Messages of God's Love: 1967

The great fire broke out in a wooden house near London Bridge. It burned for four days, during which 400 streets, 13,000 dwelling houses, nearly a hundred churches, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and many hospitals and public buildings were destroyed.

In an effort to check the progress of the fire, houses were deliberately blown down to make gaps which the fire could not cross.

Terrible though the fire was it was really a blessing in disguise, for it swept away the last traces of the plague in the unhealthy houses and streets of the town.

Does this not remind us of the plagues which were sent upon Pharaoh when he would not let the enslaved children of Israel go out of Egypt? All these plagues were sent as a punishment, but a greater plague than any of these came upon the world long before Pharaoh lived.

It was the PLAGUE OF SIN! It had its beginning in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, our first parents, disobeyed God and brought ruin on the human race.

This is no myth, as some of the so-called wise men of the world would have us believe. It is a fact that cannot be denied. We see evidences of this awful plague around us day by day. We feel its evil influences in our lives.

SIN — what a terrible plague it is!

The Great Fire of London helped cleanse away the foulness of England’s greatest city, but the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, amid the fires of Calvary’s cross, came to cleanse men and women, and boys and girls everywhere, of the great plague of sin. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “Through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.

O what blessings flow from the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. How many can truthfully sing—

Oh precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Have you, my dear reader, you who are plagued by sin, come under the power of the cleansing blood of the Lord Jesus? If not, why not come to the Saviour now?

“Behold the Lamb, which taketh away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

“WE HAVE SEEN AND DO TESTIFY THAT THE FATHER SENT THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.” 1 John 4:14.

ML 01/01/1967

A True Dog Story

Tiny was a little terrier dog who lived in England. Tiny loved to chase foxes. One day the little dog was heard barking excitedly as he raced in hot pursuit after one of those red swift-moving creatures with the big bushy tail. Over the meadows they sped. Then the chase ended abruptly when the fox dived into a hole in a steep sand bank. In went Tiny after him — and disappeared.

Hours went by but Tiny did not come out. Poor little dog, he was trapped underground! He could be heard whimpering and whining in the darkness. For five days Tiny’s master along with two SPCA officers and other men dug deep into the sandy soil in a noble attempt to save the little dog. But when the sand threatened to bury the rescuers the search had to be called off. No sound had been heard from Tiny for three days, so he was given up as dead.

The night after the search had been called off, Mrs. Turner, wife of Tiny’s master, had a dream in which she saw vividly the spot where the little dog was and she could see him alive. The next morning she told her husband and he and some friends went back to the sand bank. Mrs. Turner went along. She was absolutely sure Tiny was alive. She had not been there before, but she pointed to a side hole which had been missed. The men cleared the hole. Sure enough they could hear Tiny whimpering, and a few minutes later out he came covered with sand. The fox followed close behind.

How thankful and happy the little dog must have been to be rescued from certain death in that dark hole!

Now, dear young friends, you are worse off than Tiny was, if you are not saved. You may not know it but if you are not cleansed in the blood of Jesus, you are still trapped in the deep dark pit of sin — lost, without hope, with only death and judgment before you.

But God loves us in spite of our sin and folly. His salvation is near if one cries to Him in faith and wants to be saved.

Have you ever cried unto the Lord? He has provided a Saviour for you in His own blessed Son. And now “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“They cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death.” Psa. 107:13,14.

ML 01/01/1967

Bible Questions for January

The Children’s Class

1.“The righteousness of God.”

2.“By the word of God.”

3.“The wisdom and knowledge of God.”

4.“The mercies of God.”

5.“The kingdom of God.”

6.“The God of hope.”

7.“The commandment of the everlasting God.”

The Young People’s Class “Sanctification”

1.Why did God SANCTIFY the seventh day of creation? Gen. 2.

2.What did God impart to the tabernacle in SANCTIFYING it? Exod. 29.

3.How were the Israelites to view the vessels of the tabernacle and those who handled them after they were SANCTIED? Exod. 30.

4.By whom was the Lord Jesus SANCTIED before coming into this world? John 10.

5. How were those who are now believers SANCTIFIED? Heb. 10.

6.How is our food SANCTIFIED? 1 Tim. 4.

7.In the mixed state of Christendom (the great house), what is necessary to be SANCTIFIED and meet for the Master’s use? 2 Tim.

ML 01/01/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob

Gen. 35:1-5

“And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.” v. 1.

Jacob’s times of communion with God invariably followed periods of trial when he found himself powerless to proceed in his own strength. After the tragic and brutal events of Chapter 34, he felt entirely defeated, for Simeon and Levi had placed him and his family in jeopardy with those around him. At this time God spoke graciously again to him, instructing him to forsake his wicked surroundings and go up to Bethel. This was where God’s promises had first been made to him and it was here that God would have him return.

Apparently these instructions kindled a new spirit in Jacob and deeply moved him. This should be the effect of God’s Word on everyone who will be attentive to it. How much better to dwell at Bethel the house of God — than to dwell in the tents of wickedness! How much happier to build an altar to worship God than to build up worldly gain in a strange land.

Aware that moving on to Bethel involved more than mere physical preparation, Jacob undertook the cleansing of his household. We are here reminded of the words of the psalmist: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that bath clean hands, and a pure heart.” Psa. 24:3,4; again, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Psa. 66: 18. It is a most important principle that there can be no true communion with God nor any resting in His goodness if unjudged sins or any pattern of life interferes with His holiness.

When Laban charged Jacob with the theft of his images, Jacob had stoutly defended himself, unaware as he was that it was his loved Rachel who had stolen them. But at some time along the way, Jacob had learned the sad truth; nevertheless he apparently lacked the courage to deal with it. Thus the images Rachel had taken were added to and spread throughout the whole company, What a reminder of the effect we have upon one another — for good or for evil! “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump,” I Cor. 5:6,7. The enemy well knows how to spread evil so that soon all are contaminated, unless by God’s help it is purged out, completely done away with. So it was with Jacob’s household.

But now, moved by God’s voice, Jacob gave instructions: “Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments. And let us arise and go up to Beth-el.” “And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.” v. 4. The way was now opened for them to journey on under God’s protecting hand and those whom they feared were unable to harm them. “And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.” v. 5.

ML 01/01/1967

Two Gun Joe

Nevada Joe was the toughest cowboy on the J-B Ranch. Just about everybody was really afraid of him. He could pull out his two guns, where he carried them on his belt, and shoot the tops off bottles at a distance, with both hands at the same time. People called him “Two-Gun Joe,” because he always carried those two guns with him wherever he went.

Timmy Edwards, who was ten years old, was spending the time while school was closed at his Uncle Ben’s summer shack near the J-B Ranch, where Two-Gun Joe both lived and worked.

It was a warm day in July and Timmy was walking down the road by himself. He had his Bible in his hand, because he had been reading and learning some verses from memory, to get a prize at Sunday school in Barnsboro, eighty miles away, a town where his Daddy and mother lived. Just when Timmy was walking along the road, Two-Gun Joe came riding by on his palomino pony. As he came near where Timmy was, he drew rein and his pony stopped. He turned in his saddle and in a heavy voice asked, “Hello, kid. What’s that book you’ve got in your hand?”

“A Bible,” Tim replied. “This is the Book that tells us all about Jesus, the One who can save us from punishment for all our sins.”

Joe didn’t say any more but giving a rough laugh, he dug his spurs into his horse and took off down the road in a cloud-of dust.

The next afternoon, about five o’clock, there was a heavy knock at the door of the shack where Timmy’s uncle Ben lived. Tim went to the door and there stood a tall cowboy, dressed in blue jeans and wearing a broad brimmed hat, the biggest Timmy had ever seen.

“Are you the kid that Two-Gun Joe saw with a book in your hand yesterday?” the cowboy asked.

“Yes,” Tim replied, “I am.”

“Well, Joe has been kicked in the head by a horse, and he’s a dyin’, it looks like, and he asked me if I’d come and get you to read your Book to him. He says his mother used to read to him out of that Book when he was a kid, just like you. If you’ll come, I’ll take you on my horse and bring you back.

Tim asked his uncle if he might go, and his uncle said yes, he could. So the big cowboy lifted Timmy, with his Bible, onto his waiting horse. Then they rode slowly to the shack where Joe lay in his bunk, his head all wrapped in bandages.

“Here’s the kid with the Book, Joe,” the cowboy announced, as he lead Timmy into the room where a little oil lamp was burning low.

“Say, will you please read me something out of that book, kid?” Joe asked slowly, in a low voice.

“I sure will,” said Tim. Then he read a verse he learned to say from memory: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Looking up, Tim saw tears in Joe’s eyes. “Read me some more,” he said, and Timmy read again: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” I Cor. 15:3.

“Read again,” again asked Joe. And Timmy read: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1: 7.

Then Timmy spoke: “If you ask Jesus to come into your heart, Mr. Two-Gun Joe, and trust Him as your Saviour, because He died for your sins, God will save you, just like He saved me when I asked Him to come into my heart last year at Sunday school in Barnsboro”.

Joe slowly closed his eyes; his lips moved in prayer. Tim could hear him say almost in a whisper: “Lord Jesus, come into my heart, and save me from my many sins.” Then a smile came over Joe’s face, and a look of peace settled down on his countenance. The Lord Jesus had answered his prayer; he had saved Joe when he trusted Him as his Saviour, just like he had saved Timmy in the Sunday school at Barnsboro.

The next morning at 9 o’clock, Joe passed away. One day he and Timmy Edwards, and all who are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, will meet in heaven.

Have you, dear reader, ever asked the Lord Jesus to save you, like Tim. my and Joe did? If you never have why not bow your head now, close your eyes, and ask Him, who hears you, though you cannot see Him, to come into your heart and be Your Saviour? Has He not said: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20.

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

ML 01/08/1967

Charlotte Elliot

An aged servant of Christ once spoke to a beautiful young lady about her sins and the need of coming to the Saviour. He urged her to come to Christ, the only Saviour from sin.

Miss Elliot became quite angry at the old Christian. However, she could not forget his words. Then one day she did come to the Saviour, and she wrote the beautiful gospel hymn that has been sung around the world:

“Just as I am! without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bid’st me come to Thee;

Oh Lamb of God, I come!”

“For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3: 22,23.

“For there is no difference...: for 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.” Rom. 10: 12,13.

“WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST.” John 4:14.

ML 01/08/1967

Two Hearts

The heart of man — (Jer. 17:9). I remember many years ago seeing a strange old picture. It was in the form of a heart, and inside the outer circle there was such a variety of scenes. It looked quite like a city with all sorts of things in it. The painter wanted to show what was to be found within the human heart. Well, I suppose he would be right in a good many things, but he would not be able to describe the whole.

Our text, after telling that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,” asks the question, “Who can know it?” Not any one of us, but God does, for He adds, “I the Lord search the heart.”

I remember watching a great searchlight one night; it flashed across the sky, and then into every corner of the nearby park, revealing some strange sights. God’s search-light has been turned into your hearts, dear boys and girls, and this is what it has revealed: “full of evil” (Eccles. 9: 3); “deceit” (Prov. 12:20); “pride” (Prov. 28: 25); “hatred” (Psa. 105:25); “madness” (Eccles. 9: 3).

What a picture! And it is all there — all in your heart. Smart little boys, with chubby faces, and pretty little girls with rosy cheeks, all have hearts like this. Grown-ups too. So you see you need to be born again, created anew, hearts cleansed from sin with the precious blood of Christ, before you can go to heaven.

But there is one heart different from this. Do you know whose heart that is? It is THE HEART OF GOD — (John 3:16). Yes, there is no hatred, no evil there. God is love. Isn’t that wonderful? And better still, He loves me. How do I know? Because Jesus said, “God so loved the world.” I am-in that circle, so are you.

ML 01/08/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob

Gen. 35:6-15

“So Jacob came to Luz which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Beth-el, he and all the people that were with him. And he built there an altar, and called the place El-eth-el; because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.” vv. 6,7.

Two things are of particular interest in this portion of the narrative: First, Jacob manifested a new and high estimation of God in naming the altar “El-beth-el,” which means, “God, the God of His house.” Secondly, Jacob was reminded of his former estate when, fleeing from Esau, he went empty handed and fearful, not really trusting the God of his fathers. It is certainly good to think of God in terms of His relationship with us individually and this Jacob did when at Succoth, when he named his altar “El-elohe-Israel.” Yet, this did not give God His true place, for He is not only the God of the individual, but the God of His entire house — supreme and omnipotent in every purpose and program for all His people. It was well for Jacob to rise to this new level.

But it was also well for him to be reminded of who he was before God’s ways were truly made known to him, and to recall all the way God had led him through those important but trying years of his life. So he was not permitted to forget that low estate, in order that he might now worship God more fully. Now that his own ways and those of his household were cleansed, he was ready for the blessing, which God was waiting to bestow. “And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name;... And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed! after thee...” vv. 10-12. Was this not a lovely expression of God’s pleasure with Jacob’s obedience?

The statement of the eighth verse is interesting: “But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el under an oak,” When Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, had sent him away approximately thirty years before, telling him to flee to Haran, she had said: “I will fetch thee from thence.” Chap. 27:45. But neither she nor Jacob could know that they would never see each other again. Although no doubt often in one another’s thoughts there is no instance given of any communication between them. Perhaps she had told Deborah of her longing for Jacob. Now, after Rebekah’s death Deborah apparently went out voluntarily to accompany him back to the land of his youth. We do not know for sure why she was part of Jacob’s company at this time, but it is reasonable to conclude she chose this place out of faithfulness and affection to both Rebekah and Jacob. In any event it is touching to read of her death at this point and to see the sorrow in Jacob’s heart over her departure that prompted him to name her burial place Allonbachuth — “The oak of weeping.”

ML 01/08/1967

"I Will Never Leave Thee nor Forsake Thee"

Little Rose has been naughty and must stand in the corner. But she has a faithful little friend, Carl the puppy, who seems to sense what is wrong and wants to show his little mistress his faithful love by sharing her sorrow and shame. Carl could hardly take Rose’s place; but he is doing the best he knows.

The Lord Jesus is a faithful Friend — one that “sticketh closer than a

Jesus loves me
though I’m bad,
And He waits to
make me glad;
Waits to fold me
in His arm,
Keeps me safe,
from every harm.

Jesus loves me,
He who died
Heaven’s gate
to open wide.
He will wash
away my sin,
Let a little
child come in.

Jesus loves me,
He will stay
Close beside me
all the way.
If I trust Him,
should I die
He will take me
home on high.

brother.” We had all sinned, were guilty before God and deserved to be punished, forever in the lake of fire. But the Lord Jesus looked down from heaven and had compassion on us. He loved us, and came and took our place, bore our punishment on the cross so that we might go free — that is, all who believe on Him as their Saviour.

Now God says, “Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10: 43. “Whosoever believeth in Him (shall) not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

What a Saviour, Friend and Master Jesus is! Have you trusted Him yet, dear young reader? He is worthy. If you accept Him by faith into your heart He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee Heb. 13:5. One day soon He is coming to take all those who love Him home to heaven, to be with Him forever in the Father’s house.

ML 01/15/1967

Yokes

I suppose most of you have seen I two horses yoked together drawing a wagon. Perhaps some of you have seen two oxen yoked in a plow; but few if any of you have ever seen the kind of yoke used in Palestine, from which our Bible lesson is derived. It was a piece of wood put across the necks of the two animals, which kept them under the control of their owner, and caused them to keep together.

Now there are four kinds of yokes mentioned in the Bible, which we may name.

We all begin with the SINNER’S YOKE. Boys and girls, even the youngest of you are in the bondage of Satan’s service. It is a hard service, and pays poor wages; “for the wages of sin is death,” Rom. 6:23. You cannot break this yoke and set yourself free, because Satan is stronger than you. But the Lord Jesus is the great Deliverer. He came “to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4: 18) by Satan’s iron yoke. He is the “Stronger” than Satan, who makes His captives free (John 8:36). Have you accepted Jesus as your Deliverer?

The SAVIOUR’S YOKE was sin, our sins, which were laid upon Him when He hung upon the cross. He had no sins of His own, no yoke of sin or Satan ever came upon Him; He was the obedient One always pleasing God His Father. But He was our Surety, dying in our place upon the cross, and so closely did He identify Himself with us there, that He says — “The yoke of My transgressions is bound by His hand” (Lam. 1: 14). God “made Him to be sin for us,” 2 Cor. 5:21. Now all who believe on Him are free — free from sin’s penalty, free from sin’s power, free to serve a new master.

The SAINT’S YOKE (Matt. 11:29) is obedience to the Lord Jesus. His “yoke is easy”; it is a joy to obey such a kind Master; His service is perfect freedom. Happy are the boys and girls who follow Christ.

The SERVANT’S YOKE is also pleasant. How sweet to have a true companion and helpmeet in the Master’s service; to go together seeking to win others for the Saviour. But you must be saved before you can serve; you must learn of Christ before you can labor for Him. The sinner’s yoke must be broken before you can wear the yoke of obedience to Christ, or of service for Him.

ML 01/15/1967

How Harry Took Courage

Harry was a little boy with a godly Christian mother. She had often urged him to trust the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Said Harry: “Well, Mother, I would like to do it, but the boys will all laugh at me!”

“Harry,” his mother replied, “remember, they may laugh you into hell, but they can never laugh you out of it!”

It was those faithful words of his dear mother that stirred Harry’s young heart. He received courage from the Lord to confess Him as his Saviour, and so Harry came out for Christ.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,... and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev. 21:8.

Memory verse: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47.

ML 01/15/1967

Captain Russell

Captain Russell was wonderfully saved one night. The next morning he bought a large Bible and laid it open on his table.

Said he: “I want the Bible to speak to others for me. I’m afraid that I am not strong enough to speak for myself.”

Many of his fellow-officers laughed at his faith, but he stood firm for Christ through it all. Soon he not only had the open Bible on the table, but he was also speaking to others for the Lord Jesus! He prayed daily: “Help me, Lord, not only to please my commander, but also to please Thee!”

ML 01/15/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob

Gen. 35:16-36:43

“And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni (The son of my sorrow): but his father called him Benjamin (The son of the right hand). And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.” vv. 16-19.

Here Jacob experienced yet another sorrow in the loss of his beloved wife, Rachel, who had previously borne Joseph to him. Yet he found consolation in the birth of her send son, Benjamin, whom he called “The son of his right hand.” Dispensationally, Rachel is a type of the Jews; her interests, like those of the Jewish nation, were of an earthly character and her loyalty to God strangely divided with unsuited attachment to the idols of Haran. Like the Jewish nation today, she was set aside from the further history of Israel, but a promise as to her successor is seen in Benjamin who himself pictures the Redeemer of Israel, the One through whom power will again come forth in a future day. The death of Christ, the Messiah of Israel, answered to her prophetic expression of “Son of Sorrow” while His future glorification answers to Jacob’s faith in calling him “The son of his right hand.”

“And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar... And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Abraham, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.” vv. 21,27, What a home-coming this must have been. Jacob, who had left his father’s house under a stigma so many years before, would rejoice the aged man’s heart with tales of his relatives in the land of Haran, reciting his experiences over the years and, above all, showing him his twelve sons. Jacob lived in the proximity of his aged father for about ten years after his return to Canaan.

“And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people... and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” vv. 28,29.

Thus the twin brothers were brought together again at their father’s death — the last recorded occasion of their being in one another’s company. Esau chose to live away from the land of his parents, who had shown their displeasure in his worldly marriages. He found it burdensome to be near his brother Jacob. “For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. Thus dwelt Esau in Mount Seir: Esau is Edom.” Chap. 36:7,8.

Chapter 36 gives a recital of the descendants of Esau, some of whom were elevated to the position of dukes and others becoming kings throughout their land of Edom. They acquired earthly riches and worldly prominence, but turned farther and farther away from the God of Abram and Isaac. With their worldly ambitions clashing with the spiritual calling of Jacob’s descendants they later became active enemies of the house of Israel.

ML 01/15/1967

Alone in Mid Ocean

It was some years ago that a ship was crossing the Pacific Ocean. A fresh breeze was blowing as she sailed along on the bosom of the mighty deep.

A young sailor, Ronald Grant, was ordered to do a certain job on the ship’s hull. After making a bowline knot to sit in, he was lowered over the ship’s side to begin his work.

For a time all went well, but somehow he accidentally slipped from the bowline into the sea. Rising to the surface he found to his dismay and horror that his ship was speeding on her way and leaving him far behind. To attract the attention of those on board was impossible. Every moment he was being left further and further “astern,” left—

Helpless and Alone

with thousands of miles of ocean all around, and his ship still sailing on her way.

