Messages of God's Love: 1935

GOD does not forget His own, even when they are suffering because of their waywardness and sin; thus we find a comforting message from Himself going to the captives in Babylon who had been carried away in the Great Captivity. They might have thought bitterly of Nebuchadnezzar as the cause of their deep distress, but they are reminded that it was God, their God, “Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel,” who had moved the king of Babylon to do what he did (verse 4).

They were to settle down in the place where they were, though far from their homes and the city of Jerusalem; and were to seek the peace of Babylon, and pray for it (verses 5-7). Their natural feeling would be far otherwise, even to be planning revenge for what had befallen them; but submission was called for. Babylon was a place preeminent for idol worship, and the children of Judah who feared God must have been continually grieved at what they saw and heard there. Nevertheless God had committed government in the earth to the Gentiles, even to Nebuchadnezzar, because His earthly people had utterly failed in the responsibility committed to them. And having mingled the worship of idols with the professed worship of the true God, they must now for a season leave their land to dwell among a people thoroughly steeped in idolatry.

False prophets and dreamers were among the captives of Judah, and God’s message to His people in a strange land warned them against heeding what they taught. When the seventy years (chapter 25:12) were over, He would visit them and perform His good word toward them, in bringing them back to Jerusalem (verses 8-10).

Such is the human heart that hard thoughts against God arise within in circumstances of trial, when the burden seems heavy and the way dark and dreary.

But hear His gracious accents, speaking in tender love:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah—thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (literally, a latter end and hope) (verse 12).

The end of these painful circumstances (for some truly had faith in Him) would be blessing (verses 12-15). This is always the purpose of the trials God allows to burden His people.

Although there was a measure of recovery in the state of Judah at the time when, ending the seventy years’ captivity, Cyrus the Persian conqueror of Babylon proclaimed liberty to the Jews to return to Jerusalem, that measure was small (see Ezra and Nehemiah), and for its literal fulfillment, the word of verses 12-14 awaits the day long foretold that is yet to come.

In verses 15 to 19 the solemn judgment of God upon the people left in Jerusalem, which was given in chapter 24, is repeated in view of the relation evidently existing between the false prophets and false leaders who had gone to Babylon, and the wicked men remaining in Jerusalem.

Two of these prophets of lies and abandoned life are singled out in verses 20 to 23; they would not escape from God’s hand because in far away Babylon: for them death in a fearful form was coming. We are told nothing more than these verses disclose about these men who died for their iniquity in a foreign land. It is enough for us that the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3).

Shemaiah the Nehelamite, another of the captives at Babylon, who showed by his letters whom he served, even Satan, tried to get Jeremiah imprisoned for his faithfulness to God. It does not appear that Jeremiah tried to defend himself against this attack; if he did, it was needless, for God takes care of those who seek wholeheartedly to serve Him; takes notice of all that seek to illtreat them and will in due time reward their enemies according to their deserts, as the last verse of the chapter shows (See 2 Timothy 4:14, which should be read, “The Lord will reward him according to his works.”)

ML-01/06/1935

Come

A BOY once tried to count all the wrong things he had ever done. He could not remember half of them, but he counted so many that they frightened him, and he said, “O, mother, they make a great bundle —so big that it tires me to think of them! It tires me to have them in my heart. What shall I do?” Then his mother told him Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. But the boy said, “Maybe He does not mean me, mother.”

“Why,” said his mother, “aren’t you tired of carrying your load of wicked things? Aren’t they heavy?”

“O, yes, they are heavy,” he said.

“Then listen,” and again she repeated, “All ye that labor and are heavy laden.” Then the boy said, “But, mother, how will the Lord do this? How can He take my sins away?”

His mother replied, “My boy, that is the Lord’s part; your part is to come to Him. He said, ‘Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out’,” John 6:37.

ML-01/06/1935

One of Jesus' Little Lambs

LITTLE Rosy was staying with her aunt, upon the wall of whose house was a picture of an Eastern shepherd, carrying a little lamb in his bosom.

After looking very intently at the picture, little Rosy said, “Auntie, I don’t wish to grow big.”

“Why, my dear?”

“Because Jesus carries the lambs in His bosom, and He doesn’t carry the big sheep;” and then, looking again at the picture, she said, “Doesn’t it look comfortable!”

Dear children, have you learned the tenderness of Jesus? What a happy place it is to be folded in His arms!

ML-01/06/1935

Lost

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

What a picture this gives to us of all those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour. They are lost. They don’t know the way to heaven. They say some times, “We hope to go to heaven,” but what is the use of hoping, if they don’t know the way. Jesus is the way; He is the Saviour; He came to save that which was lost, and He has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

Have you, my dear little reader, come to Jesus? Are you trusting Jesus to save you? If not, you are still lost. But Jesus wants to save every one, and He says, “Come unto Me.”

The Lord Jesus is like that shepherd that went after the lost sheep and when he had found it, he laid it on his shoulders, rejoicing, and went home with it Now if you are not saved, He wants to save you, and if you just let Him He will save you; and will take you safely to be in heaven with Himself.

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

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

ML-01/06/1935

A New Year's Greeting

We greet you all, dear children!

Again another year

Has dawned, and with its opening days,

May hearts afresh resound the praise

Of Jesus, ever dear.

Through this new year, dear children,

May you more truly prize

The story of the Saviour’s love,

Who came to save you from above,

And thus be really wise.

For, sad to say, dear children,

Too many try to turn

A new leaf o’er, and think to win

A way to heaven in all their sin;

O, may you not so learn!

This would we wish, dear children,

That you may truly know

‘Tis only Jesus’ precious blood,

That from His side so freely flowed,

Can make you white as snow.

A happy year, dear children,

Will this to each one be,

Who seeks to know the Saviour more,

Yes, even better than before,

And for eternity!

“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:18.

ML-01/06/1935

A Shelter From the Storm

THE dear little birds take sheer from the fast falling snow. They have; wisdom given to them of God for this, and therefore take advantage of this protection.

This reminds me of a dreadful storm that is coming on this world, God’s sore judgments are going to sweep over this world, and then at the end there will be everlasting judgment; but He has provided the way of escape, a shelter from the dreadful storm, and that shelter is Christ.

Are you wise, dear reader, like the little birds, by taking shelter? In other words, have you accepted Christ as your own Saviour, as the One who died for you to shelter you from the awful judgment that you deserve for all your sins? If wise, you will settle that matter now, and I trust you will be able to say from your heart:

“I do believe, I will believe

That Jesus died for me.”

If you can say, “Jesus died for me”, you are not only saved from the awful judgment of being separated from God because of your sins, but you are saved to share the glory with the Lord Jesus into which He has entered.

“CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

ML-01/13/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 30

BECAUSE Israel and Judah are to be brought back to the land of their forefathers, not being cast away finally and forever (Romans 9:25-28; 11:1, 2), Jeremiah was directed to commit to writing what God had said to him (verse 2). It is this unalterable purpose of God to bless, however unworthy the objects of His grace may be, that fills the believing heart with adoration to Him who gave His Son for all who trust in Him.

What kind of “book” did Jeremiah have, in which to write? The Hebrew word translated “book” actually means “a writing”, but in chapter 36 we come to “a roll of a book” written with ink, and this book, in the end, was cut with a knife and cast into the fire by king Jehoiakim. In Psalm 40:7, the same Hebrew words have been translated “volume of the book”: this passage is quoted in Hebrews 10:7.

Although writing on stone and on clay tablets and cylinders was a common practice in Babylonia and adjacent lands, prepared skins of animals and papyrus were also in large use in the East, and we have little reason to doubt that it was on this form of writing material, made into a roll, that Jeremiah’s prophecies were written. It was in such “books” or scrolls that the Bible was handed down from generation to generation of the children of Israel, books as we now know them having come into general use after the invention of the printing press. It may be of interest to refer to Daniel 9:2; Deut. 31:24-26; 2 Kings 22; Nehemiah 8.

Verses 4 to 7 are concerned with a time yet to be; the children of Israel have known many sorrows since they turned away from God, and more particularly since Judah delivered up their Messiah to be crucified, but the fearful days of Matthew 24 and Mark 13 have yet to be experienced by them.

God is love, we know, but it is equally true that God is light. Both these truths are found in 1 John, and we would not forget that the former is not first in that Epistle; chapter 4 includes it, but “God is light” is in the first chapter. Both are evidenced in the eleventh verse of our chapter; the testimony of His love is “I am with thee to save thee”; but “I will correct thee with judgment” betokens the character of light in which God dwells. Men delude themselves with the thought that He will not deal with sins and sinners, since “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Pet. 3:4), See Eccles, 8:11; Rom. 2:3-10, and the last two verses of our chapter.

After the promised severe judgments upon the Jews, God will bless them, and before the blessing is really known, He will have broken the yoke of the oppressor (verse 8). This enemy of the last days is the to-be-revived Roman empire, composed of the nations who occupy the territory held by the Caesars when Christ was upon earth. The ancient Babylon will be duplicated in its character (in God’s sight), but its duration will be short, and its end complete destruction.

Verse 9: David the king is here used to foreshadow Christ—”great David’s greater Son.” See 1 Chron. 17; Isa. 9:7; Psa. 110. Though the ten tribes of Israel were gone into captivity (and have since disappeared from the knowledge of men), and only Judah and. Benjamin remained in the land God had given them, this chapter and the next look onward to a reunited and restored Israel and Judah. The lost ten tribes will reappear, as Ezekiel 37 testifies.

Mark the utterly undone condition of Israel, as expressed in verses 12 to 15, and the purpose of God in verses 17 to 22; this is nothing less than sovereign grace—of the same character as the Christian has experienced—love flowing out to the unworthy. And it is the more remarkable because of the assurance of unsparing judgment (verses 16, 23, 24) that flanks the promise of grace.

ML-01/13/1935

What Is Believing?

DEAR little fellow was reading in the Gospel of John, third chapter, and when he came to the 15th verse he could not make it out at all. He thought he understood the verse bore, which says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;” but when he came to the next verse and read on till the big word “believeth,” he stopped and said to himself, “I must ask papa what ‘believeth’ means. I am sure he can tell me, for I know he loves Jesus, and knows a great deal about Him.”

Soon the little boy’s father came home. “Please, papa, will you tell me what ‘believeth’ means? It is in John, third chapter and fifteenth verse;” and quickly the little hands turned over the pages of the large type Bible, and when the verse was found little Henry put the Bible down on his father’s knee, and read “that whoever believeth on Him should not perish,” and then looked up in his face as much as to say, “Now, papa.”

“Will my dear little Henry turn to the book of Numbers, chapter twenty-one, the eighth and ninth verses, and he will find the word ‘believeth’ explained.”

Henry read the verses, “And the Lord said unto Moses, make thee a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole, and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole, and it come to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

“Now,” said his father, “we will read the verse in John, taking out the word ‘believeth’ and putting in instead the word ‘looketh:’ ‘Whosoever looketh on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”

“But, papa,” said Henry, “the people bitten by the fiery serpent could look upon the brazen serpent lifted up upon the pole, but we cannot look upon Jesus, for He is in heaven.”

“Yes, my boy, we can look upon Jesus although He is in heavenly glory. Do you not remember, Henry, when your papa was away, that you said to mamma more than once, ‘O, I just see papa?’”

“O yes, I remember very well; I was thinking so much about you and wearying to see you, and sometimes you looked as if you were quite close to me, and then I said to mamma, “O, I just see papa.’”

“But, Henry, you did not see me with your eyes, for I was in London.”

“No, no, papa, but then I saw you with my mind, for I could not help thinking and thinking about you, because I loved you so.”

“That’s it, my child; now believing on Jesus is thinking upon Jesus—looking un Jesus with your mind—just as you thought upon me with your mind. Jesus died on the cross, was lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, for any poor sinner to look upon, and all who look are saved,”

My dear children, do not get troubled about “what is believing?” Had the bien Israelites looked upon their wounds, and cried ever so much, would that have saved them? No! The Bible says, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22.

Is that not very plain that God—not myself—is the One I am to look to; and if I look, what then? Why, salvation is for me, and salvation forever; for there is life in a look at the Crucified One.

ML-01/13/1935

Jemmy in the Pit

WHEN I was a child we had a favorite playground where we used to carry on our games. At one end was a beautiful garden where we went when we were tired running about. In another part of the ground was a large shed used for keeping implements, and some old lumber; and not far from the entrance a deep sewer had been opened and emptied of its black contents.

We were specially warned not to go near the place of danger, and I think we were afraid of doing so.

One evening in the summer, just as it was getting near our bed-time, we were going to have “just one more game” at “hide and seek,” and already Jemmy S. had hidden away and given the call to the seekers to find him.

After looking in every mysterious corner and behind and in every box we were about to search the garden when we heard a heavy thud-like fall.

Jemmy, being of a bold and venturome spirit, had eluded us by quietly slipping out of the shed by the open pit. He had nearly cleared the narrow covering when his foot slipped, and into the horrible pit he fell. He was greatly frightened to find himself in such a dreadful place.

My father ran down to the shed on hearing the scream. What was to be done? It was no use letting the poor boy do his best to get out of the pit: he was thoroughly helpless. Father got a ladder and, after carefully letting it down, he descended into the dark cavern, and soon brought Jemmy up in his strong arms. You never saw such a funny-looking object as he seemed in father’s arms. After a good wash he was quite himself, and he never wanted to go near the pit again.

This reminds me of one who has been delivered by Jesus from the pit of sin. Jesus came down on purpose to seek and to save hidden ones in the wretched places of wickedness; and these, when they know that they have been washed in His precious blood, take care how they walk, so that they may not become defiled again.

“When were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world.” Rom. 12:1, 2.

ML-01/13/1935

Meeting Christ

When first of Him you hear,

Perhaps you say, “I fear

To meet Him as I am”;

“O child,” He says, “you need not fear

I love you, and I want you near,

I’ll meet you as you are.”

Again I hear you say,

“If I but knew the way,

I’d meet Him as I am.”

He answers, “Come, without delay,

I am the true and living Way,

I’ll meet you where you are.”

You say, “I see it now,

For He has showed me how;

By faith, I meet Him here;

I trust His Word, I bow the knee,

And wait the time when I shall see

And meet Him in the air.”

ML-01/13/1935

Protection

O YOU naughty dog, for hurting my kitty! I will not let you get near her again.”

So she took kitty in her arms and on her lap for protection, as she looked at the dog with an expression of “I don’t like you.”

It seems as if nearly every creature has a torment. Dogs torment cats, and cats torment birds, etc.; but who do you think is the enemy of man? I expect that many of you can readily answer. “It is Satan.” That is true, and there is a place of safety provided for us, where Satan cannot reach us, and where is that? I believe some will be able to tell me where that is, “Safe in the arms of Jesus.”

Have you, dear reader, gone to the Lord Jesus Christ and put your trust in Him? If you have, you may trust Him for everything, and rejoice in His readiness and ability to save you from sin and Satan, and to lead you in the paths of righteousness.

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

ML-01/20/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 31:1-14

IN our study of the book of Isaiah we learned much about the blessing that will be the portion of the children of Israel when reestablished by God’s power in the land of Palestine. What we find in that way in Jeremiah’s prophecies has a special interest to the believer because of the time the message was given, namely, when the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:21, Rom. 11:25) were beginning: and God’s earthly people were just about to be (or were already being) transferred to Babylon as the captives of the first great Gentile power.

It was given to Jeremiah, as perhaps to no other prophet of the Old Testament, to tell of the love of God for Israel; this is the more striking because of the then state of the people—so bad that they were being cast out of the land that was their inheritance. It is the knowledge of the love of God, without cause and without measure (declared in the Old Testament and marvelously proved in the New), that draws forth the believer’s adoration and praise. Had it not been for His love, all without a single exception, would be in nature’s darkness and under condemnation, but “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Precious truth!

Verse 1: “At the same time” is really “At that time,” referring to chapter 30; “all the families of Israel” takes in the lost ten tribes who are yet to be brought back and united with Judah. Verse 2 is also future, for the true reading is “when I go to give him rest”; it speaks, we believe, of the ten tribes and the way God will deal with them before bringing them into the land of their forefathers. (See Ezek. 20:35-88.)

Verse 3: The marginal reading “from afar” should be taken instead of “of old” “The Lord (Jehovah) hath appeared from afar unto me”; the people were in heart far indeed from Him. In accents of infinite tenderness, nevertheless, He addresses them— “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. I will build thee again, etc.” Why should love be thus felt and expressed by God for a people so wayward? we may ask; yet we need only consider that the Gentile world is at least equal with Israel in departure from the living God. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” as says Romans 3:28, which adds: for all that believe: “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Because of His love, which nothing can turn away from its objects, utterly unworthy in themselves, He, with lovingkindness, draws them to Himself. Perhaps you beloved reader, have resisted Him in seeking to draw you to Himself. Yield yourself, if yet unsaved, to that loving Saviour; if now a child of God, to that compassionate Father who seeks to bless you; and taste to the full that everlasting love of which Jeremiah witnessed to the children of Judah twenty-five centuries ago.

Verses 5 and 6: “Samaria” and “Ephraim” both speak of the former home of the ten tribes; note the positive assurance in these verses, telling of what God in sovereign mercy will do.

Verse 8: “the coasts of the earth” means the uttermost parts of the world. Verse 9: Why is Ephraim called Jehovah’s first-born? Gen. 41:51, 52 shows that Manasseh was the elder, Ephraim the younger of Joseph’s sons; yet in Genesis 48 Ephraim is given the firstborn’s blessing. A number of scriptures may be referred to in seeking the answer to the question, but we shall here refer only to Deut. 33:13-17, Psa. 108:7, 8 and Ezek. 37:15-19, bearing in mind that both Judah and Joseph are used in the Word of God to foreshadow Christ—one as possessor of the title to reign upon earth and the other as the once rejected, now exalted Kinsman, revealing Himself as their abundant Blesser when Israel is at extremity. Ephraim then, whose name means “double fruitfulness”, stands for the reborn nation of Israel in the passages referred to. As to what Ephraim was, historically, in the land of promise, the prophets speak with one voice and that of condemnation; but in Jer. 31 The blessed prospect through mercy of God, and not the dreadful past, is in view.

Verse 10: God has not forgotten Israel, and the nations will learn it to their astonishment and bewilderment and sorrow. He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock. In verses 12-14 is shown what the Millennium will bring to those who are spared through the judgments to be poured out on the earth at the Lord’s appearing; fulness of blessing in earthly things together with the joy of the ransomed. Satan; the deceiver, will be confined then, and all of Israel at least, will be children of God by faith. What a change that day will bring, from the times in which we are living! But for the Christian there is a prospect far more entrancing (Phil. 3:20).

ML-01/20/1935

The Fruit Sermon

O TASTE and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Psa. 84:8.

“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Pet. 2:3.

Suppose a captain had a vessel of his very own, and one day he bid his wife and children good bye and started off to Australia with a valuable cargo on board, telling them that he expected to be away about a year. After he had reached Australia, and emptied the vessel of its cargo, he sailed about among a number of islands, and anchored off one of them, and allowed the sailors to row to shore and spend a few hours on the land.

When they came back in the evening, we will suppose that they told the captain that it was a desert island, not a single person living there, but they had found a number of trees, such as they had never seen before, covered with the most delicious fruit, and had all eaten plenty and enjoyed it very much, and had brought a basket full for the captain to taste of.

“But what does it taste like?”

“O, captain, we cannot explain, it is simply lovely! better than peaches, apples, pears, grapes, plums, strawberries, or any other fruit,”

So the captain tastes it, and is delighted, and tells the sailors that they must wait there a day or two, strip the trees, and take home a great ship load of this wonderful fruit.

Suppose, when they reached home, the captain took a basket full to his house, and gave some to his wife and children, and they were all enjoying this new fruit, and praising it very much, except his youngest little girl eight years old, who would not have any, and kept on saying, “I don’t like it, father.”

“But, my dear child, just taste it.” “No, thank you, father, I don’t like it.” Now what a foolish child she would be to say she did not like it, when she never even TASTED the fruit!!

Those who have not tasted the grace of God, and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and say that they would not like to be Christians, are quite as foolish as that child, for how can they tell before they taste?

The precious Word of God says to all such:

“O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

It is a new kind of joy that nobody can know until they taste for themselves.

You would think that the little girl could hardly be in her right senses to say that she did not like the fruit that she had never tasted!

And it is really a kind of madness that keeps people from coming to Jesus to be saved. Their hearts have gone mad; you can read about it in Eccl. 9:3.

“Madness is in their hearts while they live.”

Will you taste now and see how good the Lord is?

All who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour will taste the joy of belonging to Him, and see how much His wondrous love has done for them. He is good, and longs to do us good.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13.

ML-01/20/1935

Obey at Once

LITTLE Daniel was particularly fond of having his own way, and though not on the whole disobedient, he had a habit of not doing what he was told at once. Thus if he were looking at pictures in a book, and his mother called him, he would answer, “Yes, mamma,” but would not come, until he had finished looking over the pictures. He did what he wanted first, and what his mother wanted by-and-bye.

Daniel had been told many times that this was wrong, and at last he began to try and leave it off, and to obey immediately, and it was well for him that he did, as you shall hear.

He was staying near the sea-coast, and one day he went with a kind friend to a pretty little bay where the sea runs into a hollow in the land, and where all round the water there are high cliffs. The flowers and grass grow on the top of the cliffs, and you may walk almost to the very edge before seeing the water underneath. When Daniel came to this place, and saw the smooth green grass sloping down like a beautiful lawn, he thought it would be a nice place for a run, and off he set skipping and racing, and in a few minutes more, he would have run right over the edge of the cliff and have fallen into the sea.

The lady he was with, called loudly to him to stop, which he did at once, and waited for her to come up. She then gently led him to the edge of the precipice and little Daniel was amazed and terrified when he saw the deep water far below where they were standing.

“Now,” said he, “if this had happened six months ago I should have been killed, because instead of stopping at once when you called, I should have said, ‘I will just have my little run first, and then come back.’”

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Col. 3:20.

ML-01/20/1935

Jesus Died; Jesus Lives

Jesus died, and still the story

God proclaims on high;

That we each may reach the glory

By and bye.

Jesus lives, in heaven, a Saviour,

Witnesses to God

All the value and the savor

Of His blood.

‘Twas for us His life was given,

And lie longs to see

Round His throne, in that bright heaven,

Such as we.

ML-01/20/1935

Ready for a Camel Ride

THE people in our picture think no more of riding on the back of the camel than we would of riding a horse; but to those who are not used to the awkward movements of the camel, such a ride is exciting. When the camel would rise from his knees we should feel that we were surely falling off.

The camel has been fitted in a wonderful way for the dry countries where he lives. God has been good to man in providing him just such animals as he needs in the various parts of the world.

It is a grand thing to recognize God’s hand in everything created. How varied are the needs and conditions of the different peoples of the world, and how wonderfully has He met all these needs. But it is not enough merely to own God’s power in creation, and His goodness to mankind. Even the devils believe there is a God,— “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe and tremble.” James 2:19.

Thus if you believe that there is a God, but are a stranger to His grace, you are lost. It is only as you know His love to you in giving Jesus as your own Saviour that you can be saved.

“IN THIS WAS MANIFESTED THE LOVE OF GOD TOWARD US, BECAUSE THAT GOD SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON INTO THE WORLD, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.” 1 John 4:9.

ML-01/27/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 31:15-10

THE language of verse 15 is figurative, speaking in the main of sorrows not yet experienced by the children of Israel. Ramah was in the land of Benjamin; Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, dying when the latter was born. The town (which Rachel never saw) was five miles north of Jerusalem, on the road over which the Jews were led on their journey to Babylon as Nebuchadnezzar’s prisoners (see chapter 40:1). Rachel’s name is no doubt used here because she was Joseph’s mother and the beloved wife of Jacob; Ramah’s position just outside of Jerusalem is suggestive in view of the fearful judgments which have since swept over the capital, and the more terrible scenes to be enacted there in the last days. This passage is quoted in Matt. 2:17, 18 in connection with the slaughter of the little ones in and near Bethlehem—a fulfillment, but not the final one, of this Scripture.

The prophetic view here is, however, chiefly of the Millennial peace when bloodshed shall have stopped (verse 10). Then “Rachel” shall wipe away her tears, for the joy of the ransomed will fill the land of Israel.

“And there is hope for thy latter-end, saith Jehovah, and thy children shall come again to their own border” (N. Tr.).

The spiritual awakening of the lost ten tribes is taken up in verses 18, 19. Where are these Israelites today? We cannot venture to offer an opinion; they are hidden so effectually that no one is able to identify them among the nations, though many vain efforts have been made. When the day dawns for their reappearance, and their journey to the land of their forefathers occurs, the mystery will be solved.

In verse 20 we have God’s promise (affecting to the Christian heart) of mercy upon the long-banished ten tribes; in verse 21, their homeward way is to be made plain; “make thee signposts” (translated “high heaps”); and He calls them to return.

Verse 22 is also addressed to Ephraim which is spoken of as a woman—symbolic of weakness—overcoming a man: thus is shown the character of their return to Palestine,—the very expression of weakness, yet by God’s intervention, overcoming every effort of the nations to hinder their way there.

Verses 23 to 30 are of absorbing interest, telling of God’s deep concern over the blessing of His earthly people when they reach the land that once was, and will again be, their home. No more will they suffer because of the waywardness of their forefathers (verses 29, 30).

Verses 31-37: The covenant of Sinai (Ex. 19, 20) was broken in the wilderness; there were however unconditional promises to Abraham 130 years earlier (Gen. 12:1-3), and to David about 450 years after the covenant of Sinai (2 Sam. 7:10-16); if the hope of Israel was founded on the covenant of law, all would be over with them. See, however, Lev. 26:42; Isa. 55:3 and Jer. 33:19-21.

Our chapter brings out the foundation of Israel’s future blessing—a new covenant which goes far beyond all that preceded it, in that it involves new birth; all who come under it will be born again. Without this immense boon, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5); it brings eternal life and the true knowledge of God, besides being the foundation for every other blessing which He has been pleased to bestow on those who trust in Him, whether of the past, the present, or future dispensations. The new covenant with Israel will be wholly of God:

“I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts and will be their God, and they shall be My people....they shall all know Me, from the least.... to the greatest.... for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more.”

The references in the New Testament to this future covenant with Israel are numerous; however in almost half the cases the translators have written “testament” where the original Greek word justifies “covenant”. This passage in Jeremiah is quoted in Hebrews 8, and referred to in the 9th and 10th chapters of that Epistle. The Lord Jesus in instituting the memorial supper (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25) said, “This is My blood of the new covenant....” Christians are in the good of the covenant without being under it.

Verses 38-40 speak of what will evidently be a large addition to Jerusalem— “to Jehovah”; it is not possible now to trace the places mentioned, but the children of Israel will see the promise fulfilled in Millennial days.

ML-01/27/1935

Innocence and Guilt

A PAINTER wanting a picture of Innocence, drew the likeness of a beautiful child. He was standing at his mother’s knee, who was looking on him with fondness and hope. And he with his mild blue eyes upturned to hers, seemed to give just the expression the painter desired. The portrait of young Rupert was highly prized by the painter, and hung up in his study, with the single word “INNOCENCE” under it.

After many years, when the artist had grown old, he found what he had been long looking for—the model for a companion picture to this, a representation of guilt. On the damp floor of a dungeon lay a wretched criminal named Randall, heavily ironed. Vice was marked on his face in every feature, and horrid oaths burst from his mouth.

The painter took the portrait of him to life, and hung it up beside the former picture, and gave it the title of “GUILT.”

But, children, who was young Rupert, standing in beauty by his mother? And who was this miserable wretch in his chains and ignominy? They were the same person. A few years had made the difference. What the man became in the course of time the child was, although he looked so sweet and harmless.

And such are we all by nature. The heart goes naturally to sin, and it is only God’s love that holds us. The only escape is to be in Christ, and that is to be a new creature. And how is this? I give you God’s own answer: “God gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” John 1:12.

“If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.

ML-01/27/1935

A Very Short Prayer

ONE Lord’s day afternoon a number of little folks were assembled for a children’s meeting. In order to gain their attention, the words, “Lord, save me,” had been put on the blackboard. As the children were reading it, a little girl came up and said, “I say my prayers every night at mother’s knee.”

“Do you, my dear, and what is your prayer?” To which the child replied by repeating the verse,

“And now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;

And if I die before I wake,

I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.

Amen.”

And then she added, “When I have finished my prayers tight I shall say, ‘Lord, save me,’”

The little child’s simplicity charmed me very much. She seemed to speak from her heart, and speaking from the heart to Himself is what the Lord Jesus loves to see. I am quite sure it pleases Him to hear this little prayer, “Lord, save me,” when it comes from the very bottom of the heart. He delights in mercy, and He is mighty to save.

I know that such of you as have truly called on the Lord to save you are the happy children, and that you feel like singing all the time, and that the burden of your song is this—

“I’ve found a Friend, O, such a Friend!

He loved me ere I knew Him!

He drew me with the cords of love,

And thus He bound me to Him.

And round my heart still closely twine

Those ties which naught can sever,

Since I am His, and He is mine,

Forever and forever.”

I want my young readers to go to the blessed Jesus, believing He hears them, and to say from their hearts to Him, “Lord, save me.”

ML-01/27/1935

In the Days of Thy Youth

A LITTLE GIRL who intend to be a Christian when she grew older, came home one day bringing a bouquet of beautiful fresh carnations for her sick mother.

The nurse admired their loveliness, and then said, “We will not take them to mother just yet. They are too fresh and beautiful. We will wait a few days till they have bun to fade and wither.”

The little girl was surprised and almost angry, and asked the nurse to explain what she meant.

“Is not this what you are doing to the loving Saviour?” asked the nurse. “Are you not keeping to yourself the beauty and freshness of your young life, and waiting to offer Him the faded blossoms from which all the freshness has departed?”

The girl felt the force of the reproof, and soon afterward yielded her young life to Jesus.

“Come ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Psa. 34:11.

“Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16.

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isa. 55:6

ML-01/27/1935

The Lord Himself Shall Come

Dear children, have you ever heard

That Christ the Lord will come,

With angel’s voice and trump of God,

To call His people home?

The saints of God, from death set free,

With joy shall mount on high;

The heaven shall ring with praises loud,

They’ll meet Him in the sky.

O! say, if He should come tonight,

Would you in terror be,

Or would you lift your heads with joy

The blessed Lord to see?

O! children, seek the Saviour now

The Saviour full of love;

And when He comes He’ll take you up

To His bright home above.

ML-01/27/1935

Bible Talks: Jeremiah 32

THE reader will here again observe how many of Jeremiah’s prophecies are not given in the Scriptures in the order in which they were uttered. The prophecies being grouped according to their subjects, what is before the mind of the Holy Spirit in these chapters, is clearly the unalterable purpose of God to bless His people, though punishment of their sins must precede blessing.

Chapter 32 shows us God’s servant in prison; already there for some time, he was to remain until the city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar’s army (See chapters 37, 38, 39). Jeremiah was a prisoner because of his service to God. We are thus reminded of the words of the martyr Stephen (Acts 7:51, 52) before the Jewish council: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?” Jeremiah, who had been a prophet for 40 years, was sharing what earlier and later servants of God, and above all, their blessed Master, have endured because of faithful testimony given.

The last year of Judah’s existence as a kingdom was now passing; the Babyloan army was again besieging Jerusalem, and the total destruction of the city was to follow its capture. The word of Jehovah at this time came to Jeremiah, directing him to buy his uncle’s field in Anathoth, the prophet’s birth-place, northeast of Jerusalem. To Jeremiah there could be no less purpose in this than to assure him again that God, though bringing His people into captivity to the great Gentile power, would certainly restore them to their land. The break-up of everything might seem—and it surely was—at hand, but faith’s resources are in God and His Word, which He will never allow to fail.

It is often the case that the exercise of faith in a saint of God is designed for the strengthening of others equally weak, and even for the awakening of the lost to a realization of their need of salvation,—to the reality of having to do with God. Thus the circumstances connected with Jeremiah’s purchase of the parcel of land, while outside the city walls lay a powerful army that was soon to secure an entrance and carry away the inhabitants to a far off land, have been chosen by the Holy Spirit for inclusion in the written Word of God.

Faith shines brighter in dark days; by it the elders obtained a good report, and Jeremiah did not lose by reposing his trust in the word of the living God. Nor can the testing of his faith have been without effect on the Jews who were sitting in the court of the prison, and others who heard through them.

Jeremiah’s prayer (verses 16-25) shows the state of his mind; he was realizing, perhaps more deeply than ever bore, his entire dependence upon God. His faithfulness had issued in the king’s severe displeasure, so that his voice was no longer heard in the broad ways in testimony for his Master; he was practically friendless and alone, and the end of all naturally dear to him was near. But God was his resource, and to Him he turns, pouring out the burden of his heart to an attentive Ear.

No word of immediate comfort came to the lonely prisoner in answer to his prayer (for it was too late for any improvement in Judah), but it became his happy portion to learn that “the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him” (Psa. 25:14), and Jeremiah was given, as God’s friend, to know more of what lay in His mind than he had ever known before. He was in communion with God over the state of Judah, and we find the divine mind being unburdened (we desire to say it with the utmost reverence) to Jeremiah as he awaited the assured end of everything to which an Israelite rightly clung.

ML-02/03/1935

I Cannot Go to God for You

A LITTLE girl seven years of age was in great trouble about her sins, so much so that her father, who is a faithful minister of Christ, said of her, “If you saw her great sorrow about her soul, you might think she must be the greatest sinner in the world.”

But—no! She had been a good and obedient child, and had been brought up in the fear of God. It was God’s Holy Spirit who was showing her what her sins were in God’s sight, and this made her feel herself so very sinful before Him.

“O, dear papa,” she said, as she came to tell him her trouble, “do pray for me that God will pardon all my sins and give me peace!”

After praying and talking with the child, her father saw that his little girl was trusting to him instead of going to Jesus Christ for herself. So he unclasped her arms, which were fastened round his neck, and though he felt very sorry to leave her so unhappy, he tenderly said that his little girl could not be saved by his prayers. He told her that he must leave her quite alone with God, and that she must go to God herself, that the Lord Jesus could and would save her soul if she went to God through Him. The little girl entreated her father not to go away; but he rose, and left the room.

When quite alone, the trembling child knelt down and prayed to God to forgive her all her sins, and to fill her with His Holy Spirit. She went by faith to the Saviour—she put her whole trust in Him; and when her father, who had been pleading with God elsewhere, came again into the room, he found his child quite happy. God had received her in His love, and had given her pardon and peace in believing on His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and since that day this little girl has been a happy follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

ML-02/03/1935

The Winter

THE cold winter brings its sorrow and suffering. Many do not have proper clothing and food, and are without comfortable homes.

Do you not think that we who have the comforts of life ought to consider those who are in need, and seek to do what we can to help them?

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given, will He pay him again.’ Prov. 19:17.

Remember how very kind thee. Lord has been to us. He did not stay in the glory, and enjoy His wonderful bliss, and leave us down here to suffer in all our misery and sin, but He laid aside His glory and Home above, and came into this world of sin, to suffer and die for us that we should never have to bear what We deserved; but that we might be brought to God, to be lifted from a scene of suffering and sin like this, and to share the glory with Himself, Do you believe He did all this for you—that He has so loved you? If so, He would have you show that kindness to others, as well as receive it from His hand in connection with eternal things.

As the snow falls fast, and the frost bites our faces and fingers, may we then think of the sufferings of those around us, and seek to give relief, and above all, take the opportunity to tell of Jesus and His love to poor sinners, and point them to Him as their Saviour.

“CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS.”

1 Tim. 1:15.

ML-02/03/1935

The One Who so Loved Me

Jesus, I know that Thy blood can save,

For I know that it has saved me;

I once feared death, and the cold dark grave,

And the darker eternity.

I felt my sins were a fearful load;

No language my sorrow could tell;

And O, as I walked the broad, broad road,

I knew ‘twas a journey to hell.

But I heard of One who loved me so,

That He came from His throne on high,

To bear the weight of my sin and woe,

And to bleed on the cross, and die.

He washed my sins in the crimson flood

That flowed from His opened side,

And I knew I was saved by the precious blood

Of the Lord who was crucified.

So now, a sinner, redeemed by blood,

In Christ accepted I stand,

And wait, as a blood-bought child of God,

For my home in the heavenly land.

And this is the joy I seek below,

As I sing of His love so free,

That others the wondrous love may know

Of the One who has so loved me.

ML-02/03/1935

Children in School

WHAT a happy class of children we see. Each, except the child who is taking the needed rest, is intent on his handwork or a book. They seem to love their gentle teacher, and to be glad to please her.

These children will likely not have to learn through experience that idleness brings unhappiness.

We have often to thank God for His grace in allowing us the contentment that comes through useful activity of mind and body. But even the satisfaction that attends diligence in work and play does not give soul happiness.

The only way to be truly happy is to know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour. He God’s holy Son bore the sins of all who accept Him, and their hearts are set free to enjoy His love and grace.

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

Happy they who trust in Jesus;

Sweet their portion is and sure,

When the foe on others seizes,

God will keep His own secure.

Happy people;

Happy, though despised and poor.

ML-02/10/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 33

THE frequent use of God’s name in Jeremiah’s prophecy has been remarked upon; in most instances it is “the LORD” (or Jehovah), His name of covenant relationship with Israel (Ex. 3:15) but “Jehovah of hosts”—with all power at His command to carry out His will in connection with His people,—and “Jehovah the God of Israel”—presenting Himself as the true object of Israel’s worship in contrast with the false gods of the nations—appear a number of times in this book. In our last chapter, there is “Jehovah the God of all flesh’’, and in that next preceding, He declares that He will be the “God of all the families of Israel”; the first proclaims Him the only true God of all mankind, overriding all national and racial boundaries while the second is a forward look into Israel’s glorious future when restored to His favor.

Chapter 33 brings before us another significant name or title of God (verse 2). “Jehovah the doer of it; Jehovah that formeth it to establish it; Jehovah is His name” (N. Tr.); this gave to Jeremiah the confidence that God, even in the very distressing circumstances of that hour, was overruling all things for the future blessing of Israel. The setting aside of Israel and Judah was a necessity that would not and could not interfere with the high purposes of God; rather was it, in the light of eternity, working to that end, that the true state of the people might be known, and judged and confessed before Him.

Jeremiah was “yet shut up in prison”, and that was for God’s glory and His servant’s blessing; it was not the time for God to display His power; rather did it seem as though He were defeated when the people who bore His name were, after 863 years in the land He gave them, carried away as captives of the young kingdom of Babylonia. But God is never defeated; not all the power of Satan or the wicked plans of men have kept Him from His purposes, nor ever shall.

Perhaps the reader has passed, or is even now passing, through circumstances as trying as Jeremiah’s, and no relief has seemed to come in answer to much beseeching prayer. He did not realize, nor are we ourselves apt to take it in, that by means of these very circumstances, God draws His children nearer to Himself, deepening His work in the soul for our eternal blessing, and, it may be also, for greater usefulness here below. In such ways, what is contrary to the purposes of God is made to work for the blessing of His own and thus redounds to His glory. We may with profit read the cheering words of Rom. 8:16-30 and another portion written for the suffering saints in 1 Pet. 5:10.

The end of the war between the Jews and the Chaldeans was to be, in its effect, God’s judgment upon the wicked (verse 5), but it was only Jeremiah that was altogether in the secret of this, because he walked with God.

Verses 10 and 12 describe the appearance of Judah’s land and Jerusalem when the Chaldean or Babylonian army should have completed its work. The Babylonians were, for the most part, descendants of the ancient. Chaldeans, and are often called Chaldeans, though Chaldea, as a nation, had long ceased to exist. The land of Israel has never yielded its best since God’s earthly people fell into sin, and since their crowning sill of putting their Messiah to death, it has fallen into a low state indeed, from which the schemes of Jews and Gentiles since the Great War have not raised it; nor can they be realized until the new Israel occupies its soil.

This will not be without the return of the-Messiah; the Branch of righteousness (verse 15) holds the key to the blessing of Israel and of the whole world. It is impossible to understand the Scriptures without seeing Christ’s place in the Word of God. He, David’s Son and David’s Lord, the God-Man, shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land (or, upon the earth). In those days shall Judah be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell in safety (verse 16). Verse 17 passes by the centuries from God’s giving up Judah as “Lo-ammi” (Hosea 1) until He takes them up again in sovereign mercy (See Rom. 9:25, 26).

The chapter closes with a double assurance that the promise of God shall not fail. Israel is in view here, of course, but it is a precious reflection for every believer in the Lord Jesus that God’s Word concerning those who trust in Him can not fail. He has given His Word, and faith believes it, awaits with certainty its fulfilment, though present circumstances be altogether contrary.

ML-02/10/1935

The Way to Heaven

IN the waiting-room of a wayside station were some eight or nine boys. They were waiting for the train which would bring the evening papers. Ragged and rough the most of them seemed as they sat and talked and laughed one with another.

Suddenly their interest was aroused by the remark of a stranger to them. He had been standing by the fire chatting to a friend, but turning to the boys had said to them, “I’ll give a penny to the boy who gives me the best answer to a question. The question is, ‘What is the way to heaven?’”

At first a good deal of giggling took place, and they nudged one another shyly, so, encouraging them, the stranger said, “Now try, see who can get the penny. My friend here shall say which is the best answer.”

A bright-faced lad was the first to respond, and he said:

“Wash away your sins!”

Some more encouraging words were spoken, and then others gave expression to their thoughts of the way to everlasting happiness.

No. 2 Said: “Go to Sunday school every Sunday!”

No. 3: “Be good!”

No. 4: “Prayer!”

No. 5: “Serve God!”

No. 6: “Be honest!”

These were the only replies which could be obtained, and most of them showed how little the truths of the gospel were known to them.

To “Go to Sunday school every Sunday” would not open heaven to anybody. We may hear of the way to heaven in our Sunday school classes, but many who go to Sunday school every Sunday will never reach heaven.

To “Be good!” or to “Be honest!” in the future will not put away our past sins or fit us for the glory of God. It is, of course, right to be good in our homes and schools, but in the sight of God “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” None of us is naturally good, with a goodness which will make him acceptable in His sight.

“Prayer” is most important in its place, but saying prayers will not put away my guilt. There are some who say over and over again the same things. The Lord warns us of these vain repetitions. There is no merit in these—they cannot atone for sin.

We cannot rightly “serve God” until we are at peace with Him. It is those who are saved by His grace who can serve Him, and those only.

The boy who said, “Wash away your sins!” gave the best answer, and received the penny. We must wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb, or we can never be fitted for the presence of God. I do not know whether the boy knew by what means his sins could be washed away, for the train came rushing in before much more could be said.

The speaker, however, gave the boys one word as the best answer to the question he had asked, and he spelt it on the fingers of one hand.

Can you guess what that word was? It was “Jesus.” He Himself says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me,” John 14:6.

You know the way probably. Are you treading it? Have you come to Christ? Are you serving Him?

ML-02/10/1935

Sled Riding

I know what sled-riding is. We each have a sled and slide down from the top of a hill ever so fast; and O, my, isn’t it fun!”

Well that is just what I want to tell you a story about.

In a certain town the main street runs into the valley, and other streets come down the sides of the hills across this main street. These side streets offer great temptations to the little boys that are fond of this kind of sled-riding, and though they are forbidden by the authorities of the city to sled-ride on these streets, and policemen are told to take up little boys that they find doing so, because many accidents have occurred through it, still some naughty little, willful boys, in spite of the police, and the forbiddings of their parents, will do so.

A few weeks since, one of these willful little boys, scarcely five years old, took his sled, and was sliding down “ever so fast,” one of these forbidden streets, when just as he came to the cross street, a sleigh was driving rapidly past. The houses on either side had hidden the sleigh from the little boy, and before he had time even to turn his sled he was under the horse’s feet, the horse fell, fell on the little boy, and killed him on the spot. His little lifeless body was carried borne to his sorrowing pants, but his little soul went, I trust, to the dear Saviour who came “to seek and save the lost:” still it was solemn and dreadful, to be killed in a moment, while in the act of disobedience.

Dear children, I want you to be warned by this sad story, to let your pleasures be always in the path of obedience, and not dangerous in their character. I will give you two verses to think of in connection with it.

“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right,” Ephesians 6:1, remembering that if you don’t,

“The way of the transgressor is hard.” Prov. 13:15.

ML-02/10/1935

Good News

GOOD NEWS! the blessed tidings hear,

And listen to it children dear:

Though “little ones,” it is for you,

And every precious word is true.

The news is this—God’s only Son,

The holy, blessed, spotless One,

Into this sinful world has been,

And died upon the cross for sin.

And now God sends the tidings forth,

To the remotest parts of earth,

That all who now in Christ believe,

Life, joy and peace at once receive.

‘Tis no hard work He bids you do,

But to believe the record true,

Which in His holy Word is given,

Of how a child may get to heaven.

And, children clear, the Lord loves you,

Just now, as when on earth below:

Then trust His all-atoning blood,

Which brings the guilty nigh to God.

And you who have through grace believed,

Are with the Holy Spirit sealed;

So live to Him, who for you died,

Who for your sins was crucified.

ML-02/10/1935

The Broken Chord

THE banjo seems dangerously near the playful paws of two beautiful kittens. Perhaps they have already snapped one string, and now the banjo will not make good music tor its master.

Although we may not have musical instruments, every one who loves the Lord Jesus may make music in his heart; and the Lord delights to hear the songs of praise coming from the lips and hearts of His children.

“I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning.” Psa. 59:16.

“I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.” Psa. 104:33.

“Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Eph. 5:18, 19.

What about a broken chord? Suppose the pleasures or cares of this world come along, like the two kittens, and get to playing with our hearts. They will break one or more of the chords. That is, they will disturb or break our communion with the Lord, and then our hearts will make very poor music for Him.

Let us who are saved, with God’s help, keep our communion with Him unbroken, so that the melody He loves to hear, may be always rising from our hearts.

Will each one who reads this little paper be among the number who will sing this song after the Lord descends in the air to take His redeemed ones to be with Himself?

“Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and past redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5:9.

May every reader be under the shelter of that precious blood, and may the thought of God’s wonderful love cause you to be always making melody in your heart to the Lord.

“SING UNTO THE LORD, BLESS HIS NAME; SHOW FORTH HIS SAATION FROM DAY TO DAY.” Psa. 96:2.

ML-02/17/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 34

CHAPTER 34 opens with another division or section of the prophecy of Jeremiah, in which is shown the actual state of the people at the last, which brought on them unsparing judgment. Zedekiah’s course, following on that of his predecessors, had so inflamed Nebuchadnezzar that he brought a great army against Judea, determined to destroy that country; in this we know that he was carrying out the will of God.

Jeremiah, God’s mouthpiece for the king of Judah, carries to Zedekiah the mournful news that God was not for him, would give Jerusalem into the hand of the king of Babylon who should burn it. Zedekiah would, of course, hope to escape when the end drew near, but he learned from Jeremiah that this should not be; he should go to Babylon, a prisoner with other survivors of the siege. Not all the sad prospect (see chapter 39:6, 7) was revealed to the king of Judah, but Jeremiah begged him to hear God’s word.

Zedekiah had pursued a wicked course, as 2 Kings 24:19; 2 Chron. 36:12, 13; Ezek. 17:11-21, and the unvarying testimony of Jeremiah record; from chapters 37 and 38 it seems clear that lie was greatly influenced by others and this must account for the promise of a peaceful death, lamented by his people (verses 4, 5).

It is only God that can truly estimate the measure of responsibility carried by each, and appoint to them in eternity with accurate discernment. The question of the eternal destiny of Zedekiah is not referred to; we can not tell whether he ever came as a confessed and repentant sinner before God, though we may hope that he did, and thus only and not on any ground of his own behavior (impossible of attainment) escaped the judgment of the great white throne.

Zedekiah, moved, we doubt not, by fear of the coming judgment upon his kingdom, made a covenant with all the people at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to all who were in bondage. It is evident that the commandment of God given in Ex. 21:2 and Deut. 15:12, had long been ignored, through the hardhearted selfishness of the people. Now, for a short space with an awakened conscience, the Word of God as to this matter had weight with the remnant of this guilty nation; but it was only a brief thing; enslaved in Satan’s chains they returned to their old ways, (verses 8-11). Therefore the sword should descend upon them, and pestilence and famine, and they should be driven hither and thither among all the kingdoms of the earth (verses 15-17).

The covenant to which verses 18-20 refers is that into which Zedekiah had entered with Nebuchadnezzar, promising in the name of Jehovah to be loyal to the king of Babylon (2 Chron. 36:13; Ezek. 17:13-19). The pagan, idol-serving king might well think that an oath given him in the name of Israel’s God would be kept, and the breaking of it was to him an exceedingly serious act; nor was God indifferent to it, as these verses show.

At this time, the Egyptians having entered the land for the purpose of helping Judah against Nebuchadnezzar’s army, the Babylonian forces were withdrawn to fight against the newcomers. Zedekiah and his princes no doubt hoped that the Babylonian army would be defeated in battle, but God assured them (verse 22) that they would return, take the city and destroy it; the cities of Judah were to become a desolation, without inhabitant. God had spoken; within the space of a year and a half His word was fulfilled.

ML-02/17/1935

Four African Girls

“OH, how glad we are to find you are not gone!” Such was the exclamation—in their own language of course—of four Central African girls of about fifteen years as they came rushing into the Missionary’s house one day, with consternation on their faces.

What did they mean?

Well, there had been a slight earthquake, and these girls, who had often heard the missionaries speak of the Lord Jesus coming for His people were terribly afraid that He had indeed come, and that they were left behind.

No wonder their joy was great when they found that they were mistaken, that the earthquake was not the signal of Jesus’ coming, and that still they might be saved.

Not long after there was a time of famine. The chief decided that this was because some of their gods were offended, so he commanded his people to worship a new fetish—a kind of idol.

But three of those girls now boldly took their stand for the Lord Jesus, and refused to have anything to do with this heathen custom.

This was no easy thing to do.

It meant scolding day after day, ill treatment too, of one kind and another, but they stood firm.

What a cheer it is to those who love the Lord, to learn of the whole-hearted zeal of those young converts from heathenism.

I want you, dear young reader, to ask yourself if those African girls, or you love the Lord Jesus most. Or would you have to confess that you do not love Him at all? Sad indeed would such an admission be, but better confess the truth to yourself, and to Jesus. Then never rest till you can truly say, “Yes, I do love Jesus, but He loved me first.”

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

ML-02/17/1935

Locked up in the Granary

ONE cool rainy day when father had gone to town the cows broke through the pasture fence and went into the corn field, bound to have their fill of fodder, which would not have been good for them in such a green condition and in the quantity they would eat.

Mother discovered the raiders and quickly set out to put them back in the pasture. Little brother was quite content to play in the house, but sister, who was old enough to have understood that mother knew best, was very contrary and naughty. She insisted that she must go; she did not want to be left in the house.

Since there was no time to be lost in getting the cows, mother took her disobedient little daughter as far as the empty granary and locked her inside. It was dark and cold, and the child was afraid of the mice. It seemed a long time to the little prisoner locked up in the dark, with her mother gone. Although she felt very thankful to be let out, I fear she did not acknowledge the justice of her mother’s way of dealing with her naughtiness until long afterward.

This brief punishment has since seemed both a comparison and a contrast to something incomparably worse and unending. What would it be like to be locked, not in the gray darkness of a frame building, out of mother’s presence for a short time, but in the “blackness of darkness,” banished from the presence of God, and that forever and ever? There will be no rebellion then, for each one in that unspeakable hell will fully realize his own guilt and the justice of God in sending him there.

The troublesome little girl could have had fun along with her younger brother, if she had been reconciled to her mother’s desire that she remain in the house. So, in our relationship to God for eternity, if we will but become reconciled to Him through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, His blessed Son, whom He sent to die for us, we shall spend that eternity in the glory with the Lord Himself. May none of our readers continue rebellious to God in refusing or neglecting to obey Him in accepting Jesus.

“If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:10.

ML-02/17/1935

What a Poor Boy Gave for a Bible

THERE was once a poor boy employed about the docks who was induced to attend a Sunday school. There he learned so much about Jesus and His Word that he longed to own a Bible, in which he could read all about Him for himself. But he had very little except his board for his services, and there seed no way for him to earn the money to buy the book.

One day he heard a boy say he had a Bible to sell. The desire was very strong in his heart to be its purchaser. So he bargained with the boy to give him his own dinner every day for a week in return for the precious book.

Do you think he valued the Bible? Do you prize it enough to make so much self-denial rather than go without one?

John did not suffer his Bible to be tossed about carelessly—sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another. He treasured it like gold, and read it in all his spare minutes. It taught that poor lonely boy, with no mother to love and cherish him, no kind Christian friends about him daily to counsel and guide him—it taught him the way to get to heaven, even from the midst of the profane, sinful crowd which thronged the docks, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psa. 119:105.

“Teach, me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path.” Psa. 27:11.

ML-02/17/1935

Now

Three little letters form a word

Of import vast and great,

A solemn word on which may hang

Our everlasting state.

The word is NOW—a little word,

Yet spoken by the Lord,

Recurring oft, again, again,

Throughout the written Word.

NOW is the free, accepted time,

NOW is salvation’s day,

NOW whosoever will may come,

NOW Christ’s the Life, the Way.

NOW pardon’s offered full and free,

NOW heaven is open wide,

NOW peace is offered through the blood

Of Jesus crucified.

ML-02/17/1935

Sheep

WHAT a pretty flock of sheep; their wool looks so white and clean in the sunshine. The faithful old shepherd is leading them to some distant grassy hill of which he knows. He has cared for sheep for many years. See how kind he is to carry the little lamb which could not keep up with the rest of the flock.

What would he do if one of these sheep, would stray from the flock? He would hunt until he found it. If it had fallen into a ditch or puddle of water, the crook at the end of his staff would help him to pull it out. How carefully he must have watched these little creatures. He knows every one, and they know him.

Are you one of Jesus’ little lambs? You are His if you have been saved, and He is watching over you more faithfully than this shepherd is watching over his flock. He will not let you go.

Look up Matt. 18:12, 13 in your Bibles. If a human shepherd has such love and care for his sheep, how much greater the love of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, must be!

Be sure to listen to the voice of Jesus. He speaks to you through His Word.

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVETH HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.”

John 10:11.

ML-02/24/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 35

THE occasions spoken of in chapters 35 and 36 took place about 18 years before the closing days of Zedekiah’s reign which have been before us in recent chapters. They are clearly chosen to give further illustrations of the inward state of Judah at the end of the nation’s history.

Jonadab the son of Rechab, has a place in the Scriptures (2 Kings 10:15-28); he was evidently of the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 2:15) though apparently in the land of Ephraim when Jehu ‘met him. We may judge that he was a man of marked godliness, who mourned over the state of God’s earthly people and because of it, became a Nazarite (Num.6:1-12). For more than 250 years his descendants had maintained the life of separation from the world which he had enjoined upon them. They were no doubt reckoned a very peculiar people, neither drinking wine, nor building houses, nor sowing seed, nor planting or possessing vineyards; but always dwelling in tents. O, that there were more true-hearted separation from the world seen among God’s children today! We have no thought of urging peculiarity of dress or dwelling, but long to see the people of God practicing in increased measure, a life that is toward God, and according to His Word. To please Him while here below should be the deepest desire of every Christian heart, and it is not without present reward.

Jeremiah, directed of God, went to the house of the Rechabites, and brought them all into one of the chambers of the temple building, there offering them bowls full of wine, and cups or goblets. Would they disregard the command of their father? Not they! They answered the invitation with “We will drink no wine!.. We have hearkened unto the voice of... our father in all that he commanded us ... and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us” (vv. 6-10. N. Tr.). They reckoned themselves strangers, having only come into Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar first came into the land, from a desire to get away from the contending armies (verse 11).

The latter part of the chapter reveals the reason for this testing of the Nazites of Jeremiah’s day. The prophet was to go to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem with a message from God charging them with their stony-hearted unbelief. The Rechabites among them were, as Jeremiah was to tell them, a living testimony of obedience to the commands of an ancestor, while the commandments of God—Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel—had no regard from the people to whom Jeremiah was sent.

Not the voice of one long dead, but the voice of the living God, speaking through all His servants the prophets, had been bore them constantly. All their blessings depended on obedience, but they loved to disobey; they would not hearken. There could be now but one issue of the matter (verse 17): “Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken unto them, but they have not hearkened, and I have called unto them but they have not answered.”

But in that day the Rechabites would be spared; they were not to be judged with the world from which they walked in separation.

ML-02/24/1935

Garra, or Bought by Blood

HE had traveled through many parts of the dark continent, had visited many of the chiefs and knew much of the life and habits of the down-trodden tribes of that romantic land, yet here was an object before him which drew forth his sympathy in a way that it had never been drawn before.

The traveler was an Englishman, traveling with a threefold object—the love of wild varied scenery, a desire to benefit the uncivilized men whom he met, and to spread abroad the Name and fame of Him who died for the black heathen as well as the white wise men.

The object of his love was Garra, a poor, wandering, outcast from his tribe. The gentleman sought first to make a bargain with the feather-crowned chief, Liba by name.

But Liba replied haughtily that he was not in need of ivory, or gems, or gold, as he could obtain any quantity of these by sending out his armed men and raiding the district around. He wanted blood and blood he must have, so he ordered one of his men to throw a spear at Garra.

But the Englishman was roused, and rushing forward, with uplifted hand, received the spear in his arm. The blood began to flow, and Liba began to wail, for he knew he might slay one hundred black men and no one would check him, but a whole army might come and avenge the white man’s blood.

The traveler rightly read his dismay, and with the blood flowing, said, “See, here it flows before thee, and for it thou must give account.”

“O, Liba meant it not,” cried the chief.

“Well,” said the man, “let my blood go for his, let it be the ransom price of Garra, give him up and there shall be peace between thee and me on this account.”

“Be it so,” answered the chief, And Garra was free.

After some time the band departed, leaving the Englishman alone with his dark brother whom he had redeemed with his blood, and who now fell on the ground and with tears running down his black cheeks, thanked his mighty deliverer, who in turn had the joy of pointing him to the loving Saviour who shed His own precious blood on Calvary to redeem captive sinners from the devil.

Garra, the outcast, could not be redeemed from his enemy by gold or gems; it needed blood, the blood of a willing and mighty substitute before he could be free. So boys and girls, rebel sinners by nature and practice against God, cannot he saved from the devil by prayers or good deeds. It needed the precious blood of a holy and willing Saviour before one could be saved for “without the shedding of blood is no remission.”

“The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML-02/24/1935

Serving God

SOME boys and girls believe in Jesus, and wish they could do something to show that they love Him. Without doubt God puts this desire in their hearts, but they often want to do some big thing, instead of what God gives them to do.

They forget that they can serve God and please the Lord Jesus if they obey father and mother, learn their lessons and do their work well. Two stories in the Bible show what we mean.

One day a man called his youngest son, and sent him on an errand. He had to take some corn and loaves and cheeses to the captain of the army in which his brothers were. This boy, David, did as he was told. When he came to his brothers he heard about Goliath. If he had not obeyed, do you think God would have used him to kill the giant, and diver Israel from the Philistines?

There was another boy who was tang some barley loaves, and two small fishes somewhere one day, when a man told Jesus about him, and Jesus fed five thousand people with them. When that boy left his home with food, he did not know that Jesus would use it.

So it is that God can use us, who have taken the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, if we do the little things for Him. Of course no one can get to heaven by doing. The only way to be saved from hell is to believe that the Lord Jesus bore our punishment, and did everything to bring us to God. But if we are saved, then the way to do things for Jesus is to obey our parents, and do as unto Him all the little things given us to do.

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord ... And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Col. 3:20, 23.

ML-02/24/1935

Prayer Answered

AN aged couple who loved the Lord had gradually been reduced in circumstances because of prolonged illness. In order to pay their monthly rent they had disposed of all their possessions that could be spared. The landlord, seeing their penury, heartlessly threatened to eject them the following Saturday.

But our aged friends turned in their affliction to God continually in prayer.

A faithful friend knew of their distress, although he was too poor to advance the needed rent. To him there came that week a stranger who inquired if he knew of a worthy couple who could take charge of a children’s home. There was to be no work except to guard the house and keep order. For this service they would receive their room and the use of the kitchen besides a small weekly allowance. The case was urgent and it was necessary that they enter on the following. Saturday. There was indeed God’s helping hand!

Our friends were notified, and on Saturday they left the abode to take the new position. Truly, God had provided.

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psa. 37:5.

ML-02/24/1935

What Is in Heaven, That the Hands of Man Made?

THIS unusual question was asked by an earnest Christian. The one addressed meant to answer, Nothing. For what that man has made could dwell in that blissful place of the redeemed (the Father’s house)? But, because the questioner was a Christian not given to speaking idle thoughts, the man seemed at a loss. His mind dwelt on the glorious and heavenly places with legions of serhim and cherubim and the countless number of redeemed, but nothing occurred to him that the hands of man could have made. On the contrary, that Word out of God’s mouth came to him, “For all those things hath Mine hand made.” Isa. 66:2.

Yet, as he was about to answer, “I don’t know,” a voice seemed to whisper in his ear, ‘“The wounds on the Lord Jesus!”

Yes, so it is, the hands of man inflicted those wounds. And these wounds, even though healed, the Lord Jesus took along out of the grave, up into heavenly glory. When He will come again to judge the world, then the tribes of Israel will look upon Him “whom they have pierced.” When someone will ask Him, “What are these wounds in Thine hands?” then He will answer, “Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.” Zech. 12:10; 13:6.

The nail prints which Jesus, the Lord of glory, received when He bore our judgment and obtained eternal redemption for us are still on His glorified body, and will be seen throughout eternity.

Praise and honor be to Him forever!

ML-02/24/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 36

HE fourth year of Jehoiakim was the year following Nebhadnezzar’s first visit to Judah (See Dan. 1:1). This, the second son of Josiah to become king appears to have been the most wicked member of the family. 2 Chron. 36:8 gives a brief statement about his life; Jer. 22:17-19 gives a slightly longer one and promises for him the burial of an ass; Jer. 26:21-23 tells of his seeking out and murdering the prophet Urijah. He was made king of Judah by the reigning Pharaoh of Egypt, and later had to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, but rebelled after three years (2 Kings 24:1). Scripture does not record his death, and his name is omitted in the short chronology in Matthew 1.

Jeremiah appears from verse 5 to have suffered imprisonment at Jehoiakim’s hands. In chapter 26 we learn that he was seized by the priests, prophets and people because of the testimony he gave for God, and it was thought to kill him, but his life was spared. He may have been kept in prison from that time.

Divinely directed, Jeremiah got a roll of a book, and Baruch the son of Nerijah wrote down all the words of Jehovah which He had spoken to the prophet. In chapter 30, where the latter was instructed to write in a book what God had spoken to him, the object in view was to give written assurance that Israel and Judah would return to the land from which they were removed into captivity. Here the purpose was to reach the consciences of the people; perhaps they would, hearing the testimony of God’s word, return from their evil way when God could forgive their iniquity and sin. There is no evidence that the people were affected at all by the reading (verse 8).

We pass over to the following year in verse 9, with Baruch reading from the book in the ears of the people. Micah, the grandson of that Shaphan the scribe who lived in the time of Josiah and carried the long lost book of the law to the king (2 Kings 22; 2 Chron 34) heard the word of God and went down to Jehoiakim’s house where his father and others were sitting, to tell what Baruch had been reading. They therefore sent for the reader, and bade him read the writing to them.

Fear now filled the listeners; they would tell the king, but first told Baruch to hide both himself and Jeremiah. Next, by God’s ordering, Jehoiakim heard the word, with all the princes that stood beside him. This wicked man, though begged not to do it, destroyed the whole book in the fire which warmed the apartment, and next commanded that Baruch and Jeremiah be taken, doubtless with the intention of putting them to death. But Jehovah hid them; in these few words we learn that in some way the hand of God was stretched out to preserve His servants.

The burning of the roll added to the burden of sin at the door of the king, but did not affect the work of God. Jeremiah was directed to get another roll and write in it again all that had been written in the first one. To it more was added (verse 32). Jehoiakim, too, was to get a word from God as to himself (verse 30), and the judgment to come upon him and his children, his servants and the people of Jerusalem and Judah (verse 31).

This chapter give unmistakable testimony that God’s word was totally rejected by Judah,—king, priests, prophets and people.

ML-03/03/1935

Maria, the Spanish Fortune-Teller

ONE Lord’s day afternoon as old Maria was passing along a street, she heard the singing of some children at Sunday school. Thinking it was a musical entertainment, she peeped in, entered, and stayed to the close. On leaving she asked the superintendent, “When will there be another performance?”

In the evening she was there for the gospel meeting, and for three years she did not miss one of these services. At first some were afraid of this strange person, fearing that she had gone among them with evil intent. But it had pleased God to work in her heart and bring her to believe in His beloved Son as her Saviour. The text which arrested Maria was this: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Fully convinced of her sinfulness, and, with all the dark past of her life before her, she wondered what she could do to be saved. She thought the man who was giving out the gospel message would surely tell her to go with bare feet up the steep mountain, or else bid her do some hard work. How great was her surprise and joy, when she heard that Jesus had done everything for her, so that she had but to receive the precious gift of God. Ever since that day she gave a bright testimony to the grace of God being in her heart. Her life was changed, and she sought to live to the praise of Him, who by free grace had turned her “from darkness to His marvelous light.”

Maria offered the use of her house in order that the people in her neighborhood, far from the meeting room might hear of Jesus. At the time appointed for the meeting, Maria was found in the doorway, earnestly asking passers-by to enter. Among those passing was one well acquainted with her former ways, who said, “What is this—what is the meaning of so many people being about your house? You are going to have a dance, I sup pose?”

“No, sir, not a dance,” said Maria; “but we are going to have the joy of hearing the Word of God read to us, and a good man is to explain it to us. Welcome to the home of your servant.”

Maria was seventy-eight years of age, and giving up her former means of making her living, she went out into the fields and worked hard for her bread. Though so poor, she loved to give to the Lord’s work. One winter day she took a dozen fresh eggs to a servant of God, who was ill in bed. Although she could have sold them for a high price, she would not accept any return for them.

“It is very little that I can do,” said she, “to show my gratitude to you for showing me the way of eternal life.”

On another occasion she said with tears, “Every day I thank my good Saviour for His kindness to me, and I pray for three things—patience to bear my trials, strength to do my daily work, and at last a quick road to the glory.

How glad the children in the Sunday school must have felt that they were present on that cold day to sing of Jesus, especially when their singing was the means of causing dear Maria to hear the glad tidings.

“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

ML-03/03/1935

The Love of Jesus

Jesus loves the little ones.

How do we know?

First, because His precious Word

Oft tells us so.

When He lived down here on earth,

God’s precious Son

Took the children in His arms—

Blessed every one.

Now He watches every day

From heaven above,

Keeps them safe from harm away,

Guards with His love,

Gives them food and loving homes,

Dear parents, too.

Can you find another who

Loves you so true?

And the greatest proof of all,

That love could show,

Christ came down to this poor world

Of sin and woe.

Long ago, upon the cross,

By sorrow tried,

For the sake of those He loved,

He bled and died.

Did you ever think it o’er,

Dear girl and boy?

What the gentle Saviour bore,

To bring you joy?

O, how every child should try

Each day to make

Bright with words and actions done,

For His dear sake.

ML-03/03/1935

Opossums

THERE are only a few things we can write about the opossum, as our paper is too small to give the varied habits and a full description of this interesting animal.

There is one habit of the opossum that we may mention, that may be of interest to our readers, and that is, when a man attacks it, it will roll itself up like a ball, and lie quite still with its mouth wide open as if it were dead, and many times they have been left for dead, and when all was quiet they would get up and run off.

Deception is not only to be found in that animal but very often children will practice it, too, thinking perhaps that it will not be as bad as telling an untruth; but it is just the same thing. The Psalmist said, “DELIVER MY SOUL, O LORD, FROM LYING LIPS AND FROM A DECEITFUL TONGUE.” Psa. 120:2.

ML-03/03/1935

A Windy Day

HERE is a picture of some boys on their way to school. The older boys have had home work to do.

It is a windy day, and one boy who did not hold fast to his hat has had to chase it. Do you think the boys look cross or troubled because the wind is blowing so hard? No, they are happy, and the wind does not annoy them.

All people have trials and troubles in this life, because Satan delights to spread the effects of the sin he brought into the world. Christians are the special objects of his hatred; and God allows him to harass us when it is for our good. The world had no place for the Lord Jesus, and it does not want those who love and follow Him.

If we are the Lord’s we need not be troubled or unhappy about the trials we meet. All we need to do is to put our trust in Him, knowing that He ever watches over us, and has prepared a borne where He will have us forever with Himself.

“BLESSED IS THAT MAN THAT MAKETH THE LORD HIS TRUST,”

Psa. 40:4.

ML-03/10/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 37

THIS chapter, like chapters 21 and 32 to 34, deals with the events of the last two years of the kingdom of Judah.

Verse 2 is an exceedingly solemn testimony concerning the king, his servants and the people of the land; the solemnity of it is heightened by the fact that the day of judgment for them was at hand. We speak only of this life, for they, with the rest of the unrepentant dead, have yet to face the judgment of the great white throne (Revelation 20).

The Word of God gives one unvarying testimony about mankind, namely, that His gracious and merciful offers have ever been ignored or refused by the mass of those addressed. There are many examples of this, the earliest being in the days before the flood when not a soul outside of Noah’s family accepted God’s warning and took shelter in the ark. The time is now plainly close at hand when the gospel will fall entirely upon deaf ears; when that time has been reached, the closing scenes on earth will begin, the heavenly saints having first been taken away at the Lord’s coming for them. God is not mocked. Well may the inspired writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (12:25) say, “See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh” (i.e., from heaven).

Man in his inner self knows that there is a God, but he shuns all thought of his benefactor. In times of deep distress the man of the world, finding all that he leans upon but shifting sand, will cry out to God for help, having neither repentance nor faith. This is seen in Zedekiah’s message to Jeremiah (verse 3). See 2 Chron. 36:12. In speaking of Jehovah as “our God”, he evidenced that he belonged to that class of which Isaiah wrote in chapter 29:13, and of which One infinitely greater than he spoke in Matthew 15:8.

The Egyptians with whom Zedekiah had made an alliance when he broke his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, sent an army to fight against the Babylonians (or Chaldeans, as they are called in verse.5), who thereupon abandoned the siege of Jerusalem in order to meet Pharaoh’s hosts. This removal was only temporary, and the soldiers of Nebuchadnezzar presently returned to their posts around the doomed city. The answer which God gave Jeremiah concerning Zedekiah (verses 7 to 10) gave the latter no relief from his fears. In truth, God had given up His earthly people because of their wickedness, and He who had long fought for Israel was now, of necessity, on the side of their adversaries.

Verse 12 Jeremiah would gladly have withdrawn from Jerusalem, when the opportunity offered, but it is evident that God willed otherwise; he was to remain in the city until the end of the siege, a testimony there for his divine Master, and not this only; he was to taste more deeply than before, of suffering for His sake. Thus the prophet became an example for those Jews of the last days, who will comprise the believing and suffering remnant God will preserve through the unparalled tribulation called the time of Jacob’s trouble. We are persuaded that it is chiefly for this reason (the encouragement of Jewish believers in that time) that the Scriptures reveal so much about Jeremiah’s suffering at the hands of his unbelieving countrymen.

Verses 16, 17: King Zedekiah appears to have been quite content to leave God’s faithful servant in a dungeon (literally, “house of the pit” or cistern) and after many days of cold indifference to Jeremiah’s suffering, he sends for him only to inquire, “Is there any word from Jehovah?”

The prison house has been honored with the presence of not a few faithful men of God and the Scriptures name some of them; we think of Joseph, John the Baptist, Peter and Paul among these, and Daniel and the three companions of his youth belong to the same noble army of sufferers for His name. Jeremiah’s faith blessedly was sustained through the very trying circumstances he was required to face; it was a severe test, but God had him in His keeping, and we do not doubt that many times since then he has rejoiced because he was permitted to suffer for His sake.

There was a word from Jehovah for the young king, and it was an unwelcome message (verse 17). If in Jeremiah’s words to Zedekiah we see imperfection, as in Joseph in his similar case—looking to man instead of entirely to God for relief from his suffering—let us recall that but One perfect in every way has walked this earth—the lowly Jesus. He never of man sought relief from the trials that beset His path as He journeyed from the manger to the cross.

Blessed Master, may we be growing more like Thee here until we meet Thee in the air!

ML-03/10/1935

"I Am the Way"

A MAN jumped on a street car to go to a certain place in the city. After he had ridden, a few blocks he learned that he was going the wrong way.

He quickly got off the car, and jumped on the one going the right direction.

Dear reader, have you learned that you are going the wrong way? God is now sending to you His gospel that you may be turned from darkness unto light. Those who have never been to God about their sins are like this man on the wrong car. It may seem nice riding for a while, but the bitter end of sin is death. And as all the riding on this wrong car could never bring this man to the right place, so all your doings in the flesh can never, never save your soul. Do not be deceived. Do not continue as you are, thinking things are all right. Because you feel happy is no sign that you are saved. It would be awful to spend eternity with the wretched sinners, apart from the blessed Saviour, who now so tenderly invites you to come to Him and be saved.

Again I entreat you, be as this wise man, change your mind quickly, and take the other car by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6,

ML-03/10/1935

Four Hard Questions

A GENTLEMAN was one day present at an examination of pupils at one of the large schools for the instruction of boys who were both deaf and dumb.

You will easily understand, therefore, that the means of examination were quite different from those of other schools. Each boy had a little slate on which questions could be written, and then the boy had to write his answer.

One little boy had such a bright face and attractive manner that the gentleman felt quite interested in him, and thought he would like to ask him a few questions, so he wrote on his slate the following one:

“My dear little boy, you see the sun and the earth around you, and at night the moon and stars; can you tell me how they all came there?” In reply to this the little fellow at once wrote, “In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1.

The gentleman was pleased with his answer, and then wrote another question which was more difficult.

“But whence has come all the sorrow, sadness, and death which you see around you?” To this the boy replied, “Sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” Rom. 5:12.

The gentleman was surprised by this correct answer, and thought he must follow it up by asking a third question which was as follows; “Can you tell me of any way by which man may be delivered from all this sin and sorrow?” At once the reply was written down, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Still further surprised and pleased at such a true reply, the gentleman wrote down, “I will only ask you one more question. Can you tell me why you can neither hear nor speak, while so many boys and girls around you can do both?”

This was a delicate question to ask, because it would remind the boy of his affliction, but he did not seem to mind, and with a happy smile he gave the reply, “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Luke 10:21.

These are the very words of Scripture, and indeed words used by the Lord Jesus Himself.

No wonder the gentleman was amazed; and well he might be, for here was a little boy who was deaf and dumb, yet he had been able to answer these four hard questions in a way that none of the philosophers of the heathen world could have done, and who, in spite. of his affliction, was happy, peaceful and contented because he believed the great truths which he had learned from the Bible.

Now what a precious book that must he from which may be learned truths like those that made this dear boy so happy in spite of all his disadvantage in not being able to hear or to speak like those around him.

The Bible is full of instruction for all, and let not children think that they are not able to understand it, for if they love it and read it carefully, asking God to teach them, He will not refuse to instruct them by His Spirit so that they may indeed become “wise unto salvation.”

Even Christian boys and girls like to be wise about natural things, and often ask hundreds of questions about things they cannot quite understand, and while we are glad to see the inquiring minds of the young, yet it is far more important that they should be wise about eternal things. We read in the Bible these words, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not.” James 1:5.

ML-03/10/1935

Was It for Me?

Was it for me, for me alone,

The Saviour left His glorious throne,

The dazzling splendors of the sky?

Was it for me, He came to die?

Was it for me sweet angel strains

Came floating o’er Judea’s plains,

That starlight night, so long ago?

Was it for me God planned it so?

Was it for me the Saviour said,

Pillow thy weary, aching head

Trustingly on thy Saviour’s breast?

Was it for me? Can I thus rest?

Was it for me He wept and prayed,

My load of sin upon Him laid,

That night within Gethsemane?

Was it for me—that agony?

Was it for me He bowed His head

Upon the cross, and freely shed

His precious blood—that crimson tide?

Was it for me the Saviour died?

It was for me, yes, all for me,

O, love of God, so great, so free,

O, wondrous love! I’ll shout and sing,

He died for me, my Lord the King.

ML-03/10/1935

The Three Enemies

THE poor little rat in the picture has three powerful enemies, the dog, the cat and the trap. The dog is too busy keeping the cat from making a meal of the rat to devour it.

All who believe in the Lord Jesus still find themselves very weak, and they have three strong enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil. It is like a fort with one enemy, the flesh, inside; and two outside, the world and the devil. Satan comes to us, and presents something of the world which the flesh likes very much, and unless we are on our guard, the door of the fort is opened, and we have been caught.

But, dear children, there is no excuse for our being caught, because the Lord Jesus conquered that great enemy of our souls when He died for us; and now we can always draw strength from Him to meet every temptation. In order to do this, we must have our minds set on Him, for that will keep the flesh in the place of being dead to the world.

“SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.” Col. 3:2

ML-03/17/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 38

THE four men whose names are given in the first verse, little thought that they would be singled out fur mention in the Word of God as concerned in a plan to bring about the death of the prophet. Had their thoughts risen above the level of this world it might have entered their minds that every idle (unprofitable) word that men shall speak they shall give account for in the day of judgment (Matt. 12:36).

Chapter 21:9 gives the same language as verse 2 in our chapter; it was of the mercy of God that this way of safety was made known, and from verse 19 we know that some of the people wisely heeded it and went over to the Babylonian army encamped around the city walls. But the princes—heads, chief men, or captains are meant—were as far from God as their king, and deceived by Satan to their own ruin. It was not a question about what Jeremiah had said but the mighty God had spoken; His word will stand forever.

Zedekiah was again quite willing to have the prophet illtreated, or even, as it seems, put to death, and he was now cast into an empty cistern, a prison worse than the first place of confinement (chapter 37:15, 16), his offense being that lie told the truth. But, as God was with Joseph (Gen. 89:21), so was He with Jeremiah; He moved Ebed-melech, a Cushite or Ethiopian—not an Israelite but a believing (see chapter 39:18) stranger, who in some way had become a member of the Judean king’s household—to appeal to Zedekiah to spare Jeremiah’s life. The king granted the request and the victim of his fellowmen’s hatred was drawn out of the cistern, though still kept under guard.

Again did the king seek the prophet (verse 14); altogether a dupe of Satan, he yet knew where the truth was to be learned. The occasion was the last meeting, as far as we know, between the two men. Zedekiah wished to save his life, to keep his honors as the king of Judah; he clung to what was slipping front his grasp, and he had nothing but what this poor world has to give. Pitiable, indeed, is the case of the man of the world facing the loss of the glittering, but empty show in winch he has lived. How much better off than himself, was the king’s prisoner who knew and trusted the true God!

Zedekiah could not say, like Elijah in an earlier day, “As the Lord of hosts liveth before Whom I stand” (1 Kings 18:15), but, “As the Lord liveth that made us this soul” (verse 16). He thus owned as Creator, Him he would not accept as his God. Is it not in the same way that men speak of God today: “the Creator”, say they, as of some one with whom they have nothing to do, nor are they concerned about His will as to themselves.

Verse 17: O, the mercy of our God! Even at this late hour in Zedekiah’s course He would spare him, his family and the city. Would Zedekiah accept the only way of escape from the prospect that the next chapter brought to him in dread reality? He appears to have entered the class included at the beginning, of Rev. 21:8—the fearful and unbelieving. He feared the consequence before his fellow men of taking the path of safety which God held out before him; he clung to the present, fading away before his eyes, rather than trust his soul with God. “I am afraid,” said he, “of the Jews”—those that had already gone over to the besiegers; “they will mock me.” There is One whom Zedekiah should have feared;—Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (see Matt. 10:28).

Again the prophet speaks “Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord which. I speak unto thee; so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.” There is no answer; Jeremiah remains in the court of the prison (or guard) until Jerusalem is taken; the king, on his part, rejected the mercy of God, and remained within the city until it was too late to escape the punishment the judgment of God meted out to him.

Part of verse 22 may be obscure to some readers. The word “women” which the translators have added in italics, should he omitted, “those” referring to the Babylonian princes. These princes would tell Zedekiah the real truth, that his familiar friends had occasioned his downfall and deserted him.

ML-03/17/1935

"'Cause I'm Happy"

A LITTLE girl, who lived with her mother in a country cottage, was in the habit of singing to herself, all the time her brother was away at school.

She had no companions or playmates dung the day, and I wondered how she could spend day after day singing as she did. I got her alone one day and asked her what made her sing.

“‘Cause I’m happy,” was the simple reply.

This is exactly why the Christian sings. God has saved him, and he is happy.

Are you happy, my dear young friend, because Jesus has saved you? Can you sing with truth,

“Happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away”?

“Sing unto the Lord, bless His Name; show forth His salvation from day to day.” Psa. 96:2.

ML-03/17/1935

Have You Your Ticket?

A NUMBER of people were attending some Bible readings in a city far from their home, and some with round trip tickets had decided to remain a few days longer. Just before the closing hymn was sung on the last evening someone learned that a certain series of tickets expired at such a time that the holders of those tickets must hurry to the station and take the train home immediately after the meeting closed. Not knowing that there were two time limits, depending’ on the price paid, a thoughtful man quickly spread the word to the whole group from the one city.

Those who had not made plans to go home were startled and in dismay, for there was no time then for packing suitcases. If you have seen the way the conductor examines the ticket, you know there is no hope of using one which does not exactly conform to his company’s regulations. After a few moments of wondering how the error could have come about and what to do, one person looked at his ticket and found there was no cause for alarm: the terms were as he had thought them to be.

You have heard many times that we need a ticket to heaven, and that in this case there is only one which will take us there. You have been asked again and again to make sure you have the right ticket. But still, are you sure? Often little girls and boys and grown people, too, carry tickets which read like this—If I am GOOD I shall go to heaven when I die.

Will this ticket take you to heaven? Ah, no! God is more particular than the conductor. In His Word He has said, “There is none that doeth good, no not one.” Rom. 3:23.

“There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth....but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Rev. 21:27.

You doubtless know also about the father who drove a nail into a block of wood for each time he found his little son doing something naughty. At the end of the year the block was thick with nails and the little boy was troubled until his father offered to pull them out. Looking at the block when the nails were drawn, he burst into tears; for, although his father had taken away the nails lie could not remove the marks.

Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins and make us as clean as if we had never sinned—remove the marks and make us fit for God’s presence. If your ticket says anything about “being good,” or “doing the best you can,” it is of no use on your journey to heaven.

Another child may have the ticket which reads: Mother and father are saved, so I shall be able to slip in with them.

To you who depend on this ticket God says,

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32.

Lot was one of God’s people, and in His great love and grace, God saved him out of the judgment of the wicked city of Sodom; he was brought out, with his wife and two daughters, by the angels before the fire and brimstone came down from heaven to destroy it. But his wife looked back at the city under judgment, and she was turned into a pillar of salt. Do you not see, little reader, she was walking with her husband; and, no doubt, thought she was as safe as he, and yet she was lost. No, that ticket will not do. “Remember Lot’s wife.”

There is a ticket which will carry every traveler right into the Father’s home, right to the Father’s heart.

“In that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Yes, dear reader, God loved us. Knowing we could never pay the fare, He spared His Son to come into this world to die on that cruel cross, and there to bear the judgment of our sin-stained hearts, that we might have a way into His presence. The way into heaven is free, for Jesus paid the fare.

If the train conductor finds a person on the train without a ticket, he compels him to pay his fare or puts him off the train, and none escapes his notice. Just so, you will never get to heaven without the ticket God requires—and He offers it to you free. Take it just now, and say from your heart.

“In that, while I was a sinner, Christ died for me.”

“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.”

“Jesus paid the fare;” have you your ticket?

ML-03/17/1935

O, Come, Lord Jesus

O blessed God, how kind Thou art.

To Thee, we bow the knee,

O, may Thy presence fill our hearts,

And keep us true to Thee.

When trials and cares beset our path,

And fears arise within;

O, may we see that blessed One,

Who died our souls to win.

Our risen Lord is coming soon,

To take us to His home;

Where we shall ever be at rest,

And never more shall roam.

O, come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;

We long Thy face to see:

To dwell within Thy Father’s house,

And ever happy be.

ML-03/17/1935

Wandering Arabs

Do you know why people like the ones in our picture are called wandering Arabs? It is because these natives of Arabia move about so much.

A great part of their country is desert land where nothing grows. Many of the people live in tents which they move from place to place according to the seasons. They take all their possessions with them for they have no home.

Dear readers, we are reminded by these wandering people, of the condition of poor lost sinners. They are seeking one thing and another to satisfy the heart, often going from city to city, and from country to country, in the hope of finding something better.

This world’s goods give only momentary satisfaction. There is always a restless longing for more. What is the one thing that can satisfy the heart? It is the knowledge of Jesus, and the wonderful salvation He gives to all who will receive Him. In Him we find everything, and when this life is over, and we are with Him forever, we shall be perfectly happy.

To the Christian, too, this world is like a vast desert. But, unlike the unsaved, he is not seeking his pleasure and happiness in such a place. He is looking forward to his heavenly home, and does not need a mansion down here to be happy.

“Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Heb. 13:14.

“WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?” Mark 8:36.

ML-03/24/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 39

THE “eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month” is a date of painful memory to the children of Israel, for on that day Judah ceased to be a kingdom; then there came off his throne the last son of David to hold dominion over God’s earthly people until that Son reigns Who is David’s Lord. The city which Jehovah had chosen to set His name there, now forsaken by Him, was entered by the princes of Nebuchadnezzar, representing the power of Babylon.

It is well known that Babylonia was devoted to idolatry; even their children were given names intended to honor national or local false gods. Nebuchadnezzar (or Nebuchadnezzar, as the name is spelled in Daniel and commonly) means in the Chaldean language, “Nebo protects the youth”, or perhaps “Nebo is the protector of landmarks’, Sanwar-Nebo is “One who is devoted to Nebo”, and Nergal-sharezar is “Nergal protects the king”. Except that God had given us to know (1 Cor. 10:19, 20) that the worship of idols is really the worship of demons, we should feel only pity for those who bow before images, Think, however, of these men whose lives were bound up with the service of the devil, sitting in the place of authority in the city of the great King!

In view of what we have learned in reading through Isaiah and Jeremiah, we shall not ask who was to blame for the calamity which had now become Jerusalem’s and Judah’s. The cause was the giving up of the true God for the false gods of the nations, on the part of the king of Judah, his princes, his prophets and his people. Had they been warned of the evils to come upon them if they persisted in their ways? Yes, not only had they the testimony of Jeremiah and Isaiah, but also that of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Habakkuk and Zephaniah on this very subject, and going further back in the Word of God, Moses in Deut. 28:36; Joshua in chapter 23:13 of the book which bears his name, and in 2 Chron. 7:19-22 God speaking in answer to king Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple; all these passages contain forewarnings of what took place at this time.

In verse 3 it may be of interest to note that two of the names are not personal but official; Rab-saris is “chief-eunuch” or chief chamberlain; Rab-mag is “chief priest”. 2 Kings 8:17 and Isaiah 36:2 give a third official title: Rab-shakeh, meaning “chief officer” or chief cup-bearer.

Verse 4: Zedekiah and his men of war did not get far in their effort to escape by night; how could they since they had no regard for God and had refused His counsel? The Holy Spirit has in the New Testament, spoken in words few and easily remembered by all: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Zedekiah and his companions chose sin, and received the wages thereof.

Nebuchadnezzar, who had been with his besieging army around Jerusalem, was now at Riblah, about 70 miles north of Damascus on the way to the Euphrates, and to him was Zedekiah brought. Perhaps because of his broken promise of loyalty, given in Jehovah’s name, Nebuchadnezzar treated Zedekiah with marked cruelty, slaughtering his sons before his eyes, and blinding him before taking him in chains to Babylon. All the nobles of Judah were put to death; the king’s house and the houses of the people were burned, and Jerusalem’s walls were broken down; Nebuzar-adan (“Nebo has given offspring”), the captain of the bodyguard of Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive into Babylon the rest of the people, except “the poor who had nothing.”

Jeremiah was given his liberty under Nebuchadnezzar’s orders (verses 11-14), and Ebed-melech (“slave of the king”), because he had put his trust in Jehovah, was spared from the judgments that bell the wicked (verses 10-18). We find no further reference to this man of dark skin in the Scriptures, but we are assured that we shall meet him in the glory of God above.

ML-03/24/1935

The Effect of Light

SUPPOSE I am wearing a coat that my friends tell me is spotted and shabby and ought to be cast aside as worn out. Well, if I examine that coat in a dark room I shall see nothing of the spots of grease and the coat will feel as good as ever.

But if I then pass into a dimly-lighted room and again examine the coat I shall see that it does not look as fresh and clean as it should. Still, it feels comfortable on me and I do not see sufficient reason to discard it.

Again, I pass into another room which is well lighted, then I find to my dismay that the coat really is dirty and shabby and not fit to be worn. This then is the effect of light, it reveals what is there, and shows the actual condition, Well, if I look at boys and girls in the dim light this world affords, they may appear bright and loving and all that we could desire as obedient children, But if we bring them into the bright light of God’s holy presence, what then?

O, then it is discovered that they are sinners in His sight, and as such, cannot come into His presence to dwell there without first being cleansed by the precious blood of Christ.

This is why we so often speak of the finished work of Christ, because without it we could never be saved, or be brought nigh to God.

Dear reader, will you think of this, and seek to be forgiven of all your sins through faith in Christ? Then you need not fear the bright light of His holy presence, for it will only show out how perfectly you have been cleansed from every stain.

“Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Acts 13:38, 39.

ML-03/24/1935

Little Hughie

LITTLE HUGHIE, a boy eight years old, when at his music lesson one day with his teacher, was playing the hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.” When he had finished it, he said to her, “I can’t bear to hear anyone sing that hymn.”

“Why not?” asked the teacher.

“Because,” he answered, “I can’t help feeling that I am not ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus,’” and then he covered his face with his hands and began to cry.

It was a long time before his teacher could comfort him, or get him to listen to her, but after a while his sobs grew quieter.

“Hughie,” she said, “there is no reason why you should not be safe too; what is it that keeps you away from Jesus now?” Hughie thought a moment, and then answered, “The sin in my heart,”

“Yes,” replied his teacher, who saw that Hughie was looking for a feeling in his heart of being better instead of trusting just as he was to the Lord, “and you want to get rid of that before you can feel that you are ‘Safe in His arms’ don’t you?”

Now Hughie was the son of Christian parents, and he had often been told about the Lord, and how He died to save us; but he could not yet say, ‘Jesus has saved me,” So his teacher reminded him of all Jesus had, done for him, that his sins might be washed away; and Hughie listened, thinking to himself„

“I have heard all that lots of times; I know all about it.” Presently his teacher asked him, “Now, Hughie, do you believe that Jesus died to save sinners? You have only to believe on him, and you will be safe.”

Hughie was quiet a little time, and then told his teacher he would think about what she had said, and went on with his music. That night, when she went to read to him after he was in bed, she said, “Well, Hughie, are you ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus’ yet?” and he answered, with a bright smile, “Yes, I can say it now, and I have been saying it over all day—Jesus has saved me.”

I would ask my little readers, “Are you safe? Has He saved you?” “I came not to call the righteous; but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32.

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

ML-03/24/1935

Summat, the Alpine Goatherder

FAR up the Alpine valley, Sum-mat, the Bernese goatherder, tended his master’s flock. One day a visitor passed the boy, and conversing with him, as he rested by the wayside, spoke to him about Jesus and the great salvation He died on the cross to procure for sinners, leaving with him a French New Testament, which he was able to read a little. Carrying it with him daily, Summat read the Sacred Word, and the Spirit of God, apart from any human teacher or guide, led him to see his need of salvation, and to put his trust in the Lord Jesus„

Saved and happy, the boy now read more eagerly than ever the Book through which he learned the way of life, and not only so, but began to tell others what had made glad his own heart. In his village and on the Alpine slope while tending his goats, he told to other goatherders the wondrous story of redeeming love. And when the severe snows of winter came, preventing him from leading his flock to the pasture land, he gathered the herders into his shelter, and read to them the Word of God. Who can estimate the blessing of being early saved to serve the Lord?

Co home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19.

“I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Prov. 8:17.

ML-03/24/1935

O, What a Saviour!

O, what a Saviour, Jesus the Lord!

Worthy to be forever adored;

Now in His grace

He speaks through His Word,

Bidding the weary “Come.”

O, what a Saviour, Jesus on high!

Rich is the grace which He doth supply;

Wondrous the love which brought Him to die,

Perishing souls to save.

O, what a Saviour! Jesus, who came

Down to the cross, despising the shame;

Now in the glory still He’s the same:

O, how He loves to save!

O, what a Saviour! great was the load

Laid upon Jesus, blest Son of God;

No other plea but Christ’s precious blood

E’er could avail for me.

ML-03/24/1935

The Shepherd's Care

HAVE you ever noticed how the shepherd watches each sheep, and if one is hurt, he carefully attends it?

There is a beautiful verse of Scripture which speaks of God’s tender care over His people Israel. We may well take it for ourselves, too, if we are His sheep or lambs.

“HE SHALL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD: HE SHALL GATHER THE LAMBS WITH HIS ARM, AND CARRY THEM IN HIS BOSOM.” Isa. 40:11.

How beautifully this describes the Lord’s tender care over His own. He is ever watchful and mindful of us. We may expect this when we know that He loved us so much as to give Himself for us and to die in our stead. He offers salvation to all, and saves all who put their trust in Him.

May all of you, dear readers, put your trust in Him as your Saviour. Then you can count on His tender and loving care as your shepherd all through your life. You may go to Him about every trial and difficulty, and remember that He cares for you. Nothing is too small or too great about which to tell Him.

ML-03/31/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 40

THOUGH all around may perish in the governmental dealings of God, the believer has yet Himself as his bulwark; God will not forsake those who trust in Him. So the sorrowing Jeremiah found after witnessing the burning of Jerusalem, including the temple that Solomon had built, and the breaking down of the city’s walls. He had been singled out for exceptional treatment by the king of Babylon (verses 11, 12, chapter 39) through God’s overruling, and was now set free at Ramah, the place of weeping (chapter 31, verse 15), 5 miles north of Jerusalem. We are not told what “word” (verse 1) it was that God gave to His servant, but it must have been-a word of encouragement for that dark hour in. Judah’s history. Our thoughts turn to the apostle Paul, when, in similar case, his path of service apparently ended (See Acts 23:11).

The Babylonian soldier was more intelligent than the leaders of Judah had been, in regard to the cause of Jerusalem’s downfall (verses 2 and 3). And we may say, the world is always ready to point out the inconsistencies and faults and even grievous sins into which believers, or those who only pro-fess to be Christians, fall. When the finger can thus be pointed at a believer, the power of his testimony is gone. Judah’s sins were of the blackest, though Jeremiah had not shared in them; nevertheless, silence became him before Nebuzar-adan. Jeremiah was in the blessed place of one who walked with God, though the nation outdid all others in evil.

The prophet chose to remain amid the desolation of Judah’s land, rather than to seek the security and comfort which Babylon could afford him. And in this we may well judge that he had the mind of God. Ezekiel was among the captives transported to Babylonia 11 years before this, and Daniel had now been in the king’s palace 18 years, each serving God in his different place and circumstances. There were left in the land of Judah, and near it, certain children of Israel, and among these Jeremiah appears to have finished his course, a witness for God and against themselves.

In verse 5, “reward” is, in the present day meaning of words, “a present”, given to Jeremiah on leaving the party bound for Babylon. Verse 6 reveals the presence in the land, of men of Judah who had, by reason of being outside of Jerusalem and the other towns, escaped the hand of the king of Babylon; so also does verse 11 bring out the fact that there were others living in the adjoining countries of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, and in other lands, who now returned to the land of Israel. All these came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, a place a few miles north of Jerusalem whose location is not now exactly known (see 2 Chron. 16:6 which may refer to the place of that name to which Samuel called the children of Israel; 1 Samuel 7 and 10). The state before God of these people—one trusts there were exceptions, however—was bad indeed, as we shall Not all the miseries that had come on their king and nation, under God’s judgment because of the almost universal turning to idolatry and the other evil ways of the heathen, moved these to return to the true God. Does the reader know what will cause men to turn to God?

A plot of the king of Amnion to have Gedaliah killed (verse 14) became known, and Johanan the son of Kareah (whose after life does not commend him) warned him, but in vain., as the next chapter shows. Why should the Ammonite king wish to put an end to the man left in charge of Judah’s poor and feeble few? Hatred of the people of God, and desire to possess their land may have been the reason (see Ezek. 25:1-7 and 2 Chron. 20:10,11).

The human heart, where God is not known, is capable of anything, but the day of judgment will come for all who have not salvation through Christ.

ML-03/31/1935

Not by Chance

SOME years ago, a lady entered a store and asked for an empty box, in which she wished to send some flowers to a friend. The storekeeper who was busy at the time, drew out a few boxes, found one empty and handed it to the lady, and thought no more about the matter.

Two months later the lady entered the store again, and reminded the storeman of the apparently unimportant occurrence. Then she told him that in the empty box there happened to be a picture tract, and thinking it might please her friend’s child, she allowed it to remain. Shortly afterward she received a note thanking her for the box of flowers, and saying that she could never thank her enough for the tract that was enclosed. She had been troubled for a long time about her soul, but had not been able to find rest and peace in Jesus. She had at length become so burdened, that her husband was concerned about her health.

Just when she was in her greatest distress, the box arrived. On unpacking it, the picture caught her attention. She had read the tract, and found in it that which met her need. God had through it, shown her that the work of Christ had been forever accomplished, and that for her, a sinner, there remained nothing to do but believe and rest on that work. And now, she was quite happy, knowing that the Lord had forgiven all her sins; and had made her suited for His glory.

The tract left in the supposed empty box was not by chance, my dear reader. God’s hand is in everything.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

ML-03/31/1935

Frightened

THERE was once a little girl who used to think a great deal about the corning of the Lord and the succeeding judgments. She heard the book of Revelation read at family prayers, and though she sometimes tried to stop her ears, she could not shut out the fear and anxiety she felt. At night she would carefully close her blind for fear the moonlight would shine through, for it made her think of the verse which says, “The moon shall be turned into blood” (Acts 2:20).

As she lay in her little bed, many were the resolutions that she made, that, come what might, she would never worship the beast or his image, never have his mark impressed upon her; and often did she in imagination go through the tortures and the death which she vainly thought would lead her into the presence of God; and about the present she never thought at all. Often as she had heard it, it never came into her mind, that God was ready to receive her now; to make her His child, and take all her future into His keeping. So she went on day after day and night after night, making herself miserable, when God was wanting to make her happy.

One day it flashed upon her, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

How simple it was saved from judgment, whether in this world or in another. How foolish she had been. As her mother bent over her to say good-night, she whispered, “Mamma, do you think I am a Christian?” And when her mother answered, “If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ you are, for He died to save us from our sins,” she knew that she did believe in Him, and that nothing need frighten her anymore. Was she not a happy little girl?

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

“The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:8.

ML-03/31/1935

The Shelter on the Rock

I HAD to travel by steam boat, and as we passed a huge rock, the captain of the steamer blew his whistle, and immediately the Solan geese rose from their hiding-place on the rock. The passengers crowded on the steamer’s deck, and were intently gazing on the birds flying to and fro as if they were seeking a place to hide, when, to their astonishment, the captain’s voice was heard in clear melodious tones singing the well-known lines:

“Rock of ages cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.”

When the singing ceased, the birds had all returned to their safe retreat on the rock, and the captain taking further advantage of the incident, turned to the passengers and said, “The only place of refuge and safety for a sinner is in Christ crucified.” Then pointing across to the rock where the birds had safely returned, he said:

“Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.”

I never forgot that simple but touching testimony to Christ as the sinner’s only hiding-place. These fluttered birds on wing, exposed and unrested, are like the weary sinner out of Christ. But yonder, hid and covered in the clefts of the rock, they are safe. So is the sinner whose place is in Christ.

Reader, are you there? Christ alone is the sinner’s hiding-place.

“And a Man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; ... as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isa. 32:2

“Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Col. 3:3.

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12.

ML-03/31/1935

The Saviour's Love

The Saviour is gracious,

His love is a well,

His blood, O, how precious;

Its worth who can tell?

He loved us so truly,

Re came from the sky,

That He, the Most Holy

For sinners, might die.

The love of a mother

Or father is great;

The love of a brother

And sister is sweet;

Yet who but the Saviour

For us could have died,

To bring us forever

With God to abide?

From heaven, His dwelling,

That bright, blessed place,

He sweetly is telling

Us all of His grace.

In mercy delighting

He speaks from above,

Poor sinners inviting

To trust in His love.

ML-03/31/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 41

Of Gedaliah, the governor of the few Israelites left in the country, we know nothing more than the statements about him in 2 Kings 25:22-25 and Jer. 39, 40 and 41. From Jer. 20:24, we know that his father stood on the side of the prophet when there was talk of putting him to death; the father is also mentioned in 2 King’s 22:12 when the lost book of God was found.

The unsuspecting. Gedaliah was not long (two to three months) in Mizpah, when there came to visit him the man concerning whom he had been warned (chapter 40), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, together with ten men, and after eating bread with Gedaliah they killed him. Forthwith, they slew every other person that was with Gedaliah, so that none would be left to spread the tale of the murder.

This shocking, premeditated crime was almost of necessity followed by another, when 80 men arrived on the second day after with oblations and incense to bring to the house of Jehovah. Although we cannot trace anything approved of God in their having cut themselves (see Lev. 21:5 and Deut. 14:1 which compare with Isa. 15:2 and Jer. 48:37 referring to the practices of the Moabites), the newcomers seem to have been moved by genuine feeling of grief over that which had befallen Judah. There was no “house of Jehovah” since the destruction of the temple, and the priests were all gone into captivity, yet the fear of God seems to have actuated the men from Shechem, Shiloh and Saria.

The chief murderer went out to meet these men, hypocritically weeping all along as he went, as though moved by grief over the destruction of Jerusalem, and invited them to come to Gedaliah, but only to slay them when they got into the town. Ten of the eighty were spared because they said they had hidden stores of food. How little could king Asa (godly in the early part of his reign,—2 Chron. 14 and 15) have anticipated the use which Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah would make of the pit (or cistern) he had made at Mizpah!

Ishmael, his bloody work done, now proposed to return to the safe haven of the children of Ammon, and took with him all that remained alive in Mizpah. Of Jeremiah at this time, we are not told; had not God undertaken his defense, we might wonder why he, too, was not killed, whether at Mizpah or somewhere else. If there had been a real regard for the governor, would Johanan, the son of Kareah and all the captains of the forces that were with him have left Gedaliah exposed to the danger of assassination? Since he had taken service under the king of Babylon to whom they had not submitted themselves, they are not likely to have esteemed him highly. Natural feeling, hover, over the crime that had been committed, sent these men with Johanan, after the murderer, and they caught up with him at the great waters in Gibeon.

Ishmael escaped with eight men into the land of Ammon, and those he was carrying off returned with Johanan and his men, but fear of the vengeance of Nebuchadnezzar led the party’s steps southward to go into Egypt. There they hoped to be safe from the forces of the king of Babylon. Our chapter closes with them near Bethlehem, a few miles south of Jerusalem on the highway to Hebron.

In all this chapter contains, we see only fresh evidence that the children of Israel were drinking the bitter cup they had filled for themselves. They had given up God (save in an empty profession which was an insult to Himself) and ran greedily after the pleasures of the heathen world, adopting their idols and their idolatrous practices as their own. God had given up the nation to judgment as He had long foretold through His prophets, and they were now suffering in Babylon or in the land of their forefathers because of their sins.

ML-04/07/1935

The Lost Lamb

A POOR Italian shepherd one day lost a lamb. He spent a whole day searching for it, and had to return footsore and weary without it. General Garibaldi and his staff had ridden out far from the camp that day, and were returning, when they overtook the downcast shepherd.

“Why do you look so downcast?” asked the General.

“Because I have lost a lamb and I have failed to find it,” replied the shepherd.

“We must find it for him,” said Garibaldi to his staff, and off they rode, himself with them, hunting hill and valley for the lost lamb, but without avail. Darkness came down, and they had to return to the camp. Garibaldi was an early riser, usually up before his officers, but the morning following the search for the lamb, his servant was astonished to find him in bed.

When he awoke, he said to his servant, “Send for that shepherd,” and still kept his bed. The shepherd came and was taken to the General’s tent.

“Well, have you found your lost lamb?” he asked the shepherd.

“No sir,” was the answer.

Unwrapping his military cloak, Garibaldi said— “Look here.” And when the shepherd looked, he saw the missing lamb asleep within its folds.

“I determined not to give up, so after the camp was at rest, I went out and sought until I found it.” How thankful the poor shepherd was, and how he loved Garibaldi for that act.

I know of One greater than Garibaldi, who went out in a darker night, over mountains wild and bare, seeking for the lost one. His Name is Jesus. He came to seek and to save the lost. Has He found you and laid you in His bosom? There He carries all His lambs. No boy or girl ever perished who was folded to His bosom. Are you quite sure that you are there? If not, you are lost.

“The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

ML-04/07/1935

She Trusted Him

A POOR ragged little girl wanted to cross a street. It was crowded with traffic of various kinds. Buses, cabs, wagons and cars of every sort were quickly passing. She dared not trust herself amid it all. How should she reach the other side? She wisely looked out for someone to be her guide and to take her over. She saw a kindly-looking policeman and thought she could trust him. He saw her wish was to cross, and held out his strong hand to her Gladly she took it, and together they began the journey. Holding up his other hand he caused the traffic to stop until the child was safely on the pavement of the opposite side of the street. Then thanking him for his kindness and help she trotted off to tell what had happened to her and how easily she had got over.

It was well for her that such a strong friend was at hand and ready to help her. Have you such a friend to guide you through life? Yes! there is One. The Friend of sinners. He is willing and waiting to bless you.

Do you know the lines—

“There’s a hand held out in pity,

There’s a hand held out in love;

It will pilot to the City,

To our Father’s house above.

There’s a hand held out to you,

There’s a hand held out to me.”

That hand is a pierced hand. It was pierced for us at Calvary.

Do you notice that the little girl did four things beginning with the letter T?

She trusted. She took. She thanked. She told.

Now I wonder if you can say, through His grace,

I have trusted Christ.

I have taken Him to be my own Saviour.

I have thanked Him, and

I have told others what He has done for me.

If you cannot say this yet, turn to Him now. He holds out His hand to you: Take it.

“Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:9, 10.

ML-04/07/1935

God's Power and God's Love

LET us ever praise God for His wonderful works in creation, so varied in different parts of the world. Is He not good to give us beautiful scenes to enjoy?

But if we knew only the power and wisdom of our Creator God, we should be miserable indeed, because sin has shut us out from Him. It is by taking His Son as our Saviour that we can know God’s love and can go to dwell in His presence.

“OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY.” Titus 2:14, 15.

ML-04/07/1935

Whiter Than Snow

ONCE heard the story of a little girl on her way to Sunday school, who returned the second time to her mother for a clean handkerchief.

Snow was on the ground, and it was so much whiter than her handkerchief, that she thought a mistake had been made.

Our white clothing, whether washed in a clear stream with a fiat stone for a washboard or in a modern laundry with all its cleansing agents, cannot be whiter than snow.

There is but one thing in this world whiter than snow, and that is a sinner washed in the precious blood of Jesus.

If any of our dear readers cannot say,

“I’m a poor sinner,

And nothing at all,

But Jesus Christ

Is my all in all,”

then just believe what the Word of God says:

“WASH ME AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.” Psa. 51:7.

“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.

ML-04/14/1935

The Shepherd

O! what can He do with the weak—

Where each for himself, is the cry?

Where the young lions lack what they seek?

Where the feeble are ever pushed by?

Most sad was the question I asked,

As I sat me down lone and dejected;

But the answer was sent me unasked—

An answer I little expected.

“What then can He do with the weak?”

“Why He carries them,” came the reply,

“In His bosom alone you must seek

For the weak who on Him rely.”

He carries the feeble and frail—

Just the ones that the world pushes by;

In His bosom when dangers assail,

He carries the feeble on high.

ML-04/14/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 42

A FRESH picture of the few left in the land of Judah is afforded in this chapter. The old yearning after Egypt (so often in Scripture a type of the world in its attractions) manifested itself under cover of a profession of dependence upon God and devotion to His will.

All the people from the least to the greatest, together with the captains of the forces, came to Jeremiah to ask him to pray for them to Jehovah “thy God”, that He would show them the way wherein they should walk, and the thing that they should do. Jeremiah’s answer was that he would pray to Jehovah “your God” according to their wish. To this they answered with the assurance that whether the voice of Jehovah “our God” should be good or evil in their estimation they would hearken to it. Empty words they proved to be!

God in His wisdom did not answer for ten days. Whenever an immediate answer to prayer is needed, He gives it, but the answer is always sent at the right time; the delay over which we sometimes fret is good for the child of God, teaching dependence, submission.

Notwithstanding the departure of the ten tribes and the two tribes into banishment because of the national sin of idolatry, God can take no lower title in connection with this earth than “Jehovah the God of Israel” (verse 9). In amazing grace He would still undertake for these exceedingly wayward people who had proved utterly unworthy of the least of His mercies.

“If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not overthrow you, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up, for I repent Me of the evil that I have clone unto you” (verse 10).

They need not fear the king of Babylon, “for I will be with you to save you and to deliver you from His hand. And I will grant mercies to you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land” (verses 11 and 12). What kindness, what love, from the Omnipotent One, and to those so ungrateful, so unworthy!

If, however, they were resolved that they would not dwell in the land, but would go into Egypt expecting to see no war nor have hunger, “thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel,” the sword which they feared should overtake them there, and the famine of which they were afraid should follow hard after them in Egypt, and there should they die! “All the men that have set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them” (verse 17). This was solemn, indeed, and, with what followed in verse 18, should have banished from their minds any thought of going to Egypt.

Jeremiah, in communicating God’s answer to the people, spoke plainly to them: “Ye deceived yourselves in your own souls when ye sent me unto Jehovah your God saying, Pray for us unto Jehovah our God, and according to all that Jehovah our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. And I have this day declared it to you, but ye have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah your God, nor anything for which He Hath sent me unto you. And now know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go to sojourn” (verses 20-22).

Why should men reject the grace of God and choose the evil way? Why, after many centuries of the gospel of His grace offered to “Whosoever will”, do men persist in the path that leads to eternal judgment? Dare anyone say that God is to blame?

ML-04/14/1935

Saved in the Cleft of a Rock

SAVED in the cleft of a rock. I know what that means. I was saved that way once; nor can I ever forget it.”

“How did it happen? Tell us about it.”

“You remember when the railroad first came through our town, it was a single track. You know where it runs in that long curve at the foot of the hill, how little space there is between the rocks on the one side and the deep water on the other?”

“Yes; I have often thought what an awful accident it would have been if the train had run off the track there. Just enough space for a train to pass without striking the rocks on the side of the hill,”

“And no place for a person to stand on the other side if a train should come while he was there. It’s an awful place, or it was once, before the second track was laid and the roadbed widened. I shudder whenever I think of what might have happened to me there.

“It was when we were yet boys, and not long after the railroad was built. My sister and I were coming home from school, and we thought would be shorter and easier, as well as more pleasant, to try the railroad instead of the long walk over the hill-path. We knew that it was after the time for the express, and that no other train was due: so we felt safe enough. We hardly thought of danger anyway. She was older than I, and I left care to her. We were going along leisurely; I was throwing stones into the water and she looking on, when suddenly she screamed, as she caught my hand,

“‘Run! The express is coming!’

“I heard its roar, and then the whistle as it came near the curve, but could not see it. Boys, you know, soon learn to tell trains and locomotives by the different sounds and by the differences in their whistles. I knew that it was the express. My heart seemed to stop. Had my sister not forced me on, I might have been powerless to run. We ran as fast as possible; but what are the feet of children in a race compared with an express train, and that train behind and trying to make up lost time?

“Had we gone back we should have been safe, for we had only just started on the narrow and dangerous place when we heard the train. All that long run was ahead before we could reach a spot wide enough to let a train go safely by: and not far behind came that express. It was a cloudy day and in the early winter, so that is seemed quite dark, especially on that side of the hill. Perhaps it was the darkness, perhaps the curve, that prevented the engineer from seeing us; he did not see us; the train came on as swiftly as ever.

“O! the awful terror of that minute, for it was but a minute! Each moment we felt must be our last. We could hear the roar of the train coming nearer and near, and did not know but that it was almost upon us, yet dared not look around lest we should lose time: we dared not even speak. Tightly holding each other’s hands, we ran on. All this, you need not be told, took less time than it takes to tell it.

“Suddenly the whistle blew. The engine had seen us, but too late to stop the train. Whether or not the whistle made my sister notice, I don’t know; but just then we reached a place where a large piece had been blown out of the rock by the side of the track; it seemed as if the rock had parted and a wedge had been taken out. Before I had time to think, my sister let go of my hand and at the same moment threw her arm about me and pushed me into that cleft in the rock. Then she threw herself forward and crowded me into the opening.

“Hardly had she done this when the train rushed by and left us safe in the cleft. We were saved, saved by a single moment only. Had we gone ten yards farther the train would have caught us, and—well, I would not be here to tell about it.”

“That was a narrow escape, surely.”

“Yes; and I never think of it without a shudder. We were saved by that cleft in the rock. If ever children were thankful for anything, we were for that cleft in the rock. I often think, What if it had not been there!

“All people who are not saved are in the way of’ danger, the way of death. Destruction’s express train is coming along; it will soon overtake them. Then what? Running away will not do, for they cannot get out of the way of judgment by running. There must be some place to hide, some place where destruction’s train cannot reach them.

“Right alongside life’s track is a Cleft Rock; and in that is the place to hide. That Rock is Christ.

“I have hidden in that Rock, and am sheltered in Him. Will you, too, not take refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ, and be able to sing,

“ ‘Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Grace hath hid me safe in Thee’”?

Will you let it mean the Rock in which you are hiding, dear reader?

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress; and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in Him will I trust,” 2 Sam. 22:2, 3.

ML-04/14/1935

The Coming of the Lord

Whene’er read God’s holy Word,

Almost in every page,

I find “The coming of the Lord”

My happy thoughts engage.

I once was sad whene’er I read,

Or thought upon that day,

For then that I believed in Christ

I could not really say.

I could not say that I should share

In that bright glory then;

For sin unpardoned, well I knew,

Would surely me condemn.

But now I know the Saviour’s mine,

I wish the day to come.

For I shall be with Jesus then,

In my eternal home.

He bore my sins upon the tree

And put them all away;

‘Tis this which makes me glad whene’er

I think upon that day.

I wish that all we love were one

With us in precious faith—

Were saved above the fear and dread

Of judgment and of death—

Could grasp this promise to their hearts,

And, joy to think! a home

Above the clouds, where Jesus is,

And cry, “Come, Saviour, Come!”

ML-04/14/1935

The Nightingale

THE nightingale is a small bird which has a beautiful song in the night. God has made some birds to sing during the day, and others to sing during the night.

So also, the Lord gives His people songs in the night. This does not mean simply the literal night, but night, the time of darkness. This life is a period of darkness for the believers in the Lord Jesus, because He who is the Light of the world has been cast out.

The Lord loves us now with the same measure of love that caused Him to die in our place, and He cares for our needs each day. We have His Word and the Holy Spirit to teach us about Him, and the hope of soon being with Him makes our hearts sing.

“FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME, AND WILL NOT TARRY.” Heb. 10:37.

ML-04/21/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 43, 44

THE Word of God, spoken in faithfulness, is never without effect upon the hearer; it draws out the depths of the heart toward God, whether of the believer or the sinner—but O, how different the feelings aroused! What had been hidden (though well known to God and revealed to Jeremiah) under a fair appearance, came out fully as Azariah and Johanan and all the proud men shod their opposition to what Jeremiah told them. Poor, deluded servants, slaves indeed, of Satan! Men and women are either serving God or His—and their—enemy the devil, though it is quite coon to hear people speak of man’s “free will”—a term for which there is no Scriptural warrant.

The people left in the land of Israel were determined to leave it to go to Egypt, though they were assured that death awaited them there; the plain fact is that they did not believe God; in that respect they were no different from thousands today, though many would resent being told the truth about it.

There was over with these sons of disobedience, too, so that they were able to take with them to Egypt all of the people that were left, including Jeremiah and Baruch (verse 7). They went as far as Tahpanhes, a place which does not exist today; its site was not far from the northern end of the Suez canal.

But not all that men are able to do can keep God from speaking to His servants, telling them His purposes. The word of Jehovah could as well reach Jeremiah in Tahpanhes as in Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s first testimony to the Jews in Egypt was concerning the judgment of that land, and Nebuchadnezzar was to be the instrument of it. There could be no resistance to his power, when this Gentile to whom God had committed the government of the world should undertake the conquest of Egypt. Beth-shemesli (verse 13) means “House (or Temple) of the sun”, called by the Greeks Heliopolis; the Egyptian name was On,—the place where Joseph’s father-in-law was priest (Genesis 11:45).

Chapter 44 presents the latest view, historically, of the Israelites in Egypt, which the book of Jeremiah gives. It shows that they were committed as fully to idolatry as ever the nation had been in their own land. Migdol and Noph (Memphis) were cities in Northern Egypt; Pathros was in upper (southern) Egypt.

In verses 2 to 10 we have God’s gracious reminder to the people of what had befallen their land, and why—spoken in view of their carrying on the worship of false gods in Egypt. Had they forgotten the wickedness of their fathers, and of the kings and their wives, their own and their wives’ wickedness, committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Because there was no humbling of themselves, nor fear of God, nor walking in His law or statutes, Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, was now setting His face against them for evil, and to cut off all Judah (verses 11-14). The solemn words of Prov. 1:24-31 may be noted as expressive of the judgment here pronounced on the rebellious children of Israel. None was to return to the land of Judah (whither they had a desire to return to dwell) but such as should escape the sword, the famine and the pestilence—a very small company (verse 28).

This fresh communication from God, spoken through Jeremiah, brought no repentance on the part of the Jews in Egypt (verses 15-19). God was wholly given up, and the “queen of the heavens”—commonly thought to be the moon, worshipped as Astarte—was enthroned in their minds in His stead. The evils that had befallen them they attributed to God, their good to the “queen of the heavens”.

The Scriptures do not record the execution of the judgment pronounced on Egypt, but it is a matter of profane history that four years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar invaded that land, put the king to death and raged the country. This would apparently be the time of which Jer. 52:30 tells—the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar’s rule.

ML-04/21/1935

Jesus Is Coming Again! "Perhaps Today."

A GENTLEMAN whom I know has a strange thing hanging on his dining-room wall. It is not a picture, it is not a text, it is not a calendar. What do you think it can be?

It is a large card, with a nice frame to it. On the card these two words are printed—

“Perhaps Today.”

Why does the gentleman have those two words hung up on the wall of his dining-room? What do they mean?

I will tell you. That gentleman loves the Lord Jesus Christ and he has read in his Bible that one day He will come; again. It may be any day.

The gentleman will not be a bit afraid when Jesus comes. He knows that all his sins are washed away by His precious blood, and he longs to see the face of the Saviour who has done so much for him.

So he put the card with the two words on his dining-room wall. When he comes down to breakfast each morning he sees “Perhaps today” in front of him. He remembers that Jesus has promised to come again and that perhaps He may come before another day is passed.

We do not know when the Lord will come. Perhaps it will be today. Shall you be glad when He comes? Or are you still unsaved, and not ready to meet Him?

A dear old servant of God, now in heaven, used to say whenever he went to bed at night, “Perhaps He will come before the morning.”

In the morning, when he got up to dress, he used to say, “Perhaps He will come before the evening.”

He was looking out for the Saviour. Are you?

A little girl, said to her mother, “Mother, as I came up the lane just now, I saw the clouds moving very swiftly along the sky. So I stood still and looked up, for I thought that if the Lord Jesus were coming, how I should like to be the very first to see Him!”

Perhaps you can’t understand this at all, and it would frighten you, instead of making you happy, if you thought that the Lord would come today.

Ah! you need to know Him as your own Saviour, and to be washed from your sins in His precious blood, before you can look forward with joy to His coming again.

Will you learn a verse from the Bible about Jesus coming again? Here it is: “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.

“Jesus is coming! sing’ the glad word!

Coming for those He redeemed by his blood;

Coming to reign as the glorified Lord,

Jesus is coming again!”

ML-04/21/1935

A Hidden Treasure

MANY years ago a widow wan died in the city of Lyons in France, who possessed what she thought was a great treasure in her old age.

She was very poor and while her husband lived he was only able to earn their daily bread by working hard, and when he died, he left her childless and infirm and in great need.

She was obliged to sell nearly everything she had and move to a very small room at the top of a house to spend the rest of her days. She was not without some knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He had done for us poor sinners.

One day she was sitting quietly in her little room when her eyes rested upon a wooden beam of her whitewashed ceiling, and she noticed the outline of what might have been a square hole now covered up. She examined it more closely and thought to herself perhaps some treasure was hidden there.

She tapped the beam gently with her finger, and the boards returned a hollow sound. With beating heart she tried to remove the square door, and soon succeeded without much difficulty; but alas! instead of finding in the recess the silver and gold that she hoped for, she saw nothing but a damp, dirty, mouldy old book.

In her disappointment she was ready to put back the wooden door and leave the old book where it was. On second thought, she took it out to see if there were any valuable papers hidden between its leaves, but no, she found nothing but the book.

When she had recovered from her disappointment, she began to wonder what book it could be that had been hidden away so carefully. It surely must be of some value. So she wiped the dust off the cover and began to read, and her eyes fell upon these words:

“Therefore say I unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matt. 6:25, 26.

These words to her seemed so sweet and precious that she read on and on during the day, and far into the night, almost forgetting to eat or sleep.

She began to see that she had indeed found a treasure. Her little room no longer looked so desolate, and her daily food did not seem so dry and tasteless, for she had a book that told her about the love of God and helped her to forget her poor surroundings.

She had the book cleaned and bound, and it became to her like meat and drink both day and night, for through it she learned to know the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour, and her heart was filled with joy at the prospect of going to be with Him.

Now do you know that you may have a book on your shelf exactly like this lady’s book, for it was a Bible, and if you read it carefully, as she did, it may make you as happy as she was. O that it might be so!

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Col. 3:16.

ML-04/21/1935

Always Near

“Thou art near, O Lord” Psa. 119:151.

God is always near me,

Hearing what I say,

Knowing all my thoughts and deeds,

All my work and play.

God is always near me;

In the darkest night

He can see me just the same

As by mid-day light.

God is always near me,

Though so young and small,

Not a look or word or thought,

But God knows it all.

ML-04/21/1935

"Here's a Bite for You"

OUR picture brings before us two smiling happy faces. The little girl is pleased to be giving her brother a bite of bread; and he is pleased to get the bite, Even the dog looks contented and happy, though he gazes wistfully, as if to say he hopes his turn will come next. As we look at this pleasing picture, are we not made to feel that it is much better to seek to make others happy by little deeds of kindness, than to be selfish and seek only our own good?

We shall find true happiness in seeking to serve others and make them happy. The path which the Lord marks out for the Christian is not one of self-seeking., but one of self-denial.

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me,” Matt. 16:24.

“EVEN CHRIST PLEASED NOT HIMSELF.” Rom. 15:3.

ML-04/28/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 45, 46

THE fourth year of Jehoiakim” leads us back to verses 1 to 8 of chapter 36. It was then that God had bidden Jeremiah to put in writing all that He had told him, and the prophet had called upon Baruch, a scribe, to do the work at his dictation. The realization of the bitter cup which Judah would have to drink, with a deepening sense of the nation’s sins as viewed by a holy God, overcame Baruch with grief as he wrote down what Jeremiah told him. He could foresee the breaking up of his own home-ties and everything that a godly Israelite counted dear—a hard thing to bear, as anyone would agree, but we must remember, too, that not until the proclamation of the gospel of the grace of God, following the atoning death of Christ, was peace with God known, or the security of the believer. Baruch could hope for God’s mercy, but lacked the certainty of it; that was reserved until the death of Christ and His resurrection and exaltation as Man to the right hand of God (Acts 2). Well might he then be weary with his sighing, finding no rest.

Verse 5: “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not”, is a word as appropriate for the believer now as then. The world in which. Baruch lived was about to meet its judgment—not finally, of course, but enough to put an end to all that Judah meant as a kingdom; the world that now is, is 2500 years near the last and utterly unsparing judgment, which cannot now be far off. Ere the thunders of divine wrath begin to sound, all that are Christ’s will be gathered in the ‘Father’s house above, with their Lord; and His word, which we believe is just now speaking afresh to the hearts of His own, is, “Surely I come quickly!” May it be ours to look for Him with increasing desire, while faithfully performing our daily tasks.

Chapter 46 is the first of a series of prophecies of judgment to come on 1ridab’s neighbors. In turn they pass before the vision of God: Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Elam, Babylon.

Since God’s earthly people must feel His righteous indignation, those who looked on could not expect to escape the chastisement they richly deserved. He deals with those who hear His name first, because of that very fact of relationship, real or only professed, but it is a principle plainly revealed in the Word of God that His judgments, once begun, shall go on until the world is judged. We have this shown in Isaiah, and here in Jeremiah; notably is it seen in the Revelation, chapters 2 and 3 dealing with the professors of Christ’s name, and the remainder of the book with the world. Other examples might be cited, but we only mention the word in 1 Peter 4:17, 18.

The judgments pronounced on Egypt begin with the battle at the head of navigation on the Euphrates, Carchemish, occurring when Nebuchadnezzar had led his father’s army there, and southward to besiege Jerusalem. This battle is not mentioned in the historical books of the Old Testament, as it did not directly concern God’s earthly people, but the occasion is referred to in 2 Kings 21:1; 2 Chron. 36:6, 7 and Dan. 1:1, 2.

“Brigandines”, verse 4, were coats of mail. In verse 9, the peoples mentioned were all Africans, joined with Egypt in a vain effort to crush the young and aggressive kingdom of Babylonia.

Verse 10: They did not know it, but God had ordered this conflict for the punishment of Egypt because of idolatry and oppression.

Verses 13 to 26 have to do with the further humiliation of Egypt which followed the migration of all that were left of Judah to that land, as we have seen in chapter 43. In verse 23, locusts are meant rather than grasshoppers, and in verse 25, “the Multitude of No” as the marginal note tells, is properly “Amon of No,”—an Egyptian idol at No (Thebes).

Verses 27 and 28 speak a precious, assuring word to Jacob and Israel— two names of the 12 tribes, “Jacob” being the reminder of their character by nature, and “Israel” of what they shall be when purified by God’s correction of them with judgment. The last lines are better translated “but I will not make a full end of thee, but I will correct thee with judgment, and I will not hold thee altogether guiltless.”

ML-04/28/1935

The Name Above Every Name

JESUS! life giving sound,

The joy of earth and heaven;

No other help is found,

No other name is given,

In which the sons of men can boast,

But His who seeks and saves the lost.

His name the sinner hears,

And is from guilt set free;

‘Tis music in His ears,

‘Tis life and victory;

His heart o’erflows with sacred joy,

And songs of praise his lips employ.

Jesus, all praise above,

We sing Thy blessed Name,

We sing Thy dying love,

Thy rising power proclaim;

But soon to give Thee worthy praise,

Both heaven and earth their songs shall raise.

ML-04/28/1935

The Lost Dinner

IN the town of N.— there was a man who went by the name of “Patient Joe.” He was called that name because if trial came to him, he would say, “It’s all for the best. Those who love God shall find that all things work tether for good.”

If things went well with him, Joe would thank and praise God; if things went ill with him, he would praise God still, and say, “God knows best what is for my good. We must not judge of things by this life alone. There’s a life to come after this, and things that may riot seem good for us here, may be good for us there.”

In the coal pit where Joe worked, some of the men would jeer and laugh at him when he said, “It’s all for the best.” There was a man by the name of Tim, who would miss no chance to laugh at Joe.

One day, as Tim and Joe were getting ready to go down in the deep pit, Joe, who had brought his dinner with him, laid it on the ground for a moment. Before he could take it up a hungry dog seized it and ran off with it.

“Ha! ha!” cried Tim, “that’s all for the best, is it, man? Now, stick to your creed, and say, yes.”

“Well, I do say, yes,” said Joe; “but as I must eat, it is my duty to try and get back my dinner. If I get it back it will be all for the best; and if I don’t get it back it will be all for the best just the same. God is so great that He can overrule the smallest things as well as the largest.”

So Joe ran after the dog, and Tim, with a loud laugh and an oath, went down into the coal pit. Joe ran a long way, but could not catch the dog. At last Joe gave up the chase and came back to the mine, thinking to himself that the men would all have a good laugh at him. But he found them all pale with alarm and awe.

“What a narrow escape you have had, Joe,” said one of them. “The pit has caved in, and poor Tim is killed. If that dog had not run off with your dinner, you would have gone down with Tim into the pit and been killed too.”

Joe took off his hat, while his breast heaved and his cheeks grew pale, and the tears came into his eyes, he looked up to heaven, but said not a word. The God whom he loved and trusted, had given another proof of His Fatherly care and love for him.

“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Psa. 2:12.

“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called of God according to His purpose,” Rom. 8:28

ML-04/28/1935

Hero's Rescue

ONE afternoon as we were coming from school, many years ago, we saw a boy sitting on the river bank with a little dog on his knee. As we came up to where the boy sat, we noticed that he had a string round the dog’s neck, and at the other end a big stone tied with the cord. The little fellow was crying bitterly, and every now and again, he gave the little dog a hug to his bosom. Several of the school-boys stood, but no one liked to ask what was the matter with the weeping boy. At last a gentleman came walking along the river bank, and when he came opposite to where the boy sat with the dog, he stood, and in a kind, sympathizing tone, inquired, “What are you going to do with the dog, my boy?” Bursting afresh into tears, the boy said, “My master sent me to drown it, sir, but I never drowned a dog in my life, or killed any of God’s creatures, and I cannot do it,”

“Why does he want the dog drowned?” asked the gentleman.

“I think it’s because he has no need for it, and nobody would buy it, sir,” replied the boy, half hoping that the gentleman would in some way, relieve him of the unwelcome job he had.

“Come along with me to your master, and we’ll hear what he says. I am in want of a dog, and if he will sell him to me, I will save you the unpleasant work of drowning him,” said the gentleman.

The boy wiped his tears away, cut the big stone from the cord, and in a minute was on the way to his master’s house; the gentleman walking by his side, and we all following to see the end. The boy’s master was very glad to sell the dog, the money was paid, and Hero—for that was the name his new owner gave him—was rescued from death, and passed over to the new master, who had redeemed him.

He grew up to be a fine useful animal, and for many years was the faithful watch-dog of his master’s property.

Oft as I think of this simple incident of early days, the picture rises before rue of a greater deliverance, and a redemption at higher cost. We were condemned to die the sinner’s death, and from that just and well-deserved doom, we could not deliver ourselves. But there is One who could. His name is Jesus. He saw our ruin: He knew we had “nothing to pay.” Then it was, that He himself paid our ransom price, and the price was “His own blood.” All who have believed on Him have been set free, to enter His service and to own His claims as Lord and Master. Surely we ought to serve the One faithfully who bought us at such a price.

Dear boys and girls, are you among the rescued, or are you still under condemnation?

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:1.

ML-04/28/1935

He Cares for Me

Poor and needy, though I be,

God, my Father, cares for me;

Gives me clothing, shelter, food,

Gives me all I have for good.

He will hear me when I pray,

He is with me night and day;

When I sleep and when I wake,

For the Lord, my Saviour’s sake.

ML-04/28/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 47, 48

THE Philistines, perpetual enemies of Israel, are next singled out for an announcement of overwhelming disaster. Chapter 47 is a fresh example of the divinely chosen order in the book of Jeremiah, for what is here recorded bongs, in time of utterance, to a period early in the prophet’s service for God. It is given thus late in the book that all the judgments may be stated in a single group, beginning with Judah, and in turn including each of her neighbors and finally Babylon itself, the first Gentile empire to which all the others were subjected.

Pharaoh was to strike Gaza (during the campaign which took the Egyptian army to Carchemish on the Euphrates — 2 Chronicles 35:20), but a far worse affliction would follow, coming from the north; this was the conquering host of Babylon headed by Nebuchadnezzar. The figure of an irresistible flood of water is used to portray that invasion which would result in the ruin of Philistia and largely the Mediterranean coast, for Tyre, and Sidon in the north, far outside of the region occupied by the Philistines, were to be cut off from every helper that remained. In this destruction of the Philistines, Nebuchadnezzar would only be a weapon in the hands of God, as the latter part of chapter 47 shows.

Caphtor, the land from which the Philistines came, is believed to have been a part of Egypt (see Genesis 10:13, 14). Gaza and Ashkelon were two of the five principal cities of the Philistines. Isaiah 14:29-32, Ezekiel 25:15-17, Amos 1:6-8, Zechariah 2:4-7, and Zechariah 9:5-7 are other prophecies dealing with the Philistines; all of them have not yet been fully accomplished, although the Philistines as a people have disappeared. They will reappear in the last days when Israel again becomes the center of God’s dealings with the earth.

Chapter 48 is occupied with the crushing blow to fall upon Moab through the king of Babylon. Jeremiah, in the beginning of Jehoiakim’s reign, twenty-one or twenty-two years before Jerusalem’s destruction, had sent to the kings of Moab, Edom, the Ammonites, Tyre and Sidon, a message from God calling upon them to submit to Nebuchadnezzar. Those nations that would not serve him were to be severely punished (Jeremiah 27:1-11). It is plain that the message was ignored by all of them; need we wonder at it, when Judah’s last king also treated with contempt every word that Jeremiah brought him from God? In these chapters, we are reading of what befell those who refused God’s mercy.

No less than 27 places are named in this chapter (48), and among them are several north of the river Amon which had separated Moab from the tribe of Reuben. When the Reubenites were smitten by Hazael, king of Syria (2 Kings 10:32, 33), and later by Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria (1 Chronicles 5:26), the Moabites must have repossessed their land, which had been Moab’s until shortly bore the children of Israel crossed the wilderness from Egypt on their way to Canaan.

“Madmen” (verse 2) is not a term of reproach here, but the name of one of the many small towns in Moab. Chemosh (verse 7) was the principal god of the Moabites and Ammonites. In verse 12 read, “pourers that shall pour him off”, instead of “wanderers that shall cause him to wander”; the reference is to verse 11. The house of Israel’s being ashamed of Bethel relates to Jeroboam’s placing there one of his golden calves, and an idolatrous altar (1 Kings 12:28-33; see also Genesis 35:1, 7).

Verse 34: “An heifer of three years old” is believed to lie the name of a town, Eglath-shelishijan, rather than a reference to an animal.

The land of Moab was to become a desolation, and this, travelers tell us, is its present condition. (Other Scriptures telling of God’s dealings with Moab are Psalm 83, Isaiah 11:14, Isaiah 15 and 16, Isaiah 25:10-12; Zephaniah 2:8-11, Daniel 11:41, Amos 2:1). As said of the Philistines, all the prophecies concerning Moab are not fulfilled; they await the day to come when the Jews shall be undergoing the fearful experiences of the time of Jacob’s trouble in their land, from which deliverance will come by the Lord’s appearing. Jeremiah, however, except in verse 47, deals only with the time then imminent, when Nebuchadnezzar was to be the instrument of God for Moab’s punishment.

ML-05/05/1935

Work Interrupted

SEE the playful pussy. The happy young woman has been busy spinning, and now for a few minutes she is playing with the kitten while resting.

How good our God is to give us work to do and time to rest, with many pleasant things to enjoy. May we ever receive gratefully all things from the hand of “the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim. 6:17.

The best gift of all is the Lord Jesus, who laid down His life for sinners, to save all who trust in Him, and to take such to be with Him in glory.

“TO YOU IS THE WORD OF THIS SALVATION SENT.” Acts 13:26.

ML-05/05/1935

Little Annie's Prayer

LITTLE ANNIE wept bitterly when she understood that she was a sinner, and therefore not fit to dwell with God in heaven. Her Sunday-school teacher tried to comfort her by saying that Jesus could wash away her sins in His blood, making her whiter than snow.

Annie covered her face with her hands, and was heard to utter these words “Lord Jesus, I am a poor little sinner; please save me from hell, and wash me clean in Thine own blood. Amen.”

Soon her tears ceased to fall, and looking up with a bright face, she said, “Jesus has heard me. He has washed away my sins in His most precious blood. I am made fit for heaven.”

So little Annie believed in Jesus the Lord as her Saviour, and became very happy. Have you, dear child, come to Jesus? If you believe in Him He will make you very glad. He will give you to know the pardon of all your sins and make you quite ready for heaven.

Jesus calls to little children,

And His words are words of love;

“Come to Me, receive My blessing,

Come to Me, and live above.”

“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psa. 51:7.

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved.” Isa. 45:22.

ML-05/05/1935

"Christ Died for Our Sins"

“Behold the Lamb of God,”

Nailed to a cross of wood,

In pain and agony and death

While many mocking stood.

Dear children, do you ask,

Why thus He bled and died?

Why was the spotless Son of God

In shame thus crucified?

It was from love to us,

Our sins were on Him laid:

The holy, harmless, undefiled,

Our sacrifice was made.

The sin and shame were ours,

But God’s beloved Son

Bore all the punishment instead,

For guilt thus to atone.

ML-05/05/1935

Watering the Garden

WE nearly all like to dig in the garden in the spring and to watch the plants grow. Some of our readers have gardens of their own, which they have to water and keep free from weeds. And how much work it takes.

The constant care that is needed for a garden makes us think of the constant care that God gives His people. The many many believers in the Lord Jesus may he likened to the plants in the garden, Just as the garden needs much hoeing, weeding and working, so Christians need stirring up, and God’s Spirit working in them to make them think more about Him.

In what way does God water His dear plants? It is by blessing those who, out of love for Him, speak a word to lost souls. The Lord refreshes His dear ones, too, by the lovely verses in His Word, How sweet it is to open our Bibles and find just a verse from Himself to us—just as though He were speaking to us with His own lips.

“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.

ML-05/12/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 49

THE Holy Spirit now turns to the children of Ammon, and the judgment of God upon them which was executed by Nebuchadnezzar not long after the first Gentile empire began. Verse 1 inquires, in substance, Why are the Ammonites in possession of that part of Israel’s land which was the home of the tribe of Gad? Now it was because of idolatry and related evils that the Reubenites, Gadites, and that part of Manasseh who shared with Reuben and Gad so much of the land of Israel as lay east of the Jordan, were carried away to captivity by the Assyrians; but the passage before us is not occupied with Israel’s sins, but with the Ammonites’ seizure of the territory of Gad, Israel’s land.

As with Egypt, the Philistines and Moab„ other Scriptures may be referred to for further light as to the occasion for the judgments pronounced. Jeremiah 27: 1-11, Ezekiel 25:1-7, Amos 1:13-15, Jeremiah 9:26, Ezekiel 21:18-32, and Zephaniah 2:8, 9 are principally concerned with the visitation of God through Nebuchadnezzar; Ammon is to be restored for the final scenes of judgment when the Lord comes to set up His kingdom on earth.

The land of the children of Ammon was north and east of the land of Moab, and separated from the Jordan valley by the possessions of the tribe of Gad. Rabbah was almost their only town, the Ammonites being of a roving disposition as are the Bedouins of the present day. Their country, like that of the Moabites, is a desolation according to Zephaniah 2:9; Rabbah’s site is occupied by a few Arabs, being the capital of Transjordania with the present name of Amman.

Verses 7 to 22 are concerned with Edom, the people of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, whose land was south and southeast of Canaan. Severe as was the treatment promised to Moab and Ammon, the portion allotted to Edom exceeds in severity, though here, as with the others, we have the chastisement inflicted by Nebuchadnezzar, with little reference to the time yet to be.

Teman (verses? and 20) and Dedan (verse 8) seem to have been districts, rather than towns, in Edom. Bozrah (verses 13 and 22) was the royal city of the country. True wisdom (verse 7) is to give heed to the Word of God, and in that day to His warning that they must submit to Nebuchadnezzar. See Jeremiah 27:1-11 and chapter 25:15-38, which promised the judgments of which the present chapters give assurance. There was, however, complete disregard of God’s Word, and in due time the day of recompense dawned.

How like our own times was this rejection of God speaking in mercy to His creature, man! For many centuries the gospel has been proclaimed to sinners far and near, but men and women treat it with contempt. Eternal judgment, however draws near.

Edom’s desolation was to be complete, not like grape gatherers who leave a gleaning, or thieves who destroy only till they have enough; Edom would be reduced to orphans and widows (verses 8-11). Verse 12 seems to refer to chapter 25:15, 27, 28, 29; the Edomites decided that they would not drink of that cup, but what God has determined, the proud will of man cannot avert (verse 13).

Verses 14, 15: The judgment executed by the king of Babylon on Edom was concurred in, and apparently joined in, by other nations, for God had ordered that the aggressive Edomite kingdom should be despised among men. In this we may see a foreshadowing of the last days, when Edom will be destroyed forever.

Verse 16 mentioned the rock-dwellings of the land of Esau; they were quite secure against men, but would not be against the power of God which was behind Nebuchadnezzar’s army. Verse 19 is better understood if make him run away from her” is read as “make them (the Edomites) run away from it” (their strong habitation). This is the true reading. Edom occupies a prominent place in the prophetic Scriptures, but principally in connection with future judgments. Amos 1:11 and the short, prophecy of Obadiah refer to what is now past, but also look on to the future day.

Next in the series of judgments are the cities of the north: Damascus, beyond the northern limit of Dan, and Hamath and Arpad far northward. Nebuchadnezzar’s forces would strike them before entering the land of Israel. Ben-Hadad (verse 27) was a title of the kings of Syria. Kedar was northern Arabia, and Razor, whose location has not been fixed, was apparently also to the north and east of Palestine.

Elam (verses 85-39) was an ancient monarchy bordering Persia on the west and Babylonia (Chaldea) on the north; it became part of the Babylonian empire; in later times it was identified with Persia.

With the exception of Babylon, which occupies the next two chapters, we have seen the testimony of the Holy Spirit touching the state of the world of that day in relation to His people Israel, and as to that people also. Judah and Israel had fallen under the judgment of God; the others would not escape.

There is a parallel in our day, and what is soon to be: the Church of God has darted from the Word of God, and Christendom will be judged; but when that day comes, the whole world will meet the unsparing dealing of God. The Word of God shows the prospect, provides the way of escape, but the world, as such, will have none of it; it remains for those whose consciences are awakened, to believe God and own Christ, as their personal Saviour and Lord.

ML-05/12/1935

Little Joe

When I was a little child my mother told me that God knew everything that I did, and that He loved me. Thinking that if I could only see Him, I might love Him and learn to please Him, I used to sit alone on the window seat for a long time many an evening, trying so hard to see God’s face.

I was always disappointed; and I used to go down where the other children were playing, rubbing my eyes hard so that no one would ask me why I had been crying.

Because of this I felt especially drawn to a poor idiot whom a kind minister tried to teach about God, and how His blessed Son Jesus Christ came to die instead of us.

Joe liked to come to Sunday school with the other children; he could not learn lessons or read, but he liked to hear them sing hymns.

One Sunday Joe was seen with his fingers made into the shape of eye-glasses, staring through them very hard all over the room and up at the ceiling.

“Joe, my boy! what are you looking for?” he was asked kindly.

“I doesn’t see Him! I doesn’t see Him nowheres!” Joe murmured to himself.

“Who are you looking for, Joe?”

“Him, as you said—God! 1 doesn’t see Him nowheres,”

The minister had told him that God was everywhere, and it was very hard to make him understand that he couldn’t see God, but God could see him. At length he did become satisfied to know that it was enough for God to see him until Jesus should take him up beyond the blue sky; for he was enabled to believe on Jesus and to love Him.

Now, dear young friends, there will be a time when we shall all see the Lord Jesus, for we shall all stand before His judgment seat. We, must decide now whether we shall see Him then as our Saviour and Friend, or as our judge.

If we wish to see Jesus as our Friend then, we must see Him as our Saviour now. Our faith must see Him hanging on the cross for our sins, and then our sins will be forgiven, and we will he saved, because Jesus died instead of us.

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Rom. 10:17.

“Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29.

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

ML-05/12/1935

Let the Children Come Unto Me

How blessed to “read that sweet story of old

When Jesus was here among men,

When He called little children as lambs to His fold,”

How precious to hear His voice then!

The children would flock to His tender embrace,

And blessing was poured on their head;

The sick were made whole, the sorrowers soothed,

And others He raised from the dead.

Wherever He trod lie made sorrow to flee,

He healed both the lame and the blind,

And then little children He took in His arms-

None, surely, was ever so kind!

Yes, Jesus shed blessing wherever He trod,

And called all the weary to rest,

And all who came to Him He never cast out,

But made them so happy and blest.

He had come in compassion the lost ones to seek,

When He saw them all ruined by sin,

For He knew it was only His own precious blood

That could make the poor guilty ones clean.

He came to redeem us, and had He not died

Our sins could be ne’er washed away;

All finished His work, He arose from the dead,

But not in this world could He stay—

God set Him in glory, and Jesus we see

Made higher than heavens above,

And there we can tell Him our sins and our cares,

And bring every want to His love.

For Christ is the same as He ever was here,

When He healed both the lame and the blind,

As gracious and tender, though glorious on high,

As loving, as gentle and kind.

O! have you believed in His most precious blood

Which was shed upon Calvary’s tree?

When, instead of the shiner, Christ suffered for sin—

God sent Him our Saviour to be.

Now Jesus the Saviour is coming again

To fetch all His loved ones away,

And take them to dwell in His own home above,

That with Him they ever may stay!

But what of the children who keep far away,

And Jesus refuse, and His Word?

How awful to find in that soon coming day,

They are all left behind by the Lord!

For none enter heaven defiled by sin,

And mercy’s day then will be past—

O, hasten to Jesus while yet there is room,

Lest you find yourself shut out at last!

Yes—shut out from Jesus, from heaven, and from God,

Hell only your portion to be;

But now Christ is calling in accents of love,

“Let the little ones come unto Me.”

O! join then His lambs who are waiting for Him

When He in the air shall descend;

Let us welcome our Saviour, our Lord and our God,

Whose love never, never will end!

ML-05/12/1935

The Young Artist

LITTLE EDWARD has started in quite young to try to represent on paper the various things he sees around him. It is quite interesting to his sisters and older brother, and they watch him to see what kind of work he will make of it.

We are all representing something, or someone, in our lives down here, so we are either good or poor artists, To Christians God’s Word says, “Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children,” Ephesians 5:1.

You must be one of His children to be a follower, or imitator. You know whether you are His or not, whether He has washed away your sins in His blood and made you His child. If you are a Christian may you seek to be good imitators of the Lord Jesus, for He was the perfect One in everything, and was the full revelation of God to us. True happiness is to be found in this path alone.

Some of the things to imitate in the Lord Jesus are His lowliness and meekness. His gentleness and love, His perfect obedience to His Father, and His delight to do His Father’s will.

“A little while”—He’ll come again;

Let us the precious hours redeem

Our only grief to give Him pain,

Our joy to serve and follow Him.

Watching and ready may we be

As those who wait their Lord to see.

“LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF FAITH.” Heb. 12:2

ML-05/19/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 50

CHAPTERS 50 and 51 pronounce judgment upon the Gentile empire which God had permitted to rise to pre-emince when the house of Israel had sinned so deeply, and without repentance, that He could not continue to own them as His people. Chapter 25:12-14, in the call for subjection to Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, had briefly promised the fall of his empire when seventy years should have passed over the captive Jews in Babylon, and the last two verses of Daniel 5 tell of the slaughter of Belshazzar, the young Babylonian ruler, with the government passing to Darius the Mede, who served under Cyrus, the conquering Persian, with the title of king of Babylon. (See 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1; Isaiah 44: 28, 45:1-4, Daniel 9:1, 2).

Babylonia as a kingdom, and presently under Nebuchadnezzar as an empire, was a revival of the very ancient Chaldean monarchy which had been destroyed by the Assyrians when they rose to power. When Assyria fell, the Chaldeans or Babylonians (the same people) took a large part of her territory; thus the names of “Chaldea” and “the Chaldeans” are found frequently in the references to the Babylonish empire or kingdom and people, in the books of Jeremiah and Daniel.

When Babylon fell, the Babylonian religion passed into eclipse, for the conquering Persians and Medes despised the idols of Babylon, among the chief of which were Bel and Merodach (verse 2 in our chapter).

Verse 3: The nation to rise out of the north was Media, northern neighbor of Babylonia proper (the ancient Chaldea). Media and Persia had practically the same language and the same religion; and Persia, formerly subject to Media, had, under Cyrus, acquired supremacy over Media and other lands a few years before the Babylonian empire came to an end.

Babylon’s site is now, as verses, 3, 13 and 39 and other passages (Isaiah 13, Jeremiah 25) foretold, a waste, uninhabited and uninhabitable marshy land. The judgment of God was, however, concerned not alone with the putting down of Babylon, but also with the return to Canaan of His erring and now, to some extent at least, repentant people (verses 4-8, 17, 19, 20, 33, 34). Some of the children of Israel—part of “the lost ten tribes” as they are called—returned with the children of Judah when Cyrus opened the way for the Jews to go back to Jerusalem. Thus we find a member of the tribe of Asher in Jerusalem when the infant Jesus was brought there according to the custom of the Jewish law (Luke 2:36).

God had committed power to Nebuchadnezzar (chapter 27:5, 6) but that power had been misused; the Babylonians had treated the Jews cruelly (see verse 17) and defended their severity on the ground that the captives had sinned against Jehovah (verse 7). They did not know that God was taking notice of every act of cruelty done to His people, and would visit the Gentile empire for it.

Nor was this the only cause for the destruction of Babylon: the captors of the Jews delighted in the ruin of God’s heritage (verse 11); they had rebelled against Him (verse 21, for “Merathaim” read “the land of double rebellion” or “of apostasy”) as verse 24 also shows, and verse 29 which speaks of their acting proudly against Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel.

In verses 31 and 32 Babylon is called “pride”, as the marginal note indicates; verse 33 acids to the charges against the Gentile power, that they refused to let the children of Israel and of Judah go, and verse 38 that they were “mad after frightful idols” (N. Tr.). We may also turn to Isaiah 47:6-10 for other grounds for the cutting off, after so brief a history, of the Babylonian empire.

Verse 12: “Your mother” is evidently a reference to ancient Chaldea (see Isaiah 17:1, 6), in a figurative sense put to shame by the excesses of Babylon. The true sense of the latter part of the verse is “she is become hindmost (or the last) of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land and a desert.”

In verse 17 Israel is a hunted sheep, and in the end of verse 20 pardon is for those whom God will “leave remaining”—a remnant of the nation. “Pekod” in verse 21, is not the name of a town or district, but the Hebrew word for “visitation”, referring to the judgment of Babylon.

ML-05/19/1935

The Rainy Day

As the time drew near for the children to be let out of school, the rain began to come down so fast that the roads were soon covered with water; so the mammas and older sisters went as fast as they could to the little country school house with umbrellas and extra coverings for the children.

What thoughtfulness and kindness, for those mammas and sisters to go through the rain so as to shelter the others. Some had better shelter than others, because of the difference of the circumstances at home, but the mammas did the best they could.

What a lesson we may gather from this of the thoughtfulness and love of God. He looked down on men on this earth and saw their state of ruin, and the awful judgment that must follow, because He is holy and righteous.

But, as God is love as well, He sent His Son, who was willing to come to die in our place, to be forsaken of God with all the load of our sins upon Him, so that we might be protected from that awful storm of judgment which we deserved for our sins.

If love is seen in protecting the children from the rain, and going through it in order to get to them, how much greater is the love of God and His Son, when He braved the storm for us by entering into the distance that sin had put us from God.

O, dear reader, have you responded to such love as that? Have you thanked Him and gladly confessed Him to others as your Lord and Saviour? If you have not, may you do so now, and be proud of Him, seeing He has loved you so much.

ML-05/19/1935

"Sing Us a Song"

BANK-NOTE Reporter’, sir! Three more banks down,” said a bright little fellow of about ten years, as he entered a counting-room in Broad street, N. one morning with a bundle of papers under his arm. Two men were seated there in comfortable chairs engaged in conversation.

“‘Bank-Note Reporter,’ sir?” said the boy inquiringly.

“No,” said one of the men, “we don’t want any; but stop,” added he; “if you will sing us a song we will buy one of your ‘Reporters’.”

The boy readily agreed to the terms, and the men, with an air-which showed they were expecting some sport, placed the little fellow on a high stool, which was standing near, and bade him proceed to sing. They then waited, evidently expecting to hear some comical song, when to their astonishment, he commenced to sing that beautiful hymn,

“I think when I read that sweet story of old,

When Jesus was here among men,

How He called little children as lambs to His fold,

I should like to have been with Him then.”

The effect of this sweet hymn was soon noticed upon the hearers, for before he had finished four verses they were both in tears. After he had finished, one of the men inquired,

“Where did you learn that hymn?” “At Sunday school,” replied the boy.

The men bought the “Reporter,” and presented him with a sum of money bides, after which he was allowed to go on his way, but not until they had called him back to obtain his address.

A Sunday school teacher happened to be present, and witnessed the whole interview, and his heart rejoiced as he discovered the bright-eyed little boy was a scholar in his own Sunday school.

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

Let us hope the confession of the Lord Jesus in song by this dear newsboy may never be forgotten by these men, and that before this, God has blessed this simple testimony.

If some one were to ask you to sing a song, of whom would you sing? Can you say like the Psalmist, “Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day”? Psalm 06:2, Or would you be ashamed to speak that sweet name in the hearing of your unsaved friends?

All who know the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour, have reason to be proud of that name— “Jesus”—for who has loved us as He has loved us? He gave His life for us: He could not have done more Should we then be ashamed of such a Friend?

“Little children, praise the Saviour;

He regards you from above:

Praise Him for His great salvation,

Praise Him for His gracious love!

Sweet hosannas to the name of Jesus sing.

When the anxious mothers round Him,

With their tender infants pressed,

He with open arms received them,

And the little ones He blessed.

Sweet hosannas to the name of Jesus sing.

Little children, praise the Saviour,

Praise Him, your undying Friend;

Praise Him, till above you meet Him;

There to praise Him without end.

Sweet hosannas to the name of Jesus sing.”

ML-05/19/1935

"That Means Me"

A CITY MISSIONARY placed a quarter under a book while speaking to a large audience of children, and said, “Whosoever believeth let him come and take it.”

He waited; they were all “whosoevers,” but only one was “whosoever believeth”; a little ragged chap who went up, took it and said, “Thank you, sir.”

“What is your name?” asked the missionary.

“Cecil Smithers.”

“I did not say Cecil Smithers could have the quarter.”

“No, sir,” said the half-frightened little boy, “but you did say ‘whosoever,’ and that means me,”

Many there are who rejoice in the width of meaning which “whosoever” bears. It makes no conditions. It throws the door open to anyone who wishes to enter.

“Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins,” Acts 10:43.

ML-05/19/1935

Vegetation in Africa

IF it were not for botanical gardens many of us could never see beautiful palms like these. As we look at such a picture or at the many things which God has made we may well exclaim,

“Marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psa. 139:14.

Can you think of something more precious to God than the myriads of minerals, plants and animals He sees as He looks upon the earth He made?

Yes, it is something pertaining to man—yet not to all mankind. It is the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and had their sins washed away in His blood. The Lord Jesus is the dearest object of all heaven or earth to the Father’s heart; and those people who trust in Jesus are the only ones who can please Him. Those whose souls are not made clean by the blood of His Son are worse than the weed patches we sometimes see instead of beautiful gardens.

May each of you dear readers know Jesus as your Saviour and Lord and praise God not only for His wonders in creation, but for the redemption we have in Christ Jesus.

“CHRIST ALSO HATH ONCE SUFFERED FOR SINS, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, THAT HE MIGHT BRING US TO GOD.” 1 Pet. 3:18.

ML-05/26/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 51

THIS chapter completes the pronouncement of destruction upon the first Gentile empire, and brings us to the close of Jeremiah’s prophecies, for chapter 52 is the writing of another and unnamed pen of inspiration.

The reader will notice a certain similarity of expression in the language of Relation 17 and 18 with what is said in Jeremiah 50 and 51. The New Testament Babylon is not the Asiatic city or country of the times of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, but a politico-religious development having its center in Rome, which, though existent almost from apostolic clays, has not yet the character it will possess after the true Church has been removed from the earth.

What distinguishes and identifies both the literal. (Old Testament) and figurative (New Testament) Babylons is the assumption of supremacy in civil government by the highest religious profession (false before God, Satan himself being the fountain-head of it) which enslaves and corrupts those who come under its influence. Along with this there is the cruelest persecution of the true people of God. The end of both Babylons is no gradual process but a work of complete destruction, carried out with astonishing swiftness by men who, unconsciously to themselves, are directed and empowered by God to do it.

Verse 4: The destruction of Old Testament Babylon —the empire of Nebuchadnezzar—occurred in and near the city of that name, the empire’s capital; not a blow seems to have been struck by the Persians and Medes outside of Chaldea. All of Babylon’s outlying dominions owned the sovereignty of Cyrus, the head of the second Gentile empire, as soon as the capture of Babylon and its king’s execution became known.

Verse 5: The literal translation of the original Hebrew is very expressive: “For Israel is not in widowhood, nor Judah of his God,” etc.

The “land” referred to here is Chaldea.; “for their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.” Verse 9 is also significant as telling the inward feeling of the Persian conquerors of Babylon: “We have treated (or would have healed) Babylon, but she is not healed; forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country,” etc. Not at once, but ere long, Babylon was left without inhabitant. Verse 10 shows the association of the Jews with what Cyrus accomplished and their desire to return to Zion to exalt their God.

Verse 12: Had the people of Babylon been watchful, the forces of Cyrus could not have gained entrance within the walls, but they were given over to feasting; Daniel 5 portrays the scene in the king’s palace while the Medes and Persians were digging a new channel to divert the river which passed through the city, and so made themselves a way of entry over the dry river bed.

Verse 13: Dwelling “upon many waters” is significant of prosperity; much commerce. “Covetousness” seems hardly strong enough to express the thought in English; it is rather “rapacity”—seizing by force, extortionate. In verse 16 read “lightnings for the rain”, and in verse 17, “Every man is become brutish so as to have no knowledge; every founder is put to shame by the graven image.” In verse 18 “errors” hardly conveys the sense of the Hebrew; it is rather “delusion”, or “mockery”.

Verses 15 and 16 bring our minds back from thoughts of man and his doings to consider Him by whose word the whole creation exists and Who continues His control of all things; as in Job’s day (chapter 12:9-25; 38:1-38) so it was in Isaiah’s (chapter 10:12-31) and Jeremiah’s, and is not less in these last days in which we live (Hebrews 1:1-4) while the gospel is being announced.

Verses 20 to 23 await the full recovery of Israel. Verse 24 does not link Israel with the judgment of Babylon of which Jeremiah treats; for that work Cyrus was used, because Israel was not in a fit state to be used of God.

Verse 27: Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz belong to Armenia, 500 miles northwest of the city of Babylon; they were the most northerly of Cyrus’ dominions.

Verse 31: “At one end” is really “from end to end.” Verse 30, “her sea” is the Euphrates, the Hebrew word being applicable to a large river, a lake or the sea.

Verse 41: Sheshach, as remarked in connection with chapter 25, is a name applied to Babylon. Verse 51 is the answer of the remnant of the Jews to the call in verse 50; in affliction of soul they returned to the ruins of Jerusalem (See Ezra).

Verses 59 to 61 relate to a time 7 years before the desolation of Jerusalem, and before Ezekiel’s prophecies began, when Zedekiah made a journey to Babylon—probably at the order of Nebuchadnezzar. Seraiah’s characterization as a “quiet prince” is a defective translation; see the margin which reads “prince of Menucha, or chief chamberlain.” In verse 61 The latter part is rightly “see that thou read all these words.”

ML-05/26/1935

"This Man Receiveth Sinners"

IT is interesting to notice four classes of people who are mentioned in the gospel by Luke as receiving blessing. The first is a leper (chap. 17); the second a beggar (chap. 18); the third a publican (chap. 19), and the fourth a thief (chap. 23).

Could you be worse than these? It is such God receives at His Supper—lepers, beggars, publicans and thieves. They all found that God was ready to receive them just as they were They did not wait to become better people before they came; indeed, it was too late for the thief to talk of mending when he was being slowly put to death for his misdeeds.

You will notice four things about the thief. The first is, he feared God, saying to his fellow, “Dost not thou fear God?”

The second is, he condemned himself, for he said, “We indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss.”

The third thing was, he trusted in Jesus, saying, “Lord, remember me.”

Lastly, he was associated with Jesus where He was, for Jesus said, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.”

All this is true of every one who really believes on Jesus with the heart. Will not you, like the thief, in the fear of God, condemn yourself and look alone to Jesus?

“ ‘Lord,’ he prayed, ‘remember me

When in glory Thou shalt be.’

‘Soon with Me,’ the Lord replies,

‘Thou shalt rest in paradise.’

“This was wondrous grace indeed,

Grace vouchsafed in time of need.

When they trust in Jesus’ name,

Sinners find Him still the same.”

ML-05/26/1935

"Soul, This Night"

ELLEN was a very lively little girl, and a favorite in our Sunday-school. She was full of fun; rather too much so, her teacher sometimes said.

But he was one of those patient, persevering Sunday-school teachers, who had taken for his motto, “My class for Jesus,” He toiled on, Sunday after Sunday, month after month, and many of his scholars were brought to know that they were sinners, and to believe that Jesus was their great Saviour.

But Ellen was not converted. She was regular, and said her text perfectly, but she was without Christ. She would often come, and give us to understand that she was not going to pay any real attention to what was said. Often, at the close of the meeting, I heard her teacher pray that Ellen and others like her might have no rest until they had given their hearts to Jesus.

Well, Ellen had taken her Sunday-school library book home as usual, and intended having a good read, as she called it. While she was reading her book, she came to a text of the Word of God: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Luke 12:20.

Ellen put the book away, and began to occupy herself with other things. But it was of no use; the words, “Soul, this night,” kept ringing in her ears, until at last she went to her own room in secret. There the reality of heaven and hell filled her young heart. What could she do? How happy for her to have learned of Jesus and His love as she had done, in the Sunday-school. She went to the loving Saviour just as she was, and told Him all about herself.

Do you think He received her? O yes, He did; and there was rejoicing in heaven over this little repentant child, who had so many times turned a deaf ear to the words of love. Ellen was truly in earnest, she really believed in her heart, and all her sins were taken away, and she passed from death unto life.

Ellen and I have often spent happy hours together, talking over old times, when she was a little girl, and I remember her saying, “If any one had no rest until she came to Jesus, it was I.”

And now, dear little children, it is my earnest prayer today that you may not rest until you can say from your heart.

“Jesus is my Saviour.”

“O, come, for time is fleeting fast,

The day of grace will soon be past,

And Jesus Christ will come at last,—

Come away.”

ML-05/26/1935

Did Not Know If Before

I BELIEVE it, because it is in the Bible; but I never knew it before.”

So said a little girl, who lived up on a mountain. I had been asking her what kind of people Jesus came to save.

“Good people, sir,” she replied.

“And are you a good girl?” I asked.

“Yes, I am sure I am.”

“But it says in the Bible that Christ ‘came into the world to save sinners.’ Are you a sinner?”

“O, no, sir, I am really a good girl; ask mother.”

“But listen to a verse from the Bible,” I said. I read the verse that says, ‘There is none righteous, no not one.’ Rom. 8:9, 10.

“I believe it, because it is in the Bible; but I never knew it before,” she said.

Dear reader, have you learned the same lesson about yourself that I tried to teach the little girl—that however good you may be to your parents and others, yet in God’s sight you are not good but evil? It is for such that Jesus died.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32.

Confess that you are a sinner and accept Jesus as the great Saviour of sinners.

ML-05/26/1935

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 52

THE tongue and pen of Jeremiah have ceased, but his earnest words, spoken fearlessly during and shortly after the last years of the kingdom of Judah remain with us. That his messages concerning the people of Israel and the surrounding nations were not believed, is testimony both to the faithfulness of God, and the hardness and folly of the human heart. Jeremiah never had an honored place on earth, nor indeed have many of God’s servants; his reward will be seen in the corning day.

Chapter 52 to verse 27, is almost an exact copy of 2 Kings, from chapter 24:18 to chapter 25:21. Nebuchadnezzar in 2 Kings is Nebuchadnezzar in Jeremiah; the Chaldean spelling is Nabu-kudurri uzur, but the name as given in the Old Testament is evidently that used by the Jews. It is quite common in our times for the spelling and pronunciation we apply to foreign names, to differ from the spelling and pronunciation used by the people whose language they are.

The account in Jeremiah 52 includes, what the passage in 2 Kings does not, that the king of Babylon slaughtered all the princes of Judah in Riblah (verse 10), and that he put Zedekiah in prison till the day of his death (verse 11). There are also more details in verses 19 to 23 than 2 Kings gives, and minor differences in two or three places.

Verses 28 to 30 are not found elsewhere. The number carried away by Nebuchadneezzar on his first visit to Jerusalem, in B. C. 606, when Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were taken to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-6) is not given.

“The seventh year” was B. C. 599, the date of what is called the “great captivity”; Ezekiel was among the captives taken at that time, and Zedekiah was then made king of Judah, ruling over the poor of the land that were left.

The “eighteenth year” marked the end of the siege that closed Judah’s history as a nation, when Jerusalem was destroyed.

The “twenty-third year” is not mentioned elsewhere, and we must conclude that the taking of captives at that time was a feature of Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Egypt, foretold in chapter 46, which took place about this time.

The number of captives taken by Nebuchadnezzar is surprisingly small, if it be read as the number of the people of Judah whose lives were spared at the end of hostilities. About fifty thousand returned after the proclamation of Cyrus (see Ezra 2:64, 65), and these were by no means all of the Jews in Babylon; five hundred thousand men of Judah are mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:9. Though war and famine and pestilence must have had no small effect on the population, yet it must be evident that the number of peons named in verses 29 and 30 can only he those seized at Jerusalem, and a much larger number were taken from other towns and the countryside.

Verses 31 to 34 are similar to verses 27 to 30 of 2 Kings 25. Evil-merodach was a son of Nebuchadnezzar who reigned only two years. Perhaps the dealings of God with his father, which are recorded by Daniel, made such an impression upon him that he resolved to treat the Jews kindly, and as a part of this purpose he took Jehoiachin out of prison and favored him above the other subject kings in Babylon. For Zedekiah there was no relief; he finished his life in prison; against him was the breaking of a promise made in Jehovah’s name to Nebuchadnezzar, while Jehoiachin had reigned only three months (2 Kings 24:8), and was probably too young (18) at that time to plan nitwit mischief against the great king; he would be 55 by the time he left his prison.

ML-06/02/1935

Think of Others

ON the coast of one of the Orkney Islands there is a dangerous rock that juts out into the sea, and on one dark night a fisherman’s boat was wrecked on that rock, and the body of the man washed ashore near his own cottage.

His daughter, a young girl, was filled with grief at the loss of her father, but after a time, when her sorrow was not quite so keen, she began to think of others on the sea, and in order that their boats might not get wrecked on that same rock, she used to light a candle every night and set it in the cottage window.

The fishermen using those waters soon got to know the cottage above the jutting rock and so could guide their boats to avoid the danger.

This was a labor of love on the part of the girl. She earned her living by a spinning wheel, and in order to pay for the candles burnt at night time, she spun an extra quantity of yarn to pay for them.

This she kept up for many years, and we know not how many lives may have been saved by that tiny light in the window, In this way she was able in some measure to turn her sorrow into joy, by thinking of others.

All Christians are able to do this; if they are relieved from their own troubles, they are then able to think of others. This is very acceptable in the sight of God, who desires that we should seek to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

But we must not think that by doing good to others we shall fit ourselves for the presence of God, for it is only after we are saved that God can accept any service from us at all, but when we are His, then He is delighted that we should serve Him. Indeed, He says, “If any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” John 12:26.

ML-06/02/1935

Emily

ONE day I asked a little girl, “Do you love the Lord Jesus?”

“No,” she said, “but I want to very much.”

“Why?” I inquired, and her reply was, “Because I am a sinner. I have tried to be good, but I do want to come to Him, and to love Him.”

“Well, dear,” I said, “think for a few moments of these two verses, ‘God hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all,’ and ‘His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.’ Now, if God laid your sins on the Lord Jesus, and He bore them, where are they?”

“Well,” she said very slowly, “if God put them on Jesus, and He bore them, I can’t bear them, too.”

“No, dear,” I answered, “but let us look at it like this. God hated sin. He could not look upon it, and must punish it, but the Lord loved little Emily, and bore her sins, and her punishment instead of her, upon the cross.” She looked up so brightly, and said, “Is that what trust or believe means? Then I do trust, and will give Him my heart now, and try to be good.”

“But you must leave off trying to be good, and only believe or trust the Lord, and He will give you power to be good after you have truly trusted Him.”

She waited a moment before speaking, and then said, “Is that really all? I want Him to take my heart now. I do trust Him!”

I believe little Emily, then and there, really put her trust in the Lord Jesus, her Saviour; and to you who know your need of the Saviour, I would say, Come to Him, as Emily did, with all your sins, for He will save you. Take your place before God as a sinner, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who bore your sins.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” John 3:36.

Jesus shed His blood for sinners, and all who, trust Him have their sins washed away, and are made whiter than snow.

ML-06/02/1935

God's Wonderful Works

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small;

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord has made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings;

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

The purple headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning,

That brighten up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun;

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

The tall trees in the green wood,

The meadows where we play;

The rushes by the water,

We gather every day.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,

How great is God Almighty

Who has made all things well.

“IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH.” Genesis 1:1.

ML-06/02/1935

The Door

WHEN the little girl opens the door do you think the sheep will go with her into the stable? What a gentle shepherdess she must be.

This picture calls to mind the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd of the lambs and sheep, the One who loves and cares for each one who belongs to His flock. How precious to know this One as our Saviour, Shepherd, and Friend.

A dear little girl who had come to Jesus and knew His tender love, saw a picture of a shepherd carrying a little lamb in his bosom. After looking intently at the picture, she said, “Auntie, I don’t wish to grow big.”

“Why, my dear?”

“Because Jesus carries the lambs in His bosom, and He doesn’t carry the big sheep.” Looking again at the lamb, she said,

“Doesn’t it look comfortable?”

What a happy place it is to be folded in the arms of Jesus! The door of salvation is not closed, as in our picture, but is wide open for “whosoever will” to enter. It will not be long before salvation’s door will he closed, however, and then it will be too late.

Very soon the Lord will arise off His Father’s throne and come in the air, and His lambs and sheep will be caught up to meet Him and be forever with Him. Then the door will be shut against any of you who have not felt the weight of your sins and come under the shelter of Jesus’ precious blood.

Will you, dear ones, be on the inside or on the outside of the door?

“I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:9.

“HIM THAT COMETH TO ME, I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.” John 6:37.

ML-06/09/1935

Bible Lessons: Lamentations 1

SOMETIMES a sorely troubled saint of God will exclaim, “Does God care that I suffer so?” This book is an answer to that question, though it is much more than that. It forms a sequel to Jeremiah’s prophecy.

The subject before Jeremiah in this inspired writing, is the ruin of Jerusalem, the city where God had placed His name, and where He chose to dwell in the midst of His people Israel, but now desolated because of their persistent attempt for centuries to link the name of Jehovah with sin. The prophecies of Jeremiah have set this fully before the reader, and in them we have traced something of the heart of this dear servant of God who entered into the state and the sufferings of his people, and to no little extent suffered with them. In this, as we have had occasion to observe, Jeremiah resembled his Master more than many others have done. (See Luke 16:41-44, John 11:33-38, Matthew 8:17).

When we were reading through the Psalms, mention was made of the acrostic farm of a number of them where, in the original, the initial letters of the verses correspond in order to the Hebrew alphabet. Psalms 25 and 34 were noted as examples of this, and Psalm 119 strikingly so, for there the Hebrew Alphabet’s 22 letters are actually named in their order, and each one of the eight verses under each letter begins, in the original language, with the Hebrew letter heading the group. The same plan has been followed in all but the last of the five chapters in this book; in chapters 1 and 2 The initial letter of each of the 22 verses follows the alphabetical order. Why is this done? Is it not to attract the godly to the study of the book?

Jeremiah well knew that sin had brought the grief of which he told; in fact, amid the complaint of departed glory and divine favor which he voices for his people, we find again and again the confession of the sin that led to the suffering.

There is weeping now (verse 2) where there had been hardness of heart. The “lovers” who had led Jerusalem away from God to seek happiness in the ways of a guilty, godless world, were now no help whatever to her; among all there was no comforter; her “friends” dealt treacherously, became her enemies. Satan is a hard master, and he pays poor wages at best, but he has always been able to deceive the simple. They strangely forget that as a man sows, so shall he also reap, though the Word of God declares it (Galatians 6:7) and the evidence of it is shown in the only altogether reliable history the world has ever had—the Bible; the truth of it will be fully manifested at the judgment seat of Christ and the great white throne, but we may notice many examples of “reaping” among our fellow men, sometimes in youth, often in the later years of life.

In the beginning, the Lamentations are occupied altogether with the circumstances of grief, as we are all apt to be when plunged into distress; relief comes after God is acknowledged, as we shall see in our progress through this remarkable little book. A full measure of sorrow was meted out when Jerusalem was destroyed, as verses 12 to 17 most touchingly bring out. Was ever sorrow like this? Yes, and deeper far! Psalm 22—with its fulfillment on Calvary’s hill (Matthew 27:45, 46), the antichamber to which was the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41.-44),—presents the occasion of the deepest anguish this world will ever know.

In verses 12 to 15 God is seen as the source of the chastening, and verse 18 brings in confession consequent upon the realization that He is dealing with His people. “Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled against His commandment.” Next, in verse 20, is a call to Him: “See, Jehovah, for I am in distress, my bowels are troubled, my heart is turned within me, for I have grievously rebelled ... .” Not Yet is the burden gone, but the pressure of it is relieved, when once God is given His place in the believer’s trials.

ML-06/09/1935

"The Way of Transgressors Is Hard"

CHARLES attended Sunday school but he was not always attentive to what the teacher said. Although his mother wished him to be regular in his attendance, he would sometimes make excuses and would stay away. His sister, who was younger, had learned to love the Lord, and was always in her place in the school, with a bright, happy face, unless kept at home by illness; for, young as she was, she knew much of suffering.

One day when she came in to the meeting room the teacher asked her if her brother would be there that afternoon. She said she did not know, but her mamma had said he must come, and if he did not, she would shut him up when he got home, I want to tell you how God shut Charles up, and for a much longer time than his mother would have done.

It was a pleasant afternoon—an afternoon to make boys think it would be nicer to stay outside, maybe, than to go to Sunday school. So when Charles met some boys who wished him to go with them to the river bank nearby to have a play, he was easily persuaded, and they were soon running along together.

The Lord was looking upon Charles and was displeased with his ways, and He did not allow the afternoon to pass without giving him a lesson which he will likely never forget.

There were steep hills where the boys were playing, on their way to the river, and as Charles was running down one of these he stumbled, and fell on a piece of barbed wire that was lying on the ground. In the fall he gashed his leg badly, tearing it wide open and taking out a piece of flesh. Poor boy! that was an end to his Sunday play. The other boys helped him home, and his frightened mother, who had not the courage to look a second time at the mangled leg, hastily summoned a door.

When the doctor came he found the limb so badly torn he had to cut away part of the flesh, and he had many stitches to put in in order to hold the torn places together.

Charles bore it all bravely, and made no complaint, He knew that he had done wrong and that the Lord was punishing him for it; this he owned to his teacher when she went to see him. For weeks Charles was shut in, and time was thus given him to think about his ways.

Do you not think, dear children, that Charles would have been wiser, and better off, if he had gone to the Sunday school and not listened to boys who had no love for such things? He turned aside in a wrong path, and the Lord allowed him to suffer for it. God tells us, “The way of transgressors is hard.” Prov. 13:15.

Do you know what a transgressor is? It is one who does what is wrong, and Charles was a transgressor on that Lord’s day. He found the way hard, for he had to suffer much. It is always best to do what is right, and pleasing to the Lord, even if it costs us a little self-denial at the time.

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Prov. 1:10

“Children, obey your parents.” Eph. 6:1.

ML-06/09/1935

The Wonderful Name

A SERVANT of God lay dying. A fellow believer, with whom he had been most intimately acquainted asked him: “My brother, do you know me?”

The man opened his eyes and asked surprised,

“Who are you? I do not know you.”

Shortly after, another friend also intimately acquainted with him, asked him if he knew him. But the man knew him no longer. Even when his wife approached him and asked the same question, he did not recognize her.

At last, a brother asked the man if he knew the Lord Jesus.

In a moment, his whole face brightened; it shone, as though wakened again to consciousness by the sweet name of Jesus, and he cried out: “Jesus! yes, Him I know. I have known Him for forty years, the dear, dear, Saviour. He is my only hope.”

O, how precious is the name of Jesus! How happy are these who trust Him, love Him, serve Him, that dear precious Saviour!

Another godly man used often to say, that there were only two things of importance for him to know—that he was a great sinner and that Jesus was a great Saviour.

Jesus! How much Thy name unfolds

To every opened ear!

The pardoned sinner’s memory holds,

None other half so dear.

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

ML-06/09/1935

Just Like Eli

A MAMMA said to her boy who had done something wrong, “I am very sorry to have to punish you; but I must do so, for you have been very naughty, and I cannot pass over such a fault as you have been guilty of without punishing you.” And she punished him, for she loved her child too well to spare the rod.

He did the usual amount of crying, and the mother’s heart was pained to hear her child weep so bitterly. But he soon dried up his tears, and became as happy as usual.

To show how shrewdly he could see what was right, after a while he came to his mother and said, “I know, mamma, you did right to whip me, for I deserved it; and if you had not done it, you would have been just like Eli.”

Judging, from the conduct of many children around us, their parents, alas, are just like Eli, What shall the harvest be? As a man sows, so shall he reap.

Parents, see to it that none of you earn by your laxity of family discipline the reproach of being “just like Eli.”

“He that spareth his rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him, chasteneth him betimes.” Proverbs 13:24.

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Col. 3:20.

ML-06/09/1935

The Name of Jesus

“Thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21.

‘Twas God who gave the precious Name

Of “Jesus” to His Son,

Because for all His people’s sin

And guilt He should atone.

The Name of “Jesus” Saviour means,

And such He is indeed,

To all who know the weight of sin,

And peace and pardon need.

His Name was Jesus when on earth,

His Name is Jesus now;

And God declares that to that Name

All heaven and earth shall bow.

And truly happy is the child

Who loves that precious Name;

He soon shall Him in glory see,

Who once in mercy came.

ML-06/09/1935

The Happy Children

HOW happy these children are. We do not know just how long the little boy must hold his position on the bar. He seems pleased to do what is expected of him, and the others are interested in seeing him succeed. They are able to enjoy the attainments of others, and are willing to wait their turns.

Is this not a lesson God would have Christians to learn? When our hearts are filled with joy in the Lord Jesus and with His love, we are all happy with one another, and are glad to see our fellow believers given places of honor for His sake.

One little tot, who is too small to enter into the game, is attracted by the first object near him, just now a rooster. Unsaved people are like this boy, for they cannot understand or enjoy the things which please God and His people. Alas! that some believers with hearts cold toward Christ should act like unbelievers. May we ever respond to the exhortation: “Keep yourselves in the love of God,” Jude 21.

“WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST ALSO HATH LOVED US, AND HATH GIVEN HIMSELF FOR US.” Ephesians 5:2.

ML-06/16/1935

Bible Lessons: Lamentations 2

LAST week we observed that in the sufferings of God’s people which form the subject of the Lamentations, there was, first, occupation with the trial itself, and later the sufferers were led to occupation with God who had permitted the trial. Since many of the children of God are in trial in the difficult times of depression and unemployment, through which the world is now passing, may it please Him to make our study of Jeremiah and the Lamentations helpful because trial, though the circumstances of it may be widely different, is always designed for the rich blessing of the tried saint. It is only as we acknowledge God’s hand in our trials that we get into the state to receive the intended blessing.

Chapter 2 Continues the theme with which Chapter I. ended, verses 1 to 9 being occupied with God, as the earlier part of chapter 1 was with circumstances alone. It is of moment to notice that the name of God commonly used here is not Jehovah, His name of covenant relationship, (usually, as has been before remarked, translated in the English Bible “The LORD”), but “the Lord”—a different Hebrew word meaning “Master”. The reason for this is, without doubt, that sin has put a distance between God and His people; they need, through trial, to be restored in their souls before they can again enjoy His presence.

The reader will note the growing intelligence as to God’s displeasure manifested in the language of verses 1, 2, 3, and 4, A little of this was evident in chapter 1, where we have “Jehovah is righteous, for I have rebelled,” etc. (verse 18); and “See, Jehovah, for I am in distress” (verse 20), but this chapter begins with the Lord righteously angry.

“How hath the Lord in His anger covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud!” Now “the daughter of Zion” is, ordinarily, a name of grace, of divine favor, but grace abused has led to judgment.

Verse 2 makes use of a stronger term than anger;—wrath, “He hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah.” The dearest place on earth to us all in a natural way,— home these —”the dwellings of Jacob”—the Lord had swallowed up.

In verse 3 we come to “fierce anger”; “He hath cut off in fierce anger all the horn of Israel...and He burned up Jacob like a flaming-fire...” The “horn” in Scripture means power, or strength. Then in verse 4 there is “fury”. “In the tent of the daughter of Zion He hath poured out His fury like fire.” It is not, we apprehend, that the indignation of God grew as He looked upon different objects, but rather that the understanding of the exercised saint grows as he inclines, his ear to hear what God has to say to him. It is only through deep and prolonged exercise that the believer thinks of sin in any measure as God does. We may illustrate this by reference to the forsaking of Christ on the cross; how little any of us apprehend what that meant to Him, and in many Christians there seems almost no intelligence as to the cause of it, and the meaning of that cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The young believer is happy because his sins are forgiven, but he does not realize at first very much how God hates sin.

All of Jerusalem passes away: in verse 6, the place of assembly, and in verse 7, the altar and sanctuary, His house; in verse 8 the wall, and in verse 9 the gates; the king and princes are among the Gentiles, the law is no more, the prophets fine( no vision from Jehovah. A pitiful picture of the state of the people is afforded in verses 10 to 12.

The ruin is complete, great: as the sea; the “virgin daughter of Zion”—again the name that speaks of God’s wonderful grace to Judah—is beyond earthly power of healing (verse 13), Her prophets had deceived her (verse 14), and now the passersby express their amazement at what has happened, while the enemies against whom God had guarded her, utter their hatred and exult over the downfall of the city.

Yet, the calamity was Jehovah’s work; He had purposed it; He had fulfilled His word which He had commanded from days of old (verse 17). From Moses onward, the word of God uttered through His faithful servants had warned the people that He must deal with them in unsparing judgment, if they went in the paths of sin.

Verses 18 and 19: What encouragement is here penned by the Spirit of God for those that are His, plunged in the deepest grief, even though their own ways have brought upon themselves the chastening band of the Lord!

“Their heart cried limo the Lord...let tears run down...give thyself no respite ... pour out thy heart like water before the face of the Lord; lift up thy hands toward Him...”

Into God’s ever attentive ear pour thy grief; He will not turn thee away!

ML-06/16/1935

The Closed Gate

IT is related of Queen Victoria that once when out driving in the Isle of Wight she found her way barred at the end of a private road.

The royal carriage had to be turned round, as for some reason the gate was not opened. Queen Victoria was the sovereign of the British Empire, yet there was a path that was not opened to her.

Without doubt there were thousands of entrances which were open, or would have been gladly thrown open, but this particular way was closed.

Now, dear young reader, we wonder if your heart is like that gate? Jesus is the mighty Sovereign, not of a comparatively small dominion like the British Empire, but of the vast universe. Yet it is sad to reflect that although He may find an entrance in heaven and through His boundless realms, He may not be allowed a place in your heart, is that so, dear young friend? But you may be able to say,

“I know the Lord Jesus, He is my Savior, my loving Redeemer; for me He shed His precious blood to possess me for His own. Yes, I know and love Him.”

Well, what a happy day it was for you to open your heart’s door and let Him have a place in your affections! It was because He first loved you.

There are thousands of hearts who have let Him in. Once He stood at the door and knocked. He waited in some cases a long time, in others a little while; but He was at length welcomed there. But, dear young friend, if you have not yet opened your heart to Jesus, say like the psalmist, “When thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Psa. 27:5.

The psalmist did not wait, his heart replied at once.

Will you come to Jesus NOW? O, how He loves!

There would be no hearts closed to Jesus if they knew His love, if they knew Him. When He was on earth He said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 11:35.

Immediately He was surrounded by all the publicans and sinners. His word had unlocked their hearts. They received Him. He received them. However great their sins or their burdens, He relieved them all.

He is still the same mighty, glorious Saviour! He cleanses from sin all He receives. Come then to Jesus now.

ML-06/16/1935

Tweedle and Her Family

MOST boys and girls like to have a pet of their own, and what a lovely pet a little furry rabbit makes! Would you like to hear what happened to a tiny baby Angora rabbit only three weeks old?

This little bulimic, was one of four lovely babies and the mother was very proud of them, and took great care of her family, washing-and feeding them very carefully. One evening, when I came in after being away all day, my friend said, “A very terrible thing has happened. One of Tweedle’s babies has fallen from the hutch, and I cannot get it back again.”

I must here explain that the hutches are very large, and built in three stories, the lower one being raised a few inches from the ground. Tweedie and her family lived in a top hutch.

My friend had opened the door to show the babies to some one, when the poor little rabbit fell, and ran under the hutches, where we could not reach it, or entice it out in any way. The dog was brought out to try and get it out, but he only frightened it and made matters worse. Then a stick was tried, but that, too, was no good. We thought the poor little thing would have to be left to die. It made me very sad to think we could not save the poor little creature, and I could not bear to think of going to bed and leaving it. I put a cabbage leaf in front of the hutch, but it would not come out, even for food.

Then I looked at Tweedle, with her other three babies safe in the comfortable hutch, and she seemed to be asking me to save her other baby. I said, “I’m very sorry I can’t get him out, but perhaps you can.”

I then lifted Tweedle from the hutch, and placed her on the ground, just in front of her baby. She was too big to get under the hutches. I waited a moment, when to my great joy the baby ran out to its mother, and I was able to lift both safely back to the hutch.

But, O! what a poor, dirty-looking little object the baby looked beside its clean, tidy little brothers. I wondered would the mother disown it now it was so dirty? Perhaps she would kill it, thinking it not fit to be one of her children now; but, no! she began to thoroughly clean it, before she would let it have any food. The next day you could not tell which of the four it was, the mother had made it quite clean, and they all looked so happy together again.

What a lovely picture of the gospel this is! We read: “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6.

Like the poor little rabbit we are helpless, and unable to save ourselves, and Satan, like the dog and the stick, would drive us further from the loving Saviour, who is anxious to save us.

I could not think of any other way to save the baby rabbit, and there is only one way for boys and girls to be saved. The little rabbit could only run to its mother. The Lord Jesus said: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Mark 10:4. Come to Jesus now.

ML-06/16/1935

Wonderful Love

I have read of the Saviour’s love,

And a wonderful love it must be

But did He come down from above,

Out of love and compassion for me?

I’ve heard how He suffered and bled,

How He languished and died on the tree;

But then is it anywhere said,

That He languished and suffered for me?

I’ve been told of a heaven on high,

Which the children of God soon will see;

But is there a place in the sky

Made ready and furnished for me?

O, yes! for His love is as wide,

And as deep as the fathomless sea;

And love such as this will provide

Even blessings eternal for me!

ML-06/16/1935

The Spring

A DEAR little girl has come with her mother to get some water. What a beautiful trust the child has in her mother, for she is conscious of her mother’s love and care.

There is One whom we should ever trust as this small child does her mother, It is the Lord, who is ever caring for us. He says: “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING.” Prov. 3:5.

The Lord does not ask us to pay for the things He gives us: they are as free as the water at this spring. And better than the air, sunshine and water without which we could not live, is the “Water of Life,” which we can get only from the Lord. He says,

“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I 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 everlasting life.” John 4:14.

“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.

ML-06/23/1935

Bible Lessons: Lamentations 3

IN this chapter of 66 verses, the same acrostic form is used as in chapters 1 and 2, only that there are three verses for each letter; verses 1, 2, and 3 begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet,— aleph; 4, 5, and (3 begin with both, the second letter, and so on to verses 64, 65, and 66 which begin with tau, the last letter.

Jeremiah, in this chapter, represents in himself the believing remnant of Judah into whose sorrows he deeply entered. In the first 18 verses we have the tale of their sufferings before hope enters. How intense is the sorrow, how deep the anguish that here is portrayed; their cup is indeed filled full! Nor are the suffering’s absent that were peculiarly Jeremiah’s. “I am become a derision to all my people; their song all the day.” Blessed servant of God! he was treading, however feebly, in the path where Christ was afterward, in sinless perfection, to go. (See Psalm 69:7-12).

Observe now that word “Thou” in verse 17; it is God that is addressed. Shall we not say it again, that it is only when the tried heart has turned to God that there is blessing ahead? Let us seek Him then and at all times, not only when in trial. In verse 19 it is rather “Remember Thou” than my remembrance, for that comes in in its proper place in verses 20 and 21. My affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall are to be before me that I may be humbled, but I long to have Him take knowledge of them. And so I tell Him about all my pain. What is the result? The tried saint who has sought this Refuge from earth’s woes well knows, and the outflow of the chastened spirit is seen in verses 22 to 27, with the precious and needed meditation that follows in verses 28 to 42.

The word “mercies” in verses 22 and 32 as in other Old Testament passages, has the sense of “loving kindness”; mercy alone would not be enough to express the heart of God toward His people. Though mercy is first, because we have failed and sinned against Him, it is clothed in love, “loving kindness”; His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. How singularly blessed is the child of God! Do we truly enter into the children’s portion, we who are His?

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” (verse 23)—we could have nothing to say about our own, it is not worthy of mention,— “He is faithful,” as His Word so often reminds us. Upon our God, who abideth faithful (2 Timothy 2;13) our eternal portion rests and can never fail.

“Jehovah is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him” (verse 25). Shame upon us, if we have ever been tempted to doubt His goodness! But mark the importance of those two words: “them that wait for Him”; “the soul that seeketh Him.” Verse 26 follows with “It is good that one should both wait, and that in silence for the salvation of Jehovah” (N. T.), and the 28th, 29th, and 30th verses give us an exhibition of this quiet, humble waiting.

The Lord again engages the mind and heart in verses 31 to 45 very preciously with some searching of the conscience, as in verses 39 to 42. “Thou hast not pardoned” (verse 42), and the three following verses belong to the particular case of the) eves under the law; these passages are not applicable to the Christian who is privileged as they have not been, and will not be, in the knowledge of forgiveness until they have passed through both the tribulation and Zechariah 12:10-13:1. So also verses 59 to 66 are not for believers in the present dispensation of grace, who are taught of God to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44).

ML-06/23/1935

The Indian and the Drummer Boy

ON the North American frontier there lived a peaceful tribe of Cree Indians who made their living by bartering beaver skins with the white men.

As they came to the market one day, dressed in their native costume, a drummer boy, belonging to a regiment of soldiers who guarded the frontier, began to sneer at the red-skinned traders, and to use abusive language toward them in presence of his comrades. Not satisfied with that, the foolish boy ran up and struck the foremost of the party—who was an aged Indian—in the face with his drumstick, causing the blood to flow. This wanton act caused indignation even among the soldiers, and when it reached the officer’s ears, he gave order to have the young scapegrace whipped. On the morrow the lad was brought out in the midst of the assembled troops to receive his punishment, and two officers were sent across to the old Indian’s hut to ask him to come and see the punishment inflicted on his young assailant.

“Let the white boy go free,” said the aged Indian; “he did not mean to hurt me.”

“He must suffer the penalty all the same,” said the officer, and orders were given for the young drummer to strip. Seeing his remonstrance was in vain, the Indian threw aside his blanket, and stepping out to the post said, “Then flog me, not the boy.”

A murmur of admiration ran through the company as the old Indian stood with his shoulders bare, head bent and arms folded, to receive the stripes due to the drummer boy, who stood, with quivering lips and teat-fill eyes, looking on in wonder. Touched by the noble act, the officer said to the drummer,

“Boy, you have escaped what you richly deserved. The man whom you injured has shown you a noble example which I have never seen equaled: go, and profit by it,” From that day the drummer boy was the Indian’s friend. That noble deed changed his heart, so that ever after he loved him.

This is a faint picture of the love of Jesus, who suffered—the Just for the unjust—to save sinners from the just punishment of their sins. Has the love of Jesus won your heart and caused you to love Him in return? Can you say, “The Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me”? Gal. 2:20, “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. There never was or will be love like His.

“O wondrous grace, O love beyond degree—

The Offended died to set the offender free.”

ML-06/23/1935

Elsie's Faith

ELSIE, sat in the parlor with her box of water colors, coloring pretty texts. Her aunt was suffering: from a burnt foot, and unable to go out on her usual visit to the Children’s Hospital; so Elsie, desiring to keep her company, employed herself in painting texts to be given to the cripple boys and girls in the hospital.

She was engaged coloring the words, “The gift of God is eternal life,” when her aunt quietly said, “How strange it seems, for you to be preparing that beautiful text for the little cripples, to show them the way of salvation, while you are all the time refusing God’s gift yourself.”

Elsie looked up front her painting, quite astonished at this strange turn in the conversation. She enjoyed coloring the texts, and was pleased to think that her work would cheer the little cripples in the hospital, but it had never dawned upon her, that she was rejecting the gift of God.

“What do you mean, aunt, by saying that?” asked Elsie, looking seriously into her aunt’s face.

“I fear my little niece has not yet taken God at His Word, and received His gift of eternal life. It is one thing to know about it, and quite another to have it. I am sure you have heard and read about the gift of God, but I am anxious that you should be able to say that it is yours,” said Elsie’s aunt.

There was long silence. Then a tear dropped on the half-colored text, from Elsie’s cheek, followed by a sob. The Spirit of God was silently working in her heart, showing her that she was an unbeliever, and that, notwithstanding her knowledge of God’s Word, she had not received His gift of eternal life. Raising her tear-filled eyes, and grasping her aunt’s hand, Elsie earnestly asked, “How can I receive God’s gift, and be sure I have eternal life?”

“By believing His Word, Elsie dear; that’s all,” said her aunt. “He says that He has given His Son to be the Saviour of sinners, and Jesus the Son of God died that we might have life. All who believe on Him are possessors of that life, just as He has said, ‘He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life.’ John 3:36. You must believe that, just in the same way as you believed the other day, that I had put your letter in the post. You did not see it, you did not feel it, but you believed it when I told you. You took me at my word, and said that your father would have your letter next morning.”

“Is that the way to believe God—just to take Him at His Word? I never knew that before,” said Elsie.

There was little more said, but later that night, Elsie threw her arms around her aunt’s neck, and said, “I have the gift of God now, auntie. I know it, because God says it, and I have taken Him at His Word.”

Such was Elsie’s faith, and as her life has since proved, she became that night God’s child, and a possessor of eternal life. Have you, dear boys and girls, taken God at His Word? If not, will you do so now?

“The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9, 10.

ML-06/23/1935

"Those That Seek Me Early Shall Find Me"

Prov. 8:17.

Little ones, with cheeks like roses,

Eyes so sparkling bright,

Little lips with smiles so ready,

Shining as the light.

In these early days of childhood,

In these budding years,

In these hours, some bright with sunshine,

Others dimmed by tears,

Little ones, these words are written

In God’s book for you;

They are words of One who loves you,

Won’t you love Him too?

Little children He did welcome

To His arms of love;

“Let them come to Me,” said Jesus,

Now and then above.

Still He calls the little children,

Still He seeks to save,

Still He loves, and still He’s waiting,

You He wants to have.

What a Saviour! O, receive Him!

Make Him now your choice,

Early seek, and you shall find Him,

Now obey His voice.

ML-06/23/1935

The Pool of Bethesda

NO doubt you have read in John 5:2-15 of the pool of Bethea where many impotent folk went to be healed. An angel went down at a certain season and troubled the water, and whoever went in first after the troubling of the water was cured of whatever disease he had.

A man who had been sick for thirty-eight years was at the pool, but he had no friend to put him in the water, and lay helpless while others stepped down before him. Can we not imagine his despair as he saw others come from the water cured, and he must continue to lie there?

But Jesus was there, the One who was able to meet his need. Jesus said, “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.”

Although the Lord Jesus is no longer going about on earth healing as He did then, He is ever waiting to take care of a need that is greater than curing a sick or crippled body. We are sinners, and cannot go to heaven unless our sins are forgiven. We are just as helpless as the poor impotent man.

Have you felt your load of sins and your need of a Saviour? Jesus is able, He is willing and ready to save you. He is the Saviour for those who cannot save themselves. He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

“WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.” Rom. 5:6.

May you praise and thank Him for having come to be your Saviour, and having earned salvation for you at such a cost as the giving up of His life in your place.

ML-06/30/1935

Bible Lessons: Lamentations 4 and 5

IN the fourth chapter, the acrostic style is again used, the initial letters of the verses, as written in the original Hebrew, comprising the alphabet in its due order.

We come now to the prophet’s meditation upon the scene of judgment through which he has gone. How great the change from Jerusalem as it was! The gold that early adorned the city is become dim; the stones of the sanctuary are poured out, and the sons of Zion are esteemed as earthen pitchers.

Verse 6: The punishment of Judah is greater than that of Sodom upon which no hands were violently laid. It is because God deals with every one according to what he knows—the responsibility he carries, Thus the servant who knew his master’s will and did it not, is to be beaten with many stripes, while he who knew not, and did that which called for punishment, shall he beaten with few (Luke 12:47, 48).

“You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore will visit upon you all your iniquities,” is God’s solemn pronouncement upon Israel and Judah in Amos 3:1, 2, and the Scriptures abound with examples of God’s dealing more severely with His own than with the world in this life.

Verses 7, 8: “Nazarite” means “separated”, and the marks of the true Nazarite in unblemished perfection were to be seen only in Christ as He passed through the world, but Numbers 6 and the history of Samson, who was untrue to his Nazariteship (Judges 13 to 16), show what Nazarites should have been in Old Testament days.

Verse 12: The world which does not know God, does not understand what He does; they know nothing of His holiness, and vainly suppose that He will never interfere with the course of events on earth. “They would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should enter into the gates of Jerusalem.” The Word, of God, however, gives the key (verse 13), for He does not leave His children in ignorance of His ways.

It was indeed a day of unsparing governmental dealing upon Judah, but her punishment will be over when that of Edom begins (compare verses 21 and 22). Edom, as we have before noted, is the relentless enemy of Israel—never repentant.

Chapter 5 has 22 verses, equal to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, but the acrostic form seen in the preceding chapters was not used in this one. It is a pitiful appeal to God, addressed as Jehovah (“the LORD” in the ordinary translation) without a word of complaint. “Our fathers have sinned, and they are not; and we bear their iniquities” (N. T.) is a true confession, in verse 7; yet more is confessed in verse 16: “Woe unto us, for we have sinned!”

But there is hope in Jehovah, the unchanging One. “Wherefore dost Thou forget us forever? Turn Thou us unto Thee...and we shall be turned” (verses 19-21). In Him alone is the power to bring the wayward nation back. Verse 22 is rightly rendered, “Or is it that Thou hast utterly rejected us? Wouldest Thou be exceeding wroth against us?”

The Spirit of God it is that produces these exercises in the saints. In Jeremiah’s prophecy, and yet more in the Lamentations, through which we have been privileged to journey together, we see, as another wrote many years ago, “the Spirit of God enters into all these details, not only of the ways of God, but of that also which passes through a heart in which the judgement of God is felt by grace; until all is set right in the presence of God Himself. Inspiration gives us, not only the perfect thoughts of God, and Christ the perfection of man before God, but also all the exercises produced in our poor hearts when the perfect Spirit acts in them, so far as these thoughts, all mingled as they are, refer in the main to God, or are produced by Him. So truly cares He for us! He hearkens to our sighs, although much of imperfection and of that which belongs to our own heart is mixed with them.”

“Can we not discern what a gap for the Bible if we had not Lamentations?”, another has said, “and we bless God for giving us this book which, though written to record past sorrows, and having in view the unparalleled sufferings that await the remnant of the future day, has in it pointed our own hearts anew to the God of all grace, the Father of mercies, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation...” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).

ML-06/30/1935

How a Young Student's Wish Was Granted

A SON was taken by his parents to a big city many years ago, to begin life there as a student. It is dangerous for a young man to be left alone in a big city, where there is so much worldly pleasure and sin, but God’s eye was upon this young fellow, and He kept him from the evil around.

What do you think he did when he was first left alone? He had a great longing to possess a Bible. He had never been allowed to go to Sunday school, but once a book about Livingstone, that devoted servant of Christ, had come into his hands, and it had greatly impressed him, and had awakened a desire after God in his soul.

When he found himself alone in this city, he thought at once, “Now I am free: now I will go and get a Bible.”

But he did not know Where to buy one so going down one of the main streets he searched in every shop and at length he saw a big old Bible in a second-hand store. He at once went in and bought it, and was greatly delighted to be the possessor of a Bible of his own.

He read its pages every day, but there was much he could not understand. Then he met other students who knew the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and he saw how happy they were in His love while he was very miserable, for he knew now that he was a lost sinner.

On Sundays they used to meet together and read the Bible and talk over it. One Sunday he was there with them, but he felt so miserable that he could not stay and he left the meeting. Another student followed him out and they went together into another room. Finding what his trouble was, the young Christian opened his Bible and pointed him to those precious words of the Lord Jesus, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

They were the very words to bring comfort to the young fellow, for he felt his sins as a great load. Asking his companion to leave him alone, he there and then came to the Saviour who never turns one away who comes to Him with his burden of sin, and he found the rest and peace he was longing for.

What joy filled his heart! He wrote at once to tell the good news to his father. But to his dismay he met with a terrible rebuff. His father had him removed to another college in order to get him away from his Christian friends. But the Lord was with him, and he was able to testify there for his Lord and Saviour, and was used to bring other, students to Him.

Some years later he went out to tell the heathen, who have never heard of the Lord Jesus, the good news of salvation, and he labored there for his Lord for many years.

I wonder if my young readers value their Bibles as this boy did, and if you have found in its pages that which will meet the need of your soul. If you know this Saviour as yours, may you too be ready to speak of Him to your companions, so that they also may he led to Him.

“My Word... shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55:11.

“In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life.” Phil. 2:15, 16.

ML-06/30/1935

Mary's Conversion

I DO not like meetings; I hate the Sunday School, and I’m not going’ to learn any more texts or verses.”

The words were uttered in anger, and Mary, although only a child of seven years, turned away her head and manifested an opposition to the gospel which astonished her Christian mother. Calmly but firmly the mother said, “Then my little girl chooses to be a Christ-rejecter and to perish in her sins, does she”?

There was no answer, and Mary’s mother left her alone with God, inwardly praying that He would convict and save her wayward child. Half an hour later, Mary crept into the room, her eyes red with weeping, and said, “Mother, I am a sinner, and would like to be saved.”

This was good news indeed, and Mary’s mother took the Word of God, and read to her how Christ died for sinners, and lives in heaven to save all Who believe on Him. That night Mary was saved, and still lives to prove her conversion real.

That manifestation of opposition to God, showed her how wicked she was, and how she needed to be saved. She probably thought that because she was the child of Christian parents, her heart was not so black, her nature not so sinful, as children of the world. But that outburst of passion, that manifested hatred of God’s Word showed her what was in her heart, and proved to her that she needed to be born again before she could either see or enter God’s kingdom.

Have you learned this first great lesson? You need to learn it before you see your need of Christ, or prove the gospel’s power to save.

“The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Eph. 2:13.

They Are Precious to the Lord

Jesus loved the little children,

Gently took them by the hand,

As they stood with upturned faces,

In that far-off Eastern land.

Still the Saviour loves the children,

For He died that they might live.

Blest eternal life He gives them,

If they trust Him and believe.

Howe’er young and weak and tender,

They are precious to the Lord.

He will cherish, guide, and strengthen

All who love to hear His Word.

Jesus loves the little children,

Still is bidding them to come;

He will keep them all their journey

Till they reach His glorious Home.

ML-06/30/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 1

WE may note from the opening chapter of this prophecy, a marked difference from the style of Jeremiah. The latter suffered with his beloved people in the land of Israel, and in Jerusalem, as we have seen, but Ezekiel writes from Babylonia where he was a captive among others of his race by the river Chebar. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel: all three were living at this time but they were widely separated from each other.

Ezekiel, whose name means “Strength of God”, began his prophecies about thirty-five years later than Jeremiah’s binning. The thirtieth year (verse 1) is a Babylonian reckoning, referring to the time when the later empire was found by the father of Nebuchadnezzar, Nabo-Polassar.

The “fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity” is a reminder of Israel’s sins, for had they kept the Word of God before them they would have remained a free people; now all were subjects of the king of Babylon, and most of them were in his land. Upon the others, judgment was soon to fall, for Ezekiel’s early testimony begins several years before Jerusalem was overthrown and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

God was about to make known to his servant Ezekiel the true state of the people of Israel, and the judgment to be executed on them because of their ways; He began by giving the prophet a vision of His throne of judgment, not now, as formerly in, or in relation with, Jerusalem, but wholly apart from it, and set for the punishment of that guilty city and its people. It is seen as coming out of the north, the direction from which the Babylonians would enter the land of Israel. They were to be the instruments of God’s next dealings with His people; such we have seen they had been already.

A description of the throne of God, and Him who sits upon it must necessarily be clothed in symbolic language, for it is bond the human mind to grasp what God is, or to comprehend the scope of all His ways; what we have here, as elsewhere in the Scriptures, is God in grace stooping down to the measure of man’s understanding, to make Himself known, even in a limited way, by His creatures. Figures are therefore adopted by which, with the Holy Spirit’s aid, we may here learn what God had to communicate concerning His governmental dealings with His people Israel. In the Revelation largely the same symbols are found.

The first of the symbols to attract our attention is the “whirlwind”, better translated (as it is in some other passages) “stormy wind.” Both terms are found in the Scriptures, but the particular Hebrew term used in verse 4 occurs in Job 38:1 and 40:6, where God is answering Job “out of the whirlwind,” and again in stating the manner of the removal of Elijah from earth to heaven (2 Kings 2:1 and 11). The symbol before us, then, is not wind in the ordinary sense, but indicative of divine power invisible to man, at work in the world, accomplishing God’s own purposes though man sees the result of its action. John 3:8 is an illuminative passage in this connection; so also Acts 2:2 Concerning the Holy Spirit’s descent on the (lay of Pentecost, where a rushing, mighty wind was an outward sign granted.

The “great cloud”, in verse 4, was a symbol of the presence of the God of Israel well known to the Jews. See Exodus 13;21, and 81:5, 1 Kings 8:10, Daniel 7:18 and Matthew 17:5, among many passages.

The “infolding fire” also tells of God—His holiness testing everything which comes before Him and consuming all that is unfit for His presence. Exodus 3:2 and 24:17, and Isaiah 6:6 are passages which, among many, may be helpful as to this symbol.

The four “living creatures” are evidently the cherubim of chapter 10, and in large measure correspond to the living creatures (called “beasts” in our English Bible) in the Revelation (chapter 4:6-8, etc.). First seen in Genesis 3:24 when sin had entered the world, they are the symbol of God’s judicial power in putting down evil. The faces evidently betoken intelligence (man); strength (the lion); stability or patience (the ox), and swiftness (the eagle); these are the attributes, or qualities, we would reverently say, of God in judgment.

The wheels and rings (rims) refer, no doubt, to the earthly side of God’s judgments; Ezekiel sees the throne of God on earth. John, in the Revelation, sees it in heaven, and there “wings” as in Ezekiel’s vision but not “wheels”, are observed. The rims are full of “eyes” in Ezekiel’s vision; in Revelation 4:6 this characteristic is applied to the living creatures. Evidently they picture for us the fullest insight concerning everything; nothing is hid from God.

All the action proceeds according to the purpose of Him who sits upon the throne (verses 12, 14, 17, 20, etc.); that throne is above (verse 26); consuming holiness marks Him (verse 27) yet there is mercy too, as verse 28 makes plain (in the symbol of the rainbow, as to which see Genesis 9:12-17 and Revelation 4:3). Well might Ezekiel prostrate himself bore the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God, who thus revealed Himself!

ML-07/07/1935

Rover

Rover was our pet dog. He was bought from a man who ill-used him, and brought to us in a poor state. But through kindness and care, he became a pretty dog, and my sister and I were very found of him. He was our playmate, and when We were older, he came with us to and from school.

One day my sister was attacked by a rude boy on her way to school. Rover sprang in between, and barked furiously, until father appeared, when the boy made quickly off.

Another day I was chased by a bull, and Rover flew at him, and so frightened him that I escaped. But the event which most of all made Rover the household pet was, he saved the Life of my younger brother, who one day, when he was quite a child, slipped and fell into the river which flows a short distance from our home, Rover heard his cry, and darting from the yard, barking loudly, was at the place in a moment, just in time to catch his clothes and hold him, until the servant came to see what was wrong, only in time to save little Bertie from drowning. Ever after that, Rover was much thought of.

His faithful service to his master, who redeemed him from his first bad owner, may surely teach a lesson to all who have been redeemed by the blood of Testis from a worse master, and set free from his power (I Pet. 1:19), to serve the living and true God (1 Thess. 1:9).

My sister Ettie and I did not know the meaning of such words, when as children we played with our pet clog Rover, who so faithfully served us, but we know now what it is to be set free from sin and Satan’s power (Acts 26:18), saved by grace, to love and serve the One who has done so great things for us. We often speak of these days of our childhood, and of the faithful dog who served and clung to the one who delivered him, and so cared for all that belonged to him.

If a dog could thus show his gratitude to those who set him free from a cruel service, how much more should those who have been saved from endless woe, to their great Redeemer, the Lord Jesus.

How good it would be if we could say with the apostle Paul, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

ML-07/07/1935

Rain in the Wrong Place

WHAT are the children up to? All they are thinking about is their present pleasure, with no thought of the damage they are doing to the beautiful carpet, nor thinking either about the punishment that must surely come.

How much this is like people generally. They do, not think what the result will be for time or eternity of all their wrong doings. Children and grown people too, do wrong things, and are made unhappy by then, and then the worst part is, we must all give account to God, as the Scripture says, “AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.” Rom. 14:11.

What a solemn thing it is when we think that all we do, vie have yet to say to God about. May you ever say, dear children, “Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.” Psa. 16:1.

ML-07/07/1935

The Way Home

IS there anything more satisfying than the beautiful things in the realm of nature which God has provided for our enjoyment? Yes, for the choicest of things which appeal to the senses cannot give peace to the soul.

One day two Christian men were driving home from a meeting. On the way they overtook a young boy, walking slowly, and with an air of utter weariness and dejection. The men offered the boy a ride, but hearing that he had only a little way to go, the driver said, “Well, it is not worth while giving you a lift for that short distance,” to which the boy replied,

“O, no, thank you, sir, I’ll easily walk.”

After a few minutes the men stopped again and waited for the boy to catch up; for the Lord seemed to lay it on their hearts that the boy was downcast because he was not sure of heaven being his Home.

“Are you truly on your way Home?” one of the men asked,

“No, sir, I am not,” was the honest confession; and then as he was getting in the car with them, he added in a tone of anguish, “I must get saved. My sister was saved last night; my brother the night bore, and I am still on the broad road.”

“Well,” said the man, “if you are willing to be saved, Christ is far more willing to save you. You have but to come to Him, just as you are.”

Without another word, the boy fell on his knees, and prayed, “Lord Jesus, take me as I am. I am unworthy, but Jesus died—Jesus died.”

The plea was sufficient, the prayer was heard, and answered. After a few minutes silence, he said to the two Christians, “I am saved, won’t you praise the Lord with me?”

They did praise the Lord: they knelt by the way-side and thanked Him for His mercy and grace in bringing this dear one upon the “narrow way which leadeth unto life.” After they had exchanged farewells, the boy said, “I am on my way Home now, and I’ll go praising Him.”

Dear reader, remember there are two ways, one to the Home above, the other where there is weeping and wailing. On which are you going? Jesus died for you, if you trust in Him, then you are indeed on your way to the glory to be with Him for eternity. Of the other road it is written, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 16:25.

If you are on the right road, the way Home, may your prayer to the Lord Jesus be, “LEAD ME IN THY TRUTH, AND TEACH ME: FOR THOU ART THE GOD OF MY SALVATION.” Psa. 25:5.

ML-07/14/1935

The Four Gospels

Matthew, Messiah, Israel’s King,

Sets forth, by Israel slain;

But God decreed that Israel’s loss

Should be the Gentile’s gain.

Mark tells us how in patient love

This earth has once been trod

By One who in a servant’s form

Was yet the Son of God.

Luke, the physician, tells of a

More skilled Physician still,

Who gave His life as “Son of Man”

To heal us from all ill.

John, the beloved of Jesus, sees,

In Him the Father’s Son;

THE EVERLASTING WORD, made

flesh,

Yet with the Father ONE.

ML-07/14/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 2 and 3

THE name “son of man” ours nearly one hundred times in the book of Ezekiel. It was thus the Son of God spoke of Himself as He passed through this world on His journey from Bethlehem’s manger to Calvary’s cross (Mark 8:31; John 5:27; Matthew 8:20, etc.). That name belongs to the testimony of a God whom His chosen people have rejected, and Himself no longer dwells among them. Their judgment is before Him, though in grace He lingers over them. Marvelous grace it was, that brought His beloved Son into the world, not merely to testify for God to Israel, but to die in the stead of the sinner—whether he be Jew or Gentile—who believes in Him.

In verse 2 and again twice in chapter 3, the Holy Spirit is referred to: “the Spirit entered into me when He spoke unto me, etc.” The marginal note as to the third verse shows that God viewed Israel now as “nations,” like, yet worse than, the Gentiles who had never borne a relationship to Him: “nations that are rebellious, which have rebelled against Me.” “They and their fathers” are classed together as transgressors against God, but the children are “stiff of face,” as the Hebrew reads, and hard-hearted. Nevertheless they were to hear the Word of God. His name, characteristically in Ezekiel is “the Lord Jehovah” (see chapter 3:11, 27; 4:14, etc.), the translators have rendered it “the Lord GOD”. As Jehovah, the children of Israel had known Him, had rejected Him; they were going to have to bear the punishment of their many sins at His hand Who is Lord (Master) as well as Jehovah.

Ezekiel was to say to Israel, “Thus saith the Lord Jehovah,” and the people, whether they would give heed or not, should know that a prophet, had been among them. They would learn, too late it might be, that by the favor of the God whom they dishonored, they had been given a true testimony from Himself, concerning themselves, which, heeded in time, brought His abiding blessing. That it was unheeded by’ the many, we well know, as is the gospel of the grace of God in our own times, but His purposes will be carried out whether men believe or not.

The prophets were never “popular” men, as people speak; we do not read concerning any of them that a large number received their messages and consorted with them. Jeremiah, we have seen, was made to feel the open enmity of the men of his day, and Ezekiel was now to have the same experience. Foreknowing what he would meet with of opposition among the people before whom he was to testify, God bade our prophet to be not afraid of them (verse 6), and in chapter 3 (verses 8 and 9) told him He had strengthened him for the difficult task before him.

Ezekiel was given a book to eat, telling of the judgment to be executed on Israel, and though there was written therein “lamentations, and mourning, and woe” (verse 10) it was in his mouth as honey for sweetness (verse 3, chapter 3). The believer rejoices that God will put down His enemies; will cleanse the world of evil; but when the fearful end of the wicked is seen, as John saw it in prospect in Revelation 10:9, 10, the sweetness yields place to bitterness.

A solemn responsibility was committed to the prophet (verses 17-21); he must give warning from God to the wicked and to the righteous; if he failed to do it, the blood of the guilty would be required at Ezekiel’s hand. How important is the duty of every professed servant of God, to fulfill the service allotted to him!

Yet was Ezekiel to be wholly directed by his Master, who would cause him to be dumb or to speak, as He chose (verses 26, 27). True service for God is not often unceasing labor, and not a little of the religious activity of the present day may not have His approval.

ML-07/14/1935

Is God Able?

IS God able to save me?” was the question of one who was manifestly in the power of the great enemy. “Yes,” I answered. “God is able to save you. That is a settled matter. But the question is, Are you willing to be saved?” This set things in a new light, and my inquirer had to look into himself for an answer to the question, Why was he not saved?

Now, unsaved reader, God is willing you should be saved, so willing that He has given His Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). He is so willing that you should be saved, that He has imposed no hard conditions; He has fixed no price to be paid; He has appointed no time during which you must wait. You are invited to make the gift of eternal life yours, and the only condition is that you receive it.

You are not asked to come to Him, although you are a sinner, but because you are a sinner, for it was to save the “lost” that Jesus came. You ask when may this gift be yours. God answers, Now.

“Come now,” He says (Isaiah 1:18).

“Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace” Job 22:2l.

“Behold, now is the accepted time.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML-07/14/1935

"I Will Go With Him"

A LITTLE child was asked by a friend, “Where are you going?”

“To heaven,” was the reply; and it was given with such a look of joy that it was plain the child wished to go.

“Why do you wish to go there?” inquired the friend.

“Because Jesus Christ is there,” said the little one.

“But what if Jesus Christ should leave heaven?” asked the friend, wanting to find out whether the child merely spoke in this way because he had been taught so, or whether it came from the heart.

“What if Jesus Christ should leave heaven?”

“Then,” replied the little believer, “I will go with Him.”

Now I am sure I need not tell you that this child loved the Lord Jesus Christ. To that little heart, wherever Jesus might be, was heaven; without Him, even heaven itself with all its blessedness and joy, was not heaven to him. Jesus and His presence were to his heart all that makes heaven what it is.

I think this reply very beautiful. It was the fruit of God’s grace in this little child. It was like the answer of Ruth to Naomi: “Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge.”

It showed that Jesus was all in all to this child, and that, come what might, he would cleave to Him. Nothing short of this is pleasing to God.

Children, and grown-up people too, may speak about having believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, but if they don’t love Him they have not really believed in Him. No one can truly believe in Him without loving Him.

Now, I want to ask you whether you can say from your very heart what this child said? Do you so love the Lord Jesus Christ, that His very presence is your joy and delight? Can you say, “Yes, I love Him, because He first loved me, and gave Himself for me?”

If you have really believed in Him you can. If you cannot, may God give you grace to do so. Jesus said, “Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given. Me, be with Me where I am.” John 17:24.

ML-07/14/1935

"Is It Well?"

2 Kings 4:26.

I’ll ask you a question, O you who are young,

And trust that the truth you will tell;

Let conscience and heart give the word to your tongue,

“Is it well with you, child? Is it well?”

You have health, you have strength, you have raiment and food;

In a bright happy home you do dwell;

But, though God all your path with His blessings hath strewed,

“Is it well with you, child? Is it well?”

A mother you have, always loving and kind,

A father, whom none can excel;

But, though round your young heart all their love is entwined,

“Is it well with you, child? Is it well?”

Have you looked to the Lord? Have you trusted in Him

On whom our just judgment once fell?

If not, though your mercies run over the brim,

With your soul, dearest child, ‘tis not well.

Against God, who sent Jesus His Son from above,

O, let not your bosom rebel;

Take refuge in Christ, and repose in His love;

Then ever with you ‘twill be well.

ML-07/14/1935

Attention

THE two girls left their playhouse, and what game do you suppose the boys were playing before one of them began to draw?

How intently each we is watching the drawing. Such a funny picture. What does it represent, and what made the boy think of such a drawing?

It would be good for us if we all gave as close attention to the lessons God has for its in the Bible. Satan despises the Word of God and tries in every way possible to prevent people from putting their mind upon it.

Have you ever noticed that a long Bible verse seems too hard to learn, although you can readily memorize much longer assignments for day school? It often seems harder to sit still through a Bible reading than when something else is being read.

God would have children to learn of Him for He says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Eccles. 12:1.

Timothy was commended for his early knowledge when the Holy Spirit through Paul wrote that he should continue in the things he had learned, knowing that,

“From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

Would you not like to belong to God’s nobility like the Bereans of whom it is written, that they were more noble than those in Thessalonica.— “THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO.” Acts 17:11.

ML-07/21/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 4 and 5

THE prophet, now within his own house (chapter 3:21), was to make a representation of the siege of Jerusalem for a sign to the house of Israel (verse 3). Ezekiel, as Jeremiah and as Daniel, though each in a different way, was brought into a deep realization of the iniquity of the people of God, to feel their distance from Him, and the justness of the judgment executed, and to be executed, upon them.

Thus it was that Ezekiel was to bear the iniquity of the house of Israel (verse 1),—not in atonement; Christ alone, on the cross, did that. God here laid bare the whole case of His people’s sin: it began, responsibly, after David’s death, very quickly in the history of his son Solomon, who ruled in splendor over the widest domain Israel ever possessed.

Three hundred and ninety years in Hebrew reckoning (verses 5 and 9),—388 full years and parts of two more, one at the beginning of the period, and the other at the end—mark the limits of the history of Israel from the division into two kingdoms under Rehoboam and Jeroboam (in 975 B.C.) to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem (in 588 B. C.). But the beginning of the evil was further back, as 1 Kings 11 plainly declares, and we see that the forty years of Solomon’s reign are included, during which Judah was chief of the twelve tribes.

Under all the glory, beneath the display of power, underlying the wealth and the wisdom of David’s great soil, there was a heart that did not yield itself wholly to God, but found its enjoyment in company that led him after other gods, and sanctioned idolatry even in Jerusalem itself. This was the true beginning of Israel’s declension. No mention is made of the ten tribes; they are included, however, both in “Judah” and in “Israel” here, for the whole nation was by this time under the judgment of God, though greater guilt belongs to Judah than to the ten.

Ezekiel protested against having to eat defiled food (verse 14), and therefore God modified His word to him. But this incident in the life of one of the servants of God only puts us in memory of the Perfect Servant, our blessed Lord, who sought no relief in the solitary and suffering path He trod from the manger to the cross (Matthew 1.6:20-23; John 18:11, etc.).

In chapter 5 we pass from the close of Jerusalem’s siege to the judgment upon the whole people which is still in effect (verses 1-5). One third of those in the city were to perish in the siege by disease and famine (as verse 12 reveals); another third would, be slaughtered in the capture of the city by the king of Babylon’s army, and of the remainder, again, some would be put to death. The last third, or what remained of it, is in the position of all the house of Israel: under the abiding judgment of God.

Jerusalem was set to be a testimony for the true God to all the nations, but had become viler than the heathen who were neighbors (verses 5-7). Her judgment would therefore be open and notorious: the nations were to see that the God who had defended His people Israel was now against them, and this, not in a momentary displeasure as when He had let them suffer for a season from their enemies, but a complete overthrow of everything. “The whole remnant of thee will [ scatter to all the winds” (verse 10).

“Jealousy” is, in verse 13, the sense of the Hebrew word there translated “zeal.” The same root word is found in Exodus 20:5,where we have, “The Lord thy God is a jealous God.” His compassionate love has ever suffered much from His people, and we wonder that it can continue unabated, but He will not give up the objects of His affection to a false god.

The waste and reproach among the nations’ that were foretold in verse 14, were repaired in a fashion after the Jews returned under the permission of Cyrus and when Nehemiah was given a commission to rebuild the city 133 years after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. It has passed through many sieges since then, and one remains for accomplishment according to Scripture (Zechariah 14:1, 2).

“His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25) expresses Judah’s greater guilt when idolatry no longer occupied the people; national repentance of that crowning sin awaits the return of their Messiah in glory. Until then, Jerusalem, however it may be modernized, remains a testimony to the truth of God’s Word.

ML-07/21/1935

Whose Faith Follow

A LONG time ago many boys and girls grew up unable to read or write, our history readers tell us. After the colonists became settled in their new land, whither they had come with purpose of heart to worship God as they believed right, it was decided that the children must all learn to read God’s Word. Schools were formed; and they have continued, serving a very useful purpose to this day.

Yet Satan, our terrible foe, has been busy here as in all other places: for now the schools seem a hindrance rather than a help to reading the Word of God. If you ask many of us who are in school if we are going to the week night meeting, we shall probably say we have homework to do. A few even think they have no time for Sunday school.

We must make the best use of the abilities God has given us, and therefore we must learn our lessons well. On the other hand, we must give God’s things first place.

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

“Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Sam. 2:30.

“Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is.” Heb. 10:25.

God knew the difficulties of our time when He wrote these instructions for us, as well as He knew the trial of Daniel’s faith. Was it any easier for Daniel to go, through the experiences which led him into the lion’s den, than it is for us to put God’s things first now? Is God less able to help us than He was to deliver Daniel?

From some who have neglected to serve the Lord who bought them, and who prides all things necessary for this life, the benefits of an education have been taken away through loss of health, of mind, or body. May this never happen to you.

God is able to give time for the meetings and also the ability to gain the knowledge necessary for a livelihood.

Let us think of Daniel, and seek grace from God that we may also serve Him with purpose of heart.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13.

ML-07/21/1935

A Little Messenger

A GENTLEMAN was passing through one of the busy streets of a city, when a little boy ran up to him, and touching his arm, offered him a tract. He took it, and the boy went on giving tracts to one and another of the passersby. Mr. M.’s attention was arrested.

“I wonder who this little boy is? I will not let him off like this,”

So he followed, and stopping-him, asked—

“My boy, why are you giving those tracts away?”

“O! sir, I am so happy, I cannot help it,” he answered.

“But what makes you so happy? I see many happy boys and girls who are not giving tracts away.”

The boy looked up with a smile, as he said, “I know I am saved. I know that the Lord Jesus died to put away my sins, and that makes me happy.”

“I am glad to hear that, but how do you know it?” Mr. M. questioned again. “Sir! the Word of God says so.” “Where does it say so? can you tell me any verse?”

The boy paused thoughtfully, and then said, “There are so many verses, I hardly know which to choose, but it says, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.’” John 3:36.

“It was through that verse I was converted, nineteen years ago,” said Mr. M.

Just then a lady came up, who said she was the boy’s mother, adding, “And I am saved too.”

Three of the Lord’s loved ones were together; they had found something in common. Although never having met bore, they rejoiced together there, in the crowded street.

Then Mr. M. told his young friend that he had been asked to go that evening to speak to some boys and girls about the Lord Jesus, and that he had been hesitating a little as to what he should do.

“What would you have me do?” he asked.

“O! go, sir,” the boy answered.

“Why?”

“Jesus is coming, and it may be the last time,” was the answer.

“What shall I tell them? Can you give me a message for them?”

“Yes. Tell the boys and girls to believe on the Lord Jesus now.”

This was the message this little servant of the Lord Jesus Christ sent to the young people at that meeting, and it is the message we would give to you, readers. We do want you to be saved, and to be saved now, and then, like our little friend, you may seek to lead others to the Saviour.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For 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. 5:20, 21.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:3

ML-07/21/1935

Little Katie

A dear little girl, just four years old,

One day went out to tea;

And returning home, ‘t was very dark,

So dark she could not see.

A kind friend’s hand she tightly held;

“It’s dark,” she so softly said,

“And where I’m going I cannot tell,

But still I’m not afraid.”

“Why are you not afraid,” was asked,

“When the way you cannot see?”

“Because I know,” little Katie said,

“You have tight hold of me.”

“Besides, I know there’s One above

Who keeps us in His care;

We shall not harm while He is near,

For none can harm us there.”

ML-07/21/1935

A Shepherd and His Sheep

A MAN was accused of having stolen a sheep. He was arrested, taken before the judge and brought face to face with his accuser, who declared himself the rightful owner of the animal.

The judge, knowing that in his country it is the custom for shepherds always to walk before their flock and to call to them to follow, had the sheep brought into the court room. Then, sending the prisoner into an adjoining’ room, he ordered the other man to call his sheep. But the sheep, which did not know his voice, paid no attention to him.

In the meantime, the prisoner was becoming restless, and, chafing under the delay, began to whistle softly, giving the call to which the flock was accustomed.

This startled the sheep, which immediately ran toward the door to answer the well-known voice. The judge had no difficulty in deciding who was the real owner of the sheep.

In John 10:4 and 5 we read of the Good Shepherd whom His sheep follow, for they know His voice, but will flee from a stranger, because they know not the voice of strangers. Verse 11 of the same chapter reads,

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” You all know, dear children, who the Good Shepherd is—Jesus Christ the Saviour of all who trust in Him. Is not the weakest lamb safe in the care of such a Shepherd?

Do you know His voice, and does He know you as His lamb? if not, will you not come to Him and be safe from “the thief (who) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”?

“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.

ML-07/28/1935

The Word of Peace

WHEN I was anxious about my soul and seeking for peace within, that word in Col. 1:20 was sent me as a pretty text card,

“Having made peace, through the blood of His cross,” with the picture of the dove of peace bearing an olive leaf. That was to me the word of peace. I saw that peace was already made, that Christ had finished that work on the cross. I looked to Him and peace was mine.

ML-07/28/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 6 and 7

IF the solemn pronouncements of chapter 5 had Jerusalem particularly in view, in these two chapters the whole land falls under God’s solemn dealing, and the reason for it is plainly expressed: it was idolatry, the forsaking of God for another god. Upon the mountains and hills, the watercourses and valleys once described, even by the unbelieving spies (Exodus 13:27), as a land flowing with milk and honey, God was about to bring a devouring sword.

The altars should be desolate, their sun-images (see margin) broken and the worshipers slain before their idols. The Hebrew Scriptures contain several words for idols, but that which Ezekiel uses in every instance is one of contempt, meaning “objects rolled about.” To faith this was a fit name for them, but they were the means Satan’s craft successfully employed to lead men to give up God. When the sword of vengeance passed through the land, the children of Israel would know that Jehovah had visited them, and their idols would be powerless to help them.

In mercy to Israel God would leave a remnant (verse 8), but these would be only they who escaped the sword, and they should be scattered through the countries. Such is Israel, or at least Judah, today, (for the ten tribes are lost to our view)—a people under God’s displeasure, making their homes as best they can among the Gentiles they once despised.

Verses 9 and 10 bring a gleam of hope for Israel; not yet have they been fulfilled, though the people have not worshiped idols since the Babylonian captivity.

Verses 13 and 14 emphasize the judgment upon all the abominations of the iniquities of the house of Israel, and show that Nebuchadnezzar’s hosts ravaged the land beside besieging Jerusalem. Where-ever idol worship was carried on—round their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree, and under every thick terebinth— the places where they offered sweet savor to all their idols, there would the slain be found, their last steps leading them to seek these Satanic substitutes for the worship of the true God.

Diblath, a wilderness whose identity is now unknown, we may well suppose to have been a very desolate place in Ezekiel’s day, but the whole land of Israel was to be more desolate than Diblath had been.

Chapter 7 enlarges upon the desolation of the land, completing the prophetic word whose beginning was in chapter 4. An end, the end, indeed, was come for Israel whose abominations (a term in Scripture associated with idolatry) brought upon the nation the unsparing judgment of a longsuffering God.

There could be no pity in that judgment, since forbearance had ever been despised, and the words of God’s prophets refused. The rod had blossomed, pride was full blown; violence was risen up into a rod of wickedness; nothing of them should remain, nor of their multitude (verses 10 and 11). Outside would be the sword; within, pestilence and famine; death in one form or another threatened all. Some would escape with their lives, bemoaning their state (verses 15 and 16). They gird on sackcloth; horror covers them; shame is upon all faces, baldness on all heads (verse 18). These are all part of the wages of sin, but it does not appear that conviction would come to many, with confession and humiliation before God. When men and women will not heed God’s Word while there is opportunity, there is little ground to suppose that when death threatens they will believe and be saved. Rather are they apt to be hardened then, and die determinedly in their sins.

What use are gold and silver when life’s bright day is over? Silver and gold shall not be able to deliver the possessor in the day of Jehovah’s wrath, nor would they satisfy the soul or fill the belly in the famine which besieged-Jerusalem would experience (verse 19).

The costly temple Solomon had erected was profaned by the images of idols and of detestable things; God had forsaken it, and would give it to strangers, to the wicked. The worst of the nations would shortly enter the land now full of bloody crimes, and the city full of violence (verses 20-24). Peace sought when destruction comes is not found, nor will prophet, priest or elder be of avail then.

A mourning king and a dismayed prince, and trembling people, complete the picture of human woe in that day (verses 25-27).

Fearful are the closing words of chapter 7: “I will do unto them (the unrepentant sinners of Israel who were involved in the judgment of that day) according to their way, and with their judgments will I judge them; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.” What then of the despisers of God’s Word in 1935?

ML-07/28/1935

"All's Well That Ends Well"

“ALL’S well that ends well” does not mean that a man may live a wicked life and be all right at last, for a wrong road can never lead to the right goal.

Sin is a terrible thing. It may at the start appear fair and pleasant as the bubbling spring, but the end is a dark and tempestuous sea. It always ruins where it reigns; when it is finished it brings forth death.

Leave the crooked road to crooked folk, and make at once for the only road that can end well, and let your decision be, “Christ for me now and forever.”

Many people want to be on the right road, but they also love the wrong one. They remind me of a little fellow who made some very fine mud pies, and was sitting beside them crying bitterly. Someone who knew him inquired as to the cause of his grief.

“I want to go home to dinner,” he sobbed.

“Well, my boy it is dinner-time; run along home at once.”

“But I want to stay here,” cried the little boy. And because he could not do both, he sat and wept.

Ah! this is a true picture of many people: they would like to have both—the mud pies of this world, and the Bread of Life; the one now and the other hereafter. But it is quite clear that the prodigal son of Luke 15 could not sit by the swine trough, and the father’s table at the same time: one must be left, if the other is to be enjoyed. If you would walk in the road that ends well, you must leave the road the end of which is death.

There must be a bowing to the Lord Jesus; surrender to Him can only put your feet in the right way. You cannot direct your own steps. We need first a Saviour, then a guide: the Lord Jesus is both. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and all who trust in Him have all they need forever. Do not be afraid to commit yourself in simple trust to Him. He will lead you in wisdom’s ways; and all her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

If the past troubles your conscience, bring it to the Lord Jesus. His blood can cleanse away all its stains. If you fear as you look into the future, bring it to Him, for He can make you safe forever. If the present is full of difficulties, bring all to Him, for He can clear the way and give you peace and joy from day to day. Come with your past, present and future to Him, and let Him put you right, then all will be well along the road, and all will be well at the end of it too.

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

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psa. 37:5.

ML-07/28/1935

"No If"

A LITTLE girl attended a meeting one evening where she heard about the leper in Lake 5, who said to the Lord Jesus,

“Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” v. 12.

The Lord’s answer was, “I will: be thou clean.” v. 13.

By God’s blessing this led her to become a Christian. In speaking about it afterwards, she said, “I noticed that there was an ‘if’ in what the man said to Jesus; but that in what Jesus said to the man there was no ‘if’. So I thought I would go home and take out the ‘if.’ I knelt down in my little room, and said, ‘Lord Jesus, Thou canst, Thou wilt save me, and make me clean; I will give myself to Thee.’”

Let us all follow the example of this child, and take out the “if’ when we commit our souls to the Lord Jesus. And let none delay to commit himself to Him.

ML-07/28/1935

"Behold, I Come Quickly"

“Behold, I come quickly.”

Yes, that is the word,—

The promise once given

By Jesus our Lord.

“Behold, I come quickly.”

E’er sweetly the same,

Then why should I care

For earth’s riches and fame?

“Behold, I come quickly.”

If sorrow is mine,

With this cheering promise

Why should I repine?

“Behold, I come quickly.”

Have I joy below?

What greater delight

When to Jesus I go!

“Behold, I come quickly.”

Then let come what may:

This comforting promise

My spirit shall stay.

“Behold, I come quickly.”

His Word must abide.

I’ll soon be with Jesus,

Safe, safe at His side.

ML-07/28/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 8

EZEKIEL’S first vision occurred in the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity, as we learned from chapter 1; the second, of which chapters 8 to 11 tell, was in the sixth year—midway in the eleven year reign of the last king of Judah, and five years before Jerusalem’s destruction at the hands of the Babylonians.

The elders of Judah had gathered in Ezekiel’s house, perhaps to inquire after any word of hope for them that he might have received from God; it was then that the second vision was given him. In spirit, and by the Spirit of God, he was taken to Jerusalem to behold the wickedness going on there, on account of which the chastisement of God was about to fall on the city and people. First, however, Jehovah as judge is again revealed to him; there is a likeness as the appearance of fire; from the appearance of His loins and downward, fire; and from His loins and upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the look of glowing “brass” (all unknown substance some think to be gold and silver).

How different are these revelations of God in Chapters 1 and 8 from what we know of Him as manifested in grace to those who trust in His Son and seek to walk in ways pleasing to Him! In the vision granted to Ezekiel, however, as in the vision of John at Patmos (Revelation it), it is the holiness of a God who cannot bear evil, and not His love, that is prominent, and Christendom will, in its own time, be judged as unsparingly as Israel.

In succession, five scenes at Jerusalem pass before the eyes of Ezekiel. First is the entry of the inner gate that looked toward the north (verse 8); there was the seat of the image of Jealousy, which provoked God to jealousy. The glory of the God of Israel was there, for He had not then actually forsaken Jerusalem. The image was, perhaps, of Baal, perhaps Ashtoreth; its identity does not matter; it was enough that an idol was set up, and God was therefore disowned.

We may suppose that the reigning king Zedekiah was responsible for the placing of this image. Josiah, his father, had made a clean sweep of idols and places of idol-worship in the land of Israel (2 Kings 23), but of his sons and grandson not one seems to have walked in his steps.

Ezekiel was now directed to look afresh toward the north, and he saw, northward of the gate of the altar, this image of jealousy in the entry. Thus had idolatry raised its brazen face near to the place where sacrifices were wont to be offered for the sins of the people. Was it not an invitation to Jehovah to go far off from His sanctuary?

The prophet was next brought, in the vision, to the entry of the court of the temple, where a more shameful sight greeted him when a concealed resort was exposed to view. Around the room were drawn or painted upon the walls, every form or pattern of creeping thing and of abominable beast, and, besides, all the idols of the house of Israel.

How degrading is idolatry! This was no heathen land, where God was unknown; nor were the worshipers ignorant of Him, for we are expressly told that the seventy were the elders of the house of Israel, and their leader was a son of Shaphan. If this be that Shaphan who served the godly Josiah (2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 31), how great was the decline from father to son! In their wicked hearts these men were saying, Jehovah seeth us not; Jehovah hath forsaken the land! “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3).

Then at the entry of the gate of the temple that was toward the north, Ezekiel sees women sitting, weeping for the Phoenician god Tammuz—apparently the same as the later Greek Adonis. Lastly, in the inner court of the temple, at the entry, between the porch and the altar, about 25 men worshiping the sun are seen by Ezekiel. Were they the high priest and the heads of the twenty-four courses of priests of the Lord?

Along with the devotion of the people to the false gods of the heathen, there was the accompaniment of violence, the twin of corruption, as it has ever been. Contempt for God, of course, came with these (verse 17). Can we wonder that, Israel’s cup being now full of their iniquities, unsparing judgment would shortly be the portion of this people?

ML-08/04/1935

The Eye of God

A LITTLE girl, the favorite of her parents and her aunt, became sick and for a long time could not leave her bed. She was an extremely active child, with a very inquiring mind for her years.

The aunt tried to while away the tedious hours by reading to her. One day the little one took in her hand one of the books which her aunt had laid on her bed. On its title page was an eye painted, and underneath were the words, “The Allseeing Eye.”

She looked at the book for a time, and then asked:

“Auntie, what does that mean’?”

“That means that God’s eye sees everything, and He, therefore, knows everything, even our inmost thoughts. You are not alone and His eye sees you all the time.”

For a considerable time the little one kept very quiet. She was evidently reflecting on what she had heard. Suddenly she said, “Please, Auntie, lay the book away. I don’t want to think more about it. I don’t like to think God’s eye is watching me, and that He even knows all that goes on in my heart.”

The aunt complied with the request of the child, and tried to make her happy again. But all in van. She would not be left alone for a moment. Sometimes she would cry in anxious tones: “O, the Allseeing Lye!”

She remained in this condition for some days; but finally the anxiety disappeared and a happy smile returned to the little pale face. And how was that? She had confessed to the allseeing God everything that was in her little sinful heart, and then thought of the loving Saviour of whom she had heard so much in the Sunday school, and who had given His life for little sinful children such as she was. Therefore she was now quite happy; she knew that her sins were pardoned and that she had nothing more to fear.

My dear young friends, what does the allseeing eye of God daily and hourly see in your hearts?

“God is in heaven: can He see

If I am doing wrong?”

O, yes, He can; He looks at thee

All day and all night long.

“Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”

“Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” Psa. 139:3, 12.

ML-08/04/1935

Children's Praises

Long ago, in ancient days,

Children sang the Saviour’s praise.

Sweet hosannas did they raise

To the lowly King.

We now praise the children’s Lord;

Heart and voice, with one accord,

Join to spread His fame abroad,

Joyful songs to sing.

When He lived on earth below,

Little ones to Him might go;

For the Saviour loved them so,

None were turned away.

Now, though He is gone on high,

Still He hears the children’s cry,

Looks upon us from the sky,

Listens when we pray.

Let us, then, with willing mind,

Praise this Friend so good and kind,

Those who seek Him early find,

“Come,” He says, “to Me.”

He will wash your sins away,

He will keep you lest you stray;

He will teach you, day.by day,

More like Him to be.

ML-08/04/1935

The Happy Boy

WITH delight and satisfaction little Harry returned home from his fishing, whistling as he went along with his fishing-rod on his shoulder and the fish hanging on a string on his hand. He was glad to have such a good catch to take home to his mother for supper.

It is good to be helpful and to enjoy doing things. But we soon learn that nothing which belongs to this scene brings lasting joy and gratification. Lasting happiness is to be found only through faith in Christ Jesus who died on the cross for sinners. Those who accept Him as their Saviour have joy, both in this world and for all eternity.

“IN THY PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.” Psa. 16:11.

ML-08/04/1935

Fishing

WHAT a quiet secluded place this man has found to fish with a rod. He has chosen a position where the fish will riot be able to see him, and no doubt he will catch them fast. If they were to see him, they would be afraid, and would not bite.

It is so with ourselves,—if we see that it is Satan that sets snares for us, we would not be deceived by them. The only way to know what are Satan’s snares, is to be well acquainted with the Scriptures. The Psalmist could say, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psa. 119:105.

True wisdom is to be found there, and if we go according to it, we shall not only find the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour for our souls for eternity, but it will cleanse us in our ways, and keep us from doing the wrong things that Satan puts before us.

“THOU ART MY HIDING PLACE AND MY SHIELD: I HOPE IN THY WORD.” Psa. 119:114.

“This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:11.

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

May each one of our readers prize the Word of God highly, and walk in the fear of the Lord, and thus be to God’s glory, and be preserved from many sorrows into which both Satan and your own evil heart would he sure to lead you.

ML-08/11/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 9

IN the prophet’s vision he is brought to the day of slaughter, the day of the vengeance of God upon Jerusalem, which occurred almost five years later. In view of the working of wickedness which was revealed in the 8th chapter, we can but marvel at the divine forbearance that permitted another 5 years to pass before the city and its inhabitants were overwhelmed in judgment long withheld.

As before, the action here is symbolic; what we see in figure is the judgment of God poured out on the people of Jerusalem, with angels as the doers of His bidding. When the final scenes were enacted, the soldiers of Nebuchadnezzar were God’s visible instruments.

From the north—the direction from which the enemy would approach for Jerusalem’s siege and destruction—come six men, each with his slaughter (literally “dashing-in-pieces”) weapon, and in the midst of them one clothed with linen, with a writer’s ink-horn on his loins. These angelic beings take their places at the brazen altar—place of the judgment of sin—but no victim to be offered as the sinner’s substitute is seen upon it now. The day for that is past; the sinner himself is about to be judged.

The linen clothing of the man with the ink-horn indicates a priest, or priestly work. He stands, in what follows, between those who sighed and cried for all the abominations that were practiced, and the sword of vengeance which should have devoured them. Does he not then present an apt figure of Christ’s work on behalf of those who trust in Him? We are reminded, too, in the marking-of those to be preserved from judgment, of His precious word in John 10:1.4; “I know My sheep.”

Verse 3 records the beginning of the departure of the visible token of the presence of God—the glory cloud—from the temple at Jerusalem. He cannot longer remain among a people who have sold themselves to Satan, but chapter 10, verse 19, and chapter 11, verse 23 show with what lingering steps Israel’s God darted from His earthly habitation. Chapter 43, in a prophecy yet to be fulfilled, presents the return of the glory to a new, a cleansed, Jerusalem where righteousness will reign.

Verse 6: The unbelieving, of course, reject the Word of God, but that Word, both by promise and example, points to unsparing judgment as the portion of those who are destined to meet Him as Judge. In the flood of Noah’s day, who escaped of those outside the ark of safety? None whatever! When Sodom’s judgment fell, who escaped from the city? None whatever!

These two examples were before the Lord Jesus in Luke 17, in speaking of judgment to come. And if we turn to Revelation 20, where the wicked dead are seen gathered before the great white throne, we search in vain for mention of any who shall he spared from the lake of fire. None? None whatever!

Judgment begins at the house of God, as Peter records, in his First Epistle (chapter 4:17). It is a principle the exercise of which is discernible throughout the Scriptures. God requires holiness in those who draw near to Him. Accordingly the word to the executioners in verse 6 is: “Begin at My sanctuary!”

Verse 7: The temple having been defiled by the introduction of other objects of worship, as told in chapter 8, God will no longer dwell there; the house has become common, and He directs His servants to defile it, and fill the courts with the slain.

Verses 8-10: Like Abraham, in Genesis 18:22-33, Ezekiel pleads for the objects of consuming judgment, but the iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah was exceeding great; the land was full of blood, and the city full of perverseness. They said, “Jehovah hath forsaken the earth;” “Jehovah seeth not.” (See Psalm 94:9). God’s eye shall not spare, in the judgment; He will recompense their way upon their head.

Verse 11 gives the fitting close to the chapter: the priestly office has been fulfilled, and those who fear the Lord are marked out to be spared; they are safe in the day of judgment.

ML-08/11/1935

Four Little Boys

AS a servant of the Lord was preaching on the coming of the Lord in a seaside town, four little boys, belonging to a boarding school there, happened to be among the audience. The preacher showed from Scripture that when the Lord comes he will first of all take every believer to Himself. All of these who have gone to be with the Lord since the beginning of the world,—from Abel, or Adam, down to the moment that Jesus arises from His Father’s throne, will be raised in glorified bodies, and all who are living on the earth at that time, will be changed and caught away “tether with them to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17; Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52). Then “when they that are ready” through faith in Christ have thus gone “in with Him to the marriage the door is shut” (Matt. 25:10).

It will be of no use then to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, Lord, open unto us;” for it will be too late (verse 11, 12); for, of course, all who are not ready, all who are not believers, are shut out and left bind, so that they come into all those terrible judgments foretold all through the books of prophecy, to be poured out on this earth.

Well, these four little boys went home to their boarding school thinking and talking solemnly of what they had heard, and what do you think they did? Why, as they were very much concerned about it, and knew that their kind governess was a real disciple of the Lord Jesus, in whose teaching and prayers they had full confidence, they put their young heads tether and wrote the following little letter, a touching appeal when you consider that it told how anxious they were to be saved:

“Miss—. We find from Mr. R—’s sermon that you and all the believers may all be taken away to heaven, and we left behind. We should like you to pray with us about it.”

Having, all signed their names to this, they quietly laid it on her Bible and left it there.

I have no doubt at all that the cry of their young hearts has been heard, and the prayers of their Christian guide and teacher on their behalf answered by Him who proved His love for the little ones when He was here on the earth (Mark 10:13-16), and who is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

My purpose in telling you of it is to show you that even little boys can understand this solemn truth connected with the coming of the Lord, namely, that only those who know Him as their own Saviour will be caught away to meet Him in the air above the clouds.

Now, as this may take place at any moment suddenly, I hope that if you are not yet “ready” by believing in Jesus, you will not rest until you are so, but be in earnest to receive salvation at once by the blood of Christ like the four little boys.

“Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20.

“They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage; and the door was shut.” Matt. 25:10.

ML-08/11/1935

Are You Working for Jesus? If so, Why?

AS I was traveling by train between two of our large cities, a gentleman in clerical attire stepped up and took a seat beside me in the coach.

“What Bible school are you traveling for?” he asked of me. He had evidently noticed my giving out a few tracts, was interested to know my religious position.

“I am not traveling for any Bible house or school, sir, but only seeking to give out the truth of the gospel of the grace of God. It is a wonderful thing to know the salvation of God in Christ, isn’t it?”

“Yes, there’s great need in this country of religious work. So few people believe anything. But it takes a long course of careful study to come to understand the Bible. Theology is a hard study just as Philosophy, or Metaphysics.”

“Well, friend,” I replied, “I believe that the best school on earth for the study of God’s Word is for the soul to get alone with God and the Word, and with the Holy Spirit as his teacher, to learn of the things of God.”

I determined with the help of the Lord to put the gospel of the grace of God before him while the opportunity was mine.

“It is a blessed thing to know that we are saved by the grace of God and that not of ourselves, isn’t it?” I asked, hoping thus to bring before him the fact of God’s free grace in saving lost sinners.

“Yes, but we have to do the works bore we can get that salvation,” he said. “Doesn’t James say that salvation is of works?”

“I understand James to say that faith is not faith at all if it is not accompanied with good works, but that the good works, follow because of the faith in Christ; not the works in order to get salvation.”

Then I proceeded as best I could to put before this man the free gift of God, but he seemed to be thoroughly taken up with the thought of the necessity of his own good works to get him to heaven. Before we had proceeded very far with our conversation, he had reached his salvation, and as he got up to leave me, these were the words he uttered, “So you think that good works are not necessary to salvation? Well, I wish they were not, and I’d have a gay old time in the world.”

Here reader, was a man, gowned as a professional servant of God, who was doing what he called “good works” in order to get to heaven.

Are you working for Jesus, and if so, why are you doing this? is it to earn your way to heaven, or is it because you want to pour out some of the treasure of your appreciation of His blessed love to you, by being found as His faithful servant? If the former, your works are as reeking filthy rags to Him. If the latter, He will reward you for it at the judgment seat of Christ.

“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.

ML-08/11/1935

Stopping the Clock

A LITTLE girl, whose mother had gone out, was left to do some work in the house, but finding playmates at the door, she spent the time at skipping rope. Finding she was unprepared for her mother’s return, she got on a chair and put back the hands of the clock an hour. But the time went on all the same. So does the day of salvation go by while sinners trifle it away, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Heb. 3:15.

ML-08/11/1935

The Stork

THE picture of the storks calls to mind a story which you may like.

In a village in far off Norway there once lived a little boy named Conrad and his widowed mother. They were very kind to a stork which built its nest near their house every summer for many years. They fed it and petted it, so that it got to know them, and when Conrad whistled for it, it would come to eat from his hand. Each spring they watched for it eagerly, and it seemed equally glad to see them.

When Conrad grew up he went to sea, hoping to earn money enough to be able to keep his mother in her old age. Year the coast of Africa the ship he was on was attacked by pirates, and he and the other sailors were put in chains and afterward sold as slaves.

As the weeks went by and the poor widow did not hear from her son, she gave up all hope of seeing him again, and mourned for him as drowned. Things around her held little interest for the poor lonely woman, but for Conrad’s sake she welcomed the stork and fed it till it flew away into the sunny south.

One day as poor Conrad toiled away at his dreary work in some lonely place, a stork came flying close to him, wheeling about him in great delight. Scarcely knowing what he did, when the memory of his home, his mother and their yearly visitor came before him, he whistled as he used to do to call the stork.

To his great joy the stork came at once to him as if to be fed. He lifted up his heart to God, and with tears gave thanks for the coming of his pet. Day after day he fed the bird all he could spare from his wretched meal.

When it came time for the stork to go north again, Conrad was sad. Was it going to his mother’s cottage? Was the nest still there, and was his mother there to welcome and feed the bird? Then it occurred to him that the stork might help him to gain his freedom. He managed to write a brief message on a scrap of paper, telling where he was and that he was held as a slave, and tied the paper firmly around the bird’s leg.

Spring came again to Norway, and with it the stork. The widow’s eye lit up when she saw the stork, and more tenderly than ever she welcomed it. While feeding it she noticed the strange letter tied to its leg. Think of her joy when she found that it was from her son.

The tidings quickly spread that Conrad was alive, and the king sent a ship which the pirates would not dare to touch to recover Conrad from his slavery. Ships traveled slowly in those days, but in due time Conrad was redeemed from his slavery, and was safely at home in his mother’s cottage.

We can cry to the Lord for His help to free us from the bondage of sin and the evil of our hearts. Prayer is the white-winged bird that can bear our message right up to the Father’s house. And an answer comes.

God knew our need long, long ago; and the Lord Jesus, His Son, came down to redeem us by giving up His own life for all who will desire to be freed at such cost.

“CHRIST JESUS, WHO GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL.”

1 Tim. 2:5, 6.

ML-08/18/1935

A Young Believer's Song

HEARD about a dozen boys praying one night that God would help them to live for Christ before their classmates, and show by their ways that they were truly converted. I thought that was just what every saved boy and girl should seek. Then the boys all joined in singing so sweetly:

“And help Thy little pilgrims, Lord,

Along the narrow road,

So that our ways may honor Thee,

And glorify our God.”

This is just what we have been saved for—to tread the narrow way briskly and happily, to honor and glorify God in all our ways. Are you making it your aim to do this, young believer?

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Col. 3:23.

ML-08/18/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 10

THE prophet’s vision of coming judgment continues, and he sees again the judgment throne of God which he had observed in his first vision in the land of Chaldea. When Moses went up in Mount Sinai with Aaron and his sons and 70 elders of Israel (Exodus 24:9, 10) they saw the God of Israel, in so far as He chose to reveal Himself to human sight, and there was under His feet as it were work of transparent sapphire. This stone, azure, or sky-blue in color; is clearly used in Scripture as emblematic of heavenly glory.

The man clothed with linen, who in chapter 9 placed a mark on every one who groaned because of the wickedness going on at Jerusalem, is here instructed to go, (or rather come, for such is the true reading) in between the wheels that he may fill his hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city. This is plainly a figure of consuming judgment.

The cloud, token of God’s presence, fills the inner court, but there is no mention of the most holy place: He dwells there no longer. Indeed His presence at Jerusalem is as ordering the execution of wrath upon it, and “the sound of the wings of the cherubim” (verse 5) gives the impression of readiness for immediate departure.

The beryl (verse 9) is believed to be the golden topaz or chrysolite, and from other passages where it appears it would seem to represent the righteousness of God, not as conferred upon others by sovereign grace, but here as judging all that is contrary to it. It is therefore the “appearance of the wheels,”—that which in the divine operations touches the earth, —that was as the look of a chrysolite stone.

In general, the description of the throne of judgment and its action, corresponds with what is set forth in chapter 1. In the present chapter, the eyes which were observed to characterize the rims of the wheels in the first chapter, are seen to cover the body, backs, hands and wings of the cherubim (See Revelation 4:8). May we not with reverence say that the judgment of God demands (and has as its invariable accompaniment) the fullest knowledge, or discernment. There is no respect of persons with Him, nor is aught unknown to Him (Hebrews 4:13, Romans 2:2, 16).

As to the faces of the cherubim, we observe a change from chapter 1 in that the similitude of the ox (endurance, or patience) is gone, and the face of a cherub (judgment) takes its place. The time for endurance is past, and judgment will now proceed. Nevertheless, they are the same as when Ezekiel saw the cherubim by the river Chebar; Jehovah is the Same: He who changes not, as men change, though sin demands judgment and will have it.

Verse 18: The glory departs from the temple, never to return until the dawn of the Millennium, yet it lingers near, as though loath to depart. Thus has our God ever acted toward His wayward, self-seeking creature, man. Nevertheless the judgment day of this world approaches, a day of retribution to every one according to his work.

ML-08/18/1935

"Remember"

“REMEMBER now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Eccles. 12:1.

Remember thy Creator

Now in thy youthful days,

That blessed Mediator,

Who understands thy ways.

Who suffered on Mount Calvary,

For sinners crucified,

That thou may’st go to glory,

Forever to abide.

Remember thy Creator,

While health and strength prevail,

Why wait a moment longer,

The foe may soon assail.

O, seek the Saviour early,

He will of thee be found,

And bless and save thee surely,

For mercies rich abound.

Remember thy Creator,

Now in life’s bright spring time,

Be now a blest partaker,

Of happiness sublime,

Before the evil days come,

Or yet the years draw nigh,

When thou may’st almost loath them,

No pleasure to supply.

Remember thy Creator,

Now is salvation’s day,

To wait a little later,

Might seal thy doom for aye

O hear Him sweetly calling

In mercy, “Come to Me.”

From certain woe appalling,

To Christ the Saviour flee.

ML-08/18/1935

The Wild Karen Boy.

MANY years ago a lady sat in the veranda of her Burmese home endeavoring to decipher the scarcely legible characters of a palm leaf book which lay in all its awkwardness before her. As the lady bent over her book, she was suddenly interrupted by a strange-looking figure bounding through the opening in the hedge which served as a gateway, and, rushing towards her with great eagerness inquiring, “Does Jesus Christ live here?”

He was a boy about 12 years of age, his course black hair matted with filth and bristling in every direction like the quills of a porcupine, and a very dirty cotton cloth was thrown about his person.

“Does Jesus Christ Live Here?”

he inquired, rushing uninvited into the veranda, and throwing himself at the lady’s feet.

“What do you want Jesus Christ for?” asked the lady.

“I want to see Him, and confess to Him.”

“Why, what have you done that you want to confess?”

“Does He live here?” he asked with great earnestness, “I want to know that. Doing? ‘Why, I tell lies, I steal, I do everything bad, I am afraid of going to hell, 1 want to see Jesus Christ, for I heard one of the Loogyees say that He can save us from going there. O! tell me where I can find Jesus Christ.”

“I want to stop doing wickedly, but I can not stop; the evil thoughts are in me and the bad deeds will come. What shall I do?”

Have you, my reader, like this poor Karen boy, discovered the evil of your own heart, and felt the awful load of sin which must shut you out of Heaven unless put away by the finished work of Christ? In answer to this question the lady replied,

“Nothing; but come to Christ, dear boy, like the rest of us.” This is English which he did not understand.) “You cannot see Jesus now (she was interrupted by a sharp, quick cry of despair), but I am His humble follower, and He has commissioned me to tell all those who wish to escape from hell how to do so.” The look of despair gave place to one of hope.

“Tell me, O! tell me! Only ask your Master, Jesus, to save me, and I will be your slave for life. Do not send me away, I want to be saved—saved from hell.”

How glad was that lady to point the dear boy to the Saviour, to ‘unfold that lovely story of God’s love to sinners, and to tell him of Calvary’s, work, on the ground of which even a poor, wild Karen Loy could be saved.

Dear reader, you live in a land of Bibles, and the gospel is perhaps well known to you, but if your sins have never troubled you, as they did the Karen boy, think, oh! think of them NOW. Be in earnest.

“Those that seek ME early shall find ME,” but think of that day when there will be no sweet gospel to preach, and when the One now offered as Saviour will be the Judge of that day.

“Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek rue early, but shall not find me.” Prov. 1:28.

ML-08/18/1935

Confidence

SEE friendly Rover looking up at us, as though he has the greatest confidence in us! Is it not this confidence that makes dogs so obedient to their masters? We can well learn a lesson from the little boy who said, “I wish I were like my doggie: he always pleases to mind, and I don’t.”

If it makes us feel happy to have our friends and even the animals trust us, how pleasing it must be to the Lord Jesus for us to put our entire confidence in Him, and look to Him in full trust as our Saviour and Friend.

Then let us put our confidence in the Lord, and ask Him to enable us to avoid evil, and to overcome wrong things that make our lives unfruitful to Him.

“IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS STRONG CONFIDENCE: AND HIS CHILDREN SHALL HAVE A PLACE OF REFUGE.” Prov. 14:26.

ML-08/25/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 11

THERE is marked significance in the scene which the Spirit of God here (verses 1-3) set before Ezekiel in his vision. In the 8th chapter he saw Israel both openly and secretly connecting the temple of Jehovah with the worship, of false gods, and this on the part of the leaders who stood in greatest responsibility, and of the people also. Israel’s God, in practice, was utterly disowned, while yet His name was professed. Chapters 9 and 10, therefore, gave assurance of unsparing judgment, coupled with the tokens of God’s judgment throne, leaving that place which He had chosen to set His name there.

But there was another form or character of wickedness against God, just as today in the world there are found not only the corrupters of what people call “religion”, whereby God’s Christ is falsified and denied in the words of many a pulpit sermonizer, but also (another mark of the last days) in growing numbers are seen a godless party whose principle is expressed in the language of the fool who said in his heart, “There is no God”—the rejecters of any sort of religion. Such we have presented in the opening’ verses of chapter 11. They are seen congregated at the entrance to the temple as though blocking the way where, under God’s gracious provision, a poor, confessed sinner might approach Him, seeking-forgiveness for his sins.

Jeremiah 38, while not naming the peons mentioned here in verse 1, shows the same class of rejecters of the counsel of God. The names of the two princes are significant: Jaazaniah, meaning Jah (a name of God) is hearing; and Pelatiah, meaning Jah delivers.

Another Jaazaniah was the leader of the party of idolatrous worshipers in chapter 8, verse 11. God was indeed “hearing” what was going on, though neither of the Jaazaniahs cared aught for Him. God “delivers”, but He did not deliver Pelatiah (see verse 13). Was it desire toward God that led the parents of these wicked men to name their children as they did, or were they considered “nice names”, and given without serious thought to the little ones?

The irreligious class of verse 1 despised the message of Jehovah brought to them by Jeremiah, and dwelt in a false security, confident that Jerusalem would not be captured and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and they themselves brought to death or slavery. Judgment to the full, hover, was hanging over them; the storm, long preparing, was soon to burst.

When God is rejected, the heart of man, unrestrained, lets forth what is stored up within, and murder was common (verse 6), but the murderers were to fall by the sword, not, indeed, in Jerusalem, but within the borders of Israel (verses 10 and 11); for the fulfillment of this promise see Jeremiah 39:5, 6.

Verse 15: Lifted up in pride for which there was no ground whatever, the unworthy inhabitants of Jerusalem, the poorest sort of the people of the land (2 Kings 24:14) considered themselves favored of God, and despised their kinsmen who had been carried away to Babylon and, further back in Israel’s history, to old Assyria. See Jeremiah 24 for God’s thoughts about the captives of Judah and the wicked men of Jerusalem.

But this expression of the proud heart of the people of Jerusalem only leads to a blessed promise concerning the captives (verses 17-20), a promise whose fulfillment awaits the dawn of Israel’s national recovery when the Lord shall come to the earth again to set up His Millennial kingdom. It is that bright day for which the Old Testament prophets looked, when a new Israel shall he born, that is here in view.

In verse 17 “the people” (properly, “the peoples”) refers to the Gentiles among whom the Jews have for almost twenty centuries sought a home. Palestine is their true home, and the only one that they will be allowed to keep. The present influx of Jews to the Holy Land, while deeply interesting to every intelligent student of prophecy, is not the promised work which will issue in the return of a meat number of the sons of Jacob to the land of promise; this awaits God’s time, and it does not appear that it will occur before the heavenly saints are taken away at the Lord’s coming for His saints, though that longed-for event must surely be near now.

In connection with verses 18 to 21, read chapter 36:17-38, and Jeremiah 31:31-34. Verses 22 and 23 give the last view of the symbols of the presence of God; they were then upon the mount of Olives, the peak which is opposite Jerusalem on the east, (see Zechariah 14:4) speaking of the Lord’s future appearing at Jerusalem at the moment when all hope of deliverance for the godly remnant of Judah will seem to have vanished.

We have reached the end of this long vision, and Ezekiel told the people, his companions in Chaldea, what he had learned from God.

ML-08/25/1935

The Boy Who Climbed the Steeple

A BOY named Michiel Adrianzon was in imminent peril. During the workmen’s dinner-hour he had climbed their ladders and reached the golden ball of the church steeple upon which he had sat waving his hands to those below. The men, returning to the work, had removed their ladders, and were gone, Soon he thought of returning, and then found what a dilemma he was in. Nothing seemed before him but death, unless he could hold on till help arrived from below.

Have you ever been in such a strait? Perhaps you are more careful than the daring boy of whom we speak. You would not risk your life in such a foolhardy fashion as this, but possibly without knowing it you are already placed in some such position as to your soul. You have gone, on from day to day without a thought—living, like the rest of the world around you, without care as to eternity—with no concern on account of your sins and the judgment to come, drifting down with the tide to everlasting doom, “without God and without hope in the world.”

Can you retrace your steps? Can you undo the past? It may be you have prosed yourself to amend in the future, that your turning-time will come, and then all will be well. But what about the past? You cannot go back and unmake your history, and yet God requireth that which is past. Your whole history has been entered in His books of judgment, and the day draws on apace when you must give account of yourself to God, and then all your secrets must come out.

What lies behind you?—a past blotted and blurred by sin, smudged and smeared by evil of varied kinds. You have lived for self and cared naught for the claims of God. The voice of conscience has been hushed as far as possible, and you have occupied yourself with this world’s pleasures and refused to bow to the claims of the Lord who has bought you. Are you crying now,

“What shall I do?” Hear then the voice of the Saviour-God saying, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved.” Isa. 45:22.

In grace He waits to bless, for He delights in salvation, and even now if you turn your eye to Him He will save you, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.

ML-08/25/1935

"Prepare to Meet Thy God"

HARRY, with some friends, was off for a holiday. For some time he had looked forward to that excursion: Like many others, he did not care to think of God, or the Lord Jesus Christ; he thought only of the place to which they were going, and of the enjoyment before them; and that without God.

When near P. station the train suddenly stopped; the signal was up, the line was not clear; but there was another reason—God was watching over Harry.

A servant of the Lord, living near to the railway, had had a board with the words,

“Prepare to meet thy God” painted upon it, fixed to the wall of his house, so that passers by could read them.

The coach in which Harry and his companions were, stopped just opposite the board; lie read these words again and again; it was God’s message to him. He asked himself whether he was prepared to meet God.

Reader, are you prepared?

Harry had often heard the way of salvation. Yes, he knew all about Jesus dying on the cross—of God’s love to this world; but he was afraid to meet God. For some days he tried to forget the solemn sentence, but no he could not.

During that holiday they went out for a trip on the sea. A storm came on, the sea became rough, the wind raged around, the waves dashed against the cabin windows, the boat tossed up and down, and rolled from side to side. Harry thought, if they should perish, how could he meet God; what about, all his sins? They troubled him now as never before. Prayers he knew could not save him: in a moment it might be too late.

The boat returned to land in safety, and Harry rejoined his friends; but now the one question ever before him was, what could put away his sins? He searched his Bible for the scriptures he had often repeated at school; and ere long, saw by faith that the blood of Jesus washed them all away. How precious was that word to him.

“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.

All, like Harry, are by nature unfit for God’s holy presence, so Jesus “came to save that which was lost” (Matt. 18:11).

What joy it was to Harry to find that Jesus had done all for him. He is prepared to meet God now! and is looking for Jesus to come, that he may go to that place prepared for all who trust Him. (John 14:1-6)

My dear young friend, Are you prepared to meet Jesus? Should He come today, are you ready to meet Him? Will you be glad to see Him?

ML-08/25/1935

I Have Found a Friend

O, I am happy, full of praise,

For I have found a Friend;

His heart is love, His precious ways

Of kindness never end.

I love Him, for He first loved me;

He told me “Thou art Mine;”

And I through all eternity

Shall in His likeness shine.

Should trouble be my portion here;

This friend is near at hand,

To soothe my heart and bid me cheer,

Through all this weary land.

O, would you know His, precious Name,

‘Tis written in God’s Word;

Today and evermore the same,

‘Tis Jesus Christ the Lord.

Receive Him in your grateful heart,

And He will ever stay;

If once your Friend, He’ll ne’er depart,

Nor let you go away.

ML-08/25/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 12

THE Jerusalem-Jews were not alone in an evil course, for in verse 1, Ezekiel is reminded that he dwelt in the midst of a rebellious house (the captive Jews). Having eyes, they saw not; having ears, they heard not, being insubject to God. Nothing can be compared to the patience He has shown toward His creature, man, and we have fresh evidence of it here in His regard for Israel.

Altogether marvelous is the patience of God in our own times, when an enlightened but unbelieving world ignores, even treats with contempt, the gospel of His grace. Eyes to see, but seeing not; ears to hear, but hearing not, are the rule today in the countries commonly called Christian, where the Word of God is known. How long will the patience of God. Continue? In the time of Ezekiel’s prophecy it was soon to end in the judgment of the last of unrepentant Israel, and many things in these days point to an early end of the day of grace for the Gentiles, when the Jews also will pass under the rod of God’s wrath far more than hitherto.

The captives among whom Ezekiel lived, cherished flue delusion that Jerusalem would never be destroyed, nor the last of Israel be removed from the land of their forefathers. Similarly, in these times, scoffers abound, walking after their own lusts, and in effect saying, “Where is the promise of Christ’s coming?” See 2 Peter 3, verses 3 and 4 which present a true picture of the world today, for the willing ignorance of God and His Word so evident in our times assures us that judgment, long pronounced, is soon to be executed.

The Jews desired signs (1 Corinthians 1:22-24; Matthew 12:38, 39), and God graciously showed them, in the actions of Ezekiel, what was shortly to occur at Jerusalem (verses 3-7). The prophet was directed to portray scenes in a besieged city; in turn to prepare a captive’s, or exile’s baggage, to bring it forth in the evening as though going into exile, to dig a passage by which to go out through the wall in the dark of night (“twilight” it is called, but darkness is meant—the time when the king and his soldiers were to seek to escape from the doomed city. Jeremiah 39:1).

Another sign, not understood at the time, we may suppose, foreshadowed the blindness to be inflicted upon king Zedekiah: “Thou shalt cover thy face that thou see not the ground” (verse 6). (Jeremiah 39:7).

By these signs, explained in due course by Ezekiel, the captives where he dwelt were assured that all hope was gone of averting the removal of the last of their countrymen, together with their king, from Jerusalem into captivity.

While the city remained, and a king of Judah sat on his throne, the glory of Israel was not entirely gone, and hope remained that the kingdom might be strengthened. This was not to be, for all God’s offers of mercy had been refused; the last opportunity had passed, and only the execution of the sentence of judgment remained to be carried out.

Verses 17 to 20: Further tokens of the last days of the siege of Jerusalem were given Ezekiel. There would be fear and trembling because of foes without, and the growing shortage of food within, and this the prophet was to illustrate before his fellow-captives in Chaldea, by eating his bread with quaking, and drinking his water with trembling and with anxiety.

Verses 21 to 25; Idol serving, God forsaking Israel had a proverb of unbelief, but like every other deceit of the natural heart, its folly becomes apparent in God’s own time. He purposes will infallibly be done, and they who heard were soon to see it performed.

Verses 20-28 carried a message for those who were not so hold as others in open unbelief. To them the day of God’s judgment might be a sure prospect, but it would riot come for a long while; not in their time, surely, these slighters of the prophetic word thought and said, would the vials of Jehovah’s wrath be poured out. Yet mercy’s day was nearly over; the clouds of judgment already covered the sky, we may say, and soon the storm from which there would be no escape, would descend on guilty Jerusalem.

And what of the prospect for this careless, pleasure-bent world in which it is ours to live?

ML-09/01/1935

Alfred

ALFRED had had a severe injury. The wound that resulted was not very serious, but it was extremely painful. Alfred was a brave boy, but he found it difficult to endure the pain, as he lay upon his back in bed for a week or two.

Among those who came to see him during the time he was laid aside, was a Christian marl, a friend of Alfred’s father. He talked to the little invalid for a while, and then asked him, in a gentle voice: “Suppose you had been struck on your head instead of on your leg, and you had been killed like poor T— , would you have gone to be with Jesus?”

Now Alfred knew perfectly well what the man meant. From his earliest boyhood he had heard the Word of God read, and the gospel preached, but somehow or other he had never come to a point where he could say that he was saved. He believed all the Bible said about the Lord Jesus Christ, but to believe on Him as one’s own Saviour is quite a different thing from this. So Alfred said nothing in reply to the visitor’s question.

“You see, Alfred, God loves you, and wants you to be His child, He has mercifully preserved your life, but He has allowed you to be hurt. Perhaps this is in order that you may have time to think about it all.”

After the visitor had gone, Alfred did think. And he did more than think. As a boy who was a sinner, he trusted Jesus as his Saviour, and believed that His precious blood could cleanse him. This is how he got saved. The sinner who trusts the Saviour thus is always saved.

So it was by means of an injury that God spoke to Alfred. Perhaps He is speaking to you by means of the words you are now reading!

“Come to the Saviour, make no delay;

Here is His Word He has shown us the way;

Here in our midst He’s standing today,

Tenderly saying, Come.”

“Come unto Me... and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

ML-09/01/1935

"Forgiven"

A LITTLE boy was sick and was supposed to be dying, yet during the whole time, his peaceful state of heart was noticed by those around him, and, at length, through mercy he was restored to health.

Soon after this, his father in speaking to him of his dangerous sickness, said to him: “Charlie! were you not afraid of dying when you were so sick?”

“O, no! not at all.”

“Why, how is that, my son?”

“Because I am a sinner.”

“But how could that give you such peace?”

“Because, father, Christ died for sinners, and I know He died for me, because I am a sinner!”

This is the reason for peace. I know I am entitled to the perfect result of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, because I and a sinner, How opposed this is to the way of thinking that one must be good in order to gain salvation.

Will you not take the lost sinner’s place and claim the lost sinner’s Saviour?

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7

ML-09/01/1935

A Lovely Spot

THE girls in our picture have found a very beautiful place for a little recreation. It may be Saturday and they are having a little rest from their studies. Apparently they are trying to catch a few fish.

How thankful boys and girls should be to God for giving them the pure, fresh air, and streams of water, both of which are necessary for health.

There is one gift above all others for which we should he most thankful, that is, the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and when children go away for a vacation, or wherever they are, how lovely to take the Lord Jesus with them.

“THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” Galatians 2:20.

ML-09/01/1935

All for Him

Two little eyes, to look to God,

Two little ears, to hear His Word,

Two little feet, to walk in His ways,

Two hands to work for Him all my days.

One little tongue, to speak His truth,

One little heart, for Him now in my youth,

Take them Lord Jesus, and let them be,

Always obedient and true to Thee.

ML-09/01/1935

The Forging of the Shaft

WHAT a busy scene we have before us as we look into a forge and see a number of men working with a huge derrick. No doubt in those days, nearly sixty-five years ago, they thought they had a wonderful forge; but many improvements have been made since that time, and such a shaft would be handled in a very different way. The crane and hammer too would he worked by steam power.

God has given man the intelligence to do many wonderful things, but the sad thing about it is that man generally leaves God out of all that he does, and gives himself the credit, as if he had made himself. The Scripture says, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Prov. 16:3.

He is the One we need to be dependent upon for everything, and we should commit all our ways to Him.

“IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.” Prov. 3:6.

ML-09/08/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 13

THE true prophet speaks the mind of God, but those with whom this chapter deals were false; they prophesied out of their own hearts (verse 2), followed their own spirit and had seen nothing. This was God’s estimate of them. (verse 3). They had had no communication from Him. (See Jeremiah 23:25-32 and chapter 28 of that book for more about this class). The prophets of Israel were no more to be considered than the foxes in the deserts (verse 4).

The wall of separation from the nations, which God had set up, was now in ruins; “gaps,” or breaches, abounded in it so that Israel, mingling with and imitating their heathen neighbors, had become worse than they. (See chapter 5:5-7). None endeavored to close these gaps to restore true separation to God among the people of Judah, nor looked onward to the day of the Lord (for Ezekiel’s prophecies leap over all the centuries of Gentile dominion without mention of them. That “day” is the period of at least one thousand years which occupies a large place in the Old Testament prophetic Scriptures, in which the Lord will set the world in order, cleansing it of all that offends Him.

Verse 5 tells what the false prophets had not done, neglecting their plain duty, if they had been what they claimed to be—servants of the living and true God. The sharp, unerring word of the Holy Spirit, the word of God, declares in two words what these men did and taught: “vanity” (in the sense of worthless, unsatisfying talk or pursuits), and “lying” (verses 6 to 9).

They professed to know His will by divination and by visions, but it was a fabric of falsehood. Ignorant souls, not looking to God for help, were deceived by these men into expectations that were not to be fulfilled (verses 6, 10). Changing “whereas” to “when” in verse 7 makes the meaning of that challenging inquiry clearer, The case against these wicked perverters of God’s truth is complete, and verses 8 and following tell of their end as far as this life goes. The judgment of the great white throne (Revelation 20) lies on before, but is not mentioned here.

We have noticed in the book of Jeremiah the character of these prophets; in their estimation (blinded, morally) Jerusalem would never be taken and destroyed; they are here (verses 10 to 15) in the same occupation, expressed as the builders of a wall with untempered mortar, which would fall before the “overflowing shower” of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege. In that day, near at hand then, the builders of the wall—the promoters of resistance to the revealed will of God concerning the king of Babylon—would perish.

How like the untrue prophets of our own times were these men of old! The latter saw “visions of peace, when there is no peace, saith the Lord God” (verse 16), and after the same pattern do they of today talk of peace and prosperity with no judgment to come, denying in terms the solemn words of Holy Writ.

There were women, too, in the days of Ezekiel who, like the men, prophesied out of their own heart (verse 17). They had enticements to catch souls, and lying was their constant practice. We may read the latter part of verse 18: “Will ye catch the souls of My people, and will ye save your own souls alive?” So also verse 20 has been retranslated, “Behold, I am against your pillows, that the souls which ye catch by their means may fly away; and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, the souls that ye catch, that they may fly away.”

God has His eyes upon His beloved and often tried people—those who trust in Him—as verse 22 brings freshly before us: “Because with lies ye have grieved the heart of the righteous whom I have not made sad.” Blessed God! the trials of His saints are all before Him. See Revelation 2:9, reading “railing” instead of “blasphemy” which is a translator’s mistake.

Little do they think, who preach a false gospel, of the light in which God views their “Modernism”, so called, which is at least as old as the times of Jeremiah and Ezekiel “... with lies ye have...strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, to save his life...” These blind and wicked leaders would learn in the end (too late to do them good) who God is, and His people upon whom they imposed their lies would be delivered out of their hands (verse 23).

ML-09/08/1935

In the Quiet Night

A GOOD many years ago there lived a little girl whom we will call Lily. She was only a tiny child at the time of which I am going to tell you, but she was a bright, light-hearted little creature, busy with her simple lessons and merry in her childish play, just the same as you children are.

One night, long after little Lily was safely tucked away in bed, she tossed and turned, and the sleep that generally came to the blue eyes almost as soon as the sunny head touched the pillow seemed to be far away, for a very big thought had taken possession of the little heart, and troubled the gay spirits of our small friend. Softly and tremblingly she kept saying it to herself, “Eternity.”

Presently the tiny white-robed figure slipped from her cozy nest, and sitting down upon the floor, she gently rocked herself to and fro, as again and again would come in a very agony of fear and wonder the mighty, terrible thought, “Eternity! What is eternity? Where will it end? Does it ever end? What is eternity?”

I am glad to tell you that for many years now the thought of eternity has had no dread at all for Lily, for she has been happy in knowing that the Lord Jesus by His death has perfectly settled the great question of sin, and given her to know that her eternity will be spent “in heaven with Jesus.”

I would like all you dear boys and girls to answer this question to yourself and to God, “Where will you spend eternity?

Which will it be for you?

“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,” Matt. 25:41; or “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2, 3.

ML-09/08/1935

Bobbie - Part 1

Sometimes in this world of sin,

Little hearts are aching;

Worn by troubled thoughts within,

Almost unto breaking.

O, Thou Shepherd of the sheep!

in Thine arms enfold them;

Guard and comfort, guide and keep,

Till the heavens behold them.

IT was a happy day with Bobbie when he earned his first sixpence. He intended some day to be an engineer, and then he would bring his wages home to his mother; but up to this eventful Saturday the greatest treasure he had ever possessed was a bright sixpence that a woman had paid him for shoveling away the snow from her door. He could hardly believe that the shining piece of silver was his own. Bobbie was only eight years old, and sixpence to him seemed a mine of riches.

But when lie placed the coin into his mother’s hand, she kissed him tenderly, saying: “Have you really earned sixpence, Bobbie? I think Mrs. Linton has paid you very liberally.”

“Yes, mother,” answered Bobbie in great excitement, “I helped Harry Lester to sweep out her yard, and then I cleaned the lowest window, and scrubbed the steps. And Mrs. Linton said you had taught me how to work, and I might come and help her in the store sometimes.”

“I am very glad to hear that, darling; I am so glad you did your best. But, Bobbie, I have just been paid for some sewing, and I do not need to take your money; you may spend your sixpence just as you please.”

“O, mother?” and for a moment Bobbie’s thoughts flew delightfully to the cakes and candies in a store around the corner, but in another moment he felt he must spend his sixpence more wisely than that, and he said, “I keep wanting to spend it every minute, mother; you keep it for me, and then when I want it I can have it His mother agreed to this, and placed the sixpence in a snug corner of her workbasket, where, wrapped in pink paper, it kept company with a tiny pink pincushion.

Bobbie went to school next morning with a heart that felt equal to the hardest sums and the most difficult dictation, for had he not a secret treasure—his own shining sixpence—that would purchase ever and ever so many of the things in the stores he had to pass—candy, balls, pictures, even a jar of Mrs. Linton’s jam!

Harry Lester, a bright-faced boy of eleven, nodded to him as he ran past, and said.

“Mrs. Linton says you’re a little brick, Bobbie; she’s going to find you a lot of work. You know I go there on Saturdays, but we move next week, so there will be lots of jobs for you.”

Bobbie held up his curly head in expectation of the employment, but the next moment his nicely brushed suit was smeared with mud, thrown by an unseen hand.

“It’s that little sneak, Whiteman,” said Harry indignantly. “I saw him picking up mud just now he’s stooping down behind that wall.”

Bobbie doubled up his small fists, and made a dart in that direction—then he stopped. He heard Charlie Whiteman, the cripple (whose infirmity seemed to have soured his temper, and made him the most disagreeable boy in the school) call out, tauntingly,

“Coward! coward! Who was it that wouldn’t thrash Hicks last week?”

Bobbie’s fingers, soft and rosy as they were, smarted to slap his teasing face, but he looked steadily away from Whiteman, and his little beating heart spoke to an unseen Friend, “Do help me, Lord Jesus Christ; help me not to hurt him.”

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:2

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

ML-09/08/1935

Jesus and the Little Ones

Jesus left His home above,

Full of mercy, grace, and love,

Came a Saviour-God to be,

For the little ones like me,

He was once a little child,

Pure and holy, meek and mild,

And I know that He will be

Kind to little ones like me.

Weary heads were laid to rest

On His loving, tender breast;

Just to show that there will be

Room for little ones like me.

Jesus, I on Thee believe,

To my heart Thy love receive;

Cleaving ever close to Thee,

Keep a little one like me.

ML-09/08/1935

Build Upon the Rock

These children are playing in the sand, happy and free from care. They can mold the sand into any shape, and many pleasant hours are spent here.

How delighted baby is with what brother and sister make for his amusement. Soon he will break down the little castle being made near the flower pots. Having no foundation, its sandy structure will fall easily.

Long ago when castles were built, a rock was chosen for the foundation. So it is now, a good builder would not construct a house on the sand. Sand may be used for play houses, but a house to live in must have a good foundation.

This world is just like shifting sand. Riches can take wings and fly away in a night; and nothing is stable. So there is no good foundation to be found except the Rock. The Rock is Jesus; He is the shelter in the time of storm. Neither is there salvation in any other.

Dear child, build on that Rock at once, while it is yet the day of grace.

O, build upon the Rock,

The only sure foundation,

On Christ alone, the Cornerstone,

The Rock of our salvation.

“It fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.” Matt 7:25.

“O COME, LET US SING UNTO THE LORD: LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.” Psalm 95:1.

ML-09/15/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 14

THE elders of Israel, the old men of the nation, by reason of their years, should have been faithful men, examples of righteousness and godliness, but those who came to Ezekiel, evidently to get him to inquire of God for them, were not a whit better than the other leaders of the people spoken of in earlier chapters.

The heart-knowing God (Acts 1:24; 15:8) from whom nothing is hidden, told His servant what sort of persons his callers were: they had set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face. Thoroughly joined to idolatry, their minds were closed to any call to repentance; with seared conscience they approached God as though He were like themselves, or that He was indifferent to His dishonor. There was no fear of Him before their eyes (Romans 3:18).

The answer God gave Ezekiel to return for Him to the elders was a direct rebuke, a revelation to them that He discerned them through and through, and a promise of certain judgment except they repented (verses 4 to 8). Marvelous, indeed, is the grace of our God, who speaks of mercy when any but Himself would have long since ceased to consider it. Yet will He never compromise with sin, and if a prophet were to join hands with the sinners of that day, linking God’s name with. His dishonor, both the prophet and the man who sought him, should be punished for their iniquity (verses 9 and 10).

Verse 11: Here again, as previously noted in connection with the book of Ezekiel, is a promise of God’s unchangeable purpose to bless Israel, without mention of the centuries of Gentile dominion which were to elapse before that, yet future, but now no longer distant, day shall dawn.

Verses 12 to 21, while in principle applicable to any land where God has been known, refers, primarily, to Israel, for they alone, among the nations, have occupied a place of special relationship to God.

“When a land sinneth against Me by working unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand upon it, etc.” (verse 13, N.T.) describes the position of guilt in which the whole people stood before Him, and the wrath which was poured out upon them.

Righteous persons (and there were such, even in that dark hour in Israel’s history) would not avail to stay the execution of divine judgment upon the land. Abraham’s intervention in behalf of Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33) and Jeremiah 15, where Moses and Samuel are named, recalling times of special intercession for Israel, (Exodus 32:80-35; 1 Samuel 7:3-12) throw light upon this portion of chapter 14, but here it is clear that Israel’s sins were now such in God’s sight that no intercession would avail them.

Noah, Daniel and Job are therefore singled out for mention as righteous persons in God’s reckoning.

Noah (Genesis 6:8, 9; 7:1) a righteous man and a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) with his family of seven persons passed through the judgment flood that swept away the early world.

Job, who evidently lived about the time of the patriarch Jacob, was another man righteous in his generation (Job 1:1), and there was none like him in the earth (verse 8); he prayed for his three friends and was heard (chapter 42:7-10). When these two, Noah and Job, lived and died; the nation of Israel was as yet unborn.

With whom, in Israel’s long history, shall these honored names be linked? The Spirit of God chooses: it is the young man Daniel, at the court of, or at least in authority under, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon at this time (Daniel 2:18, 49). After this, when Daniel was old, we have God’s testimony concerning him, that he was “greatly beloved” (Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19), but the divine record of his life shows him to have been from his youth one who feared and honored God (Daniel 1:8; 2:17 etc.; 5:11-23; 6:3-22).

Though these three men were in the land, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness in the day when God’s four sore judgments were sent. Yet in affecting grace, God’s prose is given (verses 22 and 23) that there shall be a remnant delivered out of the all-including judgment. Of this Isaiah and Jeremiah have testified.

ML-09/15/1935

Bobbie: Part 2

Harry Lester watched the two; he knew, and so did Charlie, that Bobbie was no coward. Charlie limped away towards the school, laughing scornfully, and declaring that Bobbie was afraid to touch him. Harry said to himself, feeling a little ashamed of his own readiness for a hasty blow, and an angry word when he was “put out,”

“I suppose the little chap is thinking of the superintendent’s address last Sunday about the Prince of Peace, and how He wants His little flock to be patient and gentle and forgiving. Anyway, I do think that Whiteman deserves to be paid back in some way.”

Bobbie was of the same opinion: he was only a little child, but he knew that his Master would have him “pay back” his enemies by doing good to them. And his tiny feet had already begun to follow Jesus; for he knew that He had died for him, and he wanted to please his Saviour. The dear father whom God had taken, and whom Bobbie had never forgotten, had laid his hand upon the curly head in his dying hour, and prayed that his little son might meet him in heaven, and might be kept faithful to the Lord Jesus. His prayers were being answered.

“I must do all I can to help Whiteman,” thought Bobbie, rather unwillingly, He did not like Whiteman—nobody did—but when his little heart thought; “I must be good to him for Jesus’ sake,” things looked much sweeter and brighter.

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44,

ML-09/15/1935

Freddy

FREDDY went for a three months’ holiday to his aunt’s pretty country house, which was surrounded by pretty green, fields. A charming stream of clear water in which there were lots of fine spotted trout, flowed through the grounds, and Freddy’s, delight was to stand on the wooden bridge watching the trout leaping in the sunshine.

But what I want specially to tell you about Freddy is, that he was a converted boy, and he was not as some little boys known to me are, ashamed to confess Christ as his Saviour. His aunt was very kind, and so were his cousins; but there was no daily reading of God’s Word or prayer in their home, and Freddy was much surprised at this. On the first Lord’s day morning that Freddy was at his aunt’s, she asked him to have a walk with her by the riverside; but when she asked if he would like to look for nests among the shrubbery, the little fellow replied, “Not on the Lord’s day, auntie.”

At breakfast there was no thanksgiving before food, but Freddy bowed his head and gave thanks. There was no evening prayer, but the clear boy bent his knees by his bedside before lying down. All this began to have a wonderful effect in that worldly home, and I believe was used of God to show his aunt and her household, that there was a reality in Christianity to which they were strangers.

An incident happened one day which gave the dear boy’s testimony favor in the eyes of the whole household. Playing in the meadow with his little cousins one bright day, Ins aunt being only a few yards off, Cissy, a little girl of five years, fell into the water. The current was pretty strong, and she was quickly borne along. Freddy heard the cry and ran to the water edge. There he saw Cissy being carried down by the current. Quick as thought, the brave boy ran to the wooden bridge, lay down flat on the spars, and stretching down his right hand caught Cissy’s dress as she passed. He was unable to pull her up, but a loud cry brought her mother to his aid, and in a few minutes Cissy was drawn out of the water. Freddy was kissed all round that night. When he was saying goodnight to his aunt, he whispered, “Jesus helped me to save Cissy, I cried to Him to do it.”

That word was never forgotten. No doubt it was true, and it proved the reality of his simple trust in Christ. Years have passed, and Freddy is no longer a little boy. In one of the busy cities he carries on a large business, and his delight is still to speak well of Jesus who saved him in his early days, His aunt and her household are all saved and on the way to glory, and she gladly acknowledges that Freddy’s clear testimony to the Lord Jesus first turned her thoughts Christward.

How grand it is to be saved in early days, and to be the means of pointing others to the Saviour.

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

ML-09/15/1935

What Can Wash Away Stains?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ML-09/15/1935

Praise Him

“Praise the Lord, who died to save us,

Praise His ever gracious Name;

Praise Him that He lives to bless us,

Now and evermore the same.

Precious Saviour!

We would all Thy love proclaim.

“Grace it was, yea, grace abounding,

Brought Thee down to save the lost;

Ye above, His throne surrounding,

Praise Him, praise Him, all His host,

Saints adore Him,

Ye are they who owe Him most.

“PraiseHis Name who died to save us,

‘Tis by Him His people live;

And in Him the Father gave us

All that boundless love could, give.

Life eternal.

In our Saviour we receive.”

ML-09/15/1935

An Afternoon in the Meadow

IS it not refreshing, while riding along a country road on a hot summer day, to see cattle resting in the shade near the grassy banks of a stream? Perhaps some of you, dear children, have scent your vacation in the country and helped the farmer drive the cows to and from the meadow.

The cattle are God’s creatures, and He has provided the restful spots, green meadows and brooks by which they are nourished and refreshed. The ones in our picture are enjoying these comforts. We are touched, as we think of God’s provision for His dumb creatures, which have no souls to save. But, dear readers, greater love is going out to you.

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

You have a never dying soul. Have you ever asked yourself, Where will my soul be, if I am called to die; or if the Lord should come? This is a most important question, and should be answered between God and yourself at once.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15.

“Be ye also ready,” Matt. 24:44

“The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:8.

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

ML-09/22/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 15 and 16

THE short 15th chapter treats Israel under the well-known figure of the vine—God’s vine, responsible to bring forth fruit. (Psalm 80:8-11: Jeremiah 2:21; Hosea 10:1, and many other passages refer to Israel as the vine, or the vineyard, which God had planted and cared for). The vine had failed to yield fruit to God, its husbandman, and now His word to Ezekiel is, “What is the vine (or, the wood of the vine) more than any wood, the vine branch which is among the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work?”

It is not useful as the wood of other trees, and even as fuel its value is low. Israel had already experienced the fire of God’s indignation in the captivity of both “ends” of the nation—the ten tribes and the two, and only the small part was left in possession of the land; these were more wicked than their fellows who had gone into captivity.

God was therefore about to give to the fire the inhabitants of Jerusalem who are viewed as representative of the people left in the land of their forefathers. He would set His face against them, and when they would seek to escape front one fire, another would devour them. This, we may gather, referred to the effort to escape from the besieged city, which ended in the capture of those who fled. (Jeremiah 39:4-9).

Chapter 16 takes up Jerusalem in another way, under the symbol of an unfaithful wife. The city’s beginning was Canaanitish, and there was evidently nothing in its early history of which to be proud. Its first name was Jebus, which is said to mean “Trodden down”, Captured after the death of Joshua (Judges 1:8) it was only fully taken possession of by David when he made it the capital city (2 Samuel 5:6-9), It was then that God bestowed His favor on the place, and after David’s death, when Solomon built the magnificent temple and beautified Jerusalem, it became a city of extra-regal splendor, But the pinnacle of glory thus attained was quickly followed by fearful departure from God, even in Solomon’s day (1 Kings 1:1-8). The course of Israel thereafter was an evil one for the most part, as is shown by 1 Kings 14:22-24; 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Chronicles 36:12-16, and many other passages.

Idolatry was the great snare of the children of Israel in all their history until they were carried as captives into the land of idols,—Babylon. Since then they have left idols alone. With the spread of idolatry there was abandonment of the place of separation from the Gentile world, and seeking alliance in turn with Egypt and with Assyria; God, as Israel’s Husband and Protector, was given up. So acting, it was impossible but that immorality and violence abounded, for one wrong step leads to another.

Judgment is pronounced upon Jerusalem because of all this (verse 35 and following). More corrupt than Samaria and Sodom was the city once marked out as God’s choice; indeed Samaria (the capital of the ten tribe kingdom of Israel) had not sinned according to half of Jerusalem’s sins.

Nevertheless, Jehovah will remember His covenant with His earthly people, and will establish an everlasting covenant (see Jeremiah 31: 31-341). For this, Israel must be redeemed—brought back from among the dead (Romans 11:15).

ML-09/22/1935

Wrong All the Way Through

THERE are many people who are like the sum which you will see following this sentence. They make a mistake at the very beginning and they never get right to the very end of their lives. Every figure in this answer is wrong,

6)4186048

___________

731008

because the first figure of it is wrong. Six times seven are not forty but forty-two. So in our life’s journey, unless we begin by taking the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, every step of our way will be wrong.

O! see to it, dear young friends, that you receive Him at once. Unless you do so you will be wrong all the way, and, alas! you will lead others wrong also. For, remember, you are always doing good or evil to those you meet day by day. You cannot help this. You have an influence on brothers and sisters, schoolmates and friends. Is yours an influence for good? “One sinner destroyeth much good.” He not only destroys himself, but helps others on the wrong road down to perdition. And do not forget this—you may help others down and never be able to help them back again.

It may be that you feel you have been all wrong in your life. Turn then to the Saviour now. He will receive you even as a sinner, for it is still true, “This Man receiveth sinners.”

He will give you a new start altogether. Blotting out your sins by His precious blood, He will give you the Holy Spirit, so that you may walk for His pleasure and His glory.

“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.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13.

ML-09/22/1935

Bobbie: Part 3

Although Charlie Whiteman was not in his class during school hours, he sought him out as soon as they went into the playground, and loaned him his top—the most precious thing he owned next to his sixpence. The spirit of teasing was so strong in Charlie, that after playing with it a little while, a sudden mischievous impulse caused him to throw it over the playground wall, into the garden of an irritable old gentleman, who had declared that any balls or tops that come over the wall must be forfeited by their owners.

“Your top’s over the wall, Bobbie,” said Charlie limping away as fast as possible. Bobbie could not believe it for a Moment; then tears welled up to his eyes.

“Cry-baby! cry-baby!” exclaimed Charlie, mockingly. Bobbie hurried out of his sight, and in a quiet corner of the playground had the cry he really could not help. That top had been a gift from his father, and he had had it so long.

Poor Bobbie could not summon courage to face that tall gentleman next door; he felt bewildered and helpless and disappointed because he had failed to change Charlie’s feelings towards him. He could only whisper out his trouble to Jesus, with whom no sorrow is too small for symphony, no difficulty too small for help.

While he sat there in his helplessness, something’ came whizzing over the wall and alighted almost at his feet.

What a scream of joy rang through the air as Bobbie picked up his top, rather dirty, but unhurt, for it had alighted in going and returning on soft, safe spots of earth. A gardener was working on Mr. Mann’s grounds, and finding the top, sent it back over the playground wall. Bobbie did not know how it was restored to him, but he felt positive that his sorrowful, whispered words had reached to heaven.

“You should let Whiteman alone,” said Harry Lester to him some days afterward; “it’s no good to be kind to such a fellow as he; if you do him a good turn, he’ll do you an evil one the first chance he has.”

Bobbie did not feel discouraged; for he and his mother were praying for Charlie Whiteman, so they felt sure his heart would not always be so hard and unfeeling.

One evening Bobbie was playing in the court with his top, when Whiteman went limping by, and though his face was turned away, Bobbie felt sure he had been crying. Knowing that Whiteman would be angry if he suggested such a thing, he only said, in a friendly tone, “A Punch and Judy has just gone up North St., Charles: wouldn’t you like to see it? I was there just now, but I’ll help you along if you take my arm.”

“I don’t want your arm,” said Charlie, passionately and fiercely; “I don’t want to be helped along all my life by other people. Why should you be able to run about, and why should I limp like this, I should like to know?”

Bobbie was a little frightened, but he began to see what a great affliction the boy found in his lameness, “I don’t know why,” he said timidly, “but Jesus knows why.”

“Nobody knows,” cried Charlie, bitterly, “and nobody cares.”

“O, yes, indeed! Charlie,” said Bobbie, earnestly, “Jesus cares. Didn’t He care about the poor lame people when He was down here on earth? And isn’t He just the same—just as kind as He was then? O, do come to our Sunday school, Charlie; you wouldn’t feel had like this about being lame if you heard about Jesus. The teacher says He gives us pain in His pity to bring us close to Himself; and He won’t ever give us too much.”

“Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3.

ML-09/22/1935

The Two "Lets"

THERE were two little sisters at the house whom nobody could see without loving, for they were always so happy together. They had the same books and the same playthings, but never a quarrel sprang up between them—no cross words, no pouts, no slaps, no ruing away in a pet, “You never seem to quarrel,” said I to them one day; “how is it you are always so happy together?”

They looked up, and the elder answered: “O, you know, Addie lets me, and I let Addle.” I thought moment.

“Ah! that is it,” I said; “she lets you, and you let her; that’s it!”

“Yes, that is it.” The Bible says, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Eph. 5:21.

His grace can enable even high-spirited boys and girls to do so. Don’t forget the two LETS.

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

ML-09/22/1935

Thou Art Worthy

Let us join our happy voices

In a song’ of praise,

Unto Jesus, crowned in glory,

Loud the chorus raise:

Thou art worthy, blessed Saviour,

All to Thee we owe;

We Thy love shall never fathom,

Nor its end shall know.

Thou didst leave thy heavenly mansions,

With its street of gold:

And though Lord of all creation,

Like a slave wast sold.

On a shameful cross, Lord Jesus,

Thou didst bleed and die,

So that we might live forever

In Thy home on high.

ML-09/22/1935

Great Expectations

AFTER watching the water bugs skim over the water for a time, while fishing, it is exciting to feel a tugging on the line and draw out a big fish, then another and another. How good they taste when our mothers cook them.

In our picture we see one of the boys holding his fishing rod out over the water patiently waiting for the fish to bite. The others are watching quietly, for if they made a noise the fish would be frightened away and could not be caught. But if the children all keep quiet, they may expect to catch some fish and they are happy in this expectation.

Dear children, does this attitude of watching remind you of something else we are expecting? Most of you have heard that Jesus is coming to take those who love Him—coming to take them away from this world of sin and sorrow to His happy home above, where all is joy.

We do not know just when He will come, but He tells us to watch and wait, for He may come at any time. As a clear little girl four years old said, “He may come this afternoon.”

“For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb. 10:37.

“THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH.” James 5:8.

ML-09/29/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 17

IN this chapter, history is stated. The great eagle of verse 3 was Nebuchadnezzar, head of the Babylonian empire. The description given carries with it the thought of great power and glory (great wings, long wings or pinions, rich in many colors). (See Isaiah 13:19), He came to Lebanon and took the highest branch of the cedar.

Lebanon’s cedars express, in Scripture, the loftiness of man, and here the house of David, the royal line of Judah, is meant, subjected however (because of their departure from God) to the Gentile power. By the “highest branch” is meant Jehoiachin (2 Kings 21:8-16), the young man who succeeded to the throne of Judah on the death of his father Jehoiakim, but was quickly carried away to Babylon.

Verses 5 and 6 refer to Nebuchadnezzar’s making Zedekiah (Jehoiakim’s brother, and uncle of Jehoiachin) king of Judah, giving him rule at Jerusalem over what remained of the people. At that time, or earlier still, when Jehoiakim became king (Jeremiah 27:1-15) God sent word through Jeremiah to the kings of Judah and the neighboring countries that they should acknowledge Nebuchadnezzar’s overlordship. For some years Zedekiah yielded tribute to the ruler of Babylon, but afterward he rebelled (2 Chronicles 36:13), to his own utter undoing.

There was another great eagle with great wings it was Egypt — and the vine of verse 6 (Zedekiah) bent her roots toward him, shot forth her branches tard him. Zedekiah was courting the favor of the Egyptians, in order that he might break the yoke of Babylon, to whose king he had sworn to be faithful, by an oath in the name of Jehovah. Neither his oath nor the word of God to him, directing him to be subject to Nebuchadnezzar, weighed very much in Zedekiah’s mind. God, however, is not mocked, and Zedekiah, in a few years reaped as he had sown. Verses 9 and 10 foretell the end of his kingdom, which might have cautioned and been blessed, had he feared God and kept covenant with Nebuchadnezzar (verse 8).

In verse 12, for “is come”, read “came.” Verses 13 to 15 add to what is told elsewhere concerning the cause of Nebuchadnezzar’s warring against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 21, 32, 34, and 39). It was the breaking of a promise, sworn to in the name of Jehovah the God of Israel, that so angered the king of Babylon that he determined to put an end to Jerusalem, destroying the city, and that he put out the eyes of his unfaithful servant Zedekiah after slaughtering his sons.

It was the judgment of God, through Nebuchadnezzar as its instrument, which fell upon this son of David (verses 16-21). Pharaoh might sally forth with a mighty army (verse 17, and Jeremiah 37:5) to help Zedekiah, but a mightier Power than Pharaoh’s or Babylon’s had decreed the outcome of this war. God’s oath he had despised; God’s covenant he had broken; for the king of Judah had promised the idolater of Babylon in the name of his God, and Nebuchadnezzar naturally put confidence in such a promise. Judgment must therefore begin at the house of God, for He will be sanctified in all that come nigh Him.

Verses 22 to 24 again bring forward the bright, the blessed prospect that will yet be Israel’s. The “highest branch of the high cedar” is none other than the Messiah Himself, rightfully ruling over a clean-hearted, renewed Israel, The high tree of man’s sinful pride will have been brought down, and the humble will be exalted; the “green tree” under which the power of Satan had flourished will be gone, and the “dry tree”, the desolate, will flourish in that day.

“I Jehovah have spoken and will do it” (N.T.) fitly closes the promiseful last verses of the chapter.

ML-09/29/1935

Bobbie: Part 4

Continued from Page 88

“It’s like this,” said Charlie, hopelessly: “you know that great big, new hospital in S.? There’s a clever doctor there, from E, that understands a lot about bad hips like mine, and you know I’ve never had any proper doctoring for it since I hurt it, for father and mother are always hard up for money. Sam Brooks and Lizzie Webster have been under Dr. B., and he has done them a sight of good. O, if I could only see him, and find out if there is any hope of my hip getting cured! How happy I should be!”

“I believe there is hope,” cried Bobbie joyously. “Mother always says you would get much stronger if you had a lot of good food and a long rest.”

“My mother says as how it’s no good wasting money to go to S., and dad’s out of work just now,” said Charlie. “I’ve saved a penny for nearly five weeks, but I couldn’t get there in time, except by the early morning train, and the return fare is sevenpence. I’ve just been to ask Mrs. Linton at the store to let me work a hit for her on Saturday; but she says she has promised all the small jobs to you.”

Bobbie said nothing for two or three minutes; then a higher strength than his own helped him to say, “I’ve got sixpence, Charlie; I’ll run and bring it to you.”

“You! But, Bobbie,” hesitated the boy, “it may be ever so long before I can pay you back.”

“I want to give it to you,” said Bobbie, firmly. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

His mother was silent when he asked for his sixpence, that Charlie might go to the hospital; but she gave it to him with a most tender kiss, and thanked God in her heart that her little boy was acting so unselfishly.

“I can’t think how you can do it, Bobbie,” said Charlie. “I’ve been horrid to you; but I tell you what, little chap, whether I get better or not, I’ll never forget how you helped me. There must be something in your Bible-reading, after all, if it makes you care about a fellow like me.”

Charlie went next day, in company with a neighbor, Mrs. Webster and her little girl who was under hospital treatment, to consult the clever doctor. He saw at once that nothing could be done for the boy unless he had quiet, nourishment, and constant attention for some weeks.

“You must come into the hospital, and lie in bed for a time, my boy,” he said kindly; “then we hope to send you away looking another sort of boy altogether.”

Charlie had to wait a little while, till a bed was vacant; but while by the door’s orders, he kept quiet at home during those few days, he was full of hope, and asked Bobbie more than once to come in and talk to him about Jesus, who cares about the lame.

And O, when several months later, the children of the Sunday school gathered one Sunday, and Bobbie came in with Charlie, looking almost as well as Bobbie himself, it would be difficult to say which of the two joined the more joyously in the hymn of praise—Charlie, who had learned in the restful calm of the hospital ward to love the Lord who had healed him; or Bobbie, whose first sixpence, given up for Jesus’ sake, had been so tenderly blest by the Master.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all.” Titus 3:10.

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

ML-09/29/1935

"O God, Save Me"

ONE day, as I entered a street car, which was nearly empty, I saw, at the other end, a bright, round faced, little boy, about eight years old. He had a parcel of illustrated papers in his hand, and by his side, on the seat, lay a small pile of pennies.

Just as I got in, he was offering a paper to a young woman opposite him, who, however, did not appear to take any notice of him. I felt interested in the little fellow, and, seeing the disappointed look on his face, I went and sat down by his side, and after buying one of his “Little. Soldiers,” began talking to him.

“Why do you sell these papers, my little man?”

“Cos I want people to be saved.”

“O! that is nice. Are you saved, then?”

“O, yes!”

“Well now, will you tell me how you were saved? I should like to know so much.” He raised his chubby face to me, and said thoughtfully,

“I dunno erzackly.”

“O! do try and tell me, I want to know so very much.”

Again came the answer, this time more slowly than before,

“I dunno erzackly.”

“Did you find out you were a sinner?”

“No,” he said, with a shake of his little head. Thinking perhaps he did not understand, I said, “Are you a good boy?”

“O, yes,” he said quickly, delighted I had said the right thing at last.

But I was disappointed! I thought the little boy really knew what it was to be saved from Satan, and from hell, and brought to know that Jesus loved him and had died for him. But he did not even know he needed a Saviour.

“What!” I said, “are you never naughty? Do you always speak the truth? Do you always do as mother tells you? Do you never quarrel?” This time he hung his head, and said, “Sometimes.”

“Ah! I thought so. And now let me tell you how I was saved, because I am very much afraid you have made a mistake—and that would be very sad—for you know if you are not saved, you are lost.

“Long ago I wanted very much to be saved, but the more I tried to do right and be good, the worse I grew; and I thought, O! I shall never be good enough for God. Then I prayed, ‘O! God, save me,’ and God heard me.”

“First He showed me I was all wrong, and that it was no use trying to be good; I could never save myself that way. Then He showed me Jesus, the Holy One, dying for me—being punished for my sins. Ah, that was wonderful! I could only cry out, ‘My Saviour, I thank Thee for loving me so.’ And that is how I was saved—because the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.”

My little friend listened, but the car stopped, and I was obliged to leave him. I have never seen him since. I wonder if we shall meet in our Father’s House?

Jesus said, “I am the Way...no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML-09/29/1935

"I Will Come"

“I have come” the Saviour said—

“Come from heaven the living bread,

Come the Father’s love to tell,

Come to save from death and hell.”

Yes! He came, the Lord from heaven,

Came that we might be forgiven;

On the cross His work was done

Then ascended to the throne.

“I will come” is now the word

Of the risen, glorious Lord—

“I will come to take away

All My own, to realms of day.”

Happy moment for each one,

Who believes on God’s dear Son;

Sad for each then left behind,

Only punishment to find.

ML-09/29/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 18

CHAPTER 18 continues the exposure of the wickedness of Israel which has been so much the theme of preceding chapters.

God had, in Exodus 34: 6, 7, announced to Moses the ground of His government of His people. He would be “merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and...will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

We have seen in the testimony of God’s Word in 1 and 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lamentations, and now in Ezekiel, that the children of Israel went further into sin as generation succeeded generation. Hosea, Amos, Micah and other prophets assert this too. Godly exceptions there were, among the people, but the state of the nation as a whole grew worse and worse.

Amid this ever-deepening guilt before God the people had devised a proverb (verse 2) to account for the distresses in which they were involved, by putting the blame for them upon their (more wicked) forefathers in the first place, and then upon God because of His governmental rule in Exodus 34:7.

His answer is, You will have no further occasion to use the proverb in. Israel. Thenceforth the people of Israel were to suffer, each individually for his own sins. And would their burden, the hardship of which they complained, thus be lightened? Indeed not, for they were more wicked than the generation before their own.

In what follows (verses 4-1S) three cases are put forward, and God’s dealing with each of them. The reader will observe that the subject is the government of God; not the exercise of His grace in forgiving the sinner who turns to Him in repentance. Both are found in His Word. An illustration may help: David’s great sin was forgiven, yet its consequences were reaped by him and his family all of his days. See 2 Samuel 12:13 and the two preceding verses. Galatians 6:7, 8 is the governmental dealing of God in this world, and John 3:16 is His grace; there is no possibility of conflict between the two.

All the souls are God’s; the soul that sinneth, it shall die (verse 4). It is not here a question of the eternal doom of the lost, but the cutting off of life prematurely because of sin. See chapter 11, verses 1 and 13, which, among many passages to which reference may be made, shows judgment called for and executed on one of the leaders of Israel.

In verses 5 to 9 a man devoid of offense against God and man is described. We might have difficulty in finding one who filled all the requirements here expressed, but we would not waste time in seeking for such persons among the ungodly. First, then of the three cases, is conduct that is acceptable with God. Would His governmental dealing overtake such a one in death? By no means.

Verses 10 to 13 set forth a very different case: one who turns away from a good example to become reprobate. We are not surprised that there is no mention of God and His Word in connection with him, for he has plainly turned his back upon God. Corruption and violence are his chosen companions, and false gods are enthroned in his heart, Shall he then live? He shall die; his blood shall be upon him.

The third case is presented in verses 14 to 17: the son of a wicked man who sees all his father’s sins, and considers and avoids them. He becomes like the first man in verses 5 to 9. He shall not die for the iniquity of his father. The father, however, shall die in his iniquity (verse 18).

Is there not in all this a voice for many a conscience? Israel was convicted, for the piercing sword of the Word of God brought to every hearer, every reader, the solemn question, In which of the three classes am I? and forthwith revealed the true answer. All, or nearly all, were in the middle class.

Yet there was still opportunity for repentance, even at that late hour, when judgment overwhelming in character was only a few short years away (verses 30-32).

ML-10/06/1935

Danger

ON a bright August morning, a little boy and girl were playing happily together. For a while, all went on well; then the little fellow saw a pretty flower growing on the edge of the cliff close by, and made efforts to reach it. Thick iron rails are put up, to keep boys and girls out of danger, but the little fellow quickly climbed over these, and was making his way toward the pretty purple flower, when his foot slipped, and in another moment he would have fallen over the cliff, into the depths below. Just at that moment, a man who saw the boy’s danger, ran forward, and with a strong hand, grasped him, and thus rescued him from death.

How many are lured on to eternal destruction, as that little boy was lured to the dangerous cliff, by some bright but passing pleasure, found in a forbidden path. God has guarded the, dangerous spot by warnings and barriers, yet sinners climb over, to secure their heart’s desire, even if it cost their souls, One from on high has seen the danger, and His strong hand is now outstretched to save. Have you been rescued from death and judgment by the hand of Jesus, my young reader? Can you say, “Great is Thy mercy toward me, for Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell”? Psalm 86:13.

ML-10/06/1935

"I Want to Be Sure"

AT the close of our Friday Evening’s Children’s Meeting, a little boy came up to me and said, “I want to be sure about it, sir.”

“What do you want to be sure about, my boy?” I asked.

“About my salvation, sir,” he replied.

We sat down side by side, and spoke together a long time about Christ, and His precious blood. We read several portions of Scripture, such as John 5:24, Acts 13:38, that make all who believe sure about their salvation, and at the close of our conversation, the dear little fellow said, “I am sure about it now.”

Reader, are you sure about your salvation?

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13.

ML-10/06/1935

Katie

WOULD you not like Katie, the girl in our picture, for a playmate? The big garment she is knitting and her cheerful appearance tell us she is industrious and willing to help her mother about the house. The interest she shows in the pets about her might indicate that she is full of fun, and likes lively games. She looks kind and thoughtful of others.

But however good this dear girl may be, we should find, could we know her, that she like ourselves has a heart which is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). We hope she knows this, and has found Jesus as her Savior. Have you found Him?

“THERE IS NOT A JUST MAN UPON EARTH, THAT DOETH GOOD, AND SINNETH NOT.” Eccles. 7:20.

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

ML-10/06/1935

Our Saviour's Care

Did you ever think, dear children,

Of your tender Saviour’s care?

How He watches, guards, and keeps you

From the danger everywhere?

He is with you in the morning,

At the dawning of the day—

With you while the hours are passing,

While you work and while you play.

Unseen dangers oft surround you,

Dangers great, and dangers small

But while His strong arms uphold you

You can never, never fall.

Then when day at last is fading,

And the twilight shadows fall,

He is with you in the evening,

And will hear your faintest call.

Nestled warmly neath the covers,

Little eyes all closed so tight—

Still His care unceasing hovers

Fondly o’er you through the night.

Yes, dear children, this kind Saviour

E’er will guard with loving eyes,

Till He comes, now soon, to take you

To His home beyond the skies.

ML-10/06/1935

The Nightingale

TODAY we see two pretty birds perched on the branches among the sweet flowers. The larger bird is perhaps singing his beautiful song: for the nightingale, or “singer of the night,” is noted far and wide for the surpassing loveliness of his voice. Although his Plumage is not so bright and beautiful as that of some birds, his song is surpassingly sweet.

We wonder how many of our clear readers are like the nightingale, not clothed with that which will make an outward show, but able to make sweet melody in their heart to the Lord. Your songs may not be in audible tones, but in the heart, in a way that is very precious to Him who loves you. He gives “songs in the night” to His dear ones who know Him “who loved us and has washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

May our hearts be found going out to Him in sweet melody, night and day, like the lovely notes of the nightingale which so delights its hearers!

“WHOSO OFFERETH PRAISE GLORIFIETH ME.” Psa. 50:23.

ML-10/13/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 19

THE closing chapter of the section of Ezekiel’s prophies, which began with chapter 8, views the last years of the history of Israel (here Judah, the remnant of Israel) before the removal of the last of the people into captivity. The closing verse expresses the theme of the chapter, “This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.”

The mother, a lioness (verse 2) refers to Israel in the place which God had given. His people, when under David and Solon the kingdom rose to a pinnacle of glory,—shortly lost, it is true, because of idolatry; but for nearly four hundred years after Solomon’s death the house of David was permitted to reign at Jerusalem.

The young lion of verse 3 is unmistakably Jehoahaz, first of the godly Josiah’s sons to take the throne after their father’s death, in battle (2 Chronicles 35, 36). Short though his reign was (only 3 months) this young man did evil in the sight of Jehovah according to all that his fathers had dune (2 Kings 23). Pharaohnecho imprisoned him and afterward carried him to Egypt, and there he died.

The, history of Jehoiakim, second of Josiah’s sons to reign over Judah is omitted from chapter 19; his wickedness exceeded that of his brother (2 Kings 23:37-24:5; Jer. 22:13-19), and at his death he was not even given proper burial. If there were no other reason, this alone would explain the omission of Jehoiakim’s reign from our chapter.

Verse 5 introduces the son of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, whose three months’ reign was ended when the king of Babylon took him a prisoner to his city, to remain such for 37 years, until Nebuchadnezzar’s death (2 Kings 35:27-30). After Jehoiachin’s removal, his uncle Zedekiah was given the throne, becoming Judah’s last king of the royal line of David, until the birth of One in Bethlehem of Judea troubled the Edomite then sitting on the throne, and all Jerusalem with him (Matt. 2).

Zedekiah’s reign had yet a few years remaining when Ezekiel’s prophecy was uttered, and he is not distinctly referred to in our chapter, though his and his nephew’s records may be combined, being similar in character, in the reference to Jechoniah (verses 5 to 9).

Verse 10 returns to the nation of Israel as God had established it: like a fruitful vine planted by the waters and full of branches. There was fitness then for rule, but God will not allow His name to be linked with idolatry and the kindred evils practiced by the degraded worshipers of false gods, and verse 12 declares what had happened to that luxuriant vine.

Now the vine is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground, and a fire is gone out of a rod of its branches. What fruit there was for God had been destroyed by the wickedness of the king. His real power was little now, for he was a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar, who permitted him to reign over the few left in the land of Israel, spared from the captivity.

The cause of Israel’s decline is not named here; it has been fully shown on the pages of Old Testament history and prophecy. A single word is enough to explain the ruin of God’s earthly people: SIN.

ML-10/13/1935

What a Blind Man Saw

IT was a hot and sunny day—just one of those days when you long for a cool, shady tree, and makes the temptation to sit down under the tree fairly irresistible. While walking along a country road I came upon a man sitting by the roadside on the bank reading a book which was spread open on his knees.

“Silly fellow to try his eyes by reading in such bright sunlight” thought I; but as I drew nearer I found that the man was reading with his fingers instead of his eyes. Yes, he was blind, and his book was one of those with raised types, which have proved such a boon to many a poor possessor of sightless eyes.

“Good morning, friend! You have something to read which interests you. Where did you get hold of such a good book?”

“Yes, sir, it is interesting. A lady lent it to me. It’s the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress,’ sir.”

I sat by his side much interested, and after some further talk remarked, “What a beautiful day it is! It seems a pity you can’t enjoy a day like this as I can.”

“Well, sir, I can enjoy it very much more than you think I can. I can enjoy the prospect of this lovely country as much as yourself! Aren’t those copper beeches lovely with the sunshine on the leaves? They’ve such a fine rich brown color! And, look there,” he continued, pointing to the left, “that road takes you through one of the prettiest woods in the county. Do you see the fine old Tudor house at the foot of the hill? It’s a fine building, with its red bricks and its ivy-covered gables and its mullioned windows.”

“Why, my friend, I thought you were blind!”

“So I am, sir; I’ve been blind ever since I was a young child,”

“But how is it you are able to describe the scenery round so accurately?”

“Well, sir, I have some little idea of color and distance; and a young fellow who lives in our village often comes and sits down beside me during his dinner hour, and he tells me all about the views and the scenery, so that all the objects round are quite familiar to me.”

“Then you believe all he tells you; are you not afraid of his telling you what is not true?” I asked.

“No fear of that, sir,” was the hearty response; “I, know him too well. He wouldn’t tell a lie,” and a bright, confident smile came over the old man’s face.

Shall I tell you my thoughts? They were: How much all this is like the Lord Jesus Christ. As that blind man heard and believed what an unseen friend told him; so we hear the Lord Jesus, believe in Him, and are saved. Then our blind eyes cannot see, our hearts cannot conceive the things God has prepared for them that love Him. But by faith we can see some of the glories of that heavenly land, for has He not told us, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you”? John 11:1.

True, our eyes have not seen, but “He is faithful, His Word is true!” “We have not followed cunningly devised fables,” and one day our eye “shall see the King in His beauty.”

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that bath not the Son of God, hath not life: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:9-13.

ML-10/13/1935

The Love of Jesus

A YOUNG woman went to a meeting where she heard the children’s hymn:

“I am so glad that our Father in Heaven

Tells of His love in the Book He has given:

Wonderful things in the Bible I see—

This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.”

While this hymn was being sung she began to feel for the first time in her life that she was a sinner. All her sins came up in array before her; and so numerous and aggravated did her sins appear that she imagined that she could never be saved.

The Lord Jesus cannot love me,” she said in her heart; “He cannot love a sinner such as me.”

She went home in a state of great sorrow, and did not sleep that night. She earnestly sought relief in her distress, and learned to her astonishment and her joy that the Lord Jesus could love sinners, that He did love sinners—nay, that He does still love sinners. She saw in the light of the Word of God that it was for sinners that Jesus died and for none other. When she learned this she, too, began to sing:

“I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.”

and became in every respect a consistent disciple of the Lord.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” I John 1:9.

ML-10/13/1935

The Children's Friend

Come, little one, and I will tell you

Of a friend, if you will hear;

One that loves you more than mother,

Or your brother, sister dear.

‘Tis the One that made this wide world,

And the sun to shine by day;

Moon and starry heavens that lighten,

Weary travelers on their way.

Once in heaven with God His Father,

Once He came to dwell with men;

Came into this world of sorrow—

Born a babe in Bethlehem.

In that same hour there were shepherds

Watching o’er their flocks by night,

When an angel stood beside them,

Glory of the Lord shone bright.

When afraid, the angel told them

Of a Saviour born; and said

In swaddling clothes they’d find Him

Lying in a manger bed.

Then in early morn they sought Him,

Baby in a manger laid;

Found the little Heavenly Stranger

Even as the angel said.

As a child He grew in stature

Filled with grace and wisdom rare,

Once they found Him in the Temple

Talking with the doctors there.

Subject to His earthly parents,

Bless’d example, child, for thee;

Hast thou learned to know and love Him,

Heard His call, “Follow thou Me.”

‘Tis but little I can tell you

Of this Blessed Heavenly One;

How He came to seek and save you,

Bids the little ones to come.

Yes, the Blessed Holy Jesus,

He, the life, the truth, the way,

Opes His arms and bids you welcome—

Come to Him without delay.

Come, and He will meet and bless you,

Take you in His arms of love;

And at last He’ll bring you safely

To His Father’s house above.

ML-10/13/1935

Lord Over All

SEE the men out in the boats, driving the cattle ashore, One of the animals is high up, on a rock, and looks as though he is bellowing to the others to follow him. I suspect the men we see own these cattle, and live nearby.

“Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” Psa. 50:10.

It is God who says this in His precious book, the Bible. Please think of this the next time you pass these animals as they are feeding on the beautiful slopes. Every one of them belongs to the Lord. He has an eye over all, and cares for each of them.

Let it lead out your heart and thoughts to Him, for you, too, are one of His creatures, The Lord is watching over you, and caring for you every day.

How does it make you feel, to know His eyes are always upon you? You, no doubt, remember the short sentence, “Thou God seest me.” Gen. 10:13.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, it must make you uncomfortable to know that He sees all you do and say, and it grieves Him that you care nothing for Him.

I do beg of you to remember that He does care for you, and wants you to be saved. He is longing to give you true happiness through the Lord Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your own loving Saviour.

It is a joy to those who are saved to know the Lord is with them and watching over them. It makes a Christian very happy to know that He says, “Lo, I am with you always,” Matt. 23:20.

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

“THE WAYS OF MAN ARE BEFORE THE EYES OF THE LORD.” Prov. 5:21.

ML-10/20/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 20

THE opening verse with its reference to a new date marks the beginning of a fresh series of communications (chapters 20-23) from God to His servant Ezekiel.

Some of the elders are a third time visiting the prophet (verse 1), to inquire of Jehovah through him. The revelation given in chapters 8-11 should have shut off any further inquiry as to the early restoration of the nation to God’s favor, nevertheless “certain of the elders” were before Ezekiel again in chapter 14, learning that their hearts and minds, where idolatry was enthroned, were fully known to God. He would indeed answer their inquiry, but by cutting off the inquirers in judgment. Judgment was impending, but a remnant would be preserved through it.

Chapter 20, in verses 5-29, takes up the history of Israel and reveals that idolatry had always characterized them from the years of their sojourn in Egypt. How marvelous is the forbearance of God, that He would go on with a people so perverse in heart! The answer to be given the elders, still hopeful that the captivity of the nation would soon end in restoration to the former state of Israel in the land of their fathers, is “As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you”, with direction to Ezekiel to cause the elders to know the abominations of their fathers. “Abominations” in the Old Testament, in general, relates to idol worship and what was associated with it.

The house of Israel was alike in Egypt, in the wilderness journey of forty years, and in the land, the ornament of all lands, flowing with milk and honey, They rebelled against their God , walked not in His statutes, despising, His ordinances and greatly profaned. His sabbaths, for their heart went after their idols. The prophet Amos bore testimony to the idolatry from Egypt onward (chapter 5:25, 26), and the martyr Stephen repeated his word in Acts 7:42, 43.

The righteous anger of God should have been poured out upon the guilty in the midst of Egypt (verse 8), in the wilderness after the law was given (verse 13), and again when the generation that left Egypt were dead, and their children were grown (verse 21); but instead of wielding the sword of judgment, He had wrought for His name’s sake, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt, that it should not be polluted before the heathen.

Verses 23 and 24 find their reflection in Leviticus 26:33, and Deuteronomy 4:16-28. Verses 25 and 26 relate to the oppressors of Israel in the land, both in the times from Joshua to Samuel (see Judges 2:11-15), and after the division of the kingdom when idolatry was openly sanctioned by Solomon’s son. (See 1 Kings 14:22-26; 2 Chronicles 12:1-9; 2 Kings 17:6-23, and the later history of Judah.)

Verses 33-38 pass on to the day now near at hand when God will bring back Israel to their land; the promised dealing is with the lost ten tribes who were not guilty of the rejection of the Lord. The two tribes we know as the Jews will pass through the fearful tribulation of which Matthew 24:15-30, and many other passages tell, and will suffer under the Antichrist; but the ten tribes, whose whereabouts are unknown today, will be led into a wilderness and there be purged of the rebels, the transgressors, only a remnant being permitted to enter the land of Israel. This is evidently to be accomplished after the Lord’s appearing on earth to deliver the believing Jews from their enemies, to execute judgment upon all who reject Him., and to establish His kingdom here.

Thus (verse 40) shall all Israel, every tribe, be gathered again in the land of their forefathers, serving God as never before.

Verses 45-49 we shall look at with chapter 21.

ML-10/20/1935

"Love Your Enemies"

ALL in the workshop saw the change.

Truly B. was an altered man. Formerly he would be among the foremost in the rough coarseness of their words and ways, but now all was changed. He not only joined with them no longer, but rebuked the evil of their speech and conduct, owning, in simple and yet earnest words, that, by grace, he was saved through faith, and pressing, too, upon them their need of being born again.

Now his fellow-workmen all turned against their former companion, and, agreeing together, sought in every way to provoke him, and thus show that he was not the changed man he said he was.

One evening he was about to leave to attend a prayer-meeting, when he found his hat missing from its usual place. It had been hidden by some of his shop-mates. Without saying a word he quietly went to the meeting without it.

On another occasion they hid his coat, but this did not keep him away, for, seeing he had no time to get to his home first, he went to the meeting coatless.

The severest test was yet to come.

On one of the hot days of summer, a youth put some pitch into B.’s hat. Without noticing it, B. put it upon his head when he left the shop, and, being rather late, hurriedly ran home to his dinner.

The pitch was melted by the warmth, and, when B, attempted to take off his hat, he found it adhering closely to his forehead.

In the endeavor to remove it, the skin of his forehead was at last torn off with the hat, leaving a most painful wound. His father was very angry, and said, “I shall call a policeman, and inquire into it.”

“O! father,” was B’s reply, “and, you have been a Christian so many years. I am surprised at you.”

His mother cried to see her son suffering so much pain; but he quietly answered her by quoting the words, “When He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not.” 1 Peter 2:23.

On returning to his work, his shop-mates said,

“Who did it, B.?”

“God knows,” he answered, “and I know what I shall do to the culprit.” After some time the youth who had done it went to him, saying, “What will you do to the guilty one? O! B., I am sorry I did it, but don’t tell the foreman, for I am an orphan, and should be discharged, and then what should I do?” In a few minutes B. said,

“Now I will tell you what I shall do, my boy.”

“O! what?” was the eager inquiry.

“I shall forgive you,” was the answer.

Thus he sought to follow in the steps his Saviour and Lord had trod, remembering that He, even when taunted, jeered, mocked, scourged, and crucified, had prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know riot what they do,” and who has directed us how to act towards those who illtreat us, saying,

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44.

It is as we look up to the Lord Jesus, where He now is, that we are conformed to His image; as we read of Stephen, who, while his body was being battered with the stones of those who hated him for “Christ’s sake,” looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and, thus occupied, reflected the spirit of his Lord and Master, for whom he was now suffering, saying, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Acts 7:60.

To you, young Christians, I would say, Look off unto Jesus, and, as your eye, in faith, is taken up with His beauties and glories, you will, by the Holy Spirit, be enabled to act like Him, who would have us walk here even as He walked.

“What glory is it, if, when ye be buffed for your faults, ye take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” 1 Peter 2:20.

ML-10/20/1935

Enough for Me

WHAT do you do without a mother to tell your troubles to?”

The question was asked of a little child who had the sorrow of having lost its parent.

“I tell them to Jesus,” was the simple, trustful reply.

“But Jesus is up in heaven a great way off, and besides He is a great person and do you suppose that lie will listen to you?”

But the lowly faith of the little one was not to be shaken, and the reply was given without hesitation, “He says He will and that is enough for me.”

And should it not be enough for every believer on Him? Never has He disappointed one who trusted Him.

When He was here upon earth He received all who came to Him in their different needs. He never turned one away unblessed or unrelieved of his distresses. The sinful were forgiven, the hungry were fed, the sick were healed, the leprous were cleansed, the little children were blessed. He had said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” And that was enough for them and they came and found it as He had said.

There was no heart so tender as His. The disciples asked the Lord to send the Syro-Phoenicean woman away because she was crying after them on the highway, but He would not dismiss her without the answer to her request. The disciples would have sent the children from His presence, but He was much displeased and took them into His arms and blessed them abundantly. And He is the same today,

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.” He is as ready to receive, to save, to bless as when He was on earth. And has He not said, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest?”

Could the invitation be more full or free?

All weary ones. All heavy laden ones. Is that not enough for you? Could you express a welcome in simpler terms?

ML-10/20/1935

My Bible

O Lord, with wonder and with praise,

On all Thy works I look;

But still Thy wisdom, power and grace,

Shine brightest in Thy Book.

Here may I learn how Christ has died

To save my soul from hell;

Not all the books on earth beside,

These heavenly wonders tell.

Then let me love my Bible more,

And take a fresh delight,

By day to read these wonders o’er,

And think on them by night.

ML-10/20/1935

The Artist

You see, papa is an artist and his little son likes to imitate him. He has climbed up on his father’s high stool, and has taken his palette and brush, and is pretending that he is painting,

How good all this seems to us in childhood, and now that some of us are older, we can look back and think of these times when we loved to do the things that: papa or mamma did. The reason we did so, was because they loved us and we loved them.

There is a lesson we may learn from this, for there is One who loves us much more than even papa or mamma can, and He is God. The way He has shown that great love to us was by giving His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for us on Calvary’s cross, so that His holy and righteous claims which stood against us could all be met, and He could righteously let us go free. Is that not wonderful love? Surely we must say it is!

Then if we do believe that God has so loved us, and that we are now His children, let us seek to imitate Him, and show love to others.

“THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT, THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” John 15:12.

ML-10/27/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 21

WE begin at verse 45 of chapter 20, the natural division between chapters 20 and 21. The promise of judgment has been made, and the causes stated leading up to it; we come now to prophecy concerning the outpouring of God’s wrath upon Israel’s land, at this time only two or three years’ distant.

The iniquity of Israel was now full, as the iniquity’ of the Amorites had been, when the hosts of Israel led by Joshua entered the country of God’s choosing (Genesis 15;16).

Fire is often used in Scripture to indicate unsparing judgment, and the execution of God’s wrath upon the land of Judah is described in verses 47, 48 under the figure of a fire burning a forest. Jehovah was about to kindle a fire which would not be quenched; it would devour every green tree and every dry tree—all classes and conditions of mankind; all would go down under the flashing flame. Such would be the character of this judgment: that “all flesh” should see it as Jehovah’s work. The last verse of chapter 20 shows the unwillingness (as today, too) of men to receive the Word of God; they make difficulties when there are none.

Chapter 21 is therefore very plain; not now “the south,” but Jerusalem and the land of Israel are expressly named. Jehovah’s sword, like the-fire, is a figure, but of no doubtful meaning. Long in its sheath, it was about to be drawn, and both the righteous and the wicked would be cut off from the land of Israel. It is again said (verse 5) that all flesh should know that the destruction was Jehovah’s work. (See Jeremiah 22:8, 9.)

Such is the callousness (more than indifference) of the natural heart that the promise of divine intervention in judgment does not give serious concern to those who hear of it. Ezekiel is therefore directed to sigh, with breaking of the loins and with bitterness, before their eyes. This would lead the people to ask him the occasion for his grief, and give him an opportunity to tell them of the awful visitation shortly to take place.

The sword is not called Jehovah’s in verses 8 to 17, which are transitional—passing over from what we have read to the direct mention of the king of Babylon (verses 18 to 27), for as other scriptures have told, Nebuchadnezzar was the chosen instrument of God in the judgments which befell Judah. The language of verses 9 to 15, referring to the “sharpening” and “furbishing” (polishing) of the sword, its strokes doubled the third time (referring to Nebuchadnezzar’s two previous visits to Judah and Jerusalem, carrying away captives both times), etc., give a vivid impression of his determination that this time he would bring to an end the Jewish kingdom and put to death those who opposed him.

In verses 10 and 13 the “rod” is the scepter, token of kingly rule; Zedekiah, Judah’s last king, is referred to, but the kingdom should be no More. Verse 17 tells of God’s connection with the judgment of Judah—though Nebuchadnezzar had little thought of film. The middle clause of the verse is better understood if it be read, “and I will satisfy My fury.”

Verses 18 to 27 foretold the hesitation of Nebuchadnezzar as to which kingdom to attack first, when he came with his army about two years after this: Ammon on the left, east of the Jordan, with its chief town of Rabbath, or Judah and Jerusalem on the right, west of the river. Both countries were rebellious, and both appear to have been dealt with severely.

In verse 21, three heathen ways of deciding a problem are revealed. First, the king shakes his arrows (the true reading); this would be after marking them with the names of the places to be attacked, and placing them in a quiver; whichever arrow was taken with the right hand decided the question as to which road was to be taken. Not satisfied, for some reason, he resorts to another method of divination: he consults with images, or teraphim; how an answer was thought to be gained from this method we do not know. Lastly, he “looks in the liver”; this was to study the intestines of an animal offered in sacrifice, the position or condition of them being taken as a good or had augury. The Christian has a more certain way of learning what to do when need arises; he has the living God as his resource.

At Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar’s divination would be considered false—not knowing that God was directing that monarch’s steps. The king of Babylon could not forgive the king of Judah’s breaking his oath, given in the name of Jehovah; “he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they (Zedekiah and his counselors) may be taken” (verse 23).

Verses 24 to 27 are the words of the Lord Jehovah to Judah and their king; the day of grace was past and richly earned chastisement was about to descend on that profane wicked prince. The latter half of verse 26 is clearer in its meaning if read, “What is shall be no more. Exalt that which is low, and abase, that which is high.” (N. T.)

God will not honor a king of Judah or Israel until His Son comes, whose right it is to reign, and He will give it to Him (verse 27).

Verses 28 to 32 give promise of the destruction of the Ammonite kingdom. They would not expect that to take place, thinking that Judah alone would suffer from Nebuchadnezzar’s approach, and rejoicing in the prospect of her downfall.

ML-10/27/1935

"He First Loved Us"

“I WANT to love God. Will you tell me how?” Such were the words used by Alice W., who had been taken to a gospel meeting by some young friends with whom she was staying for a few days.

She had been brought up in a fashionable, worldly home where the name of Christ was never heard, and now as she listened to the “old, old story,” to her so strange, so new, a desire was awakened in her heart, and thus expressed itself, “I want to love God.”

Her companions tried to help her, and once again repeated what they had heard that evening, that Christ died for sinners, and that now all who believe and trust in Him are saved. They tried to make it simple, but the light did not seem to break in, and she only again and again said, “I want to love Him, but I do not know how.”

When Alice had gone up to bed that night, the girls told their elder sister about her, and as she felt there is no time like the present she hastened to her room, knocked gently, and going in found her sitting up in bed, restless and unhappy. She sat down by her, and taking her hand said, “They tell me, dear, that you want to love God; you will never do it by trying, but I have come with a message from Him to you.”

“O! what is it?” eagerly exclaimed Alice.

“Just this—we love Him because He first loved us,”

There was silence for some minutes, then all at once Alice said, “That was just what I wanted. He has loved me; I had not taken it in a bit,” and she jumped out of bed and asked her friend to pray with her, and then in a few broken sentences she just thanked the Lord that He loved her, and had sent this friend to tell her so.

From that moment Alice was filled with joy, and never questioned her eternal security. Of course she much to learn, but the great thought of the love of God took possession of her.

She has been spared many years to serve the Lord, and has been the means of leading others to Him, attracting them by her bright and joyous manner, though she had much to suffer in her own home because of her faithfulness to Christ.

Probably none of my readers are as ignorant as Alice was; perhaps you know all about the love of God and could tell others the beautiful gospel story of “Jesus and His love,” but how has it affected you? Has it touched your heart? Is there any response to His great love? If not, it must be hard indeed. Satan’s dire is to keep you from knowing it, but God is making it known through His Word and by His servants, and He wants you to share in it, and enjoy it now and through all eternity.

Will you neglect it? Do you refuse it? God forbid that it should be so. Or will you accept it, and thank him for it?

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

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

ML-10/27/1935

"Wanted, a Christian"

SOME time ago there appeared lit a city newspaper an advertisement for a clerk, with the unusual condition that he must be “a decided Christian.”

A number applied for the place, but when asked for “a reason for the hope that was in them” concerning Christ, scarcely any could give a Scriptural answer.

These facts were brought to the notice of a Christian who related them to his children, and asked them how they would have replied. He asked them to write their answers. Harold, a boy of twelve years old, gave the following-answer: “I am a Christian because I love Jesus, and want to be a missionary, and work in His service, to do all I can for Jesus. I love Him because He first loved me, and has done so much for me. Harold.’

Harold was a school boy, like many who will read this. Suppose the question were asked of you, “Are you a Christian?” what answer would you give? And if still further you were asked, “How do you know that on are a Christian?” what answer would you give?

Consider the question very quietly, alone with. God and your own heart. God reads the secrets of all hearts. How are you treating the Lord Jesus? Can you say you know Him?

I well remember the thrill of joy I had when first I gave a clear decided answer. I was having a music lesson with a dearly loved teacher, when she laid her hand on mine and said, “My child, I hope you be the Lord Jesus Christ?”

“Yes, I do,” I answered.

“I mean, you know Him as your own personal Saviour?” she continued; and again replied, “Yes,” And then she went on to tell me what Christ was to her—dearer than all the world besides.

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

ML-10/27/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 22

ERE we find the guilt of Jerusalem specifically stated. The holy city was become the bloody city (verse 2), a city that shed blood in her midst.

Violence and corruption, anciently associated in the ways of sinful man, are seen linked together here where idolatry ruled (see Jeremiah 6:6, 7 and 7:9). Indeed, they are found wherever God’s Word is despised, and restraint is cast off.

Jerusalem’s full time was come (verse 4) and she was about to be exposed, in spite of all her seeming religiousness; indeed it was because of uniting the professed service of Jehovah, the true God, with idolatry and every sin, that the city was now to be to the heathen a reproach, and a mocking to all countries. “Much vexed,” in verse 5, in modern English is “full of tumult.”

Verses 6 to 12 enumerate many of the ways of wickedness which were ping on in Jerusalem, offenses against both God and man; the key to this dreadful course is seen in the end of verse 12; “thou hast forgotten Me, saith the Lord Jehovah.”

It was amid all this that the prophet Jeremiah lived and testified.

The world today is, in outward appearance, somewhat better than what is written of Jerusalem, but what does God not see? Some things are now being done almost openly, that before it was customary to cover up. The tide of iniquity deepens and widens. Surely the Lord’s coming must be near at hand.

Verse 14: There is no thought of a reckoning day in those who reject God’s grace; and indeed believers are prone to overlook the promise of the Scriptures that we, too, are to give account of ourselves. See Romans 14:10-12, and 2 Corinthians 5:10, the latter including all men, though the judgment of the wicked at the great white throne will be a very different thing from the manifestation of the children of God before the judgment seat of Christ.

Verse 15: The scattering of the Jews is a proof of the truth of God’s Word; it is said that they are in most of the countries of the world, but they have yet to learn to trust in God, for the great majority are far from Him in heart.

In verses 17 to 22 The house of Israel is dealt with under a new figure—dross, the less valuable metals found with silver ore when it is melted in the furnace. Once more the figure presents the certainty of overwhelming judgment, for Jerusalem was to be the furnace, and there the anger and fury of a long patient God would expend itself upon them who had despised Him and His goodness.

From verse 23 to the end of the chapter, God is stating the iniquities of the house of Israel which compelled the uplifting of His hand in an unexpected infliction. Prophets, priests, princes and people are dealt with separately, each according to the character and the measure of guilt.

The prophets, whom we may believe to be the false prophets whom Satan raised up to deceive the people, are compared with a roaring lion, the king of beasts as it is called.

The princes are like wolves, not so bold, but just as destructive. Murder is charged to both, told there may have been a partnership in crime between the prophets and princes, in view of the language of verse 28.

The priests, who should have been up, holders of God’s truth, did violence to His law, and profaned His holy things. The presence of God and their being called as the sons of Aaron to serve in the temple for Him on behalf of a sinful people, did not reach the hearts or consciences of these men who were indifferent to their calling.

The people of the land used oppression and practiced robbery; the poor and needy and strangers suffered from them. Was there one man in the whole country that should make up the fence, stand in the breach before God on behalf of a truly separated Jerusalem and Israel? There was none, for the people were all gone after the service of Satan.

The last verse should be read, “And I will pour out...I will consume,... will I recompense...” It refers to the then pending siege, capture and complete destruction of Jerusalem.

ML-11/03/1935

Playing at Sunday School

NOT long since, in one of the schools in New York, a teacher found Mary, twelve years old, in tears.

“Why, what’s the matter, Mary?”

Little Mary burst into tears again. As soon as she could answer, she said, “My little sister Rosa is dead.” “Why, I did not know you had a little sister,” said the teacher.

“Yes, ma’am; she was a very little girl, only six years old.”

“I hope she has gone to heaven,” said the teacher.

“O, yes,” said Mary; “we know she has.”

“Mary, what makes you say that Rosa has gone to heaven?”

“Teacher, if you had seen her you would have thought so too.”

“Why, what did she do?”

“The last day she lived, she sang just as long as her breath lasted.” “What did she sing?”

“It was, ‘I think when I read that sweet story of old,’” replied Mary; “and ‘There is a happy land.’ And then she prayed for father and mother, and next she prayed for us all.”

“What did little Rosa pray about?” said the teacher.

“It was something about Jesus Christ; about His precious blood, about His righteousness.”

“What Sunday school did little Rosa go to?” for the teacher knew she had never come there.

“O, she never went to any Sunday school.”

“What day school, then, did she learn these little hymns in?”

“She never went to any day school, ma’am.”

“Why, where did she learn these things, then?”

“The little girls who live upstairs in our house used to go to Sunday school, and they would come down into the back yard, and ‘play’ at Sunday school!”

Thus had little Rosa learned the truths, which the Holy Spirit had blessed to her soul.

“O, do not be discouraged,

For Jesus is your friend.”

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16.

ML-11/03/1935

A Place of Safety

THE little girl in our picture today looks very happy and contented in the arms of her older brother and sister. She does not seem to be in the least afraid that they will let her drop. The picture brings to mind a verse in the Bible which says, “THE ETERNAL GOD IS THY REFUGE, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS.” Deut. 33:27.

Do you know what a refuge is? It is a place of safety—a place where nothing can harm one. Our houses are a refuge from the cold and storms of winter.

Many people have a cave in their yard to use for a refuge from cyclones, or terrible wind storms.

Our verse says “The Eternal God is thy refuge.” Do you know from what He is our refuge? I think I hear some little one say, “From sin and from Satan.”

Yes, that is right. If the everlasting arms are underneath us, we need have no fear of anything evil, and if once we are in those arms, they will never, never let us drop.

ML-11/03/1935

My Saviour's Love

Sometimes my heart o’erflows with song,

And then to others how I long,

To tell the Saviour’s love to me,

That made me His eternally.

For I am saved—with Christ to be—

“The Son of God, who loved me.”

Sometimes my heart is sore distrest,

And all around is but unrest,

But O! His changeless love to me,

My joy and rest shall ever be.

For I am saved—with Christ to be—

“The Son of God, who loved me.”

Sometimes my thoughts to mansions soar,

Where I shall dwell for evermore,

Yet ‘tis His wondrous love to me,

Which makes those mansions dear to me,

For I am saved,—with Christ to be—

“The Son of God, who loved me.”

ML-11/03/1935

See-Saw

HERE are some children playing see-saw, over an old log. What a nice place they have for a play-ground.

If we look at the picture closely we will see that one of the boys does not look as happy as the other one. What can, be the trouble? Now we can see. The largest boy has taken the longest end of the board and is now resting on the ground and keeping the smaller boy high in the air. He seems to be laughing at his brother who looks a little bit frightened, and holds to the board with both hands. The big brother seems to be laughing and enjoying the joke, but we cannot’ help wishing that he will, tell his brother to let the smaller boy down from his high position and play see-saw in the right way. He would probably not enjoy being in his little brother’s place, and it would be far better if both boys were laughing instead of one.

Let us learn from this picture, never to tease any one even if we are good natured about it. We, ourselves, do not like to be teased and very often the teasing ends in tears and cross words. It is better to play kindly and happily with all of our playmates. The Bible tells us, “WHATSOEVER YE WOULD THAT MEN SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM. Matt. 7:12

ML-11/10/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 23

THIS chapter gives the last and most solemn testimony against Israel before the closing scenes when Nebuchadnezzar’s army besieged and captured Jerusalem, and what remained of Judah. (Chapter 24 is dated from the day that the siege began.)

The sin of idolatry that became so great a snare to all Israel is much dwelt upon in the Old Testament prophetic Scriptures. Jeremiah 2 and 3 may be taken for an example; there God was exposing their guilt, but pleading for the return to Himself of a repentant people. Now all is over with the nation, for His word of grace, His long forbearance too, have been despised, until there is no remedy.

In the book of Exodus (chapters 1 to 13), where the children of Israel are seen in Egypt nothing is said of their worshipping the idols of that land. God had, in that book, another purpose in view, viz., to show the state of wretched slavery in which the people He had chosen for Himself was found, for whose deliverance He acted in power; and He brought them out, and covenanted with them that they should be His, gave them His law, etc. Idolatry appeared at Sinai (chapter 32), when they had been three months out of Egypt, and had the memory of God’s wonderful works of power on their behalf fresh in memory.

We have already noticed (chapter 20) that the idol worship that became the ground of God’s rejecting the nation ban in Egypt, and this is again set forth in verse 3, concerning Aholab and Aholibah, the elder and younger “daughters” of Israel.

“Aholah” means “her tent,” speaking of the independence of the ten tribes which broke off from the son of David after Solomon’s death, and turned to idolatry under Jeroboam (1 Kings 12).

“Aholibah” means “My tent is in her,” for the two tribes among whom Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, with Habakkuk and Zephaniah also, each in his day, served God, up to this time had His temple as the very center of their system, and He had dwelt there according to His promise to David and Solomon (2 Chronicles 6 and 7).

Aholah (the ten tribes) sought the friendship of Assyria, and adopted, as we should expect, the Assyrian idols as their own, for in seeking alliance with the world they were turning away from God. See Hosea, and 2 Kings 15:19 and 16:7, 8, which indicate the attitude of “Aholah” to Assyria. Verses 9 and 10 of our chapter refer to the historical facts set forth in 2 Kings 15:29 and 17:3-6.

Aholibah (the two tribes called Judah, or the Jews) merited more severe punishment than Aholah; verses 11 to 21 recount her sins. 1 Kings 14:22-24 tells of the early course of these more favored ones when Solomon’s son was reigning, a course never given up, though several God-fearing kings were raised up; and for a few years there was an altered appearance, the heart of the people being, however, unchanged.

Ezekiel is here giving the moral history of the twelve tribes, as seen by God. Though the historical books of the Old Testament do not expressly mention the friendship between Israel and Judah and Assyria, the ways of wickedness of which we read in them were not learned in that separation from the Gentile world to which God had called His people, and from this prophet we learn that Assyria was the source. This is not surprising, because Assyria rose to greatness with the decline of Solomon’s kingdom.

Chaldea and Babylon (verses 14 to 17) evidently refer to Assyria’s, successor in power, Babylonia, which rose out of the collapse of Assyria, attaining its height of glory under Nebuchadnezzar.

Judah’s sin was far more flagrant than that of the ten tribes, because of their linking their idolatry with the worship of Jehovah, as verses 38 and 39 tell.

Verse 47 declares the judgment to be executed—that accorded an immoral woman in Deuteronomy 22:21.

ML-11/10/1935

How Hugh Helped the Missionary

LITTLE Hugh was only eight years old, but he could read nicely, and he liked to get a book about “Adventures,” as he called it. He thought he would like to go out and camp in the woods and shoot real lions or bears. One day his father brought home a gentleman to tea. He was a missionary, and he had come from the cold north country where the Eskimos live in their funny little “igloos” or houses made of ice. Hugh could hardly eat any supper, he was so busy listening to the wonderful stories the missionary told. True stories of adventure and hardship; of long journeys on the ice, in the bitter cold; of want of proper food and shelter, and all to tell the gospel of God to these poor, ignorant men, who had never heard of Jesus, and did not know anything about having their sins forgiven. At first Hugh was too shy to ask any questions, but after tea the gentleman took him on his knee, and he began then to feel more at home with him.

“Did you ever see a big bear, or a lion or an elephant?” Hugh asked. His new friend laughed as he told him lions and tigers and elephants could only live in hot countries; but he said, “I have sometimes seen white bears, and grizzly bears, and fierce, dangerous creatures they are.”

“Were you not afraid when you saw-a bear?” said Hugh. The missionary confessed that he was afraid.

“But,” he added, “God can take care of us, you know.”

“Yes,” Hugh replied, “I know that, and I wish I could come with you, and help you to tell these poor men about Jesus.”

The gentleman did no laugh at the little boy this time, but he said, “You are too young to come with me yet, but you can help at home, by asking the Lord to bless the words spoken, and to save many of the poor Eskimos.”

When Hugh went to bed that night, he thought of those words, and when his usual prayer was said, he asked God very earnestly to bless the poor Eskimos and he added, “Don’t let the big white bears kill my missionary.”

Do you think God heard this prayer? I am sure He did, for little Hugh asked it in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he really meant what he said.

When you say your prayers, do you really mean what you say, or do you just say what you have been taught, without thinking about it at all? This little boy did not forget about “his missionary” as he loved to call him, and every night he earnestly prayed for him.

Many months passed, and at last one day a letter came from that far north country, and in it was a message for Hugh, to tell him that as his friend was paddling in his canoe, down a narrow stream, suddenly he saw on the bank a huge white bear. There seemed to be no way of escape; the creature saw him and made ready to spring, when suddenly he appeared to change his mind, and turned away in another direction. The missionary wrote, “I thought of my little friend, and how lie was praying every day that I should be protected from the big’ white bear.”

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5:14, 15.

ML-11/10/1935

Teddy's Confession

THEY were all busy with their gardens—one, two, three girls, and two boys. Some were digging, or sowing seeds, while the others were pulling up weeds or setting their plants in different places.

Presently Teddy said, “I will measure my garden to see how big it is, and then I can tell father and mother in my next letter.”

So he ran indoors and got auntie’s ruler. Now Teddy had a ruler of his very own, which he used at school and kept in his satchel with his books for homework; but Teddy’s ruler was only one foot long, and auntie’s ruler was a yard stick.

Teddy thought it was fine to use this giant ruler, and he measured his garden all-along near to the path, and found it was just about five feet in length; then he put the ruler across from the wall to the grass border and that way it measured nearly two feet wide.

Teddy was so interested in measuring this way and that way all about his garden, that he quite forgot what auntie had often said, until suddenly there was a sound very like “Cra-ack!” and then, when he and the others looked they saw what had been a nice long straight ruler now lying on the ground in two pieces with ugly splinters sticking out from ends which once formed, the middle.

What would auntie say? Poor Teddy remembered quite well now how often she had said, “Children, do not take my things without first asking me if you may use them.”

Then he did the very best thing he could do, for he ran into the house and up the stairs to auntie’s room, and told her all about it.

Auntie was vexed about the ruler, which had been so useful to her. It had measured the windows when they needed new curtains, and it had measured the floors when new carpets or linoleums must be bought; and now the two jagged pieces were no use at all! But how glad she was that Teddy had come right away to confess his fault. That is what God likes His children to do, just to tell Him at once if we have done anything wrong. He is riot vexed with us like Teddy’s aunt was with him, for although sin is hateful to God, there is a little verse in His word that says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive its our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

There is only one way in which we can come to God for this forgiveness and cleansing, and that way is through our Lord Jesus Christ, who bore the punish, went of all our sins when He died on the cross. God never forgets this, and when any one repents and confesses to Him, as Teddy did to his aunt, He sees Jesus before Him and forgives at once for His sake.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.” 1 John 2:1, 2.

ML-11/10/1935

God Knows Everything

I’m not too young for God to see;

He knows my name and nature too;

And all day long He looks at me,

And sees my actions through and through.

He listens to the words I say,

And knows the thoughts I have within;

And whether I’m at work or play,

He’s sure to know it if I sin.

ML-11/10/1935

Fred's Birthday

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

It did not take him long to get dressed that morning, and he was off to his mother’s room with his book under his arm. Then he learned his first lesson from his birthday Bible, a good one to begin with,

“THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM: AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY IS UNDERSTANDING.” Prov. 9:10.

To have the fear of the Lord before us, will make us wise, and keep us out of many evils.

ML-11/17/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 24

MAN’S inventions can, on occasion, serve the children of God, but many centuries bore the telegraph, the telephone and the radio were thought of, the prophet Ezekiel in Chaldea learned from God of the arrival of Nebuchadnezzar and his armed forces in the vicinity of Jerusalem, on the day when it occurred. (See Jeremiah 52:1.) It was a day to be remembered, for God had withdrawn His help from His earthly people; He was against them as formerly He had fought for them against their enemies. A word of Solomon’s (Proverbs 29:1) was about to be proved true in the government of God: “He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

It will be noted that until God has had long patience, He bears with men; message after message goes, to the rebellious; but at length forbearance is past, and the judgment of the sinner proceeds, or at least his day of grace is over, and judgment will certainly follow. The judgment, when it comes, will be reckoned according to the responsibility of the guilty. The principal laid down by the Lord in Luke 12:47, 48 is of wider bearing than the “servants” spoken of there.

Verses 3 to 14 are very solemn as showing the merciless dealing that was to be measured out by Nebuchadnezzar to Jerusalem the rebellious. In the figure of a cooking pot, first with water to boil what is thrown into it, and afterward placed dry on the fire to burn what was left, God gave fresh assurance of the end of every hope that the city and its inhabitants might be preserved from destruction.

In chapter 11, verses 3 to 11, we learned of a proverb used by the wicked men there spoken of. They felt quite secure in Jerusalem, quite safe from enemies without.

“It is not near,” said they, “let us build houses; this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh”—and God told them that the city was truly the caldron, but He would bring them out of it to die by the sword in the border of Israel. Chapter 24 takes up the subject again, and shows that the people as a whole should be consumed in the siege by Nebuchadnezzar.

“Consume the flesh” and “let the bones be burned” (verse 10) testify to an end for the bloody city, sealed by the word of Jehovah ill verse 14.

Ezekiel, in verse 16, receives the heartrending news that his wife, the desire of his eyes, was about to be taken from him in death. What an affliction this must have been to the prophet whose faithfulness to God among his faithless fellow-captives made him a stranger in their midst! Nor was he to mourn or to weep, but to sigh in silence, giving none of the usual tokens of great grief, that the Jews should take him for a sign and do as he did (verse 24).

The captives in Chaldea were to learn that God was about to profane His sanctuary (the temple of Solomon), the pride of their strength, the desire of their eyes and their soul’s longing (as the text in Verse 21 is best translated).

Though the nation had given themselves to idol worship, they were proud of the temple that Solomon had built as a dwelling place for God. It carried an appeal to religious man, but as they were without an exercised conscience—indeed they had a seared one, the fear of Jehovah had little place in their hearts. Yet we may hope that there were some few in that dark day beside Jeremiah in Jerusalem, and Ezekiel in Chaldea, and Daniel and his three companions in Babylon, who were God’s children by faith; and to all these the destruction of the temple would bring very great sorrow.

The sons and daughters of the captives, left behind in Jerusalem were to fall by the sword, too (verse 21); yet the parents were not to mourn nor weep, but to waste away in their iniquities and moan one toward another. Unjudged sin in departing from the living God was the cause of all this woe, and God requires what is past.

Are there not in our own times many parents who are indifferent to the spiritual welfare of their children, and themselves negligent of God and His Word? What of the reaping day, the day when all that is now will be no more?

Thank God, the chapter does not close without the assurance that some would survive the pending judgment (verse 20). When such objects of mercy should come to Ezekiel he should open his mouth and be no more dumb (chapter 3:26 and 33:22).

ML-11/17/1935

The May-Fly

LITTLE MARIAN went with her mother into a country village to stay for a few weeks. She was delighted to be away from the shops and the street cars and live in the real country, as she called it. They rented a pretty little house, around which was a garden bright with spring flowers. All kinds of tulips were coming out, and hyacinths too, and father off were fields and woods.

One afternoon when Marian’s father and her uncle went out to see them, they all went for a walk through the fields. When they came to a shady pond the uncle took off his coat, turned up his sleeve to his elbow, and kneeling down by the edge of the pond, put his hand into the muddy water and brought up some slimy-looking mud, which he put into a large jar.

Then he dipped the jar deep down into the water, and brought it up filled. Swimming about in it were dozens of queer, wriggling little wormy things of a dull brownish color, which soon showed that they disliked the light, and they hid away in the mud.

Marian took the jar home with her, and every day she watched the wriggling may-fly grubs and added a little fresh water. A large butterfly net was put over the jar.

In a few days a wonderful thing happened. The little grubs seemed to be tired of living in the mud at the bottom of the jar, and one by one they came slowly up to see what it looked like in clearer water. At last Marian saw one of them fasten its little body to a piece of dry leaf which was floating on the surface. It seemed very tired and lazy, and lay quite still on the leaf.

“Now, Marian,” said her mother, “watch closely and see what will happen to it.”

It lay still for some time and looked quite dead: Marian said it was dead. The skin of the grub grew harder and more brittle and all of a sudden crack went the skin, and out-from the body of the grub crept a little fly-like creature. It was wet, poor thing, so it opened its wing’s and stretched them in the sun to dry, and then to Marian’s joy and surprise it began to try to fly.

“Take a good look at it before we lift the net and let it fly away,” said Marian’s mother. “Don’t you think it very wonderful that a wormy creature can be changed into a may-fly? Only God can do such things. He will do something like this some day for all of us who love the Lord Jesus and believe that He died to save us from our sins. He will draw us up from this chill, cold earth into the glorious sunshine where He is, and we shall be changed as we go, and made like Christ.

“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.

“These little creatures teach us lessons and show us God’s power and His interest in the smallest of the living things He has made. The little grub was drawn by an unseen power from the mud to the clearer water, where the light and the sunshine helped to make a perfect insect ready for flight. So the Lord Jesus lifts many a child from the mud and the mire of sin into His light and His sunshine, and there fits them for the time when He will come and change their bodies and make them like His body of glory.

“Some children are still in the mud and the dark, like the grubs at the bottom of the pond! Some have left the mud, hang had their sins washed away in the blood of the Lord Jesus, and are waiting for Him to come to change them.”

If you, dear reader, are still in the mud, do come to Jesus now.

“Giving thanks unto the Father... 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, the forgiveness of sins.” Col. 1:12-14.

ML-11/17/1935

Just Keep Still

HOW is it, “Rob,” asked one boy of another, “that you never get into scrapes like the rest of us?”

“Because I don’t talk back,” answered Robbie promptly. “When a boy says a hard thing to me, I just keep still.”

Many a man whose life has had in it a great deal of trouble and opposition would have saved much time if he had learned in his childhood the lesson which., this little fellow had mastered—that of “keeping still.”

If a hard word hurts, it will not make it easier to make an angry reply. If you do not answer at all, it stops right there: if your tongue cannot be restrained, nobody knows what the result will be.

It doesn’t matter so much, what your playmate says, so long as you keep your temper and hold your tongue. It is what you reply to him, nine times out of ten, that makes the quarrel. Let him say his say, and be clone with it: then you will find the whole annoyance done with much more readily than if you had “freed your mind” in return.

“Just keeping still” is one of the things that saves time, trouble, wretchedness in This world.

The Lord Jesus, “when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter 2:23.

“If ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” 1 Peter 2:20.

ML-11/17/1935

Three Simple Rules

THERE are three simple rules I can give you, and if you hold to them, no one will ever write ‘backslider’ after your name.

Take fifteen minutes each day to listen to God talking to you through His Word.

Take fifteen minutes each day to talk to God.

Take fifteen minutes each day to talk to others about God.

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8.

ML-11/17/1935

Industry

THERE was a little girl about six years old, who lived at B. and was bright and active. She had been playing with her young friends, all of them apparently having a pleasant time together. This little girl’s name was Lucy. She came into the house during the morning feeling very fretful, because she was tired of play.

“Lucy”, said a friend, “have you no work to do?”

The little girl opened her blue eyes, and looked earnestly at the speaker to see if she was in earnest. Then she said, “No, indeed! Papa works, because he is a big man; all the tall men ought to work, so ought the great ladies, and the big boys, and the large girls; but I am only six years old.”

Just then a honey bee came buzzing along, and alighted on a white rose.

“The bee”, said her friend, “is not a tall man, a great lady, a big boy, nor a large girl,—yet he finds work to do.”.

“He works to make honey”, replied Lucy; and taking a knitting needle from the table, she idly stirred his soft wings.

Then they saw a bird that was building a nest upon the apple tree. This little bird was very busy carrying sticks, straw, and all manner of things, and singing merrily when she had deposited her heavy load. Lucy’s friend whispered in her ear, “The birds find work to do.”

Then they saw the little ants running to and fro; and a spider weaving a web.

“They are all at work.” Then her friend kindly said, “You see, dear Lucy, the smallest of all God’s creatures are flying, creeping, or swimming to their work. They have no soul, and yet they understand that they must have a part to do in the world’s great work. But who will do the work of the little Lucys, who are only six years old? Everybody seems to have his own work to do; what if the idle little LUCYS should do what belongs to them?” This friend then brought before her the one thing needful, that of accepting the Lord Jesus, as her own clear Saviour, for little Lucy knew she was a sinner, and could never go to heaven, unless her sins were forgiven, and washed away in His own precious blood.

His wondrous love touched her heart, she came to Him, just as she was, and could sing from her heart,

“Jesus bids us shine,

First of all for Him;

Well He sees and knows it,

If our light grows dim:

He looks down from heaven,

To see us shine—

You in your small corner,

And I in mine.”

Dear little Lucy had now a new life. Her one concern was to let her light shine for Him to whom she belonged. She was no longer idle, but helped mother; and desired to learn to knit. She was no longer fretful, but found delight in doing all as unto the Lord, the One who loved her, and gave Himself for her.

“WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO IT HEARTILY, AS TO THE LORD, AND NOT UNTO MEN.” Col. 3:23.

ML-11/24/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 25

THE Word of God plainly and repeatedly sets forth as quite distinct the ways of God in the government of His people, on the one hand, and His dealings with the world that does not own Him, on the other. We see for example, Lot, a believer, living in the valley of Sodom instead of on the heights of faith in godly separation like Abraham. And what is God’s action there? (Genesis 19:15-25.) He brings Lot out of the place whither his own neglect of what is clue to God had brought him, and afterward destroys Sodom and all its inhabitants, but He does not fail to deal with Lot also, That saint’s conscience must have afflicted him sorely as he realized that all his gains (Genesis 13:5), all for which he had given up the walk of faith, were gone, and this time, finally (see chapter 14:12, 19). Dishonor marked his last clays on earth, but we shall meet him in the glory, (2 Peter 2:6-8) though he be not among the faith-worthies of Hebrews 11.

In the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, not to speak of others, there is set forth, first, God’s dealing in richly merited rebuke and chastening with His chosen people, Israel. They are punished because they are His and walk contrary to His Word. He has had long patience with them, but He cannot be untrue to Himself, and in due time judgment falls upon the people who profess His name. Then, having’ executed His righteous wrath un these, He turns to their enemies, their neighbors who had oppressed them and rejoiced in their downfall, and He pronounces judgment upon them. Israel remains to this day a people, but Ammon, Moab, Edom,—where are these nations now? Gone from the ken of man under the government of God over this world.

The prophecies of Jeremiah 46 to 51, together with those of Ezekiel 25 to 32, present this line of things,—God’s dealings with a guilty world, apart from His punishment of His own people, (See also 1 Peter 4:17, 18,)

The children of Ammon are first in Ezekiel 25, the reason being, no doubt, that they were Judah’s nearest neighbors, and first to show their delight in Judah’s fall. They were always, enemies of Israel, to whom they were related by blood. What is said of them in verse 3 relates to the time of the desolation of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar at the close of the siege of Jerusalem. They rejoiced at Judah’s fall and captivity, but their joy was short lived, for God visited them.

The children of the east (verse 4) appear to be the Ishmaelites, substantially the Arabs of the desert of the present day, who are the inhabitants of the land of Ammon. Rahbah is now the seat of the government, such as it is, of Transjordania, an Arab kingdom. “Palaces” in verse 4 is really just enclosures for cattle, or tent villages, such as are found today in what was the land of the children of Ammon. (See Zephaniah 2:8-11.)

Moab and Seir (Edom) were also relatives of Israel, the former like Amnion through Lot, and the latter through. Esau,—the fathers of their nations. These countries, to the east and south of Judah, were glad when the children of Israel, of whom they were jealous, went into captivity. Edom had been revengeful. (See Psalm 137:7; Amos 1:11, and Obadiah, verses 12 to 14.) Verse 14, for its fulfillment, waits upon Israel’s recovery in the last days (Obadiah 18).

The Philistines (verses 15 to 17) were, in their day, powerful enemies of the children of Israel, until David overcame them. Their seeking revenge was to be returned upon their own heads. Today they can not be found.

ML-11/24/1935

Was It for "Big" Or "Little" Ones?

CARRIE was a happy country girl, with a pair of black, sparkling eyes and bushy hair. She attended a Sunday school held by a Christian lady, who told the little children the story of Jesus and His love.

One day Carrie came to the school downcast and sad. The kind teacher took the little girl apart from the other children, and said to her, “My dear Carrie, you look very sad today. What is the matter with you?”

The little girl looked up mournfully in her face and said,

“Because, teacher, I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

“What were you thinking about, Carrie?” said the teacher.

“O teacher, I was wondering whether Jesus cares for me or not—do you think He does?” asked the little girl, the tears coming to her eyes.

“Yes, Carrie, Jesus loves you. Did He not come down from His happy home to show His love for sinners? And did He not say, when He was down here, ‘Suffer little children to come unto Me? How, then can you doubt whether He loves you? Can you repeat the verse that tells you so, Carrie?”

Carrie repeated the verse slowly, which she had learned, “Suffer the little children to come unto, Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14.

“Well, Carrie, who do you think that means, you or me? Is it big folks like me, or little ones like you He invites?”

The little girl clapped her hands with delight, and said, “It’s for me, teacher, and not for you; for you are not a child; it’s for me, for me! Jesus loves me. I know it now!” From that day Carrie believed that the Lord Jesus loved her, and she loved Him in return.

Now, if this little girl was so anxious to know if the Lord Jesus loved her, why should not you? Perhaps you have often sung:

“Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.”

Well, then, let me ask you, have you, like Carrie, believed the glad tidings and received His love into your heart? Have you said, “It’s for me, for me!” and come to Him trusting His love, and accepting Him as your own and only Saviour? If you have you will love Him in return, and follow Him, saying, “I love Him, because He first loved me.”

ML-11/24/1935

Do I Love Jesus?

I WANT you, my dear young readers, to make this a personal question, and do answer it thoughtfully. I am very emphatic, and I will tell you why.

A gentleman was speaking in a gospel meeting’ some time ago, and there was one very attentive listener present every evening, whose name was Lottie, and she used to walk borne with him every evening after the meeting, so one night as he was wishing her “Good by,” he said, “Lottie, do you love Jesus?” She said that she did.

“Have you ever thanked Him for loving you?” he asked.

“No,” she replied. He told her to thank Jesus for loving her before she went to sleep that night, and she promised to do so. As she knelt in prayer that night, she felt that she had not told the truth, and she wept tears of repentance. The next night she came with a bright face, beaming with joy, and said, “O, Mr. H., I told you a story last night. I said I loved Jesus, and really did not; but I do now, and I have thanked Him for His love.”

Before the meetings closed, she brought her sister to Jesus, and they are both happy in His love.

So, my dear young friends, Do you love Jesus? If so, have you ever thanked Him for loving you?

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

I am Jesus’ little lamb,

Washed in Jesus’ blood I am;

Now I’m sheltered from all harm,

Hallelujah!

“Now, therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.” 2 Chron. 29:13.

ML-11/24/1935

Seven Things

THE first thing you must find out is, that you have SINNED.

The second, that you are LOST.

The third, that Christ died for SINNERS.

The fourth, that you may be SAVED. The fifth, that you must BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ.

The sixth, that, you must believe on Him. NOW!

The seventh, that he that believeth HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.

ML-11/24/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 26

THE eleventh year (verse 1) brought the kingdom of Judah and the city of Jerusalem to destruction at the hands of the Babylonians (Jeremiah 52:5-27), and God here links with that most solemn dealing with His earthly people what is in type and representation the judgment of the world—the present order of things, as we may say.

Tyre, in the prophecies of Ezekiel 26, 27, and 28 represents the world, not the physical earth, but that worldly system winch had its beginning with Cain (Genesis 4:16-21), and after the flood substantially expanded under Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-10), others patterning after these through the centuries until the present hour.

The people of God have ever been called on to walk in holy separation from the world, and the believer’s true path is not difficult to discover in the writings of inspiration, both Old and New Testaments. Enoch’s life and testimony (Genesis 5:22-24; Jude 11, 15), and Abraham’s, Jeremiah’s and Daniel’s histories—to which we would add Balaam’s testimony in. Numbers 23:9 (not to multiply refences) all speak loudly of the rightful position of the child of God while passing through this earthly scene. The Christian, truly, is called to a measure of separation quite beyond and distinct from that of the Old Testament saints, as John 17:14; Philippians 3:20, 21 and other scriptures abundantly prove, but the principle of separation is the same for both Old and New Testament believers.

Israel’s utterly failing to maintain separation to God from the world according to His Word, was the cause of their fall, but even so long as Judah and Jerusalem remained, the world of that day felt in some measure restrained, hindered from the aims before it, which left out God entirely. We may see illustrations of this restraint and the character and enmity of the world in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8; Revelation 11:7-10, and how much more manifested in the testimony of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John concerning the earthly life of the Faithful and True Witness, the Lord Jesus!

Tyre, therefore, rejoiced in the day of Jerusalem’s fall, not as Ammon, Moab and Edom did, in their jealous hatred of Israel, but because the hindrance was now removed which kept back the development of their city as the great market of the eastern world: “Aha, she is broken, the gate of the peoples! She is turned unto me; I shall be replenished now she is laid waste” (verse 2). God sees and knows every heart; its “thoughts and intents” (Hebrews 4:12) are manifest to Him who is the Author of the written Word.

Tyre was to be assailed in due time by many nations; its walls and towers to be destroyed; so complete was to be the work of destruction that her dust should be scraped from her, herself made a bare rock. Today Tyre is but a small fishing village near the ruins of the once proud city; the Word of God has been fulfilled.

Nebuchadnezzar attacked Tyre, and kept it under siege for thirteen years. Alexander the Great afterward conquered it. It is thought that verse 12 refers to this second conquest, as it does not appear that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the place.

When the city finally lost its greatness we can well understand the consternation felt in the various cities and countries with which it had carried on an extensive trade. Thus Tyre’s judgment served God’s purpose as a type of this world and its judgment, as suggesting in some measure the day of terror which will be when the world is actually judged.

When this world meets its Judge, far greater than the distress of the nations of which verses 1048 tell will be the anguish of the despisers of God’s grace. The Scriptures afford us no word regarding it. Revelation 6:15-17 tells of the-first alarm which will soon pass away, and chapter 18:15-19 refers to the destruction to be visited by men upon the religious corruptress of the last days, but the judgment of God will be after these events.

ML-12/01/1935

The Night of Decision

A LITTLE BOY named Jimmy had for many years attended the school conducted by an earnest evangelist. During the time of his attendance of the day school, he was awakened to see his state as a sinner in need of a Saviour, and often during the Bible lesson he wept. Yet, strange to say, he left the school an unconverted boy, and went forth to earn his living without Christ. He still continued to attend the night school, being anxious to learn. It was the teacher’s habit at the close of lessons to have a short gospel talk with the young men, seeking to lead them to Jesus. One evening, the subject chosen was decision for Christ, and the teacher sought to point the subject and press it home upon them by a blackboard sketch, which was as follows,

Which?

Jesus

Satan

Pardon.

Sin—Condemned already

Life

Death

Glory

Judgment to come

Choose you this day

It was a solemn, searching time. Life and death, Christ and Satan were held up, contrasted, and then the solemn question was pressed home, WHICH?

Some said “Life,” but Jimmy remained silent, his eyes resting on the board, with the startling question—WHICH? As he rose to go, the teacher asked, “WHICH?” Jimmy said,

“I will trust.”

“Whom?” asked the teacher.

“Jesus,” was the firm reply.

“When?”

“Now and always,” was Jimmy’s emphatic answer, and with these words they shook hands and parted, neither of them thinking it was for the last time.

A few days after, while Jimmy was attending his horses as they worked a threshing machine, he fell, and his arm being caught in the wheel was crushed to the shoulder. In a moment more he must have been killed, but the horses stopped, and the dear boy was thus saved from such an awful death. He was carried to the house, and loving hands did all that could be done to relieve the sufferer.

“God’s hand is in it, and it must be right,” said Jimmy, and to the astonishment of all, he began to sing his favorite hymn ending with the lines,

“My only plea, Christ died for me,

O! take me as I am,”

thus showing us where his faith was resting, and on what ground he expected to be received into heaven.

He was removed to the hospital, where it became necessary to amputate the arm, and to remove part of the collar bone in hope of saving his life. But all was in vain; he rapidly sank. Full of joy, he sang his-favorite hymns, told his father who was by his side he had no fear of death, and begged his parents and lids brothers and sisters to meet him in heaven. Among his last words were, “I’m glad I trusted Jesus,” and so he passed away to join the ransomed host above, saved just in time, because he made his choice that night of “Jesus, life, and glory,” and escaped that other side on which the words— “sin, death, and judgment” were written.

Reader, which of the two sides is your choice—WHICH? Your present choice will fix your future destiny for heaven or hell; and your present state for salvation or condemnation. There is no time to lose, not a day to spare.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 21:15.

“Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24.

ML-12/01/1935

Kindness

THIS little girl has three rabbits in her apron, and they do not seem one bit afraid that she will let them drop. Notice how carefully she holds them, but they look to be rather heavy for her to hold long.

We do like to see children careful and kind to their pets, whatever they may be—kittens, dogs, birds, etc.—to feed them well, and keep their houses clean and comfortable. They will appreciate your kindness to them, and will be friendly to you.

Boys and girls are not always kind to each other, and this is not pleasing to God.

If we are His children, through faith in Christ Jesus, we have been forgiven many, many sins, and as we remember how much God has forgiven us, we shall also be able to forgive others who may do us a wrong. Think of how many times we displease God in our ways, and how gracious He is to us.

“BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST’S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU. Eph. 4:32.

ML-12/01/1935

Lost in the Snow

We wonder if this dear boy would be ready to meet God, if he should die alone in the snow?

How would it be with you, dear one, if you were called to die today? We all must know how uncertain life is.

A great many die without a moment’s warning. If they have been trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they go straight to be with Him.

But if not, they are lost forever. Terrible fact! If one is lost eternally, it is his own fault, for God has provided the Saviour for us, and what a blessed thing it is to be always ready to go, for we know not what moment we may be called. If we put it off to the last moment, our life here on earth will be a wasted one, as we had failed to respond to the love He had shown in giving His life for us on Calvary. The Lord now says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” John 6:37.

May you be enabled to say, “He died for me,” and “I love Him because He first loved me,” and then prove it in all your ways. It will not then be with fear that you will meet death, but you will be happy and ready to go.

“THE LORD IS ... NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.” 2 Peter 3:9.

ML-12/08/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 27

TYRE had built up an enormous trade between the east and the west, thirty-four districts and towns being mentioned in this chapter as concerned with the city in a business way. Its inhabitants had grown rich through die trade that was carried on, and it is evident that they greatly beautified the place, having confidence in its future. They forgot, as did the rich man in Luke 12:16-21, that God was to be reckoned with.

Situated at the entries of the sea, and trafficking with the peoples of many countries, Tyre had said, “I am perfect in beauty,” and God acknowledges it: “Thy borders are in the heart of the seas; thy builders have perfected thy beauty.” He then likens the famous city to a ship. (verses 5 to 11).

Senir (verse 5) is one of the peaks of Mount Hermon, the snowy mountain north of Palestine, to the east of Lebanon. Bashan is east of the upper reaches of the Jordan, and the “isles of Chittim” refers to Cyprus and other islands belonging to its people. Elishah (verse 7) has not been identified, but is thoUght to have been west of Tyre, somewhere bordering on the Mediterranean Sea.

Verses 8 to 11 show how Tyre drew upon countries both near and far for the carrying on of its great business. Zidon, Arvad and Gebal were Phenician neighbors of Tyre, while Persia, Lud and Phut where distant, the former eastward, and the others southwest (on the north coast of Africa). “Gammadims” in verse 11 is a name not understood; it is thought to mean guards or watchman, rather than the name of a particular place or country.

Verses 12 to 25 name the places (or some of them) from which merchandise, animals and even slaves were brought to Tyre for barter or sale.

“Tarshish dealt with thee by reason of the abundance of all substance; with silver, iron, tin and lead they furnished thy markets” (verse 12, N.T.). This tells of a place whose ships are mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament. (See Psalm 48:7; Isaiah 2:16, and 23:1 as examples.)

It has not been determined where this city was, and there seems a possibility that there were two places so named, one in the far East (Ceylon, perhaps), and the other and chief one in Spain or on the north African coast.

Javan (verse 13) refers to Greece, but in verse 19 it is believed that the same name relates to a place in southern. Arabia. Tubal and Meshech are names of portions of southeastern Russia, near the eastern side of the Black Sea; from there the trade was in “the persons of men”—human slavery—and in vessels of bronze.

What variety there was to be found in the market at Tyre! Metal from Tarshish, horses, horsemen and mules from Togarmah (Armenia); “many isles” paid for their purchases with horns of ivory and ebony; Syria traded with precious stones, purple and embroidered work, fine linen and coral (or pearls); and other countries and districts sent in other merchandise and animals the kinds of which are mentioned in verses 17 to 24.

Verse 25 contains a slight mistranslation; read, “The ships of Tarshish were thy caravans for thy traffic,” and the first part of the verse becomes intelligible.

Verses 20 to 30 tell of the end of all this prosperity. The ship of Tyre (following the figure employed in verses 5 to 11), has been brought into great waters; the east wind of which Psalm 48:7 tells, the Euroclydon of Acts 27:14-29, has broken the vessel in the heart of the seas. All the substance, the markets, the merchandise for barter, and all the people, were going down in the ruin that overtook Tyre, the city of the world’s trade. God is not mentioned; they cared not for Him in their prosperity, and in the day of judgment He was not sought. The sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Corinthians 7:10); despair, not repentance, is the result of this overwhelming disaster when it finally came in B.C. 322.

ML-12/08/1935

Who Will Have My Saviour?

A BRIGHT-EYED boy stood up, at the close of a meeting held for sailors in the port where his ship lay, and bore testimony to the saving power of the gospel in the following simple words, “I am fourteen years of age, and I have known Jesus as my Saviour four years. I found out then, that I was not too young, or too little to go to hell, and I afterward learned in the Book of God, that I was not too young to be saved, and go to heaven. Jesus came to save little sinners, as well as big sinners, so I came to Him, and believed on Hint, and He has saved me. Bless His Name, He is more to me than riches or lands; He is with me on the deep sea, and on the land. I seek to serve Him among my shipmates, and in my home. Who will have my Jesus as their Saviour? I can testify that there is no life so pleasant, as that of a follower of Christ.”

Beautiful and true. What do you say to that reader? Is not the boy right? Can you say with him, that Christ is yours, and that you find His ways to be pleasantness and peace? No doubt he had his trials on board ship, among a crew of godless sailors—and God does not promise to keep His saved ones out of such trials; He promises to give them grace to bear them—but the sailor lad had Christ, and in Him he conquered. Are you afraid of the sneers of companions? if you have Christ, with the hope of glory beaming in your heart, you will not care a straw for what they say.

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

ML-12/08/1935

"I Want to Come Home"

THESE were the words of a little girl who was in the hospital, when her father went to visit her. As he was saying “Good-bye!” she began to cry and said,

“I want to come home,” so her father said,

“But look, here are biscuits, cherries, strawberries and chocolate, and nurse is very kind, and these good things will last you till I come again.”

She said, “I do not want these, I want you.”

“But what will you do with all these nice things?”

“I will give them to nurse.”

Now, my dear young friends, as I was returning home, I learned this lesson, that we were away from our Father-God. Sin was the fever we were suffering from. Jesus is the great Physician, and if we would only come to Him He would “cleanse us from all sin” in His precious blood.

It is nice to remember that He has given us “every good and perfect gift,” but it is “far better” to look upon Him and see Him “face to face,” and sometimes we realize His love so much that we say, “I want to come home,” and you know that home is heaven; those blessed words, “At home with the Lord;” it will be all joy, all peace, when we see Jesus “as He is.”

My dear friends, are you ready for that time? Can you say—

I hear Thy voice, Lord Jesus,

I plume my wings for flight;

I leave this scene of sadness,

For that of endless light.

It is Thy voice that’s called me,

I’ve longed to come to Thee;

I rise from earth’s short moment

To immortality.

If not, then—

While you have the witness,

Heed the voice within;

While He gently calleth,

Turn, forsake your sin.

Only come repenting,

Tell Him all your woe;

He will then receive you,

You the joy shall know.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9.

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

ML-12/08/1935

A Lighthouse Lesson

A FRIEND who was visiting a lighthouse lately, said to the keeper, “Are you not afraid to live here? it is a dismal place to be constantly in.”

“No,” replied the man, “I am not afraid, we never think of ourselves here.”

“Never think of yourselves, how is that?” His answer was a good one, “We know that we are perfectly safe, and only think of having our lamps brightly burning, and keeping the reflectors clear, so that those in danger may be saved.”

Dear young friends, can you say you know that you are perfectly safe? Are your feet on the rock Christ Jesus? If not, what terrible danger is yours! Ah! do not rest until you can say, “I know that I am perfectly safe, for Jesus died for me.”

Do not delay, but hide in Him before the awful storm breaks that is coming on all who will not heed His voice of loving warning.

Some of you, my dear young readers, have heard the sweet voice of Jesus calling you and have fled for refuge to His arms of love. Keep close, close to Him, and so you will be bright lights shining for Him in this world where there is so much sin and sorrow.

“Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us.” Eph. 5:2.

ML-12/08/1935

Only a Step to Jesus

Only a step to Jesus!

Then why not take it now?

Come, and thy sin confessing;

To Him thy Saviour bow.

Only a step to Jesus!

Believe and thou shalt live;

Lovingly now He’s waiting,

And ready to forgive.

Only a step to Jesus!

A step from sin to grace;

What hast thy heart decided?

The moments fly apace.

Only a step to Jesus!

O why not come, and say,

Gladly to Thee, my Saviour,

I give myself away.

ML-12/08/1935

The Ducklings

You know, dear children, God has many feathered creatures in His creation. Among them is the duck family. How beautifully covered they are with their warm coat of white feathers.

Have you ever seen ducks in water? How they paddle and swim. They get much of their food out of the water, so they are the happiest when near it.

Now, my dear little readers, if God so cares for His feathered creatures, proving everything needful for them, do you not think His love goes out in a much deeper way to boys and girls who have souls to save?

Ah, yes: He loves you so much that He gave the Best Gift of heaven for you, His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God is no respecter of persons. He does not look at the outward appearance, but He looks at the heart, and sees your young hearts black with sin, but He has graciously provided a Saviour for you, whose precious blood will wash away all your sins, then you, in God’s sight, will be whiter than snow.

“COME NOW, AND LFT 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.

ML-12/15/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 28

THIS third chapter dealing with the ancient market city of Tyre takes up first its “prince” (verses 1 to 10) and afterward its “kind”. The “prince” (and the “king”) here addressed, may very well have been the then ruler of the city, but what is written about him is as the representative of what was characteristic of the place. Tyre was a proud city; its people were world-traders, and their markets had brought them great wealth. The spirit of the Tyrians was the spirit of the world then, and it is the character of the world today as a great commercial system.

The same principles may be traced in Nebuchadnezzar in the grand palace of Babylon (Daniel 4:29, 30), in the thoughts of the “certain rich man” of Luke 12:16-20, and in the language of the Assyrian conqueror in Isaiah 10:7-14.

In these representative cases God is forgotten; it is as though He were not, and that man is altogether master of himself and of the world in which he was born and grew up, and in which, unless converted, he will in due time, die under the appointment of God, and meet His judgment.

Full of pride and ignorant of the truth of God, he readily thinks of himself as supreme, as wiser than Daniel (Daniel 1:17-20, etc.); nothing secret is difficult for him to solve. That is man’s boastful opinion of himself, when business success has crowned his efforts, and he stops to take measure of his accomplishments. God, however, is not thus to be disposed of, and verses 6 to 10 promise a certain end to the pride, the wisdom, and the glory of man. There was a day coming in which Tyre should be humbled, and there is a day fixed by God when judgment will overtake all who will not before its dawn have fled for refuge to lay hold of His offer of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verses 11 to 19, while addressed to the ruler of Tyre under the title of “king”, as the earlier portion of the chapter gives him the lesser title of “prince”, are belied to have a much deeper significance than could have attached to the seaport of ancient renown and its head. The language of these verses, telling of a very exalted person who, enjoying God’s favor, but carried away with pride-and, rejected by Him, is to be dealt with in consuming vengeance, goes deeper than the position of Tyre, and of the world at large, pointing in fact to God’s enemy, the prince and god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4; John 12: 31 and 14:30).

Applied to Tyre, verses 11 to 17 present the position of the city before God gave Hp Israel, while His earthly people were still in the land and His throne was in Jerusalem. Israel was then the center of His government and of blessing on earth. Tyre, being within its borders (Joshua 19:24-31, Judges 1:31, 32) was in the garden of God—a term which, however, included the nations bordering Israel (see chapter 31:8, 9), if not, broadly, the whole world as God’s creation.

In a special way, the king and people of Tyre had enjoyed a relationship with Israel (see 1 Kings 5, and 2 Samuel 5:11), but this position of favor was despised as pride filled the heart; they exalted themselves against God, boasted their equality with Him. Privileges despised bring greater judgment.

Now the world has enjoyed God’s favor, as His Word fully shows, but how has it treated Him? The same Book declares this, also, and the centuries since the apostles’ days have not altered the character of man before God, except as there is evidently progress downward, away from God, where there is not faith in exercise. Judgment, therefore, draws near. And the judgment of the world and its god, its usurping ruler, will take place at the same time (Rev. 12:7-17; 19:11 to 20:15).

In so far as the language of verses 12 to 17 appears to be applicable to Satan, it describes the position of an exalted person among the angels of God. He was the (or an), anointed covering cherub, acting in the government of God; he had been on the holy mountain of God (where God’s authority was exercised). He walked up and down in the midst of stones of fire, Where the moral perfections of God were displayed in a glory before which evil could not abide. No outward temptation (as with man) befell this person; “thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness” (verse 17).

Verses 20 to 24 state the judgment of Sidon, north of the city of Tyre. Thrice in these verses is it said that “they shall know that I am Jehovah”; this is a prose, not of salvation, but that the subjects, of His judicial dealings would be compelled to own His power.

The last two verses of the chapter foretell that blessed time on earth when God shall have gathered the house of Israel (all the twelve tribes). Then shall they know that He is Jehovah, their God. Surely the dawn of that day must be near, ushered in, we know, with fearful events, but preceded by the resurrection and the rapture—the coming of the Lord for His heavenly people according to 1 Thess. 4:16, 17, and 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52.

Are we who know Him, prepared for that meeting in the air? The time is at hand!

ML-12/15/1935

The Gold Coin

A GOOD many years ago a merchant missed from his cash drawer a gold piece. No one had been to the drawer, it was proved, except a young cleric whose name was Weston. The merchant had sent him there to make change for a customer, and the next time the drawer was opened the gold piece had disappeared.

Naturally, Weston was suspected of having stolen it, and more especially as he appeared a few days after the occurrence in a new suit of clothes. Being asked where he had bought the clothes, Weston gave the name of the tailor without hesitation. The merchant went privately to make inquiries and discovered that Weston had paid for the suit with a ten-dollar gold piece.

That afternoon the young clerk was called into the merchant’s private room and charged with the theft.

“It is useless to deny it,” the merchant said, “you have betrayed yourself with these new clothes, and now the only thing that you can do is to make a full confession of your fault.”

Weston listened with amazement; he could hardly believe at first that such an accusation could be brought against him, but when he saw that his employer was in earnest he denied it indignantly, and declared that the money he had spent for the clothes had been a gift to him.

The merchant sneered at such an explanation.

“Who was it who gave the money to you? Produce the person,” he demanded, “It was a lady,” answered Weston, “and I can not produce her, for she died last spring. I can tell you her name,”

“Can you bring me anybody that saw her give you the money or knew of your having it?” asked she merchant.

“No, I can not do that,” Weston had to answer. “I never told any one about the gift, for she did not wish me to, but I have a letter from her somewhere in which she speaks of sending the money, if I have not lost it.”

“I dare say you have lost it,” the merchant sneered. “When you have found it, sir, you can bring it to me, and then I will believe your story.”

Weston went home with a heavy heart. He had no idea where the letter was; he could not be sure that he had not destroyed it; and yet, unless he could produce it his character was ruined, for lie saw that the merchant was fully convinced of his guilt, and appearances, indeed, were sadly against him.

But Weston knew the Lord Jesus as His Saviour, and this was not the first time he had gone to Him with his burdens. He went home, got on his knees, and unburdened his heart to the Lord. He then began to overhaul the contents of his desk and trunk and closet.

He kept his papers neatly, and it did not take long to see that the letter was not among them. He sat down with a sense of despair when he was convinced of this. What else could he do? Again he got on his knees and asked the Lord for help, guidance and strength to endure whatever trouble God might choose to send upon him.

When he rose from his knees, he happened to catch his foot in an old rug that he had nailed down to the carpet because it was always curling at the edges. The nail at the corner had come out, and stooping down to straighten the rug he saw a bit of paper peeping out. He pulled it from its hiding place, and it was the letter.

How it got there he did not know. The fact that he had found it was enough for him. His heart went out in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for such deliverance.

Weston brought the letter to his employer. It proved his innocence, and he apologized. A month later the gold piece was found in Mr. Finch’s own overcoat pocket. He had never put it in the cash drawer at all. Weston kept his job with a raise in salary.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Psa. 55:22.

ML-12/15/1935

A Bad Choice

A VERY attractive and lovable young girl was asked to attend a prayer meeting during the closing hour of the old year. She did not care for the company of Christians, and thought it would be a very dull way to see the old year out and the new year in. She refused the invitation, saying, “No, I will dance it out.”

The end of the year came, and with it the much-anticipated dance. The young lady was full of animation and excitement in the midst of the gay throng with its glitter and music.

But as the hour of midnight approached she grew suddenly pale and was carried from the room very sick. All the efforts of the doctor to help her were in vain. As the clock struck twelve, she passed with the dying year into eternity.

She had rejected Christ. She had chosen the world—only to spend an eternity of misery in outer darkness.

Dear reader, which will you choose? It may be a difficult choice. It may be hard for you to give up the pleasures of this life. But they last only a few years at best. And if you do turn to Christ, you will find in Him far more than all this world can give 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.

“See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven.” Heb. 12:25.

ML-12/15/1935

Androcles

Many years ago, a Roman slave by the name of Androcles was found guilty of some misdemeanor, and was ordered by his master to be put to death. Androcles escaped to the Numidian desert.

One day, when sitting at the entrance of a cave, he was much surprised and terrified to see a large lion coming towards him; but instead of pouncing on him, the lion quietly came up to him, and lifted his paw, and at the same time licked Androcles’ hand.

There was a thorn in the paw, and the lion seemed to realize that a man could take it out and relieve him of his suffering. Androcles took the thorn out and the lion bounded off.

Some time after this Androcles was captured, and condemned to fight a lion in the arena. When the hungry beast was let loose, he sprang towards Androcles, but stopped suddenly, crept quietly to him, and licked his feet. It was the same lion from whose paw he had pulled the thorn, and though the circumstances were entirely different, the lion remembered the kindness, and showed his gratitude.

I am sure no one would have expected such gratitude from such a ferocious beast; but what a lesson it may teach us. If a beast can show gratitude for kindness received, how much more should we! Our parents have done many kind acts for us, and have denied themselves many things, so that they could give to us, and yet how often children turn around and speak disrespectfully to their parents, and disobey them. They act as if they had less sense of kindness shown them than this poor dumb lion.

There is something more than this; for there is no one who has loved us as the Lord Jesus has, for He has given Himself for us, and died in our place, and borne what we deserved. How much do we love Him, and show gratitude for all that He has done for us? Are we willing to please Him? Is it our delight to talk often to Him, and read His Word, and thus have Him talk to us?

O, may we each one seek to please Him in all our ways, and thus show that we love Him.

“BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD, AS DEAR CHILDREN.” Eph. 5:1.

ML-12/22/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 29

WE have had three chapters dealing with the judgment of Tyre; there follow four with reference to God’s humbling the nation of Egypt. With Tyre, as we have seen, the direct cause of downfall was pride on account of commercial or business success. Egypt was lifted up with pride of a different sort: they sought power, took pride in their political wisdom, aimed to be the ruling nation in the world.

In verse 3 the figure of a monster (a crocodile, we may assume) is applied to Pharaoh. If the then reigning king of Egypt was particularly in view in the prophecy, as we may suppose, he was Pharaoh-Hophra, who is named in Jeremiah 44:30, and referred to in chapters 37:5-11, and 46, and in. Ezekiel 17:15-17. Complete overthrow of his power was promised him who said, “My river is my own.” The Nile was (and is) Egypt’s dependence for prosperity, its fertile lands being sustained by that stream, rain being unknown there.

Fitly, therefore, the judgment of Egypt is expressed in the figure of the crocodile taken by putting hooks in his jaws, and cast into the wilderness together with the other inhabitants of the river, to be for meat to the beasts of the earth and the fowls of the heavens. God is sovereign, and He yet rules over the kingdom of men, and gives authority to whomsoever He will (Daniel 2:21; 4:17), though Satan has power and uses it to the extent permitted him.

Another cause than the immense pride and self-sufficiency which marked ancient Egypt was before God, in proposing to punish that land; this is revealed in verses 6 and 7. That His people erred in seeking help from Egypt other Scriptures amply show (Isaiah 30, 31; Jeremiah 42, 43, 44, etc.), but He had dealt, and would further deal, with them for that.

Because of this lofty pride and the ill-treatment of God’s people, a heavy blow was about to fall upon Egypt (verses 8 to 12); it was to lie desolate and waste for forty years, from Migdol (see the marginal note in your Bible at verse 10) to Syene. Migdol is shown by Exodus 14:2 to have been near the Red Sea, in the north of Egypt; and Syene is the present town of Assuan or Aswan, at the first cataract of the Nile, where a great dam has been in recent times constructed across the river. The border of the present Ethiopia lies, much further south, but in olden times it was at the first cataract.

After forty years, God who scattered, would again gather the Egyptians in their land, in Pathros-(upper Egypt), and Egypt should thereafter be a petty kingdom, never to exalt itself above the nations or rule over them. This corresponds to the Egypt of our day. Never more would Israel turn to Egypt for help.

In verses 17 to 21 is a prophecy sixteen years later than that which occupies verses 1 to 16. In date, it shortly follows Nebuchadnezzar’s capture of Tyre in B.C. 573, which ended a 13-year siege of the city. When the great king finally subdued the defenders, they had sent away by ship almost everything of value (the Babylonians had no navy), so that he had no “wages” for the service he performed. God, who had used Nebuchadnezzar in the humbling of Tyre, and was about to use him against Egypt, therefore caused the latter country’s spoil to fall into his hands as compensation for his labor against Tyre.

Then and not till then, following the desolating of Egypt, blessing was to begin again for Israel, and Ezekiel’s mouth be opened in testimony; then would they of Israel’s race know that He who had preserved and blessed them is Jehovah, and (we may be sure) would give up the idols they had loved.

Scripture is silent as to the death of Jeremiah, who had been taken to Egypt; and Ezekiel, who was in Chaldea, nor do we know that either of them returned to the land of Israel. Nebuchadnezzar lived ten or eleven years after he completed the conquest of Tyre; Ezekiel may have survived him a few years, but this is a matter of conjecture; Jeremiah must have been an old man when Tyre fell, if he was yet living.

ML-12/22/1935

A Cheerful Giver

THERE is a little text in our Bible that reads thus, “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7), and I was thinking of this text when I heard of how a farmer and his wife acted.

They had been to a missionary meeting, where the question of giving away copies of the Bible to the poor had been talked over, and how much money would be wanted to carry out the purpose.

When they came home the wife said that she would like to put aside five dollars a year for the purpose, but the farmer replied that he intended to give five dollars a year, and he did not think they could afford ten dollars, but she reminded him that he had given her a few days before, five dollars to buy a hive of bees, and she would rather give the money for the Lord’s work, and go without the bees.

They agreed to this, and strange to say the next day a swarm of bees settled on a tree in their garden, and was soon safely placed in an empty hive.

The farmer and his wife were both struck with this circumstance. It seemed as if the Lord were rewarding them for giving money for His service, and they made up their minds that all the honey that came from this hive of bees should be given to the Lord, and also any other swarms that might come from the same hive.

This little colony of bees increased so fast that after a few years quite a large sum of money was given away year by year.

ML-12/22/1935

"Jesus Loves Lizzie"

LIZZIE L.—was a child of four and a half years. An evangelist visited her town, and set up his canvas tent on a vacant lot. Lizzie spent much of her time near there with her little playmates, and when the “good man’s show,” as she called it, came, they all attended the children’s service in the tent.

There the thought of Jesus’ love to her came with a power as great as it was new. No words were so often on her lips now as, “Jesus loves Lizzie, mamma.”

In pure, childish joy she would, when, as she thought, alone and unobserved, clap her little hands, and say to herself, “Jesus loves little Lizzie.”

Sometimes she would be overheard telling her little baby brother, al; if he should understand her, and enter into her joy, “Yes, Willie, Jesus loves little Lizzie.”

It became more and more manifest that the Holy Spirit was the child’s teacher, and love to Jesus filled her heart.

On the Lord’s Day, seeing the people going to hear the Word of God, she went to, her mother, eagerly asking that she might be dressed to go. None from that house had ever gone; but so earnestly did she press her mother to get her ready, that her mother promised when she got a new dress for her she would not only let her go, but would go with her.

Thinking over her lack of a new dress, and that such a thing should stand between her getting to a place where she could hear about Jesus, she said to her mother, “Well, mamma, father won’t bring me a new dress, but Jesus is going to give me a dress.”

“Did you tell her of these things?” we asked the mother some time after.

“No, I did not,” was the reply.

“Who, then, spoke to her of them?” we asked. The mother did not know.

Are you a young worker in the Lord’s vineyard? Then never consider any case hopeless, and no living person too ignorant or too young to accept Christ as Saviour. Remember, that it is yours to sow the seed. ‘Tis God’s to give the increase.

Are you a believer? Then let the truth that thrilled Lizzie’s heart be more heartily and fully received by you. The Lord Jesus loves you.

Are you still ignorant of His love? O, hear Him who says, “As I live ... I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezek. 33:11.

“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.

O what love! To have provided such a Saviour; and now God offers Him to you with all that He is. Is that not love?

“Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely,” Rev. 22:17

ML-12/22/1935

"Forbid Them Not"

Mark 10:13-16

Let little children come to Me,

From palace, mansion or from cot;

The young I always love to see:

Then let them come—forbid them not.

I fain would fold them in My arms,

Bestow on them a blissful lot,

And shelter them from all alarms:

Then let them come—forbid them not.

My blood, which was on Calv’ry shed,

Can cleanse from every sinful spot;

And still, as when on earth I said—

Let children come—forbid them not.

Their artless steps I love to lead

From each unsafe, unholy spot;

On heav’nly food their souls to feed:

Then let them come—forbid them not.

When saints I summon to the air,

Not one of them will be forgot;

And hosts of children will be there:

Then let them come—forbid them not.

ML-12/22/1935

The End of the Year

IN a few days the end of 1935 will close, and who can tell where we shall be when 1936 will have run its course?

Our time is spent in coming and going, meeting and parting, joy and sorrow, pleasure and disappointment—so each year comes and passes away.

Have you spent the past year for God, or has it been wasted? We must let the past go, and not mourn over it, but press forward, just as the horses in our picture are doing. Are we as anxious to reach our destination as they? They know what awaits them at the end of the joey. Do you, my clear young friend, know what is awaiting you?

Each one who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ knows something of the joy. Which is before him—the untold joy of being forever with the Lord in glory.

That which awaits those who have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour is untold misery, and dwelling forever with the devil and his angels.

May not one of our dear readers put off a moment longer accepting God’s free gift of salvation through Christ. He wants you to know and believe the love He has shown to you in giving His Son for you, so that you might dwell forever in that glory above with all the redeemed, singing with them, the new song to the Lord.

“THOU ART WORTHY... FOR THOU WAST SLAIN, AND HAST REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD.” Rev. 5:9.

ML-12/29/1935

Bible Lessons: Ezekiel 30

A NEW word from Jehovah with regard to Egypt, undated, is comprised in the first and major portion of this chapter. It begins (verses 2 to 9) with a short reference to the still future day of the Lord (day of Jehovah) introducing the Millennium with terrible judgments. Of that day the prophet Isaiah, and the Psalms have told much, and Ezekiel’s later chapters contribute to the accounts of it which God’s word contains.

“Howl ye; Alas for the day! For the day is at hand, yea, the day of Jehovah is at hand, a day of clouds; it shall be the time of the nations” (verses 2 and 3, N. T.). Unparalleled blessing will be poured upon this earth, but this cannot be until after the judgment of those living-on it, the Church of God meanwhile having been removed to heavenly glory.

Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, the mingled people, and Chub are named together with Egypt as chief, as to be visited heavily in that day. Libya and Lydia are west of Egypt, and the ancient-Ethiopia covered much more territory than the present country of that name. Chub has not been identified, but as the others named belong to northern Africa it is thought to be another of Egypt’s neighbors. The “men of the land that is in league” (or land of the covenant), would seem to be Jews then living in Egypt.

Verses 10 to 26 take up the conquest by Nebuchadnezzar already spoken of in chapter 29. The land was to be filled with the slain, made utterly desolate (verse 12); the idols and images were to be destroyed; not again should there be a prince out of the land of Egypt; instead, God would put fear in the land (verse 13).

The principal cities of Egypt are, one by one, spoken of as to fall under the judgment of God,—places of renown in their day, but in ruins if found at all today. First named is Noph, or Memphis, which is believed to have been not far south of the present city of Cairo; it and Zoan were one-time capitals of Egypt, and Zoan, close to the Mediterranean Sea, was the place where Moses and Aaron met the Pharaoh of their day and performed miracles (Psalm 78:12, 48).

No, or Thebes, was a noted place, built on both banks of the Nile in southern Egypt; its massive ruins remain to this day. Sin, or Pelusium, called the strength or stronghold of Egypt (verse 15), is believed to have been near one of the mouths of the Nile. Aven, or On (Heliopolis) was some distance north of Cairo; Joseph was given as wife a daughter of Potipherah, priest of On (Genesis 41:45). It at one time was the capital of Lower Egypt; Pibeseth, or Bubastis, in the Nile delta was another place of grandeur; its ruins remain; here also was a capital city of Lower Egypt.

Tehaphnehes was the place to which the Jews in Palestine fled, taking Jeremiah, with them (Jeremiah 43). Pharaoh had a house there, and Nebuchadnezzar was to set his own throne in the place in the conquest of the country (Jeremiah 43:8-10). The damage inflicted on the cities of ancient Egypt under Nebuchadnezzar was never recovered from. That there were other, later conquerors of the country is well-known, but God’s judgment upon it was initially wrought by the king of Babylon; then it was that the pride of her strength ceased in her (verse 18).

The date of the word of Jehovah to Ezekiel which occupies verses 20 to 26 is a few months before the Babylonian besiegers broke down the defenses of Jerusalem and put many of the inhabitants to death (Jeremiah 39 and 52). Shortly Jerusalem itself was a ruin, fire and pillage having removed all that remained that belonged to the glory of Solomon’s reign. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies were then free to attack Egypt, only that the siege of Tyre, which held out a strong resistance for thirteen years, delayed the opening of the war against the southern kingdom. The last seven verses give promise of what was in due time accomplished by Nebuchadnezzar, wielding the sword of Jehovah, and already Egypt’s ruler could anticipate that end to his power which lay only a few years distant.

ML-12/29/1935

The Lost Sheep Found

THE story is told of a soldier who lay wounded on the battlefield. Around him were dead comrades who had fallen in the struggle, and he was weak with the loss of blood and feared his end was near.

“I am dying—dying, and I am not ready,” he cried.

The conviction had forced itself upon him that he was not fit to meet God. What could he do? Where could he flee?

Then there came before his mind the clays of his childhood, and of the gospel preachings to which he used to go with his mother. And he seemed to hear once again the story of the grace of God pictured in the parable of the good shepherd seeking the one lost sheep among the mountains wild and barren. And then the scene changed and he was in his childhood home, and he was praying as a little child,

“Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me!

Bless Thy little lamb tonight;

In the darkness be Thou near me,

Keep me safe till morning light.”

Lonely on that stricken field he began to repeat the words again. And then he thought of the intervening years of forgetfulness of God, and of wandering in paths of folly and sin. The cry escaped him, “I am not His little lamb.... I am a great big black sheep—a vile black sheep.”

Here was his confession of sin. He was repentant and helpless. Who could meet his deep need? Turning to the Saviour he prayed, “O Shepherd, come—find, save the great big black sheep.”

Such cries are ever heeded, and with a sense of peace filling his soul, the wound man sank into unconsciousness.

He was picked up—carried to a hospital and in a few weeks was in the arms of his aged mother telling the story of how the lost one was found by the Saviour she had loved so long.

Have you seen yourself as a vile black sheep needing to be saved? Have you cried, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep,” and found yourself in the care of the Good Shepherd?

If not, turn now to Him. He is at hand to deliver and bless.

“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.” Isaiah 53:6.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML-12/29/1935

"We Are Going to Move"

SO said little Janet, a child of five years old, to a visitor who had just come in.

“Indeed,” said the visitor, looking surprised,” and where are you going?”

“O, do you not know that Jesus is coming to take us to live with Him in heaven?”

This was a very happy thing to clear Janet. She often asked questions, and talked about the coming of the Lord. It was, indeed, a great reality to her, and filled her little heart with joy.

Yes, dear young readers, there is a great day coming, and it may be near. The same Jesus who was nailed to the cross of Calvary, who was laid in the cold tomb, who rose from the dead and ascended to God’s right hand, He whom all the angels worship continually, is coming again.

He will at first come only to the air, then the trumpet will sound, and all those who have died in Christ, their bodies will rise up from their graves, and all who are alive will be changed as quickly as your eye can twinkle; then, all together,—those who have died, and those who will never die (John 11:26), shall go up to meet with Jesus in the air, each one shining like Himself,—for when we see Him, we shall be like Him.

Every one washed in the blood of Jesus will be there on that happy day, and not one left behind, (1 Cor. 15:23, 51), for He knows every heart that is trusting in Him, and He says, “They shall be Mine in that day when I make up My jewels.” Malachi 3:17.

Dear young friends, let me ask you in love, where would you be if the Lord were to come this very day? Would you go up to be with the Lord, or would you be left behind to weep in hopeless sorrow?

There will be many separations on that day. Children will be left by their parents, and parents without their children. Some without brothers, and sisters; some will be taken to be with Him, and others left bind.

Dear little Janet, though too young to understand many of these things, yet she understood that Jesus loved her, and that His blood had washed away her sins. She loved Him, and looked for Him.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God, and Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” Titus 2:13, 14.

ML-12/29/1935

A Confession of Faith

THANK Jesus that He was punished instead of me.” Such was a little girl’s confession of faith in Christ. It was simple, yet expressive; brief, but full of truth and meaning. It contained the sum of the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Christ.

“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. 58:5.

ML-12/29/1935

A Song of Praise

I’ll sing the praise of God above,

Whose heart so overflowed with love,

His Son, His only Son, He gave,

Lost little ones like me to save.

And O! a joyful note I’ll raise,

That blessed Son of God to praise,

Who freely shed His precious blood,

Lost little ones to bring to God.

From His bright home of bliss He came

Our souls from bondage to redeem;

Bought with a price by Love divine,

I now am His, and He is mine!

Where’er I go—e’en if I stray—

His love still follows all the way;

He makes my every need His care,

And guards me from each hurtful snare.

He’s coming soon to take me home,

Where sin and sorrow never come;

But there my sweetest joy shall be

To sing of Him Who died for me.

ML-12/29/1935

Messages of God's Love: 1935

Table of Contents

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 29

Come

One of Jesus' Little Lambs

Lost

A New Year's Greeting

A Shelter From the Storm

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 30

What Is Believing?

Jemmy in the Pit

Meeting Christ

Protection

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 31:1-14

The Fruit Sermon

Obey at Once

Jesus Died; Jesus Lives

Ready for a Camel Ride

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 31:15-10

Innocence and Guilt

A Very Short Prayer

In the Days of Thy Youth

The Lord Himself Shall Come

Bible Talks: Jeremiah 32

I Cannot Go to God for You

The Winter

The One Who so Loved Me

Children in School

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 33

The Way to Heaven

Sled Riding

Good News

The Broken Chord

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 34

Four African Girls

Locked up in the Granary

What a Poor Boy Gave for a Bible

Now

Sheep

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 35

Garra, or Bought by Blood

Serving God

Prayer Answered

What Is in Heaven, That the Hands of Man Made?

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 36

Maria, the Spanish Fortune-Teller

The Love of Jesus

Opossums

A Windy Day

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 37

"I Am the Way"

Four Hard Questions

Was It for Me?

The Three Enemies

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 38

"'Cause I'm Happy"

Have You Your Ticket?

O, Come, Lord Jesus

Wandering Arabs

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 39

The Effect of Light

Little Hughie

Summat, the Alpine Goatherder

O, What a Saviour!

The Shepherd's Care

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 40

Not by Chance

Frightened

The Shelter on the Rock

The Saviour's Love

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 41

The Lost Lamb

She Trusted Him

God's Power and God's Love

Whiter Than Snow

The Shepherd

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 42

Saved in the Cleft of a Rock

The Coming of the Lord

The Nightingale