Messages of God's Love: 1942

Queen Victoria, while spending some time on one of her vast domains (which was a favorite with her), she was in the habit of visiting a number of old servants to whom she had given little homes on her estate. She was particularly attached to one of them, an old lady, who had given her long and faithful service in former years. She would go and sit with her and while knitting, they would converse together.

On one occasion, a niece of the old servant stepped in to see her aunt. At the sight of the queen, the young girl felt a little shy, but the former soon made her forget her shyness by her kindly greetings so that she could talk to her without embarrassment. When the time came for the queen to take her departure, she said to the old lady,

“I desire to read with you part of the 14th chapter of John’s gospel.” She herself doing the reading. Then closing the Bible, she looked at the young girl, and said in a soft voice:

“My child, are you a Christian?”

“I certainly am, your Majesty,” was the answer.

“How do you know you are?” continued the queen.

“Well, I was baptized, then confirmed.” “Good, now let us pray together.” So she kneeled and after addressing a fervent petition for the old friend she loved, she said,

“Please, Lord, open the eyes of this young girl so that she may learn that she cannot be a child of Thine until her heart is changed. Help her to see her state of sinfulness before Thee. Direct her gaze toward the cross of Christ, so that she may believe that He gave Himself for her, and may she learn that no external religious practice can save her soul.”

The girl was saved, and the great joy of her life was to tell others of her own salvation. She would say,

“I have often sung, ‘God save the queen’ but I never thought that the queen herself would ask God to save me, and the prayer of that Sovereign was answered.”

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

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

ML 01/04/1942

Ada's Transgressions

One Sunday evening, just before the commencement of our Gospel meeting, I spoke to a young girl about her soul. She had discovered her need of a Saviour, and so, simply and earnestly she said to me,

“I, many a time, wish I could say I was saved.”

There was no time just then to say anything, but after the meeting was over 1 got her by herself, and taking my Bible I turned to Isaiah 53:5,

“Now, Ada,” I said, “we will read this verse in a different way, and perhaps it may help you to lay hold of the Gospel for yourself.” This is how we read it,

“He—the Lord Jesus—was wounded for Ada’s transgressions; He was bruised for Ada’s iniquities; the chastisement of Ada’s peace was upon Him; and with His stripes Ada is healed.”

Other verses of Scripture were referred to, but this verse seemed to do its work, for Ada just simply trusted in the Lord Jesus, and her desire was granted, for she was saved, and knew it, and was able to confess it to others. She is now quite happy, and her chief joy is to hear of Him who has done so much for her.

I hope that many other boys and girls who are not yet decided, may come to the Lord, and trust Him, even as Ada did. Only three weeks before, another girl, aged twelve, got the knowledge that her sins were forgiven, through the same verse. So there is no need for you to wait any longer.

“A little child of seven,

Or only three or four,

May enter into heaven,

By Christ the open door.”

ML 01/04/1942

The Garden of Eden

What a wonderful work of God creation is!

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.

“GOD SAW EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD MADE, AND BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD.” Genesis 1:31.

Yes, God made every beast of the field, and fowl, and creeping thing, and brought them to Adam to see what he would name them, and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Now in the creation of man, there is a great difference. God formed man of the dust of the ground, but he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. God said,

“Let Us make man in Our image.” Genesis 1:26, This was not said of the animals.

When the animal dies, that is the end of it.

With us it is quite different. We have a never dying soul. We are responsible beings, and must give an account to God.

This is why, dear children, we persuade all of you to accept God’s way of salvation.

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

If He is your Saviour, you will spend eternity with Him in glory.

ML 01/04/1942

Can a Tree Hear?

Isaiah 44

You would say a tree cannot hear, yet many of the people to whom Isaiah spoke, acted as though a branch from a tree could hear, for they bowed down and prayed to images of wood. They were not ignorant people, hut ones who could read and write, many knew other languages, they had much skill to make great buildings and do all kinds of work. They had known God’s great power in creating all things, and His care for them, but had become caress of His words, and followed the ways of their heathen neighbors, who also once knew God, but had turned from Him to do their own sinful ways.

Isaiah wrote to show them how foolish they were: they took the best wood, cedar, cypress, and oak; then carefully “the carpenter stretcheth out his rule, he marketh it out with a line, he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man; he planteth an ash (tree) and the rain doth nourish it... he will take thereof and warm himself; yea he kindleth it and baketh bread ... . And the residue thereof he maketh a god, he falleth down unto it, and worshipeth it.., prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me, for thou art my god”.

Isaiah said a man should ask himself, “Shall I bow down to the stock of a tree?” The images were witnesses against themselves, “they see not, nor know”. Many idols were made of metal, and men worked so hard to melt the metal and shape it into an idol, that they were weary, hungry, and faint; yet the idols were useless.

“They lavish (take much) gold out of a bag and weigh silver in a balance and hire a goldsmith, he maketh it as god: they fall down, yea they worship, ... .they carry him and set him in place; ... . from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet shall he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.” Isa. 46:6, 7. A man with an idol was as if lie held a lie in his hand, for he pretended what was not true.

In spite of all that evil, God said He would “blot out as a thick cloud their sins” if they would return to Him and listen to His words. But so many of the people did more and more wickedly, that at last God let them be taken to a land where the people all bowed to idols, and they learned their wrong. After that the people of Israel did not pray to idols.

There still are people who have idols, and greatly need to be told of the true and living God. If we ourselves forget Who made all things and Who deserves our praise, we can soon be as careless of the Lord as the man who bowed to the part of a tree; so let us take time each day to read. His Word to know more of Him, and use what He gives us in good ways, not for foolish, useless things. Anything that comes in between our souls and the Lord is an idol.

“How ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from Heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21.

ML 01/04/1942

Winter Sport

In our picture we see a good many enjoying themselves. They are glad to get their sleds out once more and slide swiftly down the hills and over the smooth slippery walks.

I am sure many of my little readers, like the boy in the front, take pleasure in drawing their brothers and sisters to school on sleds.

Several years ago, on a holiday, some boys were enjoying their first sport with their sleds. They lived in a small town on the Mississippi River. The weather had turned cold enough to freeze the river a little.

The boys took their sleds out for a slide on the ice, but soon went out where it was not strong enough to bear their weight. One sled broke through, and before the boy could be rescued, he was drowned. In a moment he was in eternity.

Dear reader, if you should be called away suddenly, like the boy we just mentioned, where would you go?

Do you know the blessed Saviour who is up in heaven, and who has a home ready for those who love Him? He wants us all to go there. He died on the cross and suffered the punishment for our sins, so that we might not have to be forever shut out of God’s presence. If you feel your need of such a blessed Saviour, and confess your sins to God, He will forgive them.

“IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS.” 1 John 1:9.

ML 01/11/1942

Lottie's Song

Lottie first came to my Sunday afternoon class when she was four years old. Even then, the chubby, fair-haired child sat eagerly listening to the simple, heart-winning story of Jesus and His love. Why should we doubt its power to win the young and tender heart, even at so early an age as Lottie’s then was? I am certain that it was at one of these first afternoon “talks” about Jesus dying on the Cross for sinners, that the dear child was really saved, for the new life was manifest, and we could not help seeing it. She was exceedingly fond of the hymns, and her favorite was,

“Shall we gather at His coming,

When the dead in Christ arise?

Shall we hear the Saviour’s summons,

To God’s Home beyond the skies?”

Her clear, sweet voice could be heard above all the rest when we reached the chorus,

“Yes, we’ll gather at His coming,

His glorious, His glorious coming;

Gather with His saints at His coming,

If washed in the Saviour’s blood.”

One afternoon I missed Lottie, and, on making inquiry, I learned that she was ill and in bed. I hastened to see my little scholar, and found her tossing in a fever. Lottie’s home was not a palace; only a small room up a long, dark stair, where the light of the sun scarcely shone. Her father was a laborer at the quay, and her mother, in order to help to support herself and Lottie, took in sewing. I fear her father spent most of his spare hours, and his money as well, in the saloon. When he came home in the evening, and found Lottie lying ill in bed, he was very much alarmed, and, no doubt, a good deal ashamed at being so neglectful of his little girl. When Lottie saw her father looking so dejected and miserable, she smiled and said,

“Come, daddy,” stretching out her arms to embrace him. He kissed her, and a big tear fell on her cheek, “Do not cry, daddy,” whispered Lottie, “I am going to the happy land, to Jesus’ country. Jesus is so good and kind, He will be waiting for me. Mamma’s coming, and I wish you would come too, daddy.”

This was more than the miserable man could bear. He covered his face with his hands and sobbed aloud. His sins against God, his neglect of his wife and child, pierced him like arrows, and that word from the lips of his sick, and apparently dying child, was God’s message to his hardened heart. It woke the first sense of sin and shame, and the Spirit deepened it into real conviction of sin before God. He sat by Lottie’s bedside all that night. watching, while her mother got a little needed rest. Lottie opened her eyes and saw him, and seemed so delighted.

“Sing to me my own hymn, daddy,”

“Shall we gather at His coming?”

said the dear child, who had now got the turn of the fever, and seemed greatly relieved. Twice he tried to fulfill her request, but his voice faltered. Well did he know that, as he was a sinner unsaved, he could not “Gather with the saints at His coming.”

Lottie recovered, and her first outing was to her class. That same evening, she entered the little hall, leading her father by the hand, to hear the Gospel, and God used His own Word to set the captive free. Lottie’s father received Jesus as his Saviour, and confessed Him as his Lord, and now, in his own sphere, he lives for Christ.

ML 01/11/1942

Five Beautiful Pearls

I was sitting in the dining room reading my Bible, when a little girl came in for a school book which she had left there. She was about seven years of age. As soon as she saw me in the room she came to me as usual, and we soon began to speak about Jesus. As we were talking, I said,

“Suppose the Lord were to come tight, Mary?”

“O, it would be all right, Mr. E., I should go with Him.”

“Should you, indeed?”

“Yes, I should.”

“But what about all your sins, Mary?” “O, Jesus has washed all my sins away in His blood.”

“You don’t mean it, do you?” I said, feeling a little surprised.

“O, yes, I do.”

“You would not he afraid, then, if Jesus were to come today?”

“O, no, not at all.”

“Well, tell me, when did this take place —when did you first come to know that all your sins were forgiven?”

“It was when you were here last year, one Sunday evening.”

“Indeed!” I said, expressing more surprise than ever.

“Yes,” she replied; “and would you like to know the verse?”

“Very much,” I answered. So she jumped upon a chair and reached the Bible, and turning over its leaves, she found it and read to me,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

As soon as she had finished reading, she looked up and said,

“That was the verse. It was that night you preached from this text, and spoke about the five beautiful pearls linked tether. I was never sure till that night, hut I have never doubted it since.”

I could only lift up my heart to God, to thank Him for revealing His truth to babes, while it is hidden from the wise and prudent (Matt. 11:25).

Now, I would ask my readers to take their Bibles and read John 5:24. Look carefully at the verse, and note the five things that Jesus has linked together: HEARETH, BELIEVETH, HATH, SHALL NOT, IS,

And remember that any person who hears the word of Christ, and believes the Father who sent Jesus, gets the other three blessings, for they are all linked together, like five beautiful pearls on a gold ring. And whoever gets one or two gets all, for they go together.

ML 01/11/1942

When He Cometh

When will all war be over,

When will all conflict cease?

When Christ shall come in glory,

Then will be perfect peace.

Yes, He will come in splendor,

God’s glory on His brow,

He who once died for sinners,

To Him all knees shall bow.

Haste then this day to own Him,

Own Him as Lord straightway,

All power to Him is given,

Own now His rightful sway.

Behold, He cometh quickly,

And every eye shall see

The One who died on Calvary,

Now robed in majesty.

God’s King shall reign forever,

All kings to Him shall bow;

The One mocked by His creature

Shall all His foes o’erthrow.

Despise Him then no longer,

Haste to confess Him Lord,

Proclaim Him as your Saviour,

Worthy to be adored.

He has in patience waited

His rightful throne to claim,

That we might share the blessing,

Who laud His glorious name.

Hark! to the joy of heaven,

Angelic hosts acclaim

That Christ alone is worthy

O’er all the earth to reign.

ML 01/11/1942

A King Chosen God

Isaiah 45-47

There was a great king over Persia and other lands long ago who was told of in the Bible many years before he was born. This king’s name was Cyrus; he lived more than a hundred years after Isaiah, yet God showed Isaiah just what this king would do, and he wrote:

“Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him ... ” Is. 45:1.

A man, “anointed.”, was one chosen for a special purpose; this man Cyrus was chosen by God to be a great ruler, to conquer nations by God’s help. God knew His people, Israel, would be captives in a far land, in much sorrow, and He told Isaiah to tell them that this great king would free them. He told of him so plaiy as though he were then alive:

“He (Cyrus) is My shepherd (one to care for the people), and shall perform all My pleasure; even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the Temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” Isaiah 44:28.

“He shall build My city, and he shall let go My captives.” Isaiah 45:13.

Some of the words are even more direct as though to Cyrus himself:

“I will go before thee ... . I will give thee ... ..the treasures ... .. and hidden riches ... .that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by name, am the God of Israel...

“I have even called thee by thy name.. though thou has not known Me... I girded (strengthened) thee. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me.” Isaiah 45:3-6.

It was about a hundred years after Isaiah that the people of Israel were carried captives to Babylon and were in sorrow there for seventy years. Then the army of Cyrus got through the strong gates of Babylon and conquered it. You may have read of this in school, as there are old accounts which tell that the king and watchman thought the great walls and gates so strong they did not guard or lock them. It was taken easily, as God told Isaiah, “I will “loose” the lions (the strength) of kings, to open before him the leaved (hinged) gates; and the gates shall not be shut.” Isaiah 45:1.

God told Isaiah, Babylon should be deated because its people “showed no mey” to Israel, and trusted in their many idols, enchanters, fortune tellers, who only deceive; they were “given to pleasures”, not believing God’s warnings (by his prophets), but said they would “nor he left in sorrow (Isa. 47:6-13).

After Cyrus began his rule in Babylon, he said all the captives of Israel who wanted to, could return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and temple of God; he gave them the costly gold and silver dishes, which had been taken from the temple years before; so the words about “the hidden riches” came true, as did all the words of God about Cyrus, told to Isaiah, so long before. The captives who had read the writing of Isaiah would be helped to trust the words of the One to come, who would be far greater than Cyrus.

God knows each of us, as he knew Cyrus, and still says to all,

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 45:22.

ML 01/11/1942

Merry Children

School is out, and the boys and girls waste no time in running out to play in the snow. There are all kinds of sports to be enjoyed,—skating, sleighing, but best of all, snowballing.

See them aim at the target, and see where the balls have landed.

Johnny was very proud when he sueeded in hitting the target.

But there is one thing he will never be able to do by his own endeavor, and that is to make himself fit for heaven. He may try ever so hard to “be good,” and it is right that he should be, but unless he is washed from his sins in Christ’s precious blood, Johnny will never be in that bright home above where Jesus is.

The Lord Jesus knew how helpless men, women and children are to save themselves, and in His great love, He said, I will go and make them fit for heaven, I will die for them that they may live. So He did, and all we have to do now is to accept Him as our Saviour, and thank Him for it. Is He yours? Have you thanked Him?

“BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.” Ephesians 2:8.

ML 01/18/1942

"Nail Holes in the Floor of Heaven."

A little boy who was so happy after he received Jesus as his Saviour, and knew himself made ready for that glorious heaven where a little brother of his had already gone, often went out at nights and looked up to the stars, wondering what his brother Willie would be doing away up in his home hond them. He said to his mother one night that he thought the stars were “like nail-holes in the floor of heaven, to let little rays of the glory shine out.”

This strange idea of the little boy seemed to take possession of the minds of two little girls as they walked along the road, and several times they stood looking up to the twinkling stars, and saying to each other,

“What a bright place heaven must be, when the light shines out like that through the nail-holes in the floor.”

“I’d like to go there when I die,” said the eldest of the two, “I wish I was ready.”

“Me too,” said her little cousin, “but I’ve done lots of naughty things, ant. teacher says it’s only white ones and pure ones that go there.”

“But he said, ‘The blood of Jesus makes us white, and if we believe on Him, we get all our sins cleansed away,’” said the other girl.

“Then I’ll just believe in Him just now, and get mine cleansed away,” said the younger girl. “Teacher says we have nothing to do, because Jesus did it all, long, long, ago. The hymn says,

“It is finished, yes, indeed,

Finished every jot;

Sinner, this is all you need,

Tell me is it not?”

The two children walked together, talking of these things, and from that night onward they knew and confessed the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour. There was no deep awakening, no alarm of coming wrath in their case. They heard the blessed Gospel message of God’s love to guilty sinners, and how Jesus died to fit them for His holy, happy heaven above. They simply believed what God said; took it in as the very word of the eternal God; without question they accepted His testimony, and they were saved. Their young hearts were won for Christ and heaven. They were saved, converted; and, reader, there is no other way of it for young or old. Only one way— God’s own choice.

If you, like these two children, will believe God, you will know and rejoice in salvation. But if you trifle with the Gospel message, if vou prefer the sins and follies of this present world to Christ, then remember as you live you must die, and according as your choice on earth has been so will your destiny be in eternity.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML 01/18/1942

A Boy's Prayer

A little boy had done something wrong and had been hiding it all day. Some children might do the sarne thing and not feel uneasy afterwards. But Arthur could not forget it. He had taken something which did not belong to him. He went back to his play as if nothing had happened, before his grandmother returned to the room.

All that day Arthur was unhappy, and conscience, like a voice within him, seed to remind him of what he had done. It was like darkness in his heart which he could not shake off.

“Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, ... .thefts ... .these are the things which defile a man.” Matthew 15:19.

“Dost thou steal?” Romans 2:21. “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Romans 12:17.

At last, when bedtime came, and he had said good-night to his grandmother, upstairs in his little room his aunt knelt down beside him and began to pray.

Presently she found that Arthur was really praying for himself, while she said the words. He looked up for a moment and said,

“Tell God about what I did, Auntie.”

He went to bed feeling so much happier than he had been all day, before he had told the truth about what only God and he himself knew.

When anything wrong has been done, the only way to get forgiveness, and be relieved from the sorrow it brings, is to confess it to God; and if we have wronged any one, to confess it to that person also.

There is one thing people often forget. Although they may not know of wrong acts they have done, like Arthur’s sin, yet in God’s sight all are sinners by nature. Nothing but the death of Christ could meet our sinful state. By faith in Him as our Saviour, we are brought into a new state, that is, from death unto life.

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

Then when, as those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus, we sin, we must confess it to God, for we have “an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

ML 01/18/1942

Saved by a Sheep

Did you ever hear the story about a tiny boy who was saved by a sheep? Well, here it is:

A big warship was lying off the coast of P., when a very loud noise was heard, and as the people on shore looked to see what it was, the big ship burst into flames.

The father and the mother of this little boy were with him on the burning ship.

The father took one of the biggest sheep on board, and tied his little son to its back, and threw them both into the sea. The sheep swam to the land, and the dear little boy was saved.

Could the tiny boy do anything to save himself?

No, he could do nothing but lie still.

And you, dear child, need to be saved, too; and all you have to do is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for you, and who loves little children. It was He who said,

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14.

If the Lord Jesus loved you so much as to die for you, ought not you to trust in Him, and to love Him in return?

ML 01/18/1942

Jesus

Now, my dear little friends, just one question for you—Is the name of Jesus dear to you? Remember that there is none other name given whereby you can be saved. It is the only Name that will take us to heaven, where we shall join in that song forever—

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Revelation 1:5

How blessed to trust in the name of Jesus, and then when He comes—He is coming quickly— He will take us up to be with Him forever.

“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 01/18/1942

The Patient Holy Servant

Isaiah 48-52

The Holy One to come to earth was told of by Isaiah as though He had already been with people, but instead of being made welcome, was “despised,”——thought of no worth, and “abhorred” by the nation (Isa. 49:7). His words are given as though He had already come, and His power told:

“I clothe the heavens with blackness (thick clouds)’’. Yet His care and love are shown:

“The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.” Is. 50:34.

At that time it was common for the owner of slaves to bore a small hole in the lower part of the ear of a slave to insert a ring, marked to show to whom he belonged. Many slaves would rebel against having that done, and draw away; only a very obedient slave would stand quietly.

The Holy Servant of God said: “The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.” Isaiah 50:5.

When the Holy Servant came to earth, He was not a slave to a master here, but the words show He would be so obedient to God the Father, as a slave to its master. It is with the ear we hear to obey, and this shows how fully this Servant would do all God’s words. it was not His Master Who would badly treat the Seant, but the people to whom He would be sent, More of His words are,

“I gave My back to the sinners, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not My face from shame and spitting.” Isaiah 50:6.

Years after Isaiah, a child was born in that land, whom the angels said was Christ the Lord. He grew to be a man, and went about the land doing good to all, telling them God’s Words. Yet He was “despised” and taken to be put to death, and He did not resist. It is written of the Jewish elders:

“They spit in His face, buffeted (struck) Him, others smote Him with the palms of their hands.” Matthew 26:67.

The Roman Ruler, Pilate, scourged (whipped) Him. Matt. 27:26.

The soldiers “spit upon Him ... .smote Him ... . and led Him away to crucify Him.” Matthew 27:30,31.

He could have shown His power, but He did not. So the words told to Isaiah of the Holy Servant came true to the Son of God.

Yet the Lord says,

“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted ... and be very high.” So there was yet a time for this Holy Servant to be “exalted”, to bless “many nations.” Isaiah 52:13-15.

When that time of peace comes, good tidings will be brought to Jerusalem:

“How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publishes (tells of) peace, that bringeth good tidings of good; that (telleth) salvation.” Isaiah 52:7.

These words are repeated in the New Testament, and those who believe the Words of this One Who gave His life for others may now too tell of Him. Romans 10:15.

ML 01/18/1942

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 “whoever will” to enter. It will not be long before salvation’s door will be 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 01/25/1942

Jesus, the Friend of Children

The gentle Jesus pities you,

Poor thoughtless little child:

He bends on you a look of love

So tender and so mild.

He knows this is an evil world

In which awhile you dwell,

Where many, dying day by day,

Are sinking into hell.

He knows your little foolish heart

Prefers a worthless toy

To all His love, which, once believed,

Would give you lasting joy.

He knows you have a cruel foe,

Who tries to hold you fast,

That you may be his servant here,

And dwell with him at last.

And therefore does the Saviour send

The message of His grace

That children, drawn to Him by love,

May early seek His face.

He tells you in His holy Word

How joyfully He gave

Himself, the spotless Lamb of God,

His wandering sheep to save.

The child that knows its sins forgiven.

Through His most precious blood

Is made a lamb of Jesus’ fold—

A happy child of God.

O! come to Jesus, come today,

And you shall find it true

That He is still the children’s Friend,

And loves to save e’en you.

ML 01/25/1942

It Was All Cool

Many boys and girls seem to think that, because they have not committed any very great sins, they do not need to be saved.

Because they do not swear, or tell lies, or steal, they fancy they have a good chance of getting to heaven.

When traveling down the line recently, I noticed a quantity of coal loaded into coal trucks according to the size of the lumps. Some were very large pieces, others small, and some almost like dust. But though the pieces differed in size, it was all coal.

This reminded me of our sins. Some of us commit a few very big sins, others commit a great many small ones, and some people think their sins are so small that they are scarcely sins at all.

But, boys, now think for a moment. God says,

“The thought of foolishness is sin.” Proverbs 24:9.

How many foolish thoughts do you have in one hour? Multiply that by the number of hours in one day, and then again by the number of days in one year.

Again, God says that when we do our own will, it is sin. Now, how many times do you do what you like to do, instead of what you are told to do? God says this is sin.

Yes, we must all own that what God says about us is true; that is, we have “all sinned,” You may have dear, loving, godly, and Christian parents or friends, but that will not get your sins put away. You must have to do with Christ yourself.

Then do open your eyes. Christ is coming soon. He may be here tonight. If He had come last night and found you in your sins, you would have been lost forever. But God tells us of one way by which all our sins may be forgiven and forgotten; but there is only the one way, and that is by believing in our hearts on the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Let me advise you, dear readers, not to go to sleep tonight unless you know for a certainty that all your sins are forgiven. Then if Christ were to come while you sleep, you would be among that number that rise to be with Him forever. If you do not rise with that company, you will join that awful coany of lost, weeping, and wailing souls that shall have their part in the lake of fire.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosver believeth in Him should not perish, hut have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML 01/25/1942

Sandy

Will you come along, Sandy, to the tent for an hour, and hear the Word of God?” said a Christian girl to an aged fisherman, whom she had known from her childhood.

“I will, my lassie, if you can show me where the evidences are that the Bible is the Word of God. I have never yet met anybody who could do that,” said the old man, who prided himself in being sceical.

“What is the best evidence that a banknote is genuine, Sandy?” asked the girl.

“When you get the money for it,” said the old man, “Well, Sandy, God promises salvation to the sinner who believes on His Son, and I have it,” said the girl, adding, “Come along and get it too.” The aged fishean seemed amazed. He could have aued and discussed “evidences” long enough, but here was a living person who had “cashed” the note, and was in actual possession of salvation. That was more difficult to deal with.

Yes, unbelievers, old or young, may reason and argue against the “plan” of salvation, as people call it; and they may ask for evidences that the Bible is true. Here is an “evidence” that no unbeliever can get rid of. God says in His Word, that if a sinner believes on His Son, He becomes a possessor of everlasting life. I take Him at His word, and prove it true. God gives what He says, and everlasting life is mine.

And it will he yours likewise on the same conditions, for the Word says it is for “whosoever”. This is surely clear and simple enough, is it not? There is no mystery about it. God says that the sier who believes on His Son, then and there becomes a personal possessor of everlasting life. If you want to be sure that it is yours, just take God at His Word.

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

ML 01/25/1942

The Storm and the Rainbow

The good effects of having the Word of God well stored in the minds of the young are evidenced in many cases of early conversion, and in the ability to resist and refuse wrong doctrines, now so common and destructive of a spirit of reverence towards God and eternal things. The following incident confirms the value of the pure Word of God acting on the mind and heart of the young.

A boy and his sister on a vacation in the mountains were overtaken by a violent rain storm near to where they were camng. Rain poured for hours, and some one said there was likely to be “another flood.” It was a foolish thing to say, but it did not frighten the boy and girl.

“The Bible tells us there will never be another,” said Bessie in an assuring tone to her brother, “and what God says, He will fulfill.”

Ere the words had long left her lips, a rainbow appeared— “God’s token” of His promise to Noah.

God’s Word assures us there is no judgment to those who believe in Christ:

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

ML 01/25/1942

Do We Believe This Report?

Isaiah 53

For many years Isaiah had told the people of Israel of a Holy Servant to be sent by God, to do for them and to obey God; but few believed.

Isaiah asked,

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”

This Servant would come in weakness, so few saw in Him the strength, or “arm” of the Lord. But He would be dear to God “as a tender plant”; the world would not help Him; He would be “as a root out of a dry ground”; He would take no high place, and display no outward glory; His “beauty” would be a life without sin.

It was shown to Isaiah what people would do to this perfect Servant, as though the things were already done, he wrote:

“He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we esteemed Him not.”

But think what this One had done for them:

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities ... with his stripes we are healed.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquy (sins) of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shears is dumb so He openeth not His mouth.”

This Holy Servant would take the punishment from God for their sins.

Are we also “like sheep”, wanting to go “our own way”: have we not many sins also and cannot bear the punishment of them? Yes, we have, and other scriptures show this Servant suffered for us also.

In later writings we are told of a perfect man, Jesus of Nazareth, whom the prophet John said was the Lamb, of God. Because He Himself said He was from God, He was taken, without fair trial, and nailed to a cross; He did not resist, but was “led as a lamb to the slaughter”. He took patiently the cruel treatment from men, and the judgment against sins from God. They would have “made His grave with the wicked”, but one who loved Him buried Him.

We read here in Isaiah, “He shall see of the travail (great sorrow) of His soul, and shall be satisfied; by His knowledge shall. My righteous Servant justify many.” So we believe the scriptures, that God raised Him from the dead, and received Him to Heaven.

While Christ was on earth. He said He must suffer: after He was risen He told those who loved Him that they were “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” He said,

“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” Luke 24:26.

Let us ask ourselves if we believe this report, and trust the One Who suffered for sins.

ML 01/25/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for November

“The Children’s Class”

1.“Behold, I come,” etc. Revelation 3:11.

2.“For the Lamb,” etc. 7:17.

3.“And I saw,” etc. 10:1.

4.“And they sung,” etc. 5:9.

5.“Saying,” etc. 11:17.

6.“And from,” etc. 1:5.

7.“And another angel,” etc. 8:3.

Bible Questions for February

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Matthew. chapters 10-18

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Even, as I had pity on thee.”

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Bring them hither to me.”

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “He shall have more abundance.”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “In whom I am, well pleased.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The dead are raised up.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

7.In what respect were the disciples to be like serpents, and in what like doves?

Answers to Bible Questions for November

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.The Lamb, the Lord Jesus, because He had reemed them to God by His blood. Revelation 5:9.

2.Revelation 4:1 and 11:12.

3.The Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:5.

4.That which she has. Revelation 3:11.

5.The deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaones. Revelation 2:6 & 15.

6.Death. Revelation 6:8.

7.They repented not. Rev. 9:20-21.

Bible Questions for February

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Matthew, chapters 18-19

1.On what confession is the Church built?

2.Than whom did Jesus say He was greater?

3.What end is referred to in “He that endureth to the end”?

4.What different kinds of ground received the Seed of the Gospel?

5.What is necessary in cider to enter the kinom of heaven?

6.How many times shall we forgive those who sin against us?

7.From whom are spiritual things hidden?

ML 02/01/1942

Reggie's Mistake

A present for you, Reggie.” So saying, an uncle offered a shining 50 cent piece to his nephew, a bright, cheerful little fellow of four. Reggie immediately took the coin with a cheery “Thank you, Uncle”; but after looking at it rather wistfully for a few moments, said in an undertone, “Uncle.”

“What is it, dear?” asked his uncle, noticing his puzzled expression. “I was wondering if you would give me a brown one for it; then I could buy some chocolates with it,” was the little fellow’s reply.

You, dear children, who are older, may smile at Reggie’s mistake in wishing to exchange a bright new 50 cent piece for a paltry penny; but why was it? Surely because he was ignorant of its real value.

Likewise numbers of boys and girls, as well as those of older years, decline the better things and choose the inferior. They decline the weighty, lasting, and enduring blessings offered by the Saviour, and choose the poor, fleeting trifles of earth. Why is it so? It is surely because they are ignorant of the value of their souls, neither do they know the great unspeable gift of God, Jesus Christ.

Happy are the children who early seek the gracious Saviour’s face. As in days gone by, the Lord Jesus blessed the chiren, so will He bless you, if you turn to Him; for He still speaks from His throne in glory, saying,

“Suffer little children to come unto Me,” and, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”

A Wise Choice

A quaker living in Paris was waited on by four of his workmen in order to offer then compliments and ask for their uaual New Year’s gifts.

“Well, my friends,” said the Quaker, “here are your gifts; choose fifteen francs or the Bible.”

“I don’t know how to read,” said the first, “so I take the fifteen francs.”

“I can read,” said the second, “but I have pressing wants.” He took the fifteen francs.

The third also made the same choice. The fourth was a young boy of thirteen or fourteen. The Quaker asked him,

“Will you too take these fifteen francs, which you may obtain at any time by your labor and industry?”

“As you say the book is good, I will take it, and read from it to my mother,” replied the boy. He took the Bible, opened it, and found between the leaves a gold piece of forty francs. The others hung clown their heads, and the Quaker told them he was sorry they had not made a better choice.

Now, we have not told this story to make you think that if you read the Bible you will then become rich. But just as that boy made a pleasant discovery on opening the leaves of the Bible, so if you read the Word of God, and put your trust in the Saviour of whom it speaks, you will make a glorious discovery, for you will be able to say,

“I have found Christ”; and when anyone can say that, he has something very much more valuable than a gold piece of forty francs. Forty francs are soon spent, but the gift which God wants you to receive lasts forever. That gift is called “eternal life,” and it becomes yours the moment you receive Christ, by believing in Him.

“God so loved the world that 1He gave His only begotten. Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML 02/01/1942

Whiter Than Snow

What’s whiter than the snow,

Dear children, do you know?

Look it lying low,

Or on the mountain’s height.

What’s whiter than the snow,

Glistening so pure and white?

Whiter than snow the soul

By Jesus’ blood made whole,

Washed stainless, pure and clean,

Ransomed to share the light;

Suited for dwelling e’en

In God’s own presence bright.

Once viler than the mud,

Needing the Saviour’s blood;

Yes, Jesus Christ’s alone

Could wash its every stain,

His only could atone,

Aught else would be in vain.

And as we see the snow

Lying around us low,

Thus it reminds us how

Willing and thankful hearts

Low unto Jesus bow,

Owning what He imparts.

And as on mountain height,

Snow gleams so pure and white,

Seems unto heaven near;

So, conscious of God’s love,

That casteth out all fear,

Saved souls His favor prove.

Dear children, can you say,

Jesus has washed away

My sins, yes, every one

By His most precious blood;

Yes, Jesus Christ, God’s Son,

Has brought me nigh to God?

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

ML 02/01/1942

"Come and Buy"

Isaiah 55-60

Have you heard men call in the streets for people to come and buy fruit or other articles which they carry in baskets or carts? Some men use a bell, others make a special call for people to notice them; those who go to buy, take money to pay. Here is a call which Isaiah was to tell, but no money was needed:

“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.” Isaiah 55:1.

It was the Lord Who told Isaiah to give this call: He had already freely given water and food for the needs of all the world, yet sometimes persons are in distress from thirst or hunger. But this offer was for people in greater distress than those without water; it was for those hi trouble about their sins, and without, joy in their hearts.

They could not get this offer with money, but there were two things they must do: they must listen, and they must “come”; that meant, they must believe God’s offer. It was a Person, a Leader, Who would take the distress from their hearts.

The Lord told how sure His words and promises are; He said:

“As the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud that it give seed to die sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it 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.” Isaiah 55:10,11.

So God’s words about that great Leader would surely come true. It was not until many years after Isaiah wrote this call, that at last One stood in Jerusalem where many people could hear Him, and called to them words, much the same as the offer in Isaiah:

“Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink:” “He that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 7:37; 6:35.

Another time He called, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

So it was a person, Christ, Who would take away their sins and give them joy in heart, as “wine and milk” do to the body, if they would come to Him to “buy”; to “come”, they must believe Him.

The same loving offer is still made in the Scriptures for us; we too, have sins. to trouble us, and if we had much money, we could never pay the Lord Jesus.

Have you come to Him to “buy”? How much higher are God’s thoughts and ways than ours? (Isa. 55:8,9).

What are the wicked (those who do not believe God) like, and what do they not have? (Isa. 57:20,21).

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

ML 02/01/1942

Little Cherubs

Dear babes: ‘how we love you,’ To us you were given

To bring into our lives a foretaste of heaven;

Your frailty and weakness wins a place in our heart,

And deep love for your souls which will never depart.

We know, little ones, you’ve been lent of the Lord,

It now is our duty to teach you His Word;

To train you to love Him, and walk in His ways,

To mingle your voices in singing His praise.

You are ours down here, you’ve been given by God;

In His love and His peace may your feet be well shod;

That when comes the day He will call us to come,

We’ll all gather yonder in His happy home.

In that bright happy place through eternity’s days,

We will hear your sweet voices singing loudly His praise;

Then we’ll praise Him Forever for His great reward,

And be thankful we taught you the ways of the Lord.

Blest Father in heaven, O, grant us Thy grace,

That a view of Thy love all our fears may chase;

That we may be faithful and teach them Thy Word,

To walk in Thy wisdom, and follow the Lord.

“Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sitteth in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up.” Deuteronomy 6:7.

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

ML 02/08/1942

Roy

Roy was five years old, only a little boy, and such thin, pinched little cheeks, and black eyes,—eyes that always seemed to be dancing with mischief. His mother was dead, and his father had got tired of him, and had gone to Mexico, and just left him behind, to get on the best he could. He soon took sick, and was sent to a Hospital for sick children—that was where I first met the little boy.

He was a little mischief, too; I can still remember the other children crying, “O! here comes Roy; look out for your toys.”

“Roy is more trouble than any other six boys put together,” said the nurses.

“Roy is so naughty in school, that none of the children can learn anything when he is there,” said the teacher.

“Roy is a perfect little nuisance,” said the doctor.

And so it came about that poor little Roy spent a good deal of his time locked in a room by himself, so as to be kept out of mischief. You will say, “What a had boy!” but then, you see, he had no mother, or anyone to love or really care for him, like you have had; and besides, God sees your heart just as bad as naughty little boy’s heart, and He says there is “no. difference,” and God knows.

One Sunday morning, when little Roy was shut out of Sunday school because he was too bad to be allowed in, I happened to find him, sad and lonely, and said,

“Roy, you and Marguerite and I will have Sunday school by ourselves.” (You would have loved Marguerite. She loved the Lord Jesus, and was one of His little lambs, but was too little to be allowed in to the regular Sunday school.) This pleased Roy very much, and soon we were all sitting in a row on a bed, and Marquerite was repeating a verse. When she had finished Roy said,

“Roy can say a verse too.” I hardly could believe this, as he spent all his time usually teasing the other children when he was in Sunday school, or else he was locked up in a room, but I thought I would give him. a chance, and he said proudly,

“Jesus Loves Me.”

I had not the heart to tell him these words were not in the Bible, so asked him what it meant. This was a new thought to Roy, that it meant anything, so after thinking a long time, he looked up and said,

“It just means, Jesus likes Roy.”

Yes, that was just what it did mean, and it was a wonderful, new thought for naughty little Roy to find out that there was anyone who “liked” him. Even as he said it, a queer little smile came over his face as much as to say, “That sounds too good to be true.” Perhaps you will say to yourself,

“I am sure that Jesus wouldn’t like a bad little boy like Roy, He likes good boys and girls.”

Ah! that is just where you make a mistake, for it was for bad boys and girls and had men and women, that Jesus came. He says,

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” and so little Roy was one of the very ones that Jesus came for. He was bad and he knew it.

The more Roy thought about this the better it seemed, and he said,

“If Jesus likes Roy, then Roy likes Jesus. The other children don’t like me, the teachers don’t like me, the nurses don’t like me, nor the doctor; my own father doesn’t like me, and yet Jesus likes Roy. Roy does like Jesus, Roy will just do all he can to please Jesus.”

It was not very long after this that the nurse said one day,

“Roy has been such a much better boy lately, that if you don’t mind, he may go in to Sunday school again.”

Well, you may be sure I didn’t mind that, and it was a real pleasure to have him there listening so quietly, and drinking in all he could about the only One in all the world who “liked” him.

A few months after this, the children were saying their verses, and also giving thr chapter and verse in the Bible where they could be found, when suddenly a little voice asked,

“Where is Roy’s verse?”

I knew well what the child meant, but to see if he remembered the words, asked, “What is Roy’s verse?”

“O! don’t you remember, you know Roy’s verse. Jesus likes Roy.”

I hardly knew what to say, for you know there is no verse in the Bible with those words in it, and yet I could not bear to think of letting the little boy think it was not true, so I said,

“Roy, your verse is in Galatians, chapter 2, verse 20.” I thought Roy would be satisfied with. this, but no. The next question was,

“Let Roy see.” Well, I thought, he can’t read, so I will just show him the place in the Bible. So I found the place and gave him the Bible in his own hands, and went on talking to the other children, rather glad that at last Roy was satisfied. I had forgotten all about the little child, when suddenly I was interrupted with the question,

“Where’s the R? Where’s the R?” “What R?” I asked.

“The R Where’s the R? The R for Roy? Where’s the R?” I suddenly realized what the child meant. Someone had taught him the letter R., and told him that stood for Roy, and he had been hunting for the R for Roy in Galatians 2:20. I felt stuck. What could I tell the child? At last I said,

“Roy, it doesn’t say anywhere in the Bible, ‘Jesus likes Roy,’ but in. Galatians 2:20, it does say, ‘The Son of God,’ and that means Jesus, ‘loved me,’ and that means “likes Roy.” Suppose it did say, Jesus likes Roy,’ you would never know for sure it meant you, for there are other boys called Roy, who are much better boys than you, and you would be sure to think, ‘O! that doesn’t mean me, it must mean someone else.’ But when it says, ‘The Son of God loved me,’ then it can’t mean anyone else, but just your own self.” Roy listened so hard, and at last said,

“O! I see. Yes, bat’s much better, it much mean me,” and then little Roy learned his verse over again, with a little more on the end, and he never wearied of hearing and telling that, “The Son of God ... ..loved me, an gave himself for me.”

To Roy this was the most wonderful thing he had ever heard, and it changed his whole life, even at five years of age.

Many a time since then has “Roy’s verse” brought comfort to my own hean, when perhaps I was tempted to ask, “Carest Thou not?” and the thought, “Jesus likes me,” has come so sweetly.

Now, dear reader, have you ever found out yet that

Jesus Likes You?

We get accustomed to the sweet old hymn, “Jesus loves me”, and we all admit that; but did you ever think, the Lord Jesus likes you, just as you are? Doesn’t it make you think to yourself, “I like Jesus?” Yes,

“We love Him, because He first loved us.”

May we each one, old and young, learn to know more of the sweetness of Roy’s precious new verse,

“The Son of God....loved rue, and gave Himself for me,” and like him, may our whole life be changed by it.

ML 02/08/1942

The Bee Without a Sting

My brother Charlie and I were playing in the garden one bright afternoon. Bees and butterflies were flitting among the flowers, and we were so occupied with our game that we did not observe them, until a large bee lighted on Charlie’s neck and stung him. I ran and hid myself under a tree lest the bee which was still buzzing about, might sting me also, but my mother came out and told me that I need not fear that bee anymore, it had left its sting in Charlie, and could not harm anyone now.

I think this is a very simple illustration of what death is to the believer in Christ. “The sting of death is sin,” but that sting was borne by Jesus, when He died upon the Cross, and now death has no sting for me.

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus, Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML 02/08/1942

The One to Bring Good News

Isaiah 61-66

Isaiah had told of One to come to do good to all; these are words that One would say, telling what He came to do:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; because He hath anointed Me to preach good tidings to the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God.” Isaiah 61:1,2.

A person, anointed, was one chosen for special work; this one would be humble, speaking good words to the poor and those in sorrow; He would have great power, setting captives free from prison. He would announce “the acceptable year of the Lord”, (the time of blessing), and He would also be the One to proclaim “the day of vengeance of our God” (the time of judgment).

This writing by Isaiah was kept with other writings of the holy Scriptures. Afterward when the people were too far away to go to the temple, copies were carefully written and kept in the towns in buildings called synagogues, where the people went to hear God’s words read and to honor Him.

Many years after Isaiah, one day there, came into the synagogue in a town of that land, a young man who was known to the people, and had lived there since a small child. He stood up to read to the people, and the person in charge handed Him a copy of the writing of Isaiah. He opened the roll, and found the words of the One anointed and read aloud. He read the good things this anointed One would do, then He closed the roll and returned it to the one in charge, and sat down. Then He said to the people,

“This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” Luke 4:21.

That young Man Who read those words was Jesus, the Son of God, the One sent by God to bring good news, and do good to all. For over three years He went about that land speaking God’s words, the people wondered at His “gracious words”; He healed the sick and fed the hungry. We do not read that He set people free from prisons, but He came to set them free from the power of their sins, if they would trust Him. He came with the good news of salvation. It was the time “acceptable”, or pleasing to God. But few believed Him, and the leaders despised Him. Yet the good words in Isaiah of the anointed One were surely fulfilled by Jesus while on earth.

The day Jesus read aloud the words in Isaiah, He stopped before the words, “the day of vengeance of our God.” (See Luke 4:18-20). The time of God’s vengeance had not come, and the good news of salvation to all who believe God’s Son is still told us. But the “One anointed” will surely some day also fulfill “the vengeance of God” upon those who refuse His good tidings. Isaiah wrote of that sad time (Isa. 63). He also told more of a time of happy peace on earth which has not yet come, “when the wolf and iamb shall feed together.” The serpent shall crawl in the dust, as God said (Gen. 3:14), for “dust shall be the serpent’s meat” (Isa. 65:25). The last words written by Isaiah are of judgment (See Isa. 66:24).

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

ML 02/08/1942

A Linen Girdle

Jeremiah 9 to 19

In the time of Jeremiah, people wore loose garments, with a cloth, called a girdle, fastened about the waist or hips. The Lord told Jeremiah to get a girdle of linen.

Jeremiah did as the Lord said; next he was told to go to Euphrates and hide the girdle in a hole by a rock. It is not now known if that were a place near by, or if he were to go far away to the river called by that name. Anyway, Jeremiah did just as God told him; he put the girdle in a hole and covered it with sand, and rurned home.

That seems strange, to bury a good new linen girdle in the ground; but we shall find why it was done.

“After many days” the Lord told Jeremiah to go and get the girdle he had hidden in the hole, and he went to the place and uncovered the hole and took out the girdle. But the nice linen girdle was all spoiled by the damp earth, and not fit to use.

Then the Lord said that as the linen girdle was spoiled by the wet earth, and not fit to use, so the sins of the people would spoil them to honor Him. And if they kept on refusing His Words, and praying to idols, and doing their own ways, they would be sent away where they would loose all honor, as the girdle had lost its beauty.

God had Jeremiah take all that trouble with the girdle, to be sure the people uerstood how they were spoiling their lives with sin.

Another time He told Jeremiah to go with the leaders of the city to the east gate; and to take a bottle of day and break it there, and tell the men, who were sacrificing to idols and even offering iheir children, that their city would be broken up as the bottle, unless they gave up the sins (Isa. 19).

He told them their sins were bad as though written, in their hearts with pens of iron. He asked them these questions:

“Can the Ethiopian (a black man) change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” Jeremiah 13:23. No, they could not change, so the people who kept on in sin would do no good.

Jeremiah spoke even to the king and queen, for them not to be proud, but humble, and they and their people shotild. be saved from sorrow. He asked all,

“O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean?” Jer. 13:27.

Yet many kept on the wicked ways, as they planned in their hearts. God told Jeremiah to write these words:

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

Our hearts are the same as those people’s; we want to do as we wish; only the Lord really knows our hearts. Yet it is with our hearts, if we will, that we can believe God’s words; then we will desire to please Him.

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jer. 17:7.

ML 02/08/1942

The Great Indian Tortoise

No doubt most of my readers are interested in the various animals that God has created for this earth. The variety is beyond any ordinary person to remember, and far less, be able to learn all their various habits.

Nearly all children look with curiosity on the tortoise, and consider it a peculiar reptile, and, no doubt, the kind in the piure is such that few have seen, as they are natives of the Galapagos.

It is sometimes called the “Gigantic Land Tortoise.” A man could sit on the back of one, and it would run away with him.

This Tortoise is very fond of water, drinking large quantities, and wallowing in the mud. When the tortoise arrives at the spring, quite regardless of any speactator, it buries its head in the water above its eyes, and greedily swallows great mouthfuls, at the rate of about ten in a minute, until it is satisfied.

The Lord Jesus not only came to die for us, and thus save our souls, but He wants to satisfy those who have put their trust in Him. He can fill and satisfy the heart. This can be accomplished by tang the Word of God as our companion, and reading it often. There we may hear what God has to say to us about His Son.

“HE SATISFIETH THE LONGING SOUL AND FILLETH THE HUNGRY SOUL WITH GOODNESS.” Psalms 107:9.

ML 02/15/1942

Under the Table

In was a dark, rainy day; so little-five-year-old William could not go out to play. He tried several ways to amuse himself in the house. and at last decided to play, and do his building under the dining table.

After a while a Christian man came to call; and as William was playing quietly, he was allowed to remain under the table.

During their conversation, the older ones discussed many things as to their welfare and circumstances; but they also spoke quite at length about God, His Word, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Very little of this interested Willie, although he could have heard every word. He was too young to know much about what they were saying, and so continued with his childish play. But there was one remark made that day—a remark which Willie heard, and which was later to bear fruit. The sentence that made such a lasting impression on him was out of the Bible. What do you think it was? It was a question that the Lord Jesus asked some people when He was on earth:

“What think ye of Christ?” Matthew 22:42.

Just five words of all the conversation that took place that day were remembered by the boy under the table. God caused them to be spoken so that he might hear. Although he was quite young, they reached his conscience, and he thought about them for a long time. Finally this dear boy was led to put his trust in the Lord Jesus, and say,

“I believe He is the Son of God, but He became a man, and died for my sins. He is my Saviour,”

This little boy grew up to be a man and for many years lived as a true Christian seeking to serve and honor his Lord.

Allow me to ask you the same question:

“What do you think of Christ?”