What could he do? To try to swim would be useless, for his strength would soon give out. In the mighty depths beneath lurked the great sharks, those killers of the sea.

In the midst of these perils, he thought of God. To Him, and to Him only, could he turn. Feeling assured that God was able and willing to save him, he cried to Him for mercy. That cry a gracious and merciful God heard and answered.

During all this time of Ronald’s deep sorrows and anxieties, unknown of course to any of his shipmates, God was ordering everything for his preservation, both body and soul. One of his mates went on deck to inquire for Ronald, and was told that he would find him at work over the side of the ship. Looking down over the railing, the mate was alarmed to find that Ronald was gone.

They searched the ship for him, but no trace of him could be found. The matter was at once reported to the officer of the watch, who in turn directed the signalman to search the horizon with his telescope. Soon the report came that he could see something far astern like a man’s head, just a speck on the ocean.

Immediately the ship was “put about,” the lifeboat was speedily lowered, and manned by a crew of brave men willing to do their utmost for their shipmate. After a long hard pull, with what joy they reached the spot, where Ronald was still afloat. They succeeded in getting their comrade into the boat— alive, though exhausted.

What a thrill of joy passed through Ronald’s heart when he saw that his cry to God had been heard and answered. First he had seen the sails of the ship begin to shake, proof that they were changing her course. Then he saw her brought round to the wind; and after a while he could see a boat coming straight toward him. What a relief!

Did Ronald forget the God who had so mercifully saved him from a watery grave? Oh no! Alone, in the presence of His majesty, he felt what a sinner he was, but by faith he accepted Christ, the sinner’s Saviour, and received eternal life and blessing. The last we heard of Ronald was that he, a monument of God’s rich grace and mercy, still lived to praise and serve Him for the love that sought and found him.

God’s present attitude towards man (praise His name!) is that he would have “all men to be saved.” We ask whether or not our reader has yet responded to His love and received the blessing to his soul which He so richly gives. God is still waiting, and is quite as ready to save your soul as He was this young sailor’s.

Do not lose your opportunity, dear reader. If it was a terrible feeling to be left helplessly alone in mid- ocean, what will it be to be left hopelessly alone in eternity — with out mercy, in the blackness and darkness of despair and torment, shut up to your own thoughts, and no one to blame but yourself? J.N.

ML 01/22/1967

How the Justice Got Saved

Richard Baxter, the gospel preacher, was riding to a village some distance from his home to preach. Night came on, and in the darkness Baxter missed his way. Finally, he saw a lighted house near the roadside. Knocking at the door, he asked if he could spend the night there. The man of the house said he could.

At supper time, the man asked his guest what his business was. Mr. Baxter told him in a quiet way, “I’m a man-catcher.”

“Oh,” he replied: “You are the very man I want. I’m the justice of the peace, and I want to catch Dick Baxter, who is to preach tomorrow morning in a nearby house.

Mr. Baxter did not tell the man who he was, but he agreed to go with him to the meeting the next day. The next morning they went to the house where the people had gathered to hear Dick Baxter preach. When the justice of the peace found that Dick Baxter had not yet arrived, he thought, “I suppose he has heard of my plan to arrest him, and he’s not going to show up.”

After a while the justice suggested that his guest should offer a prayer and talk to the people. Then Mr. Baxter began the meeting. He prayed with such power, those present felt that God was there. Then he delivered such a heart-searching message that the justice was melted to tears. As he closed his message, Mr. Baxter turned to him and said, I am the Dick Baxter you are looking for! Take me!”

But he did not arrest Dick Baxter. God’s Word had broken the man’s heart, and instead of prosecuting the evangelist, the justice himself got saved. He lived to become a testimony for Christ in that village.

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

AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.” Rom. 14:11.

ML 01/22/1967

The Shepherd Psalm

David, the Shepherd King of Israel, wrote the twenty-third psalm. Perhaps no portion of the Old Testament is better known and oved than this portion of Scripture. Children learn to say it in their infant years, and it has brought comfort to countless souls both in life and on their death-bed.

There is a lovely story told of an actor and an old servant of Christ who both recited the twenty-third Psalm one evening. The actor held his audience spellbound as with perfect intonation and great impressiveness he repeated the six verses. After he resumed his seat, a great burst of applause filled the room.

The old pastor’s voice was far from perfect, but at the close of his rendering there was not a sound, nor a dry eye.

Approaching the old man, the actor laid his hands upon his shoulder, and addressing the company, he said, “I reach your eyes and your ears, my friends; he reached your hearts. The difference is just this I know the twenty-third Psalm; he knows the Shepherd.”

How is it with you, dear reader? Are you familiar with the words and the tune, but a stranger to the Shepherd? Or can you say, “The Lord is my Shepherd?”

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

ML 01/22/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob and introduction to Joseph

Genesis 37:1-4

“And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.” v. 1. In contrast to his brother Esau, Jacob found his choice of residence in his father’s land — the place where God had first called Abraham and Isaac. What a consolation it must have been for the wanderer to return home and dwell where God’s promises had been so clearly made time after time, and to himself personally, last of all.

The possessor of great flocks, Jacob placed them in the care of his sons, who covered many miles of the fertile plains to find pasturing for them. It is in connection with this that the lovely and thrilling story of Joseph is introduced. What the Scriptures recount concerning his entire life will ever be a reminder that he presents the clearest and loveliest of all types of Christ found in the Old Testament. The story of Joseph will readily intrigue every reader, young or old, but if only the historical account were considered there would be great loss in failing to gain the rich pictures that are a constant reminder of the bonds between God the Father and His Son and between the Lord Jesus Christ and His people Israel, as well as the Gentiles.

“Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.” v. 2. Joseph is here found tending the flocks with his half-brothers, Dan, Napthali, Gad and Asher. A shepherd by calling, he thus is a reminder, in this opening portion of his life, of “The Good Shepherd” whom he was to portray for his remaining 93 years.

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.” v. 3. The affection that flowed between Joseph and his father excelled all others. Their hearts were united in a deep and lasting love and this reveals, in type, the love that Jesus spoke of when confronted by those who questioned His authority: “For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth Him all things that Himself doeth.” John 5:20. Joseph’s coat of many colors tells too, of the varied beauties which adorn the Person of Christ and of the Father’s love that delights to give Him a place of honor: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.” Phil. 2: 9.

“And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” v. 4.

Although at times engaged with his brethren in care of the flocks, Joseph was never one with them in their evil ways. The fact that he was upright and obedient to his father only emphasized their own wickedness, and they developed such hatred in their hearts towards him that they “could not speak peaceably unto him.”

ML 01/22/1967

A Little Highland Hero

In the lowlands of Scotland a main railway line crossed a great ravine — a fearful looking abyss so that the viaduct that bridged it was one of the wonders of the North. One night a fearful storm raged over that district. A stream that meandered under the viaduct was turned into a raging torrent.

A young highland shepherd boy sheltered his sheep as best he could for the night. In the morning, long before the dawn, he went out to see how they had fared. As he made his way up the hillside, he saw to his horror that the central column of the bridge had gone. He knew that the mail train was due soon, and if not warned would be wrecked and many lives would be lost. He looked at the raging torrent. He wondered if he could get across. The thought of the danger to so many urged him on. He plunged in, and finally, after being battered against the rocks, breathless and bleeding, he reached the other side. He made his way up the cliff as best he could, wondering if he would be in time. Already he could hear the pound of the mighty engine.

He stood on the track beckoning wildly, but all he saw was the hand of the engineer waving him out of the way. The train came on nearer and nearer; still he stood frantically waving his arms. The train was almost on him now, and he flung himself in front of the engine. There was a screeching as the engineer put on the brakes, and the train came to a stop.

Passengers wakened out of their sleep got out to see what was the matter. “It has been a close shave this time,” said the engineer. “We might all have been lost.”

When they saw how near they were to the ragged edge of the broken bridge, many faces were white with fear.

“Come with me,” said the engineer, “and I’ll show you the one who saved us tonight.” They went back along the track a little way and there they saw the mangled body of the little highland shepherd boy.

“If he had not died for us,” said the engineer, “we might all have perished tonight.”

This story of the little shepherd boy helps us to understand a little of what a sacrifice the Lord Jesus made on the cross for sinners like us. Men and women, boys and girls all of them sinners — rush on their way to eternity, unmindful of the great destruction that awaits them. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ stands between us and the great abyss of hell. He died that we might be saved. “Christ died for our sins.”

Now in the gospel, He presents Him. self to all as the only Saviour, the only hope of the sinner. Will you take Him as your Saviour, dear reader? How solemn if you should spurn His love, and make light of His death which He suffered for you! Tell me, you will not rush on to hell, will you?

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

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:3.

ML 01/29/1967

The Hobo

The poor old fellow sketched here is a hobo, or tramp. A famous artist had taken a quiet walk out of town one day, when he came upon an old hobo sitting along the side of the road. What a subject for a painting, he thought. So addressing the old man he inquired if he would be willing to pose for a picture, for which he would be well repaid for the time spent. Thrilled at the prospect of having his picture painted and of making a few easy dollars, the tramp immediately accepted the offer.

“Very well then, you come to my studio,” said the artist, setting the hour and date of the appointment and giving him his address.

After he was gone the old tramp began to think that he should clean himself up a bit before having his picture painted. So on the day he was to appear at the studio, he got washed up, he shaved off all his whiskers and rigged himself out with the best clothes he could find. With no little pride and self-esteem he made his way to the studio at the appointed hour and knocked on the door.

The artist himself came to the door and demanded who he was and what he wanted. Surprised at such a reception, the tramp reminded him of the bargain he had made with him. The artist, however, failed to recognize him as the tramp he had met on the roadside. “Sorry, but I, don’t know you,” he said. “You’re not the man I want,” and he closed the door. Bitterly disappointed at this sudden turn of events, the poor old man turned around and went his way.

We believe, dear friends, that this little story aptly illustrates one of the grand truths set forth in the gospel. Most people would resent being called tramps; at the worst they think themselves to be respectable sinners. But the truth is that before God, apart from being saved by grace alone, boys and girls, men and women everywhere, are prodigals, sinners adrift on the broad road that leads to death and judgment. Yet God’s love has gone out to us, His grace which bringeth salvation has appeared, and the gospel invites all men everywhere to come to Christ as the only hope of the sinner.

But how often when one is concerned about his need of salvation he thinks he must clean up a bit, bore coming to Jesus, and so he sets about to make some improvements in his life. But this is no good, for that is only a man’s self-righteousness, which God will not accept. “We are all as an unclean thing,” He declares, “and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,” in His sight (Isa. 64:6). The best one can produce is nothing more than that. To delay and attempt some reforms only makes matters worse. Had the old tramp presented himself to the aist just as he was, how much better it would have fared with him!

Now the Lord Jesus says, as it were, Come, just as you are, and I will receive you. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” “It is written, There is none righteous, no not one.” Rom. 3: 10. It is those who realize they have no righteousness of their own but make Christ their righteousness, that press in through the open door to life, joy and peace, while those who go about vainly trying to establish their own righteousness remain outside.

Try to get a tramp to give up his old shabby coat and he will cling to it all the more. But offer him a brand new one and he will soon give up the old. God offers every sinner a robe of righteousness that will fit him perfectly for heaven, for the Father’s house, and this is having Christ, whose precious blood cleanseth us from all sin. “The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, is unto all,” but it is only “upon all them that believe.” Rom. 3:22. May God grant that you, dear reader, might believe the gospel and have Christ as your righteousness.

ML 01/29/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Genesis 37:5-11

“And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.” v. 5. Those were days when God often spoke through dreams and people treated them seriously. Joseph’s older brothers had no difficulty in understanding that what he had seen foretold a time when they would show him reverence; but they did not wish to hear these prophecies and Joseph’s words angered them all the more. Yet in reality they were resisting God, for the message came from Him and was not the mere imagination of their younger brother’s mind. These disclosures offended their pride; thus they rejected them and became like those who say unto God, “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.” Job 21:14.

There was a great deal of similarity in Joseph’s two dreams, which further established the prophecy. In the first he appeared as a sheaf in a field standing upright, while the other sheaves made obeisance. In the second he saw the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowing down to him. The foreshowing of events in his life reminds us of the many prophecies throughout Scripture that tell of the coming glory of the Lord Jesus, when every knee shall bow to Him, when He shall be owned as King of kings and Lord of lords. Just as Joseph was hated when he told his brethren of his future exaltation, so the Lord was hated by His brethren, His people Israel, when He spoke to them of His coming glory. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11. “But Me it (the world) hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7. “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated Me without a cause.” John 15:25.

What is your heart’s response, dear reader, as you read of that One who became poor that you, through faith in Him, might be rich. Soon will He come to receive unto Himself all those who love Him, soon will He be the Judge of those who refuse Him? Have you made that important decision to own Him as your Lord and Saviour now “while it is yet called today?”

Although Joseph’s brethren despised his dream and hated him, they were, approximately twenty years later, to vividly remember what he had said unto them and to find themselves literally bowing in his presence. And are you, dear reader, glad to know that it is also written: “As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God”? Rom. 14: 11,12.

In the epistle to the Galatians we read that the works of the flesh are all contrary to God. There we find hatred, rivalry, wrath and envy all listed in association with each other. Joseph’s brethren not only hated him, but they also envied him (v. 11). This hatred and envy soon manifested itself, as we shall see.

Memory Verse: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Eccl. 7:20.

ML 01/29/1967

Brave Antonio

In one of the many Indian villages in Mexico, lived a native named Antonio. Antonio believed the gospel and was saved. Now he was eager to tell his neighbors and friends about his Saviour.

One dark night he was called before the Indian council. There sat several Indians armed with guns and sitting by a judge. The judge told Antonio that he must give up his new religion or leave the village. If he did not obey he would instruct his men to shoot Antonio.

But Antonio was not afraid. He told the judge and the Indians gathered there that he could not give up Jesus, for Jesus Christ was his Saviour. As he boldly confessed His name, what joy he had in his heart.

Antonio felt that he just could not leave the village until many others had come to know Christ as their Saviour too.

So Antonio stayed. He told all of his friends and all of his neighbors, and even strangers who came to town, about Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners. The fear of God was upon the judge and the Indians and they left him alone. Today, there stands in that little village a little chapel, built by humble believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. It stands as a monument to Antonio, the Indian who loved Christ more than his own life.

Memory Verse: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML 02/05/1967

Four Towns or Cities

If you look at a map of Palestine you will find four towns or cities, in each of which the Lord Jesus spent part of His earthly life. From each of these we may learn something.

BETHLEHEM — (Matt. 2:1), where the infant Jesus was born. There was no room for Him in the inn. The inn at Bethlehem is like the world, and the worldling’s heart. Room for pleasure, room for business, but no room for Jesus. Is that like your heart?

NAZARETH — (Luke 2:51), was the place of His boyhood. He was known among men as “Jesus of Nazareth” (Luke 18:37; John 19:19). Nazareth was a despised place: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 2:46). But the Lord still delights to own that name in glory (Acts 22:8). Yet, sad to say, the people of Nazareth openly rejected Him (Luke 4:28), because lie spoke the truth. Are you rejecting Him?

CAPERNAUM — (Matt. 9:1), was the place of His choice, “His own city,” where much of His time was spent, and where many of His miracles were wrought (Matt. 11:23). Exalted to heaven in privileges, yet sunk down to hell in judgment — nowhere to be seen now. It despised Christ. Solemn lesson. Let us remember it. Do you despise Christ?

JERUSALEM — (Matt. 16:51), where Jesus died. Guilty Jerusalem; it crucified the Lord of glory. Jesus wept over it (Luke 19:41), for well He knew its doom. Alas for Jerusalem, and for all who know not the day of their visitation. After grace comes judgment; after privilege, perdition.

ML 02/05/1967

An Indian and a White Man Saved

An Indian and a white man were both brought under conviction by the same sermon. The Indian was shortly led to Christ, but the white man, for a long time, was under distress of mind. At length, however, he was saved.

Meeting his red brother one day he asked, “How is it that I should be so long under conviction, when you found comfort so soon?”

“Oh brother!” replied the Indian, “me tell you. There come a rich prince. He propose to give you a new coat. You look at your coat, and say, ‘My coat pretty good; it will do a little longer.’ He offer me new coat. I look at my old blanket. I say, ‘This good for nothing.’ I accept the beautiful garment. Just so you try to keep your own righteousness for some time; but I had none: therefore I glad to receive the righteousness of Jesus.”

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

ML 02/05/1967

Bible Questions for February

The Children’s Class

1.“God is wiser than men.”

2.“Entered into the heart of man.”

3.“Every man shall receive his own reward.”

4.“Fire shall try every man’s work.”

5.“Then shall every man have praise of God.”

6.“Be not ye the servants of men.”

7.“If any man love God.”

The Young People’s Class “Doing”

1.What was David’s prayer about DOING which would be fitting for anyone of this day? Psa. 143.

2.To what end should everything be DONE by those who would honor the Lord Jesus in their lives? 1 Cor. 10.

3.What should accompany those things DONE in the name of the Lord Jesus? Col.

4.What is the accounting to him that knoweth to do good but DOETH it not? Jas. 4.

5.Are the works of righteousness which we have DONE the basis of our salvation? Titus.

6.What exhortation do we have about DOING well? Gal. 6.

7.What is the result to those who DO things pleasing in God’s sight? 1 John 3.

ML 02/05/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 37:12-17

“And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.” v. 12. Shechem, it will be recalled, was the wicked place where their sister Dinah had met disaster. There it was her brothers engaged in ruthless treachery and brutality to their father’s shame. Strange it was that, after having reached their rightful place in Canaan, they should return to the scene of such sad memory! Yet this only exposes the natural tendency of the heart away from God, to delight in evil surroundings — the sow returns to her wallowing in the mire (2 Pet. 2:22). These men, self-willed and displaying so many lustful tendencies, could settle down in surroundings that ought have been shunned.

Jacob well knew his sons’ whereabouts and, although we may be sure he was displeased, he nonetheless was concerned for their welfare for he loved his wayward children. “And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.” v. 13. Here our thoughts turn to another scene: “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Ps. 14:2,3.

Jacob knew the evil deeds of his older sons, and God has ever known the iniquity of every man, woman and child. “The LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.” 1 Chron. 28:9. But He who far surpassed Jacob in knowledge and in love, also sent forth His Son for the blessing and salvation of mankind, as well as for the redemption of Israel. And this He did when Re could see no good, when all had turned aside, displaying every evil and corruption in thought and deed. But what were His thoughts toward this poor world? “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4: 9.

As Joseph responded to his father, “Here I am,” our thoughts again turn to the heavenly scene when God heard that expression from the heart of His beloved Son: “Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psa. 40:7.

Jacob, thus concerned about his sons, sent Joseph on his long and lonely journey. But his brethren were not where they reported they would be. “And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.” vv. 15,16. Informed that they had moved elsewhere, Joseph went after them to Dothan. Once again these men represent a picture of Israel (indeed of all of us by nature) — wandering farther and farther away from God. Joseph, all the while, tells us of Jesus, their Messiah, seeking to bring the love of God to them and looking in vain for some return for His love.

ML 02/05/1967

The Tract in the Boot

Into a shoe factory, where shoes were being made for the Government, a faithful servant of the Lord entered, and began to hand out Gospel tracts among the men, which some took, while others refused. When the intruder (?) had gone, those who scorned the gospel message began to reproach the ones who had accepted the little papers. The boldest of them snatched one of the leaflets from his fellow-workman, and holding it in his hand in triumph, he exclaimed, “I know where to put that thing,” then placing it between the inner and outer sole of a pair of shoes, he nailed them together, amidst the laughter of his like-minded comrades.

The eyes of the Lord were upon one of these pairs of shoes, as well as on a dear young soldier on a battle field in a far off foreign land. An enemy’s bullet struck and wounded him, though not seriously; but he could not rise, for his foot had been hit. As his comrades rushed on to victory, he had to lie there and wait till help came. In the meantime he examined his wounded foot; the bullet had severed the sole from the upper part, and in between he noticed a piece of printed paper, saturated with the oozing blood. He looked at it more closely and read these words: “Shall not return unto Me void.”

What was it that should not return void? He desired to know. With difficulty he raised himself, and bending forward, he drew out carefully the paper with the mysterious words. Only a small piece could he draw out, but it was enough to preach to him the Word of life. It was God’s own Word and without doubt, it was meant for him. This touched him greatly. His whole life stretched itself before him; his many sins rose up against him, accusing him before God. But supposing the bullet had struck his heart, and ushered him at once before God as his judge? His very soul shuddered at the thought of it, for surely his lot would not have been with the redeemed in heaven, for he knew nothing of redeeming grace.

Where would he have landed? In hell, he knew only too well. With trembling lips he prayed.

