses and all cattle, big and little. He gathered his army, which was two hundred and ten thousand strong, and came up against a city of the Amalekites. Saul told the Kenites to go away from among the Amalekites; because they had shown kindness to Israel, he did not wish to hurt them. When these were gone, Saul smote the Amalekites in a great battle, and he destroyed all the people except their king, Agag. He also kept, in disobedience to God’s order, the best of the oxen and calves. sheep and lambs.

God was greatly displeased, and told Samuel He was sorry He had made Saul king, since the latter had not performed His commandments. Samuel was very much grieved, and he cried to the Lord all night. Early in the morning he arose to go to Saul, who had gone to Gilgal.

Saul seemed glad to see the prophet, and said, “Blessed be thou of the Lord; I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” But Samuel answered: “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen, which I hear?” Saul answered, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed.” Then Samuel said: “Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord said to me this night. When thou vast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made head of the tribes of Israel?” God had sent him to destroy, utterly, these sinners, the Amalekites, till they were consumed. So Samuel said to him: “Wherefore, then, didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?”

But Saul boldly said he had obeyed God, and killed the Amalekites, and brought home their king, Agag; it was the people who kept the cattle to sacrifice unto the Lord. But Samuel answered: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.” Saul answered, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now, therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.” But God’s prophet knew this was not true repentance, and he refused. As he turned to go, Saul caught hold of Samuel’s cloak and tore it. Samuel said: “The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.” Saul, however, could not bear the shame of having the people know of his rejection, and he begged Samuel to honor him before them and go with him. He was more afraid of appearances than of God’s displeasure. Samuel went with him, but he commanded that Agag, King of Amalek, should be brought before him. Agag came forward, gaily thinking all danger of death was passed for him, but Samuel said: “As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother he childless among women.” And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord at Gilgal. Then Samuel went to his home at Rama, and never went to see Saul anymore during his life, but he mourned for the king’s rejection.

O! that this all-important lesson, which king Saul failed to learn, might be impressed upon the hearts of everyone, who reads this!

Only through obedience to His Word can we please God. No matter how active we may be in doing good works, if we fail in obeying God’s Word, which says, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him, whom He hath sent” (John 6:29), there is nothing for us but to be rejected of God, for “there is none other name under heaven give among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Act. 4:12.)

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/1913

Midnight Words

Borne Upon the Breeze, and the Wonderful Work They Did

IT has been often remarked that “truth is stranger than fiction,” which is undoubtedly correct in this respect, that God sometimes works—indeed. if we are observant we shall say, often works—in the accomplishment of His purposes of mercy in a way which, if not miraculous, is at least so striking in its character, as well as suitable to His ends, as to surpass the most remarkable conceptions of the human mind.

The following, which I lately read, is one of these cases.

Two soldiers were one evening stationed as sentries at opposite ends of a long, narrow passage, termed a sally port, leading from the rock of Gibraltar to the Spanish territory beyond. They had doubtless often heard preached the gospel of the grace of God, the glad tidings of salvation, but their hearts long remained untouched.

Each, however, had been lately reading his pocket Bible; and while one of the two was really saved and rejoicing in God his Saviour, the other was in deepest distress, under strong convictions of sin, and earnestly seeking deliverance from the load of guilt pressing upon his conscience.

Neither of the two was aware of the state of soul of the other moreover, the character of their duties and the distance they were apart, forbade any communication passing between them.

On the occasion referred to, one of the officers had been dining out, and was returning to his quarters in the garrison at a late hour of the night. Coming up to the sentry on the outside of the sally port, who was the one really saved, the officer expected to be challenged as usual for the watchword in passing him.

But the man, absorbed in meditation on the glorious and blessed things that had recently been made the joy of his soul, on being roused from his midnight reverie by the officer, to the amazement of the latter exclaimed aloud, “THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST.” He soon, however. recovered his self-possession, and the officer after giving the correct watchword passed on without remark.

But his comrade, who was anxiously seeking the Lord, and little knew how the Lord was seeking him, and who was sentry at the other or inner end of the sally port (a passage singularly fitted for the conveyance of sound) distinctly heard, during the tumultuous tossings of his troubled spirit, the words “the precious blood of Christ” mysteriously borne upon the breeze at the solemn hour of midnight.

The words came home to his heart as a voice from heaven, as indeed they were; it was the word of God winged from above. The load of guilt was removed, and those divine words “the precious blood of Christ” thus brought peace to the soul of the sin-burdened soldier. He WAS SAVED, and that for ETERNITY!

Dear reader, I don’t want to sermonize over this striking narrative; but let me ask you to observe that it speaks of three persons—one the officer who heard of the precious blood of Christ and passed on unheeding it; another, the inner sentry, who heard of it as a voice from heaven, and was saved by it; and the third, the outer sentry, who out of the abundance of an overflowing heart, spoke of it, and was thus blessed to the salvation of his comrade.

These are representative men, and you and I may certainly find our likeness in one or other of them.

Forgive my being personal—like which of them are you?

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/1913

One More Sunday

THERE was a Sunday-school which was attended by sixty or seventy scholars. One of these, a girl of about fourteen years, gave much trouble to her kind teachers. She was a good-natured girl, but very mischievous, and took away the attention of the other scholars by her naughty ways.

No amount of talking made her any better; and at last the teachers got discouraged, and thought that they must expel her. But one of them, who pitied the girl, begged the others to allow her one more Sunday.