Some people only think of Him as a good man; others as a great teacher or prophet: but unless you believe that He is God’s Son who became a man and died on the cross for you all your thoughts ahout Him will not help you. Unless you can say,

“Jesus is my Saviour,” you are still lost and need that Saviour.

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

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

ML 02/15/1942

Norman's Verse

Norman was ten and a half years old. He had a drunken father, and had lost his best earthly friend, for his mother had just died. A kind Christian had taken him to her home for a few days, until the funeral was over, and as he knew so little about the Lord Jesus Christ, she taught him that verse which you may be able to repeat from memory—

“He knew how wicked man had been,

And knew that God must punish sin, So out of pity Jesus said,

‘I’ll bear the punishment instead.’”

To make the meaning of this quite clear to little Norman’s mind, his friend taught him to place the word “whipping” in the place of punishment, which made it,

“I’ll bear the whipping instead.”

The following day at family prayers, Norman’s little voice was heard, thanking Jesus for having the whipping which he deserved.

His visit to that Christian home came to an end; and a few days after his return to his own desolate home, he wrote a letter in which he said,

“I’ve read my Bible, and learned my texts, and have many times thanked Jesus for having the whipping instead of me.”

How very happy must Norman be! for all are happy who know in their hearts that God laid upon Jesus their sins.

When they truly believe this, they love Jesus for dying for them.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:5.

ML 02/15/1942

A Wonderful Book

There are a great many wonderful books in the present day that contain a vast amount of knowledge, and this knowledge has been gathered with endless pains and trouble, yet there is one book that more than any other, affects mankind for good, and that book is the Bible.

Many curious stories have been told from time to time about the effect this book has had in different ways, and the following is a striking incident of its power for good.

Two men were traveling in the far west, a young man and his uncle, who was known to be a banker, and when at night they were forced to stop at a small wayside cabin, they were not a little anxious for their safety.

There were only two rooms in the house, and the travelers had one, while the owner occupied the other. When they retired for the night they agreed that the young man should sit up till midnight with his pistols in hand, in case of any disturbance, and then he was to awaken his uncle to watch, while he took his turn to sleep.

Presently they looked through a crack in the wall and saw their host, a rough-looking old man in his bear-skin suit, reach up to a shelf and take down a book —A BIBLE.

After reading it awhile, he knelt and began to pray; and then the young man began to pull off his coat and prepare for bed. The uncle said,

“I thought you were going to sit up and watch.”

But the young man replied that there was no need to sit up and watch in a house where the Bible was read, and prayer was offered.

Now, perhaps no other book in the world would have had this effect on the two anxious travelers.

“The statutes of the Lord are right, roicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Moreover by them is Thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalms 19:8-11.

ML 02/15/1942

Raindrops

“As they softly fall

They’re so very small,

Those tiny wee drops of rain;

To do any good

They surely should

Be just twice as big again!

Yet it is not so,

Because you know

‘Twas God made those raindrops small;

He uses them too

His work to do;

E’en the smallest drop of all.

They have work to do,

And so have you;

Never mind if it is small.

The raindrops don’t ask

A greater task

For their work is just to fall.

No matter the size

In God’s loving eyes,

That’s not what He looks to see.

What He asks of you

Is His will to do;

He needs just your service free.

He settles the place

On earth’s dry face

Where each raindrop is to fall;

So for you and me

A place there’ll be;

Our part, to fill it, that’s all!”

“They which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8.

ML 02/15/1942

The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1 to 8

This book was written by a man who lived after Isaiah; he was also a prophet, one who told the people what God told him. You may have seen pictures of prophets as old men with white hair, but Jeremiah was not old when he began to tell Gods words. At first, when God told him to speak to the people, he said,

“I cannot speak; for I am a child.” But the Lord said, “Say not I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I shall scud thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”

Perhaps you think it would be easy to tell God’s words, and that the people would gladly listen, but many of them had idols, and were taking money from the poor to make themselves rich and doing other wrong ways, so then did not want to hear of God. He knew they would not treat Jeremiah kindly, and told him,

“Be not afraid of their faces (cross looks), for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.” Jer. 1:8.

Jeremiah kept on telling the words of God more than forty years, but was roughly treated and put in prison. He also wrote the words God said, which we now read. Jeremiah’s home was near Jerusalem, and he spoke to the kings, queens and rulers there. The first king he was sent to was the good young king, Josiah, who was glad to hear tire words of God, but his sons and grandsons, ruling after him, were wicked young men and led the people to do evil. God sent Jeremiah to tell them the right. He said He would plead with their children’s children (Jer. 2:9). Even the children were helping to get wood to make cakes to worship idols (Jer. 7:18).

We think it strange they prayed to images carved from wood and deck with silver and gold, which could not move or hear, instead of giving honor to the Lord Who had created all the earth. But do we, too, forget the great power of the Lord? Have you Seen the big ocean waves rush up over the sand? Did you wonder why they went back again instead of corning farther? Think of these words,

“Fear ye not Me, saith the Lord, will ye not tremble at My presence, which have placed the sand for the bond ‘ofthe sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it; and though the “waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” Jeremiah 5:22.

The wild birds do as God has given them instinct, each year they fly from the warm lands to cooler lands, then before the cold winter there, they Hy back in large flocks.

“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times and the turtle (dove) and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but My people know not the judgment of the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:7.

The storks and cranes are such large birds that when a flock of them fly over a land it must be a great sight, they fly from Africa to northern Europe in the spring, and back again in the fall. These birds all fear the cold winter, but the people did not care that God must punish them for sins. They rushed, into sin “as a horse rusheth into battle.” Jeremiah 8:6.

The harvest and summer are for people to be readyfor winter: When God tells us His words it is the time for us to be saved from sins. Is this verse true of any of you?

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20.

ML 02/15/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for December

“The Children’s Class”

1.“And I saw,” etc. Revelation 17:6.

2. “And he opened,” etc. 13:6.

3.“Blessed and holy,” etc. 20:6.

4.“I Jesus,” etc. 22:16.

5.“And after,” etc. 18:1.

6.“And they sing,” etc. 15:3.

7.“And I heard,” etc. 12:10.

Bible Questions for March

“The Children’s Class”

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

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Even unto the end of the world.”

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, “And he was speechless.”

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Shall receive an hundredfold.”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “He that shall humble himself.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “An alabaster box of very precious ointment.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “My words shall not pass away.”

7.Was Joseph of Arimathea poor, or rich?

Answers to Bible Questions for December

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Revelation 14:11.

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

3.Peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Revelation 17:15.

4.They are to fall by earthquake. Rev.

16:18-19.

5.The righteonsnesses of saints. Revelation 19:8.

6.Out of those things which were written in the books. Rev. 20:12

Tears, death, sorrow, crying and pain. Rev. 21:4.

21:4.

Bible Questions for March

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

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

1.What verse marks the Lord’s final desertion of the temple?

2.Where is the Lord’s final promise of companionship?

3.Who went in with the bridegroom to the marriage?

4.Where did the Lord institute the Lord’s supper?

5.Where does Jesus invite the little children to come?

6.Who rolled back the stone from the sepulcher?

7.What verse gives the forsaking of Christ by God?

ML 03/01/1942

Why Do You Insult My Father?

In a train sat two sailors in eager conversation. The talk between them was not evil, but through a bad, inherited custom, they continually misused the name of God, till an unknown fellow traveler, turned to one of them with the words,

“Please, my friend, do not insult my Father any longer!”

“Insult your father!” said the astonished sailor, “I don’t know him, and have never spoken of him. Perhaps you know him, John?”

“No,” replied his comrade.

“All the sadder for you!” said the unown man, “If you knew my Father, you would love Him; I ask you kindly not to misuse His Name any longer.”

The man took the sailor’s hand, and began to tell him of God’s love and mercy, through His Son, Jesus Christ. That went to the sailor’s heart, and he told that six months before, he had stood at his mother’s death-bed. She had put her hands on his head, and prayed God to bless him. With this remembrance, came suddenly the question from the lips of the sailor,

“Do you believe that God will still save, me, a poor sinner?”

Then followed a long and blessed conversation of the way of salvation, Through the faithful witness of this servant of God, the two sailors found peace with God through Christ, and His finished work of redemption, that day—peace, forgiveness, eternal life. They turned from darkness to light.

Their life before had been towards the sunsetting—towards eternal destruction; now, it had altered—it was towards the sunrising, and they were on their way to the Father’s house.

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

The man who spoke for the honor of the name of God, whose heart could not bear to hear that name spoken “in vain,” is a simple man of the people. His hands are hard from using the pick and shovel, but God has equipped him to work on the heart, and to break through the hard stones of unbelief, indifference and enmity to God that lodge there.

“That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.” Psalms 83:18.

ML 03/01/1942

Do You Have Salvation?

I was asked one day to go to see a lady who was anxious about her soul. After putting the way to be saved before her as simply as I could, she said to me,

“I do believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but I am not saved.”

All at once she rose from her seat, and commenced to look under the chairs and tables for something. I said to her,

“I see you have lost something.”

“I have lost my thimble,” replied the lady.

At once I noticed that her thimble was upon her finger, and I said,

“My good friend, your thimble is upon your finger.”

“O,” she said, “how stupid I am to go, about seeking for the thing which I have.”

“Well, my dear friend, that is just what you are doing with salvation. You say that you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but you are not saved; and God’s Word says,

‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.’” John 5:24.

Faith and salvation go together; and they cannot be separated; so if you believe on the Lord Jesus, He says that you an: “not condemned.” (John 3:18).

God, by His holy Spirit, gave the anxious one to see that she was in poession of eternal life as a believer on Him.

O, let me ask you, dear children, do you believe on the Son of God? If so, ever lasting life is yours, and yours now. O, claim it, and thank and praise Him who shed His precious blood in order to puhase it for you. The God of all grace bless you with the knowledge of salvation.

O, mercy surprising!

He saved even me!

“Thy portion forever,”

He says, “will I be.”

On His Word I am resting—

Assurance divine.

I’m “hoping” no longer,

I know He is mine.

ML 03/01/1942

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.” Deuteronomy 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 03/01/1942

A Man in Stocks

Jeremiah 20-26

The leading men of Jerusalem did not like the words God told Jeremiah to speak against their idols and evil ways, and that their sins would cause sorrow to come: they were very angry, and wanted to stop him.

A common way to punish a man at that time was to put him in a wooden frame, called “stocks”, which would hold him in a painful position, and he could not change, or get out. A son of the chief priest took Jeremiah and put him in the stocks, which were near the gate of the temple, where many could see and mock him.

That was a cruel and wicked way to treat one who spoke only the true words of God; but he was left there all night, and not let out until morning.

Jeremiah was often sad and discouraged that the men mocked and denied the words God told him to tell them, even people who had been his friends wanted to take revenge on him, and the men of his own town (Anathoth) said, “speak not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand.” Jeremiah 11:21; 20:10. But Jeremiah knew God’s words were true and he kept on telling them to each king and to the leaders and the people. God told him how each king would be taken away captive, unless they would give up their sinful ways. They were all young men who chose evil instead of good.

Once God caused Jeremiah to see two baskets of figs in the temple: in one basket were fine ripe figs; in the other were poor, hard figs, not fit to use. God told him the people were like the figs: those who were taken to Babylon and there repented of their sins and believed God’s words would be like the good figs, and would he used by Him; the people who were not sorry for their sins and did not believe God’s words were like the bad figs and of no use for God (Jer. 24).

There was one man, named Urijah, who believed Jeremiah’s words and told them to others. The king and his great men were angry at him also, and wanted to kill him, but he fled to Egypt. The king sent men to get him, and they brought him back to the king, who killed him. But Jeremiah was kept alive (Jer. 26:20-24).

Jeremiah told the people God’s promise, to one day give them a righteous King:

“Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise....a righteous Branch (a living One), and a King shall...... execute judgment and justice......and this is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:5,6.

God’s words about that great and right King will surely come true.

ML 03/01/1942

The Snow

Who sends the white and feathery snow

From yonder inky cloud?

Its gentle flakes fall soft and slow

Till shrubs and flowers they shroud.

Now scarlet berries, leaflets green,

Are hidden from our sight;

Nor is the earth e’en longer seen,

All, all is spotless white.

Dear children, He who makes the snow,

And sends it from the sky,

Is God, who to us long ago,

Sent Jesus here to die.

And by His blood our souls are made

Ah! whiter than the snow;

Thus speaks His Word, and what’s there said

Is true, we fully know.

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

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

“Come now, 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 03/08/1942

"Jesus, I Will Trust Thee"

Nellie B. was one of the brightest girls in the village school. A general favorite with her brothers at home, and with the girls in her class, sunshine seemed to ripple perpetually on her brow. To see her in her happy home, with her kitten playmates, made a sight for any artist’s eye. And yet Nellie was not always happy. Favored with a converted preacher in the little chapel near, and, still more unusual, a converted teacher in the day school, who not merely sought the mental and moral, but higher spiritual welfare of the pupils under his charge, Nellie had learned that

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). and that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Hence after the mirth of the day was past, she might have been found with the tear in her eye, and the burden at her heart, wondering how she might get the great question of sin settled.

I hope you have felt the same, for there is little chance of anyone being saved until they realize they are “lost” (Luke 19:10).

Mother never sends for the doctor for you till you are ill; the firemen are never summoned until there is the appearance, at least, of fire; the lifebelt is only thrown to those in danger of drowning. So with salvation. The great Physician is for the sinsick soul, the Rescuer is for those in danger of “the wrath to. come,” the Gospel lifebelt is for the perishing.

Haye you, like Nellie, learned this? Do you own up that you are a lost, guilty sier, deserving nothing but “eternal doom”? If so, listen how Nellie got saved.

Again and again the teacher had placed the way of salvation before his earliest pupil, Nellie read that “the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17), She knew that the Bible said,

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

“Believe, and be saved.” Luke 8:12. But it seemed such a big thing for a simple, sinful girl to commit her soul to the Saviour’s keeping, and be “saved with an everlasting salvation” (Isa. 45:17).

Great though it was, she did it. Shall I tell you how? Her mother asked Nellie to make a few purchases at the village store on the road from school, giving her some silver coins to pay for the goods. Not being accustomed to handle. so much money, Nellie thought it best to ask the teacher to take charge of it till school hours were past. Approaching the teacher’s desk, and laying down the money, she made her request.

“But, Nellie,” said the teacher; “can you trust me with so much?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Had you not better get two of the other girls to witness that I have received the money?”

“No, sir, I can trust you with it.”

“Then, Nellie, if Jesus had been your Teacher, would you also have trusted Him?”

“Certainly, sir,”

“Well, Nellie, if you could trust Him with the silver coins, could you not trust Him with your soul?”

“Yes, sir, I could.”

“Now, Nellie,” continued the soul-winning teacher, “as you have trusted me just now with your money, will you not trust the great Saviour, who loved you and gave himself for you, with your precious soul? Will you do so just now?” A moment’s pause, then the anxious girl quietly replied,

“Yes, sir, I could trust Him; I will trust Him.”

A little more conversation, then a-steady routine of lessons, then home; but Nellie never forgot the real joy of that night, as again and again she hummed to herself the little verse:

“Jesus, I will trust Thee!

Trust Thee with my soul;

Guilty, lost, and helpless,

Thott canst make me whale.”

Perhaps your name is not Nellie, but: you are a sinner and need salvation. Think of Jesus dying on the Cross of Calvary in agony and shame for you; hear His triumphant cry at last. “It is finished” (John 19:30). Finished for you. In view of such love, such agony, and such a mighty triumph, will you just now say,

“I will trust, and not be afraid?”

“None perish who Him trust.” Hundreds upon hundreds of boys and girls have accepted the invitation of the Lord. Jesus,

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28; found His promise true;

“Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37, and are living saved and happy lives.

Will you trust Him now and be happy?

ML 03/08/1942

Desire for the Word of God

Some time ago we heard of a native evangelist of East Africa, who, when he was still a boy, had great love for God’s Word, and was drawn to the missionary who was stationed about 24 miles up stream. But the heathen parents of the boy took away his canoe from him, to prevent his going any more. What did the boy do? He swam across the river in spite of the numerous alligators, and traveled on the other side to the missionary station. This he often did, for the great longing of his soul for God’s Word, which told him of Jesus, the great Redeemer and Friend of lost sinners.

Does not the zeal of this poor heathen boy put some of our young readers to shame; perhaps some of you who profess to belong to the Lord? Do you love God’s Word? Does not a little rain keep you at times from going to Sunday school? And do not some go very unwilling to hear God’s Word?

What a treasure God’s Word is. In it we find the way to God, and to eternal blessedness; in it we find light and salvation, wisdom, peace, comfort and strength. He who lightly esteems God’s Word, lightly esteems God, who has given the Word. He who hears God’s Word and obeys it, hears God and obeys Him. Truly, blessed are they who hear God’s Word and keep it!

ML 03/08/1942

God Can See

When autumn leaves were falling

O’er valley, hill, and plain,

A childish group had gathered

In a quiet country lane.

As they shook the hedge-row branches

Ripe nuts fell at their feet,

And, from the neighboring mountains,

Their laughter echoed sweet.

Ere long they reached the entrance

Of a large and shady wood,

Where, clothed in gold and crimson,

The elms and beeches stood.

“Come down this mossy pathway,”

The elder children cried,

“For there are nuts in plenty

Within the forest wide.”

But one among the number,

A little fair-haired child,

Drew back, nor dared to follow

Her playmates gay and wild.

She said, “Now I must leave you,

For ere I quitted home,

My mother dear forbade me

Within the wood to roam.”

“O, Lucy,” cried the others,

“Indeed you must not go,

Your mother cannot see you,

And she will never know.”

To this deceitful counsel,

The child could not agree;

She pointed up to heaven,

And whispered, “God can see.”

She left her wandering playmates,

Nor cast a look behind.

Dear children, let her conduct

Be ever borne in mind.

Jehovah never slumbers;

So, wherever you may be,

In the light, or in the darkness,

Remember,“Ged can see.”

ML 03/08/1942

Yokes Sent to Kings

Jeremiah 27 to 35

The Lord told Jeremiah to make bonds and yokes and send them to the kings of Moab, Edoni, and other places which were not far from Jerusalem.

The yokes were made of wood, and we suppose were like those used on oxen to draw loads or work in the fields, and we would wonder why they would be sent to kings. It was because God wanted them to know very surely that they and their people would soon be conquered by the powerful king of Babylon, and they would he his servants, or “under his yoke” as oxen must serve their masters.

God said to say to them:

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power....and have given it unto whom it seemed meet (best) unto Me.” Jeremiah 27:5.

Jeremiah himself put on a yoke of wood which must have been heavy and uncomfortable, but he did so that the king and people in Jerusalem might think how, because of their sins, they, too, would be tinder the “yoke”, or service, of the king of Babylon many years.

One king, Jeconiah, and his mother and many princes and men of skill, had already been carried captives to Babylon, and much of the gold and silver of the temple was also taken there.

Some men tried to make the people believe that the captives would soon come back to their homes, and the things of the temple would be returned. But Jeremiah told them that was not true, but that more people would be taken captive and that the brass pillars and other valuable things from the temple would also be taken to Babylon. He wrote a letter to those who were already in Babylon, telling them to work and make houses in that land for they could not soon return. But God said after many years they should return.

God told Jeremiah to buy a piece of land from his cousin and have the papers signed and sealed before witnesses, to show that the land was his. That was done as a promise to the people that they too should surely again have their land.

Jeremiah prayed to God saying,

“Ah Lord God! behold Thou halt made the heaven and the earth by Thy power....there is nothing too hard for thee.” Jeremiah 32:17.

God’s words to Jeremiah about the captives and the land all proved true. God also told Jeremiah something which happened several hundred years after. He said there would be bitter weeping in the land, “Rachel weeping for her children” (Jer. 31:15). Those words were fulfilled after the Lord Jesus was born, when the wicked king ordered young children killed because he wanted to kill the King sent by God, and the mothers could only weep (Matt. 2:17,18.).

How long would God love His people? (Jer. 31:).

Did God say the dishes of the temple should be brought back? (Jer. 27:22).

The promise of the temple things fulfilled. (Ezra 1:9-11).

Where was Jeremiah when he bargained for the field? (Jer. 32:8,9).

What question did the Lord ask? (Jer. 32:27).

ML 03/08/1942

The Way of Safety

You will notice in our interesting picture today, a ship in the distance, tossing on the stormy sea. It looks as though it was in trouble.

Perhaps it has struck a rock and is sinng. So some brave sailors have started out from the lighthouse in a big row-boat, hoping to reach the ship before it sinks and to save the people on it, How the people on the sinking ship will welcome the life-boat. Can you imagine one of them saying,

“I don’t want to go into your boat. I can save myself?” No, he knows better than to think he can save himself.

And yet, dear reader, there are many people who think they can save themselves from the storm of God’s wrath, which will surely fall on all who refuse to accept His beloved Son as their Saviour, by their “good works.”

God’s Word tells us that eternal life is a free gift, not something we can earn.

“By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

To refuse this gift of God is far more serious than to refuse to be taken into the lifeboat, for it means eternal loss and punishment.

Unsaved one, you cannot save yourself.

Your good deeds count for nothing with God. Listen to what God says about them in His Word:

“All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6.

Turn to the Saviour,—your only way of escape from sin and its consequences.

WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:13.

ML 03/15/1942

What Me Spider Teaches

I wonder if any of you are fond of spiders? No doubt you like watching them; it is so interesting to see the clever way they make their webs. Do you think they teach us any lessons? Let us find out what the Bible tells us about thenk. The spider is only mentioned three times: once in Job, once in Isaiah, and once in Proverbs.

In Job 8:14 we are told that the hypocrite’s hope and trust is like a spider’s web. Now, do you think any of you would trust to a spider’s web? I am sure you would not. But I want you to think whether your hope is like one. I daresay you hope for a great many things; but what hope have you for eternity? Are your sins forgiven? If you are trusting the Lord Jesus, then you have a good foundation for your hope,

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

If not, then your hope is like the one in our chapter, like a spider’s web.

The second lesson the spider teaches us in Isaiah 59:5,6. The beginning of the chapter tells us how God’s people had separated themselves from Him by their sins, and then they were weaving garments of works like spiders’ webs to cover themselves. Did you ever think that the iatighty things which you have done will separate you from God forever, unless you repent of them and turn to Him for forgiveness, because the Lord Jesus died for you. It is no use for any of you to try and cover up your sins. Anything you may do to them is only like a spider’s web, in God’s sight, and you Al know how easily you can see through that.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth, and foaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

Now the third lesson the spider teaches us is a very bright one. We shall find it in Proverbs 30:28. I suppose we should not be surprised to find plenty of spiders in our gardens and in dusty cupboards and places of that kind; but this verse tells us that the spider is in king’s palaces. Fancy a little spider finding a place for itself in a king’s palace! It seems to speak to us of little children finding a home in the palace of the King of kings. You will all know who is spoken of in the Bible as the King of kings. It is the Lord Jesus, and He has a place prepared, ready, for every one who loves and trusts Him.

“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.

Now I hope the next time you see a spider, you will try and remember all the lessons that it teaches us.

ML 03/15/1942

A Great Sacrifice

A fine ship was sailing on the Pacific coast, the last port of call had been San Francisco, and there were many homeward-bound passengers on the ship who had been very successful at the gold diggings.

No thought of danger crossed the minds of the passengers and the crew as the good ship glided gracefully through the blue and placid waters, until one of the hatchways began to pour out a thick volume of smoke, then a cry of “Fire” was heard, and almost instantly the deck was crowded with terrified men and women.

The boats were lowered and filled one by one, and among those who waited their to i to leave the burning ship Was a young man, He had carefully fastened around his waist a broad belt, in which was safely stowed all his wealth, the result of hard and successful work in the diggings. He had just buckled it tighter for greater safety when his arm was clutched by a tiny hand, and a frightened voice cried out,

“O, man, save me!”

A little blue-eyed girl gazed earnestly into his face, and while he hesitated the boat filled up.

What should he do? He was a strong swimmer, and could, no doubt keep himself afloat until picked up, but could he also save this little helpless girl? He certainly could not save the child and his gold; one or the other must be sacrificed. His decision was speedily made, for quicy unfastening the belt of gold he flung it into the depths, and, seizing the child, plunged into the waters and struck out for the shore.

He was able to save his little charge, as you shall hear, but does not the story of the young man’s sacrifice bring to your mind another story? We are all in danger; the waters of death, and the fire of judgment alike threaten us, but the Saviour pitied us. His heart was moved with compassion, and He undertook to save us. It was at a great sacrifice, for He had to lay aside His glory and leave the crown and dominion and come down to this earth in absolute poverty. He sold all that He had to redeem us, and gave Himself for our sins. The waves and billows rolled over Him; but blessed be His name, He has passed through them all, and delights now to put all who trust in Him, in perfect safety forever.

If you trust Him, as the little girl trusted the young gold-digger, you will never have need to fear.

The heroic young swimmer was dashed about for some time by the waves, and at last thrown up on the shore. He lay quite stunned for a while, but was awakened by warm kisses on his cheek and a childish voice saying,

“Kind man, I love you or saving me.” He had lost everything in order to save her, and as he listened to her voice he felt well repaid. She never forgot his great sacrifice on her behalf.

Will you not say to Jesus,

“Kind and loving Saviour, I love Thee?”

Ah! He is worthy that all should love Him, but, alas, a great many are totally indifferent to Him; but do not be like them; put your whole trust in Him; give Him your whole-hearted love, because He has first loved you.

ML 03/15/1942

Jesus Died for Me

A young man was speaking to some girls and boys at a Children’s meeting, and he said to them:

“I was saved when I was ten years old. My father and mother are Christians, and I had heard the way of salvation, through the Lord Jesus Christ, from my earliest years, but it was only when I saw my need of a Saviour, that I made Him my own.

One night a hymn was sung, “There is a Fountain,” and I had often sung it, but that night, the chorus,

“I do believe, I will believe,

That Jesus died for me,

That on the Cross He shed His Blood,

From sin to set me free,”

was sung over and over again, and I saw, as I had never seen before, that Jesus died for me—my own self—and that I, by believing on Him, was saved. I just made Him my own, and I was saved there and then. Jesus was mine and I was His. That was the best and happiest night in my life, and I have thanked Him every day and night since. I have my troubles, but He helps me to bear them, and I am happy in His love.”

Can you say from the heart, clear boys and girls,

“I do believe, I will believe,

That Jesus died for me”?

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

ML 03/15/1942

A Book Burned

Jeremiah 36

Once while the king would riot let Jeremiah go to speak to the people, God told him to write in a book the words He had told him, so His words could be read to the people, and they might he sorry for their bad ways and believe Him.

Jeremiah asked a scribe, named Baruch, to help him; Jeremiah spoke the words and Baruch wrote them. We do not know what they had for paper; the wide leaves of plants were sometimes prepared as paper, or skins were used; the words were written with pen and ink, and when done tied in a roll. There must have been many leaves to this roll as God had spoken much to Jeremiah.

When the writing was finished, Jeremiah told Baruch to go to the temple and read the roll aloud to the people.

The king, scribes, and nobles who attended to the affairs of the nation were not at the temple, but in another building. One man who heard Baruch read the roll, went to tell some of the nobles, and they sent for Baruch to bring the roll, and read it to them.

When they heard the words that God must punish those who kept on in sin, they were afraid, and knew the king would be more angry than before at Jeremiah, and they told Baruch to go hide with Jeremiah, and not let others know where.

The nobles put the roll away in a safe lace, and went to speak to the king in his room.

When the king heard about the roll, he sent for it to be brought and read to him.

It was winter time, and the men and the sat near an open fire.

The king listened to the reading of the first few sheets of the roll; then he took out his knife and cut them from the roll, and threw them into the fire.

A few of the men tried to persuade the king not to burn the writings, but he would not listen. Most of the men did not care, and he kept on cutting the roll and putting it on the fire until the whole roll was burned. Then he sent men to get Baruch and Jeremiah, and would have done them harm but the Lord kept them hidden.

Although the king burned the roll with the words of God, he could not prevent His words coming true: he kept on his wicked ways, until the soldiers of the king of Babylon bound him in chains and took him away from the city (2 Chron. 36:6).

Afterward God told Jeremiah to have the same words written again. It would not be easy to do all that roll over, yet it was again completed. We now have those words in our Bibles in the “Book of Jeremiah.”

What was the name of this king? (Jer. 36:31).

Why could not Jeremiah go to the temple? (Jer. 36:5):

How did Baruch say the roll was written? (Jer. 36:18).

Who wrote God’s words on the second roll? (Jer. 36:32).

ML 03/15/1942

Sparrows

There is no bird so common, or of so little value as the sparrow. There are not only a great many of them, but their feathery coat is not beautiful, and their song is not sweet, like many other birds. But there is one thing that is good to remember—God’s Word lets us know that He takes the same needed care of the sparrow as He does of other birds.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a fartng? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father; But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29,30.

How many people there are who fret and trouble themselves about the affairs of this life, and so occupy their time in putting forth great effort to gain something in this world, that they have little or no time to give to God’s Word, or to pay attention to eternal things.

They forget that God cares for all, and provides food and raiment for all His creatures, and thus He is the preserver of all men, but especially of those who believe.

God has loved us so much that He gave His own beloved Son to die for us on to vary’s cross in order that we may be saved.

“Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, and He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3,4.

ML 03/22/1942

A True Friend

My parents lived in the country, and did not often travel by rail, the nearest station being some three miles from our home. When I was eight years old, we went on a journey to my grandfather’s home in the city. I was very happy at the prospect of traveling in the railway train, which I thought would be so much quicker and nicer than in the cart drawn by old gray Blondin, the horse, who had been my father’s pony when he was a boy.

For the first few miles we passed through pretty woods, across calm rivers, and past villages with quaint old spires and towers, which I had many questions to ask about. All of a sudden we plunged into a dark tunnel, and I remember clinging to my father’s arm in great fear.

“You are all safe, Nellie dear,” he said assuringly, as he grasped my hand, “just as safe in the dark as in the light, although not so happy.”

Presently we were in the bright light again, and I was half ashamed of my cowardice.

Since I became a believer in the Lord Jesus, I have had to pass through many a dark tunnel on my heavenward way, but I acn reminded as I pass through them, of my dear father’s assuring word,

“You are just as safe in the dark as in the light,” and my own Heavenly Father’s sure word of promise,

“I will hold thine hand and will keep thee” (Isa. 42:6), keeps my heart at rest, so that in the darkest hours of life,— and some of them have been very dark—grace has enabled me to say,

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me” Psalms 23:4.

I have found the Lord Jesus to be true Friend as well as a mighty Saviour; One who can guide and befriend us in earthly life, amid all its ups and downs, as well as save from sin’s condemnation, and bring to eternal glory. You will want such a Friend my dear boys and girls when you go out on the path of life in a dark and cold world. There is no one to whom you can go with your joys and sorrows, who will share them like Jesus.

But if you would know Him thus as your Friend, you must trust and confess Him first as your Saviour. His precious blood can make the vilest clean. His mighty power can deliver and keep the weakest safe. His grace will never lose Its grasp, but will bring all who trust Him safe to glory.

“Halellujah, what a Saviour!” Can you say today in all certainty,

“Jesus is my own personal Saviour”? “Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe,” Proverbs 29:25.

ML 03/22/1942

Winnie

Winnie’s father was dead, and her mother went out as often as she could find work, so Winnie was left alone much of the time. The poor little white-faced girl scarcely ever saw the sun, and never a flower, nor a green field. Her mother had been brought up in the country, and often longed for a breath of the pure air of her native town, but this was not for the time possible, she toiled on early and late to earn bread for herself and her child.

Great and needy as the city is, there are many in it who love the Lord and His great salvation, who seek as much as is in them is, to relieve the poor and the needy, and to bring the “Old, old story of Jesus and His love” to those for whose souls no man cares. It was through the efforts of a band of Christian workers, mostly working men and women, who spread the Gospel in a little hall not far from the widow’s humble home, that Winnie was first sought out and brought under the sound of God’s wondrous message, which has a power in it, all its own, to will the heart and change the life of young and old.

On a dreary Sunday afternoon, when the weary child was sitting near the one window of the attic in which they lived, looking out into the wilderness of smong chimneys, which was their only ouook, she heard down in the alley far below, the sound of singing. There were sounds and cries enough of one kind and another there every day, but this was something new. Pulling up the window, the mother peeped out, and saw a circle of singers right below. They were singing hymns, and at the pleading voice of the child, to whom such a sight was a seven day’s wonder, the weary mother threw her faded shawl round her shoulders, and taking Winnie in her arms, hastened down the rickety stair to the door. The singing continued amid noisome surroundings for ten minutes, then a young man told how they had come out to “sing the song of redeeming love,” and invite all the children to their little hall, where a short service for children was held every Sunday afternoon, and for adults in the evening—mothers and their little ones being specially welcome.

Winnie was too young to go alone, so her mother promised to take her to the evening meeting. it was a great day in the little child’s history, and. one she will never forget while her memory lasts. In that little hall, she first heard the Saviour’s Name, and was taught the wondrous truth, that God loves sinners,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosver believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, and that Christ died to save them.

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

For three full months, Winnie attended that Children’s Meeting.

In the sunny summer they were taken for a day in the country by their kind teachers, and Winnie’s mother was there also. It was the happiest day she had spent, since as a young bride she left her home, but there was something better still to come. Winnie was saved, and confessed the Lord Jesus as her Saviour (Rom. 10:9). Three weeks later, later weary, burdened mother “came as she was” to the One who says,

“Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28), and great peace filled her heart.

There was many a happy, busy day in the attic then, and both worked with new energy, for the love of Jesus made them glad. Winnie and her mother live happily, and follow the Lord, who saved them.

ML 03/22/1942

Praise Ye the Lord

I remember a dear little girl of four years old saying to her baby brother, “Now, Willie, when you are a big boy you must praise the Lord, praise the Lord!”

Now we hope that not only Willie and his sister, but all the little readers of “Messages of Love”, will learn to praise the Lord.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High. To show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night... For Thou Nast made me glad through Thy work.” “How great are Thy works!” Psalms 92:1-5.

Remember, dear children, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

If any little reader does not have his or her salvation settled, remember His long-suffering mercy and His great faithfulness, not willing that any should perish, I but,

“He that hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1.

ML 03/22/1942

Drawn Out of a Dungeon

Jeremiah 37 and 38

One day Jeremiah started from Jerusalem to go to his country not far away. At that time there was a new king over the people who did not care truly for God’s words, but he let Jeremiah talk to the people.

When Jeremiah reached the gate of the city, the guard would not let him go on; he said that Jeremiah was going to give aid to the Chaldeans, who were enemies, the soldiers of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah told the guard he was not going to help the enemy, but the guard did not believe him, and took him to the city rulers, who put him in prison.

After many days the king wanted to ask Jeremiah a question, so he sent for him and talked with him; then Jeremiah begged not to be sent back where he had been or he would die. He seems to have been kept in an inner prison with little food. So the king said he should be kept in the outer prison, and ordered food sent him as long as there was food. to send. At that time the army of Babylon were again trying to capture Jerusalem, and food could not be brought in.

Jeremiah had told the people that the Lord said it would be best for them not to fight longer, or the enemy would burn the city. But the men did not believe the words of God, and were so angry with Jeremiah that they wanted the king to have him put to death.

The king would not do that, but he said they could treat, Jeremiah as they wished. So they put a rope around him and let him into a dungeon, or deep hole, of the prison; the bottom was thick, soft mud in which his feet sunk, and he could not get out, the men wanted him to suffer there from hunger and the dampness.

One man, a negro servant of the king, heard where Jeremiah had been put, and he bravely went to the king and asked to take Jeremiah out of the dungeon.

The king gave this man permission to do so, telling him to take then with him (that the men who were angry at Jere miah could not hinder him).

The servant seemed to know that Jeremiah was thin and weak, and that to draw him out by the ropes tied on him, would be painful, so he first got some old soft cloths and dropped those into the hole, telling Jeremiah to put them under his arms so the ropes would not hurt him. Then they drew him out of the dungeon and he was kept in the court, or outer part, of the prison, and after that, where he was not in such distress.

It was very sad that the men who were cruel to Jeremiah knew God’s words but would not obey Him.

What was the name of this king? (Jer. 37:1,17 &38:5).

What was to be given Jeremiah daily? (Jen 37:21).

What was the kind servant’s name and from what country had he come? (Jer. 38:7).

How many men was the servant to take with him? (Jer. 38:10).

How long was Jeremiah kept in the prison-court? (Jer. 38:28).

ML 03/22/1942

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 for 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.” Psalms 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.” Ephesians 5:18,19.

Let us who are saved, with God’s help keep our communion with Him unbroken, so that the melody He loves to hear, may he 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 hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Revelation 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 the Lord.

“O SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG; FOR HE HATH DONE MARVELOUS THINGS.” Psalms 98:1.

ML 03/29/1942

The Robber and the Bible

G. was a forester, and lived with his wife and a little daughter of seven years old in a house in the forest. His mother was also living under his roof.

One stormy evening G. who had been out all day, did not return home at the usual hour, and his wife and mother bame very anxious about him. This was chiefly because G. had an enemy, a bad, cunning man, who was the leader of a gang of robbers. This man was very angry because the forester had captured the rest of the gang, and he was on the watch to take revenge on G. and his family.

With sad hearts the two women talked together of their dear one, and of the danger he was in; but at length they did the wisest thing that any burdened heart can do. They knelt down and besought the Lord to help them. They knew Him as their Saviour, and trusted in His love, though as yet their beloved G. was a stranger to His precious grace (see 2 Cor. 8:9).

Taking out the family Bible, Mrs. G. read aloud the seventy-first Psalm. Will you, dear young readers, find this Psalm and read for yourselves the words of strength and comfort of which it is full? You will see how suited it was to ease the anxiety of our two friends.

They then sang a hymn, and afterward prayed together, simply telling the Lord their fears, and asking Him to be their shield from the danger threatening them all.

Nor did they forget the robber in their prayer. They asked that this wicked man’s heart might be changed, even as their own hearts had been, by the grace of God.

How pleasing this most have been to the Lord, who has said,

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you ... pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.

They rose from their knees feeling calm and comforted, and the next moment they heard the well-known footstep of the one for whom they were watching!

What a happy meeting, this was for them all, for G. too had been anxious for the safety of those at home; he feared the robber might attack them in his absence.

His wife told him of the answer to their prayers; but he only laughed, and said that was no good. He then loaded his firearms, fastened the doors and windows, and unchained the dogs before retiring to rest.

Poor G; he had yet to learn that “safety is of the Lord” (Prov. 21:31). Little did he know that his deadly foe was already in the house, only waiting till the family were asleep to carry out his wicked plans. Creeping out of his hiding-place, he laid down on the table a large knife, and picked up the Bible from which the forester’s wife had been reading, The seventy-first Psalm lay open, and he tried to read it by the light of the moon. The words he had heard overcame his courage; he left the knife on the table, and taking up the Bible, quitted the house so quietly that no one heard him. Even the dogs were not aroused by his flight. From that time no more was heard of the robber.

Some years afterward the Prussians were at war with the French, and in one of the battles our friend, the forester, fell so badly wounded that he was left for dead. A fisherman heard the groans of the poor man, and calling his comrades to his aid, they lifted him into a boat, and rowed him over to a place of safety. He was tenderly nursed in the cottage of a fisherman there, and his wife was sent for.

On this bed of sickness he was brought to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and to own His hand in thus delivering him front death a second time.

And great was his joy when he found out who his host was. The kind fisherman was none other than the robber, who had come into his home to take the lives of himself and all his loved ones. He did not take even one life, but he took away the Bible, which was read to the salvation of his own soul, and also blessed to his wife.

He read there how the thief on the cross was pardoned, and it became clear to him that no sin was of too deep a dye to be washed away by the precious blood of Christ (Luke 23:43; 1 John 1:7).

Did he return the book? Ah, yes, he did so gratefully, to the great joy of its owners. But I am sure, that although they had sorely missed it, they were able to thank God for the use he had made of it, not only in delivering them from death, but in teaching the robber and his wife to know Him, whom to know is life eternal (John 17:3).

And surely they had also to thank Him for another answer to prayer; for you may remember that on the night of their anxiety about G. his wife and mother did not forget to ask for blessing to their enemy, as he was then, the fierce robber of the wood.

“All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22.

ML 03/29/1942

Lost Katie

I met her in a country lane crying bitterly. Poor child, she had missed the road leading to her companion’s home, where she was to have spent the day, and a big black dog hadnchased her a long way. I took her by the hand, and led her to the gate of the pretty cottage where Lily met her schoolmate. How glad and thankful she was to be found and led to the right path.

You are like Katie, lost and far from the way to heaven. If you know it as she did, you must be unhappy. Do you want to be brought back to the way, and reach the house of “many mansions,” where saved friends and companions are? Then come along. Jesus says,

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

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

Have you accepted Jesus as your own Saviour?

ML 03/29/1942

The Bible

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

Some of you have doubtless read of Mary Jones, who walked fifty miles to buy a Bible for herself.

We trust you will read your Bible every day, to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ, His great love for you, and His work of redemption on the cross of Calvary, and how He longs to save you. Do put your trust in Him, accept Him as your own precious Saviour, and you will be His own clear child for all eternity.

The Bible! the Bible!

More precious than gold,

The hopes and the glories

Its pages unfold:

It speaks of a Saviour,

And tells of His love,

It shows us the way to

The mansions above.

The Bible! the Bible!

We hail it with joy;

Its truths and its glories

Our tongues shall employ;

We’ll sing of its triumphs,

We’ll tell of its worth,

And send the Glad Tidings

All over the earth.

ML 03/29/1942

Freed from Prison

Jeremiah 39 to 43:7

Jeremiah was kept in prison by the king and chief men of Jerusalem because he told them. God’s words, how, unless they left their wicked ways, the army from Babylon would destroy their city. The men would not believe God’s words and kept on in sins. At last God let men of Babylon get inside the gates and take command of the city.

When King Zedekiah knew the enemy was in the city, he fled at night through a gate near his palace, his sons, soldiers, and chief men going also. But the soldiers soon found they had gone and hurried after, overtaking them, and leading them captive to their king who was then in a land north (Jer. 39:5).

Do you think King Zedekiah and his men freed Jeremiah from the prison, so he could escape? No, he was left in prison, but he was safer than they, for the king of Babylon knew about Jeremiah, and had given this order to his captain,

“Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm.” Jeremiah 39:12.

The captain showed Jeremiah respect, sending princes to take him out of prison, then took him to the king of Babylon, who treated him kindly. He was told that if he would go to Babylon, he would be well cared for, but that he could choose where he wanted to go, and he was given food and money (Jer. 40:5).

Jeremiah chose to go where he could be with the few poor people who were left in the towns and farms; so he could tell them God’s words, and he stayed at Mizpah, a place near Jerusalem. Baruch, the scribe, was with him (Jere 40:6).

The negro servant who saved Jeremiah from death in the dungeon, must also have been saved by the soldiers, for God had told Jeremiah to tell him that he should “not fall by the sword”. But it is not told where he afterward lived (Jer. 39:15-18).

But soon there was trouble among the people left in the land near Jerusalem; the man set to govern them was killed, and the people were afraid that the soldiers of Babylon would again be sent against them; so they wanted to go to Egypt to live. They told Jeremiah to ask the Lord about it, and whatever He said, they would do.

Jeremiah called all the people together, and told them that God said for them to stay in the land, and the soldiers should not harm them; but if they went to Egypt, they would die by the sword and famine (Jer. 42).

The people did not believe God’s words; they said Jeremiah spoke falsely; and that Baruch, the scribe, wanted them to be made captives (Jer. 43:3). They would not obey God, but went to Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with them. Jeriah wrote about them in Egypt, which we read later.

Why did God save the black man, Ebedrneleck? (Jer. 39:18).

What was done to Zedekiah, and to his sons? (Jer. 39:6,7).

Where were the king’s daughters taken? (Jer. 43:6,7).

Jeremiah had told God’s Words to the people of Jerusalem for over 40 years, from the 13th year of King Josiah to the end of Zedekiah’s rule.

ML 03/29/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for January

“The Children’s Class”

1.“And when he,” etc. Matthew 9:28.

2.“And Jesus said,” etc. 8:13.

3.“Blessed are ye,” etc. 5:11.

4.“If ye then,” etc. 7:11.

5.“Saying,” etc, 2:2.

6.“Then saith Jesus,” etc. 4:10.

7.“And she shall,” etc. 1:21.

Questions for April

The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Mark.

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The Lord working with them.”

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Hosanna in the highest.”

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “She hath wrought a good work on me.”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Thou art my beloved Son.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Go home to thy friends.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The Son of man must suffer many things.”

7.What takes place when, new wine is put into old bottles?

Answers to Bible Questions for January

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Whoever breaks one of the Lord’s commandments or teaches others to break them. Matthew 5:19.

2.Because the Father knows what we need of before we ask. Matthew 6:8.

3.The angel. Matthew 1:21.

4.False professors who worked in the Name of Christ. Matthew 7:21-23.

5.By asking the Lord of the harvest to send them. Matthew 9:38.

6.“Neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15.

7. By healing the sick when He was here. Matthew 8:17.

Bible Questions for April

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Mark.

1.Why did the Sadducees err?

2.To whom did our Lord say to preach the gospel?

3.Where is Jesus first publicly addressed by God?

4.What was the commission of the man who was sent home?

5.What chokes the Word?

6.Where is a prophet without honor?

7. What rewards does the disciple get in this life?

ML 04/05/1942

A Walk with Uncle

Let us go by the mill stream. I do like to see the fish jumping about as the, stream runs from the wheel.”

“Very well, Harry; we will go that way if you wish.”

Harry was a little boy eight years old, who was fond of having a nice stroll with uncle along the country roads, or through the flower-covered meadows, and they had nice little chit-chats together.

“What a pretty place that is, uncle,” said Harry, pointing to a house that was surrounded with trees and shrubs, over whose sides the ivy, and the Virginian Creeper, and roses, and sweet pea seemed to be trying their hardest to cover.

“Yes, Harry; and I always look on that house with pleasure, for when I was a little boy I used to go there every now and then, for a dear old Christian lived there, and he liked to have some of us boys from the school to visit him, and many a little book his dear wife would give us, and in fruit time a pocket full of apples. I do believe they loved us children.

But he had a son who was a cripple, and during his illness God led him to see what a sinner he was, and what a Saviour Jesus was, and he believed what God said, and was happy, and then he wanted to be a little glow-worm for Jesus.

When he was a little better he used to come to Sunday school, and after the lessons were over, he would speak to us, or read some good book out of which he hoped to teach us the way to heaven.

Through that dear young man I was saved. Do you think I ought to be quite sure I am saved, Harry?”

“Yes, uncle, because Jesus says,

‘I give unto My sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish.’” John 10:28.

“That’s it, my boy; and lots of other verses speak of the eternal safety of every believer in Christ.”

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

ML 04/05/1942

Carrying Badness to Jesus

A little boy asked his mother,

“How am I to be saved, Mother?”

“By coming to Jesus.”

“But I have heard that I must be good, or else God will not save me,” said the boy.

“My boy, Jesus died to save the bad, not the good. It is your badness, not your goodness, you must carry to Jesus.”

“That is good news,” cried the boy, “how cruel it was to tell me God would have nothing to do with me unless I was good.”

“Yes, it was,” replied the mother, “you can’t he good until you carry your badness to Jesus.”

The little boy did carry his badness to Jesus, and found that all goodness was in Him, “who forgiveth all iniquities.” He must have been made very happy, for he could know thatall his iniquities were laid on Jesus, when He suffered on the cross; and that God would never rember them against him.

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

ML 04/05/1942

Waiting

Jesus still is waiting,

Waiting still for thee;

Can’st thou yet reject Him,

None so kind as He;

Do not grieve Him longer;

Come, and trust Him now,

He’s waiting patiently,

Then why waitest thou?

ML 04/05/1942

The Soldiers

Did you ever see a more orderly column of soldiers than this bright little officer has? The geese are hurrying to the delightful pond quite unaware of the part they are playing in this interesting picture.

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

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

Instead of obtaining pleasure, as the geese do, the destiny of men in this march is the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

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

“Through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.

ML 04/05/1942

Living in Egypt

Jeremiah 43:8, to 51

The people who went to Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with them, lived near the capital city. One day the Lord told Jeremiah to take some large stones in his hands and go to a brickkiln, and hide the stones in the clay. The men of Judah, who had come to Egypt were no doubt at work there, making bricks for the king, and Jeremiah was to let them see him hide the stones.

Then he was to tell them that the king of Babylon, whom they had feared, would come against Egypt, and set up his camp, and throne over the spot where the stones were hidden, for he would conquer the city and rule there.

So the people were not as safe in Egypt, as they would have been if they had stayed near Jerusalem, as God had said. They knew God’s care and power, yet were worshiping idols the same as the Egyptian people. Jeremiah spoke to them of their sin, telling them God had said,

“O, do not this abominable thing which I hate!’ Jer. 44:4.