“God, be merciful to me a sinner!” How good he found it still to be the day of salvation.

The God of love and grace, whose Spirit hovers even over the battlefields, heard the cry of contrition and answered it. He drew this dear soul to His loving Father-heart, and forgave for Jesus’ sake, all the sins of his life, the mighty debt he had incurred.

Now a far better hope than to return to his earthly fatherland filled his soul, for heaven itself was now open to him, for the One who has said, “I will come again and receive you unto Myself,” had first given him a right and title to yonder glory land, to enter it perhaps very soon, to sing the praises of Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has wrought the mighty victory against sin, death, hell and Satan, with all those who are redeemed by His precious blood, thus finding grace in the day of salvation.

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

The seed sown in his native land had borne fruit in that distant land, though the godless mocker meant to destroy it. God had shown again that His Word should not return to Him void, “but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55: 11.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5: 1.

ML 02/12/1967

Receiving, or Refusing

There is no middle course,

Nothing between.

No such place is there today,

Never has been;

You must either believe God’s love,

Claim His free grace,

Dr spurn His great salvation now,

And never see His face.

J.R.

ML 02/12/1967

A Little Pig That Needed a Saviour

A friend who goes about preaching the gospel was talking to some Sunday school children about the Lord Jesus. “Sinners can’t save themselves,” he said, “and even angels can’t save them. Perhaps if I tell you a little story it will help you to see what Jesus has done for poor, helpless, lost sinners.

“Several years ago I was visiting on a farm in Ontario. After breakfast one morning I went out to the barnyard to have a look around. I heard a lot of squealing and it sounded to me as though something was wrong. The farmer was busy in the field so I went to see where the noise was coming from. I soon discovered what had happened.

“The farmer had built a concrete pit which he used for cooling milk. The pit was kept full of water and a young pig had fallen in. He was doing all the squealing and the mother pig was all excited too, for she could not get her baby out of the water. The little one was paddling around as best he could, but if he were not rescued soon, he would tire himself out and drown.

“I could save the little pig, so I got ‘own on the edge of the pit, took him by the ears and quickly had him jut on the dry ground. Away Piggie ran with his mother.

“A long time ago, the Lord Jesus; poked down from heaven and saw poor, lost sinners who could never, never save themselves, from sin and Satan and hell. Then the Lord Jesus came to earth; He was born in Bethlehem, grew up as a boy and became a man. He went about doing good, and then He went to Calvary’s hill, near Jerusalem, where wicked men nailed Him to a cross. There the Lord Jesus died for sinners. God said that because the Lord Jesus died to put away sin, if anyone simply believed in Him and confessed in words something like these, ‘I deserved to die for my sin, but Jesus died for me,’ then that one need not perish but would have everlasting life.

There is no other way to be saved.”

No, just as that little pig could not save itself from drowning, neither can you save yourself from sin. Working for salvation won’t do it; waiting won’t do; wishing, hoping, crying over your sins — nothing will save you except faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners. The little pig needed someone much greater than himself and someone came to him just in time. The Lord Jesus came to save you from an eternity in hell. And more than that, He has promised to come again to take all who believe away to heaven to be with Him forever.

But the time to be saved is short for after He comes it will be too late. He is coming soon, perhaps today.

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

ML 02/12/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 37:18-20

As Jacob sent his much-loved son on that long search for his brethren, how reluctant he must have been to part with him. What tender thoughts and deep concern for this young lad were in the heart of the aging father, for he well knew the roughness of his brethren toward him. As the days went slowly by his heart surely yearned for his return, that their joy in companionship might again be resumed.

Nor was God unaware of His beloved Son’s “wandering in the field” of this world. How frequently we find that blessed One speaking to His Father in prayer, often continuing all night. Then, how comforting to the One who chose to be the Man of Sorrows, were those words from His Father: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17. Our glimpses of that relationship are very feeble indeed, but we know it was His great love for us that led God to send His Son into this wicked world that He might redeem us unto Himself.

Joseph found his brethren in Dothan. “And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.” vv. 18,19. Jesus told the Jewish leaders, in parable form, of another conspiracy, given in detail in Matthew 21. There a householder (God in type) planted a vineyard (Israel) and sent his servants to receive the fruit thereof. But the servants were beaten and killed. “Last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.” v. 37. But, like the brethren of Joseph, when the husbandmen saw the son they too said among themselves, “Come—let us kill him.” The son in the parable we readily identify as God’s own Son, who was slain by those to whom He came.

“As Joseph proceeded toward his brethren, even before he came near they said: “Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams.”

Joseph had not yet actually reached his brothers. Yet their hearts were so filled with hatred they did not wait to hear what message he might bring them from their father. Still he was his representative, coming down to their company, expressing a father’s interest in their affairs, bringing them his favor and instructions.

The Lord Jesus also presented Himself as the One sent from the Father. “I seek not Mine own will,” He said, “but the will of the Father which hath sent Me... “I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not.” John 5:30,43; again: “He that hateth Me hateth My Father also.” John 15:23. The desire of Joseph’s brethren to kill their brother was also an expression of hatred against their father with whom he was so closely attached in affection. Lack of love toward their father was evident by their readiness to deceive him. They said, “We shall say, some evil beast hath devoured him,” caring not for the grief this would bring to their aged parent.

Memory Verse: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal. 6:7.

ML 02/12/1967

The Prison Keys

Little Frances Wilson started one afternoon on an errand for her mother. On the way, she passed Jack Porter, a poor neglected boy who was often in trouble. Jack was sitting on the doorstep, and as Frances went by he reached out to strike at her with a stick he had in his hand. But Frances dodged him and quickly ran on her way.

Jack had no cause for disliking little Frances, for she had never done him any harm. But her father was one of the guards at the prison nearby, and as Jack had twice been put in jail he was afraid to meet Mr. Wilson. He showed his spite by being unkind to Frances whenever he could.

On her way home, Frances passed the prison and caught sight of her father standing just inside the gate with a large bunch of keys in his hand. She did not stop a minute, but ran up to him as fast as she could and put her hand in his.

“O Father,” she said, “I’m glad I met you. Are you coming home now?”

“Yes, Frances, I’m coming home for supper. If you wait till I turn in the keys, we will walk back together.”

Soon they were on their way home. “Why weren’t you afraid to come and talk to me just now, Frances? You know I’m one of the guards at the prison, and that I unlock the cells and very often I have to shut people in there? Aren’t you afraid to walk with me?”

“O Father, you talk in a funny way today,” said the little girl, looking at him with surprise. “I’m not a bit afraid of you; you won’t lock me up,” and she pressed his big hand very tightly with both of hers.

“Why won’t I lock you up?” he asked again, putting on a grave face.

“Because you are my father, and I know you love me.”

“Yes, but weren’t you the little girl that broke the window last week and I had to pay a dollar to have a new pane put in?”

“Yes, I know I did,” said little Frances, hanging her head, but I was very sorry for it, and I cried, and told you about it when you came home. You forgave me and kissed me and said you would not punish me for it because I told you. I know you won’t forget what you said; I’m not afraid of you, Father.”

Mr. Wilson picked his little girl up in his big strong arms and kissed her.

“A very good reason, my dear little girl,” he said. “Your Daddy would never be the means of sending you to prison. Now look across the road. There’s someone who doesn’t like to meet me.”

It was Jack who got up from the doorstep as they drew near, and slunk off.

“O, that’s Jack Porter,” said Frances. “He tried to hit me as I came by, and he thinks you will punish him for it.”

After supper Frances’ father took down the big family Bible, and read: “And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Rev. 1:17,18.

“Jack Porter is afraid to meet me because he is a bad boy, and he has no love for me. In the day of judgment, those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and Friend, will fear to meet Him. But there are others who believe on His name, who are washed in His precious blood, and have learned to love and trust Him on earth. They have no fear of Jesus, but they think of Him as the One who holds the keys of heaven and death. They can look up to Him knowing that His perfect love casts out fear; they know Him as the One who loves them, who died for them on the cross, and who will never send them away from Himself into everlasting punishment.”

Mr. Wilson then knelt down with his little girl and prayed. He asked God that Frances might, while still young, trust the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and have that peace that comes with knowing our sins are forgiven. And may you too, dear young reader, find peace in believing in that blessed One.

ML 02/19/1967

How Farmer Brown Found Peace, Resting on the Word

Farmer Brown was one day plowing in his field. He had trusted in Christ for salvation some ten years before this, but he had not assurance. Like many others, he had doubts and fears, because he was not simply resting on the Word of God. But this day, the first clause of the John 3:36 came very forcibly to his mind. The words are, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

He pondered over these words while he went on his rounds, and all at once he said to himself, “Why, I have everlasting life: I believe on the Son, and according to that verse I must have everlasting life.” Then the thought came to him, “That ‘verse can’t be in the Bible, for I have been a believer for years, and how foolish I have been to have had everlasting life all these years and not know it, when it is so plain, if that verse is in the Bible!”

So he left his plow and went to the house, got down the Bible; and after searching a while, he found it; and sure enough it read, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” So he went out to the field happy, rejoicing in so great salvation.

However, in the course of a couple of hours, the thought came back that he must have made a mistake in reading it, for if that verse read just that way, what a fool he had been! so he went back to the house a second time, took down the Bible, and opened it and read it over again. It was there all right. So he went back again to the plow rejoicing.

But in the course of a short time the old doubt came back again. He must have made some mistake. The verse could not read just that way, or how could he have overlooked it all these years. So he went to the house the third time, and taking the Bible, read over again, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” The doubts were all gone, never to come back. He was resting for salvation on the finished work of Christ, and for the assurance of that salvation on the living and abiding Word of God.

Dear reader, have you trusted in Christ for the salvation of your soul? Have you ever taken your place as a ruined sinner, unable to do or to pay anything, and then accepted a work already done, even the finished work of Christ? If so, this scripture tells you, you have everlasting life. You have the Word of God to rest on, not your feelings, nor experience.

On one occasion, a person turned to me and said, “Oh, yes, you have life as long as you believe.” I said to him, “Do you not notice it says ‘hath EVERLASTING life’? How long is everlasting? “Well, forever, of course,” he replied. “So you see,” I said, “the moment a man believes, he has a life that is ‘EVERLASTING,’ not CONDITIONAL, as you try to make it.” We will close by referring the reader to that wonderful verse, 1 John 5: 13: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have everlasting life.”

J. J. S.

Memory Verse: “He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many.” Isa. 53:12.

ML 02/19/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 37:21-25

“And Rueben heard it, and he delivered him (Joseph) out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.” vv. 21,22.

In the midst of this hatred and intrigue on the part of Joseph’s brethren, it is refreshing to read of Reuben’s vigorous opposition to their intent to slay their younger brother. Reuben was not present when the other brothers were planning their murderous act and when he learned their purpose he would not be a party to it.

It was the religious and political rulers who rejected Jesus and continually sought to put Him to death, and at last God permitted them to do so. Yet there were some who were not a party to their hatred and who openly sought to change the purposes of their countrymen. One of these was Nicodemus, whose name appears three times in New Testament scriptures — each time coming out more boldly for the Saviour whom he loved. Another was Joseph of Arimathea, a ruler who “had not consented to the counsel and deed of them” and who with Nicodemus, took the body of Jesus from the cross and tenderly provided an honorable burial. Then, too, when Jesus ascended Calvary’s hill there was a great company of people who wailed and lamented Him.

“And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colors that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread.” vv. 23-25. Joseph continues to present a most beautiful type of Christ, for being cast into the pit was a symbol of death. But, of course, the picture must fall short here, for Joseph could not go through actual death and still be the preserver of his people, as was later to be the case. By contrast, Christ “tasted death” and in His death brought forth victory.

In the present chapter no expression is heard from Joseph, for he was a type of the One who “as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so opened He not His mouth.” But at a later date, when the consciences of these evil brothers stirred them, they had to say: “We saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear.” Their callous hearts would not hear his cries; they had no sympathy for his sufferings. “They are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.” Amos 6:6.

Turning briefly to Matthew’s account of Jesus’ death we read: “After that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him” — an amazing parallel to what Joseph experienced. Again: “And sitting down they watched Him there.” Joseph’s brethren “sat down to eat bread” as they listened to his cries. These similarities are not casually given. May our thoughts turn increasingly to the Person of the Lord Jesus as The story of Joseph reminds us of Him, the Saviour of sinners.

ML 02/19/1967

Black Fritz

Bruce and Fred climbed up on their father’s knee, and begged him for a story before they went to bed.

“Shall I tell you a story of a boy or a girl?”

“Of a boy, please — a brave boy.”

“A number of years ago there was a boy named Harold. His mother was a widow, and she loved the Lord Jesus. Her son also was a bright happy Christian, and when Harold grew up, he decided to go to sea on a merchant vessel. When he left home his dear mother kissed him and said, ‘My dear boy, be true to the Lord Jesus where you are and whatever it may cost.’

“The very first evening on the ship, Harold knelt to pray. The other men had never been in the habit of praying, and so they decided it would be fun to mock this new young boy. They shouted at him, but still he knelt silently before the Lord. One of the biggest men poured a jug of cold water over his head. But still he prayed on. Many times they tried to make him feel ashamed of his Saviour, but when Harold thought of how much the Saviour suffered for him, he asked God to keep him true and faithful. He often thought of that verse, ‘Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not.’ 1 Peter 2:23.

“These things were only the beginnings of Harold’s sufferings. The ringleader in all the persecution was a young man named Fritz. For some reason they all called him ‘Black Fritz.’ He was in the habit of calling Harold all kinds of nicknames, which were then taken up and used by the others. Often poor Harold would go up to the top of the mast where he could be alone with the Lord in prayer. There he told the Lord of his troubles, and then came down strengthened and comforted.

“One day a severe storm came on very suddenly, tearing one of their highest sails. The captain ordered black Fritz to go up and take in that sail. Now it happened that Fritz was very brave when doing mischief to others, but he was a coward at heart. When he looked at the swaying mast, and the torn sail, he turned very pale and shook all over. Just then brave Harold stepped up. ‘Please, captain, let me go up there in Fritz’ place.’ The captain looked amazed, ‘But my boy, you have only been on board three months and you don’t know the danger of this work.’

“‘Yes, sir, I wish to go up in Fritz’ place,” he returned.

“Every eye on board was fixed on Harold while he was up at the top of the swinging mast. He quickly and carefully finished his work and came nimbly down again. When he was safe on deck again, black Fritz fell down at his feet and cried, ‘A pious and God-fearing boy you may be, but you are not a coward. Please tell me what made you act like that toward me when I have always been your enemy?’”

Father got just this far in his story when he said,

“And now, boys, can you guess whom this story speaks of?”

“It sounds just like our good Uncle Harold, but who could wicked black Fritz be? We don’t know anybody like that.”

“That, I am sorry to say, was myself; but after I learned to know Harold’s Saviour as my own, we became fast friends. He is now as dear to me as a brother, and that is why he always wants you to call him Uncle Harold.”

Bruce and Fred never forgot that story; and they too soon learned to know their own sinfulness, and to trust the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour.

“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.

Memory Verse: “We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML 02/26/1967

An Indian Wedding

A wedding is a happy event, especially when it is a Christian wedding, and children like to join in the happiness as well. I would like to tell you of a wedding in India.

The bride had been the teacher in the mission school. She was just eighteen, and her name was Shanti, which means Peace. She was a bright Christian girl and Shanti was the name given her when she became a Christian. She taught the girls in the school and sought to interest them most of all in the Bible and in the Lord Jesus whom she loved as her Saviour. She was going to marry a young Christian man by the name of Indriyas, which means Andrew. They were going to live in the great city of Lahore so that the children of the mission school were both sorry and happy about the wedding.

The great question in their minds now was, What could they do for the bride? They could not give her costly gifts of silver and linen and silk and beautiful embroidery, for they were very poor, and yet they wanted to give her something of their very own. She was their teacher. She had taught them verses from the Bible. They loved her, for she had been kind and sweet and through her many had come to love the Lord Jesus.

So one day they talked it all over and this is what they planned to do. Each of the girls planned to give her a handkerchief, on which was to be pinned a piece of paper with a bible verse on it. Now what verses would you girls think of that would be suitable for a bride on her wedding day? These are some of the verses the children chose.

“My joy I give unto you.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like into a certain king which made a marriage for his son.”

“Lo, I am with you always.”

“Jesus was called and His disciples to the marriage.”

“God is Love.”

“God is Light.”

“Now Jesus loved Mary and her sister and Lazarus.”

“My peace I give unto you.”

“A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another.”

I wonder if we could do as well as these Indian children did? I think they knew their Bibles very well, don’t you? And if you will look closely you will see that most of these verses are from the Gospels.

After all, what could be better as a wedding gift than a beautiful verse from the Gospels? For the Bible is such a wonderful Book, isn’t it? It fits into everything. It has something to say to little children, to boys and girls, to old men and women, to husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, parents and children, bridegrooms and brides. It brings life, joy and peace into our hearts and lives when we believe its message, for it tells us of God’s love in sending His dear Son into the world that we might live through Him.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23.

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

ML 02/26/1967

Prayer

Begin the day with God;

Kneel down to Him in prayer;

Lift up thy heart to His abode,

And seek His love to share.

Open the Book of God,

And read a portion there;

That it may hallow all thy thoughts,

And sweeten all thy care.

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 37:26-30

“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?” v. 26. It was not pity for Joseph that prompted Judah to suggest that he be spared. It was the arrival of a band of Ishmaelites bound for Egypt, that brought forth his shrewd plan to dispose of him at a profit and still put him out of their lives. “Come,” he said, “let us sell him to the Ishmaelites ... . Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.” vv. 27,28.

Is this not a vivid reminder of the treachery of Judas who long years after bargained with the Jewish rulers and for thirty pieces of silver sold the blessed One who desired to be their Friend and Saviour? The rejection of Joseph by his brethren is a sad foreshadowing of the Jewish nation’s rejecting and putting to death their true Messiah at Calvary. In neither case did the rejectors think their evil deed would be used by God to bring about their eventual salvation and blessing. How amazed Joseph’s brethren would have been had they been able to foresee the events that would follow approximately twenty years later! But there was to be no blessing to them until their consciences were reached and repentance took place.

Reuben, who had not been present when his brothers sold Joseph, was greatly distressed when he returned to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. “And he rent his clothes. And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not: and I, whither shall I go? vv. 29,30. Thus Reuben showed not only concern for his younger brother, but even more so his grief over the sorrow the tragic news would bring to their aged father, Jacob.

Surely this story should stir our hearts as we think of the love of God the Father who sent His dear Son into this world. How well He knew beforehand what wicked hearts and cruel hands would do to Him, but all the murderous hatred and jealousy of man and Satan could not frustrate those blest purposes of love; for “God is love.” (1 John 4:8.) Again, “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. Could Jacob have foreseen the evil that would have befallen His loved Joseph, surely he would never have sent him on that mission to his brethren. Thus the picture falls far short of what it so beautifully portrays.

Yet let it not be thought that God has forgotten, nor will He ignore, what His beloved Son suffered at the hands of wicked men, when they nailed Him to a cross of shame. Awful judgment will finally fall on all who have rejected Him. Now, in amazing grace, He looks down in love and patience on this world— Jews and Gentiles alike—and offers a way of escape from the coming wrath, to all those who will own their sin and accept Christ as their Saviour and Lord.

ML 02/26/1967

Bob the Fireman's Dog

Bob was a fireman’s dog—a swift, fearless helper in the days of horse-drawn fire engines. At the first sound of the fire bell, Bob was ready with sharp, excited barks, and then off like the wind, beside the horses. Guided by the smell of smoke, he was first at the spot, nipping at the crowds to keep them back out of the way of the hose and firemen. When the fire chief gave his sharp word of command, Bob was on hand in a second, ready to obey, always-except once.

On this particular day the house they came to save was past saving. Great clouds of smoke and sparks were rising, and the chief gave orders to the firemen not to risk their lives. “There is no one in it,” he said. “We must save the neighboring buildings.”

Bob disappeared through clouds of smoke into the burning house. “Bob,” called the chief sharply, but Bob did not obey. The chief said the house was empty, but Bob knew better. For once, he had a right to disobey.

Bob’s courage led the chief to follow him, though almost choked with smoke, and there he found a child, whom he was able to rescue quite unharmed. Good wise Bob—wiser on that occasion than his master.

Now, dear reader, God is warning you that death and the lake of fire are before you if you are unsaved. Do not say that you do not believe in hell. You are not wiser than God. Bob disobeyed because he knew that his chief was wrong. But you have no right to disobey God, who “commandeth all men everywhere to rent.” Acts 17:30.