They agreed, and made the matter a special subject of prayer.

Next Sunday they waited anxiously to see how the girl behaved herself. To their surprise and joy, she sat quite quietly, and made no attempt to behave badly. From that time she was a different girl. Before, she had caused sorrow; afterwards, she did all that she could to give others pleasure. Such is the power of prayer. God hears the feeblest prayer that His loved ones offer in the name of the Lord Jesus. (See John 14:14; I Tim. 2:5.)

Sometimes we pray for something which is not good for us, and we are surprised that we do not get it. But it is not that God does not hear us. Surely, He who does not forget the sparrows, will not forget us, for whom He spared not His own Son. (Rom. 8:32.)

All wisdom belongs to Him; and if any of us lack wisdom let us ask of Him, and He will give it to us. (James 1:5.)

This same scripture, however, goes on to say that one must ask in faith, nothing doubting; and that he who doubts, ought not to think he shall receive anything of the Lord.

Messages of God’s Love 11/30/1913

Bible Questions for December

Answers to Bible Questions for October

1.“And as he reasoned”, etc. Acts 24:25.

2.“And now, brethren, I”, etc. 20:32.

3.“Opening and alleging,” etc. 17:3.

4.“That Christ should suffer,” etc. 26:23,

5.“And they said, believe on”, etc. 16:31.

6.“Testifying both to the Jews”, etc. 20:21.

7.“Preaching the kingdom,” etc. 28:31.

Bible Questions for December

The answers are to be found in 1St Corinthians.

1.Write the verse containing the words: “Without charge.”

2.Write the verse containing the words: “Bought with a price.”

3.Write the verse containing the words: “Eat.” “Drink.” “Do.”

4.Write the verse containing the words: “Power of God.”

5.Write the verse containing the words: “Watch.” Stand fast.”

6.Write the verse containing the words: “Revealed by fire.”

7.Write the verse containing the words: “Enemy destroyed.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/1913

The Doctor's Story

IT was on an autumn morning, now many years ago, that a child of God, a young doctor, went on board a steamer for the purpose of crossing from S. to G. Shortly after the ship; left the. harbor the breeze freshened, and in a short time had increased to a tremendous storm. The young doctor loved the sea, and was greatly delighted at being out for the first time in a real storm. The ship rocked and rolled, but he made his way to a sheltered spot, and settled down quietly to enjoy the wonderful sight. There was danger, he knew, but knew also that God was His Father, and that He held the waters in the hollow of His hand, so that in his heart there was no fear.

He had been sitting for sometime, watching with delight the waves in their wild play, when his attention was attracted by a little cry, and looking up, he saw a poor old woman crouching down close by him, her face the picture of anxiety and terror. Pitying the feeble-looking creature, he asked her gently, “You are not afraid, are you?”

“It is a terrible storm, sir,” she answered, “and it is hard to say how it may end.”

“I will tell her about the Lord Jesus,” he said to himself, “perhaps she will listen when she is so much afraid;” and making room for her beside him, he said, “Sit down here, and I will tell you a story.”

She looked into the gentle face, and quickly gathered confidence; she sat down close beside him and was soon ready to listen to his story, so he began.

“There was once a very great King who reigned over a great kingdom; indeed, He was the greatest King that ever reigned. and had a vast number of subjects under Him. He was a very good King, too, and had a very kind heart; He loved His subjects so well that He thought nothing too good for them.

“One sad day an enemy of the King got in among his subjects, and by saying unkind things about Him, sowed discord amongst them, so that very soon they all, rich and poor, old and young, rose up in rebellion against Him.

“Now, in that kingdom, the punishment for rebellion was death, and the King was greatly grieved to think that the people He loved so well had made themselves liable to such a penalty, and He began to consider what was to be done in order to save them from destruction.

“He had one Son, who was very dear to Him; indeed, He was the delight of His heart, and He always took Him into His confidence about everything which He wished to do; so He told the Prince that He wanted to save the people from the punishment which they had brought upon themselves. They consulted as to what could be done, and soon came to the conclusion that there was no remedy except in the death of a substitute, one who was innocent of the crime of which the others were guilty.

“At once the Prince said, ‘My Father, I know you love them and want to save them, and as I delight to do what you wish, I will die instead of them.’ Was it not very kind of the Prince? But, you see, He, too, had a very loving heart, and did not wish to allow the rebels to be destroyed. It was a great grief to the King’s heart to think of allowing His only Son to suffer, but He saw it was the only way to save His people, and so He gave Him up to die.

“Well, the day came when the Prince left His palace-home, and was given into the hands of wicked men, who hated Him and killed Him; yes, He was slain by the very men for whom He had left His home to die.

“Now that the claims of the law were satisfied, and that the King could righteously forgive them, He sent out heralds far and wide through His kingdom to proclaim a free pardon to every rebel who would lay down his arms and accept it.

“Some of them accepted the pardon, laid down their arms and were freely forgiven others would not accept it, but continued in rebellion, and there was nothing left for the King but to allow the sentence of the law to be executed on them.

“Now, I will tell you the meaning of my story. The great King is God. You and I and every other sinner are the rebel subjects, the Prince who died for us is the Lord Jesus, the Son of God; and God has sent us a message to say that if we will only accept the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and come to Him for pardon, it will be freely given to us.”

And now, my reader, what are you going to do with God’s message of love? You, too, are a rebel, and if you do not come to Christ for salvation you must surely be lost, for there is no hope for you but in Him. Today He offers you pardon, He has died to obtain it for you, will you accept it or reject it? “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa. 53:5 and 6.)

As sinners we have brought upon ourselves the penalty of eternal banishment from God, but the sinless, holy Lord Jesus took our place when on the cross and bore to be forsaken by God, so that we might bask in the sunshine of His presence forever.

God raised His Son from the dead, and now He sits at His right hand in brightest glory, for He must show through all the ages His delight in the One who delighted to do His will. Do you want to give joy to the heart of the God who gave up so much for your sake? Then give the affections of your heart to the One whom He delights to honor, even to His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/1913

The Best Book

THE latter part of the life of the poet Collins was shaded by depression of spirits, owing in a great measure to the decay of his superior mental faculties.

Perceiving the clouds which were gathering over his intellect, he tried to disperse them by traveling into France, but his malady increasing he was compelled to return to England. Shortly after his arrival, his friend, the great Doctor Johnson, paid him a visit of respect and sympathy. Collins had at that time entirely withdrawn both from study and composition, and carried no other book with him than an English Testament. Dr. Johnson, perceiving it upon the table, had the curiosity to see what kind of book so noted a man of letters had chosen for his companion, upon which Collins said to him, “I have but one book, but that is the best.

The judgment of the poet was according to truth, for there is no book to be compared with the Bible; having God for its author, and instructing us in everything which it concerns us to know, as being responsible to Him, who, while He is love, is also Light; the manifestation of both being in the person and work of His only begotten Son.

Happy is he who, addressing God as knowing him in Christ, can say, without any reserve of heart or mind, “Thy Word is Truth.”

“Thy, Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/1913

Just as You Are

An artist had with skill begun

A picture of “The Prodigal Son”;

The father’s house had painted in,

The fatted calf its stalls within;

Servants with robe and shoes and ring,

The father running, welcoming.

And now the picture to complete,

The artist sought, but ne’er could meet,

A model for the center space—

None in such plight to fit the place.

At last, he saw in London town,

A ragged wretch so broken down,

“Here’s just the man I want,” said he,

“The picture of true misery.”

At once he told the man his quest,

Said, “If you’ll come just as you’re dressed,

And sit while I your portrait take

I’ll pay you well. But do not make

The least improvement, or you’ll mar

My every hope, come as you are.

And here’s a sovereign, that, in sooth,

You’ll know I’m telling you the truth.”

The beggar gladly gave consent,

With his good fortune well content.

The artist left him. Long he gazed

At so much wealth, and then and there

He went and dined on goodly fare.

But as he rose to go—ah well! —

His glance upon a mirror fell.

He stared, disgusted at his face,

Shocked to behold his dire disgrace.

“The gentleman could never mean

That I should meet him so unclean,”

He thought. “No, this will never do.”

So thinking, without much ado,

The dirt from hands and face he cleared,

A barber soon trimmed hair and beard,

The money left he did invest

In clothes, to be the better dressed,

Before a mirror then admired

Himself, he thought, so well attired.

The hour arrived, his way he bent,

And boldly to the house he went.

He rang the bell. The footman came,

Who asked his business and his name.

“Please, sir, the artist wanted me

To come for him to paint,” said he:

The footman said, “You’re not the man.”

“Yes, sir, I am”— he then began;

“O, no, my master’s orders were

That if a beggar man knocked here

I was to let him in—not you.”

“I thought it would never do.

To come so dirty,” he explained.

“You should have in your dirt remained,”

Replied the footman. “Still I’ll see

What now my master’s mind may be.”

On hearing he was at the door,

The artist, without hearing more,

Delighted, ran to lead the way,

But what was his untold dismay

To see his model altered so.

“You’re no good now, away you go,”

He cried, “For all my plans you mar,

I said to you, ‘Come as you are!’”

Dear children, learn a lesson here,

And take God’s holy Word in fear.

Think not to rid one single jot

From off your soul of sin’s vile spot.

The blood of Jesus Christ alone

Can for your every sin atone;

And all have sinned, are lost, undone.

That’s why God sent His only Son.

To bear on sin the judgment due,

To offer pardon free to you.

Then heed His word sent far and near,

To Jesus come, JUST AS YOU ARE.

Messages of God’s Love 12/7/1913

Watchfulness

WHAT an interesting picture we have before us! Did you ever have a dog? It is touching many times to see how devoted a dog is to his master. See how this dog is looking and watching for the return of his master, the shepherd. One dog is tired and not as faithful as the other; he has lain down for a rest.

Do you see the shepherd’s hat with his Bible on top of it? He must surely be a Christian: at least we are glad that he cares to have God’s Word with him, as he is left alone up there in the mountains, away from all people, with his sheep and clogs. God has preserved His blessed Book to us for hundreds and hundreds of years it has passed through many dangers. Wicked people have tried many times, in years gone by, to destroy all copies of it, but God never permitted them to succeed in their evil efforts. How thankful we ought to be to Him for this wonderful book, the Bible! David, the Psalmist, says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Surely, every saved person can say the same. There is no other book that can be a daily guide to us as this book can: God wants us to make it such—a daily guide. Remember as you read it, dear children, that it is God talking to you through His inspired writers.

May we take a lesson, too, from the faithfulness of the dog that is watching so eagerly for his master? Our Master is gone, our blessed Lord, and how pleasing to Him if we who are saved, are eagerly watching for His return! Too many of us are like the dog that has grown tired watching, and is resting and thinking only of his own ease. Jesus says to us,

“BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING.” Luke 12:37.

Messages of God’s Love 12/14/1913

Bible History

Chapter 119. 1 Samuel 16.

David Anointed

AFTER Saul’s rejection, Samuel went no more to see him, but mourned for him. How sad it is to begin well, like Saul, and with so many advantages— God’s Word and a godly prophet to encourage and help him—and yet to grow weary of well doing, to forget God, and to turn from Him in disobedience. It proves that man, naturally, has no desire for God, no love in, his heart except that which is put there by the Spirit of God. It is He who has to show us what we are, and create in us the need of a Saviour. Even the faith which enables us to receive Jesus into our hearts has to came from Him, as we read in Eph. 2:8, “By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works; lest any man should boast.”

One day, when Samuel was mourning for Saul, God spoke to him, and said, “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse, the Bethlehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons.”

Samuel was afraid that Saul, hearing of it, would kill him, and the Lord told him to take an heifer with him and to tell them he had come to sacrifice to the Lord. The prophet did accordingly, and told the people, to sanctify themselves and come with him to sacrifice. Then he sanctified Jesse’s sons and went. When Samuel saw Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, he thought this must be the Lord’s anointed. But the Lord said to him: “Look not on his appearance, nor on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Then Jesse made his other sons, seven of them, one by one, to pass before Samuel, but the Lord said He had not chosen them. And the prophet asked Jesse if all his children were here?’ And Jesse replied that there was yet another, the youngest, who was out in the fields taking care of the sheep. So Samuel said, “Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.” Jesse sent for him, and brought him to Samuel. He had rosy cheeks, and was beautiful. The Lord said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” Samuel did so, and in the mast of all his brethren, the horn of oil was emptied on David’s head. From that day forward, the Spirit of God was with him.

Samuel, having obeyed the voice of the Lord, went back to his house in Ramah, and David took care of his father’s sheep as before.

Now that Saul, by his disobedience, had placed himself at a distance from God, God gave him up and allowed an evil spirit to trouble him. When the king’s servants saw how unhappy he was, they advised him to send for someone who could play well on the ham. One of them proposed sending for David, who was skillful and brave, prudent and comely, and with whom the Lord was. So King Saul sent messengers to Jesse with the command: “Send me David, thy son.” Jesse obeyed, and by David sent an ass laden with presents.

When the beautiful, happy-faced young man stood before his king, Saul loved him and made him his armor-bearer. He sent to Jesse to ask him to let David stay with him. So the humble shepherd boy became the king’s companion, and when the evil spirit came upon Saul, David played on his harp. It comforted Saul, and drove the evil spirit away.

So was David chosen before his elder brothers to become God’s servant. He would have to be ill-treated and rejected before he could reign, however. In this he is a type of the Lord Jesus who, though despised and rejected of men, will one day reign as king over Israel. Then will Jesus stand in the midst of his brethren and every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord.

Messages of God’s Love 12/14/1913

All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

THE following was related to me by one who is now with the Lord, a few years before he passed away, in the following language as near as memory serves:

“As a young man, lately arrived from England, I was wandering one evening in the bush in Australia, having lost my way, when suddenly I saw a light, and making for it I found myself at a large farm and asked permission of the farmer to pass the night under cover, who somewhat surlily said, ‘You can go into the barn if you like, but there is someone there already.’

“I was then totally ignorant of God and His grace, unconverted, a man of the world. So being in want of shelter and rest for the night, I thanked him and went into the barn, and by the, light of a lantern I saw another man lying in a corner coughing violently, and putting down my gun and shooting-bag, which was my only luggage, I went over to him and, sitting down by his side, asked him if I could do anything for him.

“Speaking with difficulty, he told me he was an Englishman, and had been at the same university as I, but in early life, having disgraced his family, he had been sent out to the colonies and had led a dissolute life for five-and-twenty years, and now felt he was about to die. Did I know anything about the hereafter? as he was anxious to find out what was going to become of him. “Utterly careless myself, I said I thought the Bible was the book he needed.”

“‘Oh,’ said he, ‘the Bible—why, my mother put one in my box when I left home; I have never opened it yet, will you go and get it out and bring it here?’ I went into another shed and got the book and brought it to him. ‘Now,’ he said, ‘where are we to turn?’ and we both confessed we did not know. ‘Well, clap it together,’ he said, ‘and see where it opens.’ So I did so, and the book opened at Isaiah 53.

“I began to read. ‘He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,’ and the dying man asked me, ‘Who is He?’ I hazarded the reply, ‘Jesus Christ.’

“‘Ah,’ he said, ‘go on,’ and I read slowly until I came to the words, ‘All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.’

“‘Stop,’ he said, ‘that’s me, that’s me, that’s just what I have done all my life,’ and after a little while he said, ‘Go on.’ ‘And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’ Ah,’ he said, ‘Jesus Christ,’ and then a minute or so after, ‘Read it again.’ ‘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.’

“He lay back on the straw, and I quietly read on, and turning over the pages found some passages about Jesus Christ in the gospels. After some time he asked me to leave him, which I did, and I was soon fast asleep.

“In the morning the beams of the sun were making their way through the boards of the barn when I awoke, and going over to the place where my poor friend lay, I was struck by the change in him. His face seemed to have caught some of the sunbeams, he looked so happy and peaceful, no cough, but quite at rest.

“I did not understand what had happened, but he said to me, ‘The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquities of us all— Jesus Christ is my Saviour.’ He told me that in the night the Lord had come to him and showed him His hands and side, and now all was joy and peace. I listened, but thought he must be light-headed, but it was because I saw no beauty in the One he was so occupied with now; the day or two that he lingered he could not hear enough or talk enough of ‘Him.’

“Shortly before he died, for he passed away while I tarried at the farm, he said to me, ‘I have a request to make of you. I want you to write in the fly-leaf of this Bible an account of your meeting with me here and reading to me Isaiah 53:6, of the ‘Him’ it speaks about, Jesus Christ. And how the Lord came to me in the night, and how I die believing on Him as my Saviour. I want, if I can, to put my name to it, and I want you to put yours and then pack it up and send it to my father in London,’ and he gave me his address.

“I did as he requested, and soon in the rush of a godless life forgot the incident. Many years after I was returning to London on furlough, through God’s grace a converted man, and musing over my life in Australia, I thought on this occasion and wondered whether the Bible ever reached the old father, and determined to call on him.

“Shortly after my arrival, I made my way one evening to—Square, and was shown in to a very old man, sitting in his library alone, and making myself known to him. inquired if he ever received the Bible.

“‘Indeed I did,’ he said, and tottering to his feet, went over to his desk and unlocked a drawer and produced the book and sat down again. ‘Well I remember receiving it,’ he said: ‘I was then a careless man of the world, without God and without hope, but in infinite mercy, on reading what you and my poor son pointed me to in Isaiah 53:6, my eyes were opened to my sinful condition, and soon after to Him, Jesus Christ, my Saviour, and from that time to this I have not ceased to praise Him.’”

Thus the Spirit of God active in grace encircles the globe, overcomes all obstacles, brings to bear the particular verse of Scripture at the particular time, and illuminates the soul as to Christ. May the readers of these lines be led by the same Spirit to know and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Messages of God’s Love 12/14/1913

God so Loved the World

John 3

SALVATION! what a precious word!

Salvation! what a theme!

It casts across the sinner’s path

A radiant, heavenly beam!

However cheerless, dark, and sad,

The path before he trod,

Salvation comes with blissful rays,

And lights the soul to God.

Salvation is the precious boon

Of love divine to man;

Salvation is the grand result

Of God’s redemption plan.

It finds the sinner far from God,

And bring’s him very nigh;

It finds him full of sin and shame,

And makes him full of joy.

Salvation is the song on earth.

Of all Who love the Lord;

Salvation is the theme of heaven.

Its fullest, sweetest chord.

The Saviour bids the sinner come.

And join the glorious strain;

Rest in the Saviour’s precious love,

And light and joy obtain.

Messages of God’s Love 12/14/1913

Relying on Jesus; or, the Secret of True Happiness

WHAT a tumbled-down looking house to live in—it surely does not look very home-like, does it? The little girl looking up into the faces of the strangers lives there, however, and seems very happy and contented, too. She is satisfied with her simple way of living.

I want to tell you, about a little girl named Mary, who lived in one of the wealthy homes of London. She had parents to educate her, servants to wait upon her, and carriages to ride in. There seemed a great deal around this child to make her happy; but Mary was not pleased and satisfied. She knew she often did those things which she ought not to do, and left undone those things which she ought to have done—this filled her heart with fear and kept her unhappy.

When Mary was seven years old, a Christian servant-girl came into the family, who, noticing Mary’s serious ways, sometimes spoke, to Mary about Jesus and His love for her. This did not please Mary’s parents, however, and the Christian servant was dismissed; but she left some books behind which the child hid away and read. “If I could only join some church, I should be sure of salvation,” Mary thought, until she read the little books, where she found it was not joining any particular people that could save her, but it was believing in Jesus Christ. Still the way seemed very, very dark. One day, being greatly burdened, she cried, “O, what can it be to know my sins forgiven, and to have faith in Jesus? If I were to die a martyr, I could do it; or to give away all I have; or, when I grow up, to become a servant, that would be easy; but I shall never know how to believe;” and the little girl was filled with grief.

Then the words of a precious hymn came to this poor child’s mind:

“Who on Jesus relies, without money or price,

The pearl of forgiveness and holiness buys.”

“Rely on Jesus! I do; I will rely on Jesus,” she cried aloud; “I will trust Him as my Saviour.” Joy now filled her bosom. Before, it seemed so hard to believe; now, the way of believing seemed easier than anything else. Thus the light of the glorious Gospel broke upon Mary’s mind; she became a lovely disciple of the Lord Jesus, and grew up a devoted Christian woman.

Thus it is, dear children, whether you are rich or poor, you do not know the “secret of true happiness” unless you are “relying on Jesus.”

“TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Rom. 4:5.

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/1913

I'll Take My Chance

IF I can but get out, into the broad Atlantic I shall be safe,” thought the captain of an outbound vessel, which was caught in a storm when going down the English Channel.

The nearest port could, at the time, be easily “made.” There he knew he would be safe, but he thought: “I’ll take my chance, and run for the open sea.”

The storm rapidly increased in its fury, and the captain soon saw that he could not make the ocean, and so at once steered for Penzance.

Alas! it was too late. The raging of the storm rendered his vessel almost uncontrollable, and before long it was drifted helplessly on to the rocks.

Messengers were sent for the lifeboat by the watchers on shore, and it was quickly manned and launched with its brave crew into the foaming billows, but all in vain; before they could reach the vessel it was broken up by the violence of the waves, and only two out of her crew of fifteen men survived. These two were picked up half dead by brave ones who ventured on to the rocks to help.

Had the ship been run into Falmouth when the storm first overtook them, all might have been well; but the desire to get on the journey quickly, urged the captain to run the risk, and led to his death and that of most of his crew.

There are many today who are like this foolish captain—they refuse a place of safety and still pass onward. They turn from the Lord Jesus, and think they will be all right without Him.

Soon it may be too late—then no Saviour will be found. Many people will wake up to their danger when the Lord Jesus has come and taken all His own away. Many will be in earnest then—but too late! too late!

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

Will you dare “take your chance” of being saved by-and-by? I warn you: “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Prov. 27:1.)

You have been warned, my reader. Again and again have you been told of that coming storm of judgment upon those who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you not heard of the open harbor for poor, tempest-tossed sinners? Christ Jesus says: “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” Why delay? Why will ye die?

“Now! now!! now!!!

Delay not from death to flee:

O! wherefore the precious moments waste,

When Jesus is calling thee?”

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/1913

Laying Hold With a Death Grip

JUST a word with you, reader. Are you saved? You are not quite sure, you say, but you hope you will be. Well, then, I will be sure for you. You are not saved, and the sooner you face that terrible fact the better.

But you are doing your best, you say, and you want to be saved. Well, when do you want to be saved, and how eager are you to be saved?

Let me tell you an anecdote related at a prayer-meeting in Boston by a ship captain.

“A few years ago,” said he, “I was sailing by the island of Cuba, when a cry ran through the ship, ‘Man overboard!’ It was impossible to put up the helm of the vessel, but I instantly seized a rope and threw it over the ship’s stern, crying out to the drowning man to lay hold.”

(Now tell me, reader, before I proceed, how long would you have waited, had you been he, before you would have taken the rope? Would you have said, “Tomorrow will do?” or would you have been more polite, saying, “Thank you, captain; you are very kind, I will not lose sight of the rope; but I prefer doing my best, for I really mean to catch the ship and get on board?” Man, you are drowning! Seize the rope, or you will perish!)

“THE SAILOR SEIZED THE ROPE AS IT FELL. I immediately took another rope, and making a slip-noose of it, attached it to the other, directing the poor fellow to pass it over his shoulders and under his arms, and he should then be drawn on board.

“This he did, and was rescued; but he had grasped the first rope with such vehemence, with such a death grip, that it took hours before his hold could be relaxed and his hands separated from it. With such eagerness, indeed, had he clutched the object that was to save him that the strands of the rope had become imbedded in the flesh of his hands.”

Reader, let this anecdote teach you what it is to be in earnest, and remember that the sailor neither talked nor trifled, but he instantly availed himself of the way of deliverance, SEIZING THE ROPE AS IT FELL, and thus he was saved.

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/1913

Jesus Came to Save

I ONCE heard of a little outcast girl, whose father and mother had died, and left her all alone in the world. She had no home, no one to love her, and no one to care anything for her. She had to go about the streets and beg, and was often tired wandering about, and oftentimes very hungry. One day she came to a large farmhouse and asked for a piece of bread, being so hungry; and to be allowed to sit a while at the warm kitchen fire, for it was bitterly cold, and she was but thinly clothed—the torn, tattered garments scarcely sufficient to cover the shivering child. The little pleader’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke to the lady of the house.

“Tell me,” said the lady, “where is your mother?”

“O,” said the little, cold, weary, hungry child, “I have no mother, no one cares for me; no one loves me at all. O! if someone would only love me, I would be so happy.” And again the tears ran down the thin, wan cheeks of the child. Softly and gently the lady drew the little outcast to her, kissed her, wiped her tears away, and whispered in her ear, “Dear child, I will be a mother to you.”

This is a sweet picture of a love that has sought, found, and saved little outcasts, just like you. Ah! my dear young readers, the love of Jesus far surpasses a father or a mother’s love; for to seek, save, and bless you He came from the bosom of His Father. He has died on the cross because He loved you. Now, won’t you love him? He died to put away your sins; but, unlike the poor outcast little girl who sought a home and someone to love her, Jesus is seeking you, love—your heart. He came to save you.

Will my dear young readers think of who Jesus is, and what He has done, and look to Him and be saved?

“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.)

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/1913

The Leopard

Can the leopard change his spots,

Woven in his coat of skin?

Can he move those colored dots

Which the world’s attentions win?

No; however much he tried,

All his efforts would be vain;

He with spots would still be dyed,

Everyone would still remain.

Can the sinner—vile within—

Covered o’er with evil blots—

Cleanse himself from shame and sin,

And efface his sinful spots?

Nay! there’s not a thing of earth

That can cleanse a sinner’s stains;

All he tries is nothing worth,

He polluted still remains.

Let me not, then, be enticed,

Such a folly to begin;

Nothing but the blood of Christ

E’er can take away my sin.

Washed in His most precious blood,

Which in love did freely flow,

Bathed in that all-cleansing flood,

Whiter I shall be than snow.

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/1913

God Loveth a Cheerful Giver

Dear children, have you any crumbs

You really do not need?

The little birds would be so glad

Of such a dainty feed.

They cannot speak, but if they could,

I know that they would say,

“O, what a treat you’re giving us

This cold and wintry day!

“We hop about from tree to tree,

But all the boughs are bare;

Somehow we never starve, though oft

We have a scanty fare.

“We look about with eager eyes

In search of tiny seed,

But if we cannot find a grain

Your Father knows our need.

“He guides our wings, and tells us where

To take our feathered flight;

For though we’re small and very weak,

We’re precious in His sight.

“We are so very happy that

We chirrup all day long;

When summer comes we’ll thank you with

Our very sweetest song.”

Dear children, He who loves the birds

Much more He loveth you,

And He will make your wants His care

If you will trust Him, too.

“BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS.” Psa. 103:2.

Messages of God’s Love 12/28/1913

Trust in God; or, the Village Blacksmith

IN a small village, not far from a large city in France, lived an honest, industrious blacksmith. He was a true believer in the Lord Jesus, and sought in his daily life to glorify God whom he loved, and wished to serve. On Lord’s day afternoons he used to go to the surrounding country, taking every possible occasion to bring souls to Christ.

He was much beloved of the poor, for his generosity was great, and the unfortunate knew they could count on him for help. But among the farmers and tradesmen of the neighborhood, several disliked him because of his piety. They blamed him openly, and showed their contempt when he sought to awaken the sleeping consciences of his fellowmen.

Their hatred went so far that many land owners had an understanding; first, to send their work somewhere else; then, to induce another blacksmith to come and settle in the village.

So another shop was opened, and the noise of another hammer was heard; the light of another forge seen. And in proportion as the new bellows roared and blew more busily, so the fires of our poor friend became lower and more idle, for most of the work was done by the new corner.

What could he do? Sometimes, strengthened by prayer and trust in God, he was ready to endure all for Jesus’ sake. At others, alas! he was losing courage, and was ready to say with Jacob, “All these things are against me.”

During one of these trying moments, when his heart seemed ready to break, his wife heard him say to himself, “How shall I ever bear this trial?”

“My dear,” answered his faithful spouse, “in a year from now, if the Lord spares us, I shall be able to tell you, surely, that through God’s mercy, you bore it well.” These, simple words, spoken firmly, gave the blacksmith new courage, and he resolved that under his Father’s eye he could await His will with confidence. Sometime later, a salesman, traveling for a large iron foundry, passed through the town. He was a Christian man, and stopped with a godly family living there. Among other things, this family told him what had happened to the poor blacksmith; how his enemies had leagued themselves to take his work from him, so that he had scarcely enough to buy food for his family.

Full of sympathy and lively interest, the traveler went to visit the blacksmith, who told him all his trials. When his story was ended, the salesman asked, “Can you make plows?”

“I should think I can, for I can say without boasting, that I know my trade as well as any blacksmith.”

“Then why do you not make some, and sell them in the city? If you make them well, and are reasonable in your price, you cannot fail to sell them, for they are always needed.”

“Yes, sir; but to do this, I would need money. Since my lack of work, I have spent, little by little, all my savings. I have, therefore, neither iron nor money to buy any.”

“Well,” said the traveler, “I shall obtain the iron for you.”

“O, sir, you could not do that, for I have nothing at all, and no one would be surety for me.”

“Listen, my friend, if you wish to make the plows, I will send you the iron without security, and I am sure you will pay me when you are able.”

Indeed, a short time later, the necessary metal came, and the industrious blacksmith set to work with a cheerful spirit, wishing to make his plow as quickly as possible. But his fears returned greater than ever. “Shall I find a buyer? If not, I shall be worse off than before, for then, I was only poor; now, I am in debt without any means of freeing myself from it.”

The next market-day he took his plow to the city. What joy when he saw that it was selected in preference to several others, for the care with which it was made, and its strength, were noticeable. His price was paid, and he returned home with a song of praise in his heart.

He set to work immediately on another, which was sold just as readily as the first. Soon he became known in the city, and could not supply the demands. He had to hire workmen and apprentices, and prospered, so that in a few years he became, with the Lord’s blessing, very prosperous.

His trust in God had upheld him, and he proved the truth’ of the divine Word, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” Prov. 10:22.

Messages of God’s Love 12/21/1913

The Hindu Boy's Sermon

FAR away in India, some few years ago, a group of dark-skinned black-eyed boys were standing at a street corner. You would have thought them very funny, with their loose cotton clothes; but there was nothing strange in their appearance to the crowds of people passing that busy afternoon. Yet as God looked down from heaven, what a difference He saw! Most, if not all, of those people worshiped idols—ugly idols, blocks of wood and stone. They try to wash away their sins by bathing in the river Ganges, knowing nothing of the precious blood of Jesus which alone can cleanse from all sin. Few among them had ever heard of His love or read His message in the Bible; but these few boys had heard it. They had been taught in a school kept by those who loved the Lord Jesus, and better still, they had believed His Word; and coming to Him just as they were—poor, ignorant heathen boys—they had been washed and forgiven, they were Christians. So it was no wonder, when the teacher who was going to preach on the street corner that afternoon, asked if they would go and help him to sing the hymns, instead of having a game in the playground, they willingly agreed; for, those who have believed in the Lord Jesus, love to serve and please Him.

They were there in good time, but the teacher was not. Something had happened which hindered him in getting there, and he could not let them know, so the boys waited and waited.

“Let us sing a hymn he may come by the time we have finished,” said one.

So the boys sang one hymn, and then another, but no teacher came. Meanwhile the people stopped to listen, and quite a crowd gathered round.

“Let us go home now,” said one of the boys, as they finished another hymn.

“O, cannot one of us preach?” as he looked at the people standing around who had never heard of Jesus. Who would? Who could?

“You can.” And they pushed forward one among them who they thought could tell a little of what he knew. O, how the people laughed! That boy preach? They called him names and jeered at him; but the little boy sent up a prayer to the Lord Jesus for help, and then asked permission to speak, so politely and modestly, that everybody listened.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “we read today in school that once, when the Lord Jesus was in this world, His clothes became so dazzling and His face so bright, that even those who loved Him could not bear it, but fell to the ground as if they were dead. Gentlemen, I pray you, think, if that happened to those who loved Him, what will happen to those who do not love Him at all, when He comes back in His glory to judge the world? Good afternoon.” And bowing politely, the boy went back into the group, and they all were soon on their way home.

Dear children, will you ask yourself that boy’s question? What will happen to you when the Lord Jesus returns?

Messages of God’s Love 12/28/1913

Teddy's Conversion

LET us draw our chairs together, and I will tell you about Teddy’s conversion. You must know, like many other boys he was wilful and wayward, but he had Christian parents who brought him up in the fear, of God. At this time he had left school and gone out into the world, and you know, dear boys and girls, that the world is very attractive. Things look very nice to the eye, but God’s Word says, it “lieth in the wicked one,” and therefore it is a sinful world.

But we must get on with our story. Our young friend became very unhappy, and his sins pressed very heavily upon him. He thought of judgment, of having to do with God, and this was the cause of all his uneasiness. But God had His eye upon him. For six long, weary months he went about trying to find satisfaction in the world and in himself, but it was not to be found in this way.

No, dear boys and girls, satisfaction and joy, salvation ‘and rest, are to be found alone in One whose name is Jesus; this our young friend had to prove. Trying to do better in the future was all in vain; the sins of youth, big sins and small ones, would come up before him like a giant mountain. “God requireth that which is past.” Eccles. 3:15.

Just about this time a book was placed upon the table by his father, and being struck by the title of the book, which was, “Though Your Sins be as Scarlet,” he took it up and read it.

The whole story of the book I need not relate, as it would take up too much time, but it was about a young man who was going one Sunday evening to enjoy himself at the house of some friends who, like himself, were bent upon the pleasures of the world. But as this young man was hurrying along, a tract was put into his hand by a passer-by, bearing the above title, which was the means of his salvation, and God used it for our friend’s salvation also.

Now Teddy was very fond of reading books that commenced with a story, and if it chanced to touch upon the subject of salvation, he would put it down and read no more; but somehow the story was continued to the end, but interwoven between the lines were those words which occurred several times over, “Though your sins be as scarlet.” Night after night he went to bed, but could not sleep. Over and over again the words kept ringing in his ears, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

But at last the night of decision came. The clock had struck eleven; Satan whispered, Time enough yet; wait till you get a little older. But God said, NOW. He came down stairs and was met by his parents, who had been upon their knees, praying to God.

Our young friend burst into tears, saying, “I’m a great sinner.” To which his father made reply. “He is a great Saviour.” He was told that Jesus had borne all his sins, and satisfied God on account of them.

It is now eight years since our young friend found Jesus as his Saviour, and from that time he has been rejoicing in the Lord.

But we had better get our Bibles and open them at Isaiah 1:18, and read the whole of the verse, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

May those who read these lines follow our young friend’s example and “COME Now.”

Messages of God’s Love 12/28/1913

Messages of God's Love: 1913

Table of Contents

Bible Questions for January

The Mill Door

The Martyr of Piedmont

The Name of Jesus

A Scene in Holland

The Martyr of Piedmont

Be Not Deceived, God Is Not Mocked

I Don't Want to Be Left Behind

The Tomb of Grace Darling

Our Father's Care

Forgiveness

What Answer Would You Give?

Our Father's Care

Bible Questions for February

Story of Agnes T.

Our Father's Care

Saved!

Do You Know Anybody Yonder?

Our Father's Care

Interested

Bible History

Young Pigeons

Our Father's Care

Prayer

The Clock Struck Ten

John

O Lord, How Manifold Are Thy Works

Bible Questions for March

Bible History

Bessie's Bullfinch

The Jew's Harp

The Shepherd's Care

Nature

An Answer to Faith

The Miller's Son

A Visit to Melanchthon

Bible History

Happy Children

Jesus Is the Saviour for You

Bible History

Heavenly Mansion

Unhappy Children

Are You One of Jesus' Lambs?

Tell Them of Me

Bible Questions for April

The Gospel of Christ Is the Power of God Unto Salvation

A Free Entrance Into Heaven

The Camel

The Hay Field

Bible History

A Free Entrance Into Heaven

Herculaneum

Bible History

I Am Not Going to a Christless Grave, Are You?

Earnestness

The Ark

True Joy

Bible History

Neddie

Never Perish" Who?

Bible Questions for May

Telling Mother

Shushilla, the Little Burdwan Girl

In the Pasture

Room for the Children

Fear

The Lightning

Shushilla, the Little Burdwan Girl

The Nest

Bible History

I Wonder When the 'Forever' Will Begin

Bible Questions for June

The Power of the Word of God

The Books of the Old Testament

The Child and the Criminal

Just Home From School

The Wayfarers

Three Times Saved