Yet the women of Judah foolishly burned incense in honor of the Egyptian idols.

At last these people all met together, a large number, and told Jeremiah they would not listen to God’s words; but would certainly do whatever thing cometh forth out of our own mouth”, meaning they would do as they pleased. Those were sad, wicked words.

Jeremiah told the people they would suffer when the king of Babylon came to Egypt, and that only those who believed the warning, and fled back to Jerusalem, could live.

Go told Jeremiah to write that Moab and other nearby nations would also be conquered because of their great wickedness, and that at last Babylon, too, and its idols should he destroyed. Jeremiah wrote the words God said about Babylon, and gave them to a man going there, telling him to read the words to the people; and then to fasten the roll, or book, to a stone, and throw it into the river, and say,

“Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise.” Jet, 51:64.

These things show that the Lord wanted it made very plain to all the nations what sorrows their sins would bring them.

We are not told how long it was before Egypt was conquered, nor how many escaped to Jerusalem, nor what happened to Jeremiah and Baruch. But God has kept the words He told Jeremiah to write all the many years since, and we learn from them how surely His warnings always prove true; yet how willing He is to forgive and bless, if people will only believe Him.

Do you think we are ever as careless as those people, and do as we wish, instead of as God has said?

What bold words did the men and women say to Jeremiah? (Jer. 44:16-19).

Into what river was the book to be cast? (Jer. 51:63).

Where do Jeremiah’s words end? (Jer. 51:64).

ML 04/05/1942

The Shepherd and His Flock

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

“I shall never forget,” says one, “the Walk I had with a friend over the mount of Olives. As we went along I heard a man’s voice calling out to us, as I supposed, but as he spoke in Arabic I could not tell what he said, and waited for my friend to answer him. Again and again he called, and still my companion took nu notice of him. At length I turned around to see who he was. In a moment I understood all about it. There was an old man with a shepherd’s crook in his hand, walking in front of a drove of sheep of perhaps between one and two hundred in number.

It was very beautiful to notice that he had a distinct name for each of them, and as one or another of the sheep lagged behind, he had only to call the right name to cause that one quickly to make up the lost ground. Close behind the old man were few favorite sheep, which never wandered from him, but kept quite close to their kind shepherd, and rubbed their noses against his legs.”

We read in John 10 of the Lord Jesus who has sheep of His own, and He knows the name of each one, for He tells us:

“HE CALLETH HIS OWN SHEEP BY NAME, AND LEADETH THEM OUT.” John 10:3.

“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.

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

ML 05/12/1942

A Boat Adrift

A young boy was hurrying down to the sea. It was his half-holiday, and he meant to have some fun. On his way he saw a friend and hailed him.

“Hello! Jack, where are you going?” “Down to the beach; will you come?” “Yes, that I will.”

“Come on, then.”

What fun they had, watching the men loading and unloading vessels; the stears coming and going; the yachts with their white sails glistening in the sunlight.

By and by one said to the other,

“I say, Jack, shall we have a row in one nf those boats?”

This was too good an idea to be given up. True, their parents had sometimes warned them not to go out, unless with shme older and more experienced person; but what of that? A little row could not hurt and they would soon be back, and no one would know.

Ah! boys and girls, it is easy to disobey, but what awful results have come on this world through disobedience!

Well, the boys were soon rowing off. They kept near the shore at first, then, gaining confidence, one said:

“Let us go out farther” and so on they went.

How easy it is to go deeper and deeper into sin when the first step has been taken!

Tired with their exertion, they rested on their oars while the tiny little waves ran merrily by, giving little taps at the side of the boat as they passed.

But these little waves began to run faster, for the tide had turned, and the boat, which at first drifted slowly, was now moving along quite quickly.

When the boys realized how far out they were, they turned the boat, and pulled their best; but wind and tide were now against them, and for one yard they pulled forward, the waters bore them two yards back.

“I can’t pull any further, Jack.”

“But we shall be lost; do try again.” “I can’t, Jack; I can’t row any more; O! what shall we do?”

The two friends looked every way for help, but found none. Holding on to each other they cried and sobbed, and exhausted, laid down in the bottom of the boat. All hope was gone, they were lost, helpless and hopeless.

But God heard the cry of’ the boys as they were rapidly carried away to sea, and He, who is “able to save,” sent a pilot boat that way.

The captain of this big pilot boat saw a speck on the sea and took out his telescope and looked at it.

“Hello!” he said, “there’s a boat adrift.”

The pilot boat was turned around, and sailed down to the boy’s boat. Kind men lifted out the little boys, and bore them back to shore.

Now, you saw how these boys could not, with all their trying, get back. So God tells us that no sinners are saved by their own works. We are lost, but the Lord Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Helpless, when we were without strength, He died for us; and when we were without hope, He became our hope. Trust Him, He will save you, bring you to His own home, and make you His own treasure.

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

“Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Psalms 2:12.

ML 04/12/1942

Do You Know?

Children, do you know why Jesus

Came to earth to bleed and die?

Draw your chair up closer to me,

I shall seek to tell you why.

Jesus loves the little children,

Everlasting is His love;

He would have them up in heaven,

in His F’ather’s home above.

So He laid aside His glory,

Came to earth to bleed and die;

Opened wide the door of heaven,

To that happy place on high.

If you early seek the Saviour,

He who is the great “I AM,”

If you trust Him, He’s your Shepherd,

You are Jesus’ little lamb.

Early give your hearts to Jesus,

Walk with Him the Pilgrim Way;

When He comes He’ll take you with Him,

There to dwell through endless day.

ML 04/12/1942

The Watch

In a Christian home were two little children, the younger of whom was a boy scarcely a year old. This little child, like most of babes, was very fond of looking at a watch, of having it in his hands, and of hearing it tick. A servant of the Lord, who frequently visited the child’s parents, would amuse and ierest the little fellow with his watch. When he took it from his pocket and held it in his hand so that the child could see it, away the little fellow would go, leaving behind all his play-things, which before had perfectly contented him, and on reaching the one who held the treasure in his hand, he would scramble up on his knee and try to get it.

When he saw the watch, he did not stop to think of the pretty toys about him, and he did not cry nor mourn over leaving them. O! no, the beautiful watch was attracting him, and the toys were forgotten—left behind as things he had ceased to care for.

There are many young people who would like to become Christians, who are not as wise as this little babe was. They see many things in the world to attract them, which they know the Lord would not be pleased to have them go on with, if they were Christians; and, their hearts being drawn by these things, they often put off the solemn and important question of their soul’s salvation, listening to Satan’s alluring lie, that it will be time enough when they are older. Thus they will reason, and go on apart from Christ, rather than give up what seems to them so pleasing.

If any of you, my young readers; have had such thoughts, I trust you will see that what is offered you in Christ is so much better than all these things that you have counted dear, that you will be ready at once to make the happy exchange, even as the dear little babe who left all that had pleased him for what was much more pleasing.

When you think of the wondrous love of Jesus in giving Himself for us, and of His bearing God’s judgment in our stead, is not your heart touched? If only you will accept Him as your own Saviour, you will find in Him beauties and worth, such as you now know nothing of. You will know Him as seated at the right hand of God in the glory, thinking about you, and doing what is best for you. He will be with you, and will never leave you till He has you in. His Home above. He will soon come for all of His own reemed ones, and take us Home to be with Himself.

Think of these things: and then think of the world with its glittering show, and its passing pleasures, followed by an eternity in hell; and tell us which you will choose! The paltry things of this world, are as nothing compared with all the joys and blessing that are in Christ, and these will last forever.

“In Thry presence is fulness of joy at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11.

ML 04/12/1942

A Promise Broken

Jeremiah 52

The king of Babylon had appointed Zedekiah as king in Jerusalem, and made him solemnly promise to obey him and pay tribute (2 Chron. 36:13). But Zedekiah did not keep his word. so the king of Babylon came to jerusalem with his soldiers, who were from the country of Chaldea, and they camped around the wails, keeping the peopie within from getting food or help, for over a year.

God told Jeremiah to tell King Zedekiah to surrender to the captain of the army, and he would show mercy to him and his family, and would not hurt the city; but if Zedekiah would not give himself up, the captain would do harm to his family and would burn the city.

The king did not obey God’s words; at last the food in the city was gone, and the men, could not keep out the army. The captain came into the city and took command there.

Zedekiah, with his sons and chief men, hurried away from Jerusalem at night, going out a gate of his garden, which probably was small and unguarded by the enemy. But they found he had gone, and followed after and captured the king and his men, taking them to the king of Babylon, who was very cruel to them, killing the king’s sons.

Afterward the captain of the Chaldean army returned to Jerusalem and made the rest of the people there captives, and took the treasures and ail valuable things from the houses, and the gold and silver from the Temple, breaking up the big pillars to take away the brass (or, copper). Then lie ordered the soldiers to set fire to the Temple, the king’s house, and all the best buildings of the city, leaving it in ruins.

All this was what God said would haen if Zedekiah would not obey and keep his promise.

This is the fourth time the sad account of the destruction of the beautiful city of Jerusalem is told in the Bible: it is given in 2 Kings 25, in 2 Chronicles 36, in Jeremiah 39, and this last time in Jeremiah 52. It is surely meant that any who read these should believe that what God says always proves true and right. Jeremiah did not himself write this last account (see Jer. 51:64), but it shows he had been a true prophet of God, for all he told the people happened.

The last of this chapter tells of another king, Jehoiachin who had been taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon when young; after being in prison very many years, a new king freed him and gave him a place of honor, new clothes, and good food as long as he lived. It was a man from the family of this king who afterward led the Jewish people back to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2).

To what city was Zedekiah taken? Was he ever freed from prison? (Jer. 52:11).

How long was Jehoiachin a captive in prison? (Jer. 52:31).

ML 04/12/1942

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 belivers in the Lord Jesus, because He who is the Light of the world has been cast out.

The Lord loves us now with the 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.

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

ML 04/19/1942

"I'll Turst Him."

F. became exercised about his soul. He had been taught that those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ are saved. He thought he believed in Him as much as anybody could believe, but he couldn’t feel that he was saved. As he reasoned in his mind about it, he thought he was not a true believer, or he did not believe in the right way, and he began to fear he was, perhaps, a hypocrite—trying to think himself a Christian, then he was not one at all.

The more he thought about these things, the more troubled he became, and doubts and uncertainties filled his mind.

The thought of death came before him and filled him with fear; but a dread even stronger than this, came before him; the Lord might come at any moment, and he was not ready to go with Him. When he would lie down at night, he feared to go to sleep, lest the Lord would come in the silent watches of the night, to take His people Home, and he would be left behind.

One day F, who was a farmer boy, was out in the field shocking grain. He got some distance in advance of the binder and lay down on the ground a few minutes to wait until it would overtake him. While lying there his thoughts were occupied with the question that had been absorbing him so long.

“O, why can I not know that I am saved? God says in His word,

‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and. than shalt be saved.’ “I do believe. I believe as much as anybody can.”

Believe!’ “It is God’s Wordy and God is true—I’ll trust Him.”

With this thought light came into his soul. He took Christ at His word, he trusted Him, and he was saved.

How many of in dear little readers are ready thus to take God at His word, and “trust Him?”

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

“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.

“‘Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25.

“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 04/19/1942

Dick's Hiding Place;

Or, “Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out.”

Dick lived with an uncle on a small farm. He was a bright, intelligent boy, and, from his early childhood, had been a by and a comfort to his Christian aunt, who had adopted him as her son when his mother died, leaving her baby boy three days old.

“Dickie,” as he was called, was a general favorite among his school-mates, and never failed to secure the chief prize in his class. A godly farmer kept a Sunday school not far from where Dick lived, and from the day that he entered it, when five years old, he never missed being present, or failed to have his “Memory Text” and “Bible Answers”—which in these days were the principal items of Sunday-school instruction—entirely to his teacher’s satisfaction.

“The story of Achan,” who stole the gold and the garment, and hid them in his tent in Israel (Joshua, ch. 7), was the lesson one afternoon, and the Memory Text was,

“Be sure your sin will find you out,” Numbers 32:23.

The earnest, teacher pressed home upon his class of boys the solemn fact, that sin, however well hid from the eyes of men, was ever before the Lord, whose eyes like a flame of fire, searcheth all hearts, and sooner or later, will bring the hidden deeds of all to light. Dick felt the power of the Word, and, no doubt, the Spirit of God carried it home to his conscience.

There was no special sin that be bad been guiltv of, such as Achan’s, yet the light of God shining upon his conscience, rentinded him of much that he had done, which he knew and felt was only sin in the sight of a holy God.

That afternoon, Dick was about to accept Christ as his own Saviour, but, alas! his convictions passed away, and left him less concerned about his state before God than he had been before.

Years passed by, and Dick was now a boy of sixteen. He assisted his uncle on the farm, and during the summer months, when part of the house was rented to vitors, he took them boating on the lake, or driving among the hills. A merchant and his family were in the house one summer, and on Sunday evenings, the city mehant, being an earnest Christian, preached the Gospel in the school. God blessed the Word, and several were truly converted. Dick was again awakened, and one of the Christian merchant’s daughters several times spoke to him personally and faithfully about his soul.

Dick became very uneasy. He saw that he must either yield to Christ aind be saved; or cease to go to the meetings. In fact, it came to this, that he would not go out boating with certain of the merchant’s family, lest he should be spoken to about his soul.

One afternoon, he disappeared, and could not be found when the party wanted to go for a sail. Hid among the trees, on the side of the lake, he could see all their movements, without being observed, and when night fell, Dick kept his hiding-place. He was in great misery of soul. All his sins seemed to pass before his mind, and again and again the text shot like an arrow through his memory,

“Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Unable to endure it longer, he left his hiding-place, crept up to the door of the house, while his uncle was conducting he evening reading of the Word. Dick listened outside the door with more eageess to the chapter read, than he had ever done. It was the story of Zaccheus in Luke 19, ending with the text,

“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

That just met Dick’s need. He believed it, and, with the tears gushing down his cheeks, entered, confessing he was saved.

ML 04/19/1942

Snow and Frost

What fun it is to be out of doers when it is snowing! We love to watch the feathery flakes come sailing down, and try to catch one on the darh sleeve of a coat, so that we can see its great beauty more clearly. And on a frosty morning, too, how beautiful everhing appears! The trees, hedges and grass all sparkle brightly, and even spiders’ webs are made lovely by the particles of frost strung on each delicate thread.

Have you ever tried to make snow flakes? They are formed from water, as we know, yet it needs greater power than we have to make them. It is not difficult to form ice by making the water very cold, or to turn, it into steam by heating it; both of these are very great changes, yet neither is so beautiful to look at as snow or frost.

Boys and girls can be changed very much, too. One day a boy will be seen with a dirty face, tangled hair, and looking very cross; but the next day he may bright and smiling and tidy and look as different as possible. A boy or girb can be changed from a dirty to a clean one; or from a disagreeable to a pleasant one, just as it is possible to turn water into ice.

But there is one change that only God can make, just as we feel that the snow is His handiwork. This change is not only of the outward appearance, but of the heart. All have sinned, and who can make a sinful heart clean? None but God Himself. It is useless to try to do it yourself, for it is because we were helpless that “Christ died for the ungodly.”

Will you not pray as David did, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow?” Psalm 51:7.

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

ML 04/19/1942

A Book of Sorrow

The Lamentations of Jeremiah

This is a short book, but has a long name: to lament means to grieve or mourn. This was a poem or sad song in the Hebrew language and tells the sorrow of Jeremiah when he saw the ruin of Jerusalem, its grand buildings burned, its wide, high walls broken, and its people dead from famine, or killed, or taken prisoners.

Many cities of the world have been destroyed, good buildings are now ruined in many places, causing great sorrow, but the reason the ruin of Jerusalem was a greater sorrow, was that it was the city which the Lord of all the earth had chosen, where a wonderful Temple for His honor was built, where His cloud of glory rested. Anyone who wished to honor Him, could come there; it was

“That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God” (See 1 Kings 8 :41-43,60).

But the kings and people of that land did not value the blessing of God; they set up images of wood or stone to pray to, and lived wickedly. After many years, because of their sins, God let a heathen king conquer Jerusalem. It was so strong a city that other nations were supriesed when it was taken:

“The kings of the earth and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that ... .the enemy should have entered the gates of Jerusalem.” Lam. 4:12.

Jeremiah had himself suffered such bad treatment there, we might think he would not have felt sorry for its ruin, but he sorrowed much. Part of his “Lamentations” were written as though the city were a woman left alone; read the first words,

“How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become a widow! she that was great among the nation!”

If we could see this first chapter written in Hebrew we would see each verse began with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order, 22 in all. Notice how many verses in the chapter. The next chapter has almost the same order, and also the fourth, but in the third chapter each letter of the Hebrew alphabet is repeated three times, making a triple alphabet, three verses with the same letter. All this seems to show us that all the language was not enough to tell this sorrow.

Jeremiah was comforted when he remembered God wanted to show mercy:

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning:... the Lord is good unto them that wait for Him ... . It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvion of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-26.

Perhaps you think it is not good to hear sad or sober words when young, but Jeremiah said,

“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke (burdens) in his youth.” Lamentations 3:27.

This book seems also a prophecy of the sorrow of the Son of God when He took the punishment of God on the cross:

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger.” Lamentations 1:12.

Read the words of the Lord Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem Many years after Jeremiah (Matt. 23:37).

ML 04/19/1942

Christ Our Hiding Place

In our picture, dear children, there is every appearance of an arising storm. The young girl, no doubt is hurrying along, hoping to reach her destination before the storm breaks upon her.

How strong the wind is, sometimes carrying little people off their feet: yet God is stronger, and can gather the wind in His fists (Prov. 30:4). A storm frightened the Lord’s disciples.

“Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26.

Always remember, dear ones, all is in God’s hand, and though “He causeth the wind to blow,” it is for a purpose.

There is a storm coming upon the whole world, the storm of judgment for the rejection of God’s; Son, but all who have taken shelter in Christ are perfectly secure:.

“A Man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:2.

To any who have not this “Hiding Place”, be sure to come to Him now, believing that you are a sinner, and that He died and rose to save you. We know not how soon the storm of judgment may break; but the Lord will first take His own from the world.

“Whoso putteth His trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25.

ML 04/26/1942

Annie's Reward

I wonder how many of my young readers go to Sunday school. Perhaps most of you do; and if so, I know that you are looking forward to the end of the year, when, very likely, you will receive a reward.

I am going to tell you about a little girl, nine years old, whose name was Annie. She went to Sunday school, and at the end of the year she had a reward given to her.

Well, I will tell you. It was a Bible.

In another Sunday school I know of, a Bible is given to each scholar for bringing eight new scholars, and a little girl received a nice Bible with her name, Louise J. Werner, in gold letters on the front cover.

Now this surely is the best gift anyone could possibly have, for the Bible tells us the way to heaven; and I am sure that every girl and boy wants to go there.

But you have all done naughty things, aid so God says,

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

He could not allow you to be in heaven with even one sin upon you; so if you are o be there, it must be without your sins.

But then the Bible tells us that God loved us so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world, but the people hated Him, and nailed Him to a cross of wood. And while He was hanging there, God laid on the Lord Jesus all the sins of those who believe on Him, and punished Him instead of them; as we read in 1 Peter 2:23,

“Who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”

So you see that if you come to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and simply believe that He died for you, God will pardon all your sins, and give you eternal life; then you will be ready for Jesus to come, for He said

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

We trust that all of our young friends will read their Bible and thus learn the blessed truths which are able to make them wise unto salvation.

The Bible tells us Jesus came

From glory bright and fair;

God’s perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb,

His mercy to declare.

The Bible tells us Jesus died,

A sacrifice for sin;

The gates of heaven to open wide

That all may enter in.

The Bible tells us Jesus rose

And left the silent grave,

Triumphant over all His foes

The mighty One to save.

The Bible tells us Jesus lives

Again upon the throne,

The blessed proof the Father gives

That mercy’s work is done.

The Bible tells us He will come

To take His saints away,

To dwell with Him in His sweet home,

Through everlasting day.

The Bible tells us all may come,

And drink at mercy’s stream;

And Jesus soon will share His home

With all who trust in Him.

Then let us value that blest Book,

And at its pages often look;

The Bible is God’s Word.

ML 04/26/1942

The Microscope

One day when I was a boy, my uncle invited me, with some other young frineds, to have tea and spend the evening at his home. During the evening, we were asked to have some fruit and figs—nothing was a greater treat to me. Well, we were enjoying these good things, and somone said,

“I should not be much surprised if the dust on these figs is alive with insects.”

This seemed to me impossible, as I had never heard of anything of the kind on figs before. I knew that rotten and bad meat had insects, also, stagnant water, too; but figs—the nicest of all things to my taste—could not, I thought, be like this.

“Let us see,” said my uncle; and he brought his microscope from the next room, and soon had it adjusted on the table. He then took some dust from a fig and put it on a slip of glass, and after looking at it, said,

“Come, and look for yourselves.”

I ran to the table and looked through the tube; and to my surprise, saw two or three insects that looked like tiny fat pigs. They seemed to be turning it over, and eating the best of the food. Seeing us look so disappointed when we found, that the sweet figs had such insects crawling over them, my uncle said,

“Why, what has the glass done?”

We knew that the glass had done nothing, except to open our eyes to the actual state and condition of the figs. My uncle said,

“Surely, it is better to know the truth than be deceived, though I fear by your looks that you wish you had not seen the insects, so that you might enjoy the figs more.”

I have never forgotten that evening, or the microscope, and what it taught us, and I sometimes think whether the Bible is not a kind of microscope for us now, because it shows us the truth about everything; it reveals the true state of our hearts, and the true state in the world in which we live.

One of the things that the Bible tells us, is, that by nature, our hearts are deceitful abouve all things and desperately wicked. This is very unwelcome knowledge, but how much better it is to know our trhu state, than to think we are all right and pleasing, to God.

Then it tells us the other side of it; how we may be cleansed from all our sins and evil ways; how we may be made fit for heaven and the presence of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, anti desperately wicked.” Jer. 17:9.

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

ML 04/26/1942

Minnie

Minnie came to my class a when she was six years old. Her parents were well to do, and lived in a pretty house in the country. She was brought to our Sunday school by one of the maidservants in the house, who was a bright Christian, and a teacher, in the school. Minnie begged to be allowed to accompany Annie to her class, and her parents, although worldly people, had a high esteem for their Christian maid and granted the child’s desire. She was most attentive scholar. She was a most attentive scholar. She could always repeat her Memory Text, and at our Annual Treat, she repeated the whole of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah without a mistake, bore the whole school, and many of the parents. It was a fine sight to see thy little bright-faced girl go up for her prize. And, best of all, I believe Minnie believed on the Lord Jesus, and received Him (John 1:12) as her own personal Saviour. She not only said so with her lips, but she showed it in her life.

On many a wintry day, the little figure clad in furs could be seen mounting the steps of the Children’s Hospital, having some little gift and message to the sick ones there. Minnie is a bright Christian.

“Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:26.

ML 04/26/1942

Wonder Seen by a Captive

Exekiel 1

One man taken from Jerusalem to the land of Chaldea, and kept a captive there, was named Ezekiel. One day he and other captives were out doors by a river, and God spoke to Ezekiel and opened the sky above and showed hill wonderful sights, called visions. Ezekiel was to tell of these to others, and hr wrote what he saw, which we have in our Bible.

Ezekiel saw as if a whirlwind came out of the north with a cloud and fire; and “four living creatures” came from theundst of the fire; these were not like any creatures we know; “they had the likeness of a man,” yet were like bright lamps or burning coals; they had “wheels within wheels”, each had two wings which partly hid them, and two wings which were joined to the others, so they flew altogether and very swiftly, with a noise “like the noise of many waters, as the noise of the Almighty, as the noise of an host (army)”. There was fire and lightning about them, and, most strange, these creatures seemed to have each four faces, like a man, like a lion, like an ox, and like an eagle.

Above these Ezekiel saw a throne, bright as precious stones, with fire and brightness around, and “the likeness of a man” on the throne.

When Ezekiel saw the strange and fearful vision, he fell on his face to the ground. We, too, bow our heads as we read this. We may understand but little of what the Lord wished to teach us, yet it is wonderful to think of His power and glory. The whirlwind, wheels and wings all show force and swift motion; fire and lightning quickly destroy, so these teach of power and swift judgment from the One who sent the “living creatures.” These seem to show God’s ways to rule over the earth, with intelligence of man, with: strength as a lion, with patient service as an ox, with alertness as an eagle.

Perhaps we can understand some of the teaching of the vision better than Ezekiel, because we know that the Son of God has been sent from above to teach God’s way; on earth; that He took the form of a man, but holy and different from all others. He did not then show His power to rule, but lived in patient service to God and to men, yet One from above as the eagle. Because He came so humble, we do not think about, His power and glory, but the scriptures tell that He will some day show His strength to rule over all the earth, as Ezekiel saw the appearance of a man on the bright throne. The colors of the rainbow were around that throne, which show God’s mercy. There is mercy for all who believe on His Son. Notice these scriptures:

“God, Who is rich in mercy ... .that ... . He might show the exceeding riches of His.... kindness toward us through Christ Jesus,” Eph. 2:4,7.

“Christ Jesus, Who ... ..took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5,7.

“He (God) hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world... by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31.

“Then shall they see the Son of man coming ... .with great power and glory.” Mark 13:26.

ML 04/26/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for February

“The Children’s Class”

1.“Shouldest not,” etc, Matt. 18:33.

2.“He said,” etc. 14:18.

3.“For whosoever,” etc. 13:12.

4.“While he yet,” etc. 17:5.

5.“The blind receive,’ etc. 11:5.

6.“And I say,” etc. 16:18.

7.“Behold, I send,” etc. 10:16.

Bible Questions for May

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Luke. chapters 1-12.

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, “How is it that ye do not discern this time?”

2. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Know the certainty of those things.”

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Host revealed them unto babes.”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Bring forth fruit with patience.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Which bringeth not forth good fruit.”

7.That words did the Lord Jesus read from the prophet Esaias, when He was in the synagogue at Nazareth?

Answers to Bible Questions for February

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1. That Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Matthew 16:18.

2. Than Jonas or Solomon, Matthew 12:41,42.

3. The end of the tribulation, Matthew 10:22,23.

4. The wayside; stoney places; among thorns; and good ground. Matthew 13:19-23.

5. To be converted, and become as a child. Matthew 18:3.

6.“Until seventy times seven. Matt. 18:22.

7.From the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes. Matthew 11:25.

Bible Questions for May

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Luke, chapters 1-12.

1. What action showed that the Lord approved of doing things in an orderly manner?

2.Where does the Lord give division?

3.What was the name of the angel who aounced the birth of Christ?

4.What should cause us to rejoice?

5.What did the heavenly host say at the birth of Christ?

6.What verse indicates we should be content with our wages?

7.When are we to leap for joy?

Never to be invited more

To enter by the open door,

Never to see the Saviour’s face,

Never to prove His saving grace,

Never to feel the Father’s kiss—

O reader! Hast thou thought of this?

Never to thank Him for His love,

Never to dwell with Him above,

Never His likeness true to bear,

Never His glory bright to share,

And joy at His right hand to miss—

O reader! Hast thou thought of this?

Never to hear His praises ring,

Never with saints above to sing;

But Christless in that awful throng

Who to the realms of woe belong;

Never to taste of endless bliss—

O reader! Hast thou thought of this?

Unto the depths of endless woe

Rejectors of the Saviour go;

Forbid the thought that you who read,

Should longer have no sense of need,

Of the only way to realms of bliss—

O! reader! Hast thou thought of this?

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

ML 05/03/1942

"Do It Now."

I was going through the warehouse of a large wholesale druggist in the city when I noticed a small ticket on the wall printed in red, with the words,

“Do it now,” and turning from one part of the building to another, I saw another and another of the same tickets on each side, all with the words,

“Do it now! ‘Do it now.”

This set me thinking as to what was the meaning of this brief sentence in all directions. Then I thought how, that in a business like that of a druggist, there must be many small things needing attention every day. An assistant might see that some bottles wanted cleaning and he would say to himself,

“I must see to that when I get time.” Then he would look up and see the notice, “Do it now.”

Another Man might see that shelves needed to be dusted, or parcels tied up securely, and he might say,

“Perhaps next week I shall be able to do these things.” Then all of a sudden he might turn round and a notice would catch his eye, with the words,

“Do it now.”

I do not suppose that they always do as the notice says, still there is the reminder and no doubt sometimes they may act on it.

Well now, I thought, if it is worth while printing cards like that, with refence to the small daily things of this life, so that things may be done at once instead of being put off, how much more important with reference to the things of eternity.

I do not suppose that any of the boys and girls who read “Messages of the Love of God” intend to put off the salvation of their souls so as to be lost forever, yet many seem to think that there is plenty of, time, another day will do to think of these things, and so the weeks and months roll by and still the thought is in their hearts, “Time enough.”

What a good thing it would be if in all our lives we could have a reminder, by a notice something like this:

“TRUST HIM NOW.”

Yet even this of itself would be of no avail if we disregard the many words of Scripture, which speak of a present saation, and warn us of the danger of delay.

Well, dear reader, think of the three words above, and if you do not have them on a card, let them be engraved on your memory, so that at some time you may give heed to the message to trust Him now.

“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.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML 05/03/1942

"Who Hath Created These Things."

As we look at this wonderful scene of God’s creation, how we are made to realize His greatness and glory!

As you look at such a picture, or as you witness such a scene, do your thoughts go out Him whose hand has formed it all?

“Befor the mountians were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” Psalms 90:2.

But if we only knew 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 05/03/1942

A Book and a Tile

Ezekiel 2 to 7

At the end of the vision of the power and glory of God which Ezekiel saw, a roll of a book was given to him, There was writing on both sides of roll, the telling of the woes to come to the people in and around Jerusalem. Then in the vision Ezekiel was told “to eat the roll”, and to feel the sorrows written on the roll as though they were his sorrows. In the vision he ate the roll, and he said the taste was sweet as honey. That was because he believed its words of God’s judgment were right, for it was because of the wicked ways of the people that trouble was to come.

God told Ezekiel to tell all His words to the Jewish people who were captives with him in Chaldea, although many did not want to hear; Ezekiel was to tell God’s words anyway, and not to fear their angry looks.

Ezekiel obeyed God, and went to some captives by a river, but the sadness of the troubles he should tell, astonished him so much he could not speak for seven days. He was to be as a watchman who warns of danger; he was to warn the people that trouble would come, unless they gave up their evil ways. If he did not warn, he would be wrong, yet he was told they would put bands on him to keep him front speaking.

This was about six years before the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, ye God told Ezekiel to show the people vihat would be done. He was to take a me or piece of flat metal or clay, and on that model to draw a city, then shape an army’s camp and fort outside, with battering rams, which were then used to break down walls (Ezek. 4:1,2). The people must have been curious when they saw this made.

Ezekiel was to stay by the me city himself many days, with only a small measure of grain for food, and small measures of water to drink. All this was to cause the people to realize the misery there would be in the city of Jerusalem when the army besieged it; some would die by the soldiers’ sword; some by famine, some flee to other lands, a few would be saved.

All that Ezekiel told the people proved true, and should have taught them to believe other words from God.

Do you know that all of us who believe God’s words now are to be as watchmen to tell people that God will save them if they believe Him? We do not tell them that they will be saved from trouble in some city, but, if they trust in God’s Son, their souls will be saved for eternity. We are to feel sorrow for any who may not know God’s words, as Ezekiel felt sorrow for the people then.

Jeremiah also spoke of eating God’s words, and that they were a joy to his heart (Jer. 15:16).

ML 05/03/1942

The Contented Flock

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

Did you ever read about sheep in God’s Word? Here is one verse that tells what the Shepherd says:

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

And here are other verses telling what the sheep says:

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Some of you can repeat all of this beautiful twenty-third Psalm.

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

What are the green pastures in which He makes us to lie down? What are pastures to the sheep in the picture? “Their food,” you say.

His pastures are not fields of green grass, such as the sheep in the picture feed upon. No, dear children, the Bible, the Word of God, is the pasture in which we find our food. And it is very precious food. The more we feed upon it, the more we enjoy it.

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

“Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165.

ML 05/10/1942

Jimmy

There was quite a crowd of children at the Sea-side Mission meeting. They were sitting round in a half-circle on the pebbles facing the Mission speaker. The speaker was a big man with a round, happy face and a smile that made you want to smile, too. He spoke quietly, but his voice carried a surprisingly long way. Everyone was listening very attentively to what he was saying, and from away down by the sea came the sound of children shouting and splashing in the water.

Suddenly, from behind the speaker, there appeared a flying figure with two big boys in pursuit. It was Jimmy!

Now Jimmy was never a very tidy little boy—after all he was only seven, but now, with his coat hanging half-off, his shirt-buttons all undone, and his hair hanging all over his eyes, he looked like a scareccrow. And with a rattle of pebbles and loud gasps for breath he landed plump in the middle of the Children’s Service, right at the speaker’s feet.

“They’re after me,” he gasped.

The speaker dismissed the two pursuers, and turned his attention to Jimmy himself. “What’s the trouble?” he asked.

“I kicked over their sand-castle and they come after me,” Jimmy explained. with tearful relief.

“But what did you do that for?”

“Well, I could see how it looked when it was standing up like, and I wanted to see what it would look like kicked down, so I did it, and then they come after me.”

“O, I see. What’s your name?” “Jimmy, sir.”

“Well, Jimmy, I think you’d better sit down with the rest now and listen,”

Having finished what be had been saying, the man presently started them singing choruses. Jimmy noticed that most of the children knew them.

“Been here before,” he thought.

There was one they seemed very fond of,

“Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but He is strong.”

They sang it several times and Jimmy had just got the tune when the man asked if anyone would like to come up and sing it by themselves. Now Jimmy was a little street-boy, and boys will always try anything once, so Jimmy stepped forward.

“Well, come on Jimmy. Let’s see if you can sing choruses as well as you kick over sand-castles. Ready with the music? Right: one—two—three.”

“Jesus loves me this I know,

For the Bible tells me so ... .”

Jimmy got through it quite well, with help from the man when he went wrong, and the other children clapped.

“Quite good, Jimmy,” said the man. patting him on the shoulder. “Do you believe what you’ve just sung?”

“No, sir,” said Jimmy, frankly.

“But why did you sing it if you don’t. believe it?”

“Well, you asked me to, didn’t you?” Jimmy replied. The man smiled and sent him back to his place.

“Well, you know how to tell the truth, Jimmy. And that’s a lot,” was all he said, but when he came to speak to the children, after the choruses were finished, he made the Gospel story of the Lord Jesus very simple, and he often looked at Jimmy while he was talking.

But Jimmy was not listening very much. The words he had sung, and said he didn’t believe, kept running through his mind, and when the meeting had finished, and the other children had gone, he came up to the man.

“Hello, Jimmy, what is it now?”

“I want to know where the Bible tells me so, that Jesus loves me,” he said.

A little black book, with gold and red edges, appeared in the man’s hand from nowhere—like a conjuring trick, Jimmy thought—and in that quiet, penetrating voice Jimmy heard,

“And Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God ... . And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” Luke 10:14,16.

And then, for a quarter of an hour, the speaker of the Children’s Mission explained to this ragged little street-boy, down at the seaside in a holiday home, how Jesus loved him, and died so sadly and shamefully, so that he, Jimmy, could go to heaven. Jimmy listened very carefully and then he asked:

“Can I come and sing that again tomorrow?”

“Of course you can.”

Jimmy thought hard for a minute, for he was a truthful boy, and wanted to get the number right.

“And I shall sing it—about— ‘free times gooder’ this time, ‘cos I believe it now,” he said.

And that was how Jimmy found out that Jesus loved him.

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:21.

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

ML 05/10/1942

A Baby and the Snake

In India ther was a little baby whose parents were Christians. Once they were, as thousands still are in that country, worshipers of idols, but they heard of Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of sinners, and believing on Him, they were saved. Their little baby girl, who was not able to walk, had crept into the yard, and had been amusing herself for some time. When the mother looked out, she saw to her horror; that the child had hold of a snake. What was she to do? If she ran forward to grasp it, it would surely bite the child, and its bite would be death. She knelt down and prayed to God to keep the child from being bitten by the snake. As she rose from prayer, a tame cat came into the yard, and the child seeing the “pussy”, threw away the snake, and began to stroke the cat.

The story of this little child has its lessons for boys and girls everywhere. Sin is like that poisonous snake, it will bite at the end.

“Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15.

But when Christ is received into the heart, sin loses its power to charm. The heart has something better, pleasures that leave no sting, that do not wither, even pleasures for evermore.

If you do not know Jesus, you do not yet know what true pleasure is.

The mother at once seized her child, and hurried from the place of danger, with a thankful heart to the Lord for protecting her dear child, and delivering it from the attractive power of harm. She let go the deadly snake when a new object met her eye, and filled her hand. The snake ceased to charm; it had lost its power.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” Ephesians 3:17.

ML 05/10/1942

The Sweetest Name

I asked a little darling child,

“Which is the sweetest name?”

And from her lips, without a pause,

The accents, “Jesus,” came,

“And do you know,” continued I,

“One who that name doth own?”

“I do, I do I” she sweetly said,

“His sits on heaven’s bright throne.”

“And why does He, my precious child,

The name of Jesus bear?”

A smile at once lit up her face,

So pleasing and so fair:

“He bears the name,” her answer was

“Because He shed His blood

To save the wretched and the lost,

And bring them nigh to God.”

ML 05/10/1942

God's Bright Cloud Leaving Earth

Ezekiel 8 to 13

You remember hearing about the bright cloud of fire God kept over the tents of the people of Israel each night for so many years while they lived in the wilderness places. Then we read, God sent His bright cloud into the great Temple at Jerusalem, and it rested over the golden ark in the inner room over four-hundred years! But most of the people did not prize God’s care over them; they chose to honor idols, as their heathen neighbors.

God was very patient to send men to show them their wrong, but at last He showed Ezekiel in a vision as though he were looking into the Temple, and could see pictures of all sorts of creeping things and idols on the walls, and men offering incense to them, and saying, “God seeth us not” (Ezek. 8:10-16). Other men were worshiping the sun. At the gate he saw women crying for an idol.

Then the Lord showed Ezekiel in the vision that His cloud of glory must leave the Temple; he saw the living creatures again, showing judgment on the city, Then he saw the wonderful cloud of glory lift up from the ark, rise above the Temple and the city, and stand on a mountain east of Jerusalem. From this we know that the glory of God had left the temple before the enemy broke down its walls.

We are not told of the cloud of God’s glory being on earth again. It was over five-hundred years after, that the Son of God came from heaven to show God’s glory, and give light and life to the world, but many did not prize Him either, and He went up from the earth from the same mount (Acts 1:12).

Ezekiel was to show the people just how the princes of Jerusalem would try to escape from the city, carrying their treasures. He was to dig a hole through the wall where he lived, and carry bundles there then when early evening came, and his people were near, he was to cover his face and crawl through the hole with the things; as though not wanting to be seen.

Ezekiel did as God said he dug the hole in the wall one evening, carried out his things in the day, and at twilight, he crawled through the place in the wall with his bundles and with his face covered.

This may have seemed very foolish to the people who saw him. But the next morning God told Ezekiel to tell the people, that as he had crawled through the wall, so the prince of Jerusalem would cover his face, disguise himself, and crawl away from the city at night; that his soldiers would leave him, and he would be brought a prisoner to Babylon, “yet he should not see the land” (Ezek. 12:13).

It was not very long after God told this to Ezekiel until it happened, for He said, “The days are at hand” (Ezek. 12:23).

That prince, or king, was Zedekiah, he escaped from Jerusalem at night through a gate, or gap between two walls; his soilders left him, and he was carried to Babylon, but he could not see the land. (Read Jer. 39:4,7).

Even when God told Ezekiel of the destruction of Jerusalem, He also told him that He would gather the people again to their land, saying,

“They shall be My people and I will be their God.” Eze. 11:20.

ML 05/10/1942

Happiness

This circle of children with their bright, happy faces reminds us of the many times we, too, have played on the lawn, or in the meadows and woods. Surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers, we have often listened to the merry songs of the birds, and felt thankful to God for allowing us to enjoy all these pleasant things.

What a good time they are having! God intends that children, as well as grown people, should be happy, but how much depends on what makes them happy!

Children cannot be happy if they are not obedient to their parents, for they are displeasing the Lord when they do not give heed to their parents’ wishes and obey them.

God blesses the children who listen. to father and mother, for they love you and want you to find your pleasures in that which is right, and if we love them, we shall seek to please them in our ways.

It is when we realize how much God loves us, that we are led to love Him, His love cannot be measured: the gift of His own blessed Son, Jesus proves this to us. What goodness God shows us, to Himself prepare a way so that we can come to Him and be saved.

If we come to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, then we shall be happy, and will seek to please Him in all our ways.

We shall never realize how much Jesus loves us until we are taken to be with Him then we shall have a whole eternity to praise Him for saving us, and taking such good care of us each day while we were on earth.

“PRAISE THE LORD; FOR THE LORD IS GOOD: SING PRAISES UNTO HIS NAME; FOR IT IS PLEASANT.” Psa. 135:3.

ML 05/17/1942

"Come"

It was a cold day, the sea was rough, and the wind boisteus, and as we were resting awhile beside a shelter on the beach, noticing an old boatman close by, we spoke to him as to the prospects of the weather.

“Forty years have I been here on this beach,” he said, “but I remember those days well. Ah! those were very different times; the fishermen and boatmen there were a rough set then, and though there was a little ‘Bethel’ there, the ‘Rag’ we called it, there were few places where us seafaring men could be spoken to, or could hear anything about Jesus.”

“Do you know Jesus?” we asked.

“Yes, thank God,” replied the old boatman, “I do.”

“Do you know Him as your Saviour?”

“O yes,” he answered, “I know I am saved. I knew about Him then, in a way, and ever since I was a child. But I grew up rather wild, and always went out with my boat on Sundays, as I’m sorry to say my son does now. I was a seven-day worker then, and when I came here, I did the same, though my conscience often used to trouble me. But the Lord had to bring me right down low. I had taken a fish shop, but times became bad, and then a long illness overtook me, I got downright hard up, though I didn’t like to tell anybody, till at last it came about that our very last penny was spent. Just then, a lady heard how ill I was, and called to see me—a minister’s wife she was, —and so my wife told her how I couldn’t get the strengthening food I needed, and her husband brought me a little help.”

Waving his hand towards his boats, and indicating a row of some dozen or more bathing machines at a little distance, he added,

“All these are mine now, and they all sprang out of those few dollars. That was the turning point of my life in another way too, for the first Sunday I could get out I thought I would go and hear the minister preach, and the Lord sent the word straight home to my heart. I do remember the verse now I went back to my bedside, and kneeling down, there and then, asked God to save me, a poor lost sinner, and, praise His name, He forgave me. Since I’ve belonged to Jesus, I’ve been a six-day worker, and I do ask Him every morning to give me some oppounity that day to serve Him in my humble little way, whether by giving a penny to some poor man, or saying a word to some rich man, and He does give me such openings, it’s just wonderful!”

The old boatman’s happy, weather-beaten face told its own story of the joy of such service.

“I’m getting old now,” he continued, “and I don’t often go out with my boats, except sometimes with the visitors’ families, for I do love little children, and what do you think?” he added, with a bright smile, “I’m having a new boat built, you know, and I ask the children to guess the name I’m going to give her. Some say one name and some another, and they grow quite curious to know.

‘Well,’ I say, ‘I’m going to call her Come.’

‘O! they say, ‘What a strange name!’ And then I tell them how Jesus said,

‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me,’ and that He wants them to come, and so I talk to them of Jesus and His love.”

May we from his simple faith in wiessing for Christ, be stirred up to more faithfulness to Him, till He comes for all of His own saved ones.

“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 he saved.” Romans 10:9.

ML 05/17/1942

"What's This; Religion?"

We were about to hold a gospel meeting at the street corner. Before commencing I gave away some tracts on the opposite side of the road. I handed one to a young girl with the desire that she should read it, and that it might be used by the Lord for the blessing of her soul. She snatched it out of my hand, and without even opening its pages, made the remark,

“What’s this, religion?” and immediately tore it into pieces, threw them into my face and passed on.

Some of my young readers may say, “What a wicked thing to do!”

But it is what many are doing with me gospel. The little book did not speak of religion. It told of a Person who had died for poor lost sinners, both young and old, that they might live. He has expressed His love by going into death, and that in order to win our love.

This was the wonderful message that the girl refused. She concluded that I was only trying to force religion upon her, but the gospel does not speak of religion, but of a real living Person—a Saviour. Not only for a certain class of people often called the good ones. No! He is a Saviour for all, and there is no salvation in any other.

He saves the youngest and the poorest who come to Him. He blessed the little children when He was here, and is still blessing them today.

Have you been blessed? If not, it is because you have not come to the Saviour. The girl I have told you of, refused the blessing that was presented to her in the little book. You may have refused it in another way. Not quite so openly as she did. You may have sat with your parents under the sound of the gospel many times, but up to the present not given your heart to the Saviour. But He still waits to bless you. He died to win your heart, your affections.

He now lives at God’s right hand, and is patiently watching for response from you.

ML 05/17/1942

The Right Side

I have a very pretty story to tell my readers of a little girl who loved the stars, and moon, and all that is in the sky, for she would say,

“My heavenly Father made them all,” and would lie awake when in her little bed and look through the window at the beautiful sky, and would thank God for His love in allowing His only Son to leave those beautiful heavens to come down and die for her upon the cross.

One day her Mamma was working upon some velvet, when little Nellie picked up a piece, and noticed that one side was soft and smooth, while the other was rough and hard, and being very much surprised, asked her Mamma how it could be. Her Mamma explained that nearly everything has a right and a wrong side, and that the wrong side is generally rougher and harder than the right.

The little girl thought over this-a great deal, and when lying in her little bed. looking through the open window out to the beautiful sky, her Mamma came into the room. Nellie was quite overcome with the beautiful sky, but her thoughts were above it, as she said,

“O! Mamma, if God made the wrong side of heaven so beautiful, what must the right side be like?” And is this not true, dear children?

We are not on the right side of heaven now, but when we get where Jesus is, all will be beautiful and fair and bright, for where Jesus is, there can be no sin, no more sorrow, no crying; then we will be on the right side with Him. The Bible says,

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.” 1 Cor. 2:9,10.

How happy to be among those on the right side of heaven in that great day when those who are ready will go in with the bridegroom and—the door will be shut; but how sad to be among those on the wrong side with the door shut between them and Jesus.

O! May none of my dear readers know the horrors of being left on the wrong side when Jesus comes.

ML 05/17/1942

The Captives' Children

Ezekiel 14 to 24

The king of Babylon had taken people several times from Jerusalem before he took the last king and destroyed the city, so, many of them may have been there before Ezekiel. They were men of skill and learning whom the king wanted to help in his land.

It seems that some of those men had sons and daughters left in Jerusalem, and of course they were greatly troubled because Ezekiel said that Jerusalem would soon be destroyed. One day some of those men came to talk to Ezekiel. He told them plainly that because of the great sins of the people there, God would surely let the enemy take the city.

God told Ezekiel to tell the men that even if such righteous men as Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, they could not save others from the troubles. Noah and Job were not alive then, but Daniel was a captive in the same land as Ezekiel and the other men, and all knew he was faithful to God. Yet God said if those three good men could be in Jerusalem, they “could deliver neither son nor daughter.” “They shall but deliver their own souls.” Eze. 14:14,20. The sons and daughters must believe God themselves, for Him to save them from death in the city.

Then God told Ezekiel to tell them that some of the sons and daughters would be saved, and brought to their fathers in Chaldea, bfere is the promise:

“Behold, therein shall be a remnant. (a few) that shall be brought forth, sons and daughters: behold they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted.” Ezekiel 14:22.

So a few sons and daughters believed God, yet not many. But what a good hope that would be for the fathers who believed God! They would know that after the sad years away from their children, they would again have them with them, if the sons and daughters believed God. When they carne, they would show that they did not live as those wild did not believe God.

Then the fathers would see that the troubles in Jerusalem had shown the boys and girls that idols could not help them, and that God’s words were true. Even though they would be in the foreign land many years, they would be comforted with their children. Some of those sons and daughters were probably among the people who afterward returned to Jerusalem.

The nation has had many sorrows since then, and God said,

“I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until HE come whose right it is; and I will give it Him.” Ezekiel 21:27.

Perhaps you know from the New Testament Who has the right to rule over Israel and over all the earth.

Do you think a good father now can save his sons and daughters from sin? No, they must believe God for themselves.

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

ML 05/17/1942

The City of Venice

Can you imagine a city built on little islands, and having streets of water? That is the kind of city we have in our picture the narrow strip of water you see, is called a canal, and there are one hundred and fifty canals like this in the city, and the people have to use boats on these canals to go from one builng to another, or one of the many bridges. There are over three hundred bridges there.

This city is called Venice, and is noted for its beauty; it has wonderful buildings, and grand works of art. The city is far from us— away across the ocean on the coast of Italy.

There is a place, however, far, far more wonderful in beauty, than this city of Venice, and, dear children, every one of you may go there some day, if you just will. Do you know where this place is? There is only one way of getting there. Look in your Bibles at John 14:2, Jesus said,

“I go to prepare a place for you,” and that place is in heaven. Jesus said,

“In My Father’s house are many mansions,” but you can never get to those beautiful mansions, unless you find Him as your Saviour now, while you are down here. He said again, in verse six,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” So, believing in Jesus now, is the only way to get to that beautiful place, where all children want to go.

But you would be very, very unhappy there, if you had not learned to know the Lord Jesus while on earth, and had not been cleansed from your sins. People only will be there who can say that they were lost, and then were “redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.”

“IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OT SINS.’” Ephesians 1:7.

ML 05/24/1942

"Salvation is of the Lord."

Jonah 2:9.

While visiting in a village near D—, I often met a man, who I found was anxious about his soul’s welfare, I often went to his house and read the Bible and explained it to him.

He was apparently honest, and said he had been anxious, since a man met him one day and solemnly warned him, that if he did not seek God, he would die in his sins, and be lost for all eternity. He never could forget what was said to him, but remarked that he had read his Bible, and knew about Jesus, but could not say he was saved.

I then gave him a marked testament and advised him to study it prayerfully. Some time after this, I heard he had not peace, and so I hastened to see him, earnestly praying to God to do the work in his soul.

I found him very anxious; I never felt my own helplessness more, and slowly and distinctly read a few passages of scripture, looking to God alone for convincing and converting power.

While reading to him John 5:24, it occurred to me that what the clear man needed was faith in Christ. I said to him,

“I think I see why you are not saved, you do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Yes, I do.”

“God says, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.’ What does H-A-T-H, mean? You say you believe, and have not, thus making God a liar!”

“O!” said he, “I never saw that before.” I quietly waited a few minutes, asking God not to let the message be in vain this time.

Soon the man, with a radiant face, exclaimed,

“I’m safe in the arms of Jesus.”

I went home rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord.

“Jesus Christ: Whom not having seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:7,8.

ML 05/24/1942

Florrie

Florrie was a lonely little girl. All her brothers and sisters were grown up, her parents were getting old and she was left very much to herself. But worse than all, she was not sent to a Sunday school, so that she knew very little about the Lord Jesus, the Friend of little children. Still, she did long to know more, and when they sang at the day-school the hymn beginning,

“I think when I read that sweet story of old,” she meant with all her heart the lines.

“I wish that His hands had been placed on my head,

That His arms had been thrown around me.”

And though she did not know how to pray, yet she always said, before going to sleep.

“O God, make me good.”

“I need Thee, O, I need Thee.”

“I am Thine, O Lord.”

One of her brothers had an organ, and when he was learning, he used to play over hymn tunes because he found them easy, and in this way Florrie came to know a number of hymns.

One day, while she was busy in the house, she felt a great longing to be a Christian, and the words of one of the hymns she knew came to her mind,

“I need Thee, O, I need Thee.”

She sang it through, and after that another hymn,

“I am Thine, O Lord.”

The words of these hymns spoke to her and she felt that somehow, she did belong to the Lord Jesus, but she still did not feel any better—indeed, she knew that she was very wicked.

On one occasion Florrie went for a ride with a friend in the country. They found a beautiful spot under some trees for a rest. There was no sound except the sinng of birds; and the beauty and peace all around made Florrie feel that God was near. But it made her exclaim:

“This makes me think of my sins,” to the surprise and amusement of her friend.

You see, she did not know what it is to have “peace with God,” and though this experience made her decide to attend church, she did not find the Saviour she needed, for she could not understand the service or even join in the singing.

Soon after this she visited some new friends, and it was through them that God answered the desires of her heart, as you shall hear.

Not long after, a special mission was held in a hall, and her friends asked Florrie to go with them to the service, When the service was over a lady asked Florrie if she knew the Lord Jesus as her Saviour.

“No,” said Florrie.

“Wouldn’t you like to?” asked the lady. Florrie, of course, said,

“Yes,” and the lady opened her Bible and read,

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“Do you believe that?” she asked. Florrie said that she did.

“Well, you are saved,” said the lady. “No, I am not,” answered Florrie, “I have always believed that.”

“Then let us read the verse again,” and this time the lady read:

“For God so loved Florrie, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if Florrie believed on Him, she should not perish but have everlasting life. Do you believe that?”

“Yes,” said Florrie.

“Then you are saved,”

But Florrie could not believe that she was saved, so, after showing her other texts, the lady knelt down and asked the Lord to show Florrie that she “that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

Florrie went to every service after that, and a few weeks later she realized that “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” At another time the text preached from was,

“Lord, Lord, open unto us.”

Florrie went home, and for the first time in her life her mother saw her kneel down. Silently, in her heart, she said,

“Lord, open to me,” and from that moment she knew that the Lord Jesus, really had died on the cross of Calvary for her sins, and that those sins which had troubled her for so long were now gone.

If some kind little friend, had said to her:

“Will you come to Sunday school with me?” she might have been happy and at peace long before.

So if you know any little girls or boys who do not go to Sunday school, invite them to come with you. They may be too shy to go alone, as Florrie was.

Come to the Lord Jesus yourself, and then try to bring others to Him, remeering the words,

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

ML 05/24/1942

The New Body

A very little girl heard about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His raising up those whose bodies are in the grave, and their spirits are with the Lord, and changing all the believers who are alive on the earth when He comes, and giving them bodies of glory. So one day when her mother was sick and moving about the house with great pain, she came to her and said:

“O, Mamma, won’t you be glad when the Lord comes, and you get a new body?”

Was not that a sweet word of comfort, leading that mother’s mind to the “blessed hope,” and to what was awating her in glory?

All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be caught up to meet Him at His coming, and so he forever with the Lord. He will change their bodies and give them bodies of glory like His.

“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.

ML 05/24/1942

A Proud Prince

Ezekiel 25 to 28

One of the greatest seaports of olden times was Tyre, also called Tyrus. This city was northwest of Jerusalem on the shore of the Great Sea; part of it was built on an island close to the mainland, and there was a fine harbor for ships. Men from the countries we call Europe and Africa brought boat loads of things there to sell or trade, and men from all parts of Asia came in caravans to sell the things made or grown in their countries. So it was a central market for all the world of that time; many sailors and rich merchants had homes there.

Here are some of the things that were bought and sold in Tyre’s markets and fairs: iron, lead, tin, brass, silver, gold, coral, precious stones, ebony and other choice woods, ivory, grain, honey, oil, spices, wine, linen, embroidered garments, wool, sheep, goats, horses and mules; even men were sold there for slaves (Ezek. 27).

The places from which things were sent, are not all known to us, but were well known to people then, as Sheba, the home of the rich queen who came from the south to bear the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10; Matt. 12:42).

The ruler of Tyre, called a prince, was very wise in his plans for trade, and had great treasures of gold and silver. He was very proud and selfish with his wealth, and instead of giving honor to the Lord, who had created the many things of the earth, he said that he himself “was a God, and sat in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas” (Ezek. 28:2).

The Lord knew the thoughts of the prince, and told Ezekiel that he and other rulers and their people who lived not far from Jerusalem would he glad when the army from Babylon would break down the walls of Jerusalem; that they would clap their hands and stamp their feet, and the selfish rulers would say “Aha!” thinking they could then take the riches of Jerusalem for themselves. But God told Ezekiel that all these proud nations would also be conquered by the same strong army.

The Lord also told Ezekiel to write of a proud, wicked “cherub”, or angel called the “king of Tyres,” because he led the prince and people of Tyre in their selfish, ways. God said this one was created with wisdom and great beauty, but became proud, and sinned greatly.

In other parts of the Bible, that wicked one is called Satan, or the devil. When the Son of God was on earth, Satan even tried to tempt Him to worship him (Matt. 4:9,10).

When the rulers or people of any city or country, forget that the Lord has given them the good things of the earth, and are proud and selfish, they are like the prince and people of Tyre.

ML 05/24/1942

The Ducklings

You know, dear children, God has many feathered creatures in His creation. Among them is the cluck 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 diey are the happiest when near it.

Now, my dear little readers, if God so cares for His feathered creatures, providing 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 respector 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 let us reason together, saith the Lord: through your sins be as scarlet, they sahll be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.

ML 05/31/1942

"How Do I Know?"

Clarissa T. ran lightly down the steps of the Art School where she had just been taking her weekly painting lesson. There was a happy smile on her lips as she tripped along the road that led to the station. Life had such a different meaning to her since she had become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whose atonement she had access to a Heavenly Father’s love, and to all the blessing’s that belong to His children. She rejoiced in the words,

“All things are yours, and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:22, 23.

She was ever on the alert to uplift His blessed Name—by the help of the Holy Spirit—and to show Whose she was, and Whom she served.

It was race day, and the platform was crowded with “all sorts and conditions of men.” As the train arrived and came to a standstill, Clarissa was literally lifted off her feet in the mad rush for seats. In her bewilderment she hardly knew where to go, until she found herself hustled along to the open door of a coach where there happened to be one vacant place. She seized this opportunity and scrambled in, only too thankful to get a seat at all. Then with a shrill whistle, the train steamed out of the station.

As she glanced round from her corner, she found that she was the only woman in a smoking compartment full of men who evidently belonged to the racing and betting order. But they were too much engrossed with the races to take any notice of her.

What could she do in such company to show her colors and to glorify the Name she so much revered? Down in her leather bag, reposing among her brushes, palette and paint-box, was her Bible, which accompanied her everywhere. Drawing it forth she laid it on her lap. Her cheeks were flushed as she glanced around once more, and met the curious gaze of the man in the opposite corner.

He leaned forward on his folded arms, and observed with deliberate purpose,

“Do you believe in that Book?”

These words were so pointed that the conversation ceased, and all eyes were turned towards her.

“O, yes, yes, indeed I do!” she responded earnestly; and she clasped it to her heart, thus emphasizing her words by this involuntary action.

“How do you know it is true?” persisted her questioner as he looked straight at her.

There was a moment’s pause. Clarissa’s, eyes tilled with tears, and she could hardly keep from sobbing-as she prayed that the Spirit would make her a witness to the truth of the Living Word.

“How do I know?” she repeated, in wonder at such a question. “Because it is ‘discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,’ Hebrews 4:12. Read this Book, and you will find that it knows and understands everything about you. It drags to the surface all our inmost thoughts and motives. It is a faithful mirror, reflecting us exactly as we are. It is thus we discover our real selves.”

She paused for a moment in thought, then continued,

“We are living in a world that has fallen under the power of death. But, thank God! there is a living Word in a dying world whose great purpose is—to give us Life Eternal!” Here her face became irradiated!

“‘Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and every one that loveth Him that begat, loveth, Him also that is begotten of Him... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’ 1 John 5:1,4.

This Living Word discerns our needs—it meets those needs. It teaches us how to live, and how to die. Would that others had the same joy and peace in believing, that I have! Listen to Christ’s invitation: ‘Let him that is athirst come. And whoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.’” Revelation 22:17.

Clarissa ceased speaking; her words, so bravely spoken, carried conviction with them to more than one haert, and for awhile there was a solenm hush in the railway coach.

As the train steamed slowly into a little country station, Clarissa’s questioner rose to his feet, and taking down his satchel from the rack above him, remarked,

“You are a brave girl, and I am a coward! I am sure we all ought to be grateful to you for your striking defense of the truth of the Bible.”

“The Word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

ML 05/31/1942

The Two Joes

Little Joe was the eldest of the family, and the only boy. His parents felt very sad when he was taken ill, and the doctor said he could not get better, but although only nine years old, Joe himself was able to comfort them. He said to his father and mother one day, “I and going to live with Jesus.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know that I am a sinner, hut Jesus died for sinners, and I know that He died for me, and now He is going to take me to live with Him.”

What a comfort this was to their hearts, and how thankful they were to God for turning little Joe’s heart to the Saviour. Not many days after that, he went home to live with Jesus.

Since then Joe’s father has gone to live with Jesus too, and they will both be with the Lord Jesus when He comes in the air to take us to be with Himself forever.

I wonder how many of my little readers know that if they were called to leave this world, they would go to live with Jesus.

Do you, like little Joe, know that you are a sinner, and that Jesus the Saviour died for you?

The other Joe was also the eldest of a family; he was, about eighteen when God called him home.

When very ill he said to his parents,

“I know I am going to be with the Lord, I have known Jesus as my Saviour for some weeks now; I came as a sinner to Him one night at the preaching at H—, and knew that He had saved me, but O! I was afraid to confess Him, and now I feel that he is taking me home because I did not own Him. O! do tell L. who I know believes in Jesus, and any young people you know, not to be afraid of confessing the Lord Jesus, for I do wish I had done so when I was well and strong.”

Perhaps some of my readers do know Christ as their Saviour, but have been afraid to say so. Well, my dear friends, do not be afraid to speak of Jesus, and His love. He has done so much for you, and can you not speak one little word for Him?

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

“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.” Romans 10:9.

ML 05/31/1942

Early Seek the Lord

Early seek the Lord, the Saviour;

Walk with Him from day to day,

Listen for the “still, small whisper,”

Follow where He leads the way.

Read His Word, and heed the message,

Bind them closely to thy heart;

Cherish them above all others,

Never let His words depart.

When thou walkest, they will guide thee,

Guard thy slumber through the night,

Give thee strength whene’er thou runnest,

Lead thee in the path of right.

Children, give your hearts to Jesus,

Do not tarry nor delay;

Soon He’s coming for His loved ones,

With Him dwell through endless day.

ML 05/31/1942

Egypt and Its River

Ezekiel 29 to 33

In Egypt the fields are not watered by rains as in most lands, but by the waters of the River Nile; at certain times much water flows into this river from other rivers, so it flows over the banks unto the fields and orchards. Long ago the men there made canals to hold some of the water, and when the rest dries off or flows back, the people plant their grain and vegetables in the wet rich soil, and grow two or more good crops each year.

Do you remember how in the time of Joseph, there was so much grain grown in the good years in Egypt, that people came from other countries to buy? (Gen. 41:57).

There was also a good supply of fish in the river; so the people of Egypt have always depended on the River Nile for their food, and thought so much of it, they have even worshiped it.

Long ago they were a powerful nation, and ruled over other people; their ruler was called Pharaoh; most of these kings seem to have been proud and cruel. The Pharaoh who lived in the time of Ezekiel was especially proud, he said,

“My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself” (vs. 3). He gave no honor to the Lord, and thought he did not need Him.

God told Ezekiel that the king and people of Egypt would be conquered by the army from Babylon, the same as the other nations nearby. He said the land would be “desolate”, and the people would he scattered, and flee to other countries; and even when they did come back after many years, they would not be a great nation, nor rule over other people (Ezek. 29:9 to 12).

All that God told Ezekiel came true; we hear much about Egypt now, but not as a great nation. God told Ezekiel of other nations to be conquered: Moab, Edom and others.

The Lord again told Ezekiel that he should be as a watchman, one who blew a trumpet to warn a city that an enemy was coming; if the watchman blew the trumpet, yet the people did not prepare for the enemy, the watchman was not to blame; but if the watchman did not warn them., he was to blame. Ezekiel was not to stand on the wall to watch for an enemy, but to tell the people that if they kept on in sins, trouble would surely come to them. These are words God told Ezekiel to tell the people of Israel,

“As, I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his ways and live.” Eze. 33:11.

The people listened to the words Ezekiel told them, but many did not obey. But when those sorrows came, they knew Ezekiel had told them truly. God said,

“And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come), then shall they know a prophet hath been among them.” Eze. 33:33.

God still wants those who believe Him, to tell others His words; He wants all to believe and trust His Son, the Lord Jesus, but if they will not believe Him, God has said judgment or punishment must be for them. Let us remember these words of God, “Lo, it will come.”

ML 05/31/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for March

“The Children’s Class”

1.“Teaching them,” etc. Matt. 28:20.

2.“And he saith,” etc. 22:12.

3.“And every one,” etc. 19:29.

4.“And whosoever,” etc. 23:12.

5.“There came,” etc. 26:7.

6.“Heaven and earth,” etc. 24:35.

7.“When the even,” etc. 27:57.

Bible Questions for June

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be f mind in Luke, chs. 13-24

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “It maybe they will reverence him.”

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “And forbid them not.”

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “But where are the nine?”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “And they began to be merry.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Bearing a pitcher of water.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The things concerning himself.”

7.What was the Lord’s answer to those who told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices?

Answers to Bible Questions for March

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Matt. 24:1,

2.Matt. 28:20.

3.They that were ready. Matt. 25:10.

4.Matt. 26:26-28.

5.To Himself, Matt. 19:14.

6.An angel from heaven. Matt. 28:2.

7.Matt. 27:46,

Bible Questions for June

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Luke, chs. 13-24

1.When are we asked to hate father, mother, wife, etc.?

2.What verse shows that all the Old Testament spoke of Christ?

3.What verse shows the longing that the Lord had for Jerusalem?

4.What was the acceptable prayer of the publican?

5.When did salvation come to Zacchaeus’ house?

6.What three things overcharge our hearts?

7.What use are we to make of the mammon of unrighteousness?

Note on Bible Question No. 7 in the Jan. 4th paper:

“How did the Lord take our Infirmities?”

The context, Matt. 8:15-17, makes the answer clear beyond a doubt, that it was a matter of our Lord’s bearing on His heart and in His Spirit the burdens of those whom He, healed.

Compare Mark 4:37, “He sighed”; also John 11:38, “groaning in Himself.”

It is a great error to attribute the Lord’s “taking our infirmities” to the sufferings He endured on the cross: All this was accomplished before He went to the cross.

ML 06/07/1942

Little Helpers

When boys and girls have been brought to the Lord, and really trust in Jesus as their Saviour, it is a very happy thing if they can help, to bring blessing to their young friends.

It is not always easy to speak of Jesus, especially to those who have known us in our unconverted days, but there are two ways in which all may help.

One is by inviting others to go with us to a school or gospel address.

Soon after I knew I was saved I felt a great interest in a young man I had known for some time.

I called on him and told him how I had received blessing, and asked if he would go with me one evening to hear the gospel preached.

Hr heard what I had to say, but only laughed. However, I called again and again, till at last one day, out of curiosity, he said,

“Yes, I’ll come.”

That night a great work went on in his soul, and he was saved. I did not know it at the time, but he told me about it a few days afterward. O, how glad I was that I had not given up asking him to go.

The other way to help, is to pray for those who are still unsaved. God loves to answer prayer, and He loves to see those who are really His sheep and lambs taking an interest in each other, not because they know each other well, but because they each belong to Jesus.

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

ML 06/07/1942

The Text That Gave Me Light

I had been anxious to be saved, but could not see how anyone could know for certain, unless some great change were felt, or some revelation given. My mother always had a Text Almanac on the wall, it was put up on New Year Morning and remained there all the year. I seldom read it, but on this particular Sunday afternoon I was alone and felt unhappy. So to pass the time, I went across to the Almanac, and the first word that my eye fell on was, “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10, That word gave me light, I knew well I was one of the “lost”—lost in sin, lost to God and heaven. That just suited me. I never saw it so clear before. From that day till now, I have rejoiced in the glorious truth that it was lost sinners whom Jesus came to save, and that I am one of them.

I am still a school boy and have many temptations, but I find the Lord Jesus is “able to save” (Heb. 7:25), every day, and from all kinds of sin and evil. So I simply trust Him, and go on my way rejoicing, seeking to follow Him and obey His Word. I find His yoke is easy.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27.

ML 06/07/1942

"I Beheld the Lamb of God."

A dear little girl in our Sunday school was converted, while one of the teachers was giving a five minutes’ address at the close of the. lesson, from the precious text,

“Behold the Lamb of God.”

I saw Nellie’s face beamed with a new joy, and asked,

“Are you saved, Nellie?”

“Yes,” she said, “Six weeks ago.” “How was that?” I asked.

“I beheld the Lamb of God, dying for me upon the Cross. I believed He tock my sins away by His death, and I have been peaceful and happy ever since.”

So little Nellie might be. So will you if you,

“Behold the Lamb of God.” John 1:36.

“Redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:19.

ML 06/07/1942

The Strange Musician

Little Patsy in our picture today is trying to get her dog, Skippy, to play the piano.

“O”, you say “how funny, trying to teach a dog to play the piano!”

But Patsy looks quite happy and pleased and no doubt thinks her pet is doing real well. Do you think she would be a patient teacher?

Skippy seems to submit and we feel sure is trying hard to please his little teacher.

Dear reader, you who know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, are you seeking to please Him as you go on from day to day? How it must please Him if we submit to Him in everything and say from our hearts:

“TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD, AND LEAD, ME IN A PLAIN PATH.” Psa. 27:11.

He is a very patient teacher, too, and He tells us in His Word:

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:29.

ML 06/07/1942

A Strange Sight

Ezek. 34 to 39

Perhaps we could call the visions God showed Ezekiel like pictures, only still more real, they were as though he saw the very things. One strange vision was as though he were taken to a valley full of dry bones, and he was asked, “Can these bones live?” We would think Ezekiel would have answered, “No,” but Ezekiel believed God’s power, and he answered, “O Lord God, Thou knowest.”

God told him that the bones should live; and Ezekiel seemed to hear a shaking, or movement, of the bones, and each bone moved to its right place; muscles and flesh came on them and skin covered them. There was no life or breath until God told Ezekiel to speak for breath to come, and breath came into the bones, so they lived and stood up like a great army of people. (Ezek. 37:1-10).

We would not understand at all what was meant by this queer vision, but the Lord explained it to Ezekiel: He said the nation of Israel were like the dead bones, they had no hope, and were of no use to God, and they would be scattered over the earth as the bones. But God said He would again bring people of Israel together, as the dry bones were, and they should live in their land, which is what we call Palestine. Ezekiel was to tell the people all these words, and of the vision, and say to them,

“Then shall ye know that I the Lord hath spoken it, and performed it.”

God said also that when He should bring Israel safe to their land, they should not be divided as they had been, with one king over part of the people, and another king over another part, but one king over all. God said,

“I will make them one nation in the land ... .and one King shall rule over them all.....neither shall they be divided any more at all.” Ezekiel 37:22.

The Lord often called the people of Israel His “sheep,” and the men who were their leaders, “shepherds”; but He told Ezekiel that most of the “shepherds” did not care for His people, and that He would Himself be their Shepherd, and He would place a King over them forever, one called David, which means “beloved” (Ezek. 37:24). From later scriptures we learn this “David” will be the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is also spoken of as the “Root of David;” root means “the life,” or the living One (Rev. 5:5).

You may have learned from world history that there are people of the race of Israel now living in all parts of the world, but are not themselves a nation, and have had no ruler of their own for many centuries. After the time of Ezekiel, people of Israel. lived in their land (Palestine) many years, but were under the rule of other nations, and not with a king from God as here promised. So the peaceful time for that nation, has not yet come; and the vision of the dry bones shown to Ezekiel, has not yet been fulfilled. But it was shown to teach all who read it, that what seems impossible to us, will surely come true in God’s time, as He has said.

ML 06/07/1942

"A way that Seemeth Right"

What a treat the two donkeys are having, eating the beautiful flowers. It makes a pretty picture, and yet we feel uncomfortable at seeing the plant destroyed, and hope the housewife will rescue the plant in time to save it.

Donkeys and mules are noted for their stubborn ways, and frequently get theelves and their owners into difficulty.

Do you know anything else like the mule for wanting its own way? Yes, it is our own heart,

“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” Psalms 32:9.

A wrong course in life often looks very attractive, and there is no power in ourselves to do that which is pleasing to God. But remember,

“THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH.” Proverbs 14:12.

The Lord Jesus died to save us from that evil way, and the destruction which follows, and to give us a new nature which can do only good. If we take Him as our Saviour, this precious verse is true of us, and we are given power to keep the old nature in check so that we shall not be as the horse or the mule:

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who somimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Eph. 2:13.

ML 06/14/1942

The Love Letter from the River

A group of young schoolgirls went out to the woods for a Saturday holiday. Their picnic over, they began to roam along the side of a stream that flowed from a torrent coming down the hillside, and seem to have enjoyed the afternoon, gathering wild flowers in the woods and picking berries from the bushes.

Before beginning their return journey homeward, they passed a rustic bridge on the edge of the wood, and looking over its side, one of the company observed what appeared to be a letter floating on the stream that flowed under the bridge. Curiosity led one of the girls to lower herself to the water-edge, and stretching out her hand toward what she thought was a letter, floating on the surface of the stream, seized it, and remounting the rustic steps, got on to the bridge waving the paper in her hand.

“Somebody’s love letter, I believe,” she called out to the rest of her companions, and immediately they gathered around as girls would do, eager to hear what the supposed love-letter contained of news, likely to be of interest to such a company. But you may imagine their surprise when the girl who held the letter in her hand called out,

“It is not a love-letter at all. It’s only a tract.” And she read out from the paper picked out of the stream the words,

“Not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son, to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:16. And under the words quoted, there was another text of Scripture from the same Epistle, which reads,

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

“So it’s a Love-letter after all,” said one of the girls, “and the best Love-letter any of us will ever get,” for she was a Christian girl, a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and knew what it was to “love Him,” because He “first loved” her, and gave Himself to die for her sins, to bring her to. God (1 Peter 3:18). And in that love she was happy, because she was saved, and on the way to glory.

There was a general conversation among the group of girls about the Love-letter and its message, and as was afterward learned, similar messages had been found elsewhere in that region placed there it is believed, by one who made it her service to “sow beside all waters” the pure Gospel of God concerning His Son, that people passing, and tourists traveling in that romantic region, might read the Word of God, and learn that

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

And after all, as the Christian schoolgirl said, this is the best love-letter any of us will ever get, because it tells that God loved us—so that the individual soul that reads it might say,

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

And I verily believe that some of that group of girls in the wood came to know this, and to receive the love of the Gospel into their souls, from that day that the Love-letter on the stream carried the good news to them in simplicity.

How good it would be if our Christian friends would place tracts where others could get them to read of the Lord, and His work on the cross, and lead them to accept Him as their Saviour and Lord.

Your reward would be great when with our blessed Lord in the glory.

“The Word of the Lord endureth forever, and this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1Pet. 1:25.

ML 06/14/1942

Flowers

“All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.”

What are some of the beautiful things that God has made?

“O,” says Billie, “the birds, the butterflies, the animals and fishes—O! such lots and lots of things.”

“And,” puts in his little sister Betty; “don’t forget the flowers—the daisies, buttercups, snowdrops and bluebells.”

She cannot forget the happy times she has spent in the fields picking bunches of the wonderful flowers God has made.

What does God say about flowers in His Word?

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8.

I expect often, when Betty brings borne her bunch of flowers, she notices how quickly they droop, and fade and die, although she carefully places them in water. They may keep fresh for a few days, but they do not last forever.

But, children, God’s Word will never fade away. It can never die. He has said in His Word,

“Behold I come quickly” (Rev. 22:7), and He means it!

Little boy, little girl, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Have you come to Jesus, and are you ready for His coming again?

There are other things in God’s Word about flowers. The Lord Jesus said Himself,

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, they spin not: and yet ... . Solomon in all His glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Luke 12:27. Then, too, in Isaiah 35:1,

“The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose,” which speaks of a time coming when all the earth will be very very beautiful, and the Lord Jesus Himself will be the King. God has made them, but remember, too, that they are not too small for Him to see, and how much more will He see and know every little heart that turns to Him in faith.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

ML 06/14/1942

The Many Mansions

I was once spending the afternoon with the children of a Sunday school. One of the girls had asked me to come and speak to them about Jesus.

I was glad went, and I will tell you why presently.

I gave them a simple address about the love of Jesus. A great many bright faces were turned towards me while I spoke, but I little thought that there were two present that I should never see again.

One of these was Fanny B—, who had asked me to come. She knew me very well, because I used to live next door to her.

I believe the good Shepherd was gently drawing her heart to Himself.

A day or two afterward she was taken suddenly ill, but before she passed away, she was able to speak of the love of Jesus and of being washed in the blood of Jesus.

When she saw her father and mother crying, she begged they would not weep for her. As she drew near her end she cried, “O, how beautiful!” ‘‘Mamma, the walls are all jasper!”

Then she said, “Jesus has done it all,” and asked a friend to read John 14, about the mansions Jesus went to prepare, and soon after this, she went to be with Jesus in those very maisions.

ML 06/14/1942

The Last Vision to Ezekiel

Ezekiel 40 to 48

In the last vision shown to Ezekiel, he seemed to be taken from Babylon, to a high mountain in the land of Israel, and to see a city below.

In the vision a man with a measuring reed stood beside him, and told him to watch and listen carefully to all he saw and heard, because he should tell all to the people of Israel.

Then the man seemed to take Ezekiel around a great temple in the city, and to show him the exact measure of the walls, porches, pillars, courts, and gates, or doors; then he seemed to see the many rooms inside, the place for the singers, and the men who took care of all, those men would be of the “sons of Zadok”, which means righteous, so there could he no evil in this temple, all was to be holy and right.

After the building was measured, Ezekiel seemed to be taken to the east gate and to see the glory of God enter the temple, and to hear the voice of the Lord “like the noise of many waters (meaning with great power), and the earth shined with His glory” (Ezek. 43:2).

This was like the other wonderful vions Ezekiel had seen of the glory of God, and he fell on his face (Ezek. 1:28; and 3:23).

Afterward, Ezekiel was told more of the order for this House; then he was taken again to the entrance, and shown a stream of water flowing from under the temple toward the land, east; at first, the water was only as deep as his ankles, then it became deeper to his knees, and farther on so deep he could not pass over. The man of the vision told him the river would water the desert and flow to the sea, east, which would be “healed”, and “everything shall live whither the river cometh. There would be fish, “exceeding many.”

The sea cast of the land of Israel is the Dead Sea in which no fish can live, and the places mentioned, “Engedi and Eneglaim” are thought to have been at each end of this sea. This seems to be a promise that the deserts and sea shall be for good to the people, although not all healed, for the marshes would still be salt. In the scriptures, pure water reminds us of God’s words which cleanse and refresh our hearts, bringing blessing to all. In this time to come, His words will go forth to all.

Ezekiel was told just where the borders of each tribe of Israel would be, and all the tribes were named, and the names of the gates of the city were the names of the twelve tribes. The last words of the vision tell the new name for the city. “Jehovah is there.”

There is no more told of Ezekiel, but his writing about this last vision must have comforted the people of Israel who sorrowed that the temple of God had been ruined. For the vision was like a very real promise that the glory of God should again he on earth.

Those who now believe God, have sure promises of seeing. His glory, on earth, and also in heaven. Here is one promise,

“When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4.

ML 06/14/1942

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.” Psalms 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 filar’ 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 Peter 3:18.

“BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.” Romans 3:24.

ML 06/21/1942

Why Not Have it in Writing?

C. H. Spurgeon was addressing a great number of people. Very earnestly he pressed decision for Christ. Some, the preacher said, had perhaps never faced the question; had never openly confessed Christ; a very simple test was suggested, that each of his hearers should, on their return home, write his or her name, and after it, one word, saved, or lost.

Among those who listened was a lady, we will call her Mrs. Marshall, as, though the story is all true, I am not quite sure about her name. She had been a Christian for some years; her eldest daughter, she felt sure, could say of the Lord Jesus,

“He is my own trusted Saviour.”

Her seven-year-old Alice, too, was one of the good Shepherd’s lambs, but what about Harry? a bright, clever, though sometimes self-willed boy. She had prayed for him, and longed to win him for Christ, but she was not quite sure that he was really the Lord’s. And her husband? Ah! tears gathered in her eyes as she thought of him. He was an honest, uight man, and a kind father, but—not a Christian.

On her way home she made up her mind to try the plan that had been prosed, and later in the day, gathering her family round her, she placed pen, ink and note paper on the table, told them what she was going to do, and said she wanted all their names. Mr. Marshall sat reading, or pretending to read, his Sunday newspaper, but he could not help hearing all that was said.

Taking the paper, the mother wrote in a clear, firm hand, Lucy Marshall, saved, and passed it to her eldest daughter; her hand trembled a little as she wrote, and a large teardrop made a blot on the paper but Nellie Marshall, saved, was the second name on the sheet.

It was Harry’s turn next, and the pen was handed to him. He seemed uncomfortable, and looked at the door as if he would have been glad to find some excuse for getting out of the room. Once he rose from his seat, but sat down again, and hid his face in his hands. For some minutes no one moved or spoke, the mother and sister prayed. At last he looked up with a bright smile, and drawing the paper to him wrote, Harry Marshall, saved.

“Shall I write your name, darling?” Nellie asked of her little sister. But Alice said she could write it herself. She could not write very well, some of the letters were large, some small, some straight, others crooked, but she wrote Alice Marshall, saved.

“But we do not have father’s name,” some one said.

“O, we must have father’s name!” they all exclaimed. Mr. Marshall laid down his paper, saying,

“Well, I don’t see much use in it, but I suppose I must please the children.”

He spoke lightly, but there was a troubled look on his face as he took the pen. After a few moments’ thought he wrote, Robert Marshall, L—,

“O, father, don’t write that,” cried the children.

“O, Robert, you must not, dare not finish that word: It’s too dreadful,” pleaded his wife.

“‘Tis true, though,” he said, almost in a whisper, and falling upon his knees he prayed, “O God, for Christ’s sake, be merciful to me a sinner.”

It was not very long before he, taught by the Holy Spirit, was able to rest in the finished work of Christ, he could rejoice in he forgiveness of sins. The L was crossed out, and Robert Marshall, saved, completes the family list.

This story was told by a son of Mr. Spurgeon’s, who added that for years the whole family were known to him as consisent, devoted Christians.

What would you write after your name, dear girl or boy? Please don’t throw down this “Messages of Love” paper and run off to your lessons or your play with a careless

“I don’t know.”

You may know, for the salvation of God is offered as a free gift to you.

It was sinners the Lord Jesus came to save, and it is sinners God still receives, pardons, and blesses, because of the work done by His beloved Son.

SAVED, or LOST, which are you, dear boy or girl?

The wages of sin is death; but the Gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML 06/21/1942

What is There for You in that Verse?

A little boy, N. by name, living in the city of C., was accustomed when writing to his relatives, to add a verse or two of Scripture at the bottom of his letter, without saying anything as to why he had written them, or what he saw in them for himself. He often tells of the Sunday school, his joy to hear of Jesus, and his great delight to read of Him in “Messages of the Love of God.”

When writing to his brother, he as usual, placed a verse of Scripture at the end, and at this time it was,

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

When his brother asked him what he saw in that verse, his answer was, “By this verse, I know that I can come to Jesus and He will not cast me away.” And after he had written,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life,” (John 6:47) he said,

“By this I know that I have everlasting life, because I believe on Jesus.”

I wonder how many of our little readers can, like N., say that they have everlasting life, because they believe on Jesus.

Do you believe on Jesus, that He died for you on the cross—for your sins? If so, He says that He will not cast you out, and that you have everlasting life. Can you not believe what Jesus, the Son of God, says; that One, who loves you, and died to save you? Come to Jesus, tell Him you are a. sinner, believe on Him, and eternal life is yours. Jesus says:

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

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

ML 06/21/1942

Trust in Jesus

Now’s the time to trust in Jesus,

Little children, while you’re young,

While your hearts are soft and tender;

Jesus loves the little one.

Now’s the time to trust in Jesus,

While you’re happy, young and gay,

Trust in filim who died to save you,—

Died to wash your sins away.

Now’s the time to trust in Jesus,

Soon will pass your youthful days,

And your heart will grow still harder

If you go in evil ways.

Now’s the time to trust in Jesus,

Yea, He bids you trust Him now;

With your little heart believe Him,

Low before His footstool bow.

Now’s the time to trust in Jesus,

Be is calling you today;

Gently calling little children,

None who, come are turned away.

Now’s the time to trust in Jesus,

Trust Him then with all your heart,

Then throughout eternal ages

From Him you will never part.

ML 06/21/1942

Four Captive Boys

Daniel 1

The soldiers of Babylon who first attacked Jerusalem, took the sons of the king and princes captives and brought them to Babylon. These Jewish boys had been taught many useful things, and the king of Babylon wanted them to learn his language, which was Chaldean, so they could explain their knowledge to his men. He told one of his officers to choose the most pleasing and healthy of these captives, and give them special food and wine as he himself had, and after three years of good care and training, to bring them to him.

So the officer chose the best of the young men, or boys, to train them for the king, and ordered the best food and wine served to them. We might think they would be most happy to have such fine food. But there was one boy, named Daniel, who believed they would dishonor God if they ate this food; he had been taught the rules which God had given to his nation by Moses, that some kinds of meat were not to be eaten by them, and he knew the law about wine for those who wished to serve God (Lev. 11; Num. 6:2,3). So Daniel asked the officer in charge that he and three other boys could have “pulse” (vegetable foods), and water instead of the king’s rich foods and wine.

At first the officer was afraid to let them have such food, fearing they would he thin and pale, and the king would he angry at him, but Daniel asked him to try them with the plain food for ten days, then to compare them with those who had eaten the king’s food. The officer liked Daniel very much, and granted his request to be served only the vegetables and water for ten days.

At the end of the ten days, Daniel, and the three boys with him, looked better than the boys who had eaten the king’s meat and wine, and so afterward they were served the food they wished, all the time. The boys with Daniel were named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; the offer gave them all Chaldean names; to Daniel he gave the name of a heathen god, Belteshazzar.

When the time came to appear before the king, the officer took the captive boys to him. He asked them questions and found that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were the wisest of all, and that they were wiser than any magicians and astrologers in his land. God had given them “knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.”

We are told of very wonderful things God showed, and did for these four young men after this. We are not told their ages when they were brought to. Babylon, but perhaps they were not more than twelve or fifteen years old, for Daniel lived until the rule of Cyrus, who was the king that allowed the people to return to Jerusalem after seventy years of captivity.

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He spoke of the words written by Daniel, so we may be sure his book is all true.

Perhaps the most important thing for us to remember about Daniel is that “he purposed in his heart” to do the things God had told in the scriptures, and he had courage to respectfully ask the heathen officer to let him do as was right for him.

There are things now which we may do that will dishonor God. When we are afraid to refuse, let us have courage to obey God, as Daniel did, and the Lord will help us.

ML 06/21/1942

Boyhood Days

Just look at that boy leaning against the corn shocks, perfectly happy, with an apple in his hand, and no thought of care or trouble.

Those who know the Lord Jesus, can be perfectly happy in the midst of difficult and trying circumstances, as it is not the circumstances that make them happy; it is being occupied with the Lord Jesus, who is perfect in every way, and the One Who has said,

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

This is the privilege of all those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour; but for those who do not so know Him, their happiness will easily vanish, for it all depends on the pleasing circumstances, which are but for a moment. Then when they get into sorrow they have no comfort.

May those who know the Lord, praise and thank Him, not only for saving them, but for all that He is to them every step of the path, and what He will be for them throughout eternity.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice.” Phil. 4:4.

ML 06/28/1942

An Answer to Prayer

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you.” John 16:23.

Some years ago, there lived a godly man whose name was D. Without any fault of his own, he went behind with his rent.

His landlord was a very hard-hearted man, and, although it was winter, he threatened to turn him out unless the rent was paid.

D. went to see him three times to tell him how sick his wife had been, and this had prevented him, from paying the rent, but that he would be sure to pay it, if he would allow him a little time. He would not listen to him, but only said he would come the next morning to turn him out of the house, D. went home feeling very sad, and gathered his family around him for prar. He told God all about their trouble, and asked Him to send them help in some way. After prayer, they sang a hymn, beginning with the words,

“Commit thou all thy griefs

And ways into His hands.”

The closing lines of the last verse were these:

“When Thou wouldst all our need supply,

Who, who shall stay Thy hand?”

While they were singing this last verse a gentle tapping was heard at the window. An old friend was there. It was a raven that D,’s grandfather had taken out of a nest while young and tamed it, and then set at liberty.

He often came to the cottage, and if he found the door was shut, would light on the window-sill and tap at the window till they let him in, D. opened the window as usual, and the raven hopped in, but holding in his bill a gold ring set with precious stones, which he laid down before them. Here was an answer to their prayer that filled the hearts of all the family, with gladness.

At first, D. thought he would sell the ring, and pay his rent with the price of it; but afterward he thought it would be better to take it to the minister, and ask his advice.

He did so, and as soon as the minister saw the ring, he knew that it belonged to the King. He took it to him, therefore, and told him the story of the poor man.

The king was so pleased with this, that he sent for D. and rewarded him So that he had plenty to pay his rent and get food for his family through the winter.

When the spring came the King had a new house built for D., and gave him some cattle from his own stall; and over the door of the house, there was a cast-iron tablet, on which was the figure of a raven with a ring in his beak, and underneath a verse from the hymn they were singing when the raven came as God’s messenger to bring them relief.

We may be sure after that, whenever D. read the words of our text at the head of this article, he would surely feel that it was a wonderful promise for a time of trouble.

But in order that we may all be able to rest on the precious promises found in the Bible, we must know God as our Father and the Lord Jesus as our Saviour.

O! dear reader, do you know the Saviour as your Saviour?

“Whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13.

ML 06/28/1942

From Death unto Life

The cottage meeting was over. The gospel of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ had been clearly set forth by God’s messenger and now inquiry was made as to the absence of little Nelly P—a most regular-attendant.

Sickness was found to be the cause of the vacant seat in the room tonight, and Nelly had sent a request for God’s servant to please come and see her tomorrow.

Seated by Nelly’s bed the following day, over again the gospel story was told. Nelly’s attention was rapt. Tears were in her eyes, as the speaker, stopping, looked towards her.

“I see it,” said the child. “I’m a sinner, and born in sin. O, what shall I do to be saved?”

“Nelly, listen to God’s Word,” said her friend, “and believing, you shall be saved.”

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

“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.” Isaiah 53:5.

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

Nelly’s tears were chased away and replaced by smiles.

“O, thank you!” she said, “I see it now. I am a sinner in myself, but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth me in God’s sight from all sin.”

“A sinner,” she continued, “but received by God, for Jesus died for me, and now for His sake, I may enter in.”

Greatly rejoiced and encouraged was her friend, and often in after years told the story for the encouragement of weary workers in God’s vineyard, showing them the faithfulness of His Word.

ML 06/28/1942

Jean

A doctor passing through the ward of a hospital, noticed a little boy with a very sad face lying in one of the beds. He was far from his home, and could not speak a word of English, or understand what the nurses said to him, but the doctor could speak French. Delighted at hearing his own language, the boy sat up, and clasping the doctor’s hand, felt he had found a friend.

“Do you think I shall soon be well doctor?” asked little Jean—for that was his name—anxiously.

“Well Jean, I cannot say, but I’m sure everything will be done for you here to make you well,” said the doctor tenderly.

“But what if you do not recover, Jean, where do von think you will go after you leave this world?”

The boy shook his head, he had not evidently thought of that. So the doctor, who loved the Lord, and sought to tell others, told Jean of the love of Jesus, in coming down to earth to die, that he might be saved and go to heaven. The boy drank in the truth, and when the doctor asked,

“Do you think you can trust yourself to such a Saviour, Jean?”

“Yes,” said the boy, “for He so loves me.”

Day after day the doctor sat by the little patient’s bed, and told him more of Jesus. Jean did not die, but got better, and returned to his homeland to tell his friends and companions, of the wonderful love of Jesus.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1.

ML 06/28/1942

Psalm 23

The Lord my Shepherd is,

Want I shall never know;

In pastures green I down shall lie,

And by still waters go.

My soul He doth restore,

And me with Him doth take

Along the paths of righteousness,

All for His own name’s sake.

Through death’s dark vale I’ll walk,

Nor evil will I fear;

Thy rod and staff they comfort me,

For Thou are ever near.

My table Thou dose spread.

Mine enemies before,

While precious oil anoints my head,

My cup e’en now runs o’er.

Sure all my days shall tell

Of goodness, mercy, grace,

Forever in Thy house I’ll dwell,

O Lord, before Thy face.

ML 06/28/1942

A King's Dream

Dan. 2

The king of Babylon had strange dreams, but when he awoke, he could not remember what he had dreamed, and he was very troubled. There were men in his court called wise men, who claimed to understand dreams, and to be able to tell the future by the stars or by other ways, so he sent for those men to tell his dream. They came and said they would tell him what his dream meant, if he would only tell them his dream. But the king could not do that, and became very angry because the men claimed to be wise, yet could not tell his dream, and he gave orders to the captain of his guard to have all the wise men killed.

The captain went to get Daniel and the young men with him, who were counted with the wise men. When Daniel learned that the king wanted a dream told, he asked to speak to the king, that he should be given time to consider the matter. The king granted him time, and he went to the other young men, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to tell them, and said they should all ask God to show the dream.

God did show Daniel, in a vision at night, what the king had dreamed. Daniel was thankful to God, and said,

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are His.”

Daniel went to the captain and asked to be taken to the king, and told him he could now tell the dream, but not by his own wisdom, but that God had shown it to him. He told the king what he had seen in his dream was a great image, very bright, and fearful to see: the head was of gold; the upper part of the body and the arms, of silver; the lower part of the body, of brass; the legs, of iron; and the feet, of part iron and part day. Then Daniel told him,

“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet, that were of iron and day, and break them to pieces ... that no place was found for them; and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”

Daniel told the king that God had also told him what the dream meant, and that it was to show things that were to be in the future. He said to the king, “Thou art this head of gold.”

That meant that this king and nation would have riches and power more than all other nations; but he said the next great kingdom would be like silver, not so rich; the next kingdom would be like brass; the next, strong like iron to conquer, but not as rich; the last kingdom would be like the feet of iron and day, partly strong and partly crumbling, and the rule divided. The stone cut without hands, which fell on the feet of the image and broke the whole image in pieces, and became a great mountain and filled the earth, was the kingdom God would set up on the earth, which would stand forever.

So the dream was like a picture to show the kinds of government there were to be on the earth, from the rule of Babylon until the perfect rule of the Lord Jesus here on earth, but the time has not yet come, but it will in His own time.

“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15.

ML 06/28/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for April

“The Children’s Class”

1.“And they went,” etc. Mark 16:20

2.“Blessed be,” etc. 11:10.

3.“And Jesus said,” etc. 14:6.

4.“And there came,” etc. 1:11.

5.“Howbeit Jesus,” etc. 5:19.

6.“And he began,” etc. 8:31.

7.“And no man,” etc. 2:22.

Bible Questions for July

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in John, chs. 1-10

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “That the works thereof are evil.”

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “To pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The Father hath not left me alone.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Power to become the sons of God.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “In three days I will raise it up.”

7.What did the Lord Jesus say as to the one who “drinketh of the water that I shall give him?”

Answers to Bible Questions for April

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Because they knew not the Scriptures. Mark 12:24.

2.To every creature. Mark 16:15,

3.Mark 1:11.

4.Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. Mark 5:19.

5.The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, Mark 4:19.

6.In his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:4.

7.Houses, and betrhren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions. Mark 10:30.

Bible Questions for July

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in John, chs. 1-10

1.What was Jesus’ first miracle?

2.Was Jesus in heaven when He was here on earth?

3.To whom did Christ state that He was the Son of God?

4.To whom did the Lord state that He was the Christ?

5.Who said, “Ye must be born again?”

6.What did Jesus declare bore testimony to Him?

7.Whom did Jesus call a devil?

ML 07/05/1942

"Jesus Said, Blessed, Blessed, Blessed."

Matt. 5:3-11.

A testament had been torn up, and the leaves thrown to the winds; a poor man found one of the leaves, and picked it up. He could read, and saw,

“And Jesus said,” “And Jesus answered and said,” and “Jesus said,” and so on.

He said to himself, What! has the blessed Lord said so many things, and I do not know them?

Struck by these simple but solemn words, “Jesus said,” he went off to the neighboring town, and bought a New Testament, was converted, believing what Jesus said, and was happy in a known Saviour.

Dear young friend, never let a day pass but that you read some words in that precious Book,

A man was speaking to another man in the house about the Scriptures. His niece, a young woman, said,

“But they tell me, sir, that it is a bad Book, that the devil wrote it.” The poor girl was very ignorant and could not read. The man said,

“That is. shocking blasphemy; but I will not reason with you, but will read you a little, and you shall tell me yourself the devil wrote it.”

He read to her what is called the beatitudes, the “Blessed,” “Blessed,” of the fifth of Matthew, He then said,

“Well, what do you think of that? Did the devil write that?”

“No, sir,” she said “the devil never wrote that; that must have come from the mouth of God.”

“The Word of God had laid hold of her. She lived and died most happily.

What a power there is in the Word of God.

“Blessed are all they that put; their trust in Him.” Psa. 2:12.

ML 07/05/1942

"Nothing to Pay."

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 (See also John 4:10,14 and Rev. 22:17).

What wonderful grace! God offers living water, or the water of life, to the one who is thirsty and has no money. To him who needs it, and is unable to obtain in Do you know your need, dear child? Do you know that you are a sinner and that you need a Saviour, and that on can do nothing to save yourself, but God has given His own Son to save you?

We read in Luke 7 of two of these people who had no money, and they were in need, for they could not pay what they owed.

“And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.” (vs. 42). Are you like them? Do you know that you have nothing to pay? Then, accept God’s gracious offer now.

The bills in the store windows say, “Come early, only a few more days.” But God does not promise even a few more days. He says,

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

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet, they shall he as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18.

God offers all these wonderful blessings to you without money, and without price; but think what it cost Him to be able to do so.

“He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.” Romans 8:32.

And the Lord Jesus, God’s own Son, shed His own precious blood. We who are His, sometimes sing,

“We are by Christ redeemed,

The cost His precious blood.”

“Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18,19.

Seeing then that it is at such a cost that God has provided a Saviour, and knowing that you are a sinner who can do nothing to save yourself, will you not receive Him now?

ML 07/05/1942

God's Wonderful Works

How wonderful are all God’s works! Wherever we may look, we see the finger of an all-wise Creator.

Seeing God’s beautiful creation, reminds us that we are responsible to God our Creator, so God has given us His Word, the Bible, where we read,

“EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD.” Rom. 14:12.

This is a very solemn thing, and there is one question above all else that God will have us answer, and that is, What have we done with His Son?

God has asked us to believe on Jesus, His Son, as the One who died for us. Have you accepted Him as your Saviour? If you have, read John 3:36,

“He that belicveth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Saviour, read the rest of the verse,

“He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

ML 07/05/1942

A Very Hot Furnace

Daniel 3

The rich king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, knew of the true God, but worshiped idols, and had a very special great image made and set up in a place to which crowds of people could come. The image must have been dazzling in the sunshine, for it was made, or covered over, with fine gold. We do not know what it represented, perhaps the king himself. It was very high, “three score cubits”; a cubit was eighteen inches, so the height was about ninety feet.

The king planned a great celebration day to dedicate the image; he sent men to tell all people to be ready; all princes, offers, and chief men were to be present. There were to be all sorts of musical instruments, and when those began to sound, all were to bow down and worship the image.

The king was a cruel man, and whaver he said must be obeyed; he gave orders that anyone who did not bow down should be thrown into a burning furnace.

When the great day came, the three Jewish captives, whose names had been changed to Shadrach, Meshach and Abeego, did not bow down. Some men told the king that they had not obeyed, and he was extremely angry, and sent for them to be brought to him.

When they stood before him, he told them the music should sound again, and if they would bow down, it would be well with them; but if not, they should be cast into the furnace.

To bow down to the image, was the same as to honor it more than God. These men wanted to honor God, so when the king asked them,

“Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hand?” they answered,

“Our God ... .is able to deliver us out from the ... . fiery furnace. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

The king was so angry to hear this, that he at once ordered the furnace made much hotter, and called for his strongest soldiers to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace.

The orders were obeyed, and the cruel king and his men stood near to watch the men suffer. Suddenly the king, greatly astonished, called out,

“Did not we cast three men into the fire?”

“True, O king,” they answered. Then he said,

“Lo I see four men loose, walking, in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like unto the Son of God.”

The king then called for the men to come out of the furnace. They came out, safe and unhurt. The proud king felt God’s power, and said,

“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him.”

Then the king made a law that no peon should speak against God.

We do not know where Daniel was at that time, but he could not have shown more courage than these men, who would rather die, than deny God.

ML 07/05/1942

The First Lesson

This little dog seems to be a rat-terrier, for she has caught a rat and is teaching her young pups all about it.

When you are children you have many lessons to learn. You learned to walk, and then you learned to talk, and you have learned many other things since.

Have you learned about God and His love in giving His own beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be your Saviour? This is the most important thing of all.

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

If you know Him as your own Saviour, then you will learn to walk with Him, and talk to Him in thanksgiving and prayer.

We see and learn plenty of bad things, but if we have learned to love the Lord Jesus, and are seeking to please Him, He will give us strength to do what is right, and to refuse to do what is wrong.

Others know by What you do, whether you are one of God’s children.

“EVEN A CHILD IS KNOWN BY HIS DOINGS, WHETHER HIS WORK BE PURE AND WHETHER IT BE RIGHT.” Proverbs 20:11.

We don’t look for thorns on an apple tree, and we don’t look for bad deeds from one who knows and loves the Lord Jesus.

I hope each one of you is living in such a way that others see only good fruit,— that they see Jesus shining out in you.

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20.

ML 07/12/1942

How a Hard Heart was won for Christ

In a rugged part of the country, where there are large granite quarries, two little girls named Polly and Rose lived there with their parents some years ago. Both had been brought to the Lord Jesus in very early years, and as there was no Sunday school in the place, they were in the habit of going with their mother, who was a devoted Christian, to visit the homes of the quarrymen with tracts on the Sunday afternoons. Polly, the elder of the girls, often gathered primroses on the hill, which she made up into posies, and gave them to sick people in the village with texts tied around them.

A well-known character named Dan, lived in the village by himself, with three large dogs as his only companions. Dan was a poacher, and had been more than once in jail. His evil ways had shattered his health, and completely broken him down. As they visited through the houses, they learned that Dan had been ill all the previous week, so they resolved to call and see him. When they knocked at the door a gruff voice said, “come in,” and lifting the latch, a sad sight presented itself. Dan lay on a bed of straw, evidently ill; there was no fire in the grate, and only a crust of bread in the cupboard. Polly’s mother learned that Dan had not tasted food that day, so she set to work, and lit the fire. Polly went home for some necessary things, and brought them along, and in less than an hour Dan had a nice tea, and felt much better. Before they left, Polly sang a hymn to Dan, then she put a bunch of her primroses into a glass of water, and set it on the table by his bed; her mother promising to come and see him at night. What happened during that afternoon no one knows, but when they entered Dan’s house that evening he said,

“Will the girlie sing to me again the good words about the sheep that was lost?” Polly sang the hymn again, and the tears flowed down Dan’s cheeks, and when she finished, he said, sobbing like a child, “The flowers and the hymn bring my childhood’s years to mind, when I went with my father to the church on the early Sunday mornings.”

Then as if the memory of these years had brought long lost conscience into exercise, he added, “But sin has brought me here.”

Polly’s primroses and her hymn had been God’s messengers to the hardened sinner’s heart, and opened a way for the Gospel message to reach it.

Polly was a daily visitor to Dan’s cottage, and God used the saved child to lead the sin-burdened man to the Saviour. Dan was raised up, and lived for several years to show that he had been truly converted. Polly often visited the cottage in which her first soul was won for Christ, with fresh primroses and words of cheer for Dan, the disciple.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

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

ML 07/12/1942

He Waited Too Long

How, children, I wish to tell you of a young man, who thought that he would like to be saved, but was waiting until he would have a more conveenient time.

This young man was a school-teacher in a country school; he was moral and honest in every way, and was liked by his pupils.

He had one pupil who knew the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and this pupil desired much to let his teacher know of Jesus and His love to him.

At last the opportunity came, for he was called upon to write an essay, and was allowed to choose his own subject. He chose the words,

“Ye must be born again,” and sought to show that although one might be moral and honest, that was not enough; to be born again it would be necessary to accept Jesus as the Saviour; and that right now, for there was great danger in delay.

On returning the essay, the teacher told the pupil it was very good, but said he did not wish to be saved now, he would wait until he could be a good Christian; but he expected to be saved some day.

Now, that is what many people think, children, and perhaps you have thought so too; but God would not have us to think that we may be saved some time in the future. He tells us that,

“Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation,” Heb. 6:2.

Satan says,

“Put it off.”

God says,

“Believe in Christ now.”

Whom shall we obey? I hope you all will say,

“Obey God.”

Well, this man waited too long, I fear. He went away on his vacation, and soon word came, that after a short illness, he had died. Nothing was said about his having, believed in Jesus.

Do you not see, dear children, that it is not good to say, “put it off,” That is Satan’s way of deceiving you.

Trust in the Lord Jesus now, and be happy. He wants the children to come to Him, for He loves them, and died on the cross to save them.

“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

ML 07/12/1942

"I Can't Understand It"

It was four o’clock on a bright Sunday afternoon, the last hymn had been sung and the children were all eager to be let out of school, when the superintendent said,

“We should be glad if any boy of girl would stay with us to a short prayer meeting we are going to have this afternoon.”

Several children remained, and among them a bright-faced little girl of about twelve.

She knelt very quietly in a corner, with her face buried in her little brown hands, while the short, earnest prayers were being offered up, and then tried to slip away without being noticed, but her teacher laid a hand on her shoulder, and said, kindly,

“Why won’t you trust Jesus, Dorothy?”

The child laughingly shook off the detaining hand, and darted into the street. Then the little face grew very grave, and Dorothy said wearily to herself,

“That’s what they all say, ‘Why won’t you trust Jesus?’ and they can’t see all the time I am longing to know Him, but I can’t understand it. I don’t know the way to be saved. I wish I did—O, I wish I did.”

Late that night Dorothy went up to her little room. All the evening she had tried to be her usual cheerful self, but there was such an aching in her heart, poor child—she was seeking the Good Shepherd, and she knew not where to look for Him.

Kneeling down by the window, she laid her head upon the sill, and let the tears flow.

“O, if Jesus was here, if He lived on earth now,” she thought, “I would go straight to Him, and tell Him all about it. I would tell Him that I cannot understand how to be saved, and He would help me to find out the way.”

Suddenly a bright thought came, “Wasn’t Jesus there all the time with her in her little room? Even though she could not see Him, mightn’t she speak with Him just the same? Why hadn’t she thought of it before?”

And there, in the deepening twilight, Dorothy told Jesus all—how unhappy she was, and how she longed to be saved.

Long she knelt there—she had so much to tell the Lord Jesus—and when she at last got up from her knees the little face was perfectly radiant with happiness.

Jesus had taken the trouble, all away; she had found the way to Him at last.

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

ML 07/12/1942

A Dream About a Tree

Daniel 4

One night, many years after the king of Babylon dreamed of the big image, he dreamed of a big tree. When he awoke, he remembered the dream, and was much troubled. He sent for the wise men to tell him what the dream meant, but they could not tell him. Then he sent for Daniel and told his dream to him.

The king said that he dreamed he saw a tree, so tall that it reached to the sky, and so wide it could be seen over all the world; it had many leaves and so much fruit, it gave food for all; animals rested under its shade and birds lived in its branches. So this seemed a very useful tree; but in the dream, an angel came from heaven and called aloud,

“Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.”

Only the stump of the great tree would be left, and the angel said,

“Let his portion be with the beasts of the field.”

When Daniel heard the dream, he understood its meaning, by the wisdom God had given him; he too was astonished and troubled, and could not answer for awhile, because of sorrow for the king. But later he explained the dream. He said the king had become strong like the tree, and his power reached over the earth, all people depended on him to protect them.

But a dreadful thing was to come to the king: his power would be cut off, as the big tree was cut down; and the king would be sent away from people and live as tut animal, with grass for food, until he learned that God ruled over all kings, and gave the rule to whoever He willed.

This king’s riches and power had made him proud and cruel, doing just as he wished, with no mercy to the poor, Daniel advised him to change his cruel ways, and do the right for the people; and the trouble might not come.

But the king was careless of this warning, and did not change his wicked ways. One day he was walking in his grand palace, and said,

“Is not this great Babylon that I have built ... by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?”

The king did not boast more, for a voice from heaven called, saying the same as the angel had warned of in the dream: he should be driven to the fields to live, and eat grass like oxen, for “seven times”, or years; “until he should know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.”

That same hour the king’s reason left him; his servants seem to have been afraid of him, and drove him from the city to the fields, where he lived day and night with grass for food, until the time told was passed. Then his reason returned to him, and he was given his throne and power again.

Afterward he told this story himself, and must have had it written in Daniel’s book. He spoke humbly and gave all honor to God. He said,

“At the end of the days, I, Nebuchaezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever ... . He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, ‘What doest Thou?’”

ML 07/12/1942

Little Mary

Little Mary was an orphan, born and brought up in a great city, but after the death of her parents she went to live with a relative in the country. On the evening of her arrival there, she was allowed to sit outside the cottage and eat her supper of bread and milk, in full sight of the sea with its rolling waves.

This was great treat to Mary, who had never lived in the country before; but ere she began her supper, she did not forget to thank God for having taken her there in safety, and for the food before her. For Mary had learned to know and love the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, and she loved to think of Him, knowing that it is through Him, God gives us all things, The Scripture says,

“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.

“O, give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name.” Psa. 105:1.

ML 07/19/1942

"Why Not?"

Four boys opened their Bibles at 2 Kings 22, and commenced to read.

At the end of the first verse the Christian governess quietly says,

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he served the Lord. I wonder when you boys will begin to serve Him?” One of them formed a resolution.

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to serve the Lord. I am not eight yet, only seven-and-a-half; when I am eight, I, too, will begin to serve the Lord.”

Now, who put into his heart the determination to delay this great decision? God says “Today,” but the devil says “Tomorrow.”

Four-and-a-half years pass away. Two of the boys are in the garden. They are twin brothers, and one of them has just returned from a place where services were held in connection with children. A new joy has come into his life, for he had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ; now he desires that his brother may know the same Saviour. He turns to him, and shyly says,

“When I was at those meetings, Tom, I took the Lord Jesus as my Saviour. Won’t you do so too?”

But the boy who, four years ago, made up his mind that when he was eight years of age he would come to the Saviour, now got angry, and said, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

But his brother spoke of the happiness that now was his, and pleaded with him to come to Christ.

A few weeks passed, and this boy, with his heart still unchanged, was himself journeying for a holiday to the same place where his brother had been converted.

A lady was in the train in which he was traveling. She gave him a little book, am talked to him lovingly. After a while she plainly put the question,

“Have you come to Jesus?”

The boy turned his face to the window, and made no answer.

He reached the house of his grandfather, where lived a Christian aunt, He determined that he would not allow himself to be alone with her, so greatly afraid was he that she would ask him the questions he so little wanted to hear. He knew that God was calling him, but he did net wish to come. He wanted to go his own, way, and not to be bothered about these things.

One evening he wandered about the house, and at last into the dining-room, where his aunt sat at her work; and, sure enough, before long she looked up, and said,

“When your brother was here Iasi month he gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was so happy, and seemed to enjoy the services more than anything else. You do not seem very happy. When are you going to—?”

The boy would hear no more, rushed to his bedroom, and threw himself upon the bed.

Why won’t these people let me alone?” he said. A fierce struggle followed. To the bitter cry,

“Why won’t they let me alone?” echo seemed to answer, “Why not cease fighting against your conviction? Why not come to Jesus now, and be made glad?”

Long into the night the fight went on. “Why not” seemed to get more loud and clear, and every excuse suggested by the devil was more and more unsatisfactory.

“Why not come to the Lord Jesus? Why not? WHY NOT? WHY NOT?”

About midnight he got out of bed and kneeled at the bedside. The tears streamed down his cheeks, and there and then he yielded, and just simply told the Lord Jesus that he would come to Him now. Only a boy of twelve years, and there was no one to see, and no one to hear— no onw, but Jesus.

Christ spoke peace to the young heart, and gave the assurance that his sins were forgiven. The earlier part of the night was spent in anguish of soul—struggling against God; the latter part was spent in joy and gladness. The long siege was over, the Lord Jesus had taken possession of Tom, and Tom began to live for Him.

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

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Heb. 2:3.

ML 07/19/1942

Couldn't Spare One

There was once a poor African family—father, mother, five children—who were starving.

The father could not get money enough to buy food for them all, so the parents resolved to sell one of the children for a slave, and use the money they would get for it to buy provisions, to save the rest from dying of starvation. So the five children were placed in a row, and the father and mother tried to decide which one to sell.

“Well, we cannot sell Sam,” said the father; “he is so strong and active, we could not do without him.”

“Cassy certainly must not go,” said the mother; “she minds the children, and is my greatest comfort,”

“Well, poor Tom shall not be sold, he is so patient and gentle, and could not bear hard treatment,” said the father, “and I am sure I will never part with Chloe, who is the life of us all—she is so merry.”

“And you would not have me give up my baby then?” said the mother.

“No, we cannot spare one of them; we had better starve a little longer first.”

These poor African parents had five dear children, and they could not spare one; but God gave His only Son for our sakes. O, what love!

And think of the love of Jesus! He came and died such a shameful death, to wash away our sins in His precious blood, and I am sure we should love Him all our lives for it.

We find out what a dreadful thing sin is, when we see that nothing but the blood of the Son of God can blot it out; and now if we believe in Him, we need never think a single sin will be heard of again for every one of them is gone forever.

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

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 10:17.

ML 07/19/1942

The Old, Old Story

I love to hear of Jesus:

It makes my heart so glad

To think how much He loves me,

How can I e’er be sad

When He, God’s Son form heaven,

Who came to die for me,

My sins have all forgiven

And set my spirit free.

I love to think of Jesus,

Who walked upon this earth,

In all His love and mercy,

Midst men of sinful birth.

He knew their guilt and sorrow,

He came to seek and save:

To tell God’s bright tomorrow

In life beyond the grave.

I love to speak of Jesus,

He died my heart to win;

He every moment tells me

How dear I am to Him.

He fills my soul with gladness,

He gives my lips to tell

To those that sit in sadness

Of Him who loves them well.

I love to wait for Jesus,

It makes my heart rejoice

To know I soon shall see Him

And hear His living voice.

O then, O, then, in glory,

With Him Himself I’ll be;

Forever tell the story

Of His great love to me.

ML 07/19/1942

At a King's Feast

Dan. 5

A rich king of Babylon Belshazzar gave a fine feast in his big palace for a thousand noblemen and women of his kingdom. He thought of the gold and silver dishes which had been brought from the Temple of God in Jeralem, and put in the idols’ temple, and he ordered those to be brought and filled with wine. Then he and his guests drank from those dishes and praised their idols. This king knew of the true God, but did not want to honor Him.

That evening while the big company were eating and drinking and praising their idols, suddenly, the king saw a hand writing words on the wall above him; there was no person, only the Fingers of a hand writing. The king was so frighned at the strange sight, that his knees trembled. The light of the lamps shone on the words, and they were very plain, but no one in the big company could read them. The king sent for the wise men, astrologers, and magicians, but they could not read the words or tell the meaning. The writing stayed on the wall, and the king was greatly worried.

The queen mother was not at the feast, but was told of the writing, and of the king’s fear, and came to the room. She told the king that there was a man, wiser than any other, whose name was Daniel, and she was certain that he could explain the writing.

The king sent at once for Daniel; told him that if he could tell the meaning of the words, he should have gifts, and be made a ruler. Daniel said he did not want any reward, but he would explain the writing. Daniel then read the strange words,

“Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.”

He said the word, “Mene” meant that God had numbered (condemned) the kingdom and ended it: that word was written twice, so was urgent, the time had already come.

The word “Tekel” meant, “Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting.”

The word “Upharsin” meant divided, and Daniel said the great power, Babylon, had been divided between the Medes and Persians.

So the writing on the wall was a sad one for the king; he had ruled over all nions, now he was to lose his crown and riches, and other kings would have them. Daniel told the king that he should have honored the living God of heaven: he said,

“Thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, and of brass, iron, wood and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.”

If the king had believed God, He would not have written the words, “Thou art found wanting.”

That very night all the words on the wail were proven true; while the king and his men drank, the armies of the Medes and Persians made a way into the city, and killed the king and many others, but Daniel was not hurt.

May we believe what God has said to us.

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the Name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18.

ML 07/19/1942

Fishing

What a quiet secluded place this man has found to fish with a rod. He has chosen a position where the fish will not 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.

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

True wisdom is to be found in the Bible, 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 ways? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.” Psa. 119:9.

May each one of out 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 be sure to lead you.

ML 07/26/1942

The Joy That Never Ends

One laugh from start to finish!” These are the words posted up in a certain street to call attention to a place of amusement.

Many children and young people enjoy what they call a good laugh, and might be attracted by these words to go in for a little more pleasure. But there is one thing said about the laugh that is true of all the pleasures of this world,

“It has a finish.” We read in Proverhs 14:13,

“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”

I read of a man who became so miserable that he felt quite ill, and he went to a doctor for advice. The doctor, seeing the man was unhappy, yet knowing nothing of the happiness to be found in Christ, said to him,

“You want change and amusement; go and see that famous clown; he is drawing hundreds of people, he will be sure to cheer you up.”

“But,” said the man, “I am that clown.”

While amusing others, he was himself unhappy. The pleasures of this world can never satisfy the heart. The end of that mirth is heaviness.

How different the joy that God gives. He offers, not enjoyment for an hour or two, but full joy, joy which no man can take away.

Which are you going in for, dear young reader, a few changing pleasures here, or the everlasting joy and peace that God gives?

When the young man in Luke 15, sought satisfaction away from God, what did it bring? Poverty, hunger, loneliness. Then he came to himself and remembered the fulness of the father’s house; he saw himself as a sinner and unworthy of the father’s love. Then he arose and came to his father, but while still afar off, the father saw him and received and welcomed him in his own gracious, loving way. He clothed him, and made him fit for the the father’s house; he provided all that was neddedm and they began to be merry. No finish here. That joy never ends. God still dleing to bless poor sinners.

If you, dear reader, turn to Him, He will gladly receive you, and give you life and peace and joy everlasting. Then you will be able to sing:

“O, I am so happy in Jesus,

His love is enough for my heart;

What want I with earth’s fleeting pleasures?

When with Him, I have such a part.”

“Jesus Christ, whom not having seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:7,8.

ML 07/226/1942

"This I Know."

One day in the summer I was taking a walk through a beautiful park. There were large trees along the road, and seats under some of them. On one of the seats a little girl about four years old was sitting, with her nurse and baby brother, and just as I passed she was carefully holding up the little one, and bending down trying to teach him to sing, “Jesus loves me-, this I know.”

Very sweet it was to hear this dear child’s voice as it rang out the words distinctly, and it made one feel that, young as she was, she really did know the love of Jesus. There was no uncertainty or doubt in her voice; she was quite sure of it, and the stress of her baby voice fell on the words, “This I know.”

As I passed on, those words, “This I know,” rang in my ears, and very glad I was that I too could say, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” So I want to pass these little words on to you, dear children.

Fist let me ask you, What do you know? In John 9:25 we read of aman who could say,

“One thing I know.”

You may know a great deal that may be learned from books; but can you say, “This I know, that Jesus loves me?” You have, no doubt, sung the words in Sunday school; but deep down in your hearts do you know it? But if you have never thought about it, nor cared to know it, yet it is true, and you may know now that Jesus loves you. When He was on earth He took little children in His arms, and blessed them, and said,

“Suffer little children to come unto Me”; and He is the same loving Saviour in heaven today. He died that you might te saved, and be in heaven with Him forever. There is a verse says,

“He loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Could there be love greater than this? Just open your little heart to the blessed Saviour’s great love, and believe it, and then you will sing rejoicingly,

“Jesus loves me, this I know.”

But some child may say,

“I am so naughty; Jesus cannot love me; I must try to be good first.”

No, dear little one, Jesus loves you just as you are. He came into the world to save sinners, because of His great love to them. He is waiting to save you, and make you happy forever; so do not wait to be better, but come now, and trust His love.

How can you know that Jesus loves you?

It is not by looking into your own heart to see if you love Jesus, that you will ever know His love, but by believing what God tells you in His Word of the love of Jesus. Then you will be able to say,

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

May each dear boy and girl who reads this be able from their hearts to say,

Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

ML 07/26/1942

The Lion and the Spider

A small boy who had been to the Zoo was heard to say one day,

“I would not be afraid of a lion, not even if I met him in a jungle I would stop and pat him.”

It was so easy for the little boy to say this when the only lions he had seen were kept at a safe distance and behind iron bars!

A short time afterward this same boy rushed shrieking into the garden evidently trying to escape from some foe. Was it a lion? No, it was not a lion; was it a mouse? No, it was not a mouse; it was a SPIDER! The little boy was afraid of a spider, and yet he had said he would not be afraid of a lion.

There is a verse in the Bible in which it says,

“The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.” James 3:5.

How well God knows us! He tells us that even such a small part of our body as our tongue will boast of great things, and we all need to ask God to help us keep our tongues in order, and not praise ourselves or boast of great things we can do.

When you are tempted next time to praise yourself, think of this little story of the lion and the spider. Remember, God knows you better than you know yourself, and He has told us not to boast. So let us try to put our tongues to a better use by praising and thanking God with them.

Shout then, children, shout your praises,

Loud let grateful anthems ring,

Jesus is the children’s Saviour,

Let us of His praises sing.

“By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name.” Heb. 13:15.

ML 07/26/1942

Safe in a Lions' Den

Dan. 6

Daneil lived in Babylon many years and, because of his wisdom, was given important positions. King Darius wanted him to be head of all the governors. This made other men envious, and they tried to find a cause for Daniel to lose the favor of the king. But he did his duties so well, no fault could be found.

At last the selfish men thought of a way to find a fault; they knew that Daniel prayed to the Lord three times every day; so they wrote a new rule, and this was what it said,—

“Whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of the king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”

The men took the writing to the king to sign, which he did, and that made it a law. Daniel knew of the new law, but he knelt down in his room and prayed to God the same as he had done before, facing the windows open toward Jerusalem.

The men who hated Daniel came where they could watch and hear Daniel pray; then they went to the king and told him Daniel had disobeyed the new law, and should he thrown to the lions. The king was sorry then for the law; he knew Daniel had not done wrong and tried to have him excused. But it was against the rule of the land for a law to be changed. So that night the king had to order Daniel cast into the lions’ den. The king believed God had power, for he told Daniel that his God would deliver him.

Daniel was put with the lions, and a great stone rolled against the door, marked with the king’s seal, and the seals of the other men, so no one would dare to free him.

The king went to his palace, but he was very troubled, and would eat no food, nor have music and could not sleep. Early in the morning he went to the lions’ den, and in a sad, frightened voice called,

“O, Daniel...is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver the from the lions?”

Daniel was safe, and at once answered the king,

“My God hath sent His angel, and hatI shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me,”

The king was very glad, and ordered Daniel taken from the den. He had not been hurt at all by the fierce lions.

The king then made another law that “all people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God.... Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel was honored as long as that king ruled, and by the next kings.

You may wonder why Daniel prayed with his face toward Jermalem, which was several hundred miles away. We might think that could not help him, and that he did not need to let those men see him pray. But many years before, the people of Jerusalem had been told that if ever they were captives in another land, or in trouble, and prayed to God, with their faces toward Jerusalem and the temple of God, that He would hear them (2 Chron. 6:37,38).

Since the Son of God was put to death in Jerusalem, those who believe in Him do not pray toward that city, or any city on earth. But wherever they are, they may pray to God in the name of the Lord Jesus, and He has said He will hear. God does not always deliver His people from danger as He did Daniel, but He will always be their comfort and reward.

ML 07/26/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for May

“The Children’s Class”

1.“Ye hypocrites,” etc. Luke 12:56.

2.“That thou,” etc. 1:4.

3.“In that hour,” etc. 10:21,

4.“And he said,” etc. 6:5.

5.“But that,” etc. 8:15.

6.“And now also,” etc. 3:9.

7.“The Spirit,” etc. 4:18,19

Bible Questions for August

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in John, chapters 11-21

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “And the world hath hated them.”

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “He shall give you another Comforter.”

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Except it were given thee from above.”

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “And we know that his testimony is true.”

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “One of them that sat at the table with him,”

7.Which “Mary” was it whose brother Lazarus was sick?

Answers to Bible Questions for May

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Making them to sit down by fifties. Luke 9:14.

2.In the home, Luke 12:51-53.

3.Gabriel. Luke 1:26.

4.That our names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20.

5.“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.

6.Luke 3:14.

7.When we are reproached for Christ’s sake. Luke 6:22,23.

Bible Questions for August

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in John. chapters 11-21

1.Through what is the believer sanctified?

2.What was the Lord’s last advice to Peter?

3.Did the Lord have any secret teachings?

4.What Old Testament Scripture did the soldier fulfill when he pierced the side of Christ?

5.What did the Lord say we should have in the world?

6.How shall all men know that we are Christ’s disciples?

7.How must we come unto the Father?

ML 08/02/1942

"Where Do You Find That?"

I heard of a little girl, who before she went to sleep, took hold of her sister’s arm, for she was afraid that if the Lord came, she would be taken away, and her sister left behind. She had been taught by her dear parents that only those who are saved through the precious blood of Jesus would be taken up to meet Him, and knowing that her sister was not saved, it made her afraid.

Now, it may be that some of you do not know that we are told in God’s Word that every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ, whether young or old, may at any moment be caught up without dying to meet Him in the air; and that all who love the Lord Jesus are called to wait for Him.

A friend and myself were one day traveling on one of the many railroads in London, when, on alighting at the station, we inquired of a boy the way to our destination. He immediately went with, us, to put us in the right direction.

He was a cripple, and walked with the aid of crutches. Poor little boy! he had such a bright happy face that I felt very much drawn to him, so I asked him if he knew the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

“O, yes, I do, sir.”

“And do you know your sins are forgiven?”

“Yes,” he said.

“What do you expect to take place next before you see the Lord who died for you?”

“O, well, sir, we shall die,”

I told him that the Lord Jesus had promised to come again “Himself” to get us, and that we are told in God’s Word to look for Him, and that this is the bright and blessed hope for all who know the Lord.

The boy looked up very earnestly into my face and said,

“Where do you find that, sir?”

“In 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10, it says of the early believers, they ‘turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come;’”

“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 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

Are you, my dear readers, ready to go to meet Him, if He were to come today?

ML 08/02/1942

Great Light; Great Love

Do your gods love you? Asked a missionary of an Indian.

“The gods know nothing of love,” came the sad reply.

So the missionary read the 16th verse of the 3rd chapter of John’s Gospel,

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The poor heathen listened with open month,

“Read it again,” he asked, and the missionary did so.

“Our God ‘so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosver believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.’”

“Once more!” cried lite heathen, “please once more,”

“My God, your God ‘so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’”

“That is true! I feel it is!” cried the Indian. “That is great light. That is great love! It is true!”

Can you say from the heart, dear reader,

“The Son of God loved me, and gave Himself for me?”

It requires nothing but to believe. God has loved the world, but each one must apply it to himself. God loves me, Jesus gave Himself for me.

That will bring light into our souls, a light that will grow brighter each day.

Will you, then, thank the Lord for His great love?

ML 08/02/1942

The Pet Lamb

Many of our little readers have pet lambs smaller than the one in the picture. Others have never been near one to touch its woolly coat, or see it frisk about the pasture.

God’s Word speaks of Jesus as the Lamb of God. Even when He, the Creor God, was suffering the greatest iustice at the hands of men, and was wicdly nailed to the cross, He still maintained the character of a iamb at the slaughter (Isa. 53:7).

He is now in the glory, risen to die no more. There the apostle John saw Him,

“A Lamb as it had been slain,” Revelation 5:6.

He endured all the suffering and the judgment due to rebellious creatures that He might save us. Do come to Jesus while you are young, and live your life for Him. You will never be truly happy till you know that your sins are forgiven.

“Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

ML 08/02/1942

Things Daniel Was Told

Daniel 7 to 12.

Daniel was young when taken captive from Jerusalem, and he lived in Babylon many years, but he did not forget Jerusalem, and wished the people of Israel could return there, because there they could worship God; the people of Babylon worshiped idols.

At last Daniel read the writings of a man who had told God’s words to Israel long before, and he found that God had said that the captivity in Babylon would be ended in seventy years. Daniel had been taken with the early captives, and he knew the seventy years was nearly finished. Daniel knew it was because of wicked ways that they had been made captives, so he began to pray earnestly that the people would be sorry for their ways, and God could again bless them in their land.

Daniel was so anxious for the people to repent, that he went without his meals, wore coarse clothes, and put ashes on his head, as people did then in sorrow.

One evening while Daniel was praying, an angel came from God to tell Daniel very important things about the future of the nation of Israel. The angel spoke of a command to be made for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, and said just how many years afterward the Messiah would come.

The people of Israel counted time by a word meaning seven, in our Bible called “weeks”; they spoke of a “week” of years, meaning. seven years. The angel said that from the time of the command unto Messiah, the Prince, should be “seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks”, which would be 69 weeks of years, the same as 483 years.

These people had long expected the Messiah, the Anointed, Holy One, to rule and bless them, and the angel told Daniel how long it would be until He came. But the angel said Messiah should be “cut off”, yet spoke of a time when the Holy One would be anointed, and there worth everlasting righteousness, which must be at a later time. The time for the captives to return to Jerusalem cane while Daniel lived. The time for Messiah came many years after: when Jesus was on earth, He said He was Messiah, the Christ, Who was to come (John 4:25,26). He was “cut off”, crucified, at the time told to Daniel. The people then could reckon the time exactly from the command to rebuild their city, as the angel told Daniel. The time of “righteousness” has not come to Jerusalem, or to any city on earth, so we know that time is still future, but will as surely come.

Daniel was also shown by dreams and visions, of events to happen to nations, and was told of kings, so fierce, that he saw them like beasts in the visions; the countries named were all known to the people then, and some are still well known to us. Some of the events happened while Daniel lived, some later, and some have not yet happened.

Do you know why Daniel was told these things? Because when young he “purposed” to honor God, and he set his heart to understand God’s words (Dan. 10:12). Anyone now who wishes to uerstand what Daniel was shown, also be earnest for God’s honor. Future events are told in the Bible that all who read them shall more fully trust God, The Lord Jesus said,

“I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” John 14:29.

ML 08/02/1942

The Gleaners

In our country, where God has provided such abundance of foods, we know very little of gleaners. Our great wheat fields are mown in summer time, the wheat tied in great bundles: then it is thrashed right in the fields, and taken to the granaries. The many grains left on the ground are eaten by the fowls or go to waste.

But not so in the eastern countries, which are thickly inhabited. When the wheat has been cut and gathered in, the poor send their children, or go themselves, to pick up every ear of wheat they can find left behind. It will be carefully rubbed between the hands, the grain used for food during the winter months, and the straw to till their mattresses for their beds.

We read in God’s Word that He forbade His people, the Israelites, when they should come into their land, to go after the reapers in the fields to gather what might have been left behind, but on the contrary, they were to leave for the poor the corners of the fields; also in the vineyards, they were not to gather all the grapes, but leave some for those who had none.

God had given them the land, and all its riches, and He wanted His people to remember it, and provide for those who had less. So should we, for whom God has done so much.

Everything we receive is from His loving Hand and He wants us to show our appreciation by sharing with others.

“GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER.” 2 Cor. 9:7.

ML 08/09/1942

How an Agnostic was won for Christ

An agnosic! What a strange word. I wonder what it means?” I almost seem to hear some of the younger readers of “Messages of the Love of God,” saving, an agnostic is a person who says,

“I will only believe in what my eyes can see, or my hands touch. I cannot see God, so I will not believe that there is a God.’’

Two officers were in the same regiment who were a great contrast to each other. One, a bright, happy Christian, never lost an opportunity, whenever his duty as an officer gave him a little free time, of gathering as many of the men of his company as cared to be present into his room for prayer and Bible-reading. The blessing of the Lord had rested upon his efforts to win souls for Christ, and several who when they entered the army had been “without God and without hope,” were rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven, and seeking to tell their comrades of the Saviour who had sought and found them.

The other officer, who called himself an agnostic, did not give any one who knew him the impression of being a very cheerful or happy man. After some time he had new duties appointed to him. He was made a “censor,” one of his duties being to read the letters of the soldiers before they are allowed to be sent to their friends in the homeland, so as to be quite sure that they contained no information that might be of use to the enemy.

He had only filled his new post for a short time When one evening, to the surprise alike of the Christian officer, and the men who had gathered for their simple service the agnostic entered and quietly took a seat, listening with interest and attention to all that was said, asking several questions.

When the meeting closed, he remained for conversation with his brother officer and when asked what led him to attend a meeting for prayer and Bible study, he said it was owing to many of the soldiers’ letters which for some weeks it had been his duty. to read. He added he was no longer an agnostic, for he felt sure, quite sure, that men who at any moment might have to face death upon the battle-field, could not write, as quite a number had done, of the joy and peace they had found through simply trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, unless they were in possession of the real thing. Some had even told their friends that if they should hear they had fallen, they were not to grieve too much, but rather thank God that all fear of death had been taken away since they had known and loved the Saviour who had so loved them that He had given His own precious blood to wash away their sins.

“These men,” he said, “could not write such letters if the Bible was not a true Look I am here tonight as a learner, for I must share their faith and enjoy their God-given peace.”

“Every one that seeketh findeth,” and we may be sure that it was not long before the officer, who in such an unlooked-for way had been won for Christ, was able to say of Him, “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

A great many letters are written and posted every day, and it is, not at all unlikely that some of ours help to swell the number. But what messages are our letters bearing? Are they such as will help to win our friends or school coanions for Jesus?

Perhaps sometimes we put a text of scripture or a verse of a hymn into our letters, but do we pray over the words we write, asking the Lord in His grace to take them into His hands, and make them His message to somebody?

ML 08/09/1942

The Working Boys' Evening Class

They were the sons of poor but honest parents, who had to work hard for their daily bread. At the age of sixteen the four boys were sent to work, with a very poor education, and little hope of rising above day-laborers in the field. A Christian boy, an apprentice mason, who lived in the same village, had been seeking something to do for his new, Master, and as he saw the four boys aimlessly spending their evenings on the street, he resolved to invite them to an evening class in his father’s home. The boys asked their parents’ consent, and accepted his invitation. They were not too, attentive at first; whenever his back was turned they were into mischief, but he bore with them and patiently led them on. In order to bring the Gospel of Christ, and their need of it, before them, they read a chapter of the Bible and he opened and closed with prayer. For two winters the little class continued, and the lads made good progress in reading, writing and arithmetic. The following Spring, two left for situations in another town, and both were saved the same year. The younger two remained another winter, then they also left to learn their trades.

Years passed, and the boys were far sundered, but God had used that faithful young man’s services, and he had the joy lately of hearnig that all his four scholars were decided and devoted Christians, living godly lives and leading others to the Saviour. With tears of joy running down his cheeks he said to me,

“I well remember when the four restless boys were in my evening class, how I was once and again on the point of giving it up as hopeless, but was always rebuked by the Lord in my unbelief. What a joy it is now to hear from them, all saved and in happy service for Christ, winning others to Him.”

Yes, out of small beginnings God works His greatest triumphs of grace. And trnimph it truly is, to be saved in early years to serve the Lord.

Have you know what this is in your own experience? Do not rest until you can truly say,

“The Lord is my light and my salvation” Psa. 27:1.

Be sure you put in the “my;” that you personally claim as your own Saviour, Jesus the Lord.

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23,24.

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9.

ML 08/09/1942

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 had of sin upon Hine 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 wondrons love! I’ll shout and sing,

He died for me, my Lord the King.

ML 08/09/1942

Some Short Books

Hosea and Joel

There are twelve short books in the last part of the Old Testament which are not often read, but which tell important words from God. The men who wrote these books were prophets, men who told people whatever message God told them to, sometimes of events to happen later.

The first of these books was written by Hosea, who must have been a young man when God first told him to speak His words; he spoke to the people during the reign of four kings.

Hosea spoke to them of the sin of hang idols, which could not help them, and forgetting the Lord Who had given them the land and homes, He said to them, “Let us return unto the Lord.” Hosea 6:1. But they would not listen. Then he told them that they would be taken to the enemy’s land, and would be like chaff that is blown away, or like smoke from the chimney, which soon cannot be seen. After some years, armies from the east spoiled their cities, and took the people captives, as Hosea had said.

Some words said by Hosea are repeated in the New Testament. When God said to bring the young child Jesus back from. Egypt, it was written that this fulfilled that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet Hosea, “Out of Egypt have I called my Son.” (Hos. 11:1; and Matt. 2:15).

When Jesus was being taken from Jerusalem up the hill where He was to be put to death, many were walking near. He told them words from the hook of Hosea, of a time when men will say to the mountains,

“Cover us”; and to the hills, “Fall on us”, because they will be afraid of the Lord. when He comes as the Judge (See Hosea 10:8; Luke 23:30). So the Lord Jesus knew, the words told to Hosea.

The next prophet, Joel, wrote of a fine, and of a dreadful time of sorrow. “a day of darkness, of clouds and thick darkness.” They were to tell their children of this, and the children should teh their children.

Many years after, a day of darkness came, when the Son of God hung on the cross; for three hours there was darkness over all the land. But there is to be another time of darkness for the world before Israel will fully turn to God; Joel wrote, “The sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.” That is the time of God’s great judgment. Yet God told Joel to write of mercy, that

“Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered. Joel 2:32.

But God does not want people to waif until His time of judgment to call on Him; our time to call is NOW, and those same wonderful words are repeated for its in the New Testament:

“The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:12,13.

Words of God said to Joel were repeated by Peter, the day the Holy Spirit was sent to be with those who believe in Jesus:

“I will pour out My Spirit.’’ Acts 2:16. But Joel spoke of a time when all should he blessed by the Holy Spirit. Such a time has not come, and there are many of the words by Joel yet to be fulfilled.

ML 08/09/1942

Mother

What is sweeter on earth than a mother’s love? How fortunate for every child who has a father and a mother, especially so, when the parents know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and seek to teach their children about Him and His Word.

Will my young readers think of who Jesus is, and of what He has done, and look to Him and be saved?

“Jesus, when He left the sky,

And for sinners came to die,

In His mercy passed not by

Little ones like me.”

“THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” Galatians 2:20.

ML 08/16/1942

The Little Cabin Boy

We were seated, my sister and I on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. My sister was drawing and I was read to her.

A group of boys was standing smiling: not far from us, and some of them approached near enough to throw a furtive look on the album where my sister was taking her sketch. Attracted by the story which I was reading aloud, they ended by seating themselves close to us. After a while I drew some booklets from my satchel and distributed them among them. Doing so, I spoke a few words to one of them:

“And you, little man, how old are you?”

“I am thirteen.”

“What is your name?’’

“Louis Bertaud.”

“And what do you do?”

“I am a cabin boy, and I have already had it shipwreck.”

“A shipwreck already! And where? Tell me all about it.”

“I was on board a vessel carrying copper ore. That is heavy, you know. We were trying to enter the port. The wind was blowing terribly hard, and we turned too quickly, so that we struck our side against a rock. The vessel could not stand the blow. She was torn all along the bottom. At the second shock she sank.”

“And what did you do then?”

“I held on to the mainmast, together with four other men of the crew. The top of the mainmast was sticking up above the water.”

“Did somebody see you in that position?”

“O, the time seemed terribly long, beaten as we were by the wind and waves. We remained there till ten o’clock at night. At last a boat brought us help.”

“A life boat?”

“Yes, an unsinkable boat. They came to our help and saved us all. O, how delicious it was to find ourselves on solid ground before a good fire, and with dry clothes on. After a little while, I went home, and how glad my mother was to see me!”

“I am sure of it. But tell me, Louis, who saved you?”

“I don’t know. They were brave men.”

“But who told them to save you?”

“I suppose it was the Admiralty,”

“No doubt, but who could have suggested to the marine authorities to do such a kind thing?”

“I don’t know.”

“Whence comes all that is great and good and noble?”

“O, from God!”

“Certainly; and therefore it is to God that you owe your salvation. Have you thanked Him?”

“My mother has done so, and I also.”

“Well done. Do not forget to do so every day. But do you know, your ship wreck makes me think of another ship wreck, and another life boat, and another Saviour. All sinners are like ship wrecked sailors. We are all, by nature, sinners, and we are so tossed about by the waves of the circumstances of life, that ai any moment we are ready to be swallowed up, and to perish in an abyss which is an eternity of pain deserved by our sins. We could not save ourselves, anymore than you could save yourself when you were holding on to the top of the mast of the frigate. But think! From the height of heaven God has seen us. He was not obliged to take pity on us, for we had offended Him with our sins. Nevertheless, he loved us so much that He sent His Son.”

“Jesus Christ?”

“Yes, Jesus Christ. He has not only courageously exposed His life, like those men in the life boat, but He has really given it for us. He bore the wrath of God against sin. He died, and in doing so has saved us from the abyss into which we were just going to fall. He has risen, and has now sent to announce the Gospel of salvation by grace, saying, ‘He that believed in ‘Me hath everlasting life.’

‘Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out He is directing the life boat towards every sinner, towards everyone who is, perishing, and saying to them, ‘Save your life,’ What did you do, Louis, when you saw the life boat within your reach?” “I let myself fall into it.”

“Without hesitation?”

“Certainly!”

“You did not wait till the danger became greater?”

“O, no!”

“Did any of the men beg you to believe in their good intentions of saving you?”

“No, indeed! There was not a minute to lose.”

“Well, neither is there now a moment to lose, nor to hesitate. You need to let yourself fall into the arms of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. The work which He has finished for you is the unsinkable life boat in which you find eternal salvation. God grant that you may feel the danger your soul is in, as keenly as when you saw and felt the waves foaming and dashing, all around you, in order that you may, like Peter, cry to Jesus, ‘Lord, save me!’ He is ready to take you by the hand and carry you to safety.”

Little Louis listened attentively to what I said, and willingly received a little New Testament, which he promised to read.

You, dear reader, do the same. Do not hesitate to get a New Testament and to read it. There you will learn of the life boat which God sends to save you from the water of judgment, and to conduct you safely to the land of eternal salvation.

ML 08/16/1942

Little Kathleen

Be ye one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32.

Have my little readers ever thought of the wonderful love of God in forgiving us all our sins for Jesus’ sake, and have you ever thought of how unlike our Lord it is to go on day after day in an unforgiving spirit towards any one who may have clone us an injury, or has been unkind to us?

Think of what He has forgiven us!

Our little friend Kathleen loved the Lord Jesus and wished to please Him, and to show the loving, forgiving spirit that He would like to see in a little Christian.

She came home, one day, to her mother with a beautiful bunch of grapes, and holding them up, said,

“Look, mamma, see what a lady gave me!”

“What lovely grapes, and such a lot of them,” her mother replied.

“O,” exclaimed little Kathleen, “she gave me more than this. I gave a lot away!”

Her mamma asked who she gave them to, and she said,

“To a little girl who always pushes me off the pavement, and makes ugly faces at me.”

“Why did you give them to her?” asked her mamma.

“Beause, I thought,” she said, ‘‘it would let her know I wished to be kind to her, then, perhaps, she will not be naughty and rude to me any more.”

Wasn’t this a nice spirit to show, my dear children? She wanted the little girl to know that she would not “pay her back,” and whether the other girl stopped her unkindness or not, she knew the Lord Jesus would be pleased, for she was a little Christian.

Now, my dear reader, if you are washed from your sins in Jesus’ blood, you are a Christian, Christ’s little one.

He says, “Walk as children of light,” and let us ask Him for grace and strength to walk pleasing to Him.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heavens.” Matthew 5:16.

ML 08/16/1942

Some Short Books

Amos and Obadiah

One man who wrote God’s words was a herder of cattle named Amos; he was a poor man, for he said that he was a gatherer of sycamore fruit, which was a kind of fig used by poor people. It was while he was watching the cattle that God spoke to him to go tell His words to the people of Israel living north of his home, which was in a town of Judah.

Amos went as God told him to the people worshiping the gold calves set up by the king, and not caring for what the Lord had done for them. Amos told of the greatness of God:

“Lo He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is His thought....The Lord, The God of hosts is His Name” (ch. 4:13).

“Seek Him that maketh the seven stars, and Orion (a large group of stars), and turneth the shadow of death into morning (resurrection), and maketh the day dark with night (judgment): that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is His Name” (ch. 5:8).

“Seek good and not evil that ye may live: and so the Lord God of hosts, shall be with you.” (ch. 5:14).

Amos told the people that God had kept back the rains, and they wandered for water, yet they did not remember He could send it. He said God wanted to help, and be with them, as though to walk with them, but he asked them,

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3.

God could not be with them in their wicked ways. The kings and great men built fine palaces, even of ivory, but they were unjust to the poor.

Amos told them of a time to come when they could not hear any words of God:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord; and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11,12.

That would surely be a sad time. Do you think so sad a time can come again on earth? Now, we may have the Bible and read God’s words, but when God takes those who believe Him to heaven, those who have not believed Him will not know His words.

In the country where Amos tended the cattle, lions sometimes took a sheep or a calf, and Amos told the people that many, of them would be as cruelly taken by the men of Assyria. The words of God to Amos all came true some years after; only a few people were left in their land.

“I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more he pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” Amos 9:15.

Those words of God must yet come true.

One prophet, named Obadiah, wrote a very short book of God’s words. It was about a nation south of Israel, called Edom. The people were from the family of Esau, and related to the people of Israel. But they were glad when Israel had trouble. There were high, rocky clefts in their land where they built forts and thought they would always be safe, but God said those would be broken down.

ML 08/16/1942

Hagar and Ishmael

I suppose most of my readers have read of Hagar and Ishmael (Gen. 21:12-21), or at least have heard about them in the Sunday school. There are different lessons for us in this case, but there is only one I want to bring before you, and that is in connection with how God watched over them, supplied their needs, and purposed that a ration would come from Ishmael, which i.ere called Ishmaelites.

It is good for us ever to remember that God is in everything, and He. is and will work out His wise purposes, and the end is ever with blessing. You may find many difficulties arise in your circumstances, even when you are quite young, but may you remember how God undertook for these two. There is a verse of Scripture in the New Testament that I want you to learn by heart,

“WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD.” Rom. 8:28.

Why should I ever careful be,

Since such a God is mine?

He watches o’er rue night and day,

And tells me, “Thou art Mine.”

ML 08/23/1942

Two Kinds of Poison

“Papa,” said Arthur W. one evening, “will you please give me the key to the bookcase in your study?”

“Why, my boy?”

“I want to take out a book.”

“Which book?”

“A book from the top shelf.”

“That is not answering my question.” “A scarlet bound book, Papa; I am not sure of the name. I wish to read it this evening.”

“Who gave you that book, Arthur?”

“‘One of the boys at school. He said there were nice stories in it, and I began to read one of them. Was it you Papa, who locked it up?”

“Yes?”

“Why did you do so?”

“Because I did not wish you to read it. I have not read it myself, but I know the name of the writer well, he is a very bad man, one who writes things that it would be very wrong in me to allow you to read.” Arthur looked very much vexed.

“I am sure, Papa, that was a very nice story which I began last night, and I wish very much to finish it. Will you not give it to me just for this evening? I will pass over all that is wrong.” Mr. W. smiled.

“How will you know what to pass over till you have read it?”

“But, Papa, I am sure just reading it once, quite quickly, would do me no harm.”

“Arthur, why is your mother always so careful to keep the bottle of Laudanum locked up?”

“Because it is poison, of course.”

“So Laudanum is the only poison in the Drug Store?”

“No, Papa, there are many other kinds.”

“Yes, and many kinds which may injure people in various ways. Some will bring on a deadly sleep; others may produce violent pains and convulsions. You may die from swallowing one kind: or allow another to touch an open scratch, and so get into your blood; or by breathing another kind into your lungs. A sensible man will handle them most cautiously. A sensible child will not touch them at all. But there are much more deadly poisons than any kept by the Druggist. Which are of most importance, my son, our soul, or our body?”

“Our soul, of course, Papa.”

“Why?”

“Because it must live forever in heaven or hell.”

“Then, is not the poison which would destroy our souls, to be more dreaded and avoided than that which would merely injure our poor, mortal bodies?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Well, I believe fatal poison is coutained in that scarlet book, which I have locked up from you. The writer of that book is poisoning the souls of his fellow creatures, and all this is done in the most deceiving way—under the form of interesting stories. My dear boy, be more afraid of reading poison than of swallowing it. Never begin with a new author until you have asked father or mother if the work is safe and suitable for you. Pray for the blessing of God upon all your studies to which we direct vou, and above all, Value the Book of Books, own precious Word, “The Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

“Where withal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.” Psalms 119:9.

“Those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17.

ML 08/23/1942

"He is Able"

A little Zulu boy, who learned that after Jesus went to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of those who had believed in Him as their Saviour. As he was one of those happy children, when he went home he said to his mother, “Mother, I mustn’t hurt Him.”

“Hurt whom?” said his mother.

“The Holy Spirit, for life is living in my heart; if I do wrong I will hurt Him.”

What a lesson this is to many who have greater privileges than this little black-skinned boy. Remember, you have the same Saviour, and the same Holy Spirit, Who is grieved if you are naughty. When tempted to be disobedient, or tell lies, or give way to temper, think of this kind Friend and know that through His strengthening you, you will be enabled to overcome, and live a life which will commend Christ to others.

A little boy who had started a life of faith in Jesus, had a very bad temper, which was a trouble to himself and his friends. He was sorry that he had such a temper, and felt that he would like to get rid of it, so one day he got out of bed, saying to himself,

“Now, Tommy, you are going to try very hard to be a good boy today.”

He ran downstairs, and seeing that his little sister had broken his engine, he tried so hard not to be angry, but his temper was too strong, and in a moment the cross words were out, and he made his sister cry. The rest of that day he kept on trying to be good, but always failed, and at last he went to his room, fell down by his bedside, and said,

“Lord Jesus, I have tried to be a good. boy all day, but I am not a bit strong, I am very weak. I have been so very naughty; won’t You take away my bad temper, and put Your Holy Spirit of Love in my heart to make me strong?”

Tommy then went out of doors, and when his sister teased him he didn’t answer crossly, but spoke kindly to her, all because he was trusting Jesus to keep him kind and sweet; and he found that day after day, as he trusted, that the Holy Spirit made him strong, and it was easy for him to be loving and gentle.

“I can do all things through Christ, Who strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13.

“Even Christ pleased not Himself.” Romans 15:3.

“I do always those things that, please Him. John 8:29, Jesus said.

ML 08/23/1942

Come, Now!

A faithful pastor urged a young lady of his congregation and Sunday school to come to Jesus now. She impatiently answered,

“You are always urging me now, now I cannot see the need of such a hurry.”

“I have no authority to preach or to teach any other gospel.”

“O, well, I’ll risk it,” she jauntily replied, as she waved a good-bye and started on a summer excursion. A burning steamer on the Hudson river closed the short chapter of her life, with not another opportunity of accepting Christ.

“How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:3.

O, teacher! teach a present salvation, a present peril to shun, a present heaven to win. And do it now, on this Sunday, and on every Sunday, you meet and greet your scholars, it will not do to wait!

ML 08/23/1942

Closer Than a Brother

I have a Friend, a loving Friend,

He’s not like any other;

This Friend I’ve tried and proved Him oft

He’s closer than a brother.

He never disappoints my hopes,

He never has deceived me,

I know He never will forsake,

He says He’ll never leave me.

I want you all to know this Friend,

And in Him to find favor;

To yield Your hearts and lives to Him

And let him be your Saviour.

And then whate’er your pathway be;

Through trial or temptation,

In danger or perplexity,

You’ll find in Him salvation.

He’ll save you from the guilt of sin,

He’ll save you from its power;

And having Jesus for your Friend,

You nothing then need fear.

ML 08/23/1942

A Disobedient Prophet

Jonah 1 and 2

Once God told a man, named Jonah, to go to a far city, Nineveh, and speak to the people against their wicked ways. But Jonah did not want to go, and hurried away in the opposite direction. He reached a town on the coast of the Great Sea, and saw a ship ready to sail across to the other side, and he paid the fare to go in the ship.

After the ship was out in the sea, a great storm came up, the winds and waves were so strong, the sailors feared the ship would be broken in pieces. They threw their cargo overboard to lighten the load, and did all they could for safety; they prayed to their gods to save them, for they seem to have been heathen men.

All this time Jonah was down in the lower part of the ship soundly steeping. The captain of the ship came to waken him, surprised that he should sleep in such a storm, and told him to arise and pray to his God.

But the storm kept on and the men decided it was because some one had done a wrong deed, to cause such a danger to them; and they cast lots to learn which man, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then the men questioned Jonah, who he was and what he had done.

Jonah told them that he believed the God of heavens, but had not gone where God told him to; and he said that was the reason God had sent the storm. He told the men to cast him into the sea and the storm would stop.

The men were not willing to do that, and they rowed hard to bring the ship to land, but could not, the wind was so strong against them. They felt God’s power in the tempest, and prayed to Him that they should not do wrong to Jonah. Then they took jonah and put him overboard into the sea; the storm at once stopped.

Perhaps you already know what became of Jonah, he was not drowned, for God had planned a way to save him: He had a great fish come close to the ship, which took Jonah in its mouth. God kept him safe within the great fish for three days and three nights. That was a strange place to live! Jonah could not run away, nor do as he pleased there; he could not possibly free himself; all he could do was to pray to God.

God heard Jonah’s prayer and saved him, for we read that the Lord spoke to the fish, and it threw Jonah out unto the land, and he was unhurt. The ship could not get to the shore, but the fish carried Jonah there. The sailors may never have known that Jonah was saved, but when the storm stopped so suddenly, they felt it was by God, and “they feared Him exceedingly.”

Jonah afterward wrote what he prayed to God. He said his heart was faint, then he remembered the Lord. He believed God would save him, for he said, “I will again look toward Thy holy Temple.” the last words of Jonah’s prayer were, “Salvation is of the Lord.”

Some people say that the story of Jonah could not be true, yet many great fish have been seen and taken out of the seas large enough to swallow a man. God who made the seas and all in them, could command a fish and could keep Jonah alive, as He later kept Daniel alive in the lions’ den, and the three men in the burng furnace.

Seeking Attention

Poor Shep does not like to see his playmate fondling the little kittens on her lap when he is not getting any attention, so he has put his paw on her knee, and looks into her face as much as to say,

“Are you not going to pet me, too?” We need not wonder at the poor dog being selfish, as it does not know better, but how sad to see children and grown up people too, jealous of those who have something that they do not have,—and you know, that is selfishness.

The Lord Jesus was not that way, for He gave up all that He had, even His life, for poor sinners, as we are, and now He is waiting for that time when He will take all who put their trust in Him to His bright home above to share all that He has.

I am sure we can say there is one just like Him; but if we know Him as our Saviour, as the One who gave His life for us, we can ask Him for grace that we may he more like Him, and thus be pleasing to God in all our ways down here.

“LET US HAVE GRACE, WHEREBY WE MAY SERVE GOD ACCEPTABLY WITH REVERENCE AND GODLY FEAR.” Hebrews 12:28.

ML 08/30/1942

Peter's Magnet

Have you ever seen a manget?” Peter asked his sister one day. Out of his pocket he took one that looked like a horse-shoe. Most of it was painted red, but the two ends were bare. Peter emptied a little box of nails on the floor, and said:

“I am going to pick up those nails without using my fingers.” He touched the nails with the magnet, and they stuck to it. Then he lifted them up, and knocked them into the box.

Just then the children’s father appeared.

“Your magnet reminds me of a verse in the Bible,” he said. “Listen to the words of the Lord Jesus,

‘And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all unto Me:’” John 12:32.

Father then explained that the Lord Jesus was “lifted up” on the cross in order that He might be the Saviour of the world, and that all who believe, are drawn to Him, as the nails were drawn to the manget. God the Father is drawing men and women, and boys and girls, to His Son Who is so willing to receive them, for He said,

“All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me: and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37,44.

Peter’s sister, Joan, now wished to use the magnet. She took some brass buttons from her mother’s work-basket, and touched them with the magnet, but nothing happened.

“Your magnet has gone wrong,” she siad in a disappointed voice

No said Peter, “my magnet will only pick up things made of iron or steel.”

The children’s father then told them that before He went back to heaven, the Lord Jesus promised to come again to receive all that are His, and take them into heaven with Himself. At any moment He may come down from heaven, and at the same instant every one who has been drawn to Him in faith will be “caught up ... . to meet the Lord in the air: and so ... be forever with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). Those who have not accepted Him as Saviour, will be left behind like the brass buttons which the magnet did not raise. How necessary then for every boy and girl to make sure at once that they are among those who love the Lord Jesus, and that they will be drawn up to meet Him when He comes!

“Let me show you another magnet,” said the father, and he took a mariner’s compass from his pocket. “This is what I use when at sea. It is simply a magnetic needle swinging over a card on which all the points of the compass are marked.” Then he shook it gently, and the children watched the swinging magnet until it came slowly to rest. “As the needle always points to the north the man at the wheel is able to steer the ship in the proper direction.”

The children then listened as their father told them that, just as sailors need a compass to conduct the ship on a right course, so we need a guide for our journey through life. God has provided this for us in His Word: the Bible points out God’s way of salvation so plainly. The Lord Jesus said:

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

When you come to Him, He becomes your Saviour and Friend. Then with a glad and thankful heart you will be able to sing,

“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.”

ML 08/30/1942

The Tall Soldier and the Little Tract Boy

One Sunday afternoon, as a very tall soldier was passing along a street, he was met by a little boy returning home from Sunday school. This little boy was a worker for the Lord Jesus, and he held some tracts in his hand, one of which he offered to the soldier, with the words,

“Please have a tract, sir.”

The soldier willingly took the tract, and after reading the title,

“Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” he began to say something to the little giver. But his voice sounded so deep and gruff that the little fellow was quite frightened, and took to his heels and ran off home.

Thoroughly amused, the tall soldier quickened his pace, and, keeping the boy in sight, saw him enter a house. Then he stepped up to the door hirnself and gave a rat-tat-tat. The door was soon opened by the father of the boy, and the soldier was invited to come inside.

Then an interesting talk took place about the tract and the little giver; and at the close the soldier was asked to come again and take tea.

On his second visit, the soldier’s manner was so gentle that his little friend was now not at all afraid of him, but sat on his knee and answered his questions about the Lord Jesus Christ. Almost the last one he asked was,

“Do you recollect the question which was on the tract you gave me?”

“Yes,” answered the little boy, “it was,

“Dost thou believe on the Son of God?”

“Well,” said the soldier, “I wanted to tell you that on the day you met me I did not believe; for I knew nothing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But now (and as he spoke tears came up into the big man’s eyes), “now I do trust Him, and I have eternal life.”

Soon afterwards the regiment was ordered away, and he had to say good-bye to his little fellow-believer in Christ. But the little boy’s friends said, some time later that the converted soldier, through the power of Christ’s love, carried the gospel message wherever he went, pleading with his comrades to accept the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour Who had been so precious to Him.

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

ML 08/30/1942

He Shall Carry the Lambs

A little boy, the youngest of three children, on asking his father to allow him to be baptized, was told that he was too young: that he might fall back, if he made a profession when he was only a little boy. To this he made the touching reply:

“Jesus has promised to carry the lambs in His arm.” Isaiah 40:11.

ML 08/30/1942

"Teach us to Number Our Days."

Psalms 90:12.

Long as our lives, this tale is told,

God’s goodness cloth to all unfold

For unto all

The seasons call

Hearts now to heed His promise bold.

Long as our lives, upon the throne

The Saviour lives to bless His own:

And children dear

May year by year

Prove His great love ere life is flown.

Long as salvation’s day, God’s grace

Flows out to all who now abase

Themselves to Christ,

Whose blood unpriced

Cleanses, and gives in heaven a place.

Longer than life, eternally,

The joys of God shall ever be;

And they are blest

Who share His rest,

Who in His Son their Saviour see.

ML 09/30/1942

When Jonah Obeyed God

Jonah 3

God again told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh, and tell the people the words He told him. That city was a long distance from the Great Sea where Jonah was; we do not know how he traveled, or how long it took, but this time he obeyed God.

Nineveh was the capitol city of the country then called Assyria; the king and chief men lived there, and no doubt had great palaces; many other people lived there. It had so much land within its walls that the herds and flocks were kept inside. It was a “three days’ journey” around it which would be about 60 miles, and a day’s journey meant about 20 miles or more, the usual distance a man should walk in a day, But the king and people of Nineveh had not honored God, but had many idols and did very wicked things: their riches were taken in wars with other cities, and their soldiers were very cruel to the captured people.

God knew their sins, that was why he sent Jonah to speak to them.

Jonah went a day’s journey into the center of the city, and called out the message God told him: he said,

“Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

Jonah must have told the people this was because of their wicked deeds, and have spoken very earnestly and said God had sent him, as the people all believed the solemn message and began to mourn.

When the king heard the message, he left his throne, put off his fine robes, put on sackcloth (coarse cloth), and sat down in ashes. He gave command for all the people to turn from the wicked ways and violence, to sorrow, to eat no food, and to not give food and water to the animals, and to put sackcloth blankets on the cattle, for they too would be destroyed with the city. And he said for the people to pray “mightly” to God to save them that they perish not.”

This king and the people did not laugh at the message, or say it was not important, or that they could escape, and they did not keep on in gay ways; they mourned, “from the greatest, even to the least.”

God saw that those people stopped their-wicked things, and He knew they were sorry, and He did not send the destruion. This showed the great mercy of God; He has always forgiven any who were truly sorry for sins. Yet we know from other prophets, that later kings and people of Nineveh followed the same wicked ways; they were cruel to the nation of Israel and others, and God again said it would be destroyed (Nah. 3:7). It was later destroyed by the armies of other nations. It has laid in ruins many centuries.

This story of Nineveh is to teach its also, to believe God’s words. He has said. He has “appointed a day in which He will judge the world” (Acts 17:31), not just one city, hut the whole world. He has not named the exact day, as He did to Nineveh.

“He is longsuffering, not willing that ally should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

Remember God’s kindness in sending His Son to take the punishment of sins for all who believe on Him as their Saviour.

Be certain that you trust Him as your Saviour!

ML 08/30/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for June

“The Children’s Class”

1. “Then said, etc. Luke 20:13.

2. “But Jesus,” etc. 18:16.

3. “And Jesus,” etc. 17:17.

4. “For this my son, etc. 15:24.

5. “And he said,” etc. 22:10.

6. “And beginning,” etc. 24:27.

7. “And Jesus,” etc. 13:2,3.

Bible Questions for September

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Acts. chapters 1-14

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “A cloud received him out of their sight.”

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “It shall be told thee what thou must do.

3. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Whereby we must be saved.”

4. Write in full the verse containing the words, “They were not able to resist the wisdom.

5. Write in full the verse containing the words, “Exhorting them to continue in the faith.”

6. Write in full the verse containing the words, “And had seen the grace of God.

7. Who were the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch?

Answers to Bible Questions for June

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.When loyalty to them would keep us from following Christ. Luke 14:26.

2. Luke 24:44.

3.Luke 13:34.

4.“God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13.

5: When he received Christ. Luke 19:6 and 9.

6. Surfeiting, drunkenness, and cares of this life. Luke 21:34.

7. To make friends tor the future life, Luke 16:9.

Bible Questions for September

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Acts, chapters 1-14

1.What man “believed; was baptized yet was lost?

2.What verse shows that Barnabas was an apostle?

3.How many disciples in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost?

4.When is it right to disobey human authority?

5.How long will Christ remain in heaven?

6.Who received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized?

7.What two Ananiases in these chapters?

"Even to Hoar Hairs will I Carry You"

Dear children, “I would like to make you acquainted with a dear aged Christian, one who has known the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour for ninny years. She accepted the message, when she was young, that was preached by three well-known evangelists, that Christ died to put away her sins, and that He is now in the glory with His Father, waiting for the moment to call all His redeemed ones up to be with Himself.

She is still rejoicing in the Lord, the One who loved and gave Himself for her, and is joyfully looking forward to the time when her blessed Lord will come to take her, and all His people home to Himself.

Dear children, you too, no doubt, have heard, many times, the same blessed meage, that Christ has died to put away sins. Have you accepted Him as your own personal Saviour, and are you looking for Him to come and take you home to Himself? If so, you will have a happy path as long as you are in this world; and fullness of joy, and pleasures forever more, throughout eternity with your blessed Lord and Saviour.

The next time you meet an elderly Christian, please ask him, or her, if they have ever regretted that they accepted Christ Jesus the Lord as their own Saviour when they were young? I know what the answer will be. They will tell you that having Him, and knowing Him as the loving and gracious Lord and Saviour, and walking in His ways, is the only path of happiness, and real profit.

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah 17:7.

ML 09/06/1942

Free!

Jim was a slave! He could only dimly remember the happy days of his boyhood when he had been free to run and play where he liked round his father’s hut in the wilds of Africa; but he could never forget the terrible day when he was caught by some cruel slave raiders, packed with hundreds of others on board a ship and taken far away across the sea to be a slave. Ever since he had been made to work among the cotton plantations, sometimes for kind masters, but more often for those who cared nothing for him and treated him cruelly. How he hated those who bought and sold him in the market-place, and longed to escape from them all! But his arms were chained, and it was no use hoping ever to be anything else but a slave.

But one day, while he was standing in the market-place waiting to be sold, an elderly gentleman spoke to him and asked him where he had been born. The poor slave told him with tears in his eyes of those far-off days when he had been free, and the gentleman seemed to have pity on hire. However, soon after, the slave heard the gentleman bargaining with his master about his price, and he hated to think that one who seemed so kind should want to buy a slave for himself. But so it was, for the bargain was struck and he was marched off behind his new master.

As soon as they arrived at the gentleman’s house he unlocked the fetters that bound the slave’s arms and said to him, “I have bought you as a slave, but only so that I might set you free. You are a free man now and can do just what you wish and go where you will.”

When he heard these wonderful words, the freed slave fell at the gentleman’s feet overcome with gratitude, and exclaimed,

“Master, from this day I am yours, and will serve you forever!”

There is only One Who can free us from the chains which sin binds about us. The Lord Jesus gave His life a ransom for many upon the Cross of Calvary. Have you ever thanked Him? Those whom He sets free, are glad to be His servants forever, for they say,

“We are not our own; we are bought with a price” 1 Corinthians 6:19,20.

“The love of Christ constraineth us; ... .and 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. 5:14,15.

Whose slave are you? Either Satan’s or the Lord Jesus’, whom do you serve?

ML 09/06/1942

Waterfalls

Wherever we view samples of God’s handiwork in nature, we are held in awe at His wisdom and power. The exquisite form, color and fragrance of plant life and minerals, and the majestic arrangement of a mountain scene with the musical sound of a waterfall, raises the question, What must creation have been like before sin entered?

“THROUGH FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORLDS WERE FRAMED BY THE WORD OF GOD.” Hebrews 11:3.

Although plant and animal life, and the inanimate creation, retain much of their beauty, and are conformed to God’s laws of nature, He has chosen to value above all else in the world, and to set His love upon us, who have miserably failed, and come short of His glory,

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24.

ML 09/06/1942

Jonah's Anger

Jonah 4

Jonah was a prophet of God, and had gone to Nineveh and told the people that God would overthrow their city in forty days because of their wicked deeds. After he had told all as God said, he went outside the city and made a booth, probably of branches, and sat down to watch what would happen to the city.

When Jonah saw that God did not destroy the city, as He had told him to tell the people, he was very displeased and disappointed, and sat in the booth in grief and anger.

Why do you think Jonah was angry that all those people were saved and not destroyed? We would think that he would be glad that they believed his message, and that they were sorry for their sins. Perhaps it was because Jonah felt angry toward those people himself; for their soldiers had come to Israel, the land where Jonah lived, and had spoiled many towns and taken people captives.

But Jonah knew that God was kind and unwilling to punish, so he thought God would forgive and spare the city of Nineveh if the people repented. And he now said that was the reason he had not obeyed God before, when he had told him to go there (ch. 1:3). Jonah said,

“I know that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”

Jonah then said that it was no use for him to live any longer, as though no one would believe him as a prophet any more, because the punishment he told, did not come to Nineveh. He was thinking only about himself.

God was good to Jonah even while he was so angry, and He caused a vine, called a gourd, which grows very rapidly in hot climates, to spring up by Jonah’s booth. The vine shaded Jonah from the heat, and he was very glad of it, but he kept on grieving about himself. Then God taught Jonah a lesson with the gourd: He caused a worm to eat the stem of the gourd. and it withered away, so Jonah had no shade. Then God sent a strong hot wind, and both sun and wind came against Jonah, and he was more angry that the vine was withered because lie missed its shade. Then God spoke with Jonah again, He said,

“Thou hast pity on the gourd: for which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixty thousand little children?”

There is no more told of Jonah, but he must have been ashamed of his selfish anger, thinking only of what he wanted, and angry about God’s goodness to thou: who repented of their sins.

Do you suppose we are ever like Jonah? If wrong things are done to us or our family or our nation, we are angry: we forget that God is ever ready to forgive any who are sorry for their sins, and we forget He has been kind to us.

The story of Jonah also shows us that God can command, and use the things He has created, and that they obey Him,— the storm, the great fish, the gourd, the worm, and the east wind.

ML 09/06/1942

A Picnic

How refreshing it is during the hot summer days, to take your lunch and go to some park or shady nook, near the water for a little outing.

How the dear children look forward to it, and their parents too, find much pleare in being with their little ones. Father and mother watch their enjoyment, and enter into their simple amusements, and we can imagine the dear little ones, at the close, saying, What a happy time we have had!

But, remember, dear children, unless your sins are washed away by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are ready to go when He conies to take away all of His own, you do not know what true happiness is,

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

If the Lord should come today, how many of you would be caught up with Him? It will be only those who are under the shelter of His precious blood.

Will you be among the number of those who will be changed at His coming—caught up to be forever with Him?

What peace and joy this gives to the heart wherever you are; and whenever that shout takes place, you will be ready to go. It may be while you are having a little picnic in the woods, or while you are at school, at home, or at Sunday-school.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13.

ML 09/13/1942

The Girl Who Was Not Ready

It was at a village Sunday-school tea that I first became acquainted with the girl of whom I now write.

She was a young servant engaged at a small farmhouse. Some friends had called to give an invitation to the farmer’s children, and had asked the, mistress to allow the little maid to come with them to the tea. The result was their arrival in due time at the place of meeting.

The meal being concluded, and the children having sung some of their favote hymns, an opportunity was given me of speaking to them, and as I did so, their bright faces seemed to beam upon me as they sat facing the desk where I stood.

Turning to Luke 19:10, where we find some of the simplest words in the Bible.

“The son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Fifteen words of but one syllable each but how much they contain! what a blessed message they carry! Let us think of them a little.

They tell of a Person. “The Son of man,” the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the One by whom all things were created, and who upholds all things by the word of His power. He was with the Father before the worlds were made, hut for the glory of God and for our blessing He became the Son of man.

They tell of His mission. “Is come to seek and to save.”

Leaving His glory, He visited this world, so that He might find wanderers lost from God. To do this, He must suffer for sins, and die upon Calvary. Without this none would have been saved.

They tell of our deep need. “That which was lost.’

We were afar from God, having gone our own way, and caring more for our own selfish ends than we cared for God’s glory. We were lost, and without strength to save ourselves. Thus we needed to be delivered by another, and only the Son of man could do it.

Having spoken to the children of Christ’s first coming, I went on to tell of His coming again. That the Lord Hielf, who is now sitting at the right hand Of God; is about to return for His loved ones, to call them to be forever with Himself.

1 Thessalonians 4, which makes this so clear was referred to There, in verse 16 and 17, we read that the Lord will come from heaven to take away all His own.

From this and other scriptures, I sought to show that when Christ came at first, He came for sinners, but that when He comes back again, He will come for saints—that is, for those who are His own. In the past He, appeared. for those who were dark and guilty—and all were that-so. He came for all; but in the future coming-and He may come tonight—He will only take those who are washed from ‘their sins, and made whiter’ than snow in His precious blood.

I then asked all present the plain, poind question,

“Are you ready if the Lord should come tonight?”

“If the Lord should come tonight. Ellen, how would it be with you?” I asked.

Hanging her head, and without making reply, she went on her way. But the question kept ringing in her ears, “If the Lord should come tonight, how would it be with you?”

Knowing she was not ready, she tried to dismiss the thought from her mind, but in vain.

“I’ll have a good cry,” she said to herself, for nothing gave her rest. However, the words of a hymn we had sung at the meeting came to her memory, “Weeping will not save me.”

She felt the words were true, that her tears could not blot out her sins, so she turned to her Testament, saying, “I’ll read John 3:16.” The book, hover, opened at John 14, and her eyes fell on the words of the Lord to His own, “Let not your heart be troubled.”

“Mine is troubled sure enough,” she th thought, but still read on, Ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” Looking up, she responded, “Lord, I do believe in Thee.”

The scripture seemed to answer her, saying, “In My Father’s house are many massions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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.”

At once the thought flashed into her mind, “Why, I know what would happen if the Lord were to come tonight; I should go to be with Him.”

Thus the Spirit of God, who had first shown her her danger, led her to a scripture answering the question which caused her such sorrow.

All this happened upon a Wednesday. On the Friday evening following, when another address was given, Ellen was present again, and with thankfulness could tell of a new-found joy.

When asked how she knew that Christ came to save her, she at once replied, “O! you said on Wednesday that the Son of man came to save that which was lost, and I know I was lost, so I know He came for me.”

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML 09/13/1942

Edgar the Shepherd

I spent my early years on a farm in the hills, and we had many lambs, and they needed much care. My father and his shepherd were often out very early in the mornings caring for them, especially the very young ones, which often perished in the frost and cold. Foxes and thieves also preyed upon them, so that they needed to be watched.

I remember one morning going out with Edgar, the shepherd, to see if all was well with the flock, when we discovered that two lambs, the very best were missing. No marks of foxes or trace of dogs were about the place, so Edgar concluded a thief had been there. He was a faithful shepherd, and a brave man, and as he looked around he said,

“If I could find a trace of the rascal, I would hunt him up, and he should have the opportunity of restoring my master’s property, or measuring his strength with mine.”

During the forenoon, Edgar disappeared, nobody knew where, but my father surmised he was off in pursuit of the thief. And soon we learned that he had, for late in the evening Edgar returned with the two lambs under his arms, bearing them gently in his bosom, but his face and hands were sorely wounded. He had overtaken the man, and demanded the lambs, but the robber would not deliver them up. Edgar blew his whistle, but before help came, the villain had attacked the faithful shepherd who suffered badly in the conflict, but the lambs were saved and the robber was arrested and brought to justice.

Oft as I remember this incident of my early years, I see in it a picture of Christ the Good Shepherd, who encountered the great “thief” (John 10:10),who came to steal, and had so far succeeded that you and I were in his grasp, led on to destruion at his will, with no power to deliver ourselves. Then it was the Son of God went forth, and encountering the great adversary, triumphed over him, yet not without bearing the marks of the conflict.

There was great rejoicing when Edgar brought back the lost lambs to the farm, but greater far is the joy of heaven, when lost sinners are saved and brought back to God.

“I say unto you, that likewise, joy shall he in heaven over one sinner that renteth,”

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth Hs life for the sheep.” John 10:10.

ML 09/13/1942

An Honored Town

Book of Micah

You remember that when the wise men came from lands east to Jerusalem to see the young Child horn to be the Great King, no one could tell them where to find Him. The ruler of the city did not know and sent for the men who had the Scriptures; they read from the writing of Micah the name of the town front which God had said the Great Ruler would come, These were the words they read, which God had told Micah to write as though to the town itself:

“Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2.

Bethlehem was a few miles south of Jerusalem and even then an old town; it was first called Ephratah, and both names were given to be sure the right place was known (Gen. 35:19).

The wise men went to Bethlehem, and God caused a special star to shine over the place where the Child Jesus was, so they knew He was the One to be the Great King, and they worshiped Him.

That was about 700 years after Micah wrote the words, which shows that the coming of that holy One to earth had been planned long before; other prophets also told of Him, but Micah was the only one to give the place of His birth.

Notice also the last part of the verse: the Great Ruler to come had been “from everlasting”. That Child the wise men saw was not like any other, but was from everlasting—, had always lived. He was the Son of God who left Heaven and took the form of a child. But the leaders of that land did not want Him to be King, they fulfilled other words told to Micah, “They shall smite the Judge (Ruler) of Israel with a rod upon His cheek.” Micah 5:1. They did still greater evil, they had Him put to death. But God raised. Him, and He now waits until God will send Him to take the rule over Israel and all the earth, as promised in the prophets.

There are now great factories to make war weapons, and many men are taught their use every nation feels the terrors of war. How different the time of peace which Micah was told to write about, after “many peoples and strong nations are judged!”

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more... and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it.” Micah 4:3,4.

Micah must have begun to tell God’s words when young. He told them many years, about the same time as Isaiah. Some of his words are written in the book of Jeremiah, telling that beautiful Mt. Zion would be plowed like a field, because the people disobeyed God. All those words came true (Jer. 26:18, Mic. 3:12).

Micah told of God’s great mercy to Israel, and His mercy is also for all who now believe on His Son: “Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19.

Read the story of the wise men (Matthew 2:1-12).

ML 09/13/1942

Sunrise on the Fishing Grounds

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

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

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

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

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

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

ML 09/20/1942

Not Forgotten

On a beautiful lawn a little girl was playing all alone. The sun was shining and the birds were singing, and everything seemed full of joy, and little Lucy was quite as happy as the birds and the flowers around her, On the edge of the lawn there lay a fine large fish-pond, where the golden carp and the silver-tench darted hither and thither, their burnished scales glittering in the sunlight like real silver and gold all alive in the water. A prettier scene it would have been hard to find, and in looking on it one might be tempted to forget that sin and death have entered into the world.

But suddenly all is changed. A loud and startling scream in a childish voice, tells that something sad has happened—poor little Lucy has fallen into the fishpond! The water was deep, and the poor little girl could not swim, and although her cry was heard at the house, and her mother who saw the danger from the window, ran to save her, the distance was so great that it was impossible for her to be there in time. But help was nearer than anyone supposed. A favorite dog named Bobby, had been watching the little girl all the time, and when he saw her tumble into the pond, he instantly plunged in after her, and getting his fore-paws under her somehow, he pushed her against the bank, and so kept her from sinking, while he howled with all his might to bring assisnce. Was not this a noble dog? But for him Lucy’s mother and the servants though they hurried to the spot must have been too late to save her from being drowned.

As it was, she seemed as if life was gone when taken out of the water, but they carried her home, put her to bed, rubbed her with warm flannels, and at last made her well.

When her mother came downstairs, who should be waiting at the foot of the staircase but poor Bobby, wagging his tail as if to express his desire to know if the child was restored. The hugs and caresses he got from Lucy’s mother and everybody else, soon satisfied him on, this point, for he had sagacity enough to know that if Lucy was dead, there would not be so much joy as all showed when they met him. Ever after this, if he had been a favorite before, everybody looked on him as quite a friend of the family, and I think you will say he deserved it.

But if the brave old dog was a favorite in the house, with Lucy he was especially so: she seldom went out for a walk without him, and you may depend upon it she never passed that fish-pond but she rembered her faithful deliverer, She always spoke of him as “dear old Bobby,” and no playmate of hers was half so dear, or so constantly in her company, for she could not forget that he had saved her life.

One day her mother asked her why she loved Bobby so much.

“Why, mamma, because he saved me,” said Lucy patting old Bobby on the head, “He saved me, didn’t you Bobby?”

Bobby replied with a wag of his tail, and Lucy’s mother, who was a believer it the Lord Jesus Christ, took occasion to point out another and a better Friend; One who made the faithful dog, the sunshine and the water, the birds and the flowers, the gold and silver ash, and everything beside, and who, although He had created all thing’s,

“Came down to be a man and die” that poor sinners might be saved. He had not merely plunged into the water to save, but had gone down beneath “all the waves and the billows” of God’s wrath. What love was this! Every believer can say that He “His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree;” and if Lucy loved the dog because he saved her from being drowned, how much more should sinners saved by grace from “everlasting burning,” love Jesus, who “loved them and gave Himself for them?”

Are you saved by Him? If you believe in Him, if you really trust in Him with your whole heart, you are. And, if so, do you oft “remember” Him in the way He bade us do “on the same night in which He was betrayed?”

Now you see that even the love which a poor dog showed in saving Lucy’s life was not forgotten; he was dear to her ever after, and she liked him to be with her always.

How much more dear, how precious, should the Saviour be! Yet it is so, that He is sometimes slighted, and that you say and do things now and then which you would not say or do if He was not forgotten.

Do you never go without Him? Are you always in His presence? Does His love constrain you to live to Him who died for you and rose again?

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

ML 09/20/1942

The Closed Door

I remember it so well; it was one morning many years ago, when I was a very little child. I had been disobedient at breakfast time, and my father had said to me gravely and sadly,

“Carrie, you must get off your chair and go and stand outside the door for five minutes.”

I got down, choked back the sob that rose in my throat, and without venturing to look into my father’s face, I went ouide the door, and it was shut against me.

The moments seemed very long, and silent. I remember well how my tears dropped down on the mat; I was so grieved and ashamed.

The five minutes were not nearly over, but the handle of the door was partly turned, and Johnnie’s curly head peeped out.

Both his arms were round my neck in a minute, and he said,

“Carrie, go in, I’ll be naughty instead of you”; and before I had time to say a word he had pushed me in, and shut the door.

There I stood, with my eyes on the floor and feeling so red and so uncomfortable, not knowing whether I might go up to the table; but my father took me by the hand, and led me to the table, and kissed me, and put me on my chair; and I knew I was forgiven just as much as if I had borne all the punishment; but O! how I wished that Johnnie might come in.

When the five minutes were up he was called in, and then papa took us both—me, the poor little naughty child, and Johnnie, the loving brother—and folded us both in his arms, and I sobbed it all out—the repentance and love, and gratefulness—while we were held close to that loving heart.

And now that I look back to that little scene, it seems a very typical one. For the years went by, and I found myself outside another door, separated from the Father; sin having come between my soul and God, till I saw One who loved me, come and take my place, and put me into His place of nearness, and I was forgiven for Christ’s sake; and I knew the fullness and freeness of that forgiveness, for our Father drew me close to His divine Heart of Love, and there with the Lord Jesus, my Sin-Bearer, I found “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

“Payment He will not twice demand, First at my bleeding Saviour’s hand, And then again at mine.”

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

ML 09/20/1942

More Short Books

Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah

These books are short, but have rather hard names, which were the names of the men who wrote them. They all told of trouble to come to people of that time or later, because of wicked ways. It was not a happy work to tell or write these sorrows, and they are called “burdens”. We might think these could be of no use to us, yet there are words to help us now.

Perhaps you have been afraid when you saw a very black cloud in the sky, and knew a bad storm was near. Nahum wrote of storms, and His words have comforted all who trusted God:

“The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the (lust of His feet.” Nahum 1:3.

The winds obey God, and He uses them as He knows right; they show His power; no one can hold back the force of a storm. So also when God uses His power to push, none can escape only by the way He shows.

God told those men to write of the destruction of the cities of that time so plainly, that any who read their words would run from the cities.

Just as plainly now, God’s Word tells us to believe in Jesus, to be saved from the punishment of our sins; we are not to wait, but to “run” to believe Him now.

God has always wanted His people to tell others of His mercy; these words of Nahum for Israel are repeated in the New Testament for us:

“Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!” (Nahum 1:15; Rans 10:15).

The paths over mountains are rough and stony for those who carry the message, but it brings peace to all who heat of God’s mercy. The prophet Habakkuk also spoke of the feet:

“The Lord is my strength, He will make my feet like hind’s feet” (a swift footed deer). So the Lord gives strength to those who trust Him to go, even over rough places, like the deer.

The last chapter of Habakkuk was a prayer, set to music and sung. These are some of the words:

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no.meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls: yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17,18.

The figs, vines, olives fields, and flocks were all what the people depended on for fdod and comfort, yet the salvation of God was better and greater than all.

Do you suppose if we had little food, we would still be happy, knowing the Lord is our salvation? We have greater reason to rejoice than they, because Christ has come.

The short book of Zephaniah was wrien in the days of the young king Josiah, who was glad to listen to God’s Words by the prophets. (Zeph. 1:1; 2 Chron. 34:1,30).

Judgment on wicked cities is told, but also of a time of true peace, when God will not need to correct His people but will rejoice over them. Zephaniah 3:17.

ML 09/20/1942

Converted in a Hayfield

Wherever you are, you may receive Christ. A farmer’s boy told the story of how he received Christ in the hayfield:

“We were working with the hay. I had been attending meetings held by an evangelist in the town for two weeks, and was very much troubled about my soul. Three at our farm were saved, and they sang all day in the field. I was miserable. At dinner-time I sat alone, and I suppose the others saw what was wrong with me. One who had been my companion in sin, came across to where I sat, and said,

‘Jamie, you will never be happy till you are saved. You should just take Jesus as your Saviour, and be happy like the rest of us.’

‘How did you take Him?’ I asked, for the ‘taking’ was the difficulty with me.

‘I just said, “If Jesus saves sinners, am a sinner, and He’ll save me.” I took Him by believing He died for me, just for myself, as if there had been no other.’

‘I saw then what was meant by’, ‘taking” Jesus, and without saying anything to any—body, I took Him as my Saviour that afternoon, and I knew I was saved.’”

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:31.

“Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML 09/27/1942

"A Word Fitly Spoken"

William C. was a simple-hearted Christian, whose soul glowed with love to the Saviour who had done so much for him. Though in humble, life, he was the honored instrument of leading many to a saving knowledge of Christ, and on the spring-morning of which I write he was on his way to a distant part, where a large number of men who worked in the tin mines lived with their families, and he had been invited to preach among them the glad tidings of salvation.

But he had reached the toll-gate, where in the days of my story all travelers were required to stop and pay a—small sum towards keeping the roads in repair.

A young girl came out to open the gate. She had light curly hair, and her face seemed almost as bright as if it had caught some of the sunshine. C. loved young people and children, and his

“Good morning, my dear,” was said with such a friendly smile that she felt, though she could not have told why, aracted towards the stranger.

“Good morning, sir,”

He handed her the toll money and rode on. But he had not gone far before a shadow seemed to come, over his spirit.

“I have missed an opportunity,” he said sadly to himself. “She is such a sweet girl, and as bright as the morning, but I wonder if she knows and loves the Lord Jesus— if her happy face is the outcome of a heart at rest? Is she dwelling beneath the shadow of His almighty wings? And I let her come and go without saying one word for my Lord and Master; but if God will, I shall be coming this way again, and then perhaps He may give me another opportunity.”

Many gospel meetings were held, large numbers came to hear the glad tidings, and many hearts were touched by the story of a Saviour’s love, and some, many years afterward, spoke of those meetings as the time when thee trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour.

Preaching, visiting and letter writing made William C.’s days very busy ones. Still, fully occupied as he was, he did not forget the young girl he had seen at the toll-gate, and every time he thought of her he prayed that the Lord whom he served would by the gentle, patient teaching of the Holy Spirit prepare her heart to receive the message he longed to give.

It was again a bright morning when he came within sight of the toll-gate, and the same sunny-faced maiden came out to open it for him. She remembered him and gave him a smile of recognition. He dismounted, and said,

“Good morning, my dear. Will you tell me your name?”

“Joan, sir.”

“Well, Joan, this is a very pretty place that you live in. Do on ever feel lonely here?”

“Sometimes, in the winter, when father is at work, and my sister is away, and no one comes this way.”

“Do on know what it means to dwell beneath the shadow of the Almighty?”

“O, no, sir, I am not good enough for that. Perhaps the angels may be there, but not a poor girl like me.”

“Joan, do you know that the Lord Jesus loves you so much that He died upon the cross to save you, and if you will only trust Him He will wash away till your sins in His own precious blood and make you His own forever?”

Joan did not answer, but her tears were falling fast. At that moment her father came up, and holding out his hand, said,

“Mr. C., I am right glad to see you again. Three years ago this month I heard you preach, and that night was the turning-point in my life. For a long time I had been anxious about my soul, but that night I saw that all I had to do was to trust the work already done by the Lord upon the cross; and ever since, though I am no preacher, I get a few of the neighbors in on Sunday evenings, and read a chapter out of the Bible, and try to tell them what the Lord has done for my soul, and if you can stop with us all night I can get about twenty to come in, after their day’s work is done, and they would he very pleased to have you speak to them. But Joan is a strange girl; I never can get her to come in to our little meetings, and I feel sure she is not happy.”

They turned into me house, where Joan had already taken refuge. The toll-keeper was soon called away to open the gate for another traveler, and during his absence C. felt sure that he heard the sound of sobs from the kitchen. Opening the door gently, he found Joan crying bitterly.

“O, sir,” she sobbed out, “I would like to dwell under the shadow of God’s wings, but I cannot, no, never; I am such a naughty girl.”

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” were the words that fell upon her ear, and as they knelt together in prayer, Joan trusted herself to the Saviour.

She needed no urging to attend the meeting held that night in her father’s cottage, but was there with a bright face and a praise-filled heart. Soon after, the Lord gave her the joy of leading her sister, who was several years older than herself, to the Saviour whom she had learned to love and trust.

ML 09/27/1942

Jackie's Hymn

“A little child of seven,

Or even three or four,

May enter into Heaven,

Through Christ, the Open Door,

For when the heart believeth,

On Christ the Son of God,

‘Tis then the soul receiveth

Salvation through His Blood.”

So sang the children in Jackie’s class at school, and such a favorite was this little hymn with Jackie, and so often did he ask for it, that the children had named it, “Jackie’s Hymn.”

Jackie was a bright little lad of seven tender years. His seat was a front one, an extra one, placed ahead of the others.

One Monday morning the little seat was empty. Jackie had been knocked down by a car while on a Saturday hike. So seriously was he injured that he lived but a few hours. How lonely looked the little, empty seat.

His classmates were all present at his funeral. After the service each child took a spray, or wreath of flowers to carry it to the waiting cars. As they lined up on the path they paused a moment and once more, on the quiet solemn air, Jackie’s Hymn rang out. With bowed heads the relatives and friends listened to the sweet refrain, telling of God’s full and free saation—free even to “a little child of seven, or even three or four.”

Today, Christ is the Open Door. He says,

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

“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” Romans 10:10, and,

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

Reader, have you by faith, entered this still Open Door, believing in your heart that Christ died for your sins? Soon this Open Door may close, then to those who knock, these solemn words will be uttered,

“I know you not.” Matthew 25:12.

ML 09/27/1942

The People Encouraged

The Book of Haggai

After the people from Jerusalem had been captives in Babylon and nearby cities for seventy years, a new ruler gave permission for all who wished, to return, just as God had said long before. There were some older people to go back, but most of them were the children and grandchildren of those who had lived there before.

The ruler said they should rebuild the House of God, but at first they were too busy building homes for themselves.

The stone walls of the Temple had been broken down, and the wood burned, so the work of clearing the ruins must have been slow and hard, and it was not until the second year that the men rebuilt the foundations of the Temple.

People who lived in countries near Jerusalem did not like to see the Temple for the Lord rebuilt, because they did not believe or honor Him. So they wrote to the eastern ruler to ask him to forbid the building to continue, and he sent a command that the work should stop.

Then the men again worked at their own houses and fields, and seem not to have thought much about the Lord or the House for Him, until God sent a man named Haggai to tell them “to consider their ways”. He told the men who had charge of the Temple that they must do right to be fit for the care of God’s House, and also they must teach the people right ways, then God would be with them and bless them.

God said for the men to go to the forests on the mountains and get timbers to finish the Temple. He also “turned the heart of the ruler to send another command that the work of the Temple should not be hindered (Ezra 6:7,22).

The men of Jerusalem were greatly encouraged by the words Haggai told them from God, and they again started the work, Haggai and another prophet helping. About four years later the large Temple was finished, and the people were very happy (Ezra 5:1; 6:15).

Haggai spoke especially to the governor of Jerusalem, whose name was Zerubabal, saying that God had chosen him. That man was a grandson of the king who had been taken prisoner to Babylon seventy years before, and was a descendant of King David; God had chosen him because it was from that family Christ would come (Jer. 52:31,32; Matt. 1:12).

There is not now a building of wood and stone where God dwells as He did at Jerusalem. But people who believe in The Son of God, are called the temple for God (2 Cor. 6:16). Yet often they are like the people Haggai spoke to, busy working for themselves, neglecting what is for God’s honor. Those people in Jerusalem had much to discourage them, with all the ruins about, and also because their neighbors tried to prevent the work. But God’s words by Haggai encouraged them, and can help us too, “to consider our ways”.

Perhaps boys and girls now who love the Lord are doing as those people did when they earned money: “putting it in bags with holes!” That would be very foolish, because the money would be lost. But they were using all that they earned for themselves only, and God could not bless them. Neither can He bless us, if all we earn, we use for ourselves; some time we will find we too put our earnings “into bags with holes” (Hag. 1:6).

ML 09/27/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for July

“The Children’s Class”

1.“The world,” etc. John 7:7.

2.“But Jesus,” etc. 5:17.

3.“My Father,” etc. 10:29.

4.“And he that,” etc. 8:29.

5.“But as many,” etc. 1:12.

6.“Jesus answered,” etc. 2:19.

7.“But whosoever,” etc. 4:14.

Bible Questions for October

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers. are to be found in Acts, chs. 15-28

1. Write in full the verse containing the words, “To turn them from darkness to light”.

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “That thou shouldest know his will”.

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “That made the world and all things therein”.

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified”.

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Which concern the Lord Jesus Christ”.

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “After the way which they call heresy”.

7.For what purpose did “God at the first” “visit the Gentiles?”

Answers to Bible Questions for July

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Turning of the water into wine. John 2:11.

2.Yes, always. John 3:13.

3.The blind man in John 9:37.

4.The woman of John 4:25,26.

5.The Lord Jesus, John 3:7.

6.The Scriptures. John 5:39,

7.Judas. John 6:70.

Bible Questions for October

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Acts. chs. 15-28

1.Why were the Bereans more noble than the Thessalonians?

2.What cheer did Paul receive in Jerusalem?

3.What cheered Paul on his way to Rome?

4.Should a Christian eat blood?

5.How long did Paul stay at Ephesus?

6.What price was paid for the Church?

7.What blinded Saul?

ML 10/04/1942

Lost but Found

In one of the large department stores of a great city, a little girl had wandered away from her mother, who was busy making some purchases, and was lost among the vast throng of people, daily frequenting this place.

Presently, the mother discovered that her child was missing, and became very anxious about her. She sought, in vain, to find her, as the little one, unconscious of her position and danger, had wandered some distance away, and every moment was getting further off. While seeking for the child, the mother’s mind became filled with misgivings as to her safety; and her heart was beginning to give way under so severe a strain. Almost frantic with grief, at the thought of losing her child forever, she notified one of the head managers of the department, who immediately sent a number of persons in search of the lost one. At length, they found her, in another part of the store, looking about quite contentedly at all the pretty things she saw. She seemed to have very little thought that she was lost, while the things that she saw were engaging her attention.

But think of the mother’s joy at this moment. With open arms she pressed her darling child to her bosom, and was seen to weep over her; not now from the sorrow of her being lost, but from the joy of her being found.

This little incident brought to my mind the fifteenth chapter of Luke, in which we find the mutual love of the Father (God); and the Shepherd (the Lord Jesus) in seeking, and their joy in finding that which was lost.

Just like the little girl, we were lost, and the Father’s love was going out after us with a yearning desire that we might be brought back to Him. He was anxious for us, but we knew it not. We were trying to make ourselves happy away from Him, but we were lost and in imminent danger. The Father sent His Son after us to seek and to find us. He did not give up seeking until He found us, and having found us, He saved us from an awful and eternal death.

“He goeth after that which is lost, until He find it. And when He hath found it, He layeth it on His shoulders, rejoicing.”

“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenth.”

“Let us eat, and be merry,” says the Father, “for this My son was dead, and is alive again; and he was lost, and is found.”

The Shepherd is still seeking; the Fatr is still welcoming; and there is still joy in heaven over the sinner that repents.

Are you, reader, on the Shepherd’s shoulders, or in the far country?

If the latter, then know that the gospel is the Shepherd’s voice to you, seeking to save you. All has been provided, and the Father waits to welcome you with joy. The Shepherd has given His life for the sheep, and His blood has been shed that you might be washed from your sins.

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Rev. 1:5.

ML 10/04/1942

True Riches

A boy came to this country to seek a fortune. Some time after, he came, he found the Lord Jesus ChriSt as his own Saviour, and became a happy and rejoicing child of God. He wrote to his friends,

“I have found a fortune.”

We often hear children, as well as grown people, in speaking of a wealthy man, say, “

I wish he was my father.”

But who are so rich as those who have God for their Father, and Christ for their Saviour.

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

“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Hag. 2:8.

ML 10/04/1942

Our Pets

John and Mary, we will call them, loved to go to the well with mamma to get water, not only because they loved to be with their mother, but their favorite pet pigeons would come there to meet them. They were so tame that they would fly on their hands, and would allow the children to pet them and hold them. The children were very careful not to hurt them, and would take food to them, and would give them water. It is good to see children gentle and kind to God’s creures. Nearly all animals love to have kindness shown to them, and we should care for and treat them kindly.

We read in the Bible about the kindness of the Lord Jesus. He was meek and lowly and loving to everyone.

He loved us so much, that He went to the cross, and died for us so that when we accept Him as our Saviour, we have eteal life. We should shovv our love and kindness to others.

“WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST ALSO HATH LOVED US.” Eph. 5:2.

ML 10/04/1942

A Book by a Young Prophet

Zechariah 1 to 4

There was another prophet besides Haggai who told God’s words to people in Jerusalem soon after the return from Babylon. His name was Zechariah, and God showed him by angels and by visions, events to happen in those days, and of things to happen later, some that have not yet been fulfilled.

We know Zechariah was a young man because in one of the visions, an angel said, “Run, speak to this young man.” He was then told of a time when Jerusalem should be a very great city, and would need no walls, because God would Himself protect it, and he the glory in the midst” (Zech. 2:4,5).

This shows that the Lord wants the young to know what He is to do. You may not at first understand many of the things shown the prophets, but each time we hear or read the words, they are plainer to us and we are helped. Most of the men who have told God’s words to others, ban when they were young. Zechariah both spoke and wrote God’s Words.

In one vision the prophet saw four “horns”, representing fierce nations, or powers, which had kept the people captives (as horns are the weapons or power of animals). Then he saw the “horns” conquered by “carpenters”, or builders,—nations who would allow Jerusalem to be rebuilt (Zech. 1:20,21).

In another vision the prophet saw Josa, the man who was the high priest at that time, standing before the angel of the Lord in unclean, “filthy”, garments. The high priest was always to wear pure linen clothes and a beautiful robe, not soiled garments. In the vision Satan stood near to accuse, or oppose the high priest. But the angel gave the order for the soiled clothes to be changed to clean garments, and “a fair mitre” to be placed on his head. The mitre was a headpiece of blue lace with a band across the forehead, on which Hebrew words were engraved, meaning “Holiness to the Lord” (Ex. 28:36).

The high priest represented the people; the dirty clothing meant their ways ere sinful, sinful, so Satan could accuse them, but not after the angel had reclothed them. This teaches the holiness of the Lord, but also His great mercy. We are sinful and unfit for God as Israel, and Satan has reason to accuse us. But by the Lord Jesus His people are made fit for God.

Afterward, the high priest was told to do right ways, and he and the men of the temple were told of One to come, called “My Servant, The Branch”. That name, meant much more than we mean by that word; for we think of the branch as simply a part of a tree or shrub. But the word meant the sprout, or live part of the tree from which the rest grew. So The Branch was One to come to give life to others. The prophet was again told of The Branch as a Man:

“Behold the man whose name is The Branch, and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord.” Zech. 6:12.

We now know The Branch is Christ, the Son of God, “in Him was Life”. The temple He builds will not be of stone, but His peoples.

ML 10/04/1942

Autumn

Is there any season of the year grander than Autumn when man is reaping all the fruits and grains that Nature has produced!

Before us is the picture of a man with a well loaded wagon as the result of his labor, hauling the grain to market. Behind him is his field of grain: how thrifty everything looks! It has meant much hard work for this farmer to realize this moment of contentment; he has spent many hours of labor in the hot sun, I am sure. In the first place he had to be careful just what grain and seeds he planted; for he knew that he would reap in the fall just such kinds as he planted.

You will find it so in your garden. You be sure your seeds are fresh, and then you know that the life and growth of your vegetables and flowers depends upon your care of them.

Can you draw a lesson from this for your own heart and life? If you live recklessly now, while you are young, do you think you will grow to be useful, and develop into a noble man or woman?

But, on the other hand, the one who lives thoughtfully from day to day as before the Lord, will be happy in meeting Him. Accept Jesus as your Saviour while you are young, and then seek daily to bear fruit for Him. Even a cup of cold water given in the name of Jesus, because we love Him, is counted as fruit for Him. Are you planting good seeds, such that will bring forth a harvest to His glory?

“EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD.” Rom. 14:12.

ML 10/11/1942

Born Again

My school days were nearly over. As it was my last term, I was anxious to succeed in all points, but to my great disappointment, it seemed that I was doing just the opposite. What could be the matter? What was the reason of my failures? The Lord wanted to convict me of my sinful state.

For years the ancient serpent, the devil, who deceives the whole world, had succeeded in lulling my conscience to sleep, and persuading me that I was better than most girls of my age, and, like the generation of whom Agur speaks in Proverbs 30:12, I was pure in my own eyes. The Spirit of God found me in that state. I was struck one morning with the reading of the third chapter of John’s Gospel. Over and over again the words of the Lord Jesus,

“Ye must be born again,” came back to me. At last, as each Monday we had to learn by heart a verse of the Bible, I took this verse, hoping that my teacher would ask me what had made me choose it; but she only said,

“That is a nice verse.”

I should have liked to tell her what was on my mind at the end of the lesson, but I had not the courage.

Time went on, and I left it at that. But God was leading me in a way which I knew not. One morning the words;

“Ye must be born again” came into my mind as I was going into the hall; I fancied I could see them in shining letters in front of me. How could I recite my lessons with this fixed in my mind? And this particular morning there were some difficult subjects. When I came to the science lesson, the words,

“Ye must be born again” seemed to cover the page. I could not answer a word when I was asked a question. When the others had gone out at the end of the lesson, the teacher kept me in to question me again. All was in vain; I wept bitterly; my heart was sore troubled.

A short time afterward I left school, apparently happy and full of spirits, but really downcast and sad in my heart. Had not the Holy Spirit been convicting one of sin? Not so long ago I was a brilliant scholar, well satisfied with myself, and now I was lost and in despair! I had nothing before me but hell. What deep despair! I dared not sleep at night for fear of waking up in torment. It seemed impossible that God, or anyone else, could love me. But my salvation was near.

One Lord’s day evening, at the meeting, I heard words of grace concerning the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus, and I understood, I saw clearly that Jesus had been crucified for my sins. On going back to the house I ran to my room, and, on my knees, I thanked the Lord for having led me there. Receiving Jesus I was born of God. John 1:12,13.

What a change in my life! Old things had passed away, and all things had bome new. New thoughts and desires now filled my heart. The Bible seemed to open before me as never before. It used to seem such a dry book, I was surprised to find it so interesting. Now I understood; as a new-born babe I drank eagerly the “sincere milk of the Word” (1 Peter 2:2).

Satan suggested many doubts to my mind; was I really saved? If saved, might I be lost again? But the words of the Lord Jesus,

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:27,28), gave me confidence, and the assurance that I was saved forever.

And now, dear children, these words, “Ye must be born again,” have they entered your heart and conscience? Or is your mind still blinded by the god of this world? Do you not know that you need to become a new creature in Christ Jesus? It is only in the presence of God that we can understand our sinful state, and it is also in that Presence that we can understand all the love of the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins. To those who received Him, He gave the right to be children of God.

ML 10/11/1942

What Has Jesus Done for Me?

It was on a Sunday afternoon. The Sunday school was being held, and a hymn well known and well liked by the scholars was being sung. It was the one beginning—

“O! what has Jesus done for me?

He pitied me, my Saviour;

My sins were great—His love was free,

He died for me, my Saviour.”

The chorus is:

“Jesus, Lord Jesus,

Thy name is sweet, my Saviour;

Soon shall I see Thee face to face,

My wondrous, blessed Saviour.”

The superintendent of the school then asked the children to write down what the Lord Jesus had done for them, so that the hymn’s question, “O! what has Jesus done for me?” might be answered.

The next week the replies were received and read, all names of writers being withheld, of course. And a very happy time was spent in going over the different answers that were handed in.

That superintendent is a friend of mine, and he has kindly let me see what his young friends wrote. Of course, they vary a great deal, for some of the scholars are much older than others, and were more used to putting down their thoughts. One who replied named some thirty or more things which the Lord had done for her.

A paper that I liked very much was very simple. I will let you see part of it. Here it is,

“WHAT HAS JESUS DONE FOR ME?”

“Jesus shed. His precious blood for me.”

“He suffered on Calvary’s cross.”

“Jesus came clown to save me because He loved me so,”

“He died for me that I might be saved from death.”

“Jesus has waited a long time for me so that He might save me.”

How much this means. Christ came and suffered and died. He bore the burden that we might go free. And then He waited for her to come to Him.

Now I wonder if you can say this of the Saviour. Do you know Him and believe on Him for yourself? Perhaps “father” or “mother” is one who loves and serves Him, and happy, indeed, it is to belong to a Christian home. But that is not enough. Each one of us needs to take Christ for his own.

Think, then, what you can say in awer to the question,

“What has Jesus done for me?” The answer that springs to my lips as I look at the words is,

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

He is my Saviour, and His love to me is my joy and delight. Is it so with you?

Do not until it is. He will give you that which is far better than all that the world can supply, and you will be enabled to bring gladness to others.

ML 10/11/1942

God is Love

The flowers which deck my pathway round

And skirt the shady wood,

Proclaim as with a thousand tongues,

That God is very good.

The ripened fields of waving grain,

For man and beast assigned;

Tell that the great Creator is,

Not only good, but kind.

The glorious sun and peerless moon,

And stars which round them wait,

Prove God to be not only good,

And kind, but very great.

But O! the Cross where Jesus hung,

Doth yet more strongly prove,

That, though so good and kind and great,

The mighty God is LOVE.

ML 10/11/1942

A King Riding a Mule

Zechariah? to II

When King David of Israel was old and wanted his son Solomon crowned king in his, place, he told his servants to bring his mule and set Solomon on it. That was done and Solomon rode up the hill at Jerusalem to the place of the king’s throne, while trumpets were blown and the people followed, shouting in honor of the new king (1 Kings 1:33-40).

To ride a mule was not as proud a way as to ride a horse as kings of most lands did. Perhaps one reason David and his son rode the mule was that they knew they were not to show pride, but to be humble as servants of the Lord. And a mule is sure footed for rough paths, and is patient.

In the time of the prophet Zechariah, there was no king in Jerusalem; an eastern king ruled over it. God had before told of a King to come, greater than all others, and He told Zechariah to write of the happy time when their King should ride into Jerusalem as King Solomon did:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9:9.

By this promise the people knew to expect the great King, so great He would rule from “sea to sea,.. even to the end of the earth.” Zechariah 9:10. Yet there was one word of the promise the people seemed not to consider, that was, their King would come, “lowly”, or humble, not with-display of riches and honor.

It was a long time after that promise, that such a lowly person came to that land. He was poor and took no honor to Himself, but did wondrous good for the people, and always spoke in honor to God, O day He told the men with Him to go to a place where an ass and its colt were tied, and untie them and bring them to Him. The men laid a garment on the colt (which we would call a donkey), and that humble Man rode up the hill of Jerusalem; as a crowd of people walked near, shouting,

“Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord” and “Hosanna to the son of David.” And the people praised God for all the mighty works they had seen.

This meek, lowly person was the Son of God, Who had come to earth as a man, and was called Jesus of Nazareth. He told the people He was their King, but the leaders were angry and would not honor so lowly a King. Yet the words to Zechariah were that day fulfilled to them. Jesus showed them He was ready to be their King if they would have believed Him.

That lowly One to be King gave His life, and by dying offered salvation to them who believe Him, in Israel and in every nation. Yet the promise of this King ruling from ‘‘sea to sea” will certainly be—fulfilled as all God’s words to the prophets.

ML 10/11/1942

The Forge

Cling! Clang! goes the hammer on the anvil, then down on the hot iron, and sparks fly in all directions; thus the hard iron is formed into different shapes as the blacksmith desires. But how does he form that hard iron into shoes, and make them just the size that he wants them? He first puts it into the fire, and the man at the bellows blows up the fire, and that makes the iron soft and pliable, so that when the hammer is brought down on it, it yields, and is formed into the shape required.

This is the way God has to do with His people sometimes. He has to put them into the furnace of trial, and that softens and breaks their wills, and then. He can fit them for the service He has for them to do.

Are you one of His people, dear reader? If you are, be not surprised then, if He puts you into difficulties, for He loves His own too much to allow them to go on according to their own thoughts, and be like the people of the world, He has a different place for each of His own to fill, and they have to be formed in all their ways, so as to fill their own special place, and in the furnace of trial, He softens them, and with the hammer of His Word He bends, and forms the will to be subject to Him, and to become more like our blessed Lord who could say,

“I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29.

“WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM.” Heb. 11:6.

ML 10/18/1942

Annette's Ragged Pupil

As Annette, a bright, happy girl about nine or ten years of age, was returning from school one summer’s afternoon, her path was impeded by the gambols of a dirty, ragged boy, who was jumping over the door-steps and turning head-overheels on the pavement, and showing perfect indifference to everything but his own enjoyment.

His dirty face showed signs of intellence, and Annette wondered how he could prefer to put his head where his feet should be.

He was standing upon his head, and before Annette could skip out of his way, another turn brought his feet in contact with her school-bag, and away it flew into the middle of the street.

Annette heard the fall of the books with dismay, and ran to catch them up, while the boy was about to run away; but Annette’s good-humored face influenced him to remain.

“I didn’t mean it, Miss,” he said sheepishly.

“No, I know you did not,” said Annette kindly, “but why do you like to go on your head?”

“It’s good fun,” returned the boy, reating the performance with infinite glee, “Poor boy,” thought Annette, “I wonder if anybody teaches him!” and she looked compassionately at him.

Going closer, she said in a tone of childish simplicity,

“Little boy, will you tell me? Do you know anything about Jesus Christ?”

“No, I don’t. Who is He?” said the boy, staring at her with surprise.

“Poor boy! Then you don’t know that He is the Saviour—God’s own Son—who loved us and died to save us, because we are sinners and can’t save ourselves?”

“No, I don’t; I never heard about Him, but I ain’t so bad as Dick and Bill; they is bad, and no mistake.”

“We are all bad in some way,” said Annette, “and I should like to tell you about Jesus Christ. Will you come with me, and I will read to you about Him?”

Leading the way to her father’s house, Annette took the wondering boy into a small, back room, where she eagerly hung up her hat, and took her Bible and sat down on a low stool, telling the boy to sit by her.

Then she began to tell him the Bible is God’s book, and that He has told us in it that He sent His dear Son into the world to die for us, because we were all sinners, and deserved to be punished. Jesus, in His great love, said He would suffer and die instead of us.

“Now,” said Annette, “if you believe it, and put your trust in Him, you shall be saved and live in glory forever. Poor boy! Will you learn to read? Shall I teach you? Then you could read all the beautiful things for yourself, and I will save up my money to get you a Bible?”

“Yes, I’ll like that, Shall I come tomorrow?” asked the boy eagerly.

“Yes, tomorrow,” replied Annette, delighted at his readiness to come, “but you must learn a text now,” and she taught him.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” and after making him repeat it many times, said,

“You can go now, and come again tomorrow.”

The ragged boy came to learn at the same hour next day. This time her mamma was working in the room, while Annette and the boy sat together.

“Do you know why my little girl is so pleased?” asked Annette’s mamma, seeing the boy’s gaze of astonishment.

“No, I’m wondering at her all the time,” he replied.

So the lady told him that Annette had given her heart to Jesus—that she had learned to love Hirn because He had first loved her—that she believed what God said, that

“Whosoever believeth on the Son hath everlasting life,” and this had made her so happy that she wanted others to know it too.

“This is the reason why she wants to teach you about the Saviour. She wants your sins to be forgiven, and washed away in the blood of Jesus,” said the lady.

“I’m not as bad as Dick Bankes; he is very bad to his mother,” said the boy.

“O, how dreadful!” said Annette; “do ‘bring him with you, and I will tell him what the Bible says about it.”

“Maybe he won’t come, but I’ll try.” He did try, and Dick did come, and others also, and the dear little girl spent the happiest hours of her life in telling the poor ragged boys of the loving Saviour, and how He pitied them, bore their sins upon the cross, so that “whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasng life.”

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, dear young reader, you, too, may serve Him. You may not be able to do it in the same way that Annette did, but you may be able to give a little tract, or to say a word for Him. The Lord says He will reward the gift of a cup of cold water, if it be given in His name, for His sake.

ML 10/18/1942

A Mistake

A little girl said to her grandmother; “Do you think Jesus would love me, Grandmother?”

“Yes, if you are good,” she replied. A visitor turned to the granother and said:

“Does Jesus love you?”

“O, yes,” replied the grandmother. “And are you good?” asked the visitor. “O, no,” said she, “I am only a poor sinner,”

The Bible says: “There is none good, but One, that is God.” Mark 10:18.

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

ML 10/18/1942

Jesus and the Children

I want to have the children read

A story sweet and true,

Which happened many years ago—

About the children, too.

Now let us turn to Mark and read;

Begin at chapter ten,

And let us all give earnest heed,

To what was uttered then.

At verse thirteen, we will begin,

To end of sixteen go,

And learn the wondrous love of Him

Who stooped in grace so low.

You see how Jesus was displeased,

For His disciples sought

To turn away the people all,

Who little children brought.

Let little children come to Me,

Such were His words of love,

And little ones like these shall share

My heavenly home above.

He gently took them in His arms,

And blessed them in His love,

And soon He’ll come from heaven again,

And bear them up above.

And now, this same dear, loving Lord,

Has gone to God on high,

And He would have you with Him there,

To share eternal joy.

Dear little ones, remember then

He’s just the same today,

As when He blessed those children small,

While on His pilgrim way.

His loving-arms are just as strong,—

His love is just as true,—

Will you not fully trust Him, now,

And He will bless you, too.

ML 10/18/1942

Hearts Like Stone

Zechariah 12 and 13

It seems to have been only a few years that the young man, Zechariah, told the people in Jerusalem God’s words, when some of the leaders in the temple did not want to hear any more. It was because they were not honest and just with the people. God said they should show mercy, and not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor.

When they heard those words they “stopped their ears that they should not hear. Yea they made their hearts like adamant stone lest they should hear the words of the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent” (Chapter 7:9,12).

The adamant stone was the very hardest stone, yet their thoughts and ways had become so hard to others and to God. Because they would not listen, God told Zechariah to write that He would scatter them “with a whirlwind among all nations” (Zech. 7:12).

Other prophets were sent to the people, then, at last, many years after, the Holy One promised, God’s own Son, came to Jerusalem, but only a few would listen to Him, after the nation of Israel was scattered to every country, without a land of their own. And God’s words to Zechariah are proved true ever since.

We need not wonder that the Lord told what would happen, so long before, when we consider how great He is, as their words tell:

“The Lord which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man witn him.” Zechariah 12:1.

The prophet was told of a time to come when the people will at last listen to God, and believe the Holy One Who came to give His life for His creatures.

“They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn.” The people will mourn so sadly, that they cannot comfort one another. They will say,

“What are those wounds in thine hands?” Then He shall answer,

‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends,’” Zechariah 12:10; 13:6.

From the New Testament we know the Son of God was pierced when nailed to the cross and when wounded by the soldier’s spear (John 19:34). These solemn words to the prophet were then fulfilled,

“Awake, O sword against My Shepherd, against the Man that is My Fellow (companion), saith the Lord of hosts: smite the Shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered.” Zechariah 13:7 (see Matt. 20:31).

We would not know from the Old Testament scriptures what happened to Zechariah, but in the writting by Matthew we read that the Lord Jesus spoke of Zechariah, son of Barachias, being “slain between the temple and the altar” in Jerusalem.

The name Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers”; the Lord remembered him, even those many years after his death. He never forgets those who believe Him.

Our hearts will be hard too, if we do not want to hear God’s Words, and we will miss His words of comfort and His blessings.

ML 10/18/1942

A Windy Day

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 home where He will have us forever with Himself.

“BLESSED IS THAT MAN THAT MAKETH THE LORD HIS TRUST.” Psalms 40:4.

ML 10/25/1942

Victor Doyle

The little boy about whom I am going to speak to you, was eleven years of age, but was very small. His father died when he was about eight years old, and since then he had been brought up by a bad, drunken stepmother. She was very unkind to little Victor, scarcely giving him any food to eat; and in winter he had to go with his bare feet.

The way Victor lived was this: He went out every morning with a bag over his shoulder, and searched about for scraps of any kind—bread, cloth, nails, old iron, or anything, in short, he could lay his hand upon honestly, for Victor was an honest boy. At night, on his return from his day’s labors, he would carefully separate the things which he had gathered, and sell them for what he could get. The little he thus made, paid the rent of the wretched hovel in which he dwelt.

Victor had learned to read while his father was alive, and had never forgotten the lessons he received then. He would carefully gather up every scrap of printed paper he could find, and thus kept up, as best he could, his reading.

One day he found, among the rubbish he had collected, a leaf of a hymn book. It was crushed, dirty and torn, but nevertheless poor little Victor managed to make it out. It was a few lines of poetry, and ran thus:—

“Christ is merciful and mild,

He was once a little child;

He, whom heavenly hosts adore,

Lived on earth, despised and poor.

Then He laid His glory by,

When He came for us to die;

How I wonder when I see

His unbounded love for me.”

“Ah,” said Victor, “I know; I heard about Christ at the Mission School last Sunday. I wonder if He got poor on purpose? That’s very strange! I wish I could get rich.

‘Came for us to die!’

Can that be true? Who did He die for? For the folks that made this little book, perhaps, but not for me.

‘He was once a little child!’

I wonder if He was as big as I am and had enough to eat?”

Victor read the sweet little verse of the hymn over and over again. Then he carefully laid it aside, saying, “I’ll learn that verse to say, as the boys did last Sunday; and I’ll ask the teacher more about Christ, and who did He die for; and if He is alive anywhere now, so that I can go and see Him.”

Yes, Jesus is alive, and you may go and see Him. He welcomes such as you. Although in glory, His heart and love are unchanged. His love, O, His love, it is too deep to fathom! too vast to scan! He died on Calvary’s cross for sinners. He bled, agonized and died; but now He is risen from the dead, and Victor’s wish to know “if He is alive anywhere now, so that I can go and see Him,” can easily, be answered. He is “alive,” and any of my young friends “may go and see Him.”

The next time that the poor boy went to the Mission School, he heard all about Jesus and His love. He was told that Jesus was “alive” in glory, and that he might “go and see Him.” He was told that Jesus was wanting him, and that there was One in heaven who loved him, if no one else did. The poor desolate boy found a Saviour and a Friend in the Lord Jesus Christ, all through his life.

My dear young readers, you have heard a little of Victor Doyle, and how that poor boy got to know and love the Saviour; first, Victor knew that Jesus loved and died for him; second, he then gave his love and heart to Jesus, “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

Have you believed on Jesus?

ML 10/25/1942

"The Door was Shut"

Dear children: As you receive “Messages of the Love of God” from time to time, do you realize that they. are God’s messages to you? He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

I often think of those solemn words, “And the door was shut.”

Suppose some one was to shut a heavy door between you and your dear papa and mamma, how dreadful it would seem to you, though that would only be for a little while; but the door that God tells us about, will be shut forever and ever. God says to you now,

“Look unto Me and be ye saved,” before the door of grace closes, and we do not know how soon it will be.

There are many prayers going up to God, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that the dear readers of “Messages of the Love of God” may accept Christ as their own Saviour, and live for Him in this world, till He comes.

May you be able to say from your hearts,

“Just as I am—without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come!”

“They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10.

ML 10/25/1942

He Careth for You

A mother had to take a long voyage by sea and land with her little girl. It was not without anxiety that she embarked one evening on board the vessel on which she was to spend many days, for she was not used to sea-voyages.

The child had hardly lain down when she fell off to sleep, as easily as if she were at home, but it was not so with her mother. The latter, although a Christian, and sure that she was under God’s care, could not shake off a feeling of anxiety.

How far it seemed from her home! Her thoughts went continually to the great depth of the sea by which she was surrounded, and the huge waves on all sides. Each moment took her farther from her dear ones, and bore her on to the unknown future.

These thoughts occupied her far into the night. Suddenly, the little girl awoke, and seeing that her mother was not sleeping, she said to her,

“I know my verse, Mother.”

The mother, glad of something to divert her from her sad thoughts, asked her to repeat it. It was this:

“He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

Although so short, this passage went straight to the heart of the mother. It seemed to be a message especially for her, at that particular moment,

“He careth for you.”

If He Who holds all created things in His hand, and makes them to obey His will—if the Almighty took care of her, why should she be fearful? Could she not trust Him? These thoughts calmed her, and soon she slept as peacefully as her child.

“I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8.

ML 10/25/1942

"Look and Live"

How sad was my condition

Till Jesus made me whole,

There is but one Physician,

Can cure a sin-sick soul.

‘Twas He that sought and found me,

And snatched me from the grave,

To tell to all around me,

His wondrous power to save.

A dying, risen Jesus,

Seen by the eye of faith,

At once from danger frees us,

And saves the soul from death.

Come, then, to this Physician,

His help He’ll freely give;

He makes no hard condition,

Tis only— look and live.

ML 10/25/1942

The Mount Olives

Zechariah 14

This mountain near the city of Jerusalem was spoken of many times in the Bible. It must have been named in earliest times for the olive trees growing on it, they grow well on rocky, sunny slopes and live to be very large old trees. The mountain is more a ridge than what we would call a hill, with villages and gardens on the sides.

The first time it is spoken of in the Bible was once when David left the city, he went by way of this mountain, which was also called Olivet (2 Sam. 15:30). That was over a thousand years before Christ.

In the book of Zechariah it is told that one of the very greatest of all events is to be at this mountain, when all nations are gathered near Jerusalem for battle. It says,

“Then the Lord shall go forth.. against those nations,... and His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.” Zechariah 14:4.

It is plain that will be a time of punisent, or judgment, not like when the Lord Jesus came to earth to bless. In those years He was many times on that mountain; He talked to the people from there; it was to a garden there that He and the men with Him went the last night for prayer; and there the soldiers came to take Him. After He was raised from the dead, He was with His followers on the mount of Olives when He was taken up from them, and “a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

While the men stood looking upward, they were told that “this same Jesus” would come again as they had seen Him go. (Acts 1:11.).

That time will surely, come, but no one can say when. Yet the words of the prophet are very plain, naming that same mountain, and the prophet was told that the mountain should be divided, when a valley between, and the people would flee in fright, as the people once fled from an earthquake there, or near.

We do not fully understand all this told to the prophet, yet we can understand that God shows most plainly that there will be a “day” or time of judgment on earth by the Lord Himself. After that, “the Lord shall he King over all the earth.” Zech. 11:9. People are to go from all nations to worship Him.

The prophet wrote before of safety for the people of Jerusalem after the time of judgment; that also is told to show it will be a real city, people will have their homes there; it even speaks of the children. We might think the Lord would not think of them, but He told the prophet,

“The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets.” Zech. 8:5.

All this teaches us how real the events will be of which God told the prophets to write; and He wants Ills people to know their words.

In the new Testament we are told that God waits to bring the time of judgment, because He is “longsuffering” to save, and “not willing that any should perish,” 2 Peter 3:9,15.

ML 10/25/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for August

“The Children’s Class”

1.“I have given,” etc. John 17:14.

2.“These things,” etc. 16:33.

3.“And I will pray,” etc 14:16.

4.“Jesus answered,” 19:11

5.“This is the disciple.” etc 21:24.

6.“There they made,”, etc. 12:2.

7.“It was that Mary,” etc. 11:2.

Bible QuestiOns for November

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Romans chapters 1-8

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Let God be true. but every man a liar”.

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Goodness and forbearance and longsuffering”.

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “In due time Christ died for the ungodly”.

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Staggered not at the promise of God”.

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Who also maketh intercession for us”.

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Death hath no more dominion over him”.

7.How was Jesus Christ our Lord “declared to be the Son of God with power”?

Answers to Bible Questions for August

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.The Word of God. which is truth. John 17:17.

2.“Follow thou me.” John 21:22.

3.No. John 18:20.

4.Zechariah 12:10. (See marginal reference.)

5.Tribulation. John 16:33.

6. we have love one to another. John 13:35.

7. Through Christ. John 14:6.

Bible Questions for November

The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Romans chapters 1-8

1.What is the effect of tribulation?

2.To whom does “him” refer in Romans 8:20?

3.What works together for good to them whom love God?

4.Where was the gospel promised?

5.By Whom will God judge the secrets of men?

6.Who gets justified without working for it?

7.What is the wages of sin?

ML 11/01/1942

O, Happy Day!

A boy was riding along the road in a wagon, singing in a clear voice.

“Happy day! Happy day! When Jesus washed my sins away.”

As I heard him sing, I thought, Is that from his heart, or only from the lips? O, I do trust it is with all his heart he can sing,

“O, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.”

Dear little reader, how is it with you? Have you ever been able to say, Jesus has washed my sins away? If not, you have never known truly happy day. But if so you have not only one happy, day but many. For when we know Jesus as our Saviour—the One who has borne our sins and cleansed us from all sin—we can rejoice in the Lord always. And more than that, when our happy days on earth are over, we shall have a happy eternity to spend with

“Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in. His own blood.” Revelation 1:5.

ML 11/01/1942

True Courage

Doing what we know to be right, in the face of opposition and contempt, is true courage. To confess with our lips the Lord Jesus, and to pray to God. he ore our companions, who may not love or fear Him, is also, true courage.

Listen, dear boy’s, while I tell you about a little boy who had this true courage.

He was a weak, sickly boy, and had a meek, quiet, little face that great big, strong, rude boys laughed at, and called a baby face. He had, up to the time that I am going to tell you of, in consequence of ill health, been kept much at home, and had rarely been away from his mother’s side, and had mixed very little with other boys, hence was timid and awkward at most of the games that boys play, for which they laughed at him a good deal. He would not fight when ill treated, or resent, in anyway the unkindness of others, so that he was, thought to be a coward, by boys who didn’t know what true courage was.

His father, up to his death, had taught him at home, but after that he was sent to a large boarding school. You can think what this would be for a weak, timid, little boy to be taken into, with no kind mother or friend near to watch over him.

Well, it is about his first night at the school that I want to tell you. Picture to yourselves a large room with over a dozen beds in it, and as many boys. laughing and talking, and undressing, preparatory to getting into these beds, and not one of them once thinking of the God who made them, or of the kind Lord Jesus who died on the cross to save them; see them, when undressed, one by one getting into bed without bowing their knees in prayer.

Do you think you it would have been able, before them all, to kneel down by your bedside, before undressing, and pray? This little boy did. Yes, with trembling heart, he knelt before the Lord, and prayed to Him, as he had been accustomed to do at home in his own room, where there was no one to see him, but the “Father who seeth in secret.”

Some of the rude boys laughed at him, and threw their slippers at him, and called him names to make him stop, but he just quietly went on praying to the Lord, and heeded them not. The next morning he did the same, and continued morning and night thus on his knees to confess the Lord Jesus.

Nor was this all, other little boys once had prayed at home, but had been afraid to do so before their companions at school, encouraged by his example, began again to pray, so that by the end of the half term, there were but three, out of that large room full of boys, who would not have been seen morning and night lifting their hearts on bended knees to the Lord.

The true courage of the little, weak, meek-faced boy had communicated itself to others.

Dear children, I want you all to have this true courage, and never to be afraid to own the Lord Jesus by confessing Him, and praying before others where there is a need for it, as in the case of this little boy. The Lord Jesus says,

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

ML 11/01/1942

Noble Creatures

What noble creatures we find in God’s creation, and how much they look for kindness from men and women, boys and girls.

Sammy, as this is the dog’s name, is treated very kindly, and often watches little Allen, so that no harm will come to him.

One day Allen thought it quite fun to run away in his walker, and was headed for a dangerous highway. When Sammy saw the danger, he ran on ahead, and would not permit Allen to go any farther.

So many acts of devotion we learn from dogs, and when Allen is older, should the Lord leave us here, we will want to tell him of this.

We trust he may learn to know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour while he is quite young, and be kind to others, and also to God’s creatures.

“ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM; AND WITHOUT HIM WAS NOT ANYTHING MADE THAT WAS MADE.” John 1:3.

ML 11/01/1942

A Book for the Lord

Malachi 1 to 4

The last writing of God’s words to the people in Jerusalem was by a man named Malachi. He lived about one hundred years after Haggai and Zechariah. Many of the people seem to have forgotten the goodness of God to their nation, and the leaders did not keep His words and were unfair in matters for the people, and wrong in their words to God.

But there were some who believed God’s words, and “feared” or reverenced Him; they often spoke to each other of Him, and of what would honor Him. The Lord heard what they said and told Malachi of a “book” written to remember them:

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon His name; And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when 1 make up My jewels.” Malachi 3:16,17.

It must have cheered those people very much to know that the Lord heard their words, and would remember them, and that He prized them as His “jewels”, or treasures. Reading of that “book” of the Lord’s has encouraged many since, for they know that He must hear and treasure all who think and speak of Him.

God told of another prophet, or messenger, who would come,

“Behold, I send My Messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me.” Malachi 3:1.

Those words should have taught the people that the Lord was to come, as well as a prophet, for He said, “he shall prepare the way before Me”. Many years after, a man named John preached to the people near Jerusalern to repent of their sins; that was how they were “to prepare” for the coming of the Lord. John spoke with earnestness and many turned from their sinful ways. John came just before the Lord Jesus, and surely fulfilled the words told to Malachi.

Malachi told of great blessing, if the people would do the right, that God said He would “open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there would not be room enough to receive.” Malachi 3:10.

Malachi was told of a time when the Lord would cleanse away all evil, as a “refiner’s fire” separates pure metal from impure, or as a “fuller” cleanses cloth; evil will be destroyed as “stubble” in a field is burned. Mal. 3:3; 4:1.

After that the Lord is called the “Sun of Righteousness.” The sun warms, purifies and heals things on earth, as well as giving light, so this title of the Lord teaches that He will purify hearts of sin and heal them of sorrows.

It was about 400 years after Malachi, that Christ the Deliverer their Messiah came, but the Jews cast Him out and would not receive Him. Since His death and resurrection, He is offering Himself as the Saviour to all who will accept Him as such. He is willing and ready to save.

Do you know Him. as your very own Saviour?

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML 11/01/1942

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 suassing loveliness of his voice. Although his plumage is not so bright and beautiful as that of some birds, his song is surpasngly sweet.

We wonder how many of our dear 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 loves 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 11/08/1942

Promises

As I looked out of the window this afternoon, I saw something which made me think of a promise that God made many, many hundreds of years ago.

The sun was shining brightly, and as I looked one way everything seemed so lovely: the green fields, the trees, and the birds flying around. But turning the other way, I saw a huge black cloud, and after a few minutes some large rain-drops fell sharply on the roof, faster and faster they came, and the sun was still shining. Across the big cloud there came a large bow, full of very pretty colors, which we call a Rainbow. I wonder if you can remember the story of the first Rainbow?

Long, long ago, the people on the earth were so wicked and did such bad things, that God said He must punish them all, and He sent such a lot of rain, that the whole earth was covered with water. The houses, the trees, and even the high mountain tops were covered, and all the people were drowned, except Noah and his family, who trusted and obeyed the Lord God.

What a dreadful thing, wasn’t it? Everything covered with water, water, water. But God has promised that He will never do it again. He said,

“When I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud...I will remember.” What will He rember? Why that “the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Genesis 9:14,15.

He has kept His promise, too. God always keeps His promises. He says also,

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find Me.” Proverbs 8:17. That is another promise.

Have you found Him, little reader? He is waiting for you to seek Him.

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

“Come unto Me,... and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

ML 11/08/1942

How Hugh Helped the Missionary

Little, Hugh lived in England, in one of the large cities found in that country. He was only eight years old, hut 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 man to tea. He was a missionary, and he had come from the cold north country where the Esquimaux live in their funny little “iglows” or houses made of ice. Hugh could hardly eat any supper, he was so busy listening to the wonderful stories the missionary told. True stories of adventure and hardship; of long journeys on the ice, in the bitter cold; of want of proper food and shelter, and all to tell the gospel of God to these poor, ignorant men, who had never heard of Jesus, and did not know anything about having their sins forgiven.

At first Hugh was too shy to ask any questions, but after tea the gentleman took him on his knee, and he began then to feel more at home with him.

“Did you ever see a big bear, or a lion or an elephant?” he asked.

His new friend laughed as he told him lions and tigers and elephants could only live in hot countries; but he said,

“I have sometimes seen white bears, and grizzly bears, and fierce, dangerous creures they are.”

“Were you not afraid when you saw a bear?” said Hugh.

The missionary confessed that he was afraid.

“But,” he added, “God can take care of us, you know.”

“Yes,” Hugh replied, “I know that, and I wish I could come with you, and help you to tell these poor men about Jesus.”

The gentleman did not laugh at the little boy this time, but he said,

“You are too young to come with me yet, but you can help at home, by asking the Lord to bless the words spoken, and to save many of the poor Esquimaux.”

When Hugh went to bed that night, he thought of those words, and when his usual prayer was said, he asked God very earnestly to bless the poor Esquimaux, and he added,

“Don’t let the big white bears kill my missionary.”

Do you think God heard this prayer? I am sure He did, for little Hugh asked it in the name of the Lord Jesus, and lie really meant what he said.

When you pray, 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 liked 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 harrow stream, when he saw on the bank a huge white bear. There seemed to be no way of escape; the creure saw him and made ready to spring on him, when suddenly he appeared to change his mind, and turned away in ather direction. The missionary wrote, “I thought of my little friend, and how he was praying every evening for me, that I should he protected from the big white bear.”

“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 petition that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5:14,15.

ML 11/08/1942

Harold's Bible

A small boy whom I will call Harold was traveling a long journey, but he did not mind, as he knew what a long welcome would await him at the house of the uncle and aunt with whom he was to spend the holidays.

His only fellow-traveler was a man who, seeing that he looked lonely, began to talk to him in such a kind, pleasant way that they soon became great friends, and Harold found himself telling his companion about his lessons and schoolfellows, not forgetting to say that though a few of the boys were “duffers,” most of them were good at cricket.

After a time they began to talk about the Bible, and Harold said that though his father and mother had Bibles, he had not even a Testament of his own.

“Write your name and address in my pocket-book,” said his new friend, “and you shall have one, but though it will be your very own, remember it is a message from God, a letter from our Father in heaven, and you are to pass it on.”

Two days after Harold received by post a beautiful new Bible, with his name written upon its fly-leaf. Some weeks afterward the sender of the Bible received a letter which gave him great pleasure.

‘This is what Harold wrote,

“Dear Sir,

“I received the Bible you sent me quite safely. I was very pleased with it, and I thank you very much for it. I read it every evening when I get home from school, and on Sunday afternoons I read it to my little brother and sister. I had been wanting a Bible of my own for quite a long time.

When I go to stay with my grandmother I shall take my Bible and read it to her, because she cannot see very well.

Again thanking you, HAROLD.”

“The Word of the Lord endureth forever, and this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:25.

ML 11/08/1942

First Things

A Review of Genesis 1

Before we begin our lessons in the New Testament, let us be certain we remember the words of the first page of the Bible:

The first words tell that God created the heaven and the earth; the next words tell of the earth being without shape and in darkness. God spoke for light to come, and the light was divided from the darkness, making the first day, part dark and part light.

Next we read what seems a special wonder to us: that the skies, or heavens, were set in their place over all the earth; they are called “the firmament”, and are as settled and sure as the earth in its place.

God spoke for the waters to gather together into seas, and the dry land, or earth, showed above the waters. Then the first grass, plants, and trees were made to grow, each kind had its own seed and could grow again.

God set a “great light” in the sky to “rule,” or control, the day; that light, we know was the sun; and a “lesser light,” the moon, to rule the night. These not only divide day and night, but the seasons also for all the earth.

The first birds were given, and the first fish and creatures of the waters, the many kinds, great and small.

Next, at God’s word, the animals came from the earth. The same day God formed the first man, and said he should have rule over the animals. More is told later of the creation of man, that he was formed of the dust of the ground, and that God breathed in him the breath of life.

The man was called Adam, which means “earthy”, or of the earth. God formed the first woman after the man, from a bone taken from the man. She was given to Adam to be his wife, his helper and companion. They were not first children, as all other people since, but a grown man and woman, with intellence from God.

The facts of creation are greater than we can understand, but we can believe and wonder at the power of God: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen, were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3.

We would suppose the word “God” in the first of the Bible meant one Person, but in the Hebrew scripture, from which our’s was translated, the word for God is plural, meaning more than one: in later scriptures it is told that the Son of God was with the Father, He is called “The Word by whom all things were made.” So the old and new scriptures really agree (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16). The Holy Spirit is also spoken of in creation. (Gen.1:2,26).

ML 11/08/1942

Landing of the "Mayflower"

These people were called Puritans because of their desire to live pure lives. They were true followers of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, but they were greatly persecuted. Three hundred of the Puritan ministers were silenced, imprisoned or exiled during the first year of King James’ reign.

At this time young America was just beginning to be settled. The Puritans thought they would find in this country plenty of room and freedom, and believed it would be a good place to start a colony.

Accordingly, preparations were made and on the 6th of September, 1620, one hundred one (101) of these pilgrims sailed away from Holland in a ship called the “Mayflower.”

Many of you readers can trace your ancestry back to these people, and be thankful that the Lord spared them to spread His blessed gospel in a new country. Many of them were God-fearing Christians, and it was God’s will that they should come here when they did—where they could worship Him in peace, and teach their children all about Him.

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

ML 11/15/1942

Will God Write my Sins in His Book?

When I was a child I used to sing a solemn verse of a hymn. It seldom failed to fill my young mind with awe. I write it now for those young readers to whom I tell this story of a little girl, who feared lest her wicked deeds should be recorded in God’s book. This is the verse:

“There’s not a sin that we commit,

Or wicked word we say,

But in thy dreadful book ‘tis writ,

Against the judgment day.”

In a school that I know very well, the teacher has a book wherein is written the name of each scholar, a list of marks for various lessons and general behavior being added. It goes by the name of “The Mark Book,” and is considered a book of great importance by both teacher and scholars. This book, then, will give my young readers some idea of the one wherein God writes an account of our doings.

One morning the teacher heard some little girls talking about the wrong-doing of one of their school fellows. The teacr looked very grave, and rising from her seat she went to the corner of the room where Lizzie was sitting.

“Is all this sad story true?” she inquired.

The child’s face turned crimson, and her eye fell as the teacher stood before her, but she made no reply. “Lizzie,” continued the teacher, “I want you to tell me the truth. Remember, God is looking at you; He reads your heart. Did you indeed take the money from your mamma’s pocket?”

“Yes, miss” faltered the child; “but I thought mamma would not miss the money, and I wanted to buy some candy.”

“Your kind mamma would not have refused you.”

“I did ask her before I took the money, and she said she could not give me any this morning.”

“Lizzie,” said the teacher, “not only have you been guilty of theft, but you have willfully disobeyed your mamma. What a black list is written against you in God’s book this day.”

“Has God put down in His book all that I have done?” said the surprised child.

“Indeed He has, Lizzie.”

“O dear, I never thought of that. What shall I do? He will not wash away my sin unless I tell mamma, and I caot tell her.”

“My child, if you are really sorry, you will not mind telling your mamma. Now go to her at once, for whatever punisent she inflicts will be only what her love to you demands.”

Afternoon came, and Lizzie again appeared in the school room looking very unhappy.

“Well, Lizzie,” said her teacher, “I suppose you have told your mamma everything.”

“No, indeed, I have not,” the child replied. “I tried to tell her, but the words would not come. I know she will be so angry with me. How much I wish that I had not touched what did not belong to me.”

“My poor child, you are reaping the fruits of your sin, and you cannot feel happy till your conscience is clear. Your mamma must be told by you or by me. Consider the matter well, and let me know at the end of the lessons which of us had better tell her.”

As the children left the room at dismissal, Lizzie waited behind, and when the last lingerer closed the door she went up to the teacher, saying,

“Miss——I have mane up my mind as to the right thing to do; I am going now to tell my mamma. And do you think that God will rub my sin out of His mark book?”

Lizzie had caught hold of her teacher’s hand, and her large dark eyes were gazing into her, face.

“My poor child, what trouble you have brought upon yourself!”

“But,” repeated Lizzie, who was now weeping bitterly, “Miss——you haven’t told me; will God rub my sin out of His mark book?”

“Listen to what God says in His Word,” answered the teacher,

“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.” Isaiah 1:18.

‘Whosoever believeth in Him shall reive remission of sins.’ Acts 10:43.

Dear child, can you trust Jesus? His blood cleanseth us from all sin. If you truly believe, God will not bring you into judgment for the sins, which are written in His book, from which book the wicked will be judged when He sits upon the great White Throne; but your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Lizzie was comforted by her teacher’s words and she ran to tell her mamma at once of her naughtiness, saying:

“I deserve all the punishment she will give me.”

Dear young reader, do you fear to stand before God when His books shall be opened? Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

ML 11/15/1942

Only a Little Child

Lila was “only a little child,” and an orphan. She left her home in charge of an aged aunt, to cross the Ocean, to live with relatives in a busy city in Canada, 3000 miles from the village where she was born. A long journey, indeed, for “a little child.” But Lila had a Heavenly Friend who took her across the seas, and she was the happiest passenger on that big ship. Indeed, she was the favorite of the whole company on board, passengers and sailors alike. Her sweet voice melted all hearts, and brought tears to all eyes. She had been taught to sing in her early childhood, and I believe her young and tender heart had been won to the Saviour ere she started on that long voyage across the Atlantic. Weather-beaten sailors gathered around her, to hear the sweet voice sing,

“Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.”

Aged women and strong men wept, as they listened to her song. And it is on record, that when the shore was reached, there was a chorus of voices asng that she should come to their homes to “stay.” A preacher on that ship rinded the passengers of three Texts in which the words “a little child” occur. They were,

“Jesus called a little child to Him” Matthew 18:2.

“Whosoever shall not receive the Kinom of God as a little child shall not enter it” Luke 18:17.

“A little child shall lead them” Isaiah 11:6.

The first is as true today as then.

The second, as applicable now as then.

The third tells the result of a child’s influence over others.

It was a memorable voyage, and had wonderful results. For Lila herself early became a child of God, by taking God’s Gift, the Lord Jesus Christ as her own Saviour, and, while only a little girl, she was the means of leading her own aunt and her three cousins to Him.

“Go 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.

“Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3.

ML 11/15/1942

The First Home

A Review

You know the first home of Adam and Eve was a garden called Eden, planned by God and must have been most beautiful, all fresh and perfect. But you may not know about the four rivers which flowed from Eden; one, the Euphrates, has always been known as a large river in Asia; the others are not known as certainly now, but two of the countries to which they flowed are very well known, Assyria and Ethiopia. All the names were well known when the book of Genesis was written, and show Eden was a real place in Asia.

It is not told how long Adam and Eve lived in Eden, but one day Satan, a wicked spirit, spoke to Eve through a serpent, making her doubt God’s goodness to them. God had said they could eat the fruit of every tree of the garden, except one. Satan made Eve believe the fruit of that tree would make them wise as God: so she disobeyed God, Who had made them, and took of the fruit and gave also to Adam.

God talked to Adam and Eve and told them they would have work and sorrow all their lives. He sent them out of Eden so they could not eat of another tree, the tree of life, and live forever in sin and sorrow.

But God gave the promise of One to come to destroy Satan’s power (Gen. 3:15). From later scriptures we know that that One is the Son of God, Who offers a new life with Himself to all who believe Him, which we know will be far better than Eden.

The first children in the world were born to Adam and Eve after God sent them from Eden, first Cain then Abel. These boys must often have been told God’s words to their parents, and of His power, and that He was holy, and that an animal could be sacrificed to honor Him, if they sinned.

One day Cain brought fruit from his garden, as a sacrifice, and Abel brought an animal from his flock. God showed them that Abel’s offering was a right one, and that Cain’s was not. God told Cain that he could bring a sin offering, but Cain would not do so, and in his anger killed his brother. (Read Hebrews 11:4, and 1 John 3:12).

God again spoke with Cain, but he was not sorry for his sin. God told him the good fruit would no more grow for him, and he should be a wanderer. Cain went away and built “a city,” a place to live and work; his descendants were men of skill, but did not honor God.

After Abel’s death, another son, Seth, was born to Adam and Eve, and in his life they honored God.

You may read stories of the first people in the world being ignorant, living in caves, in terror of the animals, but this is not true. God’s words about this first family tell that Adam had rule over the animals and named them. (Gen. 2:19). They talked with God. There have been people since wild and ignorant, because they would not honor the Lord. (Rom. 1:21).

ML 11/15/1942

Snow Balling

O I love, the winter!” So said a little boy as he thought of the different kinds of fun to be enjoyed in the snow and on the ice. Snow-balling, sliding, tobogganing, and other pleares seemed most attractive to him.

God said to the snow, “Be thou on the earth,”....

“Great things doeth He which we cannot comprehend.” Job 37:5,6.

In our picture the boys are having plenty of fun snow-balling each other, and they are enjoying their play immensely.

We know all our readers have heard the gospel message, and hope each one can say,

“WASH ME AIM I SHALL TT WRITER THAN SNOW.” Psalm 51:7.

“The blood of Jesus Christ, has washed me, and made me whiter than snow.”

“Come now, 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.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML 11/22/1942

The Shepherd's Sermon

Some years ago a shepherd was driving a flock of lambs through a village. Just as he was passing the first cottage, a young woman crossed the street to get water from the spring nearby. As she stood at the well, she laughingly called to the shepherd,

“Would you not make me a present of one of these beautiful creatures? You have plenty of them.” The shepherd, who was a true Christian, replied,

“These lambs don’t belong to me; therefore, I cannot give you one. But there is a Lamb—the Lamb of God—and you can have Him free. John says,

“Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” He spoke and passed on.

Thank God, the words uttered were pressed right into the heart of the young woman, to perform a work for God, and the salvation of her never dying soul.

“There is a Saviour, and you can have Him free.”

What a word! Has it found its way into thy heart, my reader?

About a year after, our shepherd came with another flock of lambs on the same road. He had quite forgotten the short conversation with the young woman. When he reached the cottage, the young woman looked at him, immediately regnized him and stepped to the door.

“Here, man!” she cried, “that was a splendid word you gave me.”

“What word?” asked the shepherd.

“Do you not remember passing by about a year ago?” she asked.

“Surely, but I don’t remember speaking to you.”

“But I remember, and I thank God for it. I asked you if you would not give me one of these beautiful lambs. You said the lambs did not belong to you, but there was a Lamb—the Lamb of God—that I could have free. At that time I knew nothing about the Lamb of God; but now I know Him, and know that He has taken all my sins away.”

The shepherd now remembered the words he had spoken. His words proved themselves as,

“Words spoken in season,” and the Scripture says, “How good they are!”

With a joyful, thankful heart, he went his way, astonished at the wonderful ways of God’s grace. How insignificant are often the means that God uses. All must work out to the praise of His glory.

My reader, is God’s Lamb not enough for you? Could you wish more? God has provided Himself a Lamb and that Lamb has been slain in your stead. The offering has been presented and accepted, yes, thank God, the empty cross, the empty grave, and the throne occupied above—all witness in earnest, solemn manner that God, through the work of Christ on the Cross, has been glorified; that now every sinner can find peace and forgiveness through simple belief on Jesus Christ,—the Lamb of God. If you ask:

“What must I do?” my answer is

“Nothing!” Jesus has done everything.

Believe on Him and thank God for “His unspeakable gift.” And then go and let your life adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! (Titus 2:10).

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 11:27-28.

ML 11/22/1942

"Even Me"

“I am so glad that Jesus loves me

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves the;

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,

Jesus loves even me.

I expect all my young readers have sung many times the words of this beautiful hymn, but I wonder if the love of Jesus means as much to you as it did to an old lady whom I met in a hospital ward.

Another patient in the ward pointed her out to me, telling me that she was quite blind, and not only so, but she was deaf and dumb as well. Unable to see those who passed up and down the ward, unable to hear the conversation that went on around her, unable to tell others of her needs and requirements, her condition was sad indeed. In fact, there was only one nurse in the ward who could understand her at all.

I had come to speak to the patients about the Lord Jesus, but what could I do for this one who could neither see nor hear me? I pressed into her hand a small lavender bag with a text attached. She could not read the-comforting lines from the Word of God, but she would at least find some little comfort, I hoped, from the fragrance of the lavender.

The nurse had said that the old lady could sometimes understand if the letters of the deaf and dumb alphabet were made on her right hand, her sense of touch ebling her to spell out the words. I decided to try to speak to her in this way.

Taking her right hand I spelt out J-E-S-U-S; immediately the tired face lit up with joy, and the old gray head nodded with delight and gratitude as all that “Jesus” means, came home again to her heart.

Then L-O-V-E-S was spelt out in the same way.

The last word Y-O-U by the old lady herself. Her face was radiant as she excitedly formed those three letters to make me understand that she knew what I wanted to tell her.

Deaf, dumb and blind, but she was richer far than many who have the use of all their senses and faculties, for she knew the love of the Lord Jesus as something very real and precious in which she found comfort and delight. As I looked at her face transformed for a few moments by the thoughts of the love of Jesus for her, I knew that I would meet her again in the presence of the Lord, when her blind eyes will be opened to see the Saviour Who died for her, and her mouth opened to sing His praise.

How many of us are enjoying the love of the Lord Jesus like this poor afflicted sufferer? The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians, says,

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

It is a happy day for us when we learn that the Lord Jesus loves us individually. He loves you, dear young reader, almost as if you were the only sinner in the world who needed His love. He came from heaven out of love for you, He bore the crown of thorns and the laughter and mockery of wicked men out of love for you. He endured the cross and the awful sufferings of those three hours of darkness, and last of all He gave Himself out of love for you. Is it not wonderful that the Lord of Glory should die such a shameful death, shedding His precious blood for such undeserving sinners as we are! Is He not worthy of our love and our obedience?

Some can say with John the Apostle, “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. Can you?

ML 11/22/1942

Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me

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 11/22/1942

The Great Flood

A Review

You know the story of Noah taking the animals into the big boat, before the great flood came. But do you know why the flood came?

It was because the people had become so wicked. These first people lived very many years; now, a man is old at one hundred years; then, many lived several hundred years. They had time to learn and do many things, they all knew God’s power, yet did not honor Him, God saw what the people did, and also knew their thoughts were all for cruel, wicked deeds. God grieved for them but knew they would not stop their evil ways. But Noah believed in God, and God told him to build a great boat with rooms to keep a few animals of every kind, and food, because He would send a flood over all the earth.

Noah must have told the people of God’s words and what was right for them, as he is called “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). But they did not believe Noah. He built the boat just as God said; it was called the Ark, because that means a safe place.

When all was ready, and Noah, his family, and the animals inside the Ark, it began to rain, and continued day after day; water also overflowed from the seas and the earth was covered with waver. The ark floated, and all within were safe. But all the people and animals on the outside perished.

The water was over the earth many days after the rain stopped, until God sent a wind to dry it off. At last the ark rested on a high mountain in Asia. It was several months more until lower ground was dry and God told Noah to come out of the ark. They had lived in the big boat a little more than a year.

God told Noah that He would never again send a flood over all the earth, and that the seasons should be regular:

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Genesis 8:28.

Those words show a complete year the same as we now know a year.

The flood is not told of in books of history and geography, yet could have been the cause of many things men wonder about, as the changes of rivers or strange fossils of animals found. The Lord Jesus spoke of the flood, and told what the people were doing when the flood came and took them all away. So it was a real event (Luke 17:26,27).

ML 11/22/1942

Having a Good Time!

What a lot of little folks are here gathered together, and what a merry time they seem to be having! Some on the table, some under it, some on the floor, one dabbling in the bucket of water, and all full of life and fun. Boys, girls, cat, crow—all seem bent on having a good time. See that sturdy little fellow on the. table drawing a strange picture on the wall, while a number of the others look on with interest and amusement. But what do you suppose Mamma will think when she gets home, to see the wall thus spoiled, and things generally turned topsy-turvy? Would the little folks have been so uproarious and done naughty things like this, if her eye had been watching them? I think not.

Do not forget that God’s eye is always on you, and you can hide nothing from Him. If you are tempted to do what is wrong, stop and think. Ask yourself the question, Would this be pleasing to Jesus? All the pictures we draw on the wall, all the naughty things we say, all the wrong things we do, will have to come out in review before Him.

“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness, shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the housetops,” Luke 12:2,3.

O! be careful, dear children, what you do, and what you say. Remember, all will come out again. May you who love Jesus, learn to act always, as in His presence! Think of this word, “Thou God seest me”.

“THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE IN EVERY PLACE, BEHOLDING THE EVIL AND THE GOOD.” Proverbs 15:3.

ML 11/29/1942

"Jesus Is Mine"

Jessie R—was a gay and thoughtless girl the first time I met her. She was at home for a few weeks with her friends during the holidays.

Her cousin, who was a Christian, was very sorry to see Jessie growing up to be a young woman, caring only for the pleasures of the world. She had often spoken to her about the Lord Jesus, and told her of the blessedness of being His; but Jessie had always put her off with a laugh and a sneer. Like many young people, Jessie thought that if she became a Christian she would lose all me joy, and have to become very grave and sad.

No doubt many people get frightened at conversion, by the miserable-looking faces that some religious people wear. They give one the impression that Christ makes people miserable, and they frighten others away from Him. The Lord Jesus never made anybody sad and gloomy. Be has made thousands of hearts to bound with perfect joy, and filled their tongues with singing. None are so truly happy as the people whose sins are forgiven.

But I must tell you about Jessie. Meengs for preaching the gospel were being held in the place where Jessie was spending her holidays, and after much persuasion Jessie’s cousin got her to promise to go. It was not that she cared a bit for the preaching, but she did not like to be continually refusing her cousin. She went, and was astonished to see everybody so happy.

It was entirely different from what she expected. Girls of her own age were there, singing the praises of the Lamb, their very faces beaming with joy: Some of them were her companions in childhood. She knew them long ago, and now they were saved and on the way to heaven. First one, and then another of them went up to Jessie, and told her what the Lord had done for their souls. She felt uneasy, and deep down in her heart she wished that their joy was her own. Next night she offered to come of her own aord, and sat deeply interested. The hymn was given out and sung by a coany of new-born souls with great power and sweetness—

“O, I have such good news for you;

A story wonderful and true:

‘Twill make you happy, that I know;

It made me glad, and now I go

To sing my great Redeemer’s song

With the happy saints above.”

Jessie could not restrain herself. The tears began to course down her cheeks, and she made no effort to hide them. Sitting down by her side, I told her of the One who came clown from God to die that she might be saved, and how He had finished the work, and gone back to sit on the Father’s throne, and was waiting there to gladden the heart of every one who by faith commit their souls to Him. I pressed upon her the necessity of immediate decision for Christ, and urged upon her to make Him the Saviour and portion of her soul. I was not very sure whether she did so then or not, but we were all anxious to see her the following evening.

As I was passing on my way to the meeting, she came out of her father’s house with her Bible in her hand. There was no need for asking Jessie if she was saved. The beam of joy in her countance told its own story. She came up and warmly shook hands with me, sang,

“JESUS IS MINE”.

She has gone back to the busy city, with its temptations and sins; but the “everlasting arms” of her Saviour-God are underneath, to uphold and keep her. She wrote some time.ago, to tell us that her joy is still in the Lord, and she does not regret having; made Him the portion of her soul.

“Jesus Christ: whom not having seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy upeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8.

ML 11/29/1942

"Jesus Died for Bad Boys Like Me"

Curly lay in a long ward of the hospital. He was lame on one foot before, and while crossing the road on his stilt, a truck came rumbling round the corner, and before Curly could cross, he was run down. His other foot was so badly crushed, that it had to be taken off, and the doctors feared that Curly would die.

One of the nurses who had the care of Curly, was a Christian, and during the lone hours of the night, when the poor boy lay, awake with pain, she sought to wile away the time by reading stories to him of the Gospel. Curly was much interested to hear of sinful boys like himself being converted by believing on the Lord Jesus. He had never heard of such things before. The kind nurse sought to reach his conscience by telling him of his sin, and how God must punish it. This greatly disturbed the suffering boy, for he knew that he was a sinner in the sight of God.

“Do you think He’ll send me to hell, nurse?” Curly anxiously asked, after a long conversation.

“He does not want to send you there, Curly, I’m sure. He loves you very much, but hates your sins, and in order to get these sins away from you, He gave His own Son to die for you on the Cross. If you just believe in Him, He will save you from your sins, and make you so clean and pure in His sight, that you will he a fit dweller in His holy heaven.”

“But did Jesus die for bad boys like me, nurse?” asked the awakened boy?”

“Yes, Curly, He died for sinners, and that’s what you are, isn’t it?”

“O, I’m more than that. If you only knew it all!” said Curly, shaking his head at the memory of his sinful course.

“God knows all about it,” said the nurse tenderly; “and He says that it was just for such as you that Jesus died, and though your sins are many, yet the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses those who believe on Him from all sin. These are His own words, and I am sure they are true.”

The light of the glorious Gospel shone into Curly’s heart, and he was filled with peace.

“I’m so glad you told me of the love of God, and that Jesus died for had boys like me.”

His confession has the two grand marks of a genuine conversion. He owned his sin, and he trusted the death of Christ alone to atone for his sins. Reader, do you?

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

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

ML 11/29/1942

Twelve Prophets or the Last Books of the Old Testament

Hosea shows the Father’s heart

So grieved for sin on Ephraim’s part.

And Joel tells of judgment near; The wicked nations quake and fear.

Then Amos, from the herdmen sent, Calls hardened sinners to repent.

In Obadiah, Edam’s fall

Contains a warning word for all.

Jonah, though prophet of the Lord, Yet fled to Tarshish from His word.

Then Micah sings in sweetest lays The glory of Millennial days.

And Nahum tells the fear and gloom Of Ninevah and her doom.

Habakkuk, though the fig tree fail His faith and trust in God prevail.

Then Zephaniah tells of grace

And love that comes in judgment’s place.

And Haggai in the latter days Repeats: “Consider well your ways.”

In Zechariah’s wondrous hook, We find eight visions, if we look.

Then Malachi, the last of all, Speaks sadly still of Israel’s fall.

ML 11/29/1942

When Nations Began

A Review

After the flood the people on the earth were all from the families of Noah’s three sons, and had one language. No one knows what that language was, but it must have been the same as Adam and Eve knew. The people then lived very many years and could go where they wished, because there was no one else to claim the land. But there were no separate nations then.

After awhile some of the people came to a part, called the land of Shinar. There was a wide high plain which they thought would be a fine place to build, and they said,

“Let us build us a city, and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven.”

So they made strong bricks, well prepared, and began a city and tower. These men may have built other cities and been wise workmen, but their purpose for the tower was not good: it was not to help others, but for their own pride. They wanted to make a “name for themselves”, so people after them would speak of how great they were.

The Lord in heaven saw that tower and knew their plans were not for good, and unless stopped, they would do greater things in their pride. Do you know how the building was stopped? It was in a strange way: The Lord caused the men to speak new languages, and they could not understand one another. This seems to have been very sudden; there was great confusion, and the men could not plan or work together. It is not told how high they had already built, but they did not build more, and separated to different places.

“Therefore is the name of it called Babel (which means confusion), because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth.” Genesis 11:9.

That was how the many languages began, and the nations also began then, for the people of one language stayed tether, and had their own leader, or king. As time went on, these nations spread over Asia and to Europe and Africa.

These people must all have heard from Noah and their own grandparents how God kept them through the flood, and why it was sent, yet seem not to have been thinking of Him.

ML 11/29/1942

Answers to Bible Questions for September

“The Children’s Class”

1.“And when he had.” etc. Acts 1:9.

2.“And he,” etc. 9:6.

3.“Neither is there,” etc. 4:12.

4.“And they were not,” etc. 6:10.

5.“Confirming,” etc. 14:22.

6.“Who. when he came.” etc. 11:23.

7.“Now there were,” etc. 13:1.

Bible Questions for December

“The Children’s Class”

The Answers are to be found in Romans. chapters 9-16

1.Write in full the verse containing the words, “For the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake”.

2.Write in full the verse containing the words, “And the preaching of Jesus Christ”.

3.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Through the grace given unto me”.

4.Write in full the verse containing the words, “Thou standest by faith”.

5.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The same Lord over all”.

6.Write in full the verse containing the words, “The day is at hand”.

7.What did the scripture say unto Pharaoh?

Answers to Bible Questions for September

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

1.Simon. Acts 8:13, 20-23.

2.Acts 14:14.

3.About one hundred and twenty. Acts 1:15.

4.When it conflicts with God’s authority. Acts 5:28-29.

5.Until the times of restitution. Acts 3:21.

6.Cornelius and his household. Acts 10:24,44,47.

7.The lying Ananias in 5:3, and the Ananias of Damascus. Acts 9:10.

Bible Questitnis for December

“The Young People’s Bible Class”

The Answers are to be found in Romans chapter 9-16

1.Who had the church in their house?

2.What verse says that Christ is God?

3.is there a Jewish remnant now?

4.What are the three descriptive titles of God in Charter 15?

5.Who have to stand before the judgment seat?

6.What is nearer than when we believed?

7.Who have beautiful feet?

ML 12/06/1942

Minnie's Temptation

Minnie G. was the only daughter of godly parents. She had early known the Lord Jesus as her Saviour, and she loved Him. Almost from infancy she would say to others,

“Do you love Jesus?”

All knew her as a happy little Christian.

Like many others, Minnie, one day, left the loving shelter of her home, to go forth into the world—a child of God—bearing bright testimony to His name.

One day, while living with a lady who employed her as cook, she was very unhappy. Her mistress, a seemingly religious lady, although void of the true love of Christ in her heart, practiced little deceptions. She seemed greatly annoyed to find her maid above such un-Christlike actions, and did her best, we are sorry to say, to personally annoy her. It had been so on the day of which we speak. Minnie was cooking the dinner, and the tempter whispered, “Burn up the dinner, and get even with her. Your mistress will treat you better for it. You will show her you can take your own part.”

Minnie was angry and miserable and was almost on the point of yielding to Satan’s advice, when a voice within said,

“Do all to the glory of God”.

Her eyes filled with tears, for these were her mother’s last words on her leaving the old home. She thanked God she had not yielded to temptation, and said to herself, “I’ll cook the dinner for the Lord Jesus; if He is my guest, I shall be sure to do it well”.

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

“But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:23-25.

ML 12/06/1942

The Gospel of Thy Grace

The gospel of Thy grace

My stubborn heart has won;

For God so loved the world,

He gave His only Son,

That “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!”

The serpent “lifted up”

Could life and healing give,

So Jesus on the cross

Once died that we might live;

For “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!”

“The soul that sinneth dies,”

My awful doom I heard;

I was forever lost,

But for Thy gracious word,

That “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!”

“Not to condemn the world”

The “Man of Sorrows” came;

But that the world might have

Salvation through His name;

For “Whosoever will believe,

Shall everlasting life receive!”

ML 12/06/1942

The Lord is My Shepherd

A Little girl was once asked to find and write down all the verses where “Shepherd” was found. She found a great many, but the last one she wrote on her paper was

“The Lord is my Shepherd,” adding “He is my own kind, tender Shepherd.”

How nice it would be if each little girl and boy who reads this paper could say the same. If not, may the Lord lead you to know Him now.

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27.

ML 12/06/1942

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 some one 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 sometimes,

“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 shoulrs, 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 12/06/1942

A Great Man

A Review

There was one man who lived about 340 years after the flood of whom God said, “In him should all nations of the earth be blessed,”

That was a very great promise, and reaches even to us. Do you know his name? It was Abram, and he lived near the land where the tower of Babel was started. The people there should have honored God, but, instead, they praised idols.

God spoke to Abram, telling him to leave that land and go to a land that He would show him, and He would make of him a great nation. Abram went first to Syria, later to Canaan, as God wished. (Canaan was the land we call Palestine).

There was room for Abram’s flocks and herds to feed on the hills and lowlands; he built no houses, but lived in tents, and owned no land. Yet God told him that all the land he could see from the high mountains, should belong to his children, or descendants.

At that time Abram had no children, and he and his wife were old; yet Abram believed God’s words. At last they had a son and he was named Isaac. Abram lived many years longer and trusted God even more. God repeated to him the promise of his descendants becoming a great nation, as many as “the sand by the sea shore”, which could not be numbered (Gen. 22:17), The name Abram meant “father”, God changed it to Abraham, “The father of a multitude.”

Abraham did not do what are called great things; he did not discover or Couer lands, or invent, or build towers; he was great in a better way, he believed all God’s words, and about things he could not see.

It was over 500 years before Abraham’s descendants had the country of Canaan for their own. You remember the story of Joseph, who was a great grandson of Abraham, how he was sold for a slave, but became a ruler in Egypt, and all his brothers went there to live. Their chiren and grandchildren made many people, who all were descendants of Abram, and were called Hebrews, as Abram was (Gen. 14:13; Ex. 2:7; also see Gen. 15:13).

God led all those people from Egypt to Canaan, the land He told Abram they should have. They built towns and cities, and became the great nation of that time. But God let them lose their power and homes, because of sins, and they were captives in Babylon seventy years. Then some of the people and their children rurned to Palestine, but never had great power, and many went to other lands, and are ill all parts of the world, known. as the Jewish race.

So God’s promise to Abram is yet to be fulfilled, Genesis 17:8.

But how can all nations be blessed in Abraham? Because it was as a descennt of His that the Son of God, the Lord Jesus was born and suffered for the sins of all, and will bless all who trust Him. Jesus spoke of Abraham many times.

Wolves

Wolves are fierce creatures, living in forests, enemies to cattle,—ravenous, greedy and crafty.

In times of great famine, when they can get no food, wolves are said to destroy one another; they run around in a circle, and the first one to fall through dizziness is devoured by the rest. When they set upon sheep they make choice of a dark cloudy day, that they may escape the more safely; and they go against the wind, to prevent the dogs from smelling them. They are very cautious and difficult to entrap. They rarely attack a man unless rendered fearless by hunger.

Scripture takes notice of this animal, as it does many others, and if you will read carefully the scriptures that relate to the wolf, you will see that the Word of God takes notice of it, that it is violent, cruel and greedy.

In John 10:12, you may read of the Lord Jesus Himself speaking of the wolf catching the sheep and scattering them.

God, in His Word, likens all of those who are saved to sheep.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6.

We too have an enemy, but like the poor sheep, helpless and defenseless against wolves, we are powerless against the great enemy of our souls, Satan, but, as we read in John 10:11,

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”

We learn that the Lord Jesus Christ as “The Good Shepherd” has died, given His life, that He might save all who put their trust in Him, from the power of Satan, and from the consequences of their sins.

Have you put your trust in the Lord Jesus yet?

“BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:31.

ML 12/13/1942

"My Sins Are All Forgiven"

One very hot summer day I was sitting by a patient in one of the wards of a hospital. All the beds in the long room were occupied; and my attention was presently attracted by a woman stooping over a bed, and fondly kissing a pale-faced little girl.

When she was gone, I went over.

“Fanny R., aged 14,” was written on the ticket at the bed’s head.

I found that she was ill and got but little better. The doctors, she told me, did not say whether she would recover.

I soon found that she did not know the Lord Jesus, or the forgiveness of sins; but she looked at me earnestly while I spoke of His love; and when I saw her again, in a week or two, she warmly welcomed me.

“O! no,” she said, “she could not say that she was saved; she wished to be; she prayed to be; but she was not happy; she should not like to die.”

Not long afterward, I was surprised to meet her in the street.

“O! Miss, I am so glad to see you.” “Why, Fanny! are you so much better?”

“Yes, I am better,” she said; “but I am only out of the hospital now for an hour’s walk.”

“Well, and have you been thinking of Jesus since I saw you?”

“O! yes; and what is best, He has forgiven all my sins.”

“Has He?”

“Yes, I know He has; and I’m so happy now, and not afraid to die! I did ask Him to, ever since the first time you came to see E. K.”

Fanny soon left the hospital, and came to live at home, close to where I held a little class on a Sunday afternoon. She used to come in with her bright, beaming face, and sit and listen, amid all her pain, until she became too weak.

“O! I am very happy,” she used to say, “I have Jesus, my precious Saviour, aays with me.”

“Fanny,” I said, one day, before some of her neighbors, “you know that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, don’t you?”

“O! yes,” she replied, with such a smile.

Her little Bible was always beside her. I never saw a cloud on her sweet face.

“I do love Jesus, and I know He loves me,” would be often her joyful exclamation.

One Sunday afternoon as I was leaving her, she held my hand and said,

“O! Miss, I can’t be afraid to die now, for my sins are all forgiven; and I would rather go to be with Jesus, than stay here. I long to see Him.”

“But He is with you now, Fanny, is He not?”

“O! yes; He is precious,”

A lady called to see her, who did not know the peace which the blood of Jesus gives; and she was surprised at Fanny’s joy and at her calm assurance of her sins forgiven.

“My dear child,” said the lady, “are you sure you are not deceiving yourself?”

“Jesus can’t deceive me, Mrs. W. No; O, no.”

“I hear the accuser roar

Of ills that I have done;

I know them well, and thousands more;

Jehovah findeth none.”

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

ML 12/13/1942

Riding Upon a White Pony

I knew a little girl, and though she was so young, she showed that she knew in her heart that Jesus died for her. This was seen in some of her little ways, and told in many of her simple words. I am not, however, going to tell you more about these. There is only one thing which I now want to make known to you respecting her.

One day she said to a kind friend, “I’m going soon to be with Jesus; and I shall ride upon a white pony.”

Her friend told her that this was a strange thing to say, and asked her what she meant by it. After some inquiry, she found out the child’s meaning. Her friends, being believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, loved the Word of God, and a chapter of it used to be read in the family every day.

They had lately been reading in the book of Revelation, and the child had niced that it was said, in the nineteenth chapter, that Jesus sat upon a white horse, and that “the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”

She had heard it said that these were they who believed in Jesus; and as she knew in her heart that she was a little believer in Him, she thought that she would form one of that glorious company who should ride with Him upon white horses. But, being only a little girl, she supposed that she should not have a large horse, but a little one; and this was the way in which she got her idea that she should ride upon a white pony.

Although she made a mistake, does it not show how attentively she listened to the reading of the Word of God, and afterward thought about it in her childish way?

The Lord Jesus is coming very soon to take away all who know Him as their Saviour to live with Him forever. But He is not going to let this wicked world go on as it is doing now, He will come in judgment on all who will not have Him as their loving Saviour, and hell will be their portion with the devil and his angels.

Read the 19th chapter of Revelation, and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; chapter 2:1-12, and you will see how dreadful it will be. Do you know Him NOW? If not, do not. put it off a day longer.

ML 12/13/1942

Small Things for Him

“I cannot do great things for Him

Who did so much for me;

But I would like to show my love,

Lord Jesus, unto Thee.

Faithful in very little things,

O, Saviour, may I be.

There are small things in daily life

In which I may obey;

And thus may show my love to Thee

And always—every day—

There are some little, loving words

Which I for Thee may say.

I ask Thee, Lord, to give me grace,

My little place to fill;

That I may ever walk with Thee,

And ever do Thy will;

And in each duty, great or small,

I may be faithful still.”

ML 12/13/1942

A Great Leader

A Review

We all remember the story of the baby Moses being put in a basket at the edge of the river to keep him from being killed by the king, and how he was saved by the king’s daughter. Perhaps you remember that he became the great leader of the people who were then slaves to the Egyptians. His parents were of the family of Levi, a son of Jacob (or Israel), so they were what we call decendants of Abraham, as were all the Hebrew people; they were also called Israelites.

It was God who told Moses to lead the people away from Egypt, and he was their leader all the years on their journey to Canaan. God gave him the two “tables.’ or slabs, of stone with the ten laws, called the “ten commandments” engraved on them. Do you remember there was thunder and lightning, signs of God’s great power, and sounds of trumpets, when God spoke to Moses and all the people?

Those laws for Israel were often called the “laws of Moses,” but were laws from God. Men quote them now, and no nation since has found better laws. Many other laws were told Moses for those people, and he also was given the directions for the large tent called the Tabernacle, where God set the “cloud of glory” to show them He was with them, and where they could go to honor Him. When we read of that, we learn by it of God’s holiness, and of the work to be done years after by Christ.

You remember, there were also many very wonderful miracles which God did by Moses. He divided the waters of the sea: made water to flow from a rock, enough for the people and their animals; cured the people who were bitten by serpents, and many other miracles.

All these things were written and kept by those people. It is thought that other men were helpers to Moses in the great task. They were many years in the lonely deserts when such a work could have been done.

We might think we have no need to read those laws and events. Yet God wants His people to know His ways, and we are told they were examples for us (1 Cor. 10:11). When we read how God cared for and helped them, we will be encouraged in times of trouble.

It is believed by the Hebrew people and others, that Moses also was the one God used to write the first scriptures, the book of Genesis. When the Lord Jesus was on earth and wished to teach people what was told in the scriptures about Himself, He began “at Moses” (Luke 24:27). That meant that the Lord began at the writing of Moses. So we believe Moses wrote those first scriptures in Genesis, which told of One to come to “bruise” Satan.

Christ spoke many times, of words written by Moses. He said, “Had ye believed Moses ye would have believed Me, for He wrote of Me,” John 5:46.

ML 12/13/1942

Poverty

What a sad picture we get here of two poor children. They seem so sad and discouraged. They may have been looking for work, and could not get anything’ to do; and now, tired and hungry, they have sat down to rest.

What a world this is of suffering! How much we might be doing to help others, giving to the poor for immediate help, and seeking to help them to get work, so they may earn their own living; and above all, to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for sinners, to redeem them from this world, and all its consequences.

If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, as the One who died for you, then you are told to,

“Make to yourselves friends with the marmnon of unrighteousness.” Luke 16:9.

That is, to use what temporal things you have, and give to the poor, and help them in that way, and they will become your friends, and then they will listen to what you bring before them of God’s Word. You could read to them some beautiful verses, such as,

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

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

There are many other beautiful verses that might be given to the unsaved, and the scripture is full of words of comfort for the believer in the Lord Jesus.

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

ML 12/20/1942

Lily

Far up among the Hills where in olden days gypsies encamped, and sold their wares from farm to farm, a tall, dark gypsy woman was found on the hillside in a dying condition with a babe clasped in her arms, evidently only a few days old.

A farmer’s cottage, the nearest human dwelling to the lone spot where this young gypsy mother and her babe were found, was willingly placed at the disposal of the shepherds who found them that early afternoon on the hill, and with tender hands, wrapping the babe in their coats, bore her to the warm cottage, where kind hands did all that love could do for the pretty child.

As for the mother, she was beyond human aid, and at sunset passed into the eternal world without saying a word. All efforts to trace the mother’s name and connections failed to trace the name of the foundling child. But the shepherd’s wife, who had no children of her own, decided to adopt and care for the nameless baby, and to bring her up as if she had been her own. And in due time she was named and registered as “Lily,” and grew up in the little, humble home on the hillside, as the shepherd’s child.

Lily was a beautiful child, loved by all the simple folks of that region, and many a little present did they bring to her during her childhood’s years as their love tokens to the attractive, and oft visited child.

Lily was sent to a little country school, and few of the scholars excelled or equalled her in the progress she made with her lessons. From her early years, she was a lover of Bible Stories, which even before she could read, the shepherd’s wife told her in the evening hours in the winter time while sitting around the fire. And her foster-father, Ronald the shepherd, was proud of the bright, intelligent child, who with all loving reverence called him “father,” and clung to him with more than a daughter’s love.

When Lily was about ten years old, the only daughter of a well-to-do farmer in that vicinity offered to “see to her education at her own expense,” making the offer that Lily should always return to her childhood’s home, to keep the old shepherd and his wife company at the weekends.

This kind lady, who was a true Christian, and loved the Lord Jesus, being too delicate to engage in Christian work in the ordinary way, gathered the children, whose homes were scattered among the Hills, to her father’s house on Sunday afternoons and held a little Sunday school in her own room. And there she sought to win their young hearts to the Saviour.

One of the first to confess her faith in the Lamb of God (John 1:29) was Lily.

And hers was a genuine case of conversion, manifested from the beginning, by a life of loving devotion to the Lord. And for many a year, her light shone in that lone region for Christ, and her lips spoke of Him to all around.

“Redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:19.

ML 12/20/1942

The Two "Alls".

Can you tell me a verse that begins and ends with all?

This question was put to a Bible class of girls.

There was a moment’s pause, and then E., repeated Isaiah 53:6:

“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.”

Most of those present knew the text well; but they had not thought about the two alls in it.

Just look at them, dear young reader. “All” gone astray. “All” means everybody; that must mean you, too. Have you not done things you know you should not have done? and have you not sometimes taken your own way?

Remember, it is God who is speaking; God, who has seen every act of your life, and who knows your heart. Do you feel that you are a sinner before God? And do you want to know that your sins are forgiven, and that you are fit to go to heaven?

Then look at the last “all.” If you own yourself as one of the “all” gone astray, it is as true that the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us “all.” That means you, as well as others who believe. Our sins were laid on Jesus when He died on the cross; and they are put away forever for the one who believes on Him.

Let me tell you of a girl who believed what God said about this verse. I was visiting her mother one Sunday afternoon, and after we had spoken of the Lord Jesus, whom we both knew as our own Saviour, I turned to her little girl, and asked,

“And is Jeanie saved, too?”

“No, she is not,” her mother answered.

“That is very sad. Would you not like to be saved?”

“Yes,” replied Jeanie.

So I sat down beside her, and opened my Bible at Isaiah 53, and read over and over again this verse, and made her read it with me.

She owned she was one of the first “all,” a sinner; and a few days later, I found she had taken her place in the second “all,” and knew that her sins had been laid on Jesus.

“Are you saved now?” I asked her.

“O! yes,” was her joyful reply.

“How do you know?”

“Because God says, ‘All we like sheep have gone astray, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’”

Though I did not see her again, I heard that she was bright and happy, and by her ways at home, showed that she belonged to Jesus, and was seeking to please and to serve Him.

Will you now, my dear young reader, look carefully at this wonderful verse, with that little word “all” that means so much, at the beginning and the end, and let your heart simply believe the message it brings:

“ALL” gone astray, and, “the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us All.”

ML 12/20/1942

Great Grace

Jesus, the Son of God,

Came from His home on high,

Suffered for sinners, suffered for sinners,

And on the tree did die.

The mighty work is done;

See! Christ is risen now!

Yes, it is finished! yes, it is finished!

Crowns are upon His brow.

Soon He will come again

To take His own above;

Welcomed to glory, welcomed to glory,

Ever to share His love.

Come to the Saviour, come,

Gently He calls for thee;

None are too sinful, none are too sinful,

All may to Jesus flee.

ML 12/20/1942

A Leader in War

A Review

Do you remember the name of the man who led the people of Israel into Canaan? It was Joshua. He had been a servant, or helper to Moses when they were at Mt. Sinai and God gave the laws; he had heard God’s words and seen and felt His glory, and had seen His miracles (Ex. 24:13).

Do you remember that twelve men were sent ahead into Canaan to see and learn of the country, and that Joshua and one other were all who gave a good report, and had courage to go there, as God had told them? (Num. 14:6-9)

When Joshua was told to lead the people, after Moses’ death, he was ready to obey God, although the river Jordan was before them, with no way to cross.

“Joshua rose early in the morning” (Josh. 3:1), and the great company moved to the river. God divided the waters of the river when they were very high, and all the people and animals went to the other side on dry ground.

The people in the land of Canaan had become more and more wicked: they had heard how the Red Sea had been divided to bring them from Egypt, yet they would not believe or honor God. Jericho was the first, city Joshua and the men of Israel came to, and God sent them around it seven times before the walls were overthrown. This shows, the people were given time to repent and believe but they would not, only one woman and her family (Joshua 2:10,11; 6:25; Heb.11:30,31).

God has always been ready to show mercy to anyone who would believe Him. But He gave Joshua and others power to subdue the enemies (Genesis 22:77). It was only when they would not turn from wickedness, God sent punishment.

But since the time of Joshua, God had sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to earth to bring peace; to be their Saviour, from the dreadful sins which cause war. Christ was refused as Lord and Ruler, but He did not show His power to punish.

Those who believed Christ were told to use a strange sword, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

But the life and work of Joshua are lessons for God’s people now, to learn to have courage to obey God, and to ask Him to direct, hut yet not for war with real swords and weapons.

Notice these words of Moses to Joshua, “The Lord, He it is that doth go before thee: He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

We do not now go to take lands as Joshua led Israel, but God would have His people to know His promises of blessings in Christ.

“Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17.

ML 12/20/1942

Feeding the Birds

How beautiful the snow is, white and clean, and these dear children have been enjoying their play in it. But now they have thought of something else, as the ground, trees and bushes are covered, and the ground is hard with frost, the dear birds are unable to get any worms or insects to feed upon.

It is good to see the boys showing kindness to, these little creatures, by putting grain on the stand, where they will soon be looking for it.

We might think they must soon starve to death. But no; God takes care of even the little birds. He feeds the sparrows; He hears the raven’s cry.

Let us learn from it,—two little lessons. First; may we, learn to show kindness to all of God’s creatures. God cares for them, and we should care for them, too.

Second; let us thank God for His care over us. While He thinks of the little birds and cares for them, He tells us we are of more value than many sparrows.” He does not wish us to be troubled about what we shall eat and what we shall wear. He would have us to take these cares to Him who cares for us. He gives us this beautiful word,

“Your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.” Should not this he enough for our hearts?

“SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” Matthew 6:33.

ML 12/27/1942

"Take Care of Me!"

Last Saturday some boys and girls went on their wheels for a ride to a pretty lake they wanted to see.

It was a nice sunny day, and not too hot, so they made their bicycles go pretty fast past the trees and houses and stores and dogs that were all along the way. Two of the girls got ahead of the rest, and were riding so fast, and talking too, that they did not see they had come to a long hill until after they were going down it.

“O, Mary,” said Anna, who was just back of her, “this is an awful steep hill! I’m afraid to go on, and I can’t get off my bicycle. What shall I do?”

“Just stay on,” said Mary, “you’re all right.” But just then Mary saw a railroad track across the road further down the hill, but not as far as the bottom of the hill, so they would have to ride over it.

“I hope a train won’t come along,” Mary said. But Anna was quite a little distance behind, and did not hear, and did not see the track at all.

Just then a train came round a curve at the other side of some woods, and it was coming very fast towards the very road Mary and Anna were on. Mary was getting so near to the track, and the train coming so fast, it was plain they would meet on the crossing.

There was a steep bank with a barbed wire fence on each side of the hill they were riding down, so she couldn’t go down there, and to turn round would make Anna ride into her, and then perhaps Anna would keep on and get killed. What could Mary do! Not a thing! She looked at the green trees and heard the birds sing, and then thought of God above the blue sky, who loved her so much He sent His Son to die for her.

“O, God, Thou seek me, take care of me!” she prayed, and then shut her eyes; the engine was getting nearer and she was almost to the track.

Do you think God heard? Yes, He did. And what do you think He did? He made the train come to a dead stop just before the road, so Mary and Anna could pass! And just as soon as they got over, the engine whistled and went on again very fast. Wasn’t that good of God? Both Mary and Anna thanked Him for His great mercy as soon as they got past.

He saw Mary, and would not let her be hurt when she prayed to Him. She could not help herself, but He could, and He did.

And has He not sent His Son down to save us from something worse than being killed by a train? Yes, He has. The Lord Jesus died on the cross because He loved us and wanted us to be up in heaven some day with Him, and that was the only way He could save us from Satan.

All we have to do is to trust Him, bieve Him. Do you?

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15.

ML 12/27/1942

"I've Heard of Him"

While passing along the street one beautiful morning, my attention was arrested by a young man, who, although bearing upon his face the impress of health and youthful vigor, was, nevertheless, totally blind. I felt led to speak to him about the Lord Jesus as the One who could cause light to shine into his soul, giving him to obtain eternal life, by believing. His answer was,

“Yes, I’ve heard of Him.”

O, but was that enough, reader, do you think? No, for eternal life is given, not through hearing alone, but by believing:

“He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” John 5:24.

As soon as blind Bartimeus heard of Jesus, he believed on Him as the One able to restore his sight.

“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:46-52.

Job had heard of the Lord “by the hearing of the ear”; “but now,” he says, “mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore, I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6.

O, have you heard of Jesus, have you believed Him? Have your eyes been opened to see Him in all His beauty; and yourself in all your vileness?

ML 12/27/1942

Still Believing

In a little town, a children’s meeting was being held. The room was full and the children listened attentively as the preacher told them of Jesus and His love.

“I wonder,” he said, at the close of the address, “how many children in this room will trust Jesus, and believe in Him as their Saviour?”

Many little hands were lifted in answer to his appeal, and after a few more words the children left the hall to go to their homes.

Among them were little Frances, aged five, and her brother Herbert, nine years old.

“Mother,” said the little girl, as they went into the house, “Mr. P. asked us tonight how many of us would believe in Jesus, so I held up my hand.”

“Did you, dear?” said her mother; “and what about you, Herbert, did you hold up your hand, too?”

“No mother.”

“And how was that, my boy?”

“Why, mother, I thought he meant who would trust Him for the first time tonight, and I trusted Him years ago,” was the child’s reply.

Little Frances was not able to write; but she very much wanted to send a letter to the preacher after he had gone home. Her mother asked what she would like to say to him.

“Tell him I am still believing in Jesus.”

Perhaps some of you who read this are older than these little ones. Can you say, “I trusted Jesus years ago?” Are your “still believing?”

“O,” you say, “I should like to be a Christian, but I am afraid I shouldn’t be able to keep on.”

It is not you who have to keep hold of Jesus, but Jesus who will keep hold of you. The Lord said to His Father in the 17th of John,

“Those that Thou gavest Me, I have kept.”

If the Father gives you to Jesus, you are safe for eternity. He who loved you, and died for you, will never let you go.

“O, who’s like Jesus,

Who died on the tree!

He died for you, He died for me,

He died to set poor sinners free.

O, who’s like Jesus,

Who died on the tree!”

ML 12/27/1942

Come, Little Children

If little children knew the love

Which dwells in Jesus’ breast,

How would they come to Him by faith

All anxious to be blest!

“Come unto Me,” He sweetly cries:

“Come little children, come;

Come to My open arms and heart;

Come to My happy home.”

Thus Jesus speaks, Who makes reply,

“O Lord, I come to Thee;

Thy precious love hath won my heart,

Thine henceforth I will be?”

O precious choice, if such be thine,

Then thou indeed art blest:

Peace thy companion here shall be,

There, everlasting rest.

ML 12/27/1942

Judges, Kings and Prophets

A Review

You remember the story of the strong man, Samson, and of Gideon, the captain of the men with the pitchers and torches. They were men of Israel, called judges, who freed them from their enemies. Once a woman, Deborah, was the judge. The last judge was Samuel, who was faithful to tell God’s words.

The first king, Saul, did not obey God, and He chose another young man, who was keeping sheep to be the next king; you know that was David.

It was some years before David was crowned king, and he had to flee from the land for a time, because Saul did not like him. After Saul died, David was king, he wanted to build a House, instead of the Tabernacle, or Tent, to honor the Lord, and he had the stones and wood made ready. But his son, the next king, had the beautiful House, or Temple made.

Do you remember that the nation, Israel was divided after that? Ten of the tribes had a different king than two of the tribes. The most of the kings and people became careless of their ways, were dishonest and selfish; they forgot God’s words, and even made idols.

God sent men, called prophets to tell them what was right, but those men were not well treated. Perhaps you could name some of them, as Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and others.

At last many of the people were taken from their homes by armies of other nions. Many, years later some of them came back, and rebuilt their homes and also The Temple. Ezra and Nehemiah lived in that time and wrote about their work. But they did not have a king of their own nation again.

Could you tell the names of some of the women who are told of in the scriptures, who believed God? Miriam was the sister of Moses, who watched her baby brother and who praised God for saving the people from the Egyptians. Could you tell the story of Ruth, who lived where the Lord was not honored, and she left her, country to honor Him? Esther was one of the people from Israel, but became a queen in another country.

All those people were real people of long ago, the Lord knew they believed His words, and that it would help us to know they trusted in Him. And if we have learned of them we will enjoy still more God’s words of the New Testament. Notice these words:

“Time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, and the prophets,...These all having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” Hebrews 11:32,39.

What was the promise those people hoped to see fulfilled? It was the promise of the Christ, the Deliverer, or Saviour. The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, has been sent to be that Saviour, and we have His wonderful words in the New Testament Scriptures.

ML 12/27/1942

Messages of God's Love: 1942

Table of Contents

Answers to Bible Questions for October

A Story About Queen Victoria

Ada's Transgressions

The Garden of Eden

Can a Tree Hear?

Winter Sport

Lottie's Song

Five Beautiful Pearls

When He Cometh

A King Chosen God

Merry Children

"Nail Holes in the Floor of Heaven."

A Boy's Prayer

Saved by a Sheep

Jesus

The Patient Holy Servant

The Door

Jesus, the Friend of Children

It Was All Cool

Sandy

The Storm and the Rainbow

Do We Believe This Report?

Answers to Bible Questions for November

Reggie's Mistake

A Wise Choice

Whiter Than Snow

"Come and Buy"

Little Cherubs

Roy

The Bee Without a Sting

The One to Bring Good News

A Linen Girdle

The Great Indian Tortoise

Under the Table

Norman's Verse

A Wonderful Book

Raindrops

The Book of Jeremiah

Answers to Bible Questions for December

Why Do You Insult My Father?

Do You Have Salvation?

A Place of Safety

A Man in Stocks

The Snow

"Jesus, I Will Trust Thee"

Desire for the Word of God

God Can See

Yokes Sent to Kings

The Way of Safety

What Me Spider Teaches

A Great Sacrifice

Jesus Died for Me

A Book Burned

Sparrows

A True Friend

Winnie

Praise Ye the Lord

Drawn Out of a Dungeon

The Broken Chord

The Robber and the Bible

Lost Katie

The Bible

Freed from Prison

Answers to Bible Questions for January

A Walk with Uncle

Carrying Badness to Jesus

Waiting

The Soldiers

Living in Egypt

The Shepherd and His Flock

A Boat Adrift

Do You Know?

The Watch

A Promise Broken

The Nightingale

"I'll Turst Him."

Dick's Hiding Place;

Snow and Frost