Jesus has died; He has borne the fire of God’s judgment against sin, and God offers salvation now to all who put their trust in His dear Son.

“O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Deut. 32:29.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” while it is yet the day of grace.

ML 03/05/1967

Prince Frederick

Young Prince Frederick, son of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany years ago, like many another boy and girl, was somewhat spoiled as a child. Some interesting stories have been told of his willfulness.

In common with many other small boys his Highness had a great dislike for soap and water. Often he flatly refused to allow his nurse to wash his hands and face. One morning, to his immense delight, he was allowed to go out unwashed, and for a time he reveled in his freedom. But happening to pass the sentry on guard at the palace gates, he was surprised to find that the sentry did not salute him. The young prince was greatly offended and went at once to report the guard to his father, Kaiser Wilhelm. Pouring out his tale of woe, he expected to have the guard reprimanded.

To his astonishment the Kaiser merely said, “The guard did quite right. Surely you do not expect him to salute a dirty boy?”

The lesson had its effect, and from then on the nurse had no further trouble with the young prince, in applying the soap and water.

Young Christians, and older ones too, sons and daughters of the heavenly King, should act “as becometh saints” (Eph. 5:3). Sometimes, sad to say, they act otherwise, instead of honoring the Saviour to whom they belong. They act like the world around them to their own shame and to His dishonor. Sometimes God allows the world to rebuke his children; but this is “that we might be partakers of His holiness.” Heb. 12:10.

May we who name Christ as our Saviour ever remember that He did not redeem us to do as we please, but that we might be to His honor and praise while down here in this dark world, as soon we shall be in the bright glory above.

“Walk as children of light.” Eph. 5: 8.

“Ye are not your own... For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:19,20.

ML 03/05/1967

Among Robbers

One night a band of robbers broke into the house of a Christian man in China. They took away his son and then asked for a great sum of money as a ransom. The poor father did not have enough money to pay the ransom, and he knew that if the money was not paid on a certain day in an appointed place, the child would be killed by the robbers. But he knew the One who has said: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50: 15. The father got down on his knees and prayed earnestly to God to save his child. He prayed the whole day and the following night.

Early in the morning he heard the voice of his boy at the door. He had a happy face, but his clothes were worn and his feet were sore. He told his parents how the Lord had helped him. In the evening, while the robbers were quarrelling among themselves and not watching him, he took the opportunity to steal away in the twilight. He had run all night to get home. With thankful hearts the whole family praised the Lord for this merciful deliverance.

“And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 3:23.

ML 03/05/1967

Bible Questions for March

The Children’s Class

1.“Suffer all things.”

2.“Temperate in all things.”

3.“These things happened.”

4.“Put away childish things.”

5.“Things without life.”

6.“Let all things be done.”

7.“All things shall be subdued.”

The Young People’s Class “Divine Love”

1.How was God’s LOVE manifested toward us? 1 John 4.

2.What was our condition when God commended His LOVE toward us? Rom. 5.

3.What must be attributed to God for the display of such great LOVE? Eph. 2.

4.What assurance have we that this LOVE can be known and enjoyed individually — personally? Gal. 2.

5.What are some of the things that teach us we can never be separated from divine LOVE? Rom. 8.

6.How long will divine LOVE endure? Jer. 3.

7.How should the realization of this LOVE constrain us to live? 2 Cor. 5.

ML 03/05/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 37:31- 38:30

Joseph’s brothers considered that they had acted very shrewdly in selling him to the Ishmaelites. But Reuben’s question presented a problem they had not weighed. What, indeed, should they tell their old father? Alas, how many there are today who have rejected the Son of God and have never given thought as to what they shall say when, in a future day, they stand before the great white throne, to answer for all their ungodly deeds which they have committed, for everything shall be revealed then.

Job was terrified to think of this and said: “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20. God will require that which is past (Eccles. 3:15). How happy for those who can now say, “The Lord Jesus has borne all my sins and suffered all the judgment in my place, on Calvary’s cross.”

The heartless brothers now conceived a means of covering up their evil deed and of deceiving their aged father. “They took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.” vv. 31,32. We look sorrowfully at this touching scene—the hearts of these hypocrites being so hardened that they can add another sorrow to their poor father, apparently with no conscience or pity. How true it is that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Jer. 17: 9.

Jacob readily recognized the blood-stained coat. Had it not been his special gift to his son and a token of his love? “It is my son’s coat,” he said; “an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.” vv. 33,34. His grief was overwhelming and although his family sought to comfort him “he refused to be comforted.” There is no indication that Jacob recovered from this sorrow until many years later, when he saw Joseph exalted to a place of supremacy and glory in Egypt.

Meanwhile, the merchantmen journeyed south, looking forward to a profit in selling the young Hebrew as a slave. “And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.” v. 36.

Chapter 38 turns briefly from The story of Joseph and in it is recorded the evil that reveals itself in men’s behavior when walking after their own lusts. While Joseph suffers as a slave at the hands of the Gentiles in Egypt, Judah, who had taken the lead in rejecting him, sinks down into the most debasing moral conduct. He is the principle subject here, together with his daughter-in-law, Tamar. As the story of their relationship is recited, we are amazed at the grace of God, and wonder that He did not cut them off from a place in Israel. Yet such is man, such is Judah; but such also is God. Not only did He spare them, but granted them both a privileged place in the lineage through which the Messiah Himself came. “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda.” Heb. 7: 14. What grace on His part! Well may we exclaim, “How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Rom. 11:33.

ML 03/05/1967

King George and Queen Mary

King George V and Queen Mary were out in the country with Lord Stamfordham one Saturday afternoon. They came to a humble little cottage. The queen was tired and going to the door she asked if she might come in and sit down and rest for a few minutes. The good woman who answered the door ran inside and cried, “Oh William, the King and the Queen! Whatever shall we do?”

“Let them come in, of course,” said William.

When the royal visitors were seated in the little parlor, they noticed a family Bible nearby.

“I am glad to see you have got the good Book,” said the King.

“Aye, your Majesty,” said William, “would you like to hear about my conversion?”

“Of course I should,” said the King.

Then William proceeded to tell with warmth and enthusiasm, of the grace of God and how the Lord had saved him.

The Queen, with tears in her eyes, turned to the good wife. “Have you had an experience like that?” she asked.

Yes! she had, and she told how that she too was saved. When they rose to go, the King and the Queen, much affected by the incident, thanked them and said simply, “We love Him too, you know.”

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that 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.

ML 03/12/1967

Old Joseph's Conversion

Janet was just a little girl, but she had been brightly saved and she truly loved her Saviour.

When one of her friends who was grown up heard of her testimony he laughed at the idea of a little child getting converted. Janet had always been such a sweet, good little girl, he said. Why should she want to be better? If old Joe Graham were to get converted, then he would be willing to believe that a small child might be saved.

Her friend’s careless remarks made little Janet sad. So she went to her room, kneeled down by her bed and prayed: “Dear Lord Jesus, they won’t believe that I love Thee, because I am so little.” A few moments later she was off running down the road to old Joe’s house.

He was just in the act of sawing a board when a lovely little voice called out, “Good-morning, Joseph!” The voice sounded so sweet, that he turned around, without the usual frown on his face.

“Please, Joseph,” said the little girl, “I must tell you something, but you won’t be angry at me will you?”

For years, nobody had spoken to Joseph unless he had business with him, and he wondered why this little girl had come to see him.

He laid down his saw, and sitting on a bench, looked inquiringly at his tiny visitor. “Well, my child, what do you want with me?”

Janet sat down near him, and looking at him tenderly with her big brown eyes she said: “I must tell you, Joseph, that the Lord Jesus loves me, and I love Him too. But a man who is visiting our house says I am too little to come to the Saviour, and that I don’t need to, for he thinks I am good enough already. He will not believe that I have given my heart to Jesus. He says that if you, Joseph, will begin to love the Lord Jesus, then he will believe it. Now, Joseph, will you do that? The Lord Jesus loves you. Will you not love Him?”

She moved over and held the hand of the old carpenter and went on, “Oh, He loves you very, very much, Joseph. You do know that He died on the cross for us, don’t you?”

Poor old man! Nobody had ever spoken like this to him since his mother had died. The tears ran down his cheeks.

“You must not cry, Joseph, for God loves you. He loves us all, even though we are sinners, and He sent the Lord Jesus from heaven to redeem us.”

Joseph was deeply moved. All he could say was, “God be merciful to me a sinner!”

Joseph found out what a sinner he was, and he found out too what a Saviour Jesus is. The time came when he believed the message of God’s love and received Christ into his heart.

One day Janet went home and said to her visitor, “Now you will believe that the Lord Jesus loves me, for old Joseph has given his heart to Him.”

“Nonsense!” laughed her friend, “who told you that?”

“You can see for yourself,” she told him. And he did see, not only he but the whole village saw the change in the lonely old man. Instead of a frown, his face now beamed with joy. As folks passed his workshop they often heard him singing songs of the Saviour’s love and hymns of praise to God, who had brought him to know such happiness and peace.

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

ML 03/12/1967

He Is Worthy

A young Scotch medical student was attending the University of Edinburgh. He was a good athlete and quite popular.

Then one day the young fellow was struck down with typhoid fever. The dread disease proved fatal. One of his friends who was a Christian, visited him during his illness. He begged the young medical student to turn to the Saviour before his soul passed into eternity.

During those years of health and strength and popularity, the young student had had no time for the Lord and had neglected the needs of his soul. Now, he said to his friend, “Wouldn’t it be a shabby thing for one to turn to Christ now while I am sick and about to die?”

“It would be a shabbier thing not to turn to Him at all,” replied his friend.

“He loves you; He wants you to turn to Him. He will receive you.”

The young medical student did turn to the Lord. Just before he died, he found Christ as his Saviour, and his soul was eternally saved. But, dear young friends, is it not sad that he had not given his best days for the Saviour long before? Is He not worthy — He who has given His best, His all, His own life’s blood, upon the cross for us? Yes,

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

ML 03/12/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 39:1-5

A stranger in a strange land, Joseph began his servitude to Potiphar, a man of high rank in Pharaoh’s army. Egypt, in Scripture, is a type of the world and Joseph’s presence there is a reminder of the true Joseph who came into this world from “a far country,” who presented Himself as a servant—coming “not to be ministered unto, but to minister (or serve), and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.

Joseph was a young man of seventeen or eighteen years at this time. If he paused to consider all that had happened to him and to think of his sad situation he may have thought it scarcely looked like the fulfillment of his earlier dreams. Instead of the place of glory, he was in the place of a slave. But if his change of circumstances was difficult to understand, it did not dim his confidence in the God of his fathers. He was content to accept his lot and wait for Him to show him the future in His own way. He saw in Potiphar’s house a new sphere of duty, and looked to God that he might serve Him and thus best serve his master. Delivered from cruel death, he humbled himself and sought to do diligently and conscientiously what lay before him day by day to please his Master above. This too brings before us the One who was ever the obedient One in all His walk in this world, who knew suspicion, distrust and hatred, before He knew exaltation and glory.

Joseph’s faithfulness was soon rewarded. Never had Potiphar or any other such a slave; in him was neither self-seeking nor eyeservice. But we need not to seek far for the explanation. We read that “the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man;... And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand ... The LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house, for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.” vv. 2-5. When the Lord Jesus was but twelve years of age it was also recorded of Him that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52. The obedience, patience and consideration for all around seen in both the Lord and Joseph resulted in their early years in the approval of all who witnessed them. It is profitable to note that God ordered that this testimony should come forth from the lips of men. “He doeth all things well,” they said of Jesus in His day.

As Joseph’s presence in the house of Potiphar resulted in blessing to all that his master owned, so too the grace of God extends to all the blessings that mankind experiences. “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45. “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 may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” Isa. 55:10.

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

ML 03/12/1967

Asking the Blessing

It was in a kindergarten class in a mission school in Japan, where little children were learning about the love of the Lord Jesus. In this kindergarten every day at noon a little lunch was served. Children like to eat. They are the same in this respect in all lands.

In this Japanese kindergarten, when lunch was ready and all the children were sitting comfortably on the floor, they had been taught to close their eyes and say a little prayer of thanksgiving to God for the food. Then they would open their eyes and begin to talk and laugh and eat all at once, for they are just like other children.

One evening at home one of these little girls bowed her head over her bowl of rice and said her grace.

“What are you doing?” asked her father in surprise, for he loved his little girl very, very much.

“I’m thanking God for this nice rice,” she replied.

“But your mother cooked the rice and prepared it for you,” he went on to say. “Why don’t you thank her?”

“Yes, Daddy,” said his little girl. “I do thank Mommie for cooking it, but she did not make the rice. It was God who made it and I am thanking Him.”

This sounded all very strange to her father, but after thinking it over for some days he went to the missionary lady there and asked what it all meant. She told him about God the Maker of all things, of how He is a God of love who cares for His creatures even though they do not care about Him oftentimes. She told him of His love in sending His dear Son down into this world to die for sinners, for all men everywhere.

So it was that the dear Japanese father came to know the Lord Jesus as his own precious Saviour. Now in his home, when the rice is served, all the family bow their heads and they give thanks to God for the food.

O how great is His goodness! What a gracious, loving God and Father He is! How precious to know His love, told out in all its fullness in the gift of His dear Son! Do you know Him, dear reader?

“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

ML 03/19/1967

The Strange Book

Olinto lived in Brazil, and every few months he went to a nearby city to buy supplies. As it was a long journey, he always stayed overnight at a farmhouse. One night noticing a strange book on the table, he began to read it.

The farmer saw he was very much interested in it so he said, “Would you like to take that Book? Someone gave it to me in the city, but you can have it.”

Olinto was glad to take the New Testament—for such it was—and as soon as he reached his home he began to read it through. He read with interest of the One named Jesus, who was so kind to everyone, who “went about doing good,” and yet men hated Him and nailed Him to Calvary’s cross. As he read on, he found that this same Jesus was the Son of God, who loved him, and came down here to die for him. His heart was touched, and he soon accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. Then, not long after, his wife and her sister were saved too.

Hearing of a Christian man living in another state, they asked him to come to their home and have gospel meetings. He came and preached, and many were saved.

Dear reader, have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? If so, are you seeking to tell others the good news that they too might be saved? God’s Word says in Mark 5: 19: “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

ML 03/19/1967

Christ Is All

A young girl, child of wealthy parents, was sent away to school to finish her training. There she learned science, art, dancing and other things.

But one night she went to a gospel meeting, and at the close of the service she accepted Christ as her own personal Saviour. Having given her heart to Christ, she made it her life decision to please and to serve Him in any work that He might call her to.

She wrote home to her father and told him of her decision. He went into a rage, and wrote her immediately, telling her to “Get on the next train and come home.”

His daughter obeyed and came home. As her father met her, he said, “I didn’t send you to school to get religion. That is all right for poor folks and half-wits, but not for a child of your standing. You will have to get this religious notion out of your head. If by tomorrow morning you have not decided to give up this foolish notion of religion, you may pack your suitcase and leave this home.”

The poor girl went to her room with a heavy heart. It would mean the loss of her parents’ love, culture, money, prestige. On her knees, she laid it all out before the Lord. The next morning she packed her suitcase. Before leaving, however, she stepped over to the piano and started to play, and as she played she sang:

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave, and follow Thee;

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou from hence my all must be.

Perish every fond ambition,

All I’ve sought and hoped and known;

Yet how rich is my condition,

God and heaven are still my own!

She then arose, and with tears streaming down her face, she turned toward the door. But before she could open it, her father stepped out from behind the curtain from where he had been listening, and choking with emotion he said: “Wait! I didn’t know that Jesus Christ meant as much to you as that. I didn’t realize that you were willing to give up your father, mother, home and everything just for Jesus. Daughter, forgive me. I must be beside myself.

If such love can take hold of your heart, there must be something in it. Sit down here and tell me how I can be a Christian.”

Her heart overflowing with joy and thankfulness to God, she sat down with her Bible and pointed her father to Christ, whose love had won her heart.

“Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things.” Phil. 3: 8.

The Lord Jesus said, “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10: 29,30.

Memory Verse: “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the son of man also confess before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8.

ML 03/19/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Genesis 39:6-12

“And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well-favored.” v. 6. Potiphar’s trust in Joseph was not misplaced, for he was a faithful steward, bringing prosperity to his master and conducting himself wisely from day to day as a child of God should.

“And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph.” v. 7. We are not informed just how long Joseph had served Potiphar, but perhaps a year or two, or even more, had elapsed when he was confronted by his master’s wife with a proposal of unfaithfulness. This, of course, was Satan’s effort to destroy the young man who had thus far been faithful to God through every trial. Unsuccessful in breaking him down through his brother’s treachery, or in his resultant bondage, this enemy of the soul would seek to appeal to him through a sinful woman. But Joseph was on a higher standard than that of the wife of Potiphar, replying to her temptations: “Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; there is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

How refreshing it is to see this firm stand against a temptation in which so many have failed to their sorrow and disgrace. The secret of his strength at this time is found in his expression: “How can I, sin against God?”

Oh, dear young reader, the devil well knows how to put temptation in the pathway, and knows too he will be victorious with the one who endeavors to meet him in his own strength. But when the heart and conscience turn to God in these trials and testings, divine strength will be provided to safely escape the temptation.

May the admonition of the Apostle James ever exercise our conscience: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1: 13-15.

The tempter was indeed present with Joseph, but his resource was in God and he proved He was able to see him safely through it. But we will note to our profit that he was an example of the admonition: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Prov. 4: 14,15. It is folly to linger in the place of temptation. “Flee fornication.” 1 Cor. 6: 18. Joseph showed wisdom, not only in looking to God, but also in that he “fled, and got him out.”

ML 03/19/1967

The Brave Sea Captain

Uncle William had come to visit us for a week. We all loved Uncle William, perhaps most of all because of the interesting stories which he told.

The first morning that he was with us, he gathered us all together and asked us each to say a Bible verse for him. It was Lena’s verse which made him tell us this story. Her verse was, “Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4.

“That will always be my special verse,” said Uncle William, “and I will tell you why.”

“It takes me back to the very first trip I took at sea. We ran into a terrible storm, and we all thought that we would never see land again. The waves piled up so high around us and then came crashing down on our ship with a thundering roar. The great vessel cracked and groaned in all its joints as though it would split in two. For two days and two nights the storm raged on, and all during that time the brave captain stood on the bridge and guided the ship as best he could. It was cold, and the rain and hail and sleet beat against him, but he would not leave. On the third day the storm began to wear away, the danger was over, and the captain went down to his cabin to rest. But he never came out again.

Pneumonia set in, and in three days he was dead.

“Children, I can’t tell you how I felt as they let the body of our brave captain down into the sea. I cried like a little child. But I was not the only one — tears were in the eyes of the big strong seamen too.

“Among the passengers there was a gospel preacher. I can still hear his voice, sounding out over the wide ocean, ‘Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.’ He spoke of the bravery of our captain who had given his life to guide the ship, and then he went on to tell us of the matchless love of our Lord Jesus who went into death for poor sinners like ourselves. He warned us about the storm of judgment ahead, and begged us to take Jesus as our own Saviour. In that very hour, Jesus became my own personal Saviour, and that verse has been a favorite of mine ever since.”

Can you, dear reader, also say, Jesus is mine? He loves you and wants to wash your sins away, and be your Saviour too.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1: 18.

Memory Verse: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18.

ML 03/26/1967

"Let the Dead Bury Their Dead" Luke 9:60

Dr. Wilson was going to a funeral. He had permission to ride to the cemetery with the undertaker. As they went along, he said to the driver, a young man of thirty years, “What do you suppose the Bible means by saying, ‘Let the dead bury their dead’?”

The young man replied, “There isn’t a verse like that in the Bible.”

The doctor assured him that there was. Then the young man said, “It must be a wrong translation. How could a dead person bury a dead person?”

The doctor then explained the verse, pointing it out to him in these words: “If you were a dead undertaker in front of the hearse, driving it out to bury the dead friend at the back of the hearse. That person is dead to her family, and you are dead to God.” And he quoted him John 10: 10: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”; also, 1 John 5: 12: “He that bath the Son hath life; and he that bath not the Son of God hath not life.”

The conversation resulted in the conversion of the young undertaker as he received eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

ML 03/26/1967

Last of the Family

For four years I was the only one in our house still unsaved. All my brothers and sisters were saved and serving the Lord. But I loved the world and the pleasures of sin. I knew all along that they had the best of it, and when I heard them speak and sing of their joy in the Lord, it went like an arrow to my heart. I often tried to appear happy, but inside I was perfectly miserable. My parents went to some Bible lectures and learned there the truth of the Lord’s second coming; my brothers and sisters also sang and spoke as if the Lord might come and take them all away, leaving me alone unsaved. That above everything else aroused and alarmed me about my lost condition. I did not so much fear death coming upon me, because I was strong and healthy, but to be parted from all who loved me on earth by the Lord’s coming and calling them away, was something I could not get over. Often in the dead hours of the night I would awake and wonder if they had all gone. Twice I got up and went downstairs to listen near my parents’ bedroom door if I could hear them breathing.

One evening, Jeanette and I were sitting on the lawn watching the sun go down. “I like to watch the sunset,” said Jeanette. “It always reminds me of the city which has no need of the sun — the home of God’s people.” Then, turning to me, she said, “I wish you were going with all the rest, Ruthie.” The next night we sat there again, and Jeanette again remarked, “Wouldn’t you like to be saved, Ruthie?”

It came home to me then how unsafe I was, while yet without Christ; and when I went to bed, I determined I wouldn’t go to sleep until I had the certainty that I would go up with the rest when Jesus comes. I knew the gospel and had marked many texts in the Bible, telling how sinners may be saved. I took my Bible, opened it, and ran over several passages, especially Isaiah, chapter 53. Kneeling down with my finger on verse 5 — “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” — I claimed the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, and as my substitute, telling God I believed that He died for me, and was wounded for my transgressions. There in the silent night I was saved, and peace filled my heart. I could not go back to bed, but praised the Lord and wished for the morning, so that I might tell my parents the good news. I stood on the stairs for an hour, waiting for Mother’s bedroom door to open, and when it did I rushed into her arms and told her I was saved. That was the beginning of days to me, praise be to God.

“Bless the Lord,” said my father. “Now we are all one in Christ, and if our Lord should come tonight, we will rise one unbroken family, to meet Him in the air.”

Dear reader, will you be with that number? Or will the coming of the Son of God find you unsaved, unpurged from sin, and unfit for heaven?

ML 03/26/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Genesis 39:13-20

Satan was by no means going to give up his attack on Joseph, even though he had resisted temptation and fled from it. Using Potiphar’s evil wife as his tool, he next sought to inflict a mortal wound in the young man’s testimony through treachery. Angered by Joseph’s refusal to be a party to her proposals she determined to avenge herself by harming him and robbing him of all that he had thus far gained in his faithful service to her husband.

Waiting for Potiphar’s return to his home she plotted her evil scheme. On his arrival she told him: “The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: and it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.” We can readily see the difficulty for Joseph’s master created by his wife’s unfaithfulness. On the one hand was the proven unimpeachable trustworthiness of Joseph; on the other his wife whose true character must have long betrayed itself in many ways. Still she was his wife; and “his wrath was kindled” against Joseph. Joseph might have escaped his wrath had he spoken in self defense and told Potiphar the true story. But he was careful not to wound his master by the proof of his wife’s guilt. Here then we have the holy youth resisting the tempter, and enduring grief, suffering wrongfully.

Two thousand years later when Satan was again defeated in his efforts to tempt our Lord Jesus, he then resorted to false witnesses to accuse the holy and sinless One; but at the trial of Jesus “He answered nothing” to His false accusers. Pilate was amazed at His silence, “Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee?” he asked. But Jesus “answered him to never a word.” Matt. 27:12-14.

Joseph in his silence is a type of the blessed Lord, whose silence was a fulfilling of Isaiah’s prophecy: “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 shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” Isa. 53:7.

“And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” v. 20. “Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron.” Ps. 105:18.

Joseph in prison is again, in type, Christ in death. His feet were put in cruel irons—the hands and feet of Jesus pierced by cruel nails. Both were put aside by the very ones whom they had benefited most. Potiphar lost the most valuable servant he ever had and no doubt his prosperity suffered as well. When the Jews “denied the Holy One and the Just” and put away their Messiah, how great was their loss. The entire nation was cut off in their relationship with God, in which state they must remain until the times of restitution.

ML 03/26/1967

Saved by Indians

Jimmy lived with his parents near a deep swift river. He had been warned against swimming in such a dangerous stream, but one hot day the temptation to go for a swim was so strong that he disregarded the warning and decided to just swim near the bank. However, he became bolder as the water seemed so calm, and he ventured out a little farther where the current was stronger than he realized and it soon pulled him under. He struggled hard, but the river was stronger than he and almost claimed him as its victim. Just as he was going down the third time he was seized by strong, brown hands and hauled into a canoe. When he came to himself he found that his rescuer was an Indian.

Now, we would suppose that the Indians, for there were two, would take the boy home to his anxious parents-but not so! They took him on and on down the river until they reached the Indian camp. Here Jimmy’s rescuer took him to his own home and, as he and his wife were childless, it was decided that the child should live with them as their own son. Jimmy cried for his beloved parents. How he wished he had not disobeyed them! How true it was in his case that, “The way of the transgressor is hard”! However, the Indian woman was very kind to the little boy, and, in course of time, he became quite fond of her.

Now I must tell you that Jimmy’s parents were believers and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. They had taught their little boy how to be saved and the many scriptures he had learned were now a comfort to his lonely heart. And not only this, but Jimmy taught his Indian parents of the God who had loved them and sent His Son to die for them. In course of time the Indian and his wife came to know the Lord as their Saviour.

Now since they were Christians they began to realize how wrong it was of them to keep Jimmy away from his parents. Finally they could not rest until they had taken the stolen boy home. How great was the joy of both Jimmy and his loved parents to be reunited and how glad they were to meet the Indians who had not only saved their boy from drowning, but who had been saved themselves to rejoice in the Lord’s salvation, through the words their own son had spoken to them.

Thus the Lord brought good out of evil, though Jimmy never forgot the terrible suffering his disobedience caused both himself and his parents.

“Honor thy father and mother ... . that it may be well with thee.” Eph. 6:2,3.

ML 04/02/1967

"God Created … "

The scientist, Robert Ball, wrote that the microscope shows us there are forms of life so wonderfully minute that if a thousand of them were arranged in rank, all abreast of each other, they could easily swim, without being thrown out of order, through the eye of the finest needle ever made. “Yet,” he went on to say, “each of the minute creatures is a highly organized number of parts, capable of moving about, of finding and devouring food, and of behaving in all respects as becomes a creature as distinguished from a fragment of unorganized matter.”

The human mind has difficulty realizing the structure of these little creatures, and of fully appreciating the marvelous way they are adapted to the life they are destined to lead.

“Who hath created these things”? Isa. 40:26. While infidels ponder and grope in the darkness of unbelief, while evolution puts forth its false claims and ever-changing theories, declaring that all came from one original germ or cell, the child of God knows the secret, for “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.” Psa. 25: 14. Faith accepts the sublime and majestic answer of Scripture: “In the beginning God created.” Gen. 1:1.

“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3.

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.” Heb. 11:3.

All things wise and wonderful,
All creatures great and small,
All things bright and beautiful—
The Lord God made them all.

ML 04/02/1967

Charles Li

Charles Li was a very earnest Chinese Christian who also had a successful business. God laid the need of his unsaved countrymen on his heart and Charles decided to give up his business and to devote all his time to the spreading of the gospel. His friends and acquaintances called him mad. And the more so because he had a large family to support. But Charles was firm, and through his preaching many heathen souls were turned from darkness to light. After some years many of these rich business men who had called Charles mad, had lost all their wealth in the civil war, while Charles was still happy in the Lord’s service and in His care.

“Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Sam. 2:30.

ML 04/02/1967

Bible Questions for April

The Children’s Class

1.“Obedient in all things.”

2.“Things which are not seen.”

3.“Old things are passed away.”

4.“Possessing all things.”

5.“Sufficiency in all things.”

6.“Every high thing that exalteth.”

7.“Things which concern mine infirmities.”

The Young People’s Class “Sorrow”

1.What was the reason a young man went away from the Lord SORROWFUL? Matt. 19.

2.What is the root which can bring many SORROWS into our lives? 1 Tim. 6.

3.What is the difference between godly SORROW and the SORROW of the world? 2 Cor. 7.

4.In the presence of death, what is the reason Christians SORROW not as others. 1 Thess.

5.How was the Lord Jesus, the man of SORROWS, received by men? ha. 53.

6.What did the Lord Jesus do three times at Gethsemane when He was exceeding SORROWFUL? Matt. 26.

7.When the new heaven and new earth appear, what place is given to SORROW and all the former things? Rev. 21.

ML 04/02/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Genesis 39:21

Joseph was never found in a revengeful spirit nor was he ever heard to utter a threat against those who abused him. His distress when his brethren threw him into the pit brought forth his anguished tears and cries, but he uttered no word of hatred or revenge against those wicked men. Again, when the Midianites sold him into slavery in Egypt, never a word of complaint was heard; nor, when his master’s wife falsely accused him and when Potiphar thrust him into prison, did any expression of bitterness escape his lips.

In all this Joseph portrays the character of the One, who in the torments of Calvary, could cry out: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” That blessed One, whose sufferings far exceeded Joseph’s, could say: “I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isa. 50:5-7. Reader, what is your estimate of the One who thus displayed His love toward you?

While Joseph was in prison, we read, “The Word of the LORD tried him.” Psa. 105: 19. Certainly the life of that child of God was full of trials and the enmity of those who hated him without a cause. But the secret of his strength and patience through it all was his simple trust in the Lord. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him.” Psa. 25: 14. Like Moses, by faith “he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible.” Heb. 11:27. God had revealed a glorious future to him, and he rested in the assurance that those promises would be fulfilled in their due time. Like the Saviour whom he foreshadowed, humiliation and suffering were to go before glory. Acting in the good of his faith in God he thus accepted his trials without complaint and was rewarded in this dependence on God. While he was a slave in Potiphar’s house “The LORD was with Joseph”; and now he was cast into the dungeon we again read, “the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” v. 21.

Christian friend, have you too experienced trials along the way? Has your answer been one of bitterness and complaint, or have you, in dependence upon God, proved the encouragement of His Word: “But we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:3-5. The eye of God is ever on His own and if He allows something of affliction, the believer can still look up joyfully, knowing that the end of the trial will bring blessing. Thus, too, the believer knows in his own experience something of the sufferings of Christ and proves the place of “death with Him” in a Christ-rejecting world. “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” 2 Tim. 2:11,12.

ML 04/02/1967

A Fishing Story

Most everyone enjoys a story of a little boy with a bamboo pole and a bent pin for a hook making a good catch of fish, while older folks with all kinds of expensive equipment often come home without a single fish for their efforts. This is just such a true story we heard recently. It happened at Kentucky Lake, noted for its good fishing.

One summer day two men along with their wives went for a day’s fishing on the lake. They took a boat and all of their fishing equipment, and were looking forward to a good day on the water. However, after several hours had gone by without so much as a bite they decided to go home, and this in spite of the fact that they could see a small boy on the shore, who appeared to be pulling in one good fish after another.

Curiosity got the best of one of the women and she decided to go over and find out how that boy was catching all those fish. The little fellow was most agreeable and pointed her to a rotten log nearby. “There are a lot of worms under that log,” he explained, “and they make good bait, although they bite your hand a bit when you put them on the hook. Help yourself; there are plenty of them.”

Lifting up the log the woman looked and there to her surprise she saw, not worms, but a nest of dozens of poisonous baby copperhead snakes! She called over, “Boy, those aren’t worms — they’re copperheads! Let me see your hands.”

Sure enough, the boy’s hands were covered with tiny bites and were beginning to swell up from the poison. They hurried him to the doctor, who injected some anti-venom serum and the boy’s life was saved. The doctor estimated that the tiny amounts of poison from those little bites actually equaled the bite of a full grown copperhead. Had they waited another hour it would have been too late.

Doesn’t this remind us of many today who seem to be enjoying themselves, playing with sin, without realizing their danger? “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12. This boy’s life was saved because he heeded the warning of those who knew about his danger better than he did. How foolish if he had refused the warning and said, “Go away, I’m having a good time fishing — I’ll go to the doctor later on.” Tomorrow would have been too late; an hour more would have been too late. So it is with your soul, young unsaved friend. Come to Jesus, the Great Physician, NOW. “Now is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

Do not be deceived; the pleasures of sin last but for a season. Those little snake bites were serious — so it is with sin. You may make light of what people call “little sins,” but one little sin will keep you out of heaven. You must have them all washed away by the precious blood of Christ.

There were those who were bitten by snakes in Moses’ day, and they died. God told Moses to make a brazen serpent and set it upon a pole. A bitten Israelite who looked up at the brazen serpent was healed; those that refused died. You may read about it in Numbers 21:9.

The Lord Jesus has told us that “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3: 14,15. God tells you, a sinner, to look in faith to Jesus lifted up on the cross for you, and you will be saved eternally. If you refuse to look to Him as your Saviour, you will die in your sins and be lost forever.

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

ML 04/09/1967

The Way to Heaven

A preacher had come from town to preach in a little country place one Sunday morning. He delivered a well-polished sermon. After the service, someone remarked to Farmer Brown, “Wasn’t that a fine sermon?”

“Maybe so,” replied the farmer.

“Why,” continued his friend, “that man knows more about the Bible than anybody in this part of the country. He certainly knows a lot about Bible history and geography.”

“Well,” returned Farmer Brown, “maybe the trouble is with me. But you see, I had hoped I should hear something about the way to heaven. Instead, I only learned something about the way from Jerusalem to Jericho.”

How many a sermon has been preached without any mention of the way of salvation, nothing said that would point out to sinners the way of life and peace with God. Perhaps, as is often the case, the preacher himself did not know the way of salvation. Perhaps he himself did not know the Saviour, so how could he tell others the way to heaven.

But, thank God, that way is marked out plainly in His Word, bore all to see and to tread. “The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein... but the redeemed shall walk there... they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isa. 35: 8,9,10.

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

This is the way to heaven, dear reader — the only way. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML 04/09/1967

Two Soldiers Saved

When Major Whittle left home, he was not a Christian. But he had a godly mother and she sent him away with a prayer.

It was during the Civil War and young Whittle was wounded in battle. As he lay in the hospital, he began to read the Bible his mother had given him. He began with the book of Matthew. As he read on, he wanted to know more of the precious Book. Soon he saw that the hope of his salvation was in the Lord Jesus, and in Him alone. It was only He that could save from sins. Still he delayed to accept God’s salvation.

Then one day the nurse came to his bed and said, “There is a lad of nineteen here who is dying. He wants someone to pray with him. You are the only one I know that can do it.” Young Whittle told the nurse that he couldn’t help the boy, for he was not a Christian. Hover, the nurse asked him to come and do what he could. When he reached the bedside of the dying soldier boy, he knelt down and began to pray. As he prayed, he confessed his own sin, and asked the Lord to save him. Then he began to pray for the other boy. Both of them found salvation in Christ before the young soldier passed away.

Oh, how wonderful the grace and mercy of God!

‘Twas the same love that spread the feast

That gently forced me in,

Else I had still rejected grace,

And perished in my sin.

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

Memory Verse: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9.

ML 04/09/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 39:22-40:7

“And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” vv. 22-23.

God was over every event in Joseph’s life and three grand displays of His purposes were to result from his varied experiences. 1) The final exaltation of Joseph himself. 2) The Gentile nations were to be brought into blessing. 3) His brethren were to be restored and nourished, and his father was to end his days in happiness. These three grand themes, centered around Joseph, have a much broader aspect than the immediate story and circumstances of his day.

Meanwhile, Joseph was in prison, but in God’s ordering, and as a result of his faithfulness and abilities, he-received the favor of the prison-keeper. Soon he was given large responsibilities and liberty within the prison walls. This place of trust was to open the door to a new and important episode in his interesting career which would have a most important bearing on his future.

“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.” Chap. 40: 1,3. In all Joseph’s behavior before the world he remained simple and humble, even when placed in positions of responsibility. It was perhaps this unpretentious character that commended him to those who saw his quiet and faithful walk. A true child of God should desire the same character of meekness in following the One who was “meek and lowly,” not seeking a place in this world, nor proclaiming his own goodness. We are told to “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Col. 4:5,6. Is this not a desirable object for the Christian? It will not only make his own way through the world a more happy one, but will bring honor to God through his testimony.

Many were cast into prison in those days because of the whims or grievances of the king, and the fact that the chief butler and the chief baker were put in ward might seem a small thing. Yet both these officials of the court had been close to the king, and now by divine providence their presence there with Joseph was to be used by God as a vital link in the chain of circumstances that was to bring the suffering Israelite out of the foul dungeon and before Pharaoh, and to exalt him to the highest place in Egypt next to the throne.

Joseph was given particular charge over these two men and we may be sure they learned to trust him. They learned too the compassion of their gracious and sympathetic attendant when one morning, each having had a disturbed night, he saw their sad expressions. “And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked... Wherefore look ye so sadly today?” vv. 6,7.

ML 04/09/1967

Two Men and a Bear

Two men who were good friends decided to take a trip to Western Canada. They took their cameras along in the hope that they might be able to get some good pictures of the mountain scenery, and of the wild animals that roam there.

Leaving the train, they began their tramp across the country. Soon they came upon some wild goats, peacefully grazing on the mountain side. Not far off, a baby bear was playing about. The two men stood watching for a few moments, then were startled by the sound of a crashing in the bushes nearby. They knew it was the mother bear, coming out of the woods, and they set their cameras for a picture. But when she emerged from the trees she headed straight for the men. Dropping their cameras they ran for the nearest tree, and began to climb fast as they could. One man was rather stout, and could get no farther than to hang by his hands from a lower bough.

The bear, with one swing of her big paw, reached up and knocked down the fat man, and began to tear at him with her claws. Seeing his friend in need of help, the other man quickly came down out of the tree, and picking up a big chunk of wood, he hit the bear over the head. But this only enraged the animal who now turned on the thin man, knocked him down and began clawing at him too. At this moment, though they never could tell why, the baby bear began to cry; so the mother bear left the two men on the ground and ran after her cub.

The men managed to drag themselves to where they could get help — a distance of quite a few miles. There they were cared for, and their wounds dressed.

After about three months, the thin man was able to go back to work, but his friend never recovered; he died soon after. When the thin man went back to his office, he showed his friends the long scars on his head, chest, and legs, where the bear’s claws had torn him. These scars he would carry with him for the rest pf his life.

As the man told the story of his encounter with the bear and showed us his scars, I could not but think of what the Lord Jesus did for us in a much more wonderful way. The man came down from the tree to try and save his friend but the bear was too powerful an enemy. He could not save him. The Lord Jesus in heaven looked down in pity as He saw us in the grip of Satan, and in love He came down to save. He met the full power of the devil at the cross, and by His death and glorious resurrection He defeated the great enemy of our souls. Now those who believe and trust Him as their Saviour are set free from Satan’s power. Yet the Lord Jesus will ever bear in His body the marks of His sufferings, the nail prints in His hands and the spear print in His blessed side.

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Pet. 2:24.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

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

ML 04/16/1967

The Ant Lion

The ant-lion is a dark-looking creature that makes a hole in the sand, puts itself in the very center and buries itself completely out of sight, except its horn which appears like a rusty needle sticking up in the sand.

One who observed the ant lion’s habits wrote: “A little red ant came along seeking her food in her usual busy way. So she climbed up on the rim of the sandy cup and peeped over to investigate. Presently, suspecting danger, she turned to scramble off. Alas! it was too late; the sand rolled from under her feet, and down she went to the bottom, when in an instant that little black horn opened like a pair of shears, and “clip!” the poor ant had lost a leg. And now the poor thing struggles to climb up, but one leg gone, she finds it hard work.

“The little monster does not move or show himself. He knows what he is about. The ant has almost got to the top and liberty, but the sand slips, and down she goes. ‘Clip!’ go the shears, and another leg is gone. She struggles hard to rise, but she gets up but a little way before she slips again, and a third leg is off. She now gives up the struggle, and the lion devours her in a few minutes. Then with a flip of his tail he throws the skin of the ant entirely out of the cup, and the trap is now set for another victim.

The same process is gone through with flies and other insects. No ant-lion was in sight, but the destroyer was there. The dead were pushed out of sight.

Doesn’t the ant-lion remind us of Satan, the enemy of our souls?

“Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet. 5:8.

How many souls have perished in his trap! The Lord Jesus is the only One who can save us from Satan’s power. He came from heaven “that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. He became Man “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Heb. 2: 14,15.

Do you know His delivering power, dear reader? God grant that you might have faith to trust Christ as your Saviour.

ML 04/16/1967

Saved Under Water

A wild swearing longshoreman was helping load freight onto a big steamer. Going up the gangplank, he was jostled by another workman and fell overboard into the water. He uttered a horrible oath as he disappeared under the waves.

A few minutes later his comrades got him out of the water but at first he appeared to be drowned. They worked hard to revive him, and finally they were successful. As he came back to consciousness, his first words were, “Praise God! I’m saved.”

“Yes, you were nearly gone,” remarked one of his mates.

“I don’t mean being saved from drowning,” he said. “I mean the Lord has saved me from my sins. He has forgiven me. He has taken my sins away.”

Then the rescued man told what had happened when he found himself down there in the water, under the ship’s hull. He thought his end had surely come. In a moment of time his past life passed before him. He saw himself as a boy kneeling at his mother’s side, saying his prayers in his tender years. He heard his mother praying for him. His sins rose up before him mountains high. He cried to God for mercy, and pleaded with Him to save him for Jesus’ sake. God heard his cries. In that moment, he knew that God had forgiven him; his sins were cleansed away in the blood of Jesus Christ. Well might he praise God!

Have you cried to God, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” dear reader? If you have, you too can praise God. If you haven’t, then call upon him in faith now, and He will hear your prayer, for He is willing and able to save.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

“WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?... BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:30, 31.

ML 04/16/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 40:8-22

The butler and the baker did not hesitate to relieve their troubled minds concerning their perplexing dreams by reciting them to Joseph. As in his own dreams, when he was in his father’s house, much had been revealed, grace now gave him light from above on the dreams of his fellow-prisoners. Though now a poor captive in prison, yet love rose superior to the evil that had put him there, and flowed out readily.

“And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you.” v. 8. Readily giving God His right place, he was nonetheless confident that he could be as a messenger of God in revealing His purposes toward these two men. In a much later day, the Apostle Paul, likewise in prison, was to be a true interpreter of higher truth that God entrusted to him, that through his inspired epistles God’s ways would be known to our generation. Are we as eager to hear what God has to say to us as were the two servants of Pharaoh?

“And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.” vv. 9-11. Joseph then informed him that the interpretation of the dream brought good news. Within three days he would be taken from prison and restored to his position and the good graces of the king.

Good news this was indeed! How it must have cheered the one who received it to hear this promising message. And here Joseph makes a request of the one he had benefited. It was not a selfish desire for such royal favors as men expect, but the simple request of a righteous sufferer seeking to be delivered from a judgment he did not deserve. “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.” v. 14. But as far too commonly occurs in this world of sin and self, the benefactor was quite forgotten.

Now the baker, seeing the favorable interpretation given to the butler’s dream, approached Joseph: “I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.” v. 16,17. Alas, Joseph was saddened to tell this man that his dream foretold the end of his career, for at Pharaoh’s hand within three days he would be hanged on a tree, the birds eating his flesh.

“And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: but he hanged the chief baker; as Joseph, had interpreted to them.” vv. 20-22.

ML 04/16/1967

An African Boy's Message

It was late in the evening when a missionary, tired from his long day’s journey through the jungle, was approaching an African village. As far as he knew, no one had ever been there with the gospel.

In the distance he could see the village fires. But then cries and shrieks of terror broke through the African night. The screaming grew louder as he neared the village; all was in confusion and tumult.

The missionary was not long in finding out the cause. He was told that a great lion had leaped over the wall and had made off with two of their men. They were all getting ready to pursue after the great enemy, and even the women and children were going along.

However, before they got started a storm came on and they could not go before morning. The wailing of the natives went on all night, for in their superstition they believed that the spirits of their ancestors would punish them for their delay and failure to avenge the loss of their two men.

Amidst the cries and tumult, the missionary was surprised as his ear caught the strains of a familiar hymn. He could scarcely believe it. Tracing the singing to its source, he came to a little group of natives with their heads bowed in prayer. He heard the voice of one saying, “Lord, we thank Thee for Thy peace. We thank Thee that Thou art peace.” Here was a little band of Christians who had found in God a haven of rest and were enjoying His peace in the midst of all the turmoil and confusion on every hand.

Inquiring as to how it all came about, the missionary was told that some years before the chief of the village had sent one of the native boys to a town about 160 miles distant to buy salt. He could not return because floods had closed the roads and he had to remain in that town for six weeks. It was there that he came in contact with some of the Lord’s servants and heard the blessed gospel message. It was the first time he had heard about Jesus, and the dear boy had accepted Him as his Saviour and was baptized.

While he was there he had learned some scripture portions, and the missionaries had rewarded him with a piece of paper on which was written that wonderful text, John 5:24: “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.”

The boy returned to his own village with the salt, but also with his more wonderful treasure. Wherever he went the little African Christian told of Jesus the Saviour of sinners. Many in that village were saved and that little band was a witness of the marvelous power of the Word of God.

How wonderful is the grace of Him who seeks the lost, and brings them out of darkness into His marvelous light through the power of the gospel. Does not the faith of the little African boy and of that little band of natives put many of us to shame in this favored land where we hear the gospel proclaimed far and wide? How many have heard it often yet have not believed it, or received it into their hearts by faith. God grant that the reader may not be among the number who will have to stand before God in the day of judgment and hear the dread sentence, “I never knew you; depart from Me.” Matt. 7:23.

— Missionary Stories

ML 04/23/1967

A Mine Disaster

The following is a true account recorded in the Reader’s Digest some time ago: On a warm Thursday afternoon of October, 1958, over a hundred men went down to work in a mine in Springhill, Nova Scotia. That day a tremor occurred 12,000 feet down. Seventy-five men were killed immediately and about twenty more were trapped in the pit. Twelve of these managed to get together to face what seemed certain death. One had a leg broken in three places; another had his leg badly crushed and turned black from internal bleeding, and still another suffering from excruciating pain had his shoulder dislocated and his ribs battered.

By Saturday evening their oil supply was exhausted, and their only remaining lamp flickered its last glow, plunging the twelve men into darkness. One of the men, a Christian named Caleb R——, started humming a tune. “Let’s have a song,” said one of his mates, and Caleb sang to them the hymn — The Stranger of Galilee — with its stirring chorus:

And I felt I could love Him forever,

So gracious and tender was He:

I claimed Him that day as my Saviour,

That Stranger of Galilee.

On Sunday morning, Caleb brought the dial of his watch close to his face. “It’s going on seven. They’ll be getting ready for service soon,” he said. Without another word, those men began praying, some almost incessantly. Occasional drifts of methane gas brought an added danger; it could kill any one of them and the others would not know.

But God heard and answered their cry for deliverance, although they were nearly a week facing death in some form or other. Truly the gates of death seemed to open to them. Rescuers arrived at 2:25 on Thursday morning, and they were taken to fresh air and to safety.

“They cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.” Psa. 107: 13.

“I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him.” Eccles. 8:12.

ML 04/23/1967

Last Call for Answers

Another year for our monthly Bible Questions has drawn to a close. We are thankful for all who have sent in their answers faithfully over the past months. We know the Lord will bless these efforts, for the time spent in reading His Word will bring its sure reward to those that love Him, both in this life and in that blest eternity to come.

Now the time is at hand when we must prepare the List of Names of our Answerers for the printer. If you have not sent us your answers for all twelve months, you still have an opportunity to complete your record and gain a first reward. But please mail them in at once.

Rewards will be mailed, the Lord willing, the second week of June. A number of new reprints of books are being set aside for this purpose.

Wherever possible, rewards are sent to someone responsible in each Sunday school represented. It will assist us greatly if you will tell us what Sunday school you attend. If you do not attend a Sunday school, then please advise if your reward is to be sent to you direct.

We hope you will all continue with us as we begin another term next month. May the Lord abundantly bless each and all according to the riches of His grace.

ML 04/23/1967

A Prize Fighter Saved

Jack Norval was a boxer by profession. He had won many a prize in the ring. One Sunday he came to the gospel hall where John Hawkins, the converted gypsy, would often preach. Jack enjoyed the service and especially the singing. He came back several times and one night he stayed behind and a faithful Christian sought to make the way of salvation clear and plain to the inquirer. That night Jack gave his heart to Jesus.

“From this time forward,” he vowed, by the help of God, I’ll never lift my hand again against a fellowman.” Jack became a keen open-air gospel worker. He loved to preach Christ outside his own home and his neighbors listened respectfully. All could see the change in his life. His character agreed with his Christian profession.

ML 04/23/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 40:21-22 (Continued)

Some may wonder why the butler was restored to his place, while the baker was hanged. But it is not the purpose of the Spirit of God to occupy us at any length with these two men, but rather to show how God used Joseph to reveal their destinies to each. There is, however, a gospel quality to this narrative.

When the butler told his dream to Joseph he said: “A vine was before me; and in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: and Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”

The subject of his dream draws our attention to the words of our Lord Jesus who said, “I am the true vine.” John 15: 1. He explained that there can be no life or fruit in any branch except through the vine, thus assuring all that eternal life can never be secured except through Himself. The butler presents a picture of one, not occupied with his own merits, but looking to another source for life and redemption. Again the words of the Lord are brought to mind: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14: 6. The sinner, helpless in himself, guilty before God and in the place of death (like the butler in prison) must find his escape and reconciliation to God through some source other than himself. He must look to the Saviour and trust in His atoning work (for the pressed grapes tell of His blood shed for sinners). With faith relying on these sure tokens he will then immediately be accepted of God, his sins forgiven, and a glorious future assured him.

The baker’s dream on the other hand revealed his failure (in type) of securing a happy future. Death and judgment were before him. Occupied with himself and the works of his own hands, he saw no vine, no crushed grapes. In their place his eye rested proudly on the baskets of bakery goods which were no doubt attractively prepared, yet, devoured by the birds, never were presented to Pharaoh. He thus appeared empty-handed and was not accepted in the king’s presence.

The lesson is plain. Salvation can never be achieved by our own works. “Not by works of righteous. ness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Tit. 3:5. In the sight of God, the things of self that may seem so admirable are as filthy rags. The baker, in type, tells of the impossibility of pleasing God in this way. Faith in His beloved Son and in His finished work on Calvary is the only means of entrance into God’s presence and eternal life.

Memory Verse: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

ML 04/23/1967

The Mark on the Ship's Deck

A sailing ship was one day approaching St. Helena, a harbor in the Atlantic Ocean. Because even a capable captain may not know all about every harbor, a local pilot went out to meet the approaching vessel and to guide it in safely. After boarding the ship and talking to the captain, the pilot was invited to lunch.

He followed the captain and first mate into the dining room where all was ready for them. They sat down, and the pilot was not a little surprised when he saw the captain fold his hands and bow his head while he asked God’s blessing on the food. His attention was also attracted by a panel hanging on the wall, on which was painted in large letters: “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD!”

The captain soon noticed that this writing seemed to interest his guest. Then, pointing, he said, “Look at this mark on the deck. There, on that spot, some years ago, I was brought to know the Lord Jesus as my Saviour.” And he began to tell the pilot about this wonderful incident in his life.

Years before, he had been a great sinner. That is true of all who do not believe in the Lord Jesus. But this captain had given himself over to drinking so that all the money he earned was spent on whiskey. Often he left home and went to sea leaving his wife and children without enough food and clothing.

One of the captain’s children, a girl of thirteen, found a friend in a Christian lady who dressed her in some nice clothes, fed her and brought her to Sunday school. She told her about Jesus, who loved poor sinners and came to earth to die for them. This Christian woman’s work was, through God’s blessing, used to bring the child to know herself as a sinner, and the Son of God as her Saviour. God spoke to her heart especially through John’s Gospel, chapter 3. She believed in Him who said, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned.”

She hurried home from school one evening, unable to express her joy, and told her mother how Jesus had saved her. She tried to persuade her father also to read the chapter. She hoped that the word of God, which had been so blessed to her own heart, would have the same effect on his.

But the time had not yet come; her father went on in his sinful ways.

Shortly after she was saved, the girl was taken very sick, and the doctor declared there was no hope of her recovery. When she heard this she said, with joy, “Now, if I die, my soul will still be saved.”

But her parents, not wanting to see their child die, sent for another doctor. He advised them to send her with her father on a trip to sea, for, said he, a sea voyage was the only thing that might restore the child’s health. Her mother was greatly disturbed at the thought of trusting the sick child to her rough father. At last, however, she contented, and soon the two set off together. While the ship was being loaded with its cargo, the captain saw to it that a large number of barrels of liquor were also taken on board.

At first the voyage went well; but one night shortly before midnight, while the captain and crew were tether talking and drinking, the vessel struck a reef. The sudden shock tended to sober the men. They realized the solemn fate that awaited them for they were far from help.

The captain made his way quickly to the top deck and taking in the situation at once, he shouted, “Out with the boats, or we’ll go to the bottom!”

What must have been the thoughts of those godless men as they realized their desperate case? It was a terrible thing to die in the depths of the ocean, far from home and friends, in the darkness of midnight, but worst of all to have to face God with all their sins on their consciences.

After the boats had been let down, the captain, who had quite forgotten his daughter, returned to his cabin to get his watch. Then above the roar of the sea and the confusion aboard, he heard the voice of his little girl praying. He saw her on her knees, and heard her words, “Lord Jesus, save us or we perish!”

Scarcely had she uttered the words when he heard, as if in direct answer to her prayer, the cry of the mate: “The wind has changed; the ship is free!”

As if struck by a thunder-bolt, the captain sank in his chair. He was overcome. His sinful life had been before him; he had heard his daughter’s prayer and now had seen the wonderful goodness of God who had heard and answered that prayer. He had seen the sudden change from unavoidable destruction, to the prospect of perfect safety. All this overwhelmed him. On the spot, where later on he made a mark on the deck, he sank to his knees. For the first time in his life he prayed, “O God, be merciful to me! I am a great sinner!”

The same gracious God, who had listened to his child’s prayer and saved the ship and all who were in it from certain destruction, now heard the prayer of a repentant sinner, accepted him, washed him from his sins in the blood of Jesus, and saved him for all eternity.

The next morning the captain ordered all the barrels of liquor thrown overboard so that neither he, nor his crew should be tempted by it any more.

When the captain had finished telling the story of his conversion, he asked the pilot, “Do you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?”

“Thanks be to God, I do,” the pilot replied.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“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 04/30/1967

Did They Let Him in?

A little boy was listening as his father read the Bible. He heard the words of the Lord Jesus in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

Suddenly the boy ran to his father’s side and eagerly asked, “Did they let Him in?”

And you, dear reader, have you heard the Lord Jesus knocking at the door of your heart? Did you let Him in?

Mr. Henderson was a Christian who often went to visit sick folks. One day he knocked at the door of an old sick woman, but he received no answer. He knocked louder; still no answer. Finally he put his ear to the keyhole and then he heard a weak voice saying, “Who is there?”

“It is I, Mr. Henderson.”

“O, Mr. Henderson, I am very ill; I cannot get up to open the door, but just turn the handle and come in.”

Mr. Henderson did as she said and once inside, he immediately set about to comfort the sick lady. He provided her with some food and medicine, so that he left her quite happy.

The Saviour is knocking at your heart’s door. Won’t you quietly say to Him, “Lord Jesus, come into my heart.” Never will He refuse such a request.

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa. 45:22.

ML 04/30/1967

A Singer Converted

William George had been a popular music-hall singer and a great favorite at concerts. He came to a gospel hall one night and heard a faithful message, telling of the sinner’s need and of Christ who came to meet that need. William George was converted to God there. Then he resolved, “I’ve sung my last song for the devil. From now on my song shall be of Jesus.” Henceforth his gift of song was dedicated to the praise of the Saviour who had bought him with His own precious blood.

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy...: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood.” Rev. 5:9.

ML 04/30/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 40:23

“Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.” Joseph continues to be a type of the rejected One — first cast out and forgotten by his brethren (Israel); and now left out of the thoughts of the Gentile whom he had befriended. Was it not thoughtless neglect for the butler now that he was restored in Pharaoh’s favor, with all the privileges of his courtly position, to forget Joseph’s request: “Think on me when it shall be well with thee?” While difficult to understand, we can see that Satan used this as another tool with which to attack Joseph, trying through discouragement to turn him away from faithful trust in God. The enemy, however, was unsuccessful and Joseph rained ever faithful to God.

What profitable lessons are found herein for every child of God! Joseph, faithful and steadfast regardless of circumstances, is a pattern of the Saviour Himself while here as a man — ever obedient to His Father; in a patient and forgiving spirit ministering to all around Him. It should be the desire of everyone who has proved the good of His salvation to ever “think on Him.” How sad to see a believer, at one time happy and rejoicing in Christ his Saviour, carelessly allowing things of this life to intrude into that happiness, and so busy with pursuits of this life that he fails to think on the One who has made his eternity secure and who longs to see His own going on in the joy of communion. May God exercise our hearts to more faithfulness in meditation on, and loving service to, the One who has given so much to redeem us.

The butler’s forgetfulness of Joseph has also a dispensational character. As a nation Israel has “forgotten its Maker” and the Gentiles, to whom great grace has been extended in the gospel have largely forgotten the Saviour too. Apostasy is rapidly advancing all around and in the end there will be a total falling away from the truth, excepting, of course, in those who, preserved by grace, will be kept faithful to the Lord.

It is to the Christian increasingly exposed to this declension that Scripture appeals: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;... Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them.” 1 Tim. 4: 15,16.

But there is another special appeal the Lord makes to the heart of every one of His redeemed, set forth in the Lord’s supper. “This do in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22: 19. He has graciously given us as memorials of His death the loaf (His body — in type) and the cup (His blood shed in type), telling us that in the eating of the bread and in the drinking of the cup, “ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” 1 Cor. 11:26.

Memory Verse: “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:18,19.

ML 04/30/1967

Tommy and the Bird

Tommy caught a little bird one day. The little thing struggled hard to get away, but Tommy’s strong fingers held it tight.

Poor little bird! It loved its freedom. Just then a man going by, seeing what Tommy had, took pity on the little captive and asked him to let it go. But Tommy had no such intentions. He said it took him three hours to catch the bird and he didn’t want to let it go.

Then the kind man said, “I’ll give you a quarter for it.”

Tommy thought a moment, and then he agreed. The stranger paid him the quarter and took the little bird from his hand. He first placed it on his open hand, then waited for it to fly away. But the little thing did not yet know that it was free. Suddenly it spread it wings and soared off into the blue. As it flew away it seemed to chirp as if to say, “Thank you, kind friend, for setting me free.”

We were just like that little bird, taken captive by Satan, and held in the grip of sin. The Lord Jesus, that heavenly stranger, that blessed Man, passed by and had compassion on us. Satan does not want to let sinners go; he would hold them in his power until they perish. But the Lord Jesus is stronger than Satan, and He paid redemption’s price when He died for sin upon the cross. Now it is His joy to redeem captive sinners from Satan’s grasp, and to set them free.

Many dear boys and girls who read these lines, we know, have been set free by Him, now to thank and to praise their blessed Deliverer. Are you, dear reader, one of His freed ones? Or are you still a captive to Satan and to sin?

“Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Pet. 1: 18,19.

ML 05/07/1967

Bible Beasts

A spotted leopard—Can a leopard change his spots (Jer. 13:23)? He is like the sinner. He was born with these spots on his skin, and no amount of washing will ever take them off. As he grows bigger and older, these spots will grow bigger too. So boys and girls who have been born in sin, and with sinful natures, show they are sinners as they grow up, and increase in wickedness as they increase in years. That is why the Lord Jesus says to one and all, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. Remember every time you see the spotted leopard, that he is “like the sinner.”

A spotless lamb—The Passover Lamb (Exo. 12:5). Like the Saviour. Its fleece white as snow, all spotless without: without a blemish. So was Jesus. He was the spotless Lamb of God, no sin in Him, no spot on Him: the Holy One. Perfect He was as a boy in His home; without fault before His enemies. How glad I am that Jesus was spotless. It needed a spotless Saviour to die for a spotted sinner like me; and Jesus did die for sinners. All who believe on Him are seen by God clean and white; whiter than snow — accepted in the Beloved.

A strong lion—1 Pet. 5:8. Like Satan. Yes, and he is ever seeking to devour the lambs of the Lord’s flock. He can never do that, for they are all in the safe-keeping of the Shepherd, who is stronger than he. But if any venture out on the path of sin, Satan will grip and sadly hurt them there. Keep close to Christ. Walk in His ways. “No lion shall be there.”

A swift roe—1 Chron. 12: 8. Like the saint. Hastening along the way to heaven; serving the Lord diligently; running swiftly to do His will. May it be so with all who are saved.

ML 05/07/1967

An Atheist Saved

William Dodd was a though-going atheist who used to lecture at infidel meetings in the Hall of Science, Battersea Park. His wife attended the services at the gospel hall, mostly because she liked the singing. One night, however, she accepted Christ as her Saviour and when she got home she confessed to her husband that she was saved. Dodds raised no objection, but personally remained unmoved by his wife’s confession of Christ and the change in her life.

The Dodds had a beautiful little daughter, eleven years old, who also opened her heart to the Lord Jesus and was brightly saved.

Not long after this the little girl took sick, and though everything possible was done to save her life, she passed away. Just before the end she said to her father, who wept beside her bed, “Daddy, don’t weep for me; I’m going to heaven to be with Jesus. Mother is coming later; won’t you come too?”

Just before the funeral Gypsy Hawkins visited Mr. Dodds and spoke to the man stricken down with sorrow. He told of how a timid sheep is led to cross a river by hearing the bleating of a little lamb carried across the water in the arms of the shepherd. The truth so simply put reached the father’s heart. He broke down completely and there bide the coffin of his little daughter he gave himself up to God. He became a well-taught student of Scripture and an earnest soul-winner.

ML 05/07/1967

Bible Questions for May

The Children’s Class

1.“Crucified with Christ.”

2.“Christ hath redeemed us.”

3.“The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

4.“Made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

5.“To know the love of Christ.”

6. “God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

7. “Christ also hath loved us.”

The Young People’s Class Abraham (the Friend of God)

1.What was ABRAHAM’S background of worship as received from his father? Josh. 24.

2.What did the Lord promise ABRAHAM if he would leave his father’s house? Gen. 12.

3.What did ABRAHAM do at Bethel showing what his response was to be? Gen. 12.

4.What did the Lord account unto ABRAHAM when he believed His words? Gen. 15.

5.What was ABRAHAM called at this time? Jas. 2.

6.What was it that enabled ABRAHAM to offer up his only begotten son at God’s command? Heb. 11.

7.What is it that enables us to be blessed with faithful ABRAHAM? Gal. 3.

ML 05/07/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:1-14

“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed:... And he slept and dreamed the second time:... And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.” vv. 1-8.

Pharaoh’s two dreams were very similar. In one, seven kine “well favored and fat fleshed” fed in a meadow. Seven ill-favored and lean-fleshed followed them, and devoured the first seven; yet afterward they continued as ill-favored in appearance as at the beginning. In his second dream seven ears of corn (or wheat) appeared on one stalk, healthy and good, followed by seven poor, blasted ears, which in turn, devoured the first. Convinced that these dreams had special meaning, Pharaoh was greatly disturbed, yet unable to determine what message they contained. The best magicians and wise men of the country were hastily summoned, but they were all equally baffled by these strange visions and confessed their inability to interpret for him. Wisdom was needed, but not that which “is earthly, sensual, devilish,” but what comes down from above. (Jas. 3: 15,17).

We readily see why these men were perplexed. God himself was speaking to this heathen monarch and His was a voice with which neither the king, nor his counselors were familiar, reminding us that “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14. The Christian should not be disturbed if the world around him fails to understand things of God. The unsaved man cannot enter into such exalted things any more than the wise men of Pharaoh’s day could understand God’s message.

There was only one man in the whole land of Egypt who could help Pharaoh at this time and he was continued to the dungeon, entirely forgotten by the one who could, during the two-year period, have spoken for his release. During these two years Joseph must have suffered much and had his faith extremely tried. But through the extended trial he further learned that it was not in man that he should trust, but in God who did not forget His dear servant. Faith is tried to our profit, and never disappointed in result.

The trouble of the king, touched the conscience of the butler and recalled to his memory what he ought never to have forgotten. He spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I do remember my faults this day.” He told of him who still lay unremembered in the dungeon and who years before had been used of God to interpret his dream and that of his fellow-prisoner. “It came to pass, as he interested to us, so it was.”

“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.”

Memory Verse: “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.” Isa. 55:3.

ML 05/07/1967

Gypsy Hawkins

A small ragged boy of ten happened into the Richmond railway station just outside the great city of London, and looking anxiously into the face of one of the clerks, he called out, “Ticket for London, please!”

“What part of London?” demanded the clerk. John had no idea that London had “parts” but ended up with a ticket for Waterloo station and soon was on his way. He arrived there terribly hungry and finding a cheap restaurant he spent fourpence of his slim capital on a meager lunch.

John was born of gypsy parents. He had a gentle, loving mother, but his father was a hard, drinking man. Young John had been left in care of the horse while his father had gone to the tavern for a drink. Just when John was loosing the horse, intending to take it for a drink, the animal broke away and clattered off down the street. Hearing the noise his father came running out of the tavern, and taking the situation in at a glance, amid curses and threats he struck the boy down and then took off after the runaway. “You wait till I come back,” he shouted, “and I’ll break your neck.”

Terror-stricken, young John took off as fast as he could run in the other direction, resolved to avoid the threatened thrashing. With only two shillings in his pocket he made for the nearest railway station and boarded a train that would take him far from his father’s dreaded whipping. He never saw his parents again. Often in the years to follow, with a bundle of unsold newspapers under his arm, he would steal away by himself and sob his heart out. He would have given all he possessed for but one glimpse of his dear gypsy mother. Years later at a gospel meeting in Canada where he told his life’s story, a kind gypsy stayed bind and told him he remembered meeting a gypsy couple and of how the mother wept for her lost boy. But that was 25 years before and no trace was to be found of them as they had moved on long since.

Poor little Gypsy John found hmsielf alone, unloved and homeless among the crowds on the streets of the great city of London. But a gracious God and a tender Saviour in heaven had His eyes upon the friendless little waif and he was destined to experience a Father’s affection that was beyond anything he had known at home in the gypsy caravan, even beyond his mother’s tender love. God “setteth the solitary in families.”

John got in with some newsboys outside Waterloo station and for three months he derived a meager living from the sale of newspapers. Some days he did well, but on other days his profits were scant indeed. When he could afford it he slept at a cheap lodging house, but many a night he spent in an unused cart or down on the river bank.

About this time John found a chum named Charlie, another waif; they sold papers together, they ate and slept together. Then one day they met a shoeblack, well-dressed and prosperous-looking in a fine new uniform. Inquiring where he came from, the boys were haughtily informed that he was from a Refuge and Shoeblack Brigade Society. After coaxing the boy to tell them the address, the boys set off and were not long in presenting themselves at the door of the big Home. There a sympathetic Mr. Jones, after hearing their story, turned them over to Mr. and Mrs. Gray, the master and matron of the home.

The Refuge had been started many years before by a kind Christian man who sought to reach the “down-and-outers” and the poor boys of London’s streets. There were 160 boys in the Refuge and they went forth each morning, each with his shoeblack box and equipment. Meetings were held regularly and God blessed the gospel to the salvation of many. It was here that John Hawkins came under Christian influences for the first time. Mrs. Gray was much attracted to the little gypsy boy and became. a real mother to him. He loved her as much as any boy loved his own mother. John and Charlie, unlike many of the boys who frittered away much of their time and earnings, worked hard. Then the day came when John became an apprentice in shoemaking.

The gospel services were taken one day by a Mr. Lawler, a master shoemaker, who had a real love for souls and gave a very earnest appeal. His text, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee,” gripped young John’s soul. A solemn hush fell on all who heard the story of the rich farmer who had lived without God. Fastening his eyes on the gypsy boy, and pointing his finger directly at him, the speaker said, “If God called you tonight, where would you spend eternity?” Like a sword these words went right to the boy’s heart and he saw himself a vile, unclean sinner, unprepared to meet God. Deeply convicted he went off to bed, but not to sleep. The text haunted him; he was afraid to go to sleep, unconverted, lest he should wake up in hell.

In the silence of the night Mr. Lawler was awakened by a tapping on his door. “Who’s there?” he called out gruffly. It was John. As Mr. Lawler opened the door the lad burst into tears, and sobbed out, “Oh! sir, I’m such a big sinner that I can’t go to sleep.” The master put his arms around the boy and made him sit down by the fire. He read from his open Bible several scriptures, among them: “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. Then he turned to Acts 2:21: “And it shall come to pass that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Light shone into the boy’s soul: They knelt down together and for the first time in his life the gypsy boy prayed to God. Immediately the burden of his sin was lifted and a great peace flooded his heart. Gypsy John had found Christ, and the loving Shepherd had found His lost little sheep. From thenceforth He would bear him home on His shoulders rejoicing.

Memory Verse: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML 05/14/1967

Ears

A little hymn which our boys and girls sometimes sing begins: “Two little eyes to look to God, Two little ears to hear His Word.”

The “ear gate” is one of the main entrances to man’s soul. And of course, Satan tries to keep hold of that gate, if he can. It was by listening to Satan that Eve and Adam fell in the garden, and then Satan took possession.

Yet so it is that by hearing God’s word sinners are saved, and thus escape from his slavery. “Incline your ear” (Isa. 55:3). Bend it forward and listen. “Give ear to My words.” (Psa. 5:1). God has given you an open ear so you can hear His word.

But it is one thing to have an ear, and quite another to have an ear to hear. I have seen boys and girls while the word of God was being spoken, amusing themselves with one another or with something else all the time. They had no “ear to hear” they did not care or want to hear the way of God’s salvation. Are you among them? Have you heard the life-giving Word of Jesus? Have you received it unto salvation? Some have now, and as a lamb of the Good Shepherd’s flock, they “hear His voice” (John 10:27), and listen to His word.

Others turn away their ears from the truth. They do not want to hear it, or to be saved. Sad it is to see them getting more careless and heedless day by day, until they close their ears altogether, lest they should be converted to God.

How sad will be the ear-opening of such, when at the sound of the trump of judgment they will be aroused at last to their true condition. But alas, too late to hear the sweet gospel message of salvation, life and peace, that now sounds in the gospel.

Do not linger, or trifle, dear boys and girls, lest you also become hardened and your ears so dull of hearing that God’s warnings and His invitations fall as on those who are deaf, and whose ears are sealed against the Word of God.

ML 05/14/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:15-32

Joseph, brought out of prison to Pharaoh’s palace, stood on the brink of a destiny he could never have visualized. Often must his thoughts have reverted to his boyhood dreams and the promise then implied that his brethren one day would own him in an exalted place; but surely he never foresaw this place of glory in Egypt, the greatest kingdom then on earth. But God had at all times been ordering events so that this would soon be Joseph’s portion. He could use the hatred of Joseph’s brethren to start him on that long journey to Egypt, the treachery of a wicked woman to place him in prison, the dreams of a butler, and now the disturbed night of the heathen monarch himself — all to bring about His purposes. Joseph naturally may have been perplexed by each trying experience, but as he was brought to stand before Pharaoh, perhaps he saw that if he had not had the humiliation of the prison he would never have been in the palace.

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have... heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” vv. 15,16. With perfect poise and confidence in God, Joseph, the Hebrew slave, taken from the dungeon, stands calmly before the ruler of the land, aware that he is there in God’s stead and assured that God will give him an answer for the perplexed monarch. How could he declare that God would give “an answer of peace,” had he not been already in the current of God’s thoughts? In this he is a faint foreshadowing of One who was yet to come — the true Joseph: “For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.” John 3:34,35.

Pharaoh then recounted his dreams to Joseph in more energetic terms than originally, saying: “I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.” Like the blessed One whom he foreshadowed, Joseph took no glory to himself, but replied: “What God is about to do He showeth unto Pharaoh. Behold there come seven years of great plenty... And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land... And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” vv. 28-32.

Joseph interpreted the dreams of the king with a quiet simplicity and decision which so approved itself to Pharaoh’s conscience that he too had not the least doubt that God was in the matter. Though a stranger to the people of the land and a victim of their callousness, he was no stranger to the God whose counsels for the world he was now proclaiming. He rose above the scruples and shame of one just emerging from prison. Confidence in God took away the fear of slight and drew out his heart in good will to the king and his people.

ML 05/14/1967

Carlo, the Guardsman

Carlo Cammasio was his name, and he was a young Italian guard. He was tall and handsome, and many people stopped to admire him as he stood in his uniform outside one of the buildings in Rome. One evening, as he was returning from his post of duty, he heard happy voices singing, and turned aside to listen. For the first time he heard the glorious gospel, that God had met our need as sinners in giving His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour. As he turned to leave, someone handed him a little Italian booklet, “Come to Jesus.”

That very evening, Carlo read through the little book, and then knelt down and thanked God for His love in giving Jesus, and thankfully accepted Jesus as his own Saviour. The next day, on his way home from work, he stopped at the same hall where he had heard the good news, and publicly told them how the Lord Jesus had saved and cleansed him.

Not long after, Carlo took very sick and was told that he would soon die. He was but a young man, and so strong and handsome that his friends could hardly believe the sad news. How would you feel, dear young reader, if you were told that you soon must step into eternity? Would you know where that step would land you? Carlo’s friends came to comfort him, and tried to help him prepare for heaven. But they found him happy and ready to go. He needed no one to help him prepare, for he was redeemed and cleansed by the precious blood of His Saviour, and he fearlessly told all who came to see him of the Lord Jesus, and invited them all to trust in Him.

At last, waving his hand in triumph, the dying guardsman cried aloud, “Christ has cleansed me from all my sins, and Jesus Himself is with me”; and so he died.

His friends were amazed, for they had never seen anyone die without fear and doubt. Carlo’s simple faith in Christ, and his fearless confession led many others to read the Word of God for themselves, and to find that same salvation in which he rejoiced. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 05/21/1967

Gypsy Hawkins

Young John Hawkins, the poor gypsy boy in the Refuge Home, had been unable to sleep. Getting up in the night he had wakened one of his masters, a kind Christian man, who pointed him to Christ. John got saved that night. A happiness and peace he had never known before now filled his soul.

Before he went back to bed, the master gave him some good advice which helped to shape his after life: “Now, Johnny,” he said, “take a bold stand for Jesus Christ; nail your colors to the mast, and refuse to haul them down.” Then he gave the boy a text: “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God; but he that denieth Me bore men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8,9. Then Mr. Lawler gave the young convert some tender words of encouragement.

“My dear boy,” he continued, “your lot in life is a sad one. You have no friends or relatives to help you. Every other boy in the home has someone to appeal to in the hour of need. You have no one. But remember, Johnny, God will take care of you. If you look after God’s interests, God lives to look after yours.”

Young John got through the next day all right, but after prayer that evening an awful struggle took place in his heart. Satan seemed to say, “If you kneel down in that dormitory to say your prayers, all the boys will see you and you will have a rough time of it. You’d better slip into bed with the rest, and when the lights are out you can say your prayers quietly in bed.” However, young as he was, John got the victory over the subtle tempter. “If I try to hide my prayers,” he said to himself, “I’m being ashamed of Jesus.” So when the other boys were getting into bed, he knelt down to pray. The boys were amazed, and several threw their pillows at him. But as he said afterward, “Pillows never hurt anyone.” He took his stand for Christ and the very joy of heaven filled his soul that night.

Much persecution followed John’s confession of Christ. Most of the other boys were not Christians, and tried to make his life one of misery. They snubbed him and jeered at him, but the Lord gave him grace to bear up under it all, and he went about his duties singing and making melody in his heart to the Lord. Afterwards he would often tell young Christians that persecution is a wholesome thing for the child of God.

The night he got saved, Mr. Lawier had also told John not to go on keeping company with unconverted friends. He had a chum named Charlie; so the next morning he went to him and told him that he now belonged to Christ and that he could not go on with him in his worldly company and in their old sinful ways. Charlie was aghast; but he became very much concerned about his own salvation. And then one day he told John he too wanted to put his trust in Christ. Together they knelt down in a quiet corner of the dormitory and John prayed for his friend. Charlie also prayed, asking the Lord Jesus to come into his heart. He too found the Saviour, and rose from his knees “a new creature in Christ Jesus.” Charlie became a bright witness for the Lord in later years and came to America and served Him here.

But the work did not stop there. The Spirit of God wrought in the hearts of other boys in the dorm, who also knelt to pray, and many of them found Christ.

John became a real soul-winner, and while still a young fellow he busied himself in gospel work, speaking at meetings for the boys and giving his testimony on the street corner. On one occasion he was asked to say a few words to an audience composed mostly of adults. John was naturally of a shy disposition, and shook with nervousness. The only words he could stammer out were: “Jesus loves me and I love Jesus; I want you to love Him too.” Then he broke down, the tears flowing down his face. Many hearts were softened that day, and perhaps more was done by those simple heart-felt words than many an eloquent polished oration.

Gypsy Hawkins felt that God was preparing him for his life work—that of winning souls for Christ. He had a little room set apart in which he could spend what leisure time he had with his Bible and his books. He had had little or no education, but while other lads were frittering their time away, he toiled on manfully to improve his mind, and fit himself to be a teacher of the gospel.

A friend once suggested to him that he could serve the Lord better had he a college training. But young John did not think he would do well in college. Furthermore, he said at the time, “If God has a work for a converted gypsy lad to do, He will enable him to do it without his going through college.” He did not despise the training, but he felt that in his case it would be a waste of time.

Thus, he was forced to rely completely on God, and he proved the preciousness of His word, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” For fifty years and more, he served the Lord in the gospel. God blessed his simple ministry of Christ. Only eternity will reveal how many found the Saviour through the faithful testimony of John Hawkins, the converted gypsy boy. “He faileth not.” To him be all the praise!

— Adapted from John Hawkins

Memory Verse: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, bold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.

ML 05/21/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:33-36

As Joseph came before Pharaoh his God-given ability to interpret dreams was once more displayed in a most impressive way. He again appeared as a revealer of God’s thoughts and purposes — a type of the Lord Jesus, who, coming into this world, revealed God’s mind to those who had ears to hear. Joseph’s presence at all times brought good and blessing to those around him. His was a faithful testimony of the One in whom he trusted. He was never ashamed to declare God’s name — a happy example of the exhortation: “Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.” Psa. 96:3. But it was the Lord Jesus alone of whom it could be said: “I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth...” Psa. 40:10.

Joseph, with wisdom from above, told of forthcoming events with unerring accuracy. This was seen in the “Man of Galilee.” In this he is a type of Him whose wisdom was incomparably beyond Joseph’s, who told of coming judgments and future blessing. In Joseph these qualities were brought out most sharply in the three phases of his life up to this portion of his history: First, as an obedient son; next, as the faithful servant; finally, as the submissive prisoner. When we review the pathway of Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, we see these same qualities displayed in Him in a more excellent way: He was the more perfect and obedient Son; the more willing and faithful servant; and the more submissive and guileless prisoner of those who bound, scourged, humiliated and killed Him.

These aspects of Joseph’s life were the evidences of his character while enduring many years of servitude, poverty and humiliation. They rind us of Him who, “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor”; who “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and... humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2: 7,8.

Although Joseph, of course, falls short of the perfections of Christ, yet his life bears a remarkable likeness to the One whom he foreshadowed. Meditation on this portion can be of real profit to the reader’s own heart for his life presents an example of the behavior that should mark all who are Christ’s.

“Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land... And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh,.. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine.” vv. 33-36.

Having tendered to the king and his court this advice on affairs of state of the most urgent and important kind, Joseph’s position and experiences are about to be greatly changed.

ML 05/21/1967

The Old Colporteur

An old Chinese colporteur came to the missionary one day begging him for a needle and thread.

“What do you want it for?” the missionary asked.

“To sew up my heel,” he replied. Then he showed him the back of his heel where the skin had cracked open and he was going to sew the skin together to help it heal.

“Oh!” exclaimed the missionary. “You musn’t use a needle and thread for that. I have some ointment in the dispensary that will help you.”

“Oh, I didn’t want to bother you for any medicine,” said the old man.

However, the missionary insisted that he put his foot up on a stump in the yard while he washed off the sore spot and rubbed on the ointment. Then he covered it with a piece of tape.

“How about the other foot?” his friend asked him.

“Oh, that isn’t bad enough yet,” replied the old man. But it was evident that it needed attention too. After a while, the missionary said: “Mr. Colporteur, do you know you have beautiful feet?”

The old man was terribly embarrassed. “My feet-beautiful?” exclaimed he. “Oh no; they are rough and ugly and covered with scars. You know I have been walking up and down these hills for many long years, and my feet are nothing to look at.”

“Oh, but don’t you understand,” his friend explained. “Have you never heard of what it says in the Book of Isaiah about feet like yours?”

“Feet like mine?”

“Yes, feet like yours,” replied his friend. Then he asked, “Where have you been to?”

“Just over the hills,” replied the old man.

“What were you doing over there?”

“I have been over to those villages selling gospels and telling the people about the Lord Jesus.”

“Yes, I know,” said the missionary. “You have been over the hills with the gospel of peace. Well; that is just what Isaiah was talking about. He says: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace.’” Isa. 52:7.

“Are you sure he didn’t say the mountains were beautiful?” the old man asked, looking away to the hills.

“No. He says very clearly, ‘How beautiful... are the feet...!’ “

“Well,” exclaimed the old man as he went on his way. His heart was encouraged and strengthened by the Word of the Lord. He went away convinced that it wasn’t the way your feet looked, but how and where you walked that makes them beautiful.

— Missionary Stories

ML 05/28/1967

How a Hindu Found Rest

In India one day a poor Hindu went bathing in the muddy waters of the Ganges river. For a long time the poor man had been seeking peace for his weary soul, and he was told that to bathe in the sacred waters of the river would bring him rest.

But he found no peace nor rest for his soul. Then he saw a crowd of people gathered around a missionary, who was telling them the story of Jesus the Saviour of sinners. The missionary gave the Hindu a piece of paper which he took and placed in a corner of his hut. Later on when he returned he found his hut was burned to the ground. However, there was one small corner that did not burn and it was his delight to find that the piece of paper the missionary had given him was still there unharmed. He took it to a man and asked him to read it to him.

The story told about the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. The man was greatly surprised when he heard the words, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

“Why,” he exclaimed, “that’s what I want. I have been seeking rest and peace for many years. I have made pilgrimages, offered sacrifices, bathed in the sacred waters, but these have brought no rest and peace to my soul. And here is a man who says, ‘Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.’”

The poor Hindu was not long in seeking out the missionary whom he found at the mission station. He told him about the piece of paper and wanted to know who it was that spoke these words, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”

With joy the missionary preached unto him Jesus, the Son of God, who came from heaven to earth to bring life, rest and peace to sinners through His death on the cross.

The missionary spoke long and lovingly to the man, who drank in the precious gospel story. “And now,” said the missionary, “if you will just trust in Jesus, He will take away the burden of your sins and will give you the peace and rest of soul you so long have sought.” The poor Hindu believed the message, and received Christ. Now he could say, “I sought long years for peace. I have found it at last.”

ML 05/28/1967

Wings

Out in the farm yard, you will see a brooding hen with her chickens. They run about through the day, but as night comes on she cackles and they run for rest to the cover of her wings, where warmth during the cold night, and safety are both provided there.

It was such a night as this that was in the Saviour’s mind, and perhaps before his eyes, when he uttered those sad words to the people of Jerusalem: “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would net.” Matt. 23:37. They would not come under His WINGS OF SALVATION. And so they perished.

How different it was with one who belonged to a foreign race, a daughter of Moab, who when she had heard of the God of Israel, came to Him, and was welcomed and blessed by Him under whose WINGS OF SHELTER she had come to trust (Ruth 2: 12). She was safe and happy there.

How safe and how well she and all who put their trust in the shadow of these wings, which are not only wings of shelter, but WINGS OF STRENGTH, that bear up, and keep from falling those who are saved. Just as the eagle stretches out her mighty wings and upon them bears her young, before they are able to fly, so the Lord does for all those who are His. Thus saved, sheltered, and borne along on the strength of the Lord, they are freed from fear and made swift to serve the One who has served them.

The WINGS OF SERVICE (Isa. 6:2) of the heavenly host come last, for salvation and strength must precede service for the Lord. You cannot serve until you are saved, but all who trust in Jesus are saved to both worship and serve Him.

Memory Verse: “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Heb. 9:26.

ML 05/28/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:37-43

“And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.” Pharaoh then expressed his confidence in Joseph declaring that the Spirit of God was in him, establishing his place next to himself. He also proclaimed all the land of Egypt under Joseph’s authority and command. “Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” v. 40.

As Joseph’s faith was tried during the harsh years of servitude and imprisonment, he was now to receive the reward of enduring that testing. He could now see that every trial, every tear and every disappointment had been for his ultimate good and according to God’s counsels as well. That such were his thoughts will be seen later, when he said to his brethren: “God did send me before you to preserve life.”

Trials and testings, while extremely severe in Joseph’s case, are the familiar experience of all, although the result does not necessarily always appear the same. One may “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” while another becomes “wearied and faint,” forgetting the exhortation, “Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.” Heb. 12:5. May the example of Joseph (and more particularly that of the Lord, who “endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself”) exercise our hearts to greater patience and submission in every trial of faith, knowing that the reward lies at the end of the journey, if indeed not seen here. What encouragement for the tried soul to remember that he is possessor of “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Pet. 1:4,5.

“And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” vv. 42,43. Joseph, whose role as a revealer of secrets and proclaimer of God’s purposes was associated with his humiliation, now becomes the one to give counsel and to whom administration of his counsel is entrusted. What a delight to see him given such honor and dignity, of which he had proved himself so worthy. Coming from the prison (figurative of death), everything is transformed. The humble one becomes the glorified one; the one of lowly demeanor is given honor and exaltation; the one who submitted to indignities is made the subject of reverence and esteem; the one who bowed to others is now the one before whom every knee bows.

In all this are seen (in type) the glories of our Lord Jesus Christ, the rejected, despised and crucified One. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2: 9,10.

ML 05/28/1967

Kind Abe

Abraham Lincoln was known to have a kind heart. One day he was traveling with a company of friends on horseback across the country. The birds sang merrily in the trees and bushes along the way.

As they passed by, they saw a baby bird which had fallen out of its nest and was fluttering and frightened on the ground. A moment later, Abe stopped his horse, telling his friends he would be back in a moment. Going back the short distance, while his friends watched him, he got off his horse, picked up the helpless little bird and very tenderly he set it in the bushes near its nest.

When Abe rejoined his friends, one of them laughed at him, saying, “Abe, why did you bother to stop, and delay the rest of us on account of a little bird?”

Abe replied: “I feel better now. I couldn’t sleep tonight if I had left that little bird to perish on the ground.”

The Lord Jesus was the kindest man that ever trod this earth. Not one little bird falls to the ground without His eye of love resting upon it. He tells us, “Ye are of more value than sparrows.” We read that He went about doing good, seeking to raise the fallen, lift up the brokenhearted, and to preach deliverance to the captives. Then He went on to die upon the cross to put our sins away.

But such a cruel death He died;

He was hung up and crucified;

And those kind hands that did such good,

They nailed them to a cross of wood.

Yet it was on that cross He answered to God for the sins of all those that believe on Him. Dear reader, are you one of those that believe?

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Tit. 3:4,5.

“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2: 7.

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT SHALL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.” John 8:12.

ML 06/04/1967

Reggie's Disobedience

Reggie was a real boy in that he liked to play with toy boats and many other things. Reggie’s father was dead and he was the only child of his mother. Now his mother was very ill so she could not keep a close watch on him.

His mother had told him not to sail his toy boat on a nearby pond. But alone with his thoughts Reggie thought that he was old enough to take care of himself and he thought that his mother need not be so anxious about him. It did not take long to convince himself that it must be all right to go to the pond after all, and he did just that. He was pleasing himself and not the Lord who says, “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Col. 3:20.

Reggie did not fall into the water and get drowned; in fact no such mishap occurred; but he continued his willful way for several days.

One morning, however, as he was about to start again for the pond, he was told that his mother’s condition was very bad and that she might live only a few days longer. Then he remembered his mother’s instructions and his promise to obey. He said to himself, “What if mother should die before I have confessed, and before she has forgiven my wrong.”

Reggie begged to see his mother but the doctor had ordered that she must have perfect quiet. Even her boy could not visit her. With a heavy heart he wandered out of the house.

Then a bright idea flashed into his mind. Hastening indoors he took his slate and began writing a note for his mother. This is what he wrote: “I have been disobedient and sailed my boat on the pond. I am very sorry I did it. Please forgive me and say you do by rubbing this off the slate.”

He took it to his mother’s door and waited there until the nurse came out.

“Do give this to mother,” he whispered, holding out the slate.

“I think she is too ill to read it,” was the nurse’s answer, “but wait a few minutes.”

Soon the door was opened and the nurse handed the slate to Reggie, saying, “Your mother has read it.”

Eagerly he examined it and found there was not a mark left. All was gone, rubbed out. Yes, he knew by that that he was forgiven and now with a lightened heart he could return to his play. I scarcely need add that he never visited that pond again during the weeks that his mother lay slowly recovering from her illness.

Have you ever confessed your sins to God, dear young reader? As soon as Reggie’s sin came to his remembrance he took the first opportunity of seeking his mother’s forgiveness. Be like him in this and go to God now and confess your sin. You will find pardon and peace and eternal salvation.

“I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isa. 43:25.

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

ML 06/04/1967

The Good Shepherd Died for Us

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hirling, and careth not for the sheep.

As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10: 11-18.

ML 06/04/1967

Bible Questions for June

The Children’s Class

1.“The fruits of righteousness.”

2.The death of the cross.”

3.“The knowledge of Christ Jesus.”

4.“The book of life.”

5.“The power of darkness.”

6.“The tradition of men.”

7.“The children of disobedience.”

The Young People’s Class David (the Man After God’s Own Heart)

1.Of whom did DAVID inquire when contemplating a course of action? 1 Sam. 23.

2.What was DAVID’S response toward God after acting foolishly? 2 Sam. 24.

3.To whom did DAVID look for encouragement when greatly distressed? 1 Sam. 30.

4.To whom did DAVID look for deliverance from his adversaries? 1 Sam. 17.

5.What was DAVID’S response to God’s glorious name before all the congregation? 1 Chron. 29.

6.What was the answer given when one suggested to DAVID to offer burnt offerings to the Lord without price? 1 Chron. 21.

7.What is said of DAVID after he came to the end of his sojourn? Acts 13.

ML 06/04/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:44

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” God had one grand purpose in view and that was to exalt the one who had been rejected. As a result of the transformation from prisoner to prince entire nations were to benefit, and amazing events would take place, but these were all incidental to, and the result of, Joseph’s ascendency. He remains the central theme through all these passing scenes.

The place of Joseph’s promotion to honor was not among his own people, but among the Gentiles. His brethren in the land of Canaan had completely cut themselves off from him and knew nothing of his elevation; furthermore, they were entirely disinterested as well. The ignorance of Joseph’s brethren regarding his circumstances is not without significance for it further attaches Joseph to the reader’s heart and affections, being as he is, the ever-refreshing type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every event that transpired in Joseph’s history brings to mind things that later were to be manifest in Christ, the true Joseph. When addressing the Jews at Pentecost, the Apostle Peter said: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it... Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2: 22-24,36.

The Jews, continuing to refuse Christ as their Messiah, received a solemn message from Paul and Barnabas: “It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us... And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord.” Acts 13:46-48.

The nation of Israel, while continuing to profess allegiance to God and maintaining some of the outward form and observances of the law of Moses, nevertheless has cast out God’s Son and has fallen outside the benefits and blessings of His death. There they must remain until a future day when they shall repent and the Lord will restore His alienated people. However, there are some among them who have accepted Christ as their Saviour, and have been set free from the blindness that has overtaken their nation.

ML 06/04/1967

Say, Boy!

Say, boy! with your freckles and shock of bright hair,

With your positive chin and your confident air!

(In a way ‘twould be easy to guess at your age,

But there’s something about you as wise as a sage.)

There’s a tug at my heart as I look in your face:

Some day you’ll be up and right out of this place.

No trees to swing low, nor high fences to scale!

No pig tails to pull, nor young buddies to hail!

Say, boy, you’ll be leaving that school before long—

All your books tossed aside with a whistle and song;

You’ll be taller than Dad in a year now, or two;

And be wanting a job as the other boys do.

How sad it would be if you spent all your days

Indulgent and restless, just seeking men’s praise!

Just walking the road of respectable sin

With the crowd that is anxious to gather you in!

Say, boy! There’s a Saviour for fellows like you,

A Friend who can help you and carry you through!

Have you met Him, my lad, have yet heard that He died;

That they crowned Him with thorns — thrust a spear in His side?

Did you know ‘twas for you that He hung all alone,

On that terrible cross, shut out from the sun;

That there in His body He suffered for sin,

That you might have peace with the Father in heav’n?

Say, boy! did you know that He’: living again?

That He rose from the dead, and receives sinful men?

O son, won’t you thank Him for dying for you?

Won’t you ask Him to come and abide with you, too?

For He says in His Word, if you’ll ask Him to come,

He will enter your heart, and will make it His home.

He never will leave you. He always will stay.

Say, boy! Won’t you ask Him to do it today?

— Eleanor Jacques

ML 06/11/1967

The Blasphemer, and the Bird's Nest

I would like to tell you how a young man, who was spiritually blinded, and unhappy enough to say, “There is no God,” became converted by means of a family of birds.

This blaspheming man had inherited a sum of money and gave himself up to worldly amusements, until he became hardened by sin. He even denied the existence of the living, eternal God. How poor, and how blind he was!

Seeking for whatever would please him, he went to South America. Soon afterward he came back and he was no longer unhappy. Now he believed in God and the Bible. How did this happen? What changed him so? Listen to the story as he told it to a friend.

“I was in South America, and just as before, I loved fishing and hunting. One morning on a hunt, I followed a wild animal until I was so tired I could scarcely move. I sat down by a tree to rest a little, when I heard close by, but above me, the anxious cries of a bird. I looked up and saw him fluttering in the tree above his nest. Standing up I looked carefully, and saw that the female bird sat in the nest, and it too seemed to be terrified. Why this panic? I looked all over the tree but could not perceive any danger. Then I looked all around in the neighborhood of the tree, and yes! there it was. A poisonous snake was drawing near to the tree, and directing its fiery, greedy looks at the nest and its occupants. This was the cause of the anxiety of the poor little birds. Soon the male bird flew away.

“What followed? The snake, keeping its object in view, reached the tree, crept carefully up the trunk, and was just at the branch in which the nest was hanging. But the male bird returned just then with a twig, well covered with leaves, in his beak. He laid it down on his little family in the nest and suddenly flew up to a higher branch to watch what would happen.

“The snake crept on and stuck his head out over the nest to seize his prey. Suddenly it pulled back, turned round and crept down the tree, as quickly as it could.

“How was that? Why did the serpent leave so quickly? I climbed up to the nest and found there the twig that the male bird had brought. It was from a well-known poisonous plant, one which these snakes never touch, and of which they are mortally afraid. Then the question arose in my mind, “‘Who showed this little bird the only means of saving his family from the threatening danger?’ And immediately the answer came, “‘God alone has done it, the God that you have dared to deny!’

“It was as though an arrow from God had pierced me. I trembled as I realized how I had opposed God in my blindness, wickedness, eternity. I got before God and I found salvation and peace in believing on God’s mercy, and the work of redemption accomplished by Christ Jesus.”

Such is the story of the converted blasphemer. Wonderful, is it not? God has His witnesses and preachers even in the animal kingdom and in the whole creation. He sends the lazy man to the ant, to learn to be industrious. He points us to the ravens, the sparrows and the lilies of the field, that we may gain confidence in Him. He tells us of the ox that knows his owner, and the ass that knows his master’s crib. The stars above are all to His honor, and the heavens declare His glory.

“Hearken unto this,... stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37: 14.

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding.” Isa. 40:28.

ML 06/11/1967

How Mrs. Poore Became Rich

One Sunday afternoon at the nursing home I met an elderly lady whose name was Mrs. Poore. I had never met anyone with that name before so immediately the verse came to mind: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8: 9.

I asked this dear lady if she were poor or rich. Pointing to her Bible which was before her on the table, she exclaimed, “Isn’t it wonderful what we have in this Book!” She also went on to say she had put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ; so I knew that she was rich indeed.

Just think of the Lord Jesus, “though He was rich.” When was He rich? He was rich there in the glory. When did He become poor? It was when He came to this world as a man, when our sins were laid upon Him and He died to put them away, that we through His poverty might be rich. Yes, through His death on the cross of Calvary, and His precious blood that was shed there, we now have the riches of His grace. The Apostle Paul could say, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4: 19.

ML 06/11/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:45,46

“And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-paaneah (a revealer of dreams); and he gave him to wife Asenath... And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” Joseph, in taking a bride in Egypt, is another beautiful type of Christ, who now is claiming His bride from among the Gentiles as a companion to share His glory and acclaim.

Asenath was not joined to Joseph while he was in the dungeon, but after he was lifted up and honored. So Christ, in all the merits of His resurrection from death, is again prefigured in Joseph. “Now we see Jesus... crowned with glory and honor.” He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high; all power given Him in heaven and earth and dispensing mercy and goodness to mankind throughout all the earth. But more than this, His special affections are centered in His bride, the Church, now being formed and soon to come to Him where His glory exceeds all earthly glory. Furthermore, this bride is not taken from His earthly people Israel, but from the Gentiles, to whom the gospel has been committed, (although, those Jews who acknowledge Him as Saviour now are included). This bride will soon enter into heaven and be associated with Christ in His eternal glories, just as Asenath took her place at Joseph’s side, to share in his exaltation.

“And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.” v. 46. Is it not interesting to have our attention called to Joseph’s age? Thirteen years had passed since we first heard of him caring for his father’s flock back in Canaan, and eventful years they had indeed been. It seems fitting that Joseph’s public work and service should commence at thirty years, for this corresponds with our Saviour’s service as a man, as recounted in Luke’s Gospel, and was considered the age of responsibility according to the Levitical law.

Joseph not only went out throughout all the land (even as Christ exalted in heaven is sending out the gospel reaping a harvest of souls in this day of grace). Joseph immediately put into action every means at his disposal to fill barns and warehouses with foodstuffs and grain, for he did not forget the famine that was to overtake the land at the end of seven years.

The Lord spoke of the urgency of gathering in the harvest, too, telling His disciples: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2; again: “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” There was an urgency in Joseph’s gathering the harvest that speaks solemnly of the urgent character of the gospel of salvation in our day, for soon indeed the night will come when no man can work. Has the reader prepared for that time when the gospel will cease to go forth?

Memory Verse: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7.

ML 06/11/1967

The Gospel Story Over Again

The parable of the prodigal son has been re-enacted in a little village in the South of France.

Sitting on a public bench under the burning midday sun was a young man with his face buried in his hands. He was the picture of complete despair. Colporteur Charvet, who had just returned after thirty-four years of service, entered into conversation with him, and offered him a New Testament.

“I don’t want it,” was the reply. “I used to have one, but it was too big to carry, and I threw it into the water.”

Somehow or other, the colporteur felt that this was not the real reason why he had thrown the book away. After a little more conversation and a few tactful questions, the young man opened his heart and told his story.

“Several months ago”, he said, “I left my parents and went to the town to live my own life in my own way. But things did not go as I expected. My hope and my money gradually disappeared. Now I have nothing left. I intended to return home—that is my home there, the white house you see in the valley—but having got this far, I am ashamed to go any further. I’m afraid too that if my parents should refuse to forgive me there would be nothing left for me but death.”

After listening to this sad confession, M. Charvet, profoundly touched by the story, opened his New Testament and read the parable of the prodigal son. The young man saw the application of the parable to himself and began to weep over his sinful past.

Suddenly the colporteur conceived a great idea. Telling the prodigal to remain where he was, he hastened to the house in the valley that had been pointed out to him. Knocking at the door, he offered the New Testament to the old man who opened the door, and who was soon joined by his wife. Asked what kind of a book it was, he read them the same story of the prodigal and of the father’s love in receiving him back. Moved to the very depths of his soul by the powerful story, which in the course of the ages has brought tears to so many eyes, the man opened his heart and told M. Charvet his story.

“We had a son once, and he was everything to us,” he said. “Unfortunately, we did not get on well together, and he went away. We heard nothing from him since. We would gladly forgive him if he would return, but we do not know where to find him.”

Then Charvet told him everything. “I know where your son is to be found,” he began. “He is quite near here, humble and repentant; and has sent me to ask your pardon. He wants but a word from you to return home.”

A few moments later, the overjoyed mother was weeping on her son’s neck, and the father, after kissing him on both cheeks, was shaking his hands. Then they all gave thanks to God for His goodness and gladly bought a Testament in which they could read together of the love of God the Father, who reconciles poor prodigals, lost sinners, to Himself through Jesus Christ.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15: 20,22-24.

Memory Verse: “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isa. 59:1.

ML 06/18/1967

Saved Through a Dog

An old man who had no heart for the Lord or concern for his own soul’s welfare, had a good Christian wife. For years she had prayed constantly for her husband’s conversion, but it seemed her prayers were never answered. She could not even get her husband to go with her to the church services.

The good lady had an old dog of which she was very fond and whenever she went to church, her pet would always go along with her. He would go in and lie under her seat and remain perfectly quiet all through the service.

In time the old lady died. The old dog seemed heartbroken, as well as her husband, for he could find no consolation anywhere now that his lifelong companion had passed on.

For several Sundays the old man noticed the dog leave the house at a certain hour and then come back at a certain hour. So one Sunday morning he thought he would follow the devoted animal and find out where he went. The old dog seemed delighted to have his only master now go with him, and happily trotted along until they came to the church door. The old man stopped as the dog bounded up the steps, waiting at the top for his master. After standing a few moments, unable to make up his mind what to do, he said to himