Messages of God's Love: 1934

In these first nine chapters find six prophecies which were fulfilled in the life of the Lord Jesus. Look up these passages in the Old Testament, and list the references both in the Old and New Testament. Also list one Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in the life of John Baptist.

Our Young People may use a Reference Bible.

Messages of God’s Love 1/7/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 45

THEN Israel rejected God's messengers the prophets, who sought to bring the people back to Him, He at length turned them over to enemies who transported them to the regions of Assyria and Babylonia.

Isaiah lived during the last clays of the tell tribes whose capital was at Samaria, when they were carried away by the Assyrians, but he died about a hundred years before Jerusalem was destroyed, by one of the two nations which overcame Assyria-Babylonia.

The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar took the Jews to their country, but after 70 years the Babylonian Empire was overthrown by the Persian king Cyrus, of whom our chapter speaks, and he, in the first year of his reign, proclaimed liberty to the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple which Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed (2 Chronicles 36; Ezra 1).

Babylon was the greatest city, and Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful monarch. world had ever known. When Israel sinned so deeply that God was compelled to give them up, He gave power to the Gentiles, and empire succeeded empire (Daniel 2 :37-45), since then have been "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21 :24).

It was a part of the chastening God visited upon the Jews, that they, like their brethren of the ten tribes, should be captives in a land devoted to idolatry. The Persians, on the other hand would have nothing to do with idols, though they had false gods of their own.

God raised up Nebuchadnezzar for a scourge for the Jews, and again raised up. Cyrus to restore to them a measure of liberty. Cyrus is used in Isaiah as a foreshadowing of Christ under whom the true and final restoration of Israel will take place.

Babylon was thought to be so well provided with defensive walls and gates that it could not be captured, but God was on Cyrus's side (verse 1-7) and the city was taken as recorded in Daniel 5.

Verse 8, leaving Cyrus and his work for God, begins the consideration of the events which are yet future. When the time is come for blessing on earth, God will bring it in, but let not any presume to strive with their Maker! (verse 9).

God's hiding Himself (verse 15) is because of His forbearance; when He reveals Himself again on earth in the Person of His Son, it will be, first of all, to execute judgment. Notice in this connection the Lord's words to the Jews in Matthew 23:39. Those who are numbered among the redeemed in that day will receive Him by faith in their hearts before they see Him.

Verse 18 throws light upon the earth's creation as briefly stated in Genesis 1 in Genesis 1:2 a condition is described which Isaiah 45:18 shows was not in the beginning. The true rendering of this verse is, ". . He hath established it,—not as waste did He create it; He formed it to be inhabited."

Verse 21: How could He be "a just God and a Saviour?" The only way was to have His beloved and only Son take the guilty sinner's place on the cross, exhaust sin's judgment (for all who believe) upon Him. This has been done, blessed forever be His name!

Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess (verse 23, which compare with Phil. 2:9-11), but the believer in the Lord Jesus has already done this in heart. Have you?

Messages of God’s Love 1/7/1934

The New Year

WE have floated further down the stream of Time. Another year has begun. Each of us is nearer Eternity. Who shall dare to say.

"I shall see the close of 1934"

The frail thread of life may be snapped, the brief span of the allotted days may be measured, the word may have gone forth,

"This year thou shalt die."

Reader, how is it with your soul? Your life is uncertain, but at this moment there is a great certainty concerning you—you are either saved or lost—either in Christ or out of Christ—either a child of God or a slave of Satan. Reader, are you saved?

And who shall dare to say,

"The Lord will not come this year"?

We know "that He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Happy are they who wait and watch for His return. While the world goes on its busy way; while schemes for human progress, for wars and wickedness, fill the thoughts of men, the happy few in the world, but not of it, wait for their Lord from heaven.

"He is coming!" they whisper one to another; "He will soon be here, and when He comes we shall go up to meet Him in the glory, and be with Him and like Him forever."

Reader, are you living for this world, or are you waiting for God's Son from heaven, even Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come?

"How ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God o and to wait for His Son from heaven." 1 Thess. 1:9-10.

Messages of God’s Love 1/7/1934

A Lonely Stranger

THESE four pretty kittens had a pleasant nap in the downy covers, and wakened full of energy and interest in things about them. Along came a lonely dog which sought their acquaintance.

Now let us leave these friendly pets and address all of ourselves who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour. All about us are people who are strangers to the love of God and are lonely. It behooves us to bestir ourselves from seeking our ease and take a friendly interest in those who will hear the glad tidings of salvation to be had only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." Phil. 2 :21.

"GO HOME AND TELL THEM HOW GREAT THINGS THE LORD HATH DONE FOR THEE." Mark 5:19.

Messages of God’s Love 1/7/1934

Praying for His Enemies

A LITTLE boy at school complained that some of the boys had hissed at him.

"Why did not you do your best to defend yourself, or complain to the teacher ?" inquired his mother.

The boy hung down his head and was silent.

"What did you do," added the mother, "when they were seeking their pleasure in tormenting you ?"

"I remembered what Jesus did for His enemies," replied the boy; "I prayed for them."

Messages of God’s Love 1/7/1934

Jesus and the Children

I want to have the children read

A story sweet and true,

Which happened many years ago—

About the children, too.

Now let us turn to Mark, and read

Begin at chapter ten,

And let us all give earnest heed,

To what was uttered then.

At verse thirteen we will begin,

To end of sixteen go,

And learn the wondrous love of Him

Who stooped in grace so low.

You see how Jesus was displeased,

For His disciples sought

To turn away the people all,

Who little children brought.

"Let little children come to Me,"

Such were His words of love,

And little ones like these shall share

My heavenly home above.

He gently took them in His arms,

And blessed them in His love,

And soon He'll come from heaven again

And bear them up above.

And now, this same dear, loving Lord,

Has gone to God on high

And He would have you with Him

To share eternal joy.

Dear little ones, remember then

He's just the same today,

As when He blessed those children small,

While on His pilgrim way.

His loving arms are just as strong,—.

His love is just as true,—

Will you not fully trust Him, now,

And He will bless you, too.

Messages of God’s Love 1/7/1934

The Rejected Supper

The baby in our picture does not want his sister to feed him. He is not old enough. to realize that he is naughty and we must have patience in correcting such actions.

What about those who are older? God has provided the supper of salvation, and would have all people, big and little, come to it.

Luke 14:16-24 tells about this great supper to which many were bidden. When the servant was sent to tell the guests that all was ready, they acted somewhat like the naughty baby: they all wanted to have their own way, and they made excuses.

If you refuse food needed for your bodies, from the hand of a kind friend, you only insult the friend and suffer a temporal loss. If you refuse salvation you insult God, and you suffer an everlasting loss. Moreover, God must punish throughout eternity all who persist in refusing.

May you accept salvation freely from God, and remember that it cost the Lord Jesus His life that you might have that salvation.

"Come for all things are now ready." Luke 14:17.

"DOST THOU BELIEVE ON THE SON OF GOD?" John 9:35.

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 48

BEL and Nebo were chief among the idols of Babylonia. Ere long the Jews were to be carried away captives of Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon, as their brethren, comprising the ten tribes of Israel now lost to our eyes, had been already taken captive by Babylonia's predecessor in power, Assyria. It was a just punishment for God's unfaithful people who had been sinking deeper and deeper into idolatry., that they should be brought under the rule of people whose worship of idols surpassed, as we judge any other land with which the Jews had to do. The Assyrians and Babylonians worshiped the same false gods.

When brought to Babylon the names of some at least of the Jews were changed to bear the names of idols (Daniel 1 :6, 7); the faithful Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar, which may mean "Bel is the keeper of secrets," or "Beltis (goddess, wife of Bel) protects the king;" Azariah was given the name of Abed-nep-,o, or Abel-nebo, meaning "slave of Nebo." The meaning of the names given Hananiah and Mishael is not known.

When Cyrus's army entered Babylon seventy years after the captivity, the idols were treated with disdain, the Persians scorning the idols of their western neighbor.

Verse 1 refers to the carrying out of the Babylonian idols on the backs of the animals used by the Persian conqueror to take away the spoils of war.

Why should any, particularly those who know about the true God, the living God, give their hearts, their minds to the false gods which the darkened minds of sinful men have invented? Alas! man away from God has always sunk lower and lower; to what depths have not men gone in sin ?

Yet God in patience and love still stretches out His hands to sinners, saying, Hearken unto Me! (verse 3). He who gave them the breath of life, and by whose power they continue, pleads through Isaiah with His earthly people. "Even to old age," "unto hoary hairs," He will carry those who trust in Him. He who made, will bear, will carry, will deliver. With whom can He be compared, to whom likened ? (verse 5).

What folly idolatry is, as the living God exposes it in these chapters of Isaiah ! There he stands,—the thing of gold and silver fashioned by art and man's device (Acts 17:29:),——he does not remove from his place; yea, one cries unto him, and he answers not; he saves him not out of his trouble. Remember this! says God; call it to mind.

Yes, remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is none else. What God has said, has never failed. Not a prophecy, nor a promise, whose fulfilment was to be in the past, has failed, nor will the things that are not yet done, fail of accomplishment: His counsel will stand, and He will do all His pleasure.

The bird of prey (verse 11) is Cyrus, called from the east, from a country far from Palestine to give liberty to Judah, and to punish the idolatry of Babylon. Yet God's righteousness (contrasted with man's) will be brought near.

In the coming day of blessing for this earth, He will reveal His salvation. For whom is it ? For them that believe, that trust His Word, turning to Him in heart. Thus it has ever been.

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

The Wonderful Jewels

A WOMAN 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 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 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 patient, 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 show you only one at a time." Then she opened her Bible and read—

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

"The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.

"The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

She told her of the Saviour she had in heaven, and that, though poor, she had a loving Father who provided for her. She also told her of her great happiness she had in Him, and that now she was waiting for the Lord Jesus to take her home to be with Himself.

"Why, Nurse, I never heard anything like that: how happy you must be to feel as you do! I wish I could feel the same." The next day she said,

"Nurse, I should like to see more of your jewels; the ones you showed me were 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 Timothy 1:15,

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

The patient's heart was opened to know she was a sinner, and that Jesus Christ was her Saviour. She soon found rest, peace and joy in believing and trusting in Him.

Dear children, are these precious jewels yours? You may have them, and many more to be found in the Bible, i if you will only accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour and Lord. They are all to be had in Him.

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

Trusting God

IT was a cold water's afternoon, and the icy streets were very slippery, when my two little friends, Fanny and Willie, were wending their

way home from school. Poor Fanny found it hard to keep on her feet, and many a time nearly pulled her little brother down as she held his hand. At last, Wille said,

"Fanny! why don't you do as I do? I say, `Please, God, help Willie from slipping' and I don't slip."

Children! this is true and my once little friends are big ones now, and I dare say, sometimes, find slippery paths of a different kind. Do you know what I mean? Look at this verse in the Bible,

"Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe." Psalm 119:117.

That was David speaking to God, and he was not a little child afraid of slipping on ice; but afraid of slipping away from doing what was pleasing in God's sight. That is what I mean about slippery paths of a different kind when you are grown up.

God loves to have little children put their trust in Him. He likes for you to ask Him to help you at school, or in any difficulty you may be in. But best of all, He loves to have you put your trust in Jesus—His beloved Son——as your Saviour and then you can never, never slip out of His hand,

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

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

At Half-Past Two

MANY of you have often heard that the Lord Jesus is .soon coming to take away all that believe ill Him, but does the thought of that event fill your heart with joy, or is it a subject you would rather not hear about, and perhaps fear to think of?

If unsaved, you may well fear the Lord's return, for can you imagine anything more dreadful than to be left behind for judgment?

A girl of about fourteen, who was not saved, was often very much afraid that the Lord would come, and she knew she was not ready, and would be left behind.

One night she had a dream. She dreamed she was busy at her lessons, when suddenly God told her that the Lord was coming that very afternoon at half-past two.

"O," she thought, "what shall I do ? I am not ready," and she dreamed she looked at the clock and saw that it was then after twelve. Only about two hours remained. In great fear she hurried into the .next room, where her Christian governess was sitting, and begged her to tell her how she could be saved.

But somehow, although she had so often been told the way, she could not even calm her mind to think about it. She had often put off deciding for Christ, and now it seemed too late.

In this unhappy state she awoke, relieved to find it was only a dream! It was a warning from God, and the dream was not forgotten. She came as a lost sinner and trusted in Jesus, and thus she was saved.

Now we know that the Lord Jesus may come at any moment, but are you ready? How solemn to think of the numbers that would be left behind if He were to come today, because unsaved! Will you not turn to Him now, before it is too late ? You need to have your sins washed away if you are to be ready; and there is a loving Saviour waiting to receive you and cleanse you from them all, if you will only let Him. He says,

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

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

What? Why? Who?

What did Christ Jesus come into this world to. do?
To save sinners.

Why did He die?
To save sinners.

Who did He come to save?
Sinners.

Dear reader, are you a sinner ? Can you say,

"Christ Jesus. came into the world to save sinners," and I am one of them, therefore He came to save me.

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

A Gift

A gift, dear child, what does it mean?

It speaks from heart to heart, I ween,

Then must my gift to you, dear child,

Be something pure and undefiled.

Therefore this precious Book I choose;

As you its holy page peruse,

May visions of a Saviour's love

Oft win your thoughts to things above.

May the great gift that God has given

To open the door to us of heaven

Be ever in your heart enshrined,

Helping you leave all else behind,

Guide you where many mansions are,

That Jesus does Himself prepare;

May we together see His face,

Together rest in His embrace.

Messages of God’s Love 1/14/1934

Trust

MANY years ago an English sailing vessel left London to go to India. When it arrived in the Bay of Biscay, fire broke out in the hold where a lantern had been carelessly dropped. For several hours the six hundred forty passengers faced death, either by fire or by drowning; the fire was spreading and at any moment it might reach the powder magazine.

One of the officers in command, a God-fearing man, had his wife and daughter on board with him. Foreseeing that all would likely perish, he wrote a few lines to his father in Edinburgh, and enclosed the note in a bottle, which he cast into the sea, hoping that the letter would be sent to its destination.

Suddenly a glad cry was heard, "A sail under wind." The ship had seen the "Kent," and was hastening to its aid. Eighty. people perished either in the flames or in the sea in their eagerness to leave the ship, but the rest were rescued and taken back to England.

Eighteen months later the bottle with the major's letter was found by a bather on the shore of the West Indies. The letter, although stained by sea water, can still be read as follows:

"The ship, Kent, Indianian, is on fire. Elizabeth, Joanna, and myself commit our spirits into the hands of our Blessed Redeemer. His grace enables us to be quite composed in the prospect of entering eternity.

D. W. McGregor,
Bay of Biscay."

Would this same confidence be yours in the presence of death?

What Jesus had to suffer to put away our sins is the proof of His great love. He died that He might have us with Him throughout eternity, and that we might enjoy His presence for evermore.

"IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOR FOR EVERMORE.” Psa. 16:11.

Messages of God’s Love 1/21/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 47

Not only have we the contemptuous end of Babylon's idols as in chapter 46, but now also the dismal end of Babylon's pride when the Persian conqueror should take the city. All this, be it remembered, was yet in the future some one hundred and severity years when Isaiah wrote.

Babylon, lofty in its pride, was to he humbled, the throne was to be exchanged for a seat on the ground (verse 1). Instead of exaltation, there should be common labor as of a slave.

Because the Babylonians had treated the Jews with severity, showing them no mercy, God would take vengeance on them, and He would meet none to stay Him (verse 3). No more should Babylon be called Mistress of kingdoms (verses 5 and 7).

Men may think of God as paying no attention to what is going on in the world, but they are mistaken. What concerns and affects His people (even Israel today is not forgotten, we may be sure) is of the deepest interest to Him (See Genesis 6 :12, 13 and 18:20, 21; Exodus 3 :7, 8 arid 9 :16-18; the book of Esther; Obadiah 9-16; Matthew 25 :32-46; Acts 22 :4-8; Revelation 17:6 and 19 :1, 2).

Substantially the language used here for Babylon of old, now utterly destroyed, is used for the religious corruptress of the last days (Revelation 18 :7, 8), also called Babylon, though her seat of power is' Rome (chapter 17:9, that being the well-known city on seven hills).. .

The desolation of ancient Babylon's glory came suddenly, unexpectedly ('Daniel 5 :30), and with equal swiftness will come the crushing judgment of the religious oppressor and deceiver which will attain its. greatest power after the Lord's coming for His -heavenly saints, and will be destroyed before His return to reign. Then will follow the judgment of the imperial power of Rome at the hand of the Lord Himself.

The ancient and modern Babylons are alike in enslaving and ill treating the people of God; in idolatry; in opposition to God. Ancient Babylon's history as given in the book of Daniel will be duplicated in the history Of the mystic Babylon of the last days.

Verse 13 gives a suggestion of what the Babylonians relied on in difficulties, doubts and distress. What-were the astrologers, who professed to be*able to reveal secrets' by studying the heavens, or the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators who predicted what was (they said) to come, according to the new moons,—what were they worth when an enemy was at Babylon's gates? :`;`Let them. stand up and 'save thee," says the, Word of, God.. . What folly is in man's mind,. to reject the true God, and accept the delusive devices. of Satan, to eternal loss!

Indeed; these trusted persons shall not even save themselves (verse 14), and the chapter concludes with, "There is none to save thee."

Poor, besotted. man, refusing the loving warnings of the blessed God will learn, when it is too late, when the door of mercy, long held wide open, will be closed, that security, rest, peace, happiness, both in tittle and for eternity could have been had but for the asking!

Messages of God’s Love 1/21/1934

The Cross and the Crown

ANDREW was a little deaf and dumb boy. Tn spite of his deafness he had learned in some way, front an old sailor, of the love of God to him in Christ Jesus and how he died on the cross for sinners.

Not only that, but he knew that the One who was once crucified here upon earth is now in heaven, and crowned with glory and honor. Having tasted of His love for himself, he had a great desire to tell others of the Saviour's love, that they, too, might have the same joy that he had.

But how was this to be done? Being deaf and dumb he could not talk to those around him like we can. An idea struck him. He asked his friend the sailor, to tattoo on his left hand a cross, and on the right hand a crown. He then went among the sailors or to anyone whose attention he could gain, and would show them the cross on his left hand, and by signs and gestures gave them to understand that it referred to the Lord Jesus "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24). When he found his meaning had been understood, he would then open his other hand, and with smiles show the crown. By pointing to the sky above, he would make it clear that the same blessed One who was once crucified, is now the crowned One in glory at the rather's right hand.

In this way he loved to serve his Master, and he preached Christ with such earnestness that the sailors with true respect for his efforts and the results that flowed from them, called him "The Dumb Preacher."

One day Andrew was asked why he had had the cross and the crown fixed upon his hands. This was his reply, which he wrote down on paper,

"I forget so soon; but God never forgets. I saw in the Bible that f was graven on the palms of His hands (Isa. 49:16), and so I thought that though I could not speak His name, it would help me to tell others of Him by bearing His marks on my hands."

Dear readers, we who have the use of our ears and our tongues, have no need to make use of signs and symbols, but He would like us to show by our ways, Our words, and our general conduct, that we are followers of that Blessed One, who loved us and gave Himself for us (Gal. 2:20).

"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." Isa. 53:5.

Messages of God’s Love 1/21/1934

A Doubter Answered

WOMAN in a country town, after hearing the Gospel, believed and rejoiced in her newly-found salvation. She knew that all her sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus, and that she was saved.

A friend, educated in the doubting school, sought to test the woman's faith, but her simple reply,

"Jesus was delivered for my offences and raised again for my justification," stopped his arguments on the question of her past sins forgiven.

"Ah! but what about the sins you have committed today?" asked the questioner.

"Well,” she replied, "when I sin, I go to God and confess what T have done, and He forgives me."

"If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Bather, Jesus Christ, the righteous." 1 John 2:1.

Messages of God’s Love 1/21/1934

True Happiness

Let me say a loving word to you, dear little reader. I want you to be happy, really happy , while you are young. And, believe me, none but Jesus can make you truly happy. I know some rich children, who have all that they can wish, who are not happy, and some poor children who have very few pleasures, who vet are bright and glad all the day.

There is a little voice within you which will speak; yes, when the room is dark and no sound can be heard, this voice will speak, and this voice will never die. If you are not sure you are one of Jesus's lambs, a child whom he loves, the voice within makes you sad.

But it is all joy for the child who really loves Jesus. The soul is glad within, and the voice within says Peace, because there is no fear in love.

When I was a child I used oftentimes to wish that I really belonged to Jesus. I was often troubled lest I should perish. I feared lest I might die and never reach heaven, and I am sure that many of my dear little friends often feel the same. And why am I so sure? Because God, who loves you, sends you these solemn questionings.

There was a young boy who for several months had been asking himself,

"Am I really a child of God?" and he troubled himself very much because he did not feel he loved God enough. He thought, if I do not love God as I ought God will not love me, and I shall never go to heaven. Ah! it would be a poor thing if we had only our love to God to rest upon.

Is it your parents' love to you which makes you happy? You do not doubt their love to you, hence you are always happy in their presence. Mind, I am not now speaking to a child whose naughty ways grieve his parents, but to a child who really wishes to please his father and mother.

But this boy was thinking not of God's love to him but of his love •to God, and he found he had such a little, little bit of real love to God in his heart that he questioned if he were indeed one of God's children. Then we showed him this beautiful text,

"Herein is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10), and at once he saw and believed that it was God's love to him and not his love to God which should make him truly happy.

Messages of God’s Love 1/21/1934

The Bible

MOST children are fond of reading; but how many care to read the Book of books? Do not think, dear children, that the Bible is only for grown-up people to read. When little Samuel lived in the Temple he read the Word of God; and Timothy also knew the Holy Scriptures from a child.

Some of you may have read a little book called "Mary Jones and her Bible," which narrates the pleasant story of a Welsh girl, who walked fifty miles in order to procure a Bible for herself.

The Bible! the Bible! more precious than gold,

The hopes and the glories its pages unfold:

It speaks of a Saviour and tells of His love,

It shows us the way to the mansions above.

The Bible! the Bible! we hail it with joy;

Its truths and its glories our tongues shall employ;

We'll sing of its triumphs, we'll tell of its worth,

And send its glad tidings all over the earth.

Messages of God’s Love 1/21/1934

Hush! You'll Wake the Baby

HERE is a picture of little Milly, sitting on a big rug, rocking her doll's cradle with one hand, while she holds the other one up as if to say, "Be quiet! you'll wake the baby"

Little children love to play that they are grown up, and will often do things in exactly the same way as older people do, especially those they love or admire. Milly has probably had mother tell her not to wake the baby in just the same way she is telling us now. She has put the kitten to sleep just as she saw her mother put baby brother to bed.

Often children and grown people, also, copy the words and manners of their companions. How important that our words and our actions be only such that we should not care if they are given back to us again.

The blessed Lord Jesus was perfect in every way. Although it is useless for the natural heart to follow Him, to all who have come to Him about their sins and had them washed away in His blood, He says

"TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN OF ME; FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART." Matt. 11:29

Messages of God’s Love 1/28/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 48

We here reach the last of the series of appeals to Israel which began with chapter 40, and deal with their giving up their true King and Redeemer to worship the idols of the nations.

The name of Jacob applied to the people is a humbling reminder to them of the self will, the unloveliness of nature, that so long characterized the patriarch who was the father of the twelve tribes.

“Called by the name of Israel;” they, because of their sins unjudged and unconfessed, were not equal to the title Jacob was given when the strength of nature in him was subdued by the finger of God (Genesis 32:24-28).

“Out of the waters of Judah,” out of the ruin of the land, and that portion of it that God had assigned to the two tribes to whom Isaiah prophesied, to reach their guilty consciences,—were these captives-to-be, who swore by the name of Jehovah, and made mention of the God of Israel, not in truth nor in righteousness.

He spoke to them as to His ancient people; long had they known His word, His acts. His prophets from Moses down, had told them as God’s chosen messengers, and Israel was obstinate, their neck was an iron sinew, their brow brass.

This has not been only Israel’s history or character, man, whether Jew or Gentile, has made such a character for himself, and retains it to this day. The knowledge of the true God is not sought by either the high or the low, the educated or the ignorant. Yet, marvel of marvels, God still beseeches man to listen, to heed His offer of mercy (2 Cor. 5:18—6:2).

For His Name’s sake (verse 9) He will defer His anger. The hour is fast approaching when the door of mercy will be shut. The Redeemer of Israel speaks; He teaches for their profit those who should hearken to Him,

“O, that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then would thy peace have been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea ’ (verses 17-19).

It is only they who listen to God’s voice speaking through His Word, who find peace and true happiness. There is naught but ruin and misery in their ways who know not God's salvation, as Romans 3 :10-18 shows in a series of quotations from the Old Testament scriptures.

Cyrus, the Persian king, is referred to in verses 14, 15. “Fie whom Jehovah hath loved shall execute his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans” (N. T.). Yet it is God’s ordering; He directed Cyrus, so we have “Jehovah hath redeemed His servant Jacob” (verse 20).

The call to go forth from Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans, was God’s direction for the time when Cyrus made his proclamation of liberty for the Jews. Ezra 1 and 2 tell of the return to Jerusalem of nearly fifty thousand. Among those who did not return were Daniel, Esther and Mordecai. Daniel at least knew that the deliverance accorded the Jews was not the final one from all enemies of which the prophets had spoken (Daniel 9). It was a foreshadowing of that.

It is clear that Isaiah’s prophecy is in tended to reach the Jews in the coming day; when the Church has been caught away to the heavenly home of her Lord, and the Holy Spirit takes up the work of awakening a remnant of Judah to realize the enormity of their sin, and that God still loves them, the pages of Isaiah will be searched and pondered over as the light penetrates their long darkened minds. Then the nation will again be steeped in idolatry from which they are now free. Then will they be—those who receive God’s message of repentance and deliverance—oppressed, hated by the Babylon of that day, until Cyrus’s antitype their Messiah, the Crucified One, comes to set them free.

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

There is life at this moment for thee;

Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved

Unto Him who was nailed to the Tree.”

Messages of God’s Love 1/28/1934

Rescue of a Little Girl

IN the mountain city of S., there were formerly, a great many more mines than are found at present; and many a house is built over a shaft or pit, deeper than the length of the highest steeple. Such a pit was under the cellar of a house where a widow and her daughter, seven years of age, lived. The mouth of the pit being covered with boards, no one feared any danger.

One day, the mother sent the child into the cellar for something. The little girl, being timid, ran clown quickly, and a hoard across the pit, suddenly breaking, she fell through, with a wild cry of distress. The mother hurried into the cellar with a light, and not seeing her child, and finding the mouth of the pit open, could hardly stand, and almost plunged in after the girl. Then running up stairs, she called for help, and was finally heard by some women, who were neighbors, the men being absent in the fields. The women wrung their hands, looked down into the pit, but could do nothing. All of a sudden, they heard the child shouting from beneath,

"O, help me! help me! but quick, quick!"

An iron hook in the side of the shaft, had caught the child's apron, and held her hanging over the abyss. Finding her child still alive, and not being able to help her, the poor mother was almost driven to despair.

At last an aged miner came, who, after carefully widening the hole, fastened a pulley by a rope, with a bucket attached to it Although he did it all as quickly as possible, it seemed very long to these waiting. ones. Many of them prayed aloud, and the poor child, though she had almost lost her reason, could, now and then, hear them, while the mother could neither speak nor move, so overwhelmed was she with grief and fear.

The miner scarcely spoke a word, only softly prayed to God, and after all was ready for him to go down, committing himself to his Saviour, he stepped into the bucket, holding a miner's light in his hand, and was slowly and cautiously let down.

Like a star provided by God, the child below saw the light coming towards her. She raised her hands, and a cup which she had been holding, slipped from her hand and dashing from side to side, dropped to the bottom of the pit, making those above shudder and grow pale.

Soon the old miner came so near to the girl, that she could see him. Then he spoke to her, telling her to be of good courage and keep quiet, and by the blessing of God, he could save her. The shaft became more and more narrow, and he feared that he would not be able to pass her without touching her, and making her fall to the rock below, and be dashed in pieces. So he made a sign to those above not to lower him any farther; then he threw a rope with a loop, to the child, which, having laid hold of, she was raised up a little by means of it. First with one hand, and then with the other, she grasped the swinging bucket, when, at that instant, the hook on which she had been hanging, broke out of the wall, and fell! But the Lord giving strength to the old man, he lifted her up into the bucket, and shouted,

"All ye up there, thank God! I've got the child!"

Whoever is able, let him conceive what were now the mother's feelings? In later years she was often heard to say,

"The miner's shout thrilled through my veins; I fell to the ground and could do nothing but weep. But when the light drew nearer to the top of the pit, and when I beheld my child, and perceived that she was alive—never have these happy moments been banished from my recollection, and it was this day of sore trial that first fully confirmed my confidence in the love of my heavenly Father."

The child being brought out of the pit, the good old man presented her with his eyes beaming with joy to the happy mother, who having once seized her, pressed her to her bosom, as doubly dear, since her heavenly Father's eye had watched over her in so signal a manner.

Dear child, suppose that had been you hanging thus! You might have been unconscious of how great your danger was, but it would have been all the same. So is it in regard to you as a sinner now, hanging over a pit! But, One who is able to save, has come and said “Deliver them from going down to the pit—I have found a ransom.”

And just as this little girl was to be still and let the man save her, so does Christ. He has all this trouble of coming down to us, and of bearing us up, and then the joy is His, as was the joy the miner’s in saving the darling girl alive. And O, what joy there was above in the place of safety, when the girl was drawn out. So “there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” If this girl had not believed she was in danger, but had moved and acted, as far as she could, as though she was safe, how soon she would have fallen to the ground below and perished. Or if she had refused to be saved, in a few moments longer she would have been dashed to pieces.

So even now, dear little one, Christ wants to save you. Do not refuse, just rest on Him, as one that is a sinner and lost. To know you are in danger, to confess you are a sinner is all. The help is entirely in Him, He saves gladly.

Messages of God’s Love 1/28/1934

The Four Little Things

HERE be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise;

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.

“The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king’s palaces.” Prov. 30:24-28.

“Not strong, O Lord, are we,

Yet Thou hast given us grace,

Before the winter storms shall come,

In heaven our everlasting home

Our treasure sure to place.

A “feeble folk” are we,

A little trembling flock,

Yet have we, Lord, no cause to fear,

For our defence, our shelter near,

Art Thou, the eternal Rock!

No earthly guide have we

To move beneath his sway,

Yet onward steadily we go,

Passing through scenes of night below,

To realms of cloudless day.

Despised of men are we!

Yet with faith’s hand we cling

To Thee, the Lord our righteousness

Whose blood has given us such a place,

The palace of the King.

We praise Thy sovereign grace

Who didst the place devise,

Whereby the little ones and weak,

The poor in spirit and the meek,

Should be exceeding wise.

Messages of God’s Love 1/28/1934

Bible Questions for February

Answers to Bible Questions for December
“The Children’s Class”

1. “And they sing,” etc. Rev. 15:3.

2. “And they sung,” etc. “ 14:3.

3. “And I heard,” etc. “ 18:4.

4. “And they shall see,” etc. “ 22:4.

5. “Blessed and holy,” etc. “ 20:6.

6. “And I heard,” etc. “ 12:10.

7.“Let us be,” etc. “ 19:7,8.

Bible Questions for February
“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Matthew, Chapters 10-18

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Then are the children free.”

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Little ones which believe in me.”

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Freely ye have received.”

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Shall not prevail against it.”

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, “The Son of the living God.”

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, He that gathereth not with me.”

7. How many times is the phrase “the kingdom of heaven” found in Chapter 13?

Answers to Bible Questions for December
“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1. The devil. Rev. 12:9.

2. Rev. 21:8, 27; 22:15.

3. Rev. 22:11.

4. Cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:10.

5. The lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. Rev. 21:8.

6. Six hundred and sixty six. Rev. 13:18.

7. The adulterous scarlet woman. Rev. 17:1-6.

Bible Questions for February
“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Matthew, Chapters 10-18

1-2. Find two prophecies which were fulfilled in the life of the Lord Jesus. Look up these passages in both the Old and the New Testament and list the references, both in the Old and the New Testament.

3. Where is the expression, "Jesus only”?

4. On what confession is the Church of Christ built?

5. What Old Testament prophecy foretold John Baptist’s coming?

6. What prophecy did the blindness of the people fulfil?

7. What Old Testament prophecy did the hypocrisy of the Jews fulfil?

Messages of God’s Love 2/4/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 49

This chapter introduces another important section of Isaiah’s prophecy, wherein Christ is presented, as Israel’s true King, their Messiah, and their rejection of Him is set out, with their final blessing through Him. The Jews turned to idols, and because of this, lost their homeland; but a greater, far greater, sin became theirs when He presented Himself to them, and they put Him to death. This deeply instructive portion of Isaiah ends with chapter 57.

The Gentiles are first addressed; not Israel only shall be blessed in the Millennium, as this chapter goes on to show, though in their pride and moral distance from1 God arid ignorance of His Word, the nation of Israel deluded themselves with the thought that He would not go beyond their border to bless.

At the outset the person of God’s Elect is presented,—His beloved Son, though that relationship is not revealed in the Old .Testament. Verse 1 finds its fulfilment . concerning Him in Matthew 1:18-21, and the beginning of verse 2 brings before us Himself as the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; 2 :12, 16; 19 :15).

Hidden from our view and knowledge until He came forth as Man, God’s only perfect Servant to execute His will (“a polished shaft”), but Himself unknown as He passed through the world (John 1:10,11) is the One upon whom all blessing for Israel and for the Gentiles, rests.

He, when the nation could no longer be considered God's servant, took that place, and in Him God will glorify Himself (John 12:28; 17:4; Phil, 2:9-11).

However the Servant was rejected; His work was without result through the hard hearted unbelief of those to whom He came,

"I have labored in vain; I have spent My strength for naught and in vain" (Matthew 11:20-26; 23:13-39).

Such was the immediate result; Israel would not hearken, would not be gathered. Yet in the purposes of God (such is His grace) a better prospect than that which they lost is in view for the nation that crucified His Son their Messiah.

The immediate answer to the cross of Christ was His exaltation as Man to the throne of God (Psalm 110), and the sending forth of the Holy Spirit with the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 2:33-36; Romans 3:21-26) and with it, taking out those who are to form the heavenly bride of Christ. When the present day of grace is ended, the Spirit will once more work among Israel nationally, and among the Gentiles that have not known the gospel, that Christ may have an earthly people as He surely will.

God's response to His Son's rejection then, was to publish His purpose to far more fully honor Him (verse 5-9), At the close of verse 7 the text should read, "Who hath chosen Thee"; and in verse 2i1, "I had lost my children and was desolate, an exile, and driven about" is a better translation than the authorized version.

Verse 12 mentions a land of Sinim, whose position is not understood, but it is thought to be western China; the purpose would seem to be to indicate a distant land, apparently east of Palestine.

What infinite compassion, what immeasurable love and grace and mercy on God's part, does this chapter reveal! God is love (1 John 4:S), though He is light also (1 John 1:5), and must punish sin, But since His own Son has suffered for sins, the just One for the unjust ones, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18), He can receive everyone who believes the testimony He has given concerning Him.

A mother may forget her babe; she may fail to have compassion on her own son, but Jehovah, in love will not forget Israel—Israel that grieved Him to the heart, hard, stiffnecked, rebellious Israel, which crowned their career of sin by putting to death God's only and beloved Son.

And love equally beyond measure is ours who, not having seen, believe.

Messages of God’s Love 2/4/1934

Would You Linger Around the Stump?

SOME of our readers, no doubt, live in a timbered country where the land has to be cleared of the logs and stumps before it can be tilled, and you know how it has to be done.

In some countries where the trees grow so large, a great many use powder to Now out the stumps, which is quite an exciting time for the children. After the hole is dug under the stump, and the powder is put in, with a long fuse attached to it, and the hole filled up again, everything is ready, As soon as the fuse is lighted, away they all scamper to find refuge behind a tree or something else, and then wait with breathless suspense for the explosion.

This reminds me of those who have sought refuge in Christ, from the coming judgment which is hanging over this world, After we are safe in Him., we should watch with eagerness for His coming- for us, which means death and judgment for those left behind.

Now, a word to those of our readers who have not sought refuge in Christ from the coming judgment. Suppose one of the little boys would linger around the stump after the fuse had been lighted, in spite of the entreaties from the others to flee for safety, you would think he was very foolish, would you not?

Let us say, dear reader, if you are still rejecting1 Christ as your Saviour, you are worse than he! God has condemned this world for rejecting1 His Son, and has placed the charge upon it; and the fuse, which is “time,” has been burning nearly nineteen hundred years.

Every moment you linger around in this world without Christ as your hiding place, and reject God’s call, you are like the boy who would linger around the stump, just as though there was no danger, when in the next instant the blast might explode, which would mean sure death for him. Yes, just so with you: when Christ comes, which is likely to take place at any moment, then all that will be left for you will be judgment.

Would you be like the boy and linger around a stump that the next instant might be tom to pieces? You say, No. Be careful you are not doing something worse. What a sad thing it would be to be left to that time when—

“Too late, too late will be the cry,
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.”

“Flee from the wrath to come.” Matt. 3:7.

Messages of God’s Love 2/4/1934

Feeding

THE coldness of the snow has probably made the deer’s appetite keener, and it must have whatever food is provided for it.

We, too, are like the deer in one respect. Those of us who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour have a new nature which is not at ease in this world which has been so filled with the effects of sin. We are hungry and need to feed upon Christ, “the bread of life.”

When we read God’s Word and act upon it, we feed upon Christ and do the will of God. Thus our souls are fed with spiritual food, and we grow to be strong in the Lord.

It is more important that we give our souls good, wholesome food every day than to feed our bodies. Let us not starve our precious soul, but feast continually on that heavenly food that always brings with it great strength, blessing and joy.

“I AM THE LIVING BREAD WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN: IF ANY MAN EAT OF THIS BREAD, HE SHALL LIVE FOREVER.” John 6:51.

Messages of God’s Love 2/4/1934

Look to Jesus

Children who have gone astray,

Far from God and peace and heaven;

Would you leave that dangerous way?

Would you have your sins forgiven?

Christ can all your sins forgive;

Look to Jesus, look and live!

Children! you have sinful heart;

Jesus Christ can make you whole:

He alone can peace impart,

Sanctify and save your soul.

Jesus holy joy can give,

Look to Him: now look and live!

Children! you may shortly die,

Jesus came to seek and save;

If you to the Saviour fly,

You shall live beyond the grave:

Life eternal He will give,

Look to Jesus, look and live!

Messages of God’s Love 2/4/1934

Helping Mother

IT was love that caused little Dora to want to help her mother. She loved her mother because her mother loved her, so she did what she could for her.

How this reminds those who know and believe that Jesus loves them, that there should be this same response, and we should delight to live for and serve our blessed Lord. We know there will be a measure of desire to be in His presence and work for Him, if there is real belief in the heart that the Lord Jesus gave Himself for us on Calvary's cross.

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS: THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS." John 15:13.

But the love of the Lord is greater than the love in our text, for He gave His life for us when we were not friends, but enemies. What love was His, who can measure it! And what response must He expect from us?

But it may be that one who is reading these lines has not taken the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, so is still a rejecter of the very One who loves him. If so, dear reader, do not spurn that love longer, but bow now and accept from His hand, full and free salvation which has cost Him so much.

“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.” Isa. 53 :5.

Messages of God’s Love 2/11/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 50

Jehovah asks of the children of Israel a pointed question: “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, whom I have put away?” Deuteronomy 24:1 gave provision whereby a husband in whose eyes his wife found no favor, because he had discovered some unseemly thing in her, could divorce her. Was this Israel’s experience—that God had given them up lightly, as many marriage contracts are broken when one tires of the companionship? Or was He in debt, and had sold His people to satisfy a creditor?

He answers His own questions in words for Israel to consider deeply:

“Behold, through your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.”

Idolatry was their first great sin, which brought upon them the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, and the later oppressions of the Jews, down to the time their Messiah came. His rejection, and the refusal of the message of the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51-60) who came down to testify for the ascended Christ, closed the door to Israel’s blessing as a nation until a new work of grace shall be begun. Until then they are “Lo-Ammi,”—“Not My people” (Hosea 1:9).

Chapter 49 :4 has its reflection in chapter 50: “Wherefore did I come, and there was no man ? I called, and there was none to answer?”

Jehovah, God Himself, was here, not received by His people Israel (John 1:11), yet having an unchanging interest in them and a pitying love for them. Is His hand at all shortened that He cannot redeem, or has He no power to deliver? His power is still seen in the heavens, and on the earth (verses 2 and 3), though as for mankind (not the Jews only now, but the Gentiles also) they have turned away from His love, desire not to know Him.

In lowly grace He came, the Son of God, into the world which He had made (John 1:3) and upholds by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:2, 3).

“The Lord, Jehovah,” He says, speaking of Himself as man, “hath given Me the tongue of the instructed, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (verse 4). Does it not speak deeply to our often cold hearts that Jehovah has learned how to speak to comfort the weary, for Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equally Jehovah, equally God. (Romans 1:1-4, where the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of holiness; Galatians 4:4-6; Matthew 28 :19; Romans 9:5; Zechariah 13:7).

We meditate in adoration upon the Person who is here revealed, the Holy Spirit in verse 6 anticipating the sufferings that lay in the path of the Man of sorrows. Fully and entirely God, the Son became man, body (Hebrews 2:14; 10:5; John 4:6; 20 :27; Psalm 22 :14, 15); sold (Matthew 26 :38; John 12 :27; Acts 2 :27, 31), and spirit (Mark 2:8; 8:12; Luke 10:21; 23:46; John 11:33; 13:21), and through death and in resurrection He has become Lord and Saviour (2 Peter 2:20! 3 :18; Acts 2 :36).

Compare verse 7 with Mark 10:32-34; Luke 9 :51-53, and note how the language Romans 8:33,34, the Holy Spirit there showing that we who trust in Jesus as secure as He was, passing through the world.

Verse 10 however makes plain that unlike those who have a heavenly calling i.e., the believers of this present dispensation of grace, upon whom the full light of God's truth has been shed, the believers of that day to come, will walk in darkness, and only know their eternal security when they see the Lord. Those then who will profess to have light, are deluded (verse 11).

How highly favored we are! Do we appreciate it, and bless God for His marvelous kindness and love? And do we seek as much as we should to understand and live in the light of the Word of God?

Messages of God’s Love 2/11/1934

Three Lessons from the Beautiful Snow

LET us think of the snow as illustrating God's power, grace and glory.

Snow is exceedingly beautiful, both in its dazzling purity and in its formation. Seen through a microscope it is made of lovely and artistically formed crystals.

Taken singly, their weight is very little indeed, but how prodigious their power when heaped one upon another in innumerable Multitudes! They have

POWER

to stop the most powerful locomotive, bar up roads, crush villages, form torrents, and bring all the plans and purposes of man to a complete standstill, proving him utterly helpless.

God's power in creating snow is infinite, His treasure house of snow is full beyond human comprehension (Job 30: 22),

GRACE

There is a wonderful use of snow as emblem of grace in Isaiah 1:18,

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,"

Make sure that the blood of the Lamb has washed you whiter than the snow. You cannot enter until you have been cleansed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus,

But His love does not rest in washing away guilt, but in fitting for God's

GLORY

Snow is a fit emblem of that, for in the story of Christ's transfiguration on the mountain (Mark 9:3), His robe is described as "exceedingly white as snow."

The same is said of the angel's raiment in Matt. 28:3, and in John's vision of the Son of Man, His "hairs were...as white as snow."

Jesus is the very center of the glory of God, and how blessed it will be, not only to see Him, but to be made like Him, for we shall "see Hint as He is."

Let us never forget when we see the glistening snow that it speaks of

The Creative POWER of God.
The Redeeming GRACE of God.
The Eternal GLORY of God.

Messages of God’s Love 2/11/1934

Shining As Lights

O you know that every converted child ought to be a little lamp, giving a clear light to all around?

You would think a man foolish to buy a 25-watt lamp, and then expect it to give as great a light as a 60-watt lamp; but the smaller one gives considerable light in a dark corner, So God does not expect children to fill or light up a great space. If they know Jesus as their Saviour, he does expect them to light up a little corner in the home, in the schoolroom, or wherever they may be. I read of a little girl once saying to her mother,

"Mother, T am quite sure Emma is converted, and that she loves the Saviour."

"How do you know that asked her mother,

"Why, mother, because she plays just like a Christian. I am sure she loves Jesus."

Here was a light shining in the play hour. No doubt you know that even in play you may give up your own likings to please another. You may be able to read to some sick woman, or help some blind boy across the street. In many other ways you may show Whom you are seeking to please.

Alas! there are some children who are not lamps at all, and have no light. How sad this is! God speaks of unsaved people as darkness;

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” Eph. 5:8.

How dreadful it must be to be dark ness, to have no light in one. Let me urge any who are so, to get out of it at once by putting your faith in a living, loving Saviour, and then the same God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness after creation of the world, will shine into your hearts, and give you light.

“If therefore thy whole body is light, not having any part dark, it shall be all light as when the lamp lights thee with its brightness.” Luke 11:36. (N. Tr.)

How good it would be if the Lord Jesus could say of each one, big or little, as He once said of John the Baptist, He was a burning and a shining light.” John 5:35.

Messages of God’s Love 2/11/1934

Jesus in The Home

A LITTLE girl went on an W errand to an elegant house.

The lady was proud of her home, and she showed Jennie

the carpets, pictures, ornaments, and flowers, and asked,

“Don’t you think these things are lovely?”

“They are pretty!” said Jennie. “What a beautiful home for Jesus to visit! Does He ever come here?”

“Why, no,” said the lady.

“Don’t you ever ask Him?” asked Jennie. “We have only a room and a bedroom, and we have no carpets or pretty things; but Jesus comes and makes us very happy.”

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20.

“Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, .... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.

Messages of God’s Love 2/11/1934

The Altogether Lovely One

The Queen of Sheba came from far,

Like those who saw the leading star;

Wishing to learn from David’s son,

What things the God of grace had done.

News of this king had reached her ear,

But she would see as well as hear;

And when she saw his glory bright,

She wondered greatly at the sight.

And if, like her, we prove His love,

The King of kings, the Lord above,

We’ll surely say, as she of old,

Pie’s greater far than we were told.

More lovely far than we had thought,

Is He by whom our souls are taught;

More grace and goodness from Him flow,

Than any at a distance know.

He loves His little ones to teach

And put the truth within their reach;

And not the weakest e’er can say,

I came, but I was sent away.

Messages of God’s Love 2/11/1934

Deer in Winter

Deer are very timid creatures and speedily retire under the covert of trees at the approach of strangers. What has led these three to venture so close to the habitation of man?

The snow has covered up all their food; and they have come up to the keeper's cottage, hoping that their felt need may be supplied. Often the man who dwells in that cottage has given them food, and they know him as a friend and fully trust him.

What an illustration is this of our own blessed Saviour, Lord and Friend.

As lost sinners we were driven to Him by our need. Like the prodigal, we were “in want,” and we knew our help and salvation was centered alone in the Lord Jesus.

He spoke to our aching hearts the blessed words, “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee,” or “Daughter, go in peace; thy faith hath saved thee,” for

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

Through grace we received His word, and our hearts rejoiced. Thus the Lord Jesus Christ became our personal Saviour.

Through grace also we have come under the sway of His constraining love, and He has become our Lord.

His wishes begin to control us, and by His Spirit we are being newformed in His moral likeness. Thus we know Him as our Friend, and look to Him to help and sustain us in our times of need.

“What a Friend we have in Jesus!”

Messages of God’s Love 2/18/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 51:1-10

Chapters 51 and 52 (down to verse 12, comprise a series of seven exhortations dealing with the believing remnant of Israel in the future day, founded, though the Messiah is not mentioned, upon Him whose humiliation is strikingly set forth in chapter 50; and whose rejection, substitutional death and future glory are in chapter 53.

Verses 1 to 3 introduce the series of appeals to the Jewish believers, once so highly favored by God, but now set aside, who are yet to be found among the nation. The opening address is to those that follow after righteousness, that seek Jehovah.

With joy the Christian looks forward to that day when the veil will be removed from Israel (2 Corinthians 3:16), when righteousness will be followed, and Jehovah really sought by Jacob’s sons and daughters.

God will own this change in the heart, but before He can bless, the objects of His mercy must “look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged.” God’s children, in all ages, have had to realize that the sovereign mercy and goodness of God alone account for their blessing.

We are reminded of the symbolic stones taken out of the bed of the river Jordan, and carried over to the lodging place of the children of Israel when they entered the land of God’s promise (Joshua 4:1-8); of the great stones, costly stones, hewn stones, which were taken out of the mountains and brought to Jerusalem for Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 5:17; 6:7); and the living stones now being built up a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4, 5).

Verse 2. Shall the God fearing ones be occupied with the smallness of their number? They need to recall the day in which Abraham and Sarah lived, alone, in an idol worshiping age; and to consider how God had called Abraham and blessed him, multiplied him. Then they will have His Word, the promise of Him who can not lie (Titus 1:2), that He will richly bless the chosen land and His people Israel (verse 3).

In verses 4-6 those who were addressed in verse 1 are owned as “My people,” and “My nation,”—words of immense importance to the seekers after God among Israel in view of the solemn pronouncement through Hosea (“Lo-Ammi,” “Not My people”, chapter 1:9), which is still in effect. “The peoples” (i.e., the Gen tiles) should be the reading- in verses 4 and 5; the whole earth will be judged and afterward blessed. None will endure in the coming day of retribution except those who trust in Jehovah’s salvation. The language of verse 6, while figurative, is symbolic of the fearful times to come before the earth will enjoy abiding peace.

Verses 7, 8 point, in the language used, to an increase of intelligence granted to the humble, contrite believers in the day when God begins again to work in Israel renewing their long dead hopes of blessing in the land of their forefathers We may be sure that as believers in our day grow in the knowledge of God through occupying them minds with His Word so it will he it that coming period with the renewed Israelites.

Accordingly they are addressed in verse 7 as "Ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law." They are not to fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their revilings, because the enemies are to be consumed, and God's righteousness shall he forever, and His salvation from generation to generation.

The fourth of these brief addresses is the response of the waiting believers on earth; led by the Holy Spirit they cry, "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah!"

"It" in verses 9 and 10 is an error in translation, "Art Thou not He that hath cut Rahab....Art Thou not He which hath dried the sea...."

In days of old Jehovah had hewn Rahab (a name used for Egypt several times in Scripture; it means "insolence") in pieces, wounded the dragon (or monster—the power of Satan exercised through Pharaoh). He had dried the Red sea to make a way for the ransomed host of Israel to pass through. Will a greater miracle be seen in the deliverance of the Israel to come?

Messages of God’s Love 2/18/1934

Where Is Your Treasure?

A GOOD many years ago when a child, I looked forward with pleasure, to the snow storms. We rolled the snow into big balls and made snow-men.

Sometimes we built up walls of snow in the form of houses.

Can you tell me, children, how long the snow-men and the snow-houses or forts last? What happens to them when the sun comes out bright and warm? They melt away and disappear. You cant-tot keep them very long.

The same is true of all the pleasures that this world offers. Some may last longer than others, but they Will all pass away sooner or later.

So the Lord tells us to set our "mind on things above, not on things on the earth," (Col. 3:2), and to "lay up ... treasures in heaven," (Matt, 6:20),

These heavenly treasures will never perish. We shall possess them and enjoy them throughout eternity.

When some pleasure of this world ends, when some pleasant thine fades away from our sight, like the snow-man, we feel sad and lonely, or discontented because of the loss. But if we are living for Jesus if we are telling- others about God's wonderful salvation and showing love and kindness to those about us, we are laying up the treasures that cannot be taken from us. Our joy will be lasting. It will not be followed with unsatisfied feelings of discontent.

Let your heart be filled with love for your Saviour. Let your life be full of good deeds for Him.

"'Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12.

Messages of God’s Love 2/18/1934

The Magnet

We remember once hearing a very interesting- account of a conversation between two little boys, on the subject of the Lord's coming. They had just been put to bed, and ere their kind attendant had left the room, she overheard the conversation which in substance we now relate.

T. – “I do not understand, H., how the Lord will catch up His people. How will it be? Can you tell me about it?"

H..—-"Yes, A., I can tell you. Did you ever see brother R. playing with his magnet? Did you ever see him holding the magnet over the needle, and bringing it nearer and nearer, until the needle was drawn up to meet it? That's how it will be when the Lord comes. He will descend into the heavens and draw up His own people to Him just as the magnet attracts the needle.''

"I would like to go to Jesus this very minute;' clear little T. added.

"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16. 17.

Messages of God’s Love 2/18/1934

The Adopted Son

PLAYING with a number of others in the streets, a dirty ragged little boy was knocked down and run over by a passing cart.

A lady owning a large fortune, with a splendid house and grounds, was driving by. She stopped, picked him up, took him home, washed, dressed, cared for, nursed, and adopted him; he became her child, and lived in that magnificent house as his own.

Had the dirty child tried to get into that house, he would have failed to do so; his dirty ways, habits, dress, were all against him; the servants would have turned him out, and treated him with contempt. But now he was there by right, he was adopted—made one of the family, an heir to the fortune of the lady whose heart had gone out after him.

This is a faint picture of what takes place with the sinner saved through grace. He is washed, sanctified, adopted, made an heir of God—taken from the lowest, and set among the highest. O dear young friends, how wondrous are God’s ways of mercy and grace!

Then within His home He led me,

Brought me where the feast was spread,

Made me eat with Him, my Father,

I who begged for bondsman’s bread.

Not a suppliant at His gateway

But a son within His home;

To the love, the joy, the singing,

To the glory I am come.

“By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8.

“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.

Messages of God’s Love 2/18/1934

Jesus Is Calling Now

Jesus called a little child,

We do not know its name,

But this we know beyond a doubt,

The child to Jesus came.

And Jesus still is calling

The little ones to Him,

To prove the value of His blood

That cleanses from all sin.

He calls to you, my little one,

Say, do you know His voice,

Is He your own dear Saviour—

Has He made your heart rejoice?

Have all your sins been washed away?

Are you made clean and white—

And through the Saviour’s precious blood.

Made fit for glory bright?

Dear little ones, He’s calling now,

But soon He’ll call no more,

He waits to save, but soon He’ll rise

And close the open door.

Then come to Him, dear little ones,

O, come without delay!

Believe His love, and trust His blood,

And you are safe for aye.

Messages of God’s Love 2/18/1934

Hard Times

WHAT a sad picture! Without the necessities of life, and weary in body with their long tramp, they rest by the roadside.

Why does God allow hard times to come, and why does He not give us all that we might wish?

We must first remember that this whole scene is ruined by sin, and the Lord allows us all to share in its results while we are here.

When we who are His own go on without Him, or act as if there, were no God, His dealings are sure to come to us in one way, or another, sooner or later. He often allows those who are not His to go on in. their had ways to the end of their life, and not have any had results, but then. they have an eternity of woe,

The Psalmist could say he was envious at the foolish when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, but when he went into the sanctuary of God, then he understood their end.

In Isa. 3:1, we learn why God brought judgment on His people the Jews, “For behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judah, the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water.”

The reason is given in verse 8,

“Because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of His glory.” May we each one walk in His fear, for the word is

“THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM.” Psa. 111:10.

“No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psa. 84:11.

The first thing to do in order to walk uprightly, is to own our need of a Saviour, and accept the Lord Jesus who is the only Saviour. Have you accepted Him? If you have, and walk with Him, your path will be a happy one, whether times are difficult or prosperous.

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 51:11 to Chapter 52:12

Beautiful is the answer of Jehovah to the cry of His people for deliverance (verses 9, 10) : “Therefore (or, So) the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come to Zion with singing; they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I, even I, am He that comforteth you” (verses 11, 12). When God promises, shall He not fulfil His word?

But now the question is asked, “Who art thou, that thou fearest a man that shall die, and the son of man that shall become as grass, and forgettest Jehovah thy Maker who hath stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.. . ?”

Psalms 55 and 5G express the fear that the godly in Israel will experience, in dread of their bitter enemies, the apostate Jews and the Gentiles in league with them.

The oppressor will prepare, but when he thinks to destroy, destruction will be his own portion, as 2 Thessalonians 2: 8, 9 shows.

“He that is bowed down (a prisoner) shall speedily be loosed, and he shall not die in the pit, nor shall his bread fail. And I am Jehovah thy God, who raiseth the sea, so that its waves roar. Jehovah of hosts in His name” (verses 14, 15 N.T.).

He will exhibit His power against His enemies, the enemies of Plis people, but (verse 16) His own will be blessed in the knowledge and communication of His word; they will be protected from the storm of judgment (covered with the shadow of Jehovah’s hand), and in the cleansed and renewed earth. Zion will be the scene of the display of divine favor of the highest order for this world.

Verse 17 begins the fifth of the seven addresses comprised in chapters 51 and 52. It deals with the affliction of Jerusalem, because of her sins, and closes with God’s taking away the cup of His fury from her, and putting it into the hand of those who afflict her. There must be a visitation in judgment upon Jerusalem (upon the nation, but especially upon the city of high privilege and great guiltiness), but God’s unchangeable purposes of blessing shall be carried out when there is a realization of their guilt, and true repentance has resulted.

The sixth call is to the Jerusalem to be (verses 1 to 6 of chapter 52), a Jerusalem such as there never has been. How the heart of God is told out in the touching expressions of His love concerning the city where His Son was crucified! The holy city it will be, but as yet it is in name only (Matthew 27:53; Revelation 11:2).

“Henceforth (after the cleansing judgments are over) there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”

They had sold themselves for what? for nothing; Satan had deceived them into turning away from God, and bitter has been the fruit of it; they shall be redeemed without money when God undertakes to free the poor prisoners.

The seventh and concluding theme of the series we have been considering includes verses 7 to 12. It views the peaceful and happy scene when the judgments which introduce the Millennium shall have been completed; then the voice of singing shall be heard where groans and tears have been; then all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of Israel's God.

Anticipating this happy issue of the years of travail, the godly are bade to depart from all that is about to be judged—the Gentile nations, evidently, among whom they have been so long, and at whose hands they have suffered, As in days of old, Jehovah will go before them, and be their rearguard (Exodus 13:21, 22; 14:19, 20).

Messages of God’s Love 2/25/1934

Two Things a Blind Man Could See

WORKING in one of the workshops for the blind, is a poor sightless man—poor in this world's goods, but it is hoped, rich in faith, and an heir of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love Him (James 2:5).

A visitor one day saw this man, and speaking to him asked,

"Can you see yourself?"

"Yes, sir," was the answer.

"What can you see yourself as "As a sinner, sir," he answered.

The visitor then asked, "Can you see Jesus?"

"Yes, sir."

"What can you see Jesus as?"

"As my Saviour, sir."

This blind man could see two things—himself as a sinner and the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Reader, can you see these two things? If not, you are blind, blinded by the god of this world. May God in His mercy open your eyes now, in the day of grace, to see yourself as a sinner, and the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, or else you will assuredly have them opened in the Day of Judgment, when you will indeed see yourself as a sinner, but Jesus then as a Judge.

"Behold, now is the accepted time behold, now is the day of salvation," 2 Cor. 6:2,

"Ye know not what shall be on the morrow." James 4:14.

Messages of God’s Love 2/25/1934

What Became of Alice's Sins

ALICE is a very wild little thing, and never sits still for more than a few moments at a time. If I listen, I hear her running up and down the passages as hard as she can go, then her restless little feet fly to the door, to see if the muffin man is coming; then she catches sight of poor pussy, and hugs her until she gets a good scratch in return.

Sometimes she comes and stays with me, while I read to her, or tell her a little story.

One evening, hot and flushed she entered the room, and sat down on the little footstool beside the window.

I went on with my writing, but presently, hearing a deep drawn sigh, looked up.

Alice was gazing out of the window, with a most unusually saddened look on her mischievous little face.

"I suppose God only likes the good little boys and girls," she said, with almost an impatient shrug of her shoulders.

"What makes you think that?" I answered.

"Well, I am quite sure He doesn't care about me."

"Why not?"

"O! because I've done such heaps of wicked things."

"Have you?"

"Yes—heaps— disobeyed mother, and slapped Johnnie, and, 0! ever so much more, I'm sure Jesus doesn't love me."

"Come here, Alice," I said, "and let us have a little talk about this. Now, if everyone had been nice and good and obedient, do you think God would have thought it necessary to part with His clearly loved Son, and send Hire into the world to die on the cross?"

"I don't know."

"Ah, Alice! if we could have saved ourselves, Jesus would never have come, but He knew how bad we all were, how sunken in sin and iniquity, so He left His Father’s home and suffered on the cross instead of us, and now He cries,

“I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17.

“And does He really love the naughty ones?” asked Alice anxiously.

“O, yes,” I answered, “and Alice, you know when you have been naughty or disobedient to your mamma, she doesn’t cease to love you, does she ? but she feels very grieved and sad, and she wants you to tell her you are sorry, doesn’t she?”

“O yes, indeed she does,” was the quick reply.

“And as soon as you have confessed your faults, and asked her forgiveness, she takes you in her arms, and kisses you, and tells you it’s all right now, does she not? Well, that is what God does.

‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’

If we go to Him and confess that we are sinners, He shows us Jesus on the cross, the One who died for us, and who wants for us to accept His full and free pardon.”

“Then He does love me though I am so bad,” said Alice, with a great sigh of relief.

When mother came in a few minutes later to take Alice to bed, she was surprised to see the quiet look on her little girl’s face, and even more so, when with out a word she arose and followed her mother, instead of the usual entreaties to be allowed to sit up “just five minutes more.”

Yes, dear little reader, Jesus calls the naughty ones. I want you to say—

“I bring my sins to Thee

The sins I cannot count;

That all may cleansed be

In Thy once opened fount;

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe,

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.”

Messages of God’s Love 2/25/1934

O! Keep Me Day By Day

O Lord, my foolish heart,

Would lead me oft astray,

But Thou my faithful Shepherd art,—

O! keep me day by day.

And, Lord, my tongue is apt

To speak some foolish word,

Unless by Thee I’m daily taught,

And Thou fresh grace afford.

Mine ears will oft attend

To vain and foolish talk,

Unless I’m hearkening to my Friend,

And with Him daily walk.

My feet are apt to tread

In paths that lead from Thee,

But if by Thee I’m daily led,

In safety I shall be.

Mine eyes will oft delight

In things that foster pride,

But if Thou fill my soul with light

I humble shall abide.

Lord Jesus, I would long

More like Thee here to be,

Till I shall join that ransomed throng,

And there Thy glory see.

And there I’ll sing Thy love,

Which saved my soul from hell;

I’ll cast my crown with those above,

And of Thy mercy tell;

Messages of God’s Love 2/25/1934

Bible Questions for March

Answers to Bible Questions for January
“The Children’s Class”

1. “For every one,” etc. Matt. 7:8.

2. “And he sent,” etc. “ 2:8.

3. “The light of,” etc. “ 6:22.

4. “But go ye,” etc. “ 9:13.

5.“Then saith Jesus,” etc. “ 4:10.

6.“And I say,” etc. “ 8:11.

7a. “Ye are the salt,” etc. “ 5:13.

7b.“Ye are the light,” etc. “ 5:14.

Bible Questions for March
"The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Matthew, Chapters 19-28

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, “I know that ye seek Jesus.”

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, “The disciples rebuked them.”

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, “What shall I do then with Jesus.”

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Hearest thou what these say?”

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Why trouble ye the woman?”

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, “How earnest thou in hither.”

7. What is the believer to do if false teachers say of Christ: “Behold, he is in the desert”?

Answers to Bible Questions for January
“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1. Matt. 1:23; Isa. 7:14.

2. Matt. 2:6; Mic. 5:2.

3. Matt. 2:15; Hos. 11:1.

4. Matt. 2:18; Jer. 31:15.

5. Matt. 4:6; Psa. 91:11, 12.

6. Matt. 8:17; Isa. 53:4.

7. Matt. 3:3; Isa. 40:3.

Bible Questions for March
"The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Matthew, Chapters 19-28

Questions 1 to 7. List seven prophecies which were fulfilled in the Life of the Lord Jesus, and give both the Old Testament and New Testament references.

N. B. We are sorry that the wrong Answer was printed for the 7th Question of December. “Young People’s Bible Class.”

Messages of God’s Love 3/4/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 52:13 to chapter 53:3

Chapter 49 introduced the Messiah of Israel as God’s Servant, taking Israel’s place, for Israel had been God’s servant and was rejected because of unfaithfulness. But the Messiah is rejected by Israel (verses 4 to 7). In chapter 50, He, though Jehovah’s Equal (verses 2, 3) is the subject One, taught through suffering (verses 4-9). Chapters 51 and 52 (to verse 12) in seven striking exhortations treat of the redemption of Israel, leading the remnant on step by step in the knowledge of what God will have done for and in them, knowledge which must lead to the realization of their treatment of the Messiah, and what He did for them.

And now in the last three verses of chapter 52 which should be the first verses of chapter 53 had the chapters been rightly arranged, Jehovah’s Servant is again the subject of the prophetic word. “Behold, My Servant (it is God who speaks) shall deal prudently (or, shall prosper); He shall be exalted and extolled (or lifted up) and be very high.” For that day the redeemed wait with longing; they joy already in anticipation of the time when the Crucified One will be the Crowned Victor.

When He came into the world as a Man; when He passed through the years of His ministry to Israel; when the bearing of grief and sorrow caused that blessed face and form to appear marred than any man—then Israel, seeking their own glory, insensible to the grace and loveliness of their Messiah-King was "astonished;" they stumbled at that stumbling stone (Romans 9:32, 33).

So—as the Son of Man—shall He sprinkle (cleanse) many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at Him, etc. In Psalm 2, verses 2 and 10, kings are seen in the day of the Lord's coming, and in Revelation 21:21 They are, in the peaceful years of the Millennium, subject to Him.

"Who hath believed our report?" Indeed the unbelief of Israel will seem marvelous to the believing remnant, themselves so long in stony-hearted unbelief. "Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life" (John '):40) is still true, and not of Israel only, but of Gentiles also.

The arm of Jehovah is His power (chapter 51:9). To whom has the knowledge of Him who is so soon to rise up in Israel's defense, been made known? O, how few! But this was declared in chapter 1, verse 9.

"Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, etc."

"He shall grow up before I4im as a tender sapling, and as a root out of dry ground" (verse 2); no appearance of grandeur, of glory in that heavenly Stranger was there for the natural eye to discern as He passed on His way to the cross. "He hath no form nor lordliness, and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him," is the humbling confession of rebellious hearts of old.. Think not that this refers to 'Him in the day when we shall see Him,——-see Him as He is (1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4-: 17); nor of the time when the remnant shall see Him (Isaiah 33:17). All of verses 2 and 3 (and verses 4 to 9) refer to what is now past, and never to be repeated in the experience of the Lord Jesus,

"He is despised and rejected (or left alone) of men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (or suffering), and like one from whom men hide their faces; and we esteemed Him not" (Verse 3), He came unto His own, and. His own received Him not (John 1:11). Such is the record concerning God's dear Son in the treatment He got when He spent His blessed life on this earth. Could any other than He ever have been treated as He was by His creatures, and His chosen people?

Love to man, obedience to God, held Him here, until the purpose for which He came—the death of the cross—was His portion.

Messages of God’s Love 3/4/1934

God So Loved

A BOY had just asked his little brother how he knew that God loved him, and he could not tell. The older one then illustrated John 3:16 in the following way:

"You are not in heaven are you?" "No," answered the brother.

"And you are not in hell, are you?" "O! no," said the little boy quite startled.

"Then you are in the world, aren't you? And God so loved the world. So you see how you know that God loves YOU," triumphantly explained the boy.

Dear earnest reader, it is true that God really loves you, and if you are anxious to know how much He loves you just listen to what He tells you:

"God so loved the world that He gave. His only begotten Son."

How could He love you more than to give His only Son to die for you? This question cannot be answered. But some of you wonder why God gave His Son to (he that shameful death upon the cross. God has told us why, and He wants you to know

"That whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."

You do not want to perish, and spend eternity with. the wicked, apart from the blessed Lord Jesus, then confess your sins, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ this very moment, and receive the gift from God, even eternal life.

Messages of God’s Love 3/4/1934

The Strength of the Hills Is His Also

Is not this mountain stream a grand and beautiful sight! See it tumbling, splashing, hurrying on; now over rocky ledges forming picturesque cascades; again widening out into a quiet pool in some level spot, so clear that you can see the bottom of it, and watch the little speckled trout as they glance here and there in its lovely waters. Look be low at the water seething' and eddying after its rapid descent over the huge boulders that lie in its path.

As you enjoy the beauties and wonders of God’s handiwork, do your thoughts go out to Him whose hand has formed it all?

“In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, and He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.” Psa. 95 :4,

“O COME, LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN; LET US KNEEL BE FORE THE LORD OUR MAKER. FOR HE IS OUR GOD.” Psa. 95:6, 7.

Messages of God’s Love 3/4/1934

Now

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

It is said that an artist solicited permission to paint a portrait of Queen Victoria.

The favor was granted—and the favor was great, for probably it would make a fortune for the man.

A place was fixed, and a time set. At the appointed time and place the Queen appeared; but the artist was not there—he was not ready. When he did arrive, a message was communicated to him that Her Majesty had departed, and would not return.

Avail yourself of today. This is God’s time. Do not trade on the future possibilities of salvation. Do not sell your soul by procrastinating. Now is the only time for blessing.

“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.” Isa. 1:18.

Messages of God’s Love 3/4/1934

He Loves Children Well

His heart is full of kindness,

Sweet words He hath to tell;

Come listen to Him, children,

For Pie loves children well;

And many to Him gather,

From every clime and land;

Come welcome, happy children,

And join this happy band.

He on the cross once suffered,

Nails pierced His hands and feet;

But all His pain and sorrow,

Make us for heaven meet.

His blood our sin-stain cleanses,

And takes our guilt away;

Come welcome, happy children,

For Jesus says you may.

He, He Himself will keep you,

He'll hold you in His hand,

He’ll never let you perish,

But you shall reach His land—

The lovely, lovely country,

All bright, and sweet, and fair.

Come welcome, happy children,

And all His glory share.

Messages of God’s Love 3/4/1934

The Word of God as a Hammer

THERE is a pretty winter scene. The ground is covered with snow; the ice-bound pond will not allow the cattle to get water for themselves, so their kind master is breaking the ice in order that they may drink.

Water is necessary to sustain the natural life both in man and in beast, without it we would soon die. Another kind of water, called in God's Word, "living water," and "the water of life," is essential to the spiritual life; and without it man must die that awful "second death" which will bring suffering without end. Christ is its source; and it is He who gives it.

But alas! as the pond is frozen over and the water cannot be obtained without breaking the ice, so the heart of man is often congealed, as it were, and the hard crust has to be broken through before the Word of God can get entrance. The crust of ice on the pond must be broken in order to get the water out the crust of hardness and unbelief in roan's heart must be broken in order to let the living water in.

The man takes a hammer and breaks the ice and there is the water ready for the cattle to quench their thirst. But the crust that sometimes forms in man’s heart is harder than ice—yes, as hard as rock; and how is it to be broken ? God alone can break this crust; and in doing it He uses something that is like a hammer.

“Is not My Word like as a fire? Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Jer. 23:29.

Ah I yes, it is God’s Word that does the work—that breaks the hard heart. When it gets entrance, the living waters spring up in the soul.

“The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.

Come, then; come, and drink, and live! And you who have tasted the life-giving power of these wonderful waters, go often to Jesus and quench your thirst.

“IF ANY MAN THIRST, LET HIM COME UNTO ME, AND DRINK.” John 7:37.

If thus you quench your thirst, you will become in turn, a channel through which the living waters will flow in refreshing power and blessing to others.

Messages of God’s Love 3/11/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 53:4-6

Since Jesus was a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, as the preceding verse speaks of Him, what gave Him those sorrows, that grief? The fourth verse tells: “Surely He hath born our griefs and carried (sustained) our sorrows.” The consequences of sin in the race of mankind,—sicknesses of varied character, as leprosy, dumbness, deafness, blindness, paralysis, demon possession, and death itself (the wages of sin)—to these He was not indifferent, we well know from reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By a word, or the touch of His hand, He cleansed the leper, the palsied man rose from his cot, Lazarus dead and buried four days came forth from the tomb. But it was not enough that Jesus should take pity upon the sufferers among whom He labored and compassionately relieve them. He bore the griefs, carried, in His own tender heart, the sorrows of humanity, Himself sinless and untouched by sin in His holy nature and Person. This entering into the sufferings of His creatures while He was here upon earth, is blessedly illustrated in John 11:33-38.

Yet “we, we did regard Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted”—such is the blindness of the natural man, such the state of even the enlightened Jew with the Word of God in his keeping.

A valley of tears this world has ever been since sin entered, and death by sin; and man’s endeavor, since Cain and his family set the example (Genesis 4:16-22) has been to ignore or to mask as far as possible this painful truth,—to make merry with music, to occupy the mind with productive labor, etc. In such a scene the heavenly Stranger walked alone.

Yet, though Jesus entered most deeply in the exercises of His heart into the suffering He saw on every hand, a far deeper need of man than relief from sickness and sorrow was before Him. It is this which the Holy Spirit next discloses (verse 5), as the light of the work of redemption enters the conscience and heart of the poor sinner.

“Except the corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone.” (John 12 :24), and,

“I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50), show what was before our blessed Saviour’s mind, looking on to His cross, and the bearing of our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24).

It is faith’s acceptance of God’s truth that we see in verse 5:

“But 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.” Here is the explanation of the cry from the center cross,

“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22 :1.

Without His bearing our sins, there would be nothing before man, from Adam downward, but the woes of a lost eternity in which the whole race would be involved. Faith takes God at His word, believes what He has said (John 3:14 17), rejoices in a new and eternal standing before God revealed in Romans 3:21 25: 2 Corinthians 5:21 and many other Scriptures.

Verse 6 again blessedly contrasts "we" and "Him"—we have gone astray (ever so far, we humbly own), and turned, each of us, to his own way, and Jehovah (not because of anything in us, but in love which was in Himself) hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. The "us all" is the people of faith—all who believe (Acts 18:39). And does the reader know this for himself?

Messages of God’s Love 3/11/1934

Is the Lord Jesus Christ A Saviour, THE Saviour, or MY Saviour — Which?

A—THE—MY. Three words, short, each very different in meaning.

A is the indefinite article, very indefinite indeed.

A Saviour, but not mine: not for me; for someone else; whose I know not.

THE is the definite article.

THE Saviour, the only one—riot any other.

No other helper or refuge.

The world can see there is only one,

MY is a personal pronoun.

MY Saviour, appropriated by me, has saved me,

Christ as A Saviour shows the need.

Christ as THE Saviour shows there is but one,

Christ as MY Saviour shows He is mine.

Can you say MY?

The Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.

Messages of God’s Love 3/11/1934

Miss Goodenough

Will you have a tract, my good woman?" said my companion, as we were walking through a village on our way home one bright morning.

"Yes, sir, and thank'ee too," said the person thus addressed, dropping a curtsey. "And I wish you'd call and give one to my daughter as you go along, for she's a rare good girl, sir, that she is; and the folks at the chapel thinks there never was the like o' her, she's so wonderfully good”

"Indeed," said we looking at her with some little astonishment, "we should like to see this wonderful girl very much. Where does she live?"

"There in that row of houses, No. 4. You'll find her at home; busy enough, I warrant, and singing like a lark."

So, following the woman's directions, we went toward No. 4, promising ourselves a treat at the sight of, or a little talk with, this "wonderfully good girl."

My companion knocked at the door, and it was soon opened by a young girl about twelve years of age, who had every appearance of being busy, for she had on her apron, and her sleeves were tucked up, above her elbows. She looked at us for a moment, dropping' her curtsey too. We hardly knew what to say, at first; but my companion good-humoredly said, "I don't know if we are right, but does Miss Goodenough live here?"

"No, sir, that she doesn't,"

"But a woman told us just now," he continued, "if we would go to No. 1, we should find her daughter, who is a wonderfully good girl; never does or says anything wrong; always goes to chapel, and the folks there think she is a remarkable girl."

"I be the one, sir," said she, dropping another curtsey, with a sort of approving smile; "they do think a deal o' me, I know."

"But what makes them think so much of you?"

Messages of God’s Love 3/11/1934

Little Winnie's Trouble

SOMETHING was hurting poor little Winnie's foot, and the further she went the more painful it became till she could not help crying. Kind brother pitied her, and removed a pebble from her shoe, Now that the trouble was all over, and she had learned what a kindhearted brother she had, she could go on to school quite happy.

This little incident suggests a lesson which is suitable for those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and God as their Father. in it we may learn why our good and kind God allows unpleasant things to happen to us. The Scripture says, “All things work together for good to them that love God He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him np for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:28, 32.

The reason for allowing difficulties to come in our path is not that He has ceased to love us, but that He sees the need to teach us lessons, and prove to us His tender and loving care.

Just as little Winnie found out how tender and loving her brother was by having the pebble in her shoe, we learn God’s tender love and care through trials.

Those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and God as their Father, find their trials very difficult to bear, because they cannot go to God with them. How much better it is to know the Lord than to be without Him.

“BLESSED ARE ALL THEY THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.” Psa. 2:12.

Messages of God’s Love 3/18/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 53:7-10

In verses 7 to 9 the Holy Spirit, writing through Isaiah (2 Peter 1:21) looks at the lowly One in the closing scenes of His blessed life, in Isaiah’s time more than 700 years distant.

“He was oppressed (or ill treated), and He was afflicted, but He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and was as a sheep dumb before her shearers, and He opened not His mouth. He was taken from detention and from judgment, and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living.” Here in fewest words is a picture of the scenes which Matthew 26:57 to 27:50, and Mark, Luke and John portray.

These verses will speak deeply to the repentant Jews in the coming day, as they consider Who He was, who came to them 19 centuries ago, and in what grace and compassion He conducted Himself when rejection was His portion, from the beginning, and when they reflect over their treatment of Him.

The death of Christ levels all the pretensions of man, be he Jew or Gentile, and in His death we see not alone the judgment of our sins borne by a sinless and holy Substitute, but also in Him see the moral beauty, the moral glory as it has been called, the infinite perfection of His every thought, word, deed, which draw from the Christian heart the adoration and worship that belong to Him, the Lord and Saviour.

“For the transgression of My people was He stricken.” Thus are we reminded that His death was not (as vain men have declared) due to the malice of a few high religious persons, or a misunderstanding of His mission. True, the fullest guilt attached to those who planned His death, and crucified Him, but totally eclipsing their guilt before God was the fact of immeasurable weight and eternal consequence,— His bearing the sins of many.

In the first three hours on the cross He was enduring from man, His creatures; and in the second three hours He was forsaken of God as the Sin-Bearer, stricken for the transgression of “My people,” yet not Israel only, but all who receive Him by faith. He had come into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15); to this end He was delivered up to death for our offences, and has been raised for our justification (Romans 4:25).

The Holy Spirit draws attention to another fact connected with the putting to death of Jesus; the common English translation is defective here. “And men appointed His grave with the wicked, but He was with the rich in His death, because Fie had done no violence neither was there guile in His mouth” (verse 9). This throws light on Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 16:42-46; Luke 24:50-53 and John 19:38-42, which give the burial in the rich man’s tomb: the bodies of the two thieves who were crucified with Him, were given no such burial as attended the body of Jesus.

It will be—noted that the two things which are spoken of as not true of Him, at the close of verse 9, are the two characteristic forms which sin takes, and has ever taken, with fallen man: violence and corruption. Sinless, He died for sinners, the Just One for the unjust (1 Peter 3:1*).

"Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise Him; He hath subjected. Him to suffering (or grief)" (verse 10). Amazing truth! It underlies the whole doctrine of the Word of 'God from Genesis 3:15 to Ephesians 2:4 to 7 and Revelation 22:21.

"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.

Messages of God’s Love 3/18/1934

He's the One to Make You Happy

I MET a man coming along the street, who appeared not to possess much in this world, but he looked very happy.

What was he saying to everyone he met? It occurred to me that he was not right in his mind, but by and by I heard the words,

"Do you love the Lord? He's the One to make you happy." And again,

"Do you know the Lord? He is the Saviour." And then, evidently receiving an assent from an old woman, he called to his donkey boy,

"Stop, stop! let me shake hands with her," and I caught the words,

"Let Him have His place in your heart." Passing a group farther on, I heard again,

"Do you know the Lord Jesus? He's the One to make you happy," and his bright face spoke that the Lord had made him happy.

I thought to myself, right in his mind or not, he was right in his heart, for he had "Christ dwelling in his heart by faith," he had learned to "rejoice in the Lord."

Have you and I, my reader? Have we found in Him "enough and to spare," so that "He's the One to make you happy" comes with reality from our lips?

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Rom. 15:13.

Messages of God’s Love 3/18/1934

Left for a Purpose

DEAR little fellow, six years old named Harry, was one day playing around and amusing himself in a tool shop. Wanting to get something, he climbed up, taking hold of a shelf to help him.

Suddenly, while he was holding on to it, the shelf fell, and down came Harry to the floor, with it on top of him.

Poor little boy, he was so badly hurt that he could not speak at first, A doctor was sent for, and when Harry could speak, he wanted to see a lady who had been very kind to him, telling him of the Lord Jesus.

He was not so badly hurt as they feared at first, and by the next day was quite bright, though not able to go about,

When this dear lady visited him, he said to her in conversation:

"O, I guess I know why God did not let me get killed the other day!"

"Do you? Would you like to have gone?"

"Yes, indeed, I would be glad to have gone to Jesus. But I think God wanted me to stay to help mamma take care of Willie!"

Willie is his little brother four years old. He did get well, and took his place helping his mother to take care of Willie,

I think Harry was in the right, just as God gives to many a clear little child to know His mind.

Sometimes one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, might wonder why he is not taken away, at once, as soon as he becomes a child of God.

It is because our gracious Father has a special purpose, and something special for us to do,

Once when Christ had healed a man possessed of devils the man wanted to stay with Him always, but Christ said, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things God hath done for thee.” Mark 5 :19.

That was his work, and doing that, he could be with the Lord in his spirit.

So we are told that when David had served his generation, by the will of God, he fell asleep, that is, he died. He was a king, the most important one that ever lived, and when he had done all, then the Lord took David home to Himself.

When Saul of Tarsus was made a child of God, the Lord said,

“I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” That was what he was left for, and if you will turn to 2 Cor. 11:23-33, you will find a little account of how he did suffer.

In 1 Thess. 1:9-10, you will find that those who were delivered from the wrath to come, were left here “to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.”

Is not that a precious thought? To wait for the Lord Jesus who died for us, to take away our sins ? How can any one who knows that He died for him, be afraid to hear about His coming?

And then, to serve Him, till He comes! One would think that it would be a happy business to serve One who loved us so much.

Now dear children, do think of the purpose of God in having you here. Is there any help you can give to your mother, or brothers and sisters? Is there some one that you can help by any kind ness ? Take up these things for the Lord Jesus. It is only a little while and He will come.

I cannot bear to think that there is any one of my readers that will not be glad to have Jesus come. Is there? Do believe on Him: Do see that you are lost without Him, but God saves all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” Rev. 22:12.

Messages of God’s Love 3/18/1934

The Gift of God

“If thou knewest,” little child,

The gift that God has given,

How fully would thy thirst for joy

Be satisfied from heaven!

“If thou knewest,” little child,

That, sinful as thou art,

Compassion fills His soul to thee,

And tenderness His heart.

“If thou knewest,” little child,

The pleasures of His love,

Thy little heart would love to think

Of Him who is above.

Would think of Him who’s seated there,

And hear His Gospel tell

How once, to show the way of life,

He sat beside the well.

And now His kindness is the same,

Who still is meek and mild;

He draws the living waters still,

And gives them to the child.

Drink, little children, freely drink,

These waters are for you;

The springs of life are ever fresh,

The wells of mercy new.

Messages of God’s Love 3/18/1934

The Ark

In our picture this week Noah is represented as offering up a sacrifice just after coming out of the ark.

What a solemn thing it is that God has shown His displeasure for sin by bringing a flood over the whole earth and drowning all the people. People lived then as they live now, for the Word of God tells us,

"They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed. them all." Luke 17:27.

You may say, Surely there was nothing wrong in those things. That is true, but it was the way they were doing these things and leaving God out. God had looked down upon their wickedness, and He said,

"My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Gen, 6:3.

He told Noah to build an ark so that people could be saved if they wanted to, for He was going to bring a flood on the whole earth. Noah built it according to the directions God had given him, and at the same time he preached to the people. None outside Noah’s family believed him, so they continued living as if there were no God, and they would not be punished for their sins.

When the day came that God told Noah to come into the ark with his wife and their sons and their wives, the rest of the people no doubt thought it was very foolish of Noah to go inside. When they saw Noah shut in, and the rain coming down, and the fountains of the deep pouring forth water, it was too late for them to cry for mercy. God had ceased to strive with man, by His Spirit, through Noah, so they had to bear the awful results. God’s long suffering with them came to an end.

So it will be again; the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, is like an ark for those who believe in Him. No matter how much water was poured forth, the ark was able to rise above it all, and Noah rose in it. So Jesus bore the full measure of God’s wrath for us and went through death and rose again.

The only way for us to escape the wrath of God, is to believe in Jesus as the One who has borne that wrath for us. If we refuse Jesus as our Saviour, it will be the same for us as it was for those who refused to go into the ark; they had to bear their own punishment, and so will the rejecters of Christ.

“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.

Dear reader, if you have not believed in Him who has died for you, may you do so now, while He is still saying, “Come unto Me.”

But if you do not heed God’s plea to come to Christ as the Ark of safety remember, ’

“THE WRATH OF GOD COMETH UPON THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE.” Col. 3:6.

Messages of God’s Love 3/25/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 53:10 and 11

When thou shalt make His soul (or, When His soul shall have made, or been made) an offering for sin (or trespass offering,—it is the same Hebrew word translated “trespass offering” in Leviticus chapters 5, 7, 14 and else where), He shall see a seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the fruit of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied (verses 10 and 11).

Faith, here again, is seen to be the ground upon which God deals with man in blessing. On Christ and His work on the cross for our sins, on His shed blood and His resurrection and ascension to heavenly glory, all blessing depends. There must be the realization in my own soul that in Him, through His death for me, for my sins, God is fully and eternally satisfied; if not, I cannot have peace with God. No Cain-like offering of what my hands may bring, or my mind devise will meet my case; I must, like Abel have an offering that cost death (Genesis 4:3-5). Redemption is by the precious blood of Christ alone (1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:14).

He who was cut off out of the land of the living, about Whom the question was asked in verse 8, Who shall declare His generation? shall see a seed — not of natural descent, but God-given children (Isaiah 8:18), redeemed souls whom He in grace has referred to as “My brethren” in Matthew 25 :40.

Apart from these earthly saints, there are those who are being saved in our own times to form the Church of God, the bride of Christ; these He has destined for heavenly glory, and has graciously spoken of them as “My brethren” (John 20:17), and we learn from Hebrews 2 :11 That He is not ashamed to call them brethren; no word of Scripture warrants our referring to Him as our Elder Brother, however.

The prolonging of His days, and the pleasure of Jehovah prospering in His hands, refer to the place of Christ in the Millennium. We have noticed this earlier in our readings in Isaiah, and in the Psalms. Philippians 2:9-11 includes that time, but is of much wider scope, as is Ephesians 1:9, 10.

We must recall that the mystery of Christ and the Church was not revealed to the Old Testament prophets, and Isaiah in foretelling a coming day of richest blessing on earth, does not take in the wider vision which the Epistles of Paul give.

He shall see of the travail of His soul, first, surely, when the resurrection morning brings to Him, in heavenly bodies all the redeemed up to that time, including the Old Testament saints and all who died in faith up to the founding of the Church (Acts 2), and the Church itself for which in a special sense He gave Himself. But the passage in our chapter refers to an earthly people, the redeemed of the last days, when the gospel we have heard shall be heard no more, and another message of grace shall go out to sinners of the Jews and Gentiles that have never had the opportunity to receive the present gospel.

Heaven and earth will be peopled by those who are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, saved for all eternity from the consequences of their sins. Then, looking upon the result of the travail of His soul, He will be satisfied. Great has been the cost of redemption, and poorly. we often realize how poor is our return to Him for His love, but He shall have all our hearts in that day.

Messages of God’s Love 3/25/1934

How Little Emily Got Out of Her Trouble

I ONCE knew a little girl whose name was Emily. Although she was about seven years old, that little girl loved Jesus; so God taught her what to do in a time of trouble. Her own dear mother was dead, and at this time she had a stepmother, who was rather cross to her.

Now one day she sent her to the butcher's for some meat, and on the way her shoe lace came down, and she put her foot upon a door step to tie it, and then the poor little creature ran off and forgot the money which she had laid on the step. When she came back it was gone, and she was in terror lest she should get a whipping.

What was to be done? What should anyone have done who loved Jesus?

She remembered that God had said,

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify Me;" so she wanted to kneel down and call upon God to help her, and as she did not like to kneel down in the street, she looked round and saw somebody's front door open, and went straight into the strange house, and knelt behind the door, and asked God to help her. Then she left off crying, and went on her way home, feeling sure God would make all right for her.

Did He, do you think? Of course He did, because she asked Him. Shall I tell you how God did it?

Well, He put it into the heart of a kind gentleman, who picked up the money, to leave it with a grocer close by, telling him to watch, because he thought some child must have left it, and would soon be coming back for it. So, when she passed again, there was the kind grocer waiting to give it to her.

You can imagine how pleased little Emily was, thus to find God answer her prayer so soon, and how she thanked and praised Him for His kindness to her, and with what a light heart she went to the butcher's to buy her meat. Will you not all, clear children, follow her example, and go to God in the name of Jesus when you are in trouble, or in want of something,

But perhaps my little reader does not know the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and God as Father in heaven, to whom one may come in prayer, when in sorrow and trouble; and what then? Well, let me tell you it is an awfully solemn thing to be in such a position; and O, may you be led to see yourself a sinner before God, and find Jesus as your Saviour.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you ask; and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full,” John 16:23, 24.

Messages of God’s Love 3/25/1934

Will You Be There?

ONE day a little boy between three and four years old, who was visiting at the home of his aunt, said to his cousin,

“Emily, sing me Will you be there and I?’ ”

After she had finished, he said,

“Won’t it be nice for us three to be there”? meaning a young man sitting in

the room, his cousin, and himself.

“I know little Arthur will be there,” replied his cousin.

He turned to her and said,

“Will you be there, Emily?”

“Yes, dear, because I’m sheltered beneath the blood of Christ.”

He then turned to the young man and asked,

“Mr.___, will you be there?” but received no answer.

Dear children, if you were asked the question “Will you be there?” could you say, “Yes,” like this little boy and his cousin? or would you rather not give an answer at all?

“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.

Messages of God’s Love 3/25/1934

Take Me As I Am

A LITTLE girl in S— went to see a missionary with those important questions—how to be saved, and how to get peace. The missionary, who was on the point of taking a trip, had little time to speak to the girl, so he advised her to go home and read Isaiah 53.

The little girl went home very sad. When she arrived, she cast herself on her knees and prayed:

“Lord Jesus, I cannot read; Lord Jesus I cannot pray either; Lord Jesus, take me just as I am!”

This was certainly the right way to come to the Lord Jesus, for the child came to Him with the sincere desire for peace; she came in all her poverty and helplessness; therefore the Saviour received her, and gave her pardon and peace.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in Him a resting place,

And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

Behold I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

Stoop down and drink and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am this dark world’s light:

Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,

And all thy day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found

In Him my Star, my Sun;

And in that light of life I’ll walk,

Till trav’ling days are done.

Messages of God’s Love 3/25/1934

Bible Questions for April

The Bible Questions for “The Children's Class” are for our little people up to 17 years; and those for “The Young People’s Class” are for those of 17 years and over.

Answers to Bible Questions for February
“The Children’s Class”

1. “Peter saith,” etc. Matt. 17:26.

2. “But whoso shall,” etc. 18:6.

3. “Heal the sick,” etc. 10:8.

4. “And I say,” etc. 16:18.

5. “And Simon Peter,” etc. 16:16.

6. “He that is not.” etc. 12:30.

7. Eight times. Matt. 13, verses 11, 24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47, 52.

Bible Questions for April
“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Mark

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth.”

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, “It is I; be not afraid.”

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, “No need of the physician.”

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Whosoever shall receive me.”

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Marvellous in our eyes.”

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, Fruit that sprang up and increased.”

7. What value did some people place upon the ointment which was poured on the head of the Lord Jesus ?

Answers to Bible Questions for February
“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1. Isa. 42:1-3; Matt. 12:18-20.

2. Psa. 78:2; Matt. 13:35.

3. Matt. 17:8.

4’ “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Matt. 16:16.

5. Mai. 3:1; Matt. 11:10.

6. Isa. 6:9, 10; Matt. 13:14, 15.

7. Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:7-9.

Bible Questions for April
‘The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Mark

Questions 1 to 3. List three Old Testament prophecies referred to in Mark, and give both the Old and New Testament reference.

4. What verse would be a suited word of caution to those having radios?

5. What defiles a man?

6. Did Jesus pluck the ears of corn on the Sabbath ?

7. Of whom will the Son of Man be ashamed?

Messages of God’s Love 4/1/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 53:11 and 12

His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many” (or rather, instruct in righteousness many). “Many” is literally “the many”—including all who are in relation ship with Christ. This instruction He gave in the so-called sermon on the mount, and in other places and times during His earthly life: it is preserved to us in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John’s gospels. But more than instruction is needed for sinful souls and so we have, “and (rather than “for”) He shall bear their iniquities.” Without the cross of Christ there is no salvation.

In view of all the humiliation and suffering of God’s Servant even to death, the death of the cross, the recital of which has occupied the Divine Penman in this chapter, God has declared,

“Therefore will I divide (assign) Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong” (Verse 8).

This will have its evident fulfilment when the Lord comes to earth and reigns; it speaks of Him as Man, the God-man, truly but nevertheless man (untouched by sin), and the Holy Sufferer as no other has been. As such He will be exalted to the highest place, and then He will bring His earthly people (“the strong ) into blessing.

The place of highest glory is accorded the Servant, the despised and rejected of men, because of four things concerning Him as He hung’ on the cross in deepest suffering.

(1) “Because .He hath poured out His soul unto death.”. The word here translated. 'poured" is not tile one ordinarily used it has the sense of 1-rtaking naked, bare, empty does this not bring before us a touching sense of the grace of our Lord. Jesus Christ who though He was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9), and of Himself as that Man who sold all that He had to buy the field in which was hidden a treasure; and as the Merchant man seeking goodly pearls, Who when He has found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that He had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46). Sweetly does this passage conform with Galatians 2:20,— "Who loved me and gave Himself for me."

"Because He was reckoned with the transgressors." Mark's gospel which. speaks of Jesus as the Servant of God,. in chapter 15:28 applies this to Him when the thieves were placed on crosses beside Him, "And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' " God noted that, in the treatment given His Son.

"Because He bore the sin of many." Note that Scripture while declaring emphatically that He died for all, never says that He bore the sins of all (Romans 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Hebrews 9:28). No salvation, no hope, for man apart from His death. And 0, what fathomless love that He should bear our stns—the sins of every poor, unworthy, guilty sinner that looks to Him for salvation! On Him our guilt was charged, upon -Him divine justice was poured as the sinner's holy Substitute. Eternally His hands., feet, side, will bear the tokens of His death on the cross,— tokens of love unfathomable, inexhaustible.

"Because He made intercession for the transgressors." It is Luke that records this utterance (chapter 23;34). "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" If this has touched our hearts, what did it not mean to His Father, as He looked upon the Son nailed to a cross!

Messages of God’s Love 4/1/1934

Hoping and Having

TWO boys were lying side by side in a hospital; a visitor asked one of them,

"Are you saved?"

He answered, that he hoped someday he should be. Then, turning to the other bed, the visitor repeated the question; the boy lying there, with a bright look and voice, replied,

"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."

Are you saved dear reader? Are you quite close to Christ, or is there a break between Christ and your soul? Is the world between you and Him? or are you like the boy—the second spoken to who
came to Jesus, the living Saviour, just as he was? He had proved that His word is true,

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

0! try that selfsame love. You shall prove its sweetness in your own soul. Keep not back from Jesus. Your happiness for eternity depends upon your coming- to Him, of whom, in pain, and upon the bed of sickness, the young believer said,

"He has made me glad."

Messages of God’s Love 4/1/1934

He Gave Himself

IN a meeting specially held for the young, the speaker was anxious to find out how far the children felt that they really stood in need of the Lord Jesus. He asked the following question:

"Have you anything to give God, which will make you fit for heaven?"

There was a pause, when a little boy, named Willie, said,

"A good heart, sir."

"But have any of us good hearts as we were born?'' said the speaker.

Another dear little fellow quickly replied,

"No, sir, there is none good."

“Yes, my boys and girls, that is true; for God says in His Word,

‘There is none righteous, no, not one .. . there is none that doeth good, no, not one.’” Roni. 3:10, 12.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

He alone knows how bad we are. So you see, dear children, we have nothing to give to God. We have to cry out to Him, like David did in the eighty-sixth Psalm,

“I am poor and needy.”

Now, although we have nothing to give to God, He has something to give to us. I will tell you what a dear child once wrote in a letter, that you may see what she thought of God’s gift,

“What a precious and glorious truth that God loves us! Yes, I often think how much the Saviour loves us. He gave a most costly price to redeem us—not thousands of gold and silver; not labor and toil merely; not pains and suffering only—but Himself.” (1 Tim. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.)

Now can you say, “He loved me and gave Himself for me”? If not, may you be led at once to receive His Word:

“To as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the children of God, even to those who believe on His Name.” John 1:12.

Little Willie learned, that he had nothing good to offer to God, but was led by the Holy Spirit to accept God’s gift through faith in His Word, and went home quite happy.

The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6 :23.

The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

Messages of God’s Love 4/1/1934

Difficult Choice

Our artist has a goodly number of interesting faces around him. Any one of them would make a good subject for a sketch.

Although few of us are artists choosing objects for pictures, there is one choice that we all have to make sooner or later. We have all heard that God so loved the world that He gave His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for us, and that He wants us to come to this loving Saviour Have we turned to Him, or are we seek ing our pleasure and happiness in this world ?

It may be hard for you to give up the pleasures of this life. But they last only a few years at best and they always end in sorrow. If you turn to Christ, you will find in Him far more than all the world can offer you, and that for eternity.

Do not refuse that blessed One in whom alone you can find true happiness peace and satisfaction. Accept Him now. Tomorrow may be too late.

“INCLINE YOUR EAR, AND COME UNTO ME: HEAR. AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE.” Isa. 55:3.

Messages of God’s Love 4/1/1934

My Only Plea

Jesus has died for me,

Upon this truth I rest;

Jesus has died for Me,

Because of this I’m blest.

And when this life is ended,

And heaven’s gate I see,

My only plea to enter is—

Jesus has died for me!

Messages of God’s Love 4/1/1934

The Shepherd and His Flock

OUR shepherd is leading his sheep home from the mountains, and in this way they get home more quickly than if they had to be driven,

"I shall never forget," says one, "the walk I had with a friend over the mount of Olives. As we went along I heard a man's voice calling out to us, as I supposed, brut as he spoke in Arabic I could not tell what he said, and waited for my friend to answer him, Again and again he called, and still my companion took no notice of him. At length I turned around to see who he was. In a moment I understood all about it, There was an old man with a shepherd's crook in his hand, walking in front of a drove of sheep of perhaps between one and two hundred in number. It was very beautiful to notice that he had a distinct name for each of them, and as one or another of the sheep lagged behind, he had only to call the right name to cause that one quickly to make up the lost ground. Close behind the old man were a few favorite sheep. which never wandered from him, but kept quite close to their kind shepherd, and rubbed their noses against his legs.”

We read in John 10 of the Lord Jesus who has sheep of His own.

Which out of all the flock would have least to fear from the attack of wolves? Why, the one nearest to the shepherd. If a wolf, urged on by hunger, tried to run off with a lamb, he would certainly attack one of those in the background.

What a lesson for both lambs and sheep of the flock of Christ to keep near the Shepherd, if they wish to be free from danger; and to listen to His voice when He speaks, for Satan goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Have you ever thought that Jesus knows our names, every one of us?

May each of our readers be one of Christ s lambs, and then always keep close to the Shepherd, and he will be safe.

“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.” John 10:27-28.

Messages of God’s Love 4/8/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 54

WHEN Israel, that is to say, the remnant of the nation, shall have entered in heart and conscience into the truth of Isaiah 53, Isaiah 54 will follow in quick fulfilment. The barren one, desolate, the widow of verses 1 and 4, is Israel rejected by Jehovah, her Husband, because of her sins. Israel, as the unfaithful wife, occupies many pages of Old Testament prophecies.

As the result of the Holy Spirit’s future work in Israel as a nation (following the close of the present dispensation of grace to Jew and Gentile alike), a remnant of the people will be brought to repentance (Zechariah 12:10-14), reaching its full measure after the Lord appears with His heavenly people (Revelation 19:14; Jude 14, 15; 1 Corinthians 6:2, etc.).

The remnant will then behold not only Israel’s Son (chapter 9:6, 7) but with Him the great number who have believed during the time Israel has been set aside; and these, the Christian saints, are here regarded as the children of the desolate, far exceeding the number of Israel in the brightest days of their past history.

The word also has an application further in the future (verses 2, 3 with which compare chapter 49 :20 and chapter 60:21, 22). An immense increase of Israel’s numbers is foretold here and in Hosea 1:10. Israel's shame will be no more as today (verse 4) for Jehovah will own them as His people, never to need to turn from them again.

Five names of God are given in verse 5; in Israel’s Maker we are reminded of the beginning of the Nation in the call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3); Jehovah of Hosts speaks of Israel’s mighty Protector and Governor from the day when faith grew feeble and enemies arose to spoil Israel. What enemy can stand against Him? But the state of His people prevented His acting for them, for He cannot be linked with sin. This title of God occurs no less than 280 times in the Old Testament, being found first in 1 Samuel 1:3.

Israel’s case is such that they must be redeemed; their sins have estranged them from God, and, scattered and oppressed, they need a Redeemer to set them free, and recompense their enemies in poured out vengeance. Then amazing grace! He will dwell among them as the Holy One of Israel; then all the inhabitants of this sphere will know and trust in Him, the God of the whole earth. Blessed prospect!

Verse 6 looks on to the day when Israel will again be owned as God’s people. Small improvements in translation are suggested in verse 8: "In the outpouring of wrath" instead of "In a little wrath;" also at the close of verse 9: "that I will no more be wroth with thee," rather than "that I would not be wroth with thee," and in verse 10,—"My covenant of peace," instead of "the covenant of My peace,"

He whose heart is not touched deeply by the language of this chapter must he far from God indeed. What unfathomable love and grace are here for the Jew, the Israelite in the day to come! Yet the love and grace made ours who have believed without seeing (John 20:29) are greater, far greater. Do we truly value what God has done for us?

Messages of God’s Love 4/8/1934

The Will-O'-The-Wisp

NOTHING pleased us as children more than gathering round our dear father's knee, and getting him to tell us something that had happened when he was a boy.

I can distinctly recall one of the stories our dear father told us of what happened to him in his young days.

I do not suppose any of you ever saw a will-o'-the-wisp, such as my father saw, when he was a boy, on the night he told us of, and was walking, as he often did, with his father very late at night from a village about four miles distant to the village in which their home was situated. They had started as usual on their homeward journey; the night was pitch dark; a fog hung about the valley, and clung to the trees, and spread itself over the river near which their road lay. It was not a pleasant night to be out, and the surrounding gloom made the bright fire and brighter welcome they were anticipating all the pleasanter in prospect.

Now the best thing to do on such a night is to walk on as quickly and bravely as possible. This our two travelers did, and had traveled more than half of the way home, when all at once my dear father cried out,

"Look, father, there is a man with a lantern! Let us follow him, and be will light us through this dark place."

Well was it for him, dear children, that his father was wise enough to be his protector at that moment, and to say,

"No, my boy; that is no man with a lantern, but a will-o'-the-wisp. if we follow that light it might lead us into the river, and would most surely lead us into danger."

So they kept steadily on their road, and soon reached home in safety, and I have no doubt his father explained to the boy, as they walked on, that this light, which seemed to move before them, was caused by a luminous mist, rising from the damp, marshy ground, and that it would dance for a time about the bog, and then suddenly disappear, leaving the traveler, who might have turned out of his way to follow the momentary flickering gleam, in greater darkness than before, and in danger of plunging into the hidden depths of the deceitful morass.

This was my father's story, dear children; and now I want to ask you what light you are following as you pass through the dangerous paths of this world? Satan has many a false light which he can make dance before you, lighting up all around with its deceitful glare, but his lights will lead those who follow them to a far more terrible place than the treacherous banks of the swiftly-flowing river.

But you may ask,

"What are Satan's false lights?"

Anything, no matter how fair it may seem, which leads you away from Christ is a false light, and, like the will-o'-the-wisp, will lead you astray.

Ask yourselves whether you are following the Lord Jesus, who is the Way—the One who ever speaks to you, saying, "Come unto Me!"—or some deceitful gleam which hovers over the miry places of this world, only leading away from Him who is the Lover of your souls.

"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." John 10:27, 28.

Messages of God’s Love 4/8/1934

Little Ruth

TODAY, dear children, I shall tell you a true story of a dear little dark-eyed girl whose name was Ruth. She was five years old, and she loved the Lord Jesus very dearly. Often she would walk through every room of the house, holding her dear mother’s hand, stopping in front of each text that hung upon the wall and repeat the words after her mother.

One of the texts that she loved so much was a small one with a picture of two little lambs upon it. The words were these:

“Fear not, little flock.”

Pointing to one of the lambs with her small finger, she would say, “This is me and to the other, “This is sister.”

There was another text, before which she would stand a long time and repeat it after her mother. It was,

“I will come again and receive you unto Myself.” John 14:3.

She asked many questions about this text, and how happy her mamma was to tell her that it was the Lord Jesus Who spoke these words to those He loved, and that He may come at any moment to take those who love Him to Himself in His Father’s Home in heaven; all those whose hearts have been washed in His precious blood.

“How will we go up into the sky, mamma ?”

How often little Ruth would ask this question. Can any little boy or girl who reads these words answer it?

Little Ruth does not need to ask this question any more, for she is now gone up higher than the sky. She is in heaven with the Lord Jesus. We know from God’s Word that she is very happy there, where;

Around the throne of God in Heaven,

Thousands of children stand,

Children whose sins are all forgiven,

A holy happy band, singing

Glory, glory, glory be to God on high.

Messages of God’s Love 4/8/1934

Trust in the Good Shepherd

Jesus, bless Thy little lamb,

Weak and foolish as I am;

Bear me in Thy mighty arm

Keep me safe from every harm.

Thou did’st call me to Thy side,

Trembling in the desert wide;

Bad’st me all my bleatings cease,

Hushed my fears, and gave me peace.

Lord, Thou art my Shepherd kind;

All I need in Thee I find;

But I fear my silly heart,

Lest I should from Thee depart.

Call me nearer, then, I cry,

Let me in Thy bosom lie;

Turn these wandering eyes, I pray,

From each vanity away.

Teach me what that sorrow meant,

When those cries to heaven were sent;

When in blood and tears and grief,

Thou did’st call—but no relief.

Let my childish follies be

Drowned in that deep agony;

Let Thy death, Thy wounds, Thy woe,

Make me all sin’s vileness know.

And when’er in folly’s way,

Thy poor lamb begins to stray,

May Thy dying love and pain

Turn my heart to Thee again.

Messages of God’s Love 4/8/1934

The Hippopotamus

THIS enormous animal, sometimes called the River Horse, is now native of various parts of Africa, and is always found either in the water or in its near vicinity.

The skin is covered with a vast number of pores from which comes a thick oily liquid, which effectually protects him from the injurious effects of the water in which he is so constantly immersed. Thus we see God made him fit to live in water. He has also prepared him with teeth which have a terrific appearance but are only intended to cut grass, which he can do as neatly as if it were mown with a scythe; and he is also able to sever, as if with shears, a tolerably stout and thick stem.

Its stomach is capable of holding five or six bushels of food. So we see the wisdom in the whole design—the mouth and teeth suitable for the stomach, and the stomach suitable to digest enough food to support such a large body.

We cannot help but see God's wonderful wisdom and power as a Creator, as we look at this marvelous animal, and we can say His eternal power and Godhead are understood by those things which are seen.

We have seen His power and wisdom as Creator in our sketch of the Hippopotamus, but, as many of our readers can tell us, God's love was shown to us when He gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross in our stead, to deliver us from the wrath and judgment we deserved for our many sins. So the Scripture 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.

We may not only praise and worship God as Creator, but praise and thank Him now for His love to us in giving His Son for us, and own Him, who is Creator of all things, as our Father.

May you, dear children, put your full trust in Him as your Saviour-God and as your Father, who will care for you and provide you with all you need.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

Going to Be a King

YOU may one day be a duke, but I am going to be a king,” said the elder son of the Duke of Hamilton to his younger brother, as he lay on his dying pillow.

Do you know why he was so sure of that? Not because he was a better boy than his brother, but because he had Christ.

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto His God and Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5-6.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 55

In chapter 54 we found a wonderful promise, guaranteed by God’s unfailing word, and chapter 55 fitly follows with a wide invitation to Israel. The offer is Millennial glory; the invitation is free; all that is required, we note, is that the “thirsty” shall come, and those that have “no money.”

Israel is now set aside, and a grander offer of eternal glory with Christ is going out to Jew and Gentile on one common footing that “all have sinned.”

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” John 7:37.

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into ever lasting life.” John 4:14.

But the present day of grace is waning, plainly drawing near its close, and after the children of Israel will hear God’s word with the hearing of faith, they will accept the gracious invitation of Isaiah 55 and welcome their Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, when He comes again. Countless Gentiles to 'whom the present gospel has never been brought, will be saved through the preaching of converted Jews.

Precious are the pleadings of the Holy Spirit in these opening verses of our chapter; there is nothing to compare with them except the present invitation to accept God’s offer of salvation. The sure mercies of David (verse 3) are referred to in Psalm 89 verses 3, 4, 19-37, and 49; in 2 Samuel 7, and 1 Chronicles 17. They will be made good in Christ: of Him verse 4 in our chapter speaks, viewing Him as not for Israel only but for the Gentiles, the Prince of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5). The word “people”, twice in verse 4, is “peoples”,—the nations, as distinct from Israel.

The principles upon which God deals in grace with His fallen creatures, with mankind, whether Jew or Gentile, are set forth in verses 6 to 11. As for the sinner, there is the solemn consideration that God must be sought, called upon, while there is opportunity. Proverbs 1:20-33; 2 Corinthians 6 :2; Hebrews 3 :7-19 witness to the importance of accepting His grace without delay.

The whole plan of redemption is God’s, and man has no part in it, to do aught for himself, but only to believe it, to take God at His word. Nothing to do but acknowledge the truth about one’s self to Him, and then to receive mercy, abundant pardon (verse 7).

All blessing for man is founded upon believing, receiving, God’s Word. Men refuse the Word, deny its inspiration, its authority, but He has declared (and we bless Him for it!) that it shall not return to Him void, it shall accomplish that which He pleases, and that for which He sent it (verse 11).

The result on earth of the acceptance of His Word by Israel is foretold in verses 12 and 13.

Much more than this is the portion of those who believe to the saving of the soul, we know.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

In the Hollow of a Hand

LATELY a gentleman was walking through his fields when he heard the cries of a bird apparently in distress.

Looking' up, he saw a lark hotly pursued by a hawk, which by a series of fierce dashes tried to secure his prey. The lark was for a time successful in evading the attacks, but the hawk was gaining the mastery. The terror-stricken lark, seeing the man below, came clown like an arrow, and fluttered into his hand, where it cowered trembling. The hawk followed until within six yards, but seeing what had occurred, he flew off in disgust, When the lark was liberated it soared upward, singing doubtless a song of gratitude to its deliverer.

How safe and happy was the little wanderer! But not half so safe and happy as those who have "fled for refuge" from the power of sin, and Satan's malice, to the Lord Jesus Christ! Of these He says,

"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." John 10:28, 29.

Are you, dear children, in that refuge? You know how afraid of the man the little bird would have been naturally; but in the presence of a greater danger, its terror overcame its timidity, and it flew to the only place of shelter. May each of you flee for refuge to Jesus where no harm can come to you, and He will hide you from the judgments that are coming

upon all who despise God's invitation to come to His blessed Son for salvation. May you truly say:

"Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Psa. 32:7.

"It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:11,

Jesus is a lasting Saviour,

Ever will His love endure;

Souls which rest by faith upon Him

Are eternally secure.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

It Shines All Through

LOUIE is a dear little child, always quiet and attentive at the Sunday school. Though she cannot read, she brings her little Testament with her, and sits with it open in her hand while the other children are reading their Bible lessons.

Her mother told me that Louie often sits at home looking at her Testament, and that one day while doing so, she said, as if to herself,

"There are no pictures in this book because it is God's Book, and it shines all through!"

What a sweet thought, dear children was it not? Can you say it shines all through? Can you see brightness in God's Book? If it is as yet all dark and mysterious to you, may God open your eyes by His Spirit that you may see how His Word shines, and take it as the lamp that will light your feet through this dark world to the unclouded brightness of His presence!

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:5.

"He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him," 2 Cor. 5:21,

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psa. 119:105.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

How God Answers Little Children's Prayers

WlLLlE F. was a boy with such a busy brain, and although he was only about eight years old. he was always imagining all kinds of strange things, when he was awake, and was ever making up in his mind such funny little tales; and when he went to bed he used to fancy he saw all sorts of ugly things around him. So real did all these terrible pictures seem to him, that it was a long time before he could get to sleep, and he used to lie until he was quite wet with perspiration caused by his fear; and when he went to sleep he used to dream about the terrible things he thought he saw, and would wake up with a start and a scream.

Now, I am not telling you all this to frighten you but I am going to tell you what Willie did in order to show how delighted God is to hear and answer even a little one’s prayer, when asked in faith.

Well, this little boy was so troubled about all he fancied he saw, that he began to be ill; but one night, all alone in his little room, he knelt down by his little bed, and said as nearly as possible these words :

“Gracious God, take away all these ugly faces; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”

And do you know, Willie never from that day to this saw one of those ugly things again, although at first he used to timidly peep to see if they were there.

Was not this, dear little friends, an immediate answer to prayer?—and I cannot tell you how thankful little Willie was.

Of course, all he saw was only fancy, but how good of the great God, who made the world, to listen to and answer this simple childish prayer.

Do you, my readers, pray to God? I do not ask you if you say your prayers, for little boys and girls often repeat prayers, I am sorry to say, without really meaning what they say, and this is very sad; but I want you now, henceforth, just to go to God in all your difficulties, and ask Him in your own simple way to remove them; and when they are removed, do not forget to go and thank Him for what He has done.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you.” John 16:23.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

Only a Little Child

Only a little child!

Yet, Lord, Thou callest me;

Therefore, confidingly,

I come to Thee!

Only a little child!

And though I sinful be,

Thou, Lord, forgivest me!

I come to Thee!

Only a little child!

Looking up, loving Thee,

Because Thou lovest me!

I come to Thee!

Only a little child!

Brightly and cheerfully,

Swiftly, obediently,

I come to Thee!

Only a little child!

Thou wilt my Father be,

Till in eternity

I dwell with Thee.

Messages of God’s Love 4/15/1934

My Pussy!

BEAUTIF'UL pet! Do you think you could find anything more contented, or happier looking, than this fine creature held so carefully by its gentle mistress!

Pussy looks perfectly satisfied and does not seem to have a shadow of fear, but rests quietly and lovingly in the arms of the one who is holding her.

And as you look at the face of this dear young girl, do you not see kindness written there? You would not think of her as having blows or harsh words for her handsome pet, would you? And usually those who are kind to animals are kind to people.

Some boys think it manly to be rude in their speech and rough in their ways; but such a thought is a great mistake. The Lord Jesus Christ, the only perfect Man that ever trod this earth was characterized by “meekness and gentleness.” (See 2 Cor. 10:1). And the more like that blessed One you are, the meeker and more gentle you will be. If the Spirit of God is working in you, gentleness and goodness will be part of the fruit that will be borne.

“WITH ALL LOWLINESS AND MEEKNESS, FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE.” Eph. 4:2.

Messages of God’s Love 4/22/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 56, verses 1-8

Chapter 55 is, we saw last week, a message of grace to sinners; chapter 56 is, at its beginning, for saints—for
believers of the dispensation which will shortly follow the present one.

The chapter opens with what is neither the law of Moses, nor the present revelation of God. It is a distinct word for the day in view of which it was uttered. The believers of that day will be anxiously waiting for deliverance from their enemies, and not without deep concern about their sins, in view of the appearing of Israel’s Messiah, shortly to occur.

They are to keep judgment and to do justice (or righteousness) because Jehovah’s salvation is near to come, and His righteousness to be revealed (verse 1). Blessed is the man that doeth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it (or holdeth fast by it).

Now one of the great blessings which the Christian enjoys (or should enjoy) is that salvation is already possessed. Thus Ephesians 2 declares, “by grace ye are saved.” Truly, in one aspect salvation is still before us (Romans 3:11; Philippians 2:12; 3:20, 21) but we have already the great first need met, soul salvation (1 Peter 1:9). This the waiting saints of the day to come will not know; for them it is “near to come”, and God’s righteousness “to be revealed”,—which compare with Romans 3 :21-24 showing the present work of God’s grace.

That the sabbath (verses 2 and 6) will be rightly observed again, when Israel as a Nation comes before God for blessing, the Church period being then over, is clear from such passages as Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 44 :24 and 45 :17.

The sabbath is not for Christians (Colossians 2 :16, 17) and it is significant that the Lord Jesus lay in death through out the whole extent of that particularly high sabbath which followed His cross. He rose from the dead on the first day of the week, and Pentecost, the day of the Holy Spirit’s forming the Church (Acts 2), being the 50th day after the resurrection, was also the first day of the week. There was plenty of opportunity for the inspired writer of the Acts to have mentioned the sabbath as a day set apart for the Church, for Christians, if ithad been so, but in the nine times where the word is used, not one is in connection with meetings of and for believers.

If there is any one day of greater significance than others to the Christian, it is the first day of the week, and we find that day spoken of, surely not without significance, in Acts 20:7. We believe that this day, the day of Christ’s resurrection, and of His Church’s founding, is the Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10).

The sabbath was given in connection with the earth, commemorating God’s rest after the six days of Genesis 1, but that rest was quickly broken (see John 5 :16, 17). Christianity is not a development of, nor a supplement to Judaism, but a new thing, as the Epistle to the Galatians shows.

The grace of God will provide a portion both for the son of the stranger— the Gentile—who seeks Him (verses 3, 6, 7), and the childless eunuchs (verses 4, 5). Every heart will be satisfied, and full of His praise.

Verse 7 brings before us the words of the Lord Jesus when He cleansed the temple of the money changers and the traders (Mark 11:17).

Verse 8 speaks of Him; the whole world will seek Him, when the judgments of the living are over and thewicked are gone.

Messages of God’s Love 4/22/1934

Little Andrew's Confession

Little Andrew had kind parents, brothers and sisters who loved him, a beautiful garden in which he played, and green fields and shady lanes to walk in. He had learned to love his Bible, so we call him a happy little boy. We shall see what power the Word of God had to save him from a great sin which he was tempted to commit.

One day Andrew happened to be in a room alone when his eyes were attracted to a penny which had fallen upon the floor. Now he had spent the last of his small allowance of pocket money, and very much wished for another penny. How easy it would be to pick up the coin. No one would see him. Very cautiously, for he knew he was doing wrong, Andrew crept up to the spot; another moment and the penny was in his pocket. But, alas, what an altered boy he was; his very face was changed. A few minutes before he looked bright and happy, but his joyous, open expression was now gone, he looked frightened and unhappy, and how heavy that pocket felt. Surely no penny ever weighed so much. Then came the fear of being found out; he could not keep it in his pocket any longer.

Dear children, always remember the verse, "Thou God, seest me."

Away he ran into the garden as far as possible from the house, and after looking fearfully around to see that no one saw him, he stooped at the foot of a large apple tree, and making a deep. hole with his hands, he put the penny in and carefully covered it up. There he would leave it, he thought, till he could spend it unknown to anyone.

But was he now free from anxiety? No, for that very morning he had been reading Matthew 25, and had thought much of that servant who had misused the talent delivered to him. He almost thought he heard a voice telling him that he too had hidden "his Lord's money in the earth;" he tried to get rid of the thought, telling himself that it did not mean money in the chapter he had read, but yet the words were constantly in his mind.

Does it not prove the living power of God's Word, that often portions are brought home to the heart and conscience, although the circumstances may he unlike the case to which they were originally applied? it was so with our little Andrew; he tried to occupy himself as usual, but his manner was so altered that his dear mother, fearing he was not well, sent him early to bed, but he could not sleep; he was afraid of God's anger, he knew he had stolen that penny and "hid it in the earth," away from human sight, but the poor boy felt that he could not hide it nor his sin from God.

All the family had retired to rest; his little brother was sleeping by his side; but louder and louder the words sounded in his ears,

"He hid his Lord's money in the earth," —"Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness."

At last he sprang out of bed, and, creeping softly downstairs, he opened the back door gently, and sped down the garden paths till he came to the tree, and there the little nightgowned figure knelt, hastily clearing away the earth till the penny was found; then quickly the little bare feet ran back to the house, and the coin was soon put back on the floor whence he had taken it a few hours before.

No one had been disturbed, and he was soon safely back in bed, but not before he had confessed his sin to God, and determined to tell all about it to his mother, who had so lovingly trained her boy in wisdom's ways. And in the morning he confessed to his mother what he had already confessed to God.

Andrew is now a man, and has children of his own, but he never forgot that night of terror and repentance, nor can he ever read the twenty-fifth of Matthew without recalling that passage in his early life when he hid the penny in the earth,

It may be that the consciences of some who read this may be speaking to them of sins committed, and not, like Andrew's, quickly repented of. It may not be the same kind of sin, but all sin is displeasing to God, who is holy and just, as well as merciful.

If such an one should read this little story, let me point him to the Blessed Saviour, who died for sinners. God has said in His Word that “all have sinned;” and surely each of us can say this is most true.

Do you know you are a sinner? Do you want a Saviour? The Son of God came into the world to save sinners. He is able, He is willing to save you.

O, my dear children! do not put off this solemn question. You have an immortal soul which must live forever, either in eternal glory with Christ, or in eternal misery with the devil and his angels.

If little Andrew was so wretched about his sin, what will you be if you go down to hell with all your sins upon you, where no hope ever comes, where “their worm dieth not, where the fire is never quenched?” O, then, come now to Jesus, whose precious blood can cleanse from all sin.

“Christ died for our sins.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:7, 8.

Messages of God’s Love 4/22/1934

A Personal Matter

CHRISTIANITY,” said Martin Luther, “is a religion of personal pronouns.” How true this is!

It is not, We are all sinners, but— I am a sinner.

It is not, Jesus is a Saviour, but—Jesus is MY Saviour.

If you have not made it a personal matter like this, my reader, you are not saved.

A young man in the West Indies once said to me,

“I believe all you say, and I like your meetings, but I am not saved. How is it?”

“Have you ever got into the presence of God, and said, ‘O God, if there were not another sinner on earth, I am one and as a sinner, I claim Christ as my Saviour, even though every other sinner refuse Him?’” I replied.

“Well,” he said, “it is your very personal way of putting it that I do not like.”

Ah! this was the secret. He had missed the blessing, because he refused to make it a personal matter.

Reader, have you made it personal matter yet?

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

Messages of God’s Love 4/22/1934

Childhood's Steps

Childhood’s steps all watched by Jesus,

Counted every one.

Childhood’s glances up to Jesus

Caught and thought upon.

Youth and childhood known by Jesus—

Needs all waited on.

All life’s problems solved in Jesus

Christ—the Son of God.

All life’s best hopes met in Jesus,

Where God’s love finds rest.

Father, Son and Spirit working,

That my child be blessed.

Messages of God’s Love 4/22/1934

The Tomb of Grace Darling

O you know the story about Grace Darling? The little folk in our picture have heard it many times, I'm sure, and so have come to put flowers on her tomb. You see her grave is near the ocean side.

Her father was a lighthouse keeper in one of the islands of the sea, so she learned to love the water, and not to be afraid of it.

Early one morning a steamer was wrecked near the lighthouse, 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 to rescue some of the drowning. They 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, and people made tip 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.” Heb. 9 :22.

This means your sins could be remitted or put away in no other way, than by the blood shedding of your Saviour.

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 4/29/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah Chapters 56:9 to 57:21

Chapters 55, 56, 57 are one subject; disclosing the grace and the judgment with which the Millennium will be introduced. We have been reading of the grace of God, and now we come to His judgments.

In verse 9 is a call to destroy, to lay waste; it is addressed to the Gentile oppressors of the Jews, and concerns the land of Israel. The watchmen,—those who should have been on guard, watching with tender care over the flock that was Jehovah’s, are blind; without knowledge; dumb dogs that cannot bark; dreaming, living a life of ease; greedy, too, living for themselves and utterly indifferent to God and without true regard for His people.

Verse 1. The true Shepherd of Israel is not indifferent to His people; He takes away the righteous from the evil to come. But the death of these occurs without any laying it to heart. This discloses the true condition before God of those who are left.

These dead who thus pass into eternity are entered into peace; they rest in their beds each one that has walked in his up rightness (verse 2). It is only in the New Testament that we find the veil drawn aside and the unseen world reveal ed (Philippians 1:21, 23).

Verses 3 to 13 arraign the wicked Jews variously; idolatry, though mentioned, is not their only sin. Verse 9 speaks of “the king,” evidently the same person as is mentioned in Daniel 11:36-40, under that title; in John 5:43 as one coming in his own name; in 2 Thessalonians 2 :3-10 as the man of sin, the son of perdition; in 1 John 2 as the Antichrist, and in Revelation chapters 13 and 19 as the second beast and the false prophet.

He that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall possess the land, shall inherit His holy mountain (verse 13). He may have been as wicked as any; his past works do not commend him, but his present faith does. With this class Jehovah will dwell(verse 15).

His Word is that He will not contend forever, nor be always wroth, for the spirit should fail before Him, and the souls which He has made. Israel is in view, and “for the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him.” But he will be healed, will be led; comforts will be restored to him, and to those of his that mourn,— and all this will be God’s doing. The fruit of many lips, both of those “far off”—the saved Gentiles, and those “near”—the children of Israel—will be giving thanks to Jehovah’s Name, for peace brought to them, and healing (verse 19). But the wicked do not change; judgment is for them, and not peace.

Let us compare the ends of chapters 48 and 57, each of them ending a subdivision of Isaiah’s wide prophecy. Chapters 40 to 48, as we have seen, take up God’s controversy with Israel on account of idolatry; and chapters 49 to 57 His dealings with them because of their rejection of His Son, their Messiah. The latter is of course by far the greater evil. This explains “saith Jehovah” in the one passage, and “saith thy God” in the other.

Messages of God’s Love 4/29/1934

I Cannot Leave You

A POOR but godly farmer went out to bring home his cow one wintry night, when he found a poor boy lying half-frozen in the snow. He lifted him up, carried him in, and nursed him as his own child.

The wanderer was an orphan, and had no home. The aged farmer had barely enough to supply his own wants, and feared he would be unable to support him.

"But I cannot leave you, you saved my life, I'll work for you for nothing," said the boy as the tears gushed clown his cheeks. And he did remain with the aged man, to work for him for love's sake, for many a year.

Thus it is with the sinner who has been saved by Christ, whose love has won his heart. Have you been brought from the far-off land, where the sinner's life is spent in sin, back to God? Have sin and Satan lost their hold upon you? Can you say in very truth this day, God has loved me, and redeemed me by the blood of His Son, and now I am His, and by Him I will abide, and with Him I shall dwell forever? This is a mark of true conversion.

"How ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thess. 1:9-10.

Messages of God’s Love 4/29/1934

The Brahmin and the Microscope

Some, years ago a missionary in India was showing a Brahmin a beautiful microscope which had just arrived by ocean freight. The Brahmin was intensely interested in the wonderful things that he saw. At last the missionary focused a drop of water, and bade the Brahmin look at it. To his surprise and horror he found that the microscope revealed the presence of life. He beheld little, creatures swimming and wriggling in the water,

A Brahmin is under a pledge not to take life, and refrains from eating animal food. When he saw these little creatures in the water it distressed him greatly, for did he not every time he drank water break his vow and his caste a truly terrible thing to him?

"Does it speak truth?" he asked. On being told that it did, he exclaimed, "And I break caste, and I a Brahmin!"

He left the mission in an excited state. What was he to do? Would he confess to his co-religionists that he had broken caste, and refuse to drink water again? A happy idea struck him. He would buy the microscope, and get rid of that which was such a trouble to him.

Next day he paid the missionary a visit, and inquired if he would sell the microscope. He met with a refusal, as the missionary did not want to part with it. But the Brahmin persisted, and day after day he sought out the missionary and repeated his request. At last the missionary, wearied with his importunity, and knowing that he could procure another, consented to part with it.

The price being paid, the Brahmin took it into the yard, the missionary following. To his surprise the Brahmin raised it up over his head, and violently dashed it to the ground, thereby breaking it, and then stamped upon it. He then confessed that he had been miserable since the day he had seen animal life in the water, and now he was relieved that he had destroyed that which had caused him such unhappiness.

How this incident illustrates the attitude that many adopt towards that spiritual microscope, the Word of God. It tells us that we are sinners, under the wrath of God, exposed to His holy judgment. Even the most religious of men is found under the searching scrutiny of the spiritual microscope to be no better than the rest of mankind. It declares that

"There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:22-23.

The natural heart does not like this. It is enough to make a man miserable, once he is convinced of its truth. The enemy of souls then comes in. He has his agents, alas! who are ready enough to assert that there are mistakes and contradictions in the Bible, and thus destroy God’s testimony in the soul.

The Brahmin might destroy the microscope, but that did in no wise alter the truth that there was animal life in the water that he drank. The truth remained, though he foolishly did his best to deceive himself. Nor will the truth of the Bible be altered because men choose to believe a lie.

It is far better to face the truth that this spiritual microscope points out, for, if it at first makes you miserable, it is to make you forever glad, for does not the same Book tell us of God’s love, of the atoning death of Christ, of forgiveness of sins, salvation, eternal life for those who trust in Jesus? Does it not tell us of a Father’s heart, of the joys of heaven, of home for the believer?

Wise man is he who, bowing to God’s truth, seeks blessing and happiness through the Lord Jesus Christ.

“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 4/29/1934

I Am the Way

A LITTLE girl was early dressed to go to a children’s meeting. Getting impatient she set off for the hall on her own account. It was a dark winter night, so she missed her way: in fact, Miss Seven-year-old lost herself. There was great trouble at home, and after a search she was found in the police office. She thought she knew her way alone without a guide, but she was wrong.

You too will miss your way to heaven, and find yourself in the prisonhouse of hell if you continue to go your own way. O, listen to Him today.

Till you know Jesus as your Saviour, you are a wanderer from home. Love makes home on earth. Love makes heaven home for the heart that believes that “God is love,” and by the gift of Jesus, proves His love to you. God would by love draw you to Himself.

“All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6.

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

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6.

Messages of God’s Love 4/29/1934

A Book and A Song

Only a book for a child to read,

But what is the theme of its story?

Telleth it aught of a Saviour’s love,

Of the risen Man in the glory?

Only a song for a child to sing,

But what is the note of its sounding?

Is it of Him, whose wonderful love

Is ever and all-abounding?

Remember the charge, concerning that child,

That to you in His Word is given:

“Suffer the children to come unto Me,

For of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Messages of God’s Love 4/29/1934

Bible Questions for May

Answers to Bible Questions for March
"The Children's Class"

1. "And the angel," etc. Matt. 28:5.

2. "Then were there," etc." 19:13.

3."Pilate saith unto them," etc." 7:22.

4."And said unto him," etc." 21:16.

5."When Jesus understood," etc. 26:10.

6. "And he saith," etc." 22:12.

7."Wherefore if they," etc." 24:26.

Bible Questions for May
"The Children's Class"

The Answers are to be found in Luke Chapters 1-12

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, "The Christ of God."

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, "To preach the gospel to the poor."

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, "To guide our feet into the way of peace."

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, "Neither thought I myself worthy."

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, "The certainty of those things."

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, "Take care of him."

7. What did God say to the man who said to himself: "Take thine ease, eat, drink, and he merry"?

Answers to Bible Questions for March
"The Young People's Bible Class"

1. Matt. 21:5—-Zech. 9:9,

2. Matt. 21:9 -Psa. 118:26.

3. Matt. 21:13-Isa. 56:7.

4. Matt. 21:42-Psa. 118:22, 23.

5. Matt. 22:44-Psa, 110:1.

6. Matt. 26:31—Zech. 13:7. or Matt. 27:9, 10-Zech. 11:12, 13.

7. Matt. 27:35-Psa. 22:18.

Bible Questions for May
"The Young People's Bible Class"

The Answers are to be found in Luke Chapters 1-12

1-7. List seven Old Testament Scriptures quoted in the first twelve chapters of Luke, and give both the Old and New Testament references.

Messages of God’s Love 5/6/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 58

We begin now upon the last section or division of Isaiah's prophecy, a sort of appendix to what has gone before.

First is an exposure of the state of the people: "Cry aloud: spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (verse 1). In outward appearance all is well (verse 2), but "the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

Their fasting is hypocritical: "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye fast not this day to cause your voice to be heard on high" (verses 3, 4).

David's Psalm of confession (the 51St) rightly states: "Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward 'parts." Can anything different be acceptable in the all-seeing eyes of a holy God?

Instead of much religious display which looks to their fellowmen like piety, but is utterly false, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor wanderers to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (verses 6, 7). Had they really known God, and trusted in Him, these would be their ways, and His blessing would be with them.

Then should happiness, health and other earthly blessings be theirs, with God's approval shown. Then they would not have occasion to complain as in verse 3, as verse 9 shows.

The way of true earthly happiness is further set forth in the remaining verses of the chapter. The happy life is one devoted to the service of God and His people, with self lost sight of. Thus, "If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and the speaking vanity, and if thou proffer thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then Olaf' thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday" (verse 10).

Yet more: "And Jehovah will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought"—happy portion!—"and make strong thy bones; and thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters deceive not."

The ruin of former generations would be repaired, the waste places built up, providing habitations for the homeless (verse 12).

More blessed yet is the portion of the Israelite who truly puts God first in all his ways: "If thou turn back thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of Jehovah, honorable; and thou honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking idle words; then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah, and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken (verses 13, 14).

These words are not addressed to Christians, but the principles expressed are true at all times. Are we negligent as to honoring the Lord with our substance, our energies, our opportunities?

Messages of God’s Love 5/6/1934

Now is the Day of Salvation

THE Lord Jesus is coming to take all His people up together in the air to meet Him and be with Him forever. I want any boy or girl to ask themselves this question, and answer it in their hearts to God,

"Am I ready to meet the Lord if He came while I read this?"

If you can call Him your Saviour—the One who has saved you from your sins because you trust His precious blood —you are ready to meet Him. But if you cannot call Him your Saviour, you are not ready to meet Him, and if He came now you would be left behind on the earth for judgment. The ones who know Him now He will know as His when He comes, but the ones who do not know Him now will hear Him say by and by, "Verily I say unto you I know you not." How solemn! Think of it now, dear children, while there is time to be saved.

Messages of God’s Love 5/6/1934

The Priceless Treasure

A LITTLE girl of about eight years of age went to a class, where she was taught about Jesus. She believed the simple truth concerning the blessed Lord, and, knowing that she had found Him, she went home and said to her mother, in the joy of her heart,

"O, mother! I have found a priceless treasure!"

Her mother wondered what was the matter with her little girl, and said,

"What do you mean, child? Where is this treasure you have found?"

The child answered with emphasis,

"In heaven, mother; it is the blessed Jesus I have found, and He has made me happy;" and she went on telling of the love of her Saviour, in bringing her to the knowledge of Himself.

Dear child, I will ask you one question: Do you know the loving Saviour as my little friend did? Is He the Priceless Treasure of your heart? Jesus loves little children still, even as on the day when He took them up in His arms and blessed them.

Will you trust Him? He has died on the shameful cross to save you from eternal woe. The blessed God had no other way whereby He might save poor sinners, such as we, save by sending His only begotten Son to suffer and die in our stead.

I beseech you to rest not until you know that the Priceless Treasure is yours.

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

Messages of God’s Love 5/6/1934

The Soldiers

DID you ever see a more orderly column of soldiers than this bright little officer has?

The geese are hurrying to the delightful pond quite unaware of the part they are playing in this very interesting picture.

As we look at the picture, appreciating the ingenuity of the little boy and the fun all are having, we see also a most solemn warning in the sketch.

Human beings, like geese, naturally seek their own pleasure, and, thoroughly engrossed in things which concern them, do not know that their course just suits Satan; the mighty enemy of souls and powerful commander, with lesser officers and ensigns.

Instead of obtaining,: a pleasant goal, as the geese do; the destiny of men in this march.is the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Will not some unsaved reader now awake to realize your peril, and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who died to save you and give you eternal life?

"THROUGH HIS NAME WHOSO. EVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS." Acts 10:43.

Messages of God’s Love 5/6/1934

Tell Me of the Lord Jesus

O! tell me of the blessed God

And let His will be done,

I will not seek this earth's false ways

But trust His blessed Son.

O! tell me of the blessed Lord

And how He lives above.

I shall be some day with Him there

And share with Him, His love.

O! tell me of the One who died

For sinners doomed like me,

And how He came to earth one day

To (he upon the tree.

O! tell me of that blessed One

On whom my sins were laid,

Who drank the bitter cup of wrath,

And suffered in my stead.

O! tell me of my blessed Lord,

Who is my present Guide,

As He is coming for me soon

To take me to His side.

Messages of God’s Love 5/6/1934

Sunrise on the Fishing Grounds

No doubt some of our readers have gone out with fishermen at night, and know how they do. They sail away out into deep water, and after the sun is set they let out their lines, or put out nets.

When setting lines, they drop a large cork attached to one end of the line, and then sail away slowly letting out the line, and putting out the large cork attached to the other end. They leave the line for the night, and as dawn comes in the morning, they begin to pull it in, and take the fish off the hooks.

The fish do not notice the hooks, but only the bait, and so they are caught. So with nets, they get their heads through and cannot pull back.

This is a good illustration of how Satan does with us. He spreads his nets to catch us into something that is wrong, but if we walk according to the light of God's Word, we shall not he caught, for that Word will show us God's path, and give us true wisdom, and wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird." Prov. 1:17.

Let us take heed to God's Word, and learn from it what is true wisdom. Let us begin by taking Christ as our Saviour, and then seek to please Him in all our ways. Without this we shall be sure to he caught in Satan's nets, and prove the foolishness of our hearts.

"WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM." Heb. 7:25.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

Salvation

A MAN was walking on a country road, when his attention was attracted by a little child crying piteously. He went to her and asked what was her trouble.

"O, sir," cried the child, "my sister is in the ditch."

The man looked into the very deep, ditch, and could see nothing at first; but presently he saw a little child held fast in the mud and bushes. She was nearly drowned, and it was no easy matter to save her. He succeeded, however, and put her on her way near her home.

Now, is not this like the case of the sinner? He is in the mire of sin. He tries to get out, and the more he struggles, the deeper he sinks in, till at last he gives up and thinks he is lost. Then comes One who goes down where the sinner is and brings him out.

"Thou hast brought me out of the horrible pit, out of the miry day, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Psa. 40:2.

The man might have stood by the ditch all day, but that would never have got the little child out of it. And so it was with us. Jesus left His bright home on high, and came down to us, and He has brought us up out of the ditch. And He has washed away all the evil from us, and has put a beautiful song in our mouths,

"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev. 1:5-6.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 59

THE early verses of chapter 58 exposed the sham, the pretense of the seemingly pious, but in this chapter we have an accurate picture of man, even of the favored few. From it the Holy Spirit has copied into Romans 3, that other and fuller God-given portrait of man which shows the human race as He sees it apart from a work of grace in the soul.

Jehovah's hand is riot shortened, nor is His ear heavy; sin has caused a separation between. Israel, indeed between all mankind, and Himself (verses 1, 2). The only true and acceptable ground of approach for a sinner to God is the confession of his guilt, and turning away from his sins will inevitably accompany it.

Prayers in our day that set aside the truth of Scripture as to man's being a sinner, and God's costly provision for meeting the sinner's need—the precious, atoning blood of Christ, however eloquent and reverend in style they may be, cannot reach God's ear,

The description of man given in verses 3 to 8 is what no human biographer ever originated. Hands, fingers, lips, tongues, feet, thoughts, principles of action, works and ways are all viewed by the all-seeing eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.

In verses 9 to 15 the Holy Spirit guides some into confession that makes no reservations. The case is hopeless,—except for God!

What follows is not the cross of Christ, nor the gospel which we have believed (if we are saved); it is the return of the Lord Jesus this world to set up His kindgom. Before that manifestation to the world, He will have caught away to heaven the heavenly saints much as Enoch was taken away without dying before the flood, through which Noah and his family were safely borne (Gen. 5:24;:13- 8:19).

How different, as we have before noted, the coming of the Lord for His heavenly saints, will be from His coming with His saints! 1 Thess. 4 gives the one; and a number of prophetic scriptures, the passage before us in Isa. 59 among them, describe the other. One will be unknown to the world; the other will be seen and felt by the world.

By widespread, unsparing judgment, and not by the preaching of the gospel, will the promised kingdom be established on earth. The believers in Israel's land will be delivered when at extremity due to the devil's determination to destroy the name of Christ from the earth.

Gentiles, who will have believed the gospel of the kingdom preached by Jewish witnesses, will be saved; so also will some of the Israelites included in the lost 10 tribes, Of these things the closing verses of the chapter briefly treat. Salvation then granted will be eternal, as the last verse shows.

But how solemn this coming of the Lord Jesus—now to be accepted as Saviour, but if this be neglected, then to be met as Judge both of the living and the dead—in view of the description of men which verses 3 to 8 afford.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

A Lesson from the Bees

A BLACK cloud was rising out of the west; the low muttering of distant thunder was heard, and as I stood taking note of the signs of the corning storm, I noticed the air seemed full of bees, each one dropping down straight as an arrow to the hive. I watched them for some time, as they hastened in from the flowery fields to their home, and this Scripture came to my mind,

“Flee from the wrath to come," Luke 3:7.

1 Thought, how much wiser the little bees are than the people of this world! God has given them warning after warning in His Word of the judgment surely coming on the poor world. But men go on as though all were well, unheeding the solemn word,

"Flee from the wrath to come."

How safe the little bees are in their hives! The storm may rage about them, but it does not touch them. And, O, how safe is each one who has fled for refuge to Christ.

"A Man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest." Isa.. 32:2. We know who that Man is, even

"The Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all." 1 Tim. 2:6.

O, dear children! young and old, be wise as the bees. Make haste to Christ! Let not the pleasures of any of this world's fields tempt you to stay away from Him. He will be your "covert" and "hiding-place" when the great day of God's wrath has come.

Flee to Him at once, before the great storm of judgment comes on this poor world for the rejection of the Lord Jesus, the only Saviour for us.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

Trusting The Lord

Dear little Jennie was six years old. She had been taught by her kind nurse, Catharine, of the Lord. Jesus, as a Saviour. And she believed on Him, taking° to Him all that happened to her.

She and her sister had a pet bird, in a cage. One day, by some mistake, Jennie let the bird loose, and the little thing, glad to be free, spread its wings for the first time in its life, to fly, and away it went, and soon was lost.

Jennie was, at first, troubled, because the bird did not belong to her alone. But, in her trouble, she asked the Lord to bring back the bird and, resting in Him, she soon had peace about the matter.

Soon the Lord gave her an opportunity to tell out what she believed, for she came to her nurse and told her about the bird. Catharine chided her a little, and told her it was lost, but she answered,

"I know the Lord will bring it back, for I trust it to Him."

And, sure enough, He did bring it back. That very evening, as she went into the room where the cage was, she saw her little pet in his old place, as if nothing had happened.

"There, Catharine," she said, “did not tell you the Lord would take care of our little bird and bring him back?"

The bird had wandered off, and alighted in the bushes, and someone, hearing it and knowing it, had caught it and brought it to its cage. How easily the Lord can answer faith in Him. That seems easy and simple enough, does it not? Yes, but the faith that left it all with the Lord, was answered in this way, the Lord bringing the bird to rest on the bush, and then bringing the person just at the right time to save it.

And now, dear child, He has brought, just at the right time, when we were sinners, One who is a Saviour, and can never lose one that trusts the soul in his hands, believing on Him, only. 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, neither shall any one pluck them out of My hand." John 10:27-28.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

The Little Boy's Gift

THERE is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes ... and

Jesus took the loaves; ... and likewise the fishes." John 6:9, 11.

'Twas only a small boy's basket,

And a small boy's love for Him;

But the gift, with the love,

Moved a power above,

And thousands were fed by Him.

"Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not .any." Job 36:5.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

A People That Are Not Strong

The ants a people are

Not strong, yet they prepare

Their food before the winter

Blasts do fill the air.

And now, dear one, are you like they.

Prepared for a coming day?

Conies are a feeble folk,

Yet they their houses make

In the rock, so that storms

Them may never shake.

And now, dear one, let others mock,

But say, Are you upon the rock?

The locusts have no king,

Yet they united are,

And nothing ever seems

Their unity to mar.

Dear soul, say, are you now one

With Him who sits on heaven's high throne?

The spider, that it is,

That takes hold with her hands,

And is in palaces

Of the kings of lands.

Dear one, do you expect to be

In Christ's own home His face to see?

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust." Psa. 18:2.

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

Ere Another Morning's Light

Christ is coming, are you ready?

Would you like to hear His shout?

Will He find you watching daily?

Ever on the hright look-out?

For He may he here tonight,

Ere another morning's light,

Yes, He's coining, coming quickly,

And we do not know the day;

So we must be ever watching

For the Morning Star's first ray,

For it might be seen tonight,

Ere another morning's light.

What a joyful, joyful meeting,

That will he, when in the air,

We shall hear our Saviour's greeting,

And behold His face so fair

And this might take place tonight,

Ere another morning's light.

He will come Himself to meet us,

His the voice that we shall hear,

'Tis our absent, blessed Jesus,

Even now to us so dear;

if His shout were heard tonight,

Would you hear it with delight?

Messages of God’s Love 5/13/1934

The Hungry Quartette

POOR hungry little kittens! How they do long for the milk they usually find in the little white bowl. The grasshopper seems not to understand their plight. When milk was put in regularly, do you suppose they appreciated it? Human beings are inclined to take the supplying of their daily needs for granted, and then complain when these provisions are cut off.

Now, as many know, the word "milk" is often used to mean the Word of God. How easy it is now to obtain a Bible and to read it, and thus obtain the necessary food for our souls. Yet this food is not prized as highly by a great many people as it was when people had to save their earnings for many months, and then walk perhaps fifty miles to buy a Bible,

The empty bowl suggests two things Which show the necessity of feeding' well on the "sincere milk of the Word" while we can do so. One is, we may lose our eyesight, and we then would wish we had read the Bible more, and learned more about the Lord Jesus. The other is the fact that in some countries people are not allowed to own a copy or to read the Scriptures.

We cannot tell how long we may have our eyesight, or how long we may be permitted to read God's Word. If we have taken Christ as our Saviour we do know that whatever of this blessed Book we have fed upon and hidden in our hearts is ours to enjoy throughout all eternity.

"Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee," Psa. 119:11.

"THE SCRIPTURE SAITH, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED." Rom. 10:11.

Messages of God’s Love 5/20/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 60

A lovely contrast is afforded in this chapter with the one we have just been studying. Chapter 59 turned the light of God's truth on man, and particularly the Israelites, revealing a state beyond remedy at the end of the present day of grace with which the Lord Jesus will deal at His appearing.

Chapter 60 shows us the Jerusalem that will be when the outpouring of judgment on the living is over, and the world is no longer the scene of Satan's power.

We are again reminded that the world will not be converted to God through the preaching of the gospel,

"For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples" (verse 2).

This is at the climax of the world's boasted progress. Telephone, telegraph, steam and electric power, the gasoline motor, the radio, the air plane, and countless other inventions have been contributed to our day, but God has not the place in human planning that He had even a few years ago. We are hastening to the end of the day of grace.

"The morning cometh, and also the night!" Isa. 21:12.

There will be no rivalry of cities or of nations, then; Jerusalem will be the central city, the metropolis of the whole earth. And the nations shall walk in her light, and kings by the brightness of her rising.

From far off lands the sons and daughters of Israel will come, no longer content to live anywhere that they can make money. To the land of Israel, the "abundance of the sea" shall be turned, and the wealth of the nations by land and sea. Not unwillingly will gifts be brought: the carriers shall "publish the praises of Jehovah." May that day soon come!

"Midian" is the Arabs; Sheba's position is not so easily found; Kedar and Nebaioth are Ishmaelites. "Tarshish" is another locality which has not been identified. It was to that place that the ship on which Jonah sailed from Joppa was bound, but whether this was, as some think, a port of Spain, or somewhere south or southeast, cannot now be determined. The ships of Tarshish are mentioned in 1 Kings 10:22 and 22:48; 2 Chiron. 20:36, 37 and Psa. 48:7.

After all, the "ships of Tarshish" (verse 9) may be a term to symbolize the principal shipping lines of the world. Whatever it may mean, it is clear that many ships will be called upon to bring Israel's sons, their silver and their gold, to the land of their fathers and to Jerusalem (verse 9).

What a change is in early prospect for Jerusalem and the Holy Land! (verses 11-21). The glory of Jehovah will so mark the city, that the sun and the moon will riot be looked on as the sources of light.

"Jehovah shall he thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous."

Messages of God’s Love 5/20/1934

The Lord as Security

HARK! What is that? Someone knocking, Well, I wish they would go on and let us rest. We have lost enough already." Thus spoke a wife, one night, to her husband, who had just been disturbed by someone at the door. They lived in a cottage by themselves, at some distance from neighbors. Their house being near the public road, many a traveler had stopped to beg a lodging, and receiving it had gone away, oftentimes taking things without leave, that could be poorly spared by this couple, for they were poor. The man was a weaver, but now, owing to these frequent stealings, he had very little left but the loom, with which he wove for their daily bread. But they were the Lord's children, and it cost them a severe pang to turn away from any who asked for a favor.

While we have been giving this explanation, the man has not been left to knock, for the husband has been to the door and unlocked it, and brought in the stranger. He is not a very pleasant looking one either, but one that might well arouse their fears that all was not right. Still he is allowed to stay, and is given such comfort for the night as the poor weaver could offer.

Now let us go back with the husband and listen, while he explains to his wife how it all happened.

"Have you really let him stay?"

"Yes, he seemed to need it, and I told him he might."

"What does he look like?"

"Rather a rough one, that is a fact."

"Well, we shall probably be robbed of what we have left. Why did you do this? You know what we have suffered."

"Yes, and I would not have done so, but for the security he gave."

"What was that?"

I told him that we had already been robbed of nearly everything, and would rather not have him come in, and asked him what assurance I could have that he would not rob us, and he answered that he gave the Lord as security. I felt that we could take that, and for His sake give any one shelter."

So these dear simple ones were quieted to sleep, resting on the arm and the word of Him who never fails His own.

But,' in the morning, they found that their lodger had left them, and had taken their loom with him! Knowing that if he used the name of the Lord, he would be likely to be taken as a Christian, and a safe man, this cunning thief thus deceived them and taken just what he wanted,

"There!" said the wife, "I felt afraid, and told you we ought not to trust anybody any more. What shall we do?"

"Well," answered the husband "he gave the Lord as security and I will take Him for it, He is good for that, and will rest on Him yet."

Happy man! And the Lord met this trust, and brought back the loom before the day had gone. The day was exceedingly foggy and the fog was so thick, that the traveler with his stolen loom, wandered round and round the cottage of these poor people, thinking he was going straight on his way. As night began to come on, feeling worn out, he knocked at the very door he had left in the morning, and asked if he could come in.

"Yes, and put down the loom!" said the man, who knew his voice.

The thief was so alarmed that he dropped the loom and ran away, and they saw nothing more of him. Thus, though the thief meant nothing for the Lord, when he used His name as security, the Lord Himself took up the case.

We cannot trust Him in vain. God has given His Son that we may have One to trust in.

"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 5/20/1934

The Storm and the Rainbow

THE good effects of having the Word of God well ingrained in the young mind, are evidenced in many cases of early conversion, and in ability to resist and refuse divers and strange doctrines, now so common and destructive of a spirit of reverence towards Divine and eternal things. The following incident confirms the value of the pure Word of God acting on the mind and heart of youth.

A boy and his sister on a vacation in the mountains were overtaken by a violent rain storm where they were camping. Rain poured for hours, and someone said there was likely to be "another flood." It was a foolish thing to say. But it did not frighten the boy and girl.

"The Bible tells us there will never be another," said. Bessie in an assuring tone to her brother, "and what God says, He will fulfil."

Ere the words had long left her lips, a rainbow appeared—"God's token" of His promise to Noah.

God's 'Word assures us there is no judgment to those who believe in Christ:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5.:24.

Messages of God’s Love 5/20/1934

A Little Girl's Prayer

AS little Nellie was one day going along the street, she met with a bad accident. Some foolish boys were amusing themselves with throwing stones, one of which hit her on the eye, and hurt her dreadfully. She was in such pain she had to be carried home; her father sent for the surgeon, who declared that she would have to undergo a very painful operation. When the time arrived, she sat upon her father's knee, and he said,

"Nellie, are you ready?"

"Not quite, father," she replied. "I should like to wait a minute—I have not prayed to God yet." And then with her little hands folded together, she prayed,

"O God! forgive the little boy who hurt me, and help me to bear the pain well, and may Jesus be with me.'' She then said, "Father, I am now ready." And she bore the operation without a cry, and so patient was she, that all the people who stood by said,

"How God can help a little girl to bear pain!"

See what the grace of God can do for us if we only ask Him.

"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16: 23-24.

Messages of God’s Love 5/20/1934

The Flock Follow Him

Yes, Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son,

Came clown to take the sinner's place;

Jesus, all glorious names in one, .

Died to redeem His chosen race.

He died to rescue fallen man,

And bled for sinners here below;

Dear children, tell me if you can,

Do you this precious Saviour know?

For Jesus' sheep delight to hear

Their loving Shepherd's gentle voice

His lambs have an attentive ear,

And in His sweet commands rejoice.

They follow where He leads the way,

And in His footsteps seek to tread;

They fear from Him to go astray,

Nor will by other hands be fed.

Now, then, dear children, tell me true,

Are you to this Good Shepherd known?

Is Jesus really feeding you,

And are you following Him alone?

Messages of God’s Love 5/20/1934

The Sparrow's Song

I'm only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree;

My life is of little value,

But there's One who cares for me.

He gave me a coat of feathers—

It is very plain, I know;

With never a speck of crimson,

For it was not made for show.

But it keeps me warm in winter,

And it shields me from the rain;

If bordered with gold or purple,

Perhaps it would make me vain.

And now that the spring-time cometh,

I will build a little nest,

With many a chirp of pleasure,

In the spot I like the best.

I have neither barn or storehouse,

And I neither sow nor reap;

God gives me a sparrow's portion,

But never a seed to keep.

If my meal is sometimes scanty,

Close picking makes it sweet;

I've always enough to feed me,

And life is more than meat,

I know there are many sparrows—

All over' the world we're found.

But the Father in heaven knoweth,

When one of us falls to the ground.

Though small, we're never forgotten,

Though weak, we're never afraid,

The Father in heaven keepeth

The life of the creatures He made.

I fly through the thickest forest,

I light on many a spray,

I have no chart, nor a compass,

But I never lose my way.

And I fold my wings at twilight,

Wherever I happen to be,

The Father in heaven watcheth,

And no harm can come to me.

I'm only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree;

But I know my Father loves me,

Dost thou know His love for Thee?

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?" Luke 12:6.

"FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE; YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS." Luke 12:7.

Messages of God’s Love 5/27/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 61 and 62

THE opening verse of chapter 61 brings to mind that sabbath day in the synagogue at Nazareth when our blessed Lord was present and stood up to read (Luke 4:16-21). He read the words written for Him 750 years before:

"The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon Me, because Jehovah hath anointed Me to announce glad tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of Jehovah,"—and there He stopped. He would not say, "And the day of vengeance of our God," for had come in lowly grace, and what He had read disclosed His blessed mission in His first coming.

Yet His speaking to the people that day filled them with hatred for Himself, They sought to accomplish His death, and only divine power kept them from casting Hint headlong from the precipice. Men and women today, like those, unconcerned about their eternal destiny, select portions of the Scriptures and quote them to serve their own purposes, invariably making use of only such passages as do not reach their consciences; they reject the Bible as the Word of God, and are angry if directed to its disclosures of the natural heart, and the one way of salvation,

The day of vengeance belongs to His second coming to this earth, and cannot now be far off. After it, the old wastes and former desolations, the waste cities, places desolate from generation to generation, which are found in the Holy Land, will be rebuilt, for Israel's land will be populated as never before, ere the Millennium closes,

Then mercy will flow in abundance, and the earthly people of God will fully delight in Him, themselves born anew (John 3),

It is remarkable how the Holy Spirit in Old Testament prophecy passes over the long interval between the Lord's first and second comings, without a hint of what would take place during this interval, in the forming of the Church, a heavenly body. God chose to withhold that secret (Eph. 1:9; 3:3-6) until Israel, that is to say, the Jews, had sealed their rejection of the Messiah in the most positive manner.

The heart fills with joy in the knowledge of Him who, despite the treatment He received 1900 years ago, purposes to come again to bless as this world has never been blessed. He will not be content until Jerusalem's "righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a torch that burneth." He must judge the wicked. He cannot be true to Himself, and allow sin to continue forever, But judgment, the punishment of the Wicked, is His “strange work” (Isa. 28:21).

Chapters 61 and 62 are a very precious portion of God's Word, written in such language that little of exposition seems needed. They testify of Christ, and that is ever enough to satisfy the Christian heart.

Messages of God’s Love 5/27/1934

A Discovery

THOUGH I've been a praying woman these twenty years, never knew before that I needed the blood of Christ! None in this town could lay a flaw to my character; but what did that matter as long as I had not Christ?"

Ali, dear woman, you may well ask that weighty question! What, indeed, does it matter, as to the soul's salvation, what one does if the back is turned on Christ?

What a discovery when one finds out that only the precious blood of Christ avails for the sinner, that all else is an empty sham.

"We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets," (Luke 18:26) will be the plea of some in that great day, but the Lord tells us He will .say to these,

"I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke 13:27.

I am greatly concerned for many who are closely associated with converted people, and who themselves are often under the sound of the gospel. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters or friends are saved people, but those I speak of are still without God, their sins unforgiven! they are indeed on the broad road to hell.

O, that they realized their great and terrible danger.

If the reader is one of these, if like the good woman whose confession you read, you have never realized that you need the blood of Christ to cleanse your guilty, sin-dyed soul, I pray you wake up to the fact ere it be too late.

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

"it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" Lev. 17:11.

"When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

Messages of God’s Love 5/27/1934

It Was for Me

ONE stormy Sunday afternoon, at the hour when a class of young women usually gathered in a little mountain cottage, only one young girl waited for her teacher.

She had been learning during the week the sweet words contained in the 53rd of Isaiah; and as she toiled up the hillside, she had been repeating the verses to herself; but they were only to her then, as the "very lovely song of one who had a pleasant voice." She did not know the meaning of "being healed by His stripes."

After prayer, with which the hour of teaching always began, Mary repeated the first four verses of her chapter. When she reached the fifth verse—

"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," tears filled her eyes, and before reaching the end of the verse her head sank down, and the fast failing tears dropped on the open Bible before her, as she sobbed out--

"It was for me, it was for me!"

The intense solemnity of that moment prevented any other words being spoken than these in answer to her words—

"Let us thank Him, dear child, that it was for you:" and they knelt down, and after the teacher had thanked the Lord for opening the blind eyes of her dear scholar to see Jesus as her Substitute, the weeping girl in broken words said—

"Lord Jesus! I thank Thee that Thou didst die for me, that Thou didst take my punishment:" and then the sweet calm of conscious acceptance in the Beloved stole into the broken heart, and peace with God was sweetly realized.

Dear young reader, have you ever known the joy of knowing that the Lord Jesus was wounded for your transgressions, that He was bruised for your iniquities?”

Messages of God’s Love 5/27/1934

Mary's New Gloves

A LITTLE girl whose name is Mary, had a pair of black kid gloves given her, and she was very proud of them.

One day she went on a visit to her aunt, dressed in her best dress and wearing her new kid gloves. She tripped along the lane quite merrily, thinking herself quite a little lady, and every now and again she wiped the perspiration from her brow with the finger of her glove.

As she passed a row of workman's cottages, the children came out and looked at her very curiously. Mary thought they were admiring her pretty new dress, and we fear she was not a little proud of it.

But when she arrived at her aunt's, her pride was humbled, as she learned the real cause of attraction. The black dye had come off her new gloves, and right across her brow and on both her cheeks, there were great black marks, making her look quite a fright. Her aunt led her into a room in front of a looking-glass, and when Mary saw herself as she had been seen by others, her thoughts were quite changed, and instead of being proud of her appearance, she was very much ashamed. It was a sight of her face in the looking-glass, that changed her opinion of herself.

And this is just how it is with many a sinner, old and young. A sight of one's self in the looking-glass of God's Word (Isa. 1:6 and Rom. 3:10-16 ) humbles pride, and shows how unfit for heaven the sinner is, apart from being cleansed from sin in the precious blood of Christ. Have you seen yourself in the mirror of God's Holy Word? Have you gone to Christ for salvation?

"Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." Psa. 39;5’

“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Lev. 17:11.

Messages of God’s Love 5/27/1034

The Good Shepherd's Lambs

Jesus Lord, we love Thee well,

We would all Thy praises tell;

Thou dolt keep us safe from harm,

Sheltered by 'Thy powerful arm.

Thou, our loving Saviour, dear,

Dost bow clown a list'ning ear;

When we come and cry to Thee,

Thou wilt hear us speedily.

Thou, our Shepherd kind and good,

Feeding us with heavenly food,

To Thy lambs art ever near,

Never have they cause to fear.

Thou, our 'Teacher, Lord, may we

'Daily learn to follow Thee;

List’ning to Thy loving voice,

May we in Thy love rejoice.

Thou our Lord and Master too,

Thou wilt tell is what to do;

May we ever Thee obey,

Walking in the narrow way.

When our pilgrimage is o'er

And we reach heaven's blissful shore,

Then we shall more fully know

All Thy goodness here below.

Messages of God’s Love 5/27/1934

Bible Questions for June

Answers to Bible Questions for April "The Children's Class"

1. "And he saith," etc. Mark 16:6.

2. "For they all," etc. " 6:50.

3. "When Jesus heard," etc. ” 2:17.

4. "Whosoever shall," etc. " 9:37.

5. "This was the," etc. " 12:11.

6. "And other fell," etc. " 4:8.

7. "For it might," etc. " 14:5.

Bible Questions for June
"The Children's Class"

The Answers are to be found in Luke, Chapters 13-24

1, Write in Full the verse containing the words, "Thus it is written."

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, "When the Passover must be killed."

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, "It may he they will reverence him."

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, "God knoweth your hearts."

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, "Yet a great way off."

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, "Hath shut to the door."

7. What were people doing in Noah's day before the flood came and destroyed them all?

Answers to Bible Questions for April
"The Young People's Bible Class"

1. Mark i:2—Mal. 3:1.

2. Mark 1:3-1SA. 40:3,

3. Mark 7:6-Isa. 29:13,

4. "Take heed what ye hear." Mark 4:21.

5. What conies from his heart. Mark 7:20-23.

6. No, only the disciples. Mark 2:23.

7. Of those who are ashamed of Him. Mark 8:38

Bible Questions for June
"The Young People's Bible Class"

The Answers are to be found in Luke, Chapters 13-24

Questions 1-3. Give three verses that contain quotations from the Old Testament Scriptures, and give both the Old and the New Testament references.

4-6. Give three Old Testament incidents referred to by the Lord, and give both the Old and New Testament references.

7. Name seven Old Testament characters referred to, and give references in Luke.

Messages of God’s Love 6/3/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 62

In verses 1 to 6 is a brief account of the appearance of the Lord Jesus in Judah's land when as Israel's Messiah He will have destroyed the allied armies of the nations bordering Palestine, the blow falling in the country of Esau's children-Edom, or Idumea (the Greek form of the same name). His first act, on corning back to the world, to Jerusalem where He was crucified, will be to judge the western power, the revived Roman Empire in its head, and the Antichrist. This will be shortly followed by judgments falling on the eastern powers represented by the Assyrian or king of the north, and the nearby nations with which Edom will be associated. The prophetic Scriptures tell much of coming judgments upon the children of Israel and tile nations, but the object of the Holy Spirit being to tell of the character of the judgments, long withheld and richly deserved, and upon whom they will fall, and when, we are not given uncalled for detail, nor the order or precise time of most of the judgments.

Bozrah, verse 1, was an important place in Edom, and will be again. In verses and 6, "the people" refers to the nations, not to Israel. Israel will have a share in the judgment on Edom (Isa. 11:1.4: Obadiah 18).

Verses 3, 4 and 6, we should read as the Lord's speaking of what He will have done, rather than of what He will thereafter (16; read for example, in verse 3: "I have trodden them in Mine anger and their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My garments."

Verse 7 begins the last division of Isaiah's very extended and most inclusive prophecy. The remainder of chapter 63 and the whole of chapter 64 are the voice of the Spirit in the remnant of Israel, seeking, with confession of past sin and acknowledgment of God's mercy, deliverance from the consequences for their sin. In chapters 65 and 66 we have God's answer of grace, in language which moves the heart.

In verse 8, the last clause may be read "and He became their Saviour." "Him" at the end of verse 14, is Moses. Verse 14 is properly plural in form,—"As cattle go down into the valley, the Spirit of Jehovah gave them rest, etc." Verses 7 to 14 are a review of Israel's history as watched over and cared for by God from the slavery of Egypt to their resting place in the land of Palestine.

Founded upon the nation's former experience of divine favor, the God-fearing children of Israel i),f the fast approaching day will plead for a renewal of it (verses 40-19), They will press a relationship not equal to that in which the Christian stands, but one owned of God for the reborn children of Israel:

"Thou, O Jehovah, art our Father; our Redeemer, from everlasting is Thy name."

A mere remnant of the nation which has been for many centuries under God's disfavor because of sin upon sin, they declare that Abraham may be ignorant of them,—and certainly the mass of Israel, apostate from God, will not acknowledge them; under judicial hardening, too, the nation has been, like Pharaoh of old, who first hardened his heart, and afterward was hardened (Ex. 9:12),—-yet are they His people, and in the deepest need.

Messages of God’s Love 6/3/1934

Waiting for God's Time

THE devil has many devices which he uses in order to hinder sinners receiving immediate salvation. One of these is that they must wait for God's time. As though the God of all grace wished them to remain in the devil's service, or to continue in sin another hour instead of becoming His servants at once! This is to cast a slur upon the character of a holy, sin-hating God. He does not desire that anyone should abide in bondage to evil for a second. His wish is that all men should be saved. His 7C' ay is by Christ. His time is NOW.

Someone has brought together three "now" verses,—an A, B, C. They all show that God's time is the present moment.

"Acquaint NOW thyself with Him and he at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job 22:21. This is the NOW of acquaintance of peace—of good.

"Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2. This is the NOW of acceptance. God will receive you if you come. This is the NOW of salvation. God will deliver you from sin and from Satan's power the moment you do come.

“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." Isa. 1:18. This is the NOW of cleansing. Through the precious blood of Christ your many sins may all be blotted out.

Messages of God’s Love 6/3/1934

Thou God Seest Me

The following story was told by a dear Christian woman to her Sunday school class many years ago, but the little incident and the happiness in her face as she told it, are as clear in the mind of at least one of her scholars, as the events of yesterday.

One morning her daughter went to her days work, leaving the mother alone in the house. Feeling quite strong she went about her work with a light heart, and soon the kitchen was neat and clean. Then she started to make up the bed, but she had no sooner removed the covering than she was suddenly stricken with paralysis and. fell helpless beside the bed, vainly trying to move, and only able to cry very faintly for help. She realized that she was very sick and needed help at once, and as the time dragged slowly on she almost despaired, when suddenly into her mind came these words:

"Thou God seest me."

She had learned the verse many years before, when she went to Sunday school as a little child, and now it returned bringing great comfort, for it told her that the eyes of the Lord were looking down at her in her sore trouble.

Most earnestly she prayed to the Lord to send her help, and very soon afterward a neighbor came over to see her for a few moments. oven in the midst of her suffering she thanked God for His gracious help and ever afterward took great comfort in telling others of her experience.

How often the children of God have been strengthened and comforted in time of sorrow by some sweet passage from the Bible.

How important it is for the young and old to memorize portions of the Bible, which will be brought to remembrance by the Lord just at the time we need them, and will comfort us in time of trouble.

We shall also be able to cheer and comfort others who are in sorrow, and point out gospel verses to those who are not saved, showing the war they too may he saved through the Lord Jesus and His work on the cress for them. May it be said of you,

''That from a child thou lust known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15.

Messages of God’s Love 6/3/1934

The Menagerie

How do you like this interesting picture? The little boy seems to be entertaining his playmates by telling them some of the characteristics of the various animals he has collected, and is announcing the tricks they are supposed to perform. We hear Tabby cannot be found when her time comes. The toys stay right in their places, but the live animals seem to need to be held to keep them from running away.

We are each very much like Tabby in having- wills which want to take us in ways which please ourselves instead of pleasing God. The Lord Jesus did always the things that pleased His Father and of Him it is written,

“Even Christ pleased not Himself." Rom. 15:3.

We need often to remind ourselves of this verse:

"HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THEY WHICH LIVE SHOULD NOT HENCEFORTH LIVE UNTO THEMSELVES, BUT UNTO HIM WHICH DIED FOR THEM, AND ROSE AGAIN." 2 Cor. 5:15.

Messages of God’s Love 6/3/1934

Sin in God's Sight

When the guilt of sin is seen

In the light of God, so keen;

Like a mountain rising high,

In its length and breadth 'tis viewed,

opposed to Christ and God.

Man could ne'er remove the stain,

Least of all could life obtain,

O the love,—sound it abroad!

Christ removes it by His blood!

Knowing this, we praise our God.

Messages of God’s Love 6/3/1934

Pasture by the Sea

NOT often is such beautiful green pasture found this near to the sea shore, but everywhere we see God's wonderful provision for His creatures in one way or another.

Then cattle are led to pasture and cared for, they soon learn to know their owner or master, and will respond in a measure to the commands of those who feed them.

It is strange that many people take all they can get, and vet never seem to realize that God is the One who is supplying all their needs. They are just like what God said about His people Israel.

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Isa. 1:3.

How sad it is when some say they do not know God. May we recognize God in all our ways, and thank Him, for He is the One who supplies all our needs. It is not enough that we think of Him as our Creator and Sustainer: He wants us to know that we are shiners for whom Christ Jesus His Son died, and then Pre will feed our souls also,

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Prov. 8:0.

"I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED, AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE." John 10:9.

Messages of God’s Love 6/10/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 64

THE petition of the godly remnant of Israel for God's delivering power to be exercised on their behalf becomes more earnest; "O that Thou wouldest rend the heavens, that Thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence!" (verse 1),

Strikingly different is this from the language which befits the Christian (Rev 22:17). If we are to groan here, it is that our bodies shall be redeemed (Rom. 8:23) at the Lord's secret coming to take His heavenly people away before the dawn of the eternal day. Our citizenship is not on earth, but has its existence in the heavens, from which also we await the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour (Phil 3:20, 21), He went to prepare us a place in His Father's house, and is coming again to receive us to Himself that where He is, we also may (John 14:2, 1).

In days of (sad, God did terrible things for Israel had not looked; the judgments in Egypt; the deliverance of the people from Pharaoh's power in the death of the first born, the crossing of the Red Sea, and all the exhibitions of divine power from that time unto the day when God gave up Israel and Judah as His people, all testified for Him and to His interest in the nation He had chosen (verse 8).

Indeed, "never have Men heard, nor perceived by the ear, nor hath eve seen a God beside Thee, Who acteth for him that waiteth for Him" (verse 1, N.T. ) The substance of this verse is repeated in 1 Cor. 2:9, with changes to suit the peculiarly blessed position of the Christian made known only after the cross of Christ. It is profitable to compare the two passages and note the differences. The "heart of man" met its judgment at the cross; and "the things which God path prepared for them that love Him" is an expression, the exact counterpart of which we would scarcely find in the Old Testament., since it was only at and since the cross that the love of God has been fully revealed. The contrast of the two passages is made yet stronger by the 10th verse of I. Cor. 2, which many fail to note, though it is the key to the Christian position today. The Holy Spirit will, in the coming dispensation commonly called the 1\,:ti1lennium, he "poured out" upon all who are God's children, but only those who in the present dispensation of grace believe, are spoken of in the Scriptures as "sealed" and "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit.

Verse 5 in the "authorized" version of the Bible is a little difficult to understand. Another has translated it from the original tongue thus: "Thou meetest him that rejoiceth to do righteousness, those that remember Thee in Thy ways; (behold, Thou wast wroth, and we have sinned;) in those (ways) is perpetuity, and we shall be saved.”

But the confession is deep, from the heat,—-"We are all as an unclean thing-, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away: and there is none that calleth upon name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee" (verses 6 and 7). It is only when we take our real place in humility and confession of failure, that God can freely bless us.

So this supplication of the godly, joining a petition which it is according to God to grant, with the acknowledgment from the heart that they have been rightly afflicted for their iniquities, seeks mercy as well as blessing. The following chapters bring the answer.

Messages of God’s Love 6/10/1934

Do What You Can

THERE are many young Christians who feel an earnest longing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but know not how to set about it.

If only I were Mr. So-and-so, then I could do something for Him Who has done everything for me; but I am so young, and have so little power and ability, that I almost despair of ever being able to please Him."

Such language is often in the hearts of young believers, even if it does not rise to their lips.

There is cheer for all such in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ about Mary of Bethany. When she broke her alabaster box of spikenard and anointed His feet, the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. The disciples, led by Judas Iscariot, murmured at her, declaring it was but waste. But the Lord defended her, saying,

"Let her alone.. .. she hath wrought a good Work on Me ....she hath done what she could." Mark 14:6.

What words of comfort to her these must have been to know that His heart was gratified, that He was pleased.

And may they not carry comfort to every Christian who desires to serve our Lord and Master? Even a child can please the Lord by doing heartily and well that which lies in his power. It may be very little indeed, and onlookers among men may despise it, but i the heart is earnest in the endeavor to follow Christ's steps—and following Him is the best and highest service—-and to do His bidding, His

"Well done, good and faithful servant," will be gained "in that day" when rewards are given and the secrets of the heart are manifested.

So, whether in home duties, schoolwork, or business life,

"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men." Col. 3: 9 3

No Christian need fold the hands. saving.

There is nothing 1 can do."

There is service for all, and our Saviour and Lord will direct each one who looks to Him for guidance.

It may be you can give a leaflet or little gospel book to a companion, or write a letter to a distant friend, seeking to speak the praise of your Saviour, Perhaps you may find some old people for whom you may do little acts of kindness, and then there are always parents, or brothers and sisters, or companions, for whom the youngest may perform deeds of love.

"I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to 'maintain good works," Titus 3:8.

"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 99:12.

Messages of God’s Love 6/10/1934

The Odd Sparrow Not Forgotten

A LITTLE Spanish boy in Vigo, who became a devout Christian, was asked what was used to give him a knowledge of the Saviour.

"It was all because of the odd sparrow," the boy answered.

"1 do not understand, what odd sparrow?"

"Well, sir, a gentleman gave me a Testament, where I read, 'Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing,' and again in Luke, 'Are not live sparrows sold for two farthings,' and I said to myself that our Lord Jesus Christ knew well our custom of selling. birds.

"As you know, sir, we trap the birds and get one chico for two, but for two chicos we throw in an extra sparrow. That extra sparrow is only a make-weight and of no account at all.

"So I thought to myself, that I am so insignificant, so poor, and so small that no one would think of counting me. I am like the fifth sparrow. And yet the Lord Jesus says, 'Not one is forgotten before God.'

°°I have never heard anything like it, sir, No one but the Lord would ever have thought of not forgetting little me."

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Prov. 15:3.

"God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." 1 Pet. 5:5.

"When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

Messages of God’s Love 6/10/1934

Confession

A little boy beside his bed

Was kneeling down in prayer;

Upon the quilt he laid his head.

But found no comfort there.

He seemed to struggle much with grief,

When, bursting out in tears,

His little heart soon found relief

And freedom from his fears.

His face, so often calm and mild,

With grief was all awry;

He cried, "Lord, I'm a naughty child—

Today I told a lie!

"My mother bade me something do—

My naughty will was such

I said I'd been—that was not true—

Which grieved my mother much.

"Thou knowest too, she made me smart.

The whipping made me cry;

It is not that which grieves my heart——

It is the wicked lie!

"Forgive me, Lord, for what I've done.

Make me a truthful boy;

Forgive me for Thine own dear Son"—

There was a gleam of joy

Upon that little tearful face;

No longer did he weep,

Rut, rising from the throne of grace,

He sweetly sank to sleep.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteonsness." 1 John 1:9.

Messages of God’s Love 6/10/1934

Make Haste-Time Flies

QUEEN ELIZABETH is reported to have said when dying,

"Millions of money for a moment of time."

She is not the only person who has learned to place true value upon time.

Now sad that it should be only rightly valued by many when all the golden opportunities it brings are gone, and gone forever!

It is to the young that we would especially address ourselves. Of all times, youth is the hest in which to become a Christian. Hear the testimony of a dying man to his son, a young man in the bloom of health:

"Give to God a full cup, my lad; don't offer Him the dregs of a wasted life, as I have done!"

`By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to he called the son Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." 171eb, 11: 24-26.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Eccles. 12:1.

Messages of God’s Love 6/10/1934

Sympathy and Kindness

Poor doggie hurt his leg, Off little Cecil hurried with his pet to the blacksmith, who always seemed to know how to doctor sick animals. The kind smith showed his sympathy by looking at the injured leg and telling the little master what to do for it.

How good it is to see sympathy and kindness expressed. To find the fullest expression of love and sympathy, we must think of God's love in sparing His Son front His side to die for us, and look at the cross where the Lord Jesus gave Himself to bear our punishment from the hand of a righteous and holy God.

If we want to show true sympathy and love that will be acceptable to God, we must first know what our own heart by nature is, and acknowledge Jesus as the only One to meet our need. Then we can seek to show to others the love He has shown to us.

"THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME." Gal. 2:20.

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." ¤ John 4;11.

Messages of God’s Love 6/17/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 65

WHEN grace was offered to the Jews, as a nation they rejected it (Acts 7:51 to 8:3; 13:38-17, etc.), and God's answer to the pleading of chapters 63 and 64 therefore begins by pointing to the Gentiles who accepted His gift: "I am sought (out) of them that asked not for Me; I am found of them that sought Me not; I said, Behold Me, behold Me! unto a nation that was not called by My name."

As for Israel, His word is, "I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way not good, after their own thoughts, a people that provoketh Me to anger continually to My face...." In Rom. 10:20, 21, the application of these two verses to the Gentile and the Jew is made plain.

John 12:20-33, in the desire of the Greeks who came up to Jerusalem to see Jesus,—a desire which led Him to speak of His cross and His return to scenes of heavenly glory—gave a foreshadowing of the Gentile reception of the gospel of God's grace when the good news was offered them (Acts 10:44, 45; 11: 19-26, etc.) Acts S:51-53 furnishes a striking contrast in the testimony of the first Christian martyr before the Jewish council. We cannot doubt that the Holy Spirit was then in Stephen witnessing to the truth of Israel's state.

Verses 8 and 4 of our chapter refer to the practice of idolatry, to which Israel was of old devoted, and will be again more than before. (See Matt. 1.2:48-45.)

Judgment will surely fall upon the unrepentant (verses 6 and 7); God's pardoning mercy is for those who will accept it; the rejecters are assured of unsparing dealing in which there will be no mercy. This principle is set forth in many places in. God's holy Word; we may refer to Prov. 1:24-38; John 3:15-18, and 5:24. Never does the Bible intimate that by and bye, through the spread of Christianity, all the world will he saved; this is a delusion.

In verse 11 The marginal readings of "Gad" and "Meni", which are believed to represent the planets Jupiter and Venus, are better; the first meant "fortune" or "chance'', and the other "number"; this explains the use of the word "number" in verse 12.

Verse 17: The Millennium is in view, with such blessings as the earth has never known since the fall of our first parents, and no wonder, for Satan will he shut up, and the Lord and His heavenly people will be seen on earth, while open sin will have no place. At its close the new heaven and new earth will appear, to abide eternally.

A lovely picture is presented to our minds of the land of Israel, and in a way the whole earth, in verses 19-25. To think of a day to conic on earth when there shall. be no weeping; nor sorrow; when death will be rare, and people will live longer than Methuselah; when selfishness and greed and violence shall he excluded, is wonderful indeed! It can only be realized when judgment has purged the world of all that offends God.

In that day there will be no waiting for answers to prayer, at least for personal need, for "before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear'' (verse 24).

Then shall not only the earth yield her bountiful measure, but the wolf and the lamb which now it would delight to devour, shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; yet, mark, dust shall be the serpent's meat. God does not forget the part of the serpent taken by Satan (Gen. 3, Rev, 12:9), and would not have His people forget it.

For Christians there is a prospect far beyond the joys of the Millennium; heaven is their home; Christ their portion forever. To be with Him is the longing desire of those who love and seek to honor Him here; soon He will come and take them to the scene of radiant glory that is His home above.

Messages of God’s Love 6/17/1934

Why Am I Not a Christian?

Is it because I am afraid of ridicule?

"Whosoever therefore shall ashamed of Me, and of My words, ... of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed." Mark 8:38.

Is it because of the inconsistencies of professing Christians?

"Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Rom. 1.4:12.

Am I not willing to give up all to Christ?

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

Am I afraid that I shall not be accepted?

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

Is it that I fear I am too great a sinner?

"The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Is it because I fear I shall not "hold out"?

"He which hath begun a good work in You, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6.

Am I thinking that I will do as well as I can, and that God ought to be satisfied with that?

"Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:1.0,

Is it because I am postponing the matter, without any definite reason?

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

Messages of God’s Love 6/17/1934

Sense of Security

A father and his little boy were one day passing down a road, along which some cattle were being driven to market. One of these creatures took it into its head to turn down a lane just at the moment that the little boy and his father were crossing. The man ran forward with his stick to turn the animal back, but she, obstinately bent upon going down the lane, ran right against the little boy. For a few moments her great head and horns were right over the boy. tier hairy chest touched his face, and her hard hoofs almost trod on his toes, yet he neither stirred an inch, nor called out, nor showed the smallest sign of alarm; but holding his father's hand stood quite still, not even looking afraid, till his father, with his great exertion, succeeded in turning the animal's head aside, and she passed off.

When the father and his little boy reached home, the matter was related, and some surprise expressed at the perfect peace and quietude which the boy displayed under circumstances of such sudden danger.

"I wonder you were not frightened," said his mother.

"Frightened!" exclaimed the child, with a look of astonishment and a smile on his face. "Why! didn't father have hold of my hand?"

This was said with an air of such perfect, entire confidence, that it settled the matter at once, and nothing more was said.

Now, my dear little readers, is there not a most important lesson for you in this little anecdote? If you always had the same happy consciousness of the presence of your heavenly Father, and the same confidence in Him, would you not be very blessed? But who are they who are entitled to such blessing? Only those who have really believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (John 1:12).

To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is to trust His precious blood for the putting away of J-\LII, your sins; for though you may be very young, you are a sinner, and have as much need of the blood of Christ as the oldest and most wicked man that ever lived. Without it you, my dear little reader, can never enter heaven. No, nor till you can trust that precious blood, can you even be happy, really happy in this world.

But now, if you believe that ALL your sins are put away by the blood of Christ, you are saved, and saved for ever. Yes! for ever saved. Heaven is your home, and God is your Father! and in every trouble will be able to say, in happy confidence,

"My Father has hold of my hand." ("Compare Psalm 4:S.)

"Jesus the Saviour is mighty to save, Jesus hath triumphed o'er death and the grave."

Messages of God’s Love 6/17/1934

Not Ashamed of Christ

A MINER lad who had lately been converted, and worked in the pit among a number of godless youths, took his Bible with him to the pit the day after his conversion. He was met with a volley of abuse by the ungodly young men as they gathered in a group to play cards, and invited him to take a "band" as he had done before,

"I've changed my master, said the young miner, "and if you are not ashamed to own your master, neither any I to own mine,"

So he sat down a little way oft from the group to read his Bible by Me light of his pet lamp. When they saw that he was determined to "stick to his colors" they let him alone, and in a short time a number of them gathered around Davie to hear him read the Word aloud, and God blessed it to the conversion of several of them.

Never be ashamed of Christ. The servants of the devil are not ashamed to own their master. \Ally should those who are tile servants of Christ he ashamed of Him?

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the "power or God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom, 1:16.

Messages of God’s Love 6/17/1934

Cleansed

Can the leopard change the spots

Woven in his coat of skin?

Can he move those colored dots

Which fom all attention win?

No; however much he tried,

All his efforts would be vain:

He with spots would still be dyed,

Every one would yet remain.

Can the sinner—vile within—

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.

Sinner, he not then enticed

Such a folly to begin;

Nothing but the blood of Christ-

E'er could take away thy sin.

Washed in His most precious blood,

Which in love did freely flow,

Bathed in that all-cleansing flood,

Whiter thou shalt be than snow.

Messages of God’s Love 6/17/1934

The Waterfall

SUCH a beautiful scene! How refreshing a place like this is in the midst God's creation so marred by the effects of sin.

If to us "created things though pleasant, now bear to us death's stamp," how must God feel, for whose "pleasure all things are and were created"?

"Yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight." Job 15:15.

What of man in regard to his right to live on earth? His gray hair, failing eyesight and wasting body tell that he is not tit to live here.

In spite of not being good enough to live in the world, some people foolishly think they will be given a place in heaven on their own merits.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6.

"IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS." John 8:24.

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

Bible Lessons

Isaiah 66

THE answer of Jehovah to the cry of His people is full of peace and blessing for the believer, but with grave assurance of judgment to the full upon the unbelieving. The first two verses of this chapter were quoted in the weighty testimony of Stephen to the Jewish nation's leaders when they were about to stone him to death (Acts 7:49-50).

God had approved of David's desire to build him a house, and chose Solomon to do the work (1 Chron. 28:2-6). Upon its completion He bestowed the token of His presence upon the magnificent structure Solomon erected (2 Chron. 7:1). That building was destroyed when the sins of Judah brought about the captivity in Babylon, but when a remnant returned to the land of their fathers, and neglected to build again a house for Jehovah, the prophet Haggai (1:2-11) voiced his Master's displeasure. Why then did God condemn die house-building of His earthly people in the closing chapter of Isaiah's prophecy?

We need only look ever so briefly at the record God has given concerning His Son as:He passed through the world, and see there the hypocrisy and wickedness that characterized the chief men of the Jews in Christ's day; how could God acknowledge the temple Herod the Edo-mite!guilt, when those who conducted its ceremonies were the murderers of His Son—in desire first, in reality later. They venerated the house, but cared naught for Him for whose professed service it was erected,

In the future day the Jews will build another temple at Jerusalem, but it will shelter the Antichrist, and must yield place to the temple Ezekiel's prophecy describes, which will be constructed after the judgments are over.

In our day the earthly dwelling place of God is not in Jerusalem, nor in any building, however grand, that may he dedicated to Him. He dwells in His Blood-bought people (see 1 Cor, 3:16; Eph.2:19-22; 1 Tim, 3:15). Does the realization of this immense fact sufficiently affect us who are the recipients of such favor?

What a picture is this that verse 3 discloses, of the thoughts of a holy God concerning the offerings of those who are in heart far from Him! Retribution will he theirs in due time, for "As they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations, I also will choose their delusions (or calamities), and Will bring their fears upon them."

Verse:5: Would that there were more trembling at God's Word today! It is the key to blessing. Verse 6: The Lord has appeared, and the judgment of His enemies is begun. Verses 7 to 10 graphically express the rebirth of Israel through the Holy Spirit's work.

From verses 79 and 20 we learn that after the moral cleansing of Israel, those who escape judgment will he sent to distant lands to make known what God has done, and to bring to the Holy Land all of their brethren who are scattered abroad.

The closing verses bring both sweet and solemn thoughts before us who are the Lord's,—sweet to think of the Millennial peace and joy, when without alteration, throughout the whole of ten centuries, "all flesh.' shah come to worship the true God at Jerusalem;—solemn, to think of the lasting memorial of the judgment of the wicked; to them, once salvation was offered; now the door of mercy is forever closed.+

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

Your Last Chance

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

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

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

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

The other is the coming of the Lord. He says in the last Chapter in the Bible:

"Behold, I come quickly." Rev. 22:7,12.

The very thought of this event fills the hearts of His own with joy, but not so the unbelieving one. Ah, he knows that when the Lord comes, his last chance to enter the open door will be gal-le, for the door will be shut. (See Gen. 7: 16; Matt. 25:10.) Once more, dear unsaved reader,

"As though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

And now, just a word to you, dear boys and girls, who are rejoicing in Jesus as your own Saviour, What are you doing for Him who has done so much for you? Are you seeking to serve Him each day as though it were your last chance? It may be. The time is short.

"Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1. Cor. 15:58.+

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

Curly's Call

THERE was a young girl who had a dog. One day she missed him, and thought he might be off to the city with her father. She stepped to the telephone and called her father, asking, 'is Curly there?' Her father answered that he was.

"Please lift him in your arms, and put the receiver to his ear," requested the little girl.” Her father did so, and she called, "Come home, Curly, come home."

Doggie looked astonished, for he heard his mistress' voice, but could not see her, However, he understood what was wanted, and instantly obeyed, bolting out of the door and running home.

Curly was a wise and obedient dog, Will you from this time be a wise and obedient child? One calls to you from the Father's house,

"Come unto Me!" Matt. 11:`28.
"Rise, He calleth thee." Mark 10:49.

Will you not at this time say,

"O, Lamb of God, I come."

Come, the Father's house stands open

With its love, and light and song,

And returning to that Saviour,

All to you may now belong.

Come, for night is gathering quickly

O'er this world's fast fleeting day;

If you linger till the darkness,

You will surely miss your way.

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

Keep Them Out

“I DON'T want to hear naughty words,” said a little boy.

"It's no matter," said another boy, "what Joe Smith says; it goes in one ear and out the other.''

"No,'' rejoined the other little boy, "the worst of it is, when naughty words get in they stick. So I shall do my best to keep them out.'

It is much easier to keep naughty words out before they get in, than it is to turn them out after they are once admitted. It is easier to soil a piece of paper than it is to clean it and the Scripture says the man whom God approves and blesses is one who

"Stoppeth his ears from the hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." Isa. 33:15.

Evil outside is had enough, but evil within poisons the very fountain of life.

"Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Prov. 4:23.

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

Five Beautiful Pearls

I was sitting in the dining room reading my Bible, when a little girl came in for a school book which she had left there. She was about seven years of age. As soon as she saw me in the room she came to me as usual, and we soon began to speak about Jesus. As we were talking, I said,

"Suppose the Lord were to come tonight, Mary?"

"O, it would be all right, I should go with Him."

"Should you, indeed?"

"Yes, I should."

"But what about all your sins, Mary?" "O, Jesus has washed all my sins away in His blood."

"You don't mean it, do you?" I said, feeling a little surprised.

"O, yes, I do."

"You would not be afraid, then, if Jesus were to conic today?"

"O, no, not at all."

"Well, tell me, when did this take place —when did you first come to know that all your sins were forgiven?"

It was when you were here last year, one Sunday evening."

"Indeed!" I said, expressing more surprise than ever.

"Yes," she replied; "and would you like to know the verse'?"

"Very much," I answered. So she jumped upon a chair and reached the Bible, and turning over its leaves, she found it and read to me,

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

As soon as she had finished reading, she looked up and said,

"That was the verse. It was that night you preached from this text, and spoke about the five beautiful pearls linked together. I was never sure till that night, but I have never doubted it since,"

I could only lift up my heart to God, to thank Him for revealing His truth to babes, while it is hidden from the wise and prudent (Matt. 11:25).

Now, I would ask my readers to take their Bibles and read John 5:24. Look carefully at the verse, and note the five things that Jesus has linked together: HEARETH, BELIEVETH, HATH, SHALL NOT, IS, and remember that any person who hears the word of Christ, and believes the Father who sent Jesus, gets the other three blessings, for they are all linked together, like five beautiful pearls on a gold ring. And whoever gets one or two gets ate, for they go together.

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

He Will Come Again

The Saviour, Jesus, is gone to prepare

Such a beautiful home in the sky,

And He says He will come,

And take to that home,

Every sinner that's born from on high

I'd like to go to that heaven so bright,

For joy beams, in that world, on each face,

But if there I would go,

On earth I must know,

As my Saviour, the Lord of that place.

Messages of God’s Love 6/24/1934

Bible Questions for July

Answers to Bible Questions for May "The Children's Class"

1. "He said unto them," etc. Luke 9:20.

2. "The Spirit of," etc. " 4:18.

3. "To give light," etc. 1:79.

4. "Wherefore neither," etc. " 7:7.

5. "That thou mightest," etc." 1:4.

6. "And on the morrow," etc." 10:35.

7. "But God said unto him," etc." 12:20.

Bible Questions for July
"The Children's Class"

The Answers are to be found in John, Chapters 1-10.

1. Write in full the -verse containing the words, "Before Abraham was, I am."

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, "That I might take it again."

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, "The bread of God."

4. Write in full the verse containing: the words, "Except it be given him from heaven."

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, "post thou believe on the Son of God?"

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, "Power to become the sons of God."

7. In what two verses of the same chapter does the Lord Jesus say: "The hour is coming."

Answers to Bible Questions for May
"The Young People's Bible Class"

1. Luke 1:72, 73: Micah 7:20.

2. Luke 2:23; Ex. 13:2.

3. Luke 3:1-6; Isa. 40:3, 4,

4. Luke 4:8; Dent. 6:13.

5. Luke 4:18; Isa. 61:1, 2.

6. Luke 7:27; Mal. 3:1.

7. Luke 10:27; Dent. 6:5.

Bible Questions for July
"The Young People's Bible Class"

The Answers are to be found in John, Chapters 1-10

Questions 1-4. Give four passages from the Old Testament quoted here, and give both the Old Testament and New Testament references.

5-6. Name seven Old Testament characters referred to or mentioned in these chapters.

7. Give an Old Testament incident referred to in the 6th chapter, and give Old Testament references.

Messages of God’s Love 7/1/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 1

JEREMIAH, like Isaiah, tells the period during which he prophesied. He must have been born 40 to 50 years after Isaiah's death,—late in Manasseh’s reign. Half of the writing prophets were now past and gone; Jonah, Amos, Joel, Hosea, Micah, Nahum and Isaiah had all rendered their testimonies and gone from the world; Zephaniah and Habakkuk were living in Jeremiah's time but there is no record of the voice or pen of a prophet for the span of about seventy years between Isaiah's and Jeremiah's testimonies.

During the reign of Manasseh (years) a fearful advance was made in departure from God, as may be seen from 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 73. Manasseh, however, humbled himself in the last years of his life, but his son Amon, who reigned only two years, imitated his father's evil ways. Then came Josiah to the throne at the age of 8, and when he was 20 or 21 God called Jeremiah into His service. It was then B.C. 628 or 629.

Jeremiah continued to speak and write for God for 40 years, until the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, when Jerusalem was destroyed. He was not taken away to Babylon but remained with a few in the land of Israel, and was taken to Egypt afterward. How long he lived, the Scriptures do not tell.

His very name is of special interest; it is believed to mean "Jab is exalted"-a suitable name for one who so often brought the name Jehovah into his ministry.

In Jeremiah's. prophecy we shall not. find the wide measure of the purposes of God which was revealed through Isaiah; his portion was rather to stand and testify in sorrow amid the increasing moral darkness, the growing iniquity, of the professed people of God, until at length they were swept away in judgment, the king if Babylon being God's instrument for the chastening of His erring people.

Jeremiah tells us, with becoming humility, of his commission as a prophet; he felt his own unfitness for the task that awaited him, but was blessedly assured by God that He knew him, and had purposed before his birth to use him in His service; He would be with His confessedly weak servant, would direct him to whom to go, and what to say; further, Jeremiah need not fear the outcome of his ministry, for "I am with thee to deliver thee," was Jehovah's promise (verse 8). Would that all the servants of God would deeply profit by what we here learn of the incompetency of man at best, and the all-sufficiency of the mighty One in whose name they seek to labor.

Two symbols were brought to the prophet's notice (verses 11-16)—(a ) a rod of an almond tree, the Hebrew name of which was formed from a word meaning "to watch" or "to awaken'', the almond tree being the earliest tree to show signs of life in the spring; and (h) a seething pot.

The tree rod was a token that God would be watchful over His word, to perform it, and the seething pot, whose face was from, not toward the north (new translation), was to show that out of the north should evil break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. Sentence had been pronounced and would shortly be executed upon guilty Jerusalem and the cities of Judah (verses 15 and 16).

Jeremiah was therefore to testify against the whole land, its kings, its princes, its priests and its people. They would rebel against his message, and try to do him harm, but should not overcome him for "f am with thee to deliver thee" (verse 19), precious word, twice given,

Messages of God’s Love 7/1/1934

The Power of a Kiss

THERE was a scamper of feet at the door and in bounced Dorothy.

She had been playing, and had now entered for her tea, being very hungry. She took off her hat, washed her hands, and sat up to the table expecting to receive something nice, but to her intense disgust was given "only bread and butter." Upon which she picked it up, and threw it at her mother who was seated opposite.

Instantly Dorothy was filled with remorse, but instead of the sense of her naughtiness humbling her, she waited defiantly for the punishment which she expected.

Her mother arose from the table and with a look of tender compassion in her eyes went to her, kissing her gently upon the forehead with one of those kisses which only a mother knows how to bestow, and with a voice trembling with emotion said,

"Ah, Dorothy, you'll not always have a mother."

Instantly the hot tears flooded Dorothy's eyes, and coursed down her cheeks. All her bold and defiant temper fled away and in its place was a sense of great humility and overpowering sorrow for her wrong-doing'. From that day she resolved to cherish her mother in a way she had never done before.

It was the kiss which overcame Dorothy. For it told her that although she had been so sinful, her mother loved her still.

You remember the prodigal. With slow and faltering steps he was returning homeward from the "far country" where he had become utterly destitute. So degraded was he in his own sight that he would esteem it a favor if he could but enter his father's house as a hired servant. Ah! but a father's love could not allow that, and "while he was vet a great way off his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him' (Luke 15:20).

Now you and I have sinned many a time and grieyously, and we have merited the judgment of God. But God has loved us in spite of our sin, and has given Christ to die for us. And now He can righteously forgive every sinner who believes upon. His Son.

When we know His forgiving kiss, we shall long to praise Him and to please Him.

"But 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 7/1/1934

Job and His Friends

JOB was a very good man, but God saw that he thought a great deal of his goodness. In rTder to teach him his own nothingness, God permitted Satan to take away from Job all the many blessings he had given hint. 'Remember-Mg God's right to do this, Job said,

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21.

God then allowed Satan to smite Iola with sore boils from the sole of his foot into his crown. Job still honored God and said to his wife, who wanted him to curse God and die,

Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?'' Job 0:10.

Job's three friends came to visit him and mourn with hint and comfort hint For seven days they sat in silence, and after that they talked much about the ways of God with man.

During the whole time job contended that he was righteous, but when, in chapters 38 to 41, God spoke to him, he saw his own nothingness and said,

"I HAVE HEARD OF THEE BY THE HEARING OF THE EAR: BUT NOW MINE EYE SEETH THEE. WHEREFORE I ABHOR MYSELF AND REPENT IN DUST AND ASHES." Job 42:5, 6.

When Job had learned himself in God's presence, He then began to receive greater blessings than before.

We, too, each must see ourselves in the sight of the thrice holy God in His all greatness and power. When we can say like Job, "1 abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," God gives us to know that we are justified through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ who paid the debt fur our sins.

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Rom. 4:25.

Messages of God’s Love 7/1/1934

My Father's Care

If e'en a little sparrow falls,

Myy heavenly Father knows;

'Tis He the scented lily clothes.

And every flower which blows.

He gives the hungry bird its food,

The drooping bud its flower,

But I am dearer far to Him

Than sparrow or than flower.

Because He made His creatures all,

He guards them 'neath His eye;

He made me too—but, O! far more,

For me His Son did die.

When troubles cause my heart to droop

Or wet my cheek with tears,

My Father's love, my Father's care,

Shall soothe away my fears.

Messages of God’s Love 7/1/1934

A Happy Ride

DID you ever take a ride like this? Such fun! We can scarcely imagine a happier looking person than this little girl.

Have you ever been having such a good time that it seemed as if nothing could ever mar your delight? Then suddenly something happened to make you very uncomfortable in body and you wondered if you could ever feel good again. Life seems full of such changes.

The pleasures and the sadness we meet in our daily life show up in our faces, but there is a peace that nothing can alter.

Some of our readers have that peace with God, because it is ours the moment we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who died to save us from our sins. Will not the others this moment come to Jesus who, alone gives us lasting joy and peace?

"THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." Rom. 5:1.

"He is our Peace." Eph. 2:14.

Messages of God’s Love 7/8/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 2

The first message from Jehovah to Jerusalem through Jeremiah extends through chapter 2 and to verse 5 of the third chapter. As we read it and seek to learn for the profit of our souls from what it contains, let us remember that the people to whom the message was sent were, like ourselves, living at the end of a long period of God's dealing in grace; like ourselves, too, they had the light of the Word of God (in the measure in which He had then made Himself known), and faithful servants of His had been their guides; as with us, Satan had been very busy, seeking (and O, so successfully!) to turn the heart away from God; finally, as today, the judgment of God was about to fall.

How then shall He, the measure of whose compassion, forbearance, and love to man exceed our highest thought, address Himself to those who walk among scenes where judgment is soon to fall, who know something of Hint, yet are marked by the ways of the world?

He speaks first, tenderly, of their early love to film (amazing that God should value the love of our heart, and feel its growing cold toward Him!): "I remember for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holiness .unto Jehovah, the first-fruits of His increase; all that devour him are guilty; evil shall come -upon them, with Jehovah."

It is good for the believer thus to be put in remembrance of the first days, when love to the Lord was, perhaps, much more ardent than in later years. Ten thousand things come in to engage the mind and heart, and if we are not very watchful indeed, the first love is soon relaxed; our lives become selfish, self-centered; we are laid open to Satan's many devices to ensnare our feet. In Rev. 2:4, the Lord Jesus, tile Church's Head, had to speak with sorrow of the decline of the first love of His people for Himself – the first step in a course away from Him.

What iniquity (or injustice) have your fathers found in Me, that they are gone far from Me?" (verse 5), is the next word from our gracious God. 0, the fault is all our own, with shame we confess. Priests, pastors, prophets and people—all—are alike rightly under condemnation. The idolaters of the heathen world east and west (verse 10) have kept their false gods, but those who profess the knowledge of the only true god have dishonored Him on every hand.

"Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this ... for My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." How true today! And in the light of God's Word with its full revelation of the truth concerning ourselves, and of His amazing provision, at infinite cost, of a Saviour that saves eternally, how solemn is the position of those who now neglect so great salvation!

The world in its attractions—pictured in verse 16 in the mention of two cities of Egypt and its river Nile (Sihor) in verse 18 and the world in its present open enmity to the people of God—pictured in the reference to Assyria and its river (verse 18), have done much to wean the heart of the believer from the true and heavenly Object of his affections.

Yet the world cannot be blamed; the fault lies within (verse 19), We are aware that Jeremiah was sent to speak to a people outwardly linked with God, in many of whom there was not faith, nevertheless what is brought out in this chapter has much to commend it to the earnest consideration of every true child of God in our own day.

Verses 20 to 30 deal with the national sin of idolatry under the figure, much used in the Old Testament prophecies, of adultery; it was their turning from the true God to the gods of the heathen that brought on the Babylonian captivity. Yet were there other sins, for Satan has plenty of occupation for all who serve him.

Messages of God’s Love 7/8/1934

Turn Thee to God

A young man had taken a room, that he might there devote himself to the study of the law. Suddenly he fell ill, and a young doctor, with whom he was intimate, watched over him with the most unwearied love and patience during the time the illness lasted. But, alas! both of them were utter strangers to God and His grace.

As the young student's illness increased in severity, the doctor ordered his bed to be moved as far as possible from the window, that the strong light might not affect the sufferer. So the bed was moved to the other end of the room and placed close to the partition which separated the next room from his, which was occupied by the owner of the house. The bed had not been moved long when the sufferer heard a low voice proceeding from the adjoining room. He listened; and first softly, then in louder tones, he heard

"Today thou livest yet,

Today turn thee to God;

For ere tomorrow comes,

Thou mayest be with the dead."

These words (with others too) he heard repeated over and over again, but these were riveted upon his mind and touched his conscience. When the doctor came next day to see him, he took his pulse and then inquired how he felt. All he got was a piercing look and those words he had heard the day before

"Today thou livest yet," etc.

"What is the matter with you?" the puzzled doctor asked. "What has come over you? You are quite changed. Were it not that the fever has abated and your pulse quieter I should say your mind was wandering."

The only answer he got from the young man was:

"Today thou livest yet,

Today turn thee to God;

For ere tomorrow comes,

Thou mayest be with the dead."

The doctor left him unwillingly, puzzled at his strange manner, without being able to account for it. The words followed him also, and followed him wherever he went.

On the next day when he visited his friend he found him better and calmer, but in real distress of soul searching the Bible to find out the way of salvation. God had spoken to them both, first to the young student, then to the young doctor through him, which ended in the conversion of them both. How strange and wonderful are God's ways, how great is His grace toward poor lost sinners!

On the day the young student was moved to the other side of the room, it so happened that the landlord's son, not having learned his lesson at school, had been put into the corner to learn the verses of an old hymn, by his father, and from there the student heard those words Which came as a voice from God to his soul.

Dear reader, have you ever pondered this solemn truth

"Today thou livest yet"?

You may try to shut your eyes to the solemn fact that some day you will have to die, but there it stands, for it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, In view of that appointment, which, keep you must, we beseech you

"Today turn thee to God."

"But" you say, "there is plenty of time."

My reader, do not be so rash as to risk your soul on an excuse so foolish.

"Behold, NOW, is the day of salvation".

Sudden death is not an unusual thing, and you may be its next victim,

"For ere tomorrow comes,
Thou mayest be with the dead."

Messages of God’s Love 7/8/1934

Baby's Song

Sweetly, in a railway train,

Rose an old familiar strain

From a little girl of three,

Sitting on her father's knee.

"Jesus laves me this I know.

For the Bible tells tile so,

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong."

Hushed were voices all around,

Ears bent low to catch the sound;

Hearts were moved by mem'ries clear,

Eyes grew dim with childhood's tear.

All unconscious who had heard,

Knowing not what thoughts she stirred,

Still a little higher rang

From the baby lips that sang—

"Jesus lubes me, He who died,

Heben’s gate to open wide,

He 'ill wash away my sin,

Let a 'ittle child tum in."

Yet again the cadence came,

Breathing sweet that precious Name,

Till, upon her father's breast,

Batty, gently sank to rest.

But the darling's little song

Soothed one heart amid that throng,

And from care it rose above,

Trusting in the Saviour's love.

Messages of God’s Love 7/8/1934

And I Was One of Them

A LITTLE girl in my class was asked one day to write down what she knew about Jesus, and, although very busy during the week, she wrote down a long list of those things which she could remember, and about the middle of her list she put the following sentence, which pleased me very much;

“Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, and I was one of them,"

Can you say this, my dear young reader? Although young, she knew that Jesus had come to save her Do you know it? And why did she know it? Simply because she believed what God had said about her, that she was lost, for God says,

All have sinned;" Rom. 3:2 3,

"There is none that doeth good: no, not one." Rom. 3:12.

She not only classed herself among the lost, and believed that Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, but she believed that He had found her, and saved her. Can you say with her,

"Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost, and I was one of them"?

The little girl took her place as a lost sinner. If you do not, salvation is not for you

The jailor at Philippi cried out from the bottom of his heart,

"What must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30. Now the Lord will save you in the same way as He saved the jailor and the little girl, that is, without money and without price, for we read,

"By grace are ye saved and that not of yourself it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8.

O! if you have not yet, dear young friend, come to God as a lost sinner, come now, this very moment—come to Jesus now, just as you are, and be sure He will save you, for He has said Himself,

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37. Then doubt not your welcome,

But take with rejoicing, from Jesus at once

The life everlasting He gives,

And know with assurance, you never can die,

Since Jesus, your Substitute, lives."

Messages of God’s Love 7/8/1934

A Way That Seemeth Right

WHAT a treat the two donkeys are having, eating the beautiful flowers. It makes a pretty picture, and yet we feel uncomfortable at seeing the plant destroyed and hope the housewife will rescue the plant in time to save it.

Donkeys and mules are noted for, their stubborn ways,. and frequently get themselves and their owners into difficulty.

Do you know anything else like the mule for wanting its own way? Yes, it is our own heart.

"Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come unto thee." Psa. 32:9.

A wrong course in life often looks very attractive, and there is no power in ourselves to do that which is pleasing to God. but remember,

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14:12.

The Lord Jesus' died to save us from that evil way and the destruction which follows, and to give us a new nature which can do only good. If we take Him as our Saviour, this precious verse is true of us, and we are given power to keep the old nature in check so that we shall not be as the horse or the mule:

"BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS YE WHO SOMETIMES WERE FAR OFF ARE MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST." Eph. 2:13.

Messages of God’s Love 7/15/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 3

THE first commandment of the ten was, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me;" and the second, "Thou shalt not make thyself any graven image, or any form of what is in the heavens above, or what is in the earth beneath, or what is in the waters under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, Jehovah thy God, am a jealous God ...." Exodus 20:3-5.

But these first commandments (and the other 8, also) were speedily set aside by those to whom they were given. Israel and Judah, particularly after Solomon's reign, in large measure became idolaters. Israel was already banished because of this, but Judah yet remained for a little. So Judah is here seen as guilty of turning away from God to idols after the example of a wicked woman departing from her husband to live in sin with other men.

Josiah (verse 6) was the first king under whose reign Jeremiah prophesied. 2 Chronicles 34 and 35 give the character, under grace, of this young man's reign;—young, for he was made king when eight years old, and died before he was forty. But Jeremiah's prophecy shows that the people were not, in heart, one with the king in his determination to cleanse the kingdom of everything contrary to God's word, and their following Him all of Josiah's days (2 Chron. 34:33) was a pretense—hypocrisy not hidden from God.

"Israel" (verses 6, 8, 11, and 12) refers to the 10 tribes carried away by the Assyrians in 721 B,C.—80 years before Josiah became king of Judah. The two tribes did not take warning from what had happened to Israel; however, while the ten tribes had been openly worshipers of idols, the two that remained kept up the outward appearance of serving the true God, while idolaters at heart. Thus backsliding Israel was in God's sight more just than treacherous Judah (verse 11), and Jeremiah was directed to proclaim mercy toward the north (the former home of the ten tribes); if they would but acknowledge their iniquity (verses 12 and 13).

From verse 14 to the end of the chapter is taken up with the day, still future, but not now distant, when Israel as well as Judah shall be brought back to dwell in the land of their forefathers.

It is in abounding grace that, after all the dark pages of the history of Jacob's children, God will say (as verse 14), "Return, backsliding children, for I am a husband unto you," and (verse 22), "I will heal your backslidings." We know that many will be cut off in unbelief; so it is said, "And I will take you, one of a city arid two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."

In the Millennium there will be no ark; that which was made at Sinai (Ex. 37) must have been destroyed 900 years afterward when Jerusalem was destroyed (2 Chron. 3G:19), for it is never mentioned again.

Verses 21 to 25 anticipate the day when the twelve tribes shall return, in weeping supplication. Jehovah will call, and they will answer:

"Behold, we come unto Thee, for Thou art Jehovah our God.... truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel. . . . We he down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us, for we have sinned against Jehovah our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah our God."

Such confession as this, coming from hears cleansed of hypocrisy, will be a part of that day when the once crucified King of Israel shall see of the fruit of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied (Isaiah 58:11).

Messages of God’s Love 7/15/1934

The Flowing Well

While walking out one day, giving away "Messages of the Love of God" to the boys and girls along the roadside, I came to a spring of water. Being thirsty I stepped up to get a drink, I asked a little boy who was just leaving the .spring if the water was good. He answered,

"0, pretty good, but the cup is not very nice; it's kind of rusty."

As I drank of the cool water, I noticed a sign leaning against a tree nearby, on which was written the words, "Flowing Well. Water free to everybody."

I thought to myself, How like the declaration in God's Word:

"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." Isa. 55:1, 2. Also another invitation:

"Let him that is athirst come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

Some people do not know that God's salvation is as free as the water from this flowing well, of which I drank by the roadside. But, dear readers, it is; for God's blessed Word says so in the verses quoted above. And He would have all to know it, and to drink of that water of life freely. He thus declares that salvation is offered to all as a gift. He gives water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, and rest to the weary, and all this we find in Jesus, who shed His precious blood for us.

And just as the rusty old cup at the well conveyed the water to the thirsty one, so, too, God uses His own children, weak vessels though they be, to give out the precious gospel of His grace to others. May we who are His own, by faith in Christ Jesus, ever be found seeking to lead others to Him.

Messages of God’s Love 7/15/1934

Willard's Confession

WII,LARD, a little boy about seven years old, loved his father and mother very dearly. But he was often forgetful; so forgetful that he did the very thing his mother had bidden him not to do, and then would say, "O, I quite forgot!" Do you know anyone like Willard in this respect?

One thing Willard's mother had often told him he must not do:

"Never play with fire, my boy," she said, "never even touch a match; many a child has been burned to death by meddling with matches."

Willard listened to what his mother said, but a match was a great temptation to him if it ever came in his way, for he did so enjoy seeing a piece of wood take fire and blaze up.

One day, when Willard was on a visit, he saw his grandfather take a match from the matchbox. The match did not take fire when he struck it, so he dropped it and tried another. All the while Willard sat watching him, and when he left the room he picked up the forgotten match and tried to strike it. To his great surprise the match did take fire; the little boy was frightened, he threw it as far as he could into the stove and walked away. By and by Willard began to think of what his mother had said, and the more he thought Of his disobedience, the more troubled he was. At last bedtime came, and he was still very unhappy, so unhappy that he could not help telling his nurse, Maggie, all about it.

"What shall l do, Maggie?" he said.

"You had better go down at once and tell your mother," said the nurse; "the longer you leave it the harder it will be to tell the truth. 1 would not wait till morning if I were you."

Now Willard had thought that he would tell his mother the next morning, when he was alone with her, and would ask her to forgive him; but he made up his mind to go downstairs at once. His mother was in the dining-room with his father when Willard softly opened the door, saving, "Mamma, may 1 speak to you?"

"Yes, dear," said his mother. "What is it?"

Then Willard told his mother he wanted to speak to her quite alone; and when she came to him in the hall, he put his arms round her neck and told her the whole story about the match, and confessed that he had been so naughty as to disobey her.

What do you think his mother said?

"1 am sorry my little boy has disobeyed me, but I am very glad he has confessed and told me all the truth." Then, as she gave him a goodnight kiss, she whispered, "I forgive you, Willard, and I don't believe you will ever touch a match again."

So the little fellow went to bed happy, because he knew he was forgiven.

What made him ready to go to his mother with the tale of his fault? He knew she loved him so well that she could forgive him at once if he confessed his disobedience.

Willard did not ask to be forgiven, he confessed his disobedience and his mother forgave him.

"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.

Let the child of God who has sinned simply come to his Father, without fear, though sorrowful to have grieved Him who has so loved him, and he will find the truth of these words: communion will he restored, and he will he again happy with God.

Messages of God’s Love 7/15/1934

A Child's Inquiry

Jesus! canst Thou receive

A feeble child like me?

My little heart can scarce believe

That I may come to Thee!

With children I can go,

And all I think- can say;

With those I’ve often seen, and know,

I do not fear to stay.

But Lord of heaven art Thou

And dwellest far off on high!

Though at Thy name I'm taught to bow,

Can I to Thee draw nigh?

That Name is far above

My thoughts, howe'er I try:

How can I know Thou dost me love?

Nor fear before Thine eye?

THE SAVIOUR'S REPLY

Come unto Me, dear child;

I died for such as thee.

Receive Me, Jesus, meek and mild,

And thou wilt happy be.

In Me thou’lt find a joy

More true than any here:

With Me each day thy thoughts employ—

My love will cast out fear.

Though. Lord of heaven above,

I hear thy feeblest cry

And in My arms of tender love.,

Will draw thee ever nigh.

So do not dread the eve

Of Saviour, Lord and Friend,

But trustful on My bosom lie,

And days of blessing spend.

Messages of God’s Love 7/15/1934

Washington and His Family

We see here Mr. and Mrs. Washington, their two children and a servant. The name George Washington and his title, "Father of his country" are familiar to us. What homage has been paid to this man for his deeds of valor and for the love displayed toward his homeland.

While men of this world are not slow in honoring this man who saved his country in a time of peril, what is their attitude toward the Saviour of the world who gave up all His riches and glory in heaven to save the souls of men? Think of Jesus as giving up His very life, and this not for His friends, but His enemies.

"FOR YE KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT, THOUGH HE WAS RICH, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE RICH." 2 Cor. 8:9.

Remember your soul is immortal; the things of this world are but for time. God tells us the world itself will pass away, and then what will be of the most importance to you? God shows us, too, in His Word, the uncertainty of life.

"For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 1:14.

Man may become great in this world, but for how long? His life has also been compared to a weaver's shuttle, and an eagle's -flight, for it is spent so quickly. Then what ft)r eternity? If you do not know the Saviour who died for your soul, to forgive your sins, do come to Him now.

"Behold, now is the accepted time behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

Messages of God’s Love 7/22/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 4

.\S there yet hope of repentance? "If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith Jehovah, return unto Me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of My sight, then shalt thou not be a wanderer . . . .”

The most thorough repentance was called for, because of the evil of their doings (verses 3 and 4), yet God foreknew it would not take place; therefore He said, "Declare ye in Judah, and cause it to be heard in Jerusalem and say.... and blow the trumpet in the land; cry aloud and say, 'Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fenced cities. Set up, a banner toward Zion; take to flight; stay not!'

Evil was to come from the north,—the destroyer of the nations was on his way; 4 years after Josiah's death, Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, and after 18 years more, he destroyed the city completely. From this prospect the heart of Jeremiah shrank; he had hoped that there would be repentance, and that Jerusalem and Judah would thus be spared (verse 10) .

Would there be a taking to heart of the admonition in verse 14? We know there was not; the people were set in their evil ways., and, like those of our own times, they would have many excuses for paying no attention to the warnings of coming judgments.

Long had God guarded Judah, and earlier, Israel, from the nations that would have seized the land for themselves, but now the time for forbearance was over, and the king of Babylon was soon to arrive on an errand of conquest. "Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, yea, it is bitter, yea it reacheth unto thine heart" (verse 18).

Verses 19-21 and 23-31 portray the scenes of war and desolation soon to be in Judah's land. Is not the latter part of verse 22 truly applicable to the present day, as it is also the contradiction of what should mark those who bear the name of Christ?

Fearful would be the state of the triflers with God's messages of coming trouble, when the long deferred judgment should fall on Judah.

Far worse indeed will be the position of those who in this day are scoffing at the gospel, when once the patience of God has been exhausted.

Messages of God’s Love 7/22/1934

Your Sin Will Find You Out

BE sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:23.

These are very old words. They were spoken by Moses, the man of God, to the people of Israel very many hundreds of years ago. But they are as real, as living today for each of us as they were all that long time ago.

In a great city some boys were engaged in a house of business. We know God's eye was on each one of these boys, watching them from morning to night, and we know, too, that He put down in His book all they did and said.

One of the boys had his eye upon his employer's money.

"No one will miss a few pennies: no one will see me," thought he.

He found that there was a little drawer, where some pennies were kept, which was not emptied with the others at night.

One evening when the boy was near this drawer he softly opened it, snatched out a penny, and put it in his pocket. As no one seemed to notice him, he grew bolder, till he began to take two or three pennies at a time.

Little did he think that the clerk who had to do with that drawer had been very much puzzled each morning. Surely he had counted so many pennies, and put the value down in his book, and yet the number was different the next day. For you must know that even in great places of business, where, perhaps, two or three hundred clerks are busily employed, every single penny that comes in and goes out of the counting house is reckoned. So, while the boy was thinking no one saw him, and because of this was getting bolder in his evil ways, a watch was set; and it became perfectly evident that the thief could only be one out of certain boys, and some pennies were marked and placed in the drawer among the others.

The next morning early the four or five boys who worked late by turns were all called into a room by themselves to appear before the manager. He told them that it was perfectly well known that money had been stolen out of a certain drawer, and that one of them was the thief. He then said, if the thief would confess he would forgive him.

"Now, which of you is the thief?" said he.

All were silent. Some looked very pale, and trembled.

"Now, which one of you is the culprit? Confess it, and I will pardon you," said the man. But they all said,

"No,"

"Put your hands behind your backs, boys—all of you," said the manager. "Now, Mr.—," turning to the foreman, "search these boys."

There were strange odds and ends turned out of the boys' pockets, and sighs of relief as one by one was set aside as innocent. Being tolerably certain who the culprit was, the suspected boy was kept till last.

When his turn came, his defiant look contrasted with the pale faces of the others,

"I ask you again, did you take the money?" said the man.

"No, sir," said John.

"God knows all about it, and lying lips are an abomination to Him, boy."

Bits of string and various treasures such as boys love, came out of poor John's pockets; then one penny, then another, till seven or eight pennies were produced.

"Where did you get these pennies, John?"

"My mother gave them to me."

"Now, did you not steal some of them?"

"No; I did not,'' he said.

As the boy was speaking, the man who had the pennies in his hand, had twisted them round, so that the mark along their rims was bright and clear.

"How dare you tell such lies, boy," said he. "Look here!" John bent over, and in a moment saw the marks. He turned deadly pale, did not utter a word, and fell fiat at the employer's feet in a fainting fit, and for some long time the boy remained unconscious.

"You other boys can go. You see what an awful thing is lying. John's sins have found him out. May it be a warning to you."

I tell you this, boys, for when I heard it, this text of scripture sounded in my ears, "Guilty before God," and I thought of the great judgment day, when all the secrets of all hearts shall be made manifest when every sin, every idle word and thought, shall be brought into the light. The sins which have been hidden and denied in life will then be brought home to the heart and conscience. Then it will be too late for mercy, for it will be the Day of Judgment.

"Now," the Bible says, "is the Day of Salvation," and whoever repents of his sins and turns to God for pardon shall receive pardon, Through the blood of Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to all who desire God's mercy. You are young, but not so young as not to have committed sins, which God's eye has seen, and which are written down in His book. What. is to be done? Confess your guilt to God now. Seek Flis pardon now—today.

"Whosoever believeth in Hint (the Lord Jesus) shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, avid to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." John 1:7.

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Messages of God’s Love 7/22/1934

Boma the Slave

ON the west coast of Africa, a gang of slaves, chained, and bleeding by the cruel driver's whip, stood ready to be shipped for South America. They had been seized by a band of Arabs while working in their fields in the interior, rudely parted from their friends and homes and hurried in chains to the coast, never to see their peaceful villages again.

An English trader was returning to his native land, laden with ivory and other valuable goods from the interior, His heart was moved with pity for the chained gang of slaves, especially for one noble-looking fellow whose tear-filled eyes gazed intently across the plain toward what had been his home, where his wife and children still were.

"How much will you take for Boma, master?" the trader asked the Arab, who stood looking with a fiendish satisfaction at the slaves, as they were being transferred to their floating prison.

The greedy Arab scanned the English trader with wonder, for it is generally understood that the British flag floats over no slave. The question being repeated, he named the sum, and without a moment's hesitation, the trader accepted the offer, and Boma was passed over to his new owner.

The poor slave thought he was to be killed, but as he gazed on the pale face of his new master, he saw a smile, and in a minute more he heard the order given,

"Strike off these chains from Bonia's hands: he is no more a slave but a free man."

Immediately it was done, Boma knelt at the trader's feet, covering them with kisses, and then, rising to his feet, danced with joy.

Those who saw the joy of that redeemed and liberated slave could scarce restrain their tears; but it is nothing compared with the joy of a sinner redeemed by the blood of Christ, and liberated from Satan's thraldom by the power of God. Such is the joy, and such the liberty of all who believe the gospel. They pass from sin and Satan's slavery into the liberty of the Lord's redeemed.

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption, through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Col. 1:12-14.

Messages of God’s Love 7/22/1934

'Tis for Thee

Yes, dear child, a voice from heaven

Speaks a pardon full and free

Come, and thou shalt be forgiven;

Boundless mercy flows for thee—

Even thee.

See the healing fountain springing

From the Saviour on the tree,

Pardon, peace, and cleansing bringing,

Lost one, loved one, 'tis for thee

Even thee.

Messages of God’s Love 7/22/1934

The Word of God

THE one who meditates on the Word of God is always blest. In the first Psalm we read, Blessed (or happy) is the man that has his delight in the law of the Lord, and meditates on that law day and night.

If we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and want to he happy in our path down here, it can only be obtained by meditating on the Word of God, and walking according to its precepts.

It is the Word of God that alone can give guidance for us in all our path, and it is there we can get true wisdom.

"The entrance of thy words giveth. light: It giveth understanding to the simple." Psa. 119:130.

Ever take God's Word for your guide in all your ways and you shall have true wisdom,

"LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? THOU HAST THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE." John 6:68.

Messages of God’s Love 7/29/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 5

Verse 1 invites a search of the streets of Jerusalem of that day, to find if there be one person that does justice, that seeks fidelity, faithfulness to God. It is plain that there was not one there, for Jerusalem was not pardoned. What fearful decline there had been, during the four centuries since 'David was _king! But a far more solemn day was to come, when the only righteous One, the Son of God, was crucified just outside the city walls.

In Genesis 18, another city, Sodom, was the subject of a search before its judgment took place; there was one, and only one, righteous man there,—a rather worldly-minded believer whose name is not to be found in the 11TH chapter of Hebrews. Yet, though Lot's course is not one we are encouraged to follow, the Holy Spirit has given a pleasing testimony in his favor (2 Peter 2:7, 8).

Jeremiah pours out his heart in lament over his people (verses 3-5). God looks for faithfulness in His people today, as He did in the days of His servant Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah. Jehovah had smitten Judah, because they were His people, and as we read in Hebrews 12:6, "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth"; but they had refused to receive correction.

It was hard for the prophet who loved his nation to believe that all the people were alike turned away from God. "Surely these," he thought, concerning those who first refused his testimony, "are the Wretched ones; they are foolish; for they know not the way of Jehovah, the judgment of their God" (verse 4). So to the great men he went, expecting to find encouragement there, but his report is that they have with one consent, "broken the yoke, have burst the bonds"; they too, would not submit themselves to God (verse 5).

Judgment, then, will overtake all, a lion, a wolf and a leopard being used to express the great strength of the Babylonian power that was soon to come against Judah; the wasting or emptying of the land that would follow, the people being transported to Babylon; and the swiftness with which the blow would fall on Judah and Jerusalem.

"Shall I not visit for these things?", Jehovah inquires (verse 9); He knows, as we are reminded in 2 Peter 2:9, "how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day o judgment to be punished"—-and that for eternity.

The judgment day of which Jeremiah prophesied was not the last one, when the wicked shall stand before the great white throne (Revelation 20:11-15), but the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, which shortly took place during Jeremiah's own time (chapter 39), Then mercy would be shown; a "full end" (verses 10, 18) was not to be made of Judah, and as we know, they were afterward allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild it, reestablish their homes in the land God had given their fathers.

When the foretold judgments took. place, Jeremiah was to tell his fellows that it was God's just retribution upon them because of their forsaking Him and serving strange gods in their land that they were to serve strangers in a land not theirs (verse 19).

Far more guilty than Judah (verses 2028) is the world of our own day, particularly that part of it that has come under the sound of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2).

The last two verses of the chapter solemnly sum up the state of things at that time, closing with a question for the unbelieving to answer.+

Messages of God’s Love 7/29/1934

Jimmie the Newsboy

JUST one of the hundreds of newsboys in the great city of New York was Jimmie. No one knew where he had come from. The lusty wail of a tiny infant left on the streets of New York had touched the heart of one of the East side dwellers, and she had taken the tiny baby to her little garret room and had nursed him to a none too sturdy childhood.

She had been gone now several years and Jimmie had valiantly fought the battle of life alone—ragged, often hungry, but still cheerful. One day something wonderful happened to Jimmie. A sweet-faced lady, who had for some time been one of the most regular customers, invited him to come to a mission Sunday school in his neighborhood. No one had ever asked Jimmie to go anywhere before, and certainly no such lady as this had ever spoken kindly to him. Jimmie was thrilled, and long before the time on Sunday he was at the mission.

As politely as if he had been one of the rich boys whom he had seen going to school in uptown New York, the lady asked Jimmie to come in, and found a place for him among other boys of the class. By and by it came time for the boys to recite the verses which they had learned, and to read the lesson from the books which the teacher had given them.

When came Jimmie's turn to read, he hung his head, and when the teacher encouragingly urged him to read his verse, Jimmie had to confess that he had never been to school once in his life and that he could not read what the book said. Gently patting him on the back, she told him not to mind, and promised that if he would remain after the others had gone she would teach him some verses.

Jimmie was glad to stay. He wanted to be able to say some of those verses as the older boys did. The lady showed him how to begin with the forefinger of his right hand, and repeat the first part of the Shepherd's Psalm,

"The Lord is my Shepherd," giving each finger a word. Then she told him about the Good Shepherd who had come to die for him in order that he might have eternal life. Jimmie said the words over and over again until he knew them, and went away with a new light shining in his face, promising to be there on time the next Sunday.

Next Sunday come, but no Jimmie appeared. After waiting a little while the teacher inquired of the other boys if they had seen Jimmie. It was she learned that on the previous day, while crossing the street, Jimmie had been injured by an automobile and that he was now in the hospital, not expected to live.

Immediately after Sunday school was over she went to the hospital. As Jimmie saw her coming down the long hospital ward he slipped one hand out from under the white sheet, and with fingers extended and a smile on his face he repeated as she approached his bed the words that she had taught him about the Shepherd.

"Do you know, lady," he said, "I like the third finger best of all."

"Why?" asked the lady.

"Because," said Jimmie, "it says my Shepherd. I never had anything in my life for my very own. I never even had a father or mother, but you told me that the Shepherd was mine, and I am glad." Then as the exertion and the talking exhausted what little strength he had summoned Jimmie lay very quiet.

The next day when the teacher came to see Jimmie she found that the brave little spirit had slipped away early that morning. All night long, so the nurse told her, though so weak and feverish, Jimmie had repeated again and again,

"The Lord is my Shepherd."

When they removed the little body from the hospital cot, they found the third finger of Jimmie's left hand firmly clasped by the right. In simple faith he had claimed the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, as his own. Jesus says;

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11.

"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." John 10:28.

Messages of God’s Love 7/29/1934

He Said He Would

A BOY of tender years clearly and calmly told to some elder Christians who were questioning him, the circumstances under which he had been awakened to the sense of his guilt and led to feel need of Christ as a Saviour. Then came the question,

"What did you do when you felt yourself to be so great a sinner?°'

"I just went to Jesus and told Him how sinful I was, and how sorry I was, and asked Him to forgive me."

But the next answer brought a shadow upon their faces as he was asked,

"And do you hope that at that time Jesus heard and forgave your sins?"—He answered promptly,

"I don't only hope so, sir; I know He did."

There was a confidence in the tone with which the word "know" was uttered that startled the hearers. The oldest of them raised his glasses, and peered into the face of the little witness and said,

"You say you 'know' that Jesus forgave your sins?"

"Yes, sir," was the prompt and unhesitating answer. There was an ominous pause in the examination. Such certainty could only be, it was feared, offspring of presumption. The boy must be resting on some false foundation.

"You mean my son, that you hope Jesus has pardoned your sins."

"I know He has, I know it," with a bright smile on his manly face.

"How do you know it, my son?" every eye being intent upon the little respondent.

"He said He would," said the boy, with a look of astonishment, as if anyone should doubt it.

"He said He would do what?"

"He said that if I confessed my sins, He was faithful and just, and would forgive them; and I did confess them to Him, and I know He forgave them, because He said He would."

The dear boy has lived an earnest and godly Christian life, to attest the sincerity and value of an assurance based, not upon frames and feelings, but upon the sure testimony of the Word of God.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, than shalt be saved." Romans 10:9.

Messages of God’s Love 7/29/1934

Only Blood Can Save

"Mamma, does praying' save the soul?

Can prayer remove my sin?

Can it atone for guilt, and make

Me clean and pure within?"

"No, dearest child, 'tis not: by prayer

That souls from sin are freed;

Prayer never can one sin efface

Or meet the sinner's need.

"Remission is by blood alone,

And only blood can save;

The soul which would sweet pardon know

Must in the blood believe.

"From Calvary's cross the precious stream

In rich profusion flowed,

And, by its cleansing power divine,

The soul is brought to God.

" 'Tis sweet to pray; 'tis. sweet to bow

Before the Saviour's face;

But they alone can thus draw nigh

Who know the Saviour's grace.

"Dear child, believe in Jesus Christ,

And peace and pardon. know;

Then, from the heart by grace made glad,

Shall prayer and praises flow."

Messages of God’s Love 7/29/1934

Bible Questions for August

Answers to Bible Questions for June "The Children's Class"

1. "And said unto them," etc. Luke 24:46,

2. "Then came the day," etc." 22:7.

3. "Then said the lord of," etc." 20:13.

4."And he said unto," etc." 16,15.

5. "And he arose," etc." 15:20.

6. "When once the master," etc." 13:25.

7. "They did eat," etc." 17:27.

Bible Questions for August
"The Children's Class"

The Answers are to be found in John Chapters 11-21

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, "And for this cause came I unto the world,"

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, "And Jesus Christ, whom thou bast sent."

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, "And we know that his testimony is true."

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, "And yc say well."

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, ''And that your fruit should remain."

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, "And your joy no man talceth from you."

7. What is the reason given why many among the chief rulers did not confess Christ?

Answers to Bible Questions for June
"The Young People's Bible Class"

1-3. Luke 19:46, Isaiah 56:7, Luke 20:17, Psalm 1S:22, Luke 20:12, Psalm 110:1.

4-6. Noah and the flood: Luke 17:26-27, Gen 6-7.
Lot and Sodom: Luke i7:28-29, Len. 19.
Moses at the bush: Luke 20:37, Exodus 3:1-0.

7. Noah, Luke 17:26. Lot, Luke 17:28, Moses, Luke 20:374 Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Luke 20:37. David, Luke 20:41,

Bible Questions for August

The Answers are to be found in John Chapters 11-21

1-7. List 7 verses which give the fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures, and give both the New and the Old Testament references.

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

The Coming of Christ

The Christian says
"Come, Lord Jesus:" Rev. 22:20.

The unfaithful servant says:—
"My Lord delayeth. His coming." Matt. 24 AS,

The scoffer says:—
"Where is the promise of His coming?...All things continue as they were." 2 Pet, 3 Vt.

The Lord Jesus says:—
"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22: 12.

"Therefore be ye also ready." Matt. 24:44,

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 6

THE city which God had chosen, where He had set His name, was about to be judged. Jerusalem, which David had built when Jehovah was with him (Chronicles 11:4-9: 15:1, etc.) and where Solomon had afterward erected the very costly temple for the worship of the only true God (2 Chronicles Chapters 2-7), was to be overwhelmed by strangers out of the north. The time was not yet come to tell who the enemy would be, but "the north" must have been a true token to those who heard Jeremiah's early prophecies, of Babylonia, which had just (B.C. 625) taken Assyria's place as the great northeastern power equal to, and presently greater than Egypt, Israel's ancient southern neighbor.

Comparing Jeremiah's prophecy in this and preceding chapters with our own times, a. parallel is plain. Judgment, far more intense,—unsparing – is soon to descend upon the inhabitants of this modern world, but, as in verse 1 The children of Benjamin were directed to flee for safety from connection with the guilty city, and sound an alarm; so are those today who have ears to hear, bidden to seek Him Whose hands are yet outstretched in mercy, and to warn others to flee from the wrath to come.

Verses 3 to 6 no doubt gave to the people of Jerusalem the manner of the approach of the Babylonians to Jerusalem, and the final siege, at the end of which the city was destroyed. Not at the first appearance of the invading hosts of Babylon was Jerusalem defended against them; rather it seems did the then king of Judah submit to Nebuchadnezzar. (See 2 Kings 21-25).

The state of Jerusalem, that is, its inhabitants, was by this time beyond recovery, as verse 7 in chosen words declares. The example of the godly king Josiah, particularly during the first eighteen years of his 31 year reign (2 Kings Chapters 22 and 23; 2 Chronicles Chapters 34 and 35) was not sufficient to turn the nation back to their God.

It was not now true of the people, as in an earlier day (2 Chronicles 15:15) that with all their heart and their whole desire they sought Jehovah. Had this been so, He would have been found of them, and given them rest.

The judgment, long: promised and long withheld, should, when executed, be unsparing, because there was no willingness to listen to God speaking through His servants (verse 10). Even yet His counsel was given (verses 16, 17)—how weighty for today if only heeded!—to "stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls,"

This was the soft-spoken voice of mercy, heard where the trumpet tones of judgment would soon be heard. The sacrifices of a disobedient people were not acceptable, not pleasing to their God (verse 20). Just so was it with Cain (Genesis 1:3-4) and Jude verse 11 declares that the way of Cain will bring eternal woe; that "way" is much practiced today, man denying that he is a sinner and that he must needs approach God by blood, even the precious blood of Jesus.

In this scene of approaching overwhelming judgment was Jeremiah placed (verse 27), and his two books (Jeremiah and Lamentations) witness to us how his tender heart was wrung by the hardheartedness of his people. He did not try to make his words pleasing to his hearers, but faithfully delivered the message of God to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah.

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

Christ Saves Only Sinners

Are you thinking you are too had to be saved?

You cannot be too bad to be saved, but you may be too good (in your own estimation) to be saved.

Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

He, the Son of Man, came to save that which was lost.

He told of God's gospel supper, The guests who were present were

The poor, those who have no goodness or righteousness of their own.

The maimed, those wounded and mauled by sin, who cannot work for salvation.

The halt, the lame who cannot walk aright in the ways of God.

The blind, who cannot see their course and need constant succor.

These were brought in and feasted. Can you not see yourself described? You may come.

God's house is filling fast—

"Yet there is room!"

Some guest will be the last—

Yet there is room!"

Yes! soon salvation’s day

From you will pass away,

Then grace no more will say—

"Yet there is room!"

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

It's Very Hard

It’s very hard to have nothing to eat but bread and butter when others have every sort of nice things," muttered Charlie, as he sat With his breakfast before him. "It's very hard to have to get up so early in the morning, and to work all day, when others can enjoy themselves without an hour of labor. It's very hard to have to trudge along through the mud while others ride about in their automobiles."

"It's a great blessing," said his grandmother, as she sat at her knitting, "it's a great blessing to have food, when many are hungry; to have a roof over one's head, when so many are homeless. It's a great blessing to have sight, and hearing, and strength for daily labor, when so many are blind, deaf, or suffering."

"Why, grandmother, you seem to think that nothing is hard," said the boy, still in a grumbling tone.

"No, Charlie, there is one thing that I think very hard."

"What's that!" cried Charlie, who thought that at last his grandmother had found some cause of complaint.

"Why, boy, I think that heart is very hard that is not thankful to God for present blessings."

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Psa. 103:2,

“Be ye thankful.” Col. 3:15.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

Our Pets

JOHN and Mary, we will call them, loved to go to the well with mamma to get water, not only because they loved to be with their mother, but their favorite pet pigeons would conic there to meet them. They were so tame that they would fly on their hands, and would allow the children to pet them and hold them. The children were very careful not to hurt them, and would take food to them, and would give them water. It is good to see children gentle and kind to God's creatures. Nearly all animals love to have kindness shown to them, and we should care for and treat them kindly,

We read in the Bible about the kindness the Lord Jesus. He was meek and lowly and loving to everyone.

He loved us so much that He went to the cross, and died for us so that when we accept Him as our Saviour, we have eternal life. We should show our love and kindness to others.

"WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST ALSO HATH LOVED US." Eph. 5:2.

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

Too Late, Too Late

"Too late, too late:" O, solemn word,

It shall with fear and woe be heard

By those who would not hear His call,

Who suffered, bled and died for all.

Too late, too late to enter heaven,

Too late to have your sins forgiven;

Too late to see the Bridegroom's face,

To hear 1 his words of love and grace.

Too late, too late," O, children dear,

These words I hope you'll never hear;

''Too late, too late," shall not be heard

By those who trust in Christ the Lord.

Messages of God’s Love 8/5/1934

Converted in a Hayfield

WHEREVER you are, you may receive Christ. A farmer's boy told the story of how he received Christ in the hayfield:

"We were working with the hay. I had been attending meetings held by an evangelist in the town for two weeks, and was very much troubled about my soul. Three at our farm were saved, and they sang all day in the field, I was miserable. At dinner-time I sat alone, and I suppose the others saw what was wrong with me, One who had been my companion in sin, came across to where I sat, and said,

`Jamie, you will never he happy till you are saved. You should just take Jesus as your Saviour, and be happy like the rest of us.'

`How did you take Him?' I asked, for the 'taking' was the difficulty with me.

`I just said, "If Jesus saves sinners, I am a sinner, and He'll save me." I took Him by believing He died for me, just for myself, as if there had been no other.'

'I saw then what was meant by "taking" Jesus, and without saying anything to anybody, I took Him as my Saviour that afternoon, and I knew I was saved.)"

"BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED." Acts 16:31.

"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 8/12/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 7

THE day of Judah's overwhelming judgment was set, and the time of it drew on apace; yet the offer of mercy to the wicked (if they would but avail themselves of it!) must go out again, though it should fall upon utterly deaf ears (verses 1-7). How like to our own days is this! Heedless of the call of God, the mass of mankind hasten on to certain judgment, now assuredly near at hand, wherein not one nation only, but the whole world will meet the King of Kings Who once outside Jerusalem's walls, as the crucified One, offered Himself to God, bearing,—as every believer can say in the language of faith and of Scripture,—our sins in His own body on the cross.

We note here also, another parallel with our own times, that while refusing the gospel message of that day, and going on in their own perverted ways, the profession of the worship of God was kept up; the priests and the Levites, though not spoken of here, must have been at their appointed posts, carrying on the forms of religious observance. What did they think of the solitary member of the priestly family (Jeremiah was, he tells us at the beginning, a priest) and his message, who stood in the gate of the temple grounds faithfully witnessing for his Master? 2 Timothy 3:5 gives us a word for the character of empty religious profession in Jeremiah's day as well as in on-own times for which it was written.

Was indeed Jehovah's house become a den of thieves (verse 11)? This passag we doubt not was in the Lord's mind. when He cast out the tradesmen and money-changers from the temple which Herod built (Matthew 21:13). Shiloli was a witness (verses 12-15) that the name of Jehovah may not be connected with wickedness. (See Psalm 78:60, and 1. Samuel Chapters 1-4). The ark of the testimony which had been placed there when the land was possessed by the children of Israel (Joshua 18) never returned to Shiloh after this, and the last mention of the place, aside from the Psalms and Jeremiah's prophecy, is in 1 Kings 14. The place was within the boundaries ci the tribe of Ephraim, 20 or more miles north of Jerusalem, and so was included in the territory of the ten tribes of Israel who had been removed as captives by the Assyrians a hundred years before Jeremiah's time.

All were alike, the children, the fathers, the mothers (verse 18),—turned from God to the service of idols; the "queen of heaven'', object of their worship, appears to have been the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth. or Astarte, the moon. What a hopeless scene it must have been, in which Jeremiah was left to testify for God! But He will never be without witnesses until the day of mercy is finally closed upon this guilty world, and the final act of judgment opens upon the unrepentant.

Jeremiah was to speak for God, though assured in advance that his hearers would disregard his message (verse 27) . The high places of Topheth in the valley of the son of Hinnom, where the worship of a false god reached its height in burning their sons and daughters in the fire, was chosen by God as the at valley of slaughter, an emblem of the eternal judgment in the lake of fire. The Greek word "Gehenna", translated "hell" in Luke 12:5 and other passages in Matthew, Mark and James, and referring to the place of everlasting punishment for the lost, is derived from the Hebrew words for "valley of Hinnom".

Messages of God’s Love 8/12/1934

Delay Meant Doom

SITUATED in a romantic position above the beautiful waters of P. S., was the house of a family. They greatly delighted in the situation and were wishful to remain in the place at once so pleasant and so picturesque.

But alas! it was not well founded.

An engineer who knew the district well sounded the alarm. There was a bed of blue clay in the hill on the side of which they lived. Seeing this, he warned them of the danger to which they were exposed, telling them that at any moment the cliff might give way, and their home be swept before the avalanche of earth and trees.

However, they clung to their loved dwelling and hoped for the best and that the engineer might be mistaken.

As Ifheard tell of their folly I thought of the worse folly of souls who hear of their peril, They are warned that if they die in their sins, where Christ has gone they cannot go. Of course they mean to be saved before they die, but they wait on and wait on. The tidings of coming woe sound in their ears. They are exhorted to flee from the wrath to come, They are aware that

"Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation."

But the pleasures of sin allure—-the deceitfulness of the flesh within and the world around, and the he of the soul-enemy that there is plenty of time—all unite in detaining the sinner in the toils of the foe.

Warned again and again, the inhabitants of the doomed house at last arranged to leave. They were seated at the final meal they were to have in those enjoyable surroundings and they were risking their lives once more.

Suddenly there was a rumble—a roar—-a crushing and a crashing as the hill-side, breaking away, hurled the building and its occupants down towards the water in a huge land slide.

The father and the mother were crushed to death in the overthrow. They meant to be saved but were lost. They were too late in departure. Happily, their two sons escaped with bruises and concussions only.

The hour of doom for the world draws on apace.

Again we warn the reader of his need. Like some of old we cry,

"Escape for thy life! Tarry not!"

One of the warned ones was startled and then started to escape, but lingering, was lost in the overthrow of the sinful city where she had lived. She stopped and was stricken.

O! "Remember Lot's wife." This is the Saviour's warning. He who spoke in tenderest tones, "Come unto Me," He who died in devoted love to meet our need, He it is who bids us recall the doom of the lingerer.

God's night of judgment is nearing apace,

Sinner beware, sinner beware;

Fast to its close speeds the day of God's grace,

Then will begin thy despair

Hopeless despair, endless despair,

Lose not thy soul for earth's vanities

Lighter than air.

Messages of God’s Love 8/12/1934

Turned to God From Idols

THE people in Thessalonica were idolaters. They prayed to figures made of gold and silver, brass and stone; which could neither hear, nor see, nor speak, nor walk, But When the Apostle Paul visited their city, he told the Thessalonians that the living and true God had sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer for sins; and that Christ had died, and risen again from the dead.

Then many of them believed the words of Paid, and turned to God from to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, the Lord Jesus, their Deliverer from the wrath to come. That will be His second coming. It was the word of Jesus Himself to His disciples:

"I will come again, and receive you unto Myself." John 14:3.

Are you waiting for Him? He will come; suddenly, in a moment. Watch for Him, and be ready.

"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16-17.

"Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Heb. 10:37.

Messages of God’s Love 8/12/1934

The Old Story

Come, Kathleen, nestle near me, dear,

A story I'll relate

Of Him whom you need never fear,

Although He is so great.

'Twas He who made the stars and sun,

And set them in their place;

'Twas He who marked the course they run

In their appointed race.

The blade of grass we crush beneath

Our careless tread each day;

The mighty orb which rolls in space

Alike His power display.

Yet He, who was so very great,

A little child became;

He took on earth man's low estate,

Despising all the shame.

He grew in stature and in grace,

The holy, harmless One;

Perfect He filled His lowly place

As Mary's subject Son.

He cleansed the lepers, raised the dead,

Gave sight unto the blind:

The hungry multitude He fed—

He was so good and kind.

But who responded to His call,

Or to His word gave heed?

A few poor fishermen were all

Who felt and owned their need.

One way alone was left to save

A guilty, ruined race;

God's righteous wrath the Son must brave,

Must take the sinner's place.

And there upon the cross we see

The blest, eternal Son;

The One who made the earth and sea,

Who spake, and it was done.

That One! made sin upon the tree,

O miracle of grace!

Rejected and despised, that we

Might see His glorious face;

And dwell with Him and taste the joy

Of all that bliss above,

-Where it shall be our blest employ

To sing His boundless love,

O trust in Him who loves you so,

And you shall happy be,

And more of His deep love shall know

Throughout eternity.

Messages of God’s Love 8/12/1934

The Forgotten Errand

THIS little girl has been sent to buy some fruits and vegetables, with money in her hand, and a basket in which to carry them home. She was told distinctly what to buy, but on her way, she was thinking about the things that concerned herself, and when she reached the market, she had entirely forgotten what her errand was.

She looks so confused, and is trying to remember what her mother told her to buy.

How much this reminds us of dear boys and girls who are told over and over again, about their being sinners, and that they need a Saviour who is able and willing to save them, if they will only accept Him as their Lord and Saviour, and of all the rich eternal blessings that will be theirs by doing so.

But they go on carelessly day by day thinking only of their own pleasures, which last but a short time, forgetting the terrible eternal judgment that awaits all who refuse to accept the wonderful salvation that might be theirs through Christ and His work on the cross.

Now, Jesus is saying:,
"Come unto Me." Matt. 11:28,
Later He may have to say to you,
"Depart from Me." Matt. 25:41,

"HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?" Heb. 2:3.

Messages of God’s Love 8/19/1934

Bible Lessons

Jeremiah 8

Fearful scenes of desolation and woe are promised in the closing verses of chapter 7 and the opening verses of chapter 8. Does God love to take vengeance? It is far from His desire; but though merciful and compassionate and loving the sinner (how has He not shown His great love, in giving His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life?) the day of reckoning must cone. The day of the Lord will come, as says Peter in his Second Epistle (3:10), though men choose to ignore the testimony God has given.

In that day, of what avail will be the false gods which man has made for himself, or the delusions he has cherished concerning the future? Revelation 6:15-17 affords a striking picture of the very beginning- of judgment yet to be on earth; at the end there will be no caves, no rocks for hiding places (Revelation 20:12,13).

In natural things, men falling, rise again; turning away, they return (verse 1). There is recovery, as when a man blunders in his course he turns back on seeing his mistake. But it was not so with Judah in their relations with God. They had become confirmed in their self-chosen path; they refused to return to God. The race is no different today, wherever the gospel has gone and men have become hardened to it.

God proclaims Himself a listener (verse 6), Ah, what does He hear from the lips of many of His creatures of the stock of Adam in our days! God's humble creatures, to which we attribute very little intelligence, put man to shame (verse 7); they are wiser than men, for they know when the time has come, as winter draws near, to fly away to warmer clinics; but the human race (and not only Judah) know not the judgment to come.

The rejection of God's word carries in its tram every evil, and we are not surprised that deceit (verse 5), and its close relative lying (verse 8) and covetousness (verse 10) are mentioned as characteristic of the people who professed God's name, but cared naught for Him. As they deceived others, they were also self-deceived (verse 11): Hardened in sin (as those become who are under the sound of the gospel and reject it) they are unashamed, but their judgment is set (verse 12).

In verses 14 to 16 the prophet's interest in his people, wayward and laden with sins, deaf to his entreaties, leads him to anticipate their feelings when the Babylonian instruments of God's judgments should appear in the land. In verse 19 he sees them as already in the country of their captivity, and turns to express Jehovah's indignation against them. Again he speaks for Judah, the "harvest" of God's bountiful dealing with them over, the "summer" with its pleasures, ended—opportunity gone and the cold blasts of "winter" anticipated for which they are not prepared: "we are not saved."

Why not? is a question which comes to the mind; why not saved? Jeremiah's use of the word was in connection with the prospect of the coming of Nebuchadnezzar's army, but its New Testament use in connection with the gospel of God's grace is before us now

The disease with which 'Udall was afflicted was beyond human remedy; none but Jehovah could heal them, and they refused His mercy. Such is man, the dupe of Satan and the prey of his own folly. Well might Jeremiah weep, and the servants of God of our times likewise!

Messages of God’s Love 8/19/1934

Jesus Has Saved Me

A CITY missionary in going his rounds was one day led to visit the garret of an old house, which he had previously believed to be uninhabited.

He was attracted there by the sound of it weak little voice, making an attempt at singing, He opened the door, and in a corner of the room saw a little boy lying. He went to his side and knelt down, for there was no chair, and asked the child what he had been singing.

The boy told him he was trying to remember a hymn that he had heard in a Sunday school, to which he had been but once, and all he could remember was—

"There is a happy land, far, far away."

The kind missionary knew the hymn, and sang it through, much to the child's delight, and then asked the poor boy if he were going to that "happy land."

The child's eyes filled with tears as he said, "O, I should like to go, if I only knew the way, but I am afraid I am too wicked; I have been a bad boy, I am not fit to go to that beautiful place. But, O! sir, is there anything that I can do that may go there?"

"No, my boy, nothing; all that was necessary to be done, was done for you long ago."

Then the poor boy looked up with wondering eyes, and the missionary continued, "As you say, you are not it for heaven, you have sinned against God, broken His laws, disobeyed Him, every day of your life, but my boy have you never heard how Jesus, the Son of God, left His home above, to come and live here as a poor man? He died a cruel death, that He might bear the punishment for poor, lost sinners, such as you feel yourself to be! He bore the punishment instead of them, that they might by believing in Him have everlasting life. So there is everlasting life for you, my child, if you believe in Jesus, and trust Him as your Saviour." Then the missionary took his Bible and read,

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," And turning again to the boy he said,

"You see, it was the world that Jesus died to save, the world of sinners, and you are one of that number, are you not?"

"Yes:' answered the boy, “did He really die to save me?”

"Yes, and if you believe on Him you shall he saved!" The boy lay still with his eyes closed for a few minutes, but presently looked up with a happy smile.

"Yes, I do believe; O, how could He love me so much, when I was so bad?"

The missionary stayed with the little fellow for some time, and read to him about Jesus, for the child had heard but little of His life and death. Then the missionary left the boy, promising to return the next day. He kept his word, but he found only a lifeless body. The boy's mother was there, and she told him how she had returned home the night before, finding her child full of joy, and that he kept saying over to himself all the time,

"Jesus has saved me, Jesus has saved me!" Then he fell asleep towards morning, to awaken in heaven in the presence of the Lord who had so recently saved him.

Little reader, can you say, "Jesus has saved me"? You know He died to save sinners, so can you say, "He has saved me"? If not, will you not believe on Him today?

Messages of God’s Love 8/19/1934

Donald's Conversion

THE Holy Spirit—the Spirit of grace had been working and the boy was troubled as to the judgment he knew he deserved, and as to the eternity towards which he was going.

Why am I not saved? Is there not a Saviour? Yes!

Why then am I unsaved? What is the matter with me? Would not Jesus save me? Yes! He would. I'm a fool: I have attended to everything first and foremost, but neglected the most important of all. What a fool I am and have been! Did He not come to seek and to save the lost? Well; I'm a poor, lost boy!

Such were his musings. The awakening to a sense of his soul's need had come about through the illness of his brother.

He had thought his brother might die, and then asked himself how it would be with him if he were to die. He could but answer, "I should go to hell and he lost forever."

A few days passed, and he was to be found taking a short cut across a hill. There flashed into his mind the thought,

"Why should I not be saved here and now?

Down on to his knees among the grass, the boy bowed and cried to God for mercy. But he found no rest at first.

"I am surely lost; 1 can do nothing," he said to himself.

Then it was, when he reached the sense of his utter helplessness that a Scripture came to his memory which was to prove the means of help. It was this,

"If ye seek Me, let these go their way."

He recalled how the Lord stood forward when His enemies came to the garden of Gethsemane, and said those words to them. He would give Himself up, but on condition that His disciples were allowed to leave unhurt. And His power had been shown but a little before in that they had fallen backward to the ground at His word, so that they feared Him, and were glad to allow His loved ones to escape if He would yield Himself up to their will.

"Instantly I comprehended what SUBSTITUTION meant."

The work was done, Christ died for my sins eighteen hundred years ago, and the way of God to me was opened up, and so was my way to God. I closed with Christ there and then as my own personal Saviour. I trusted Him. I received Him. I rested on Him. The glorious truth flashed before me,

"Christ died for my sins." That is how I was saved.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6.

Messages of God’s Love 8/19/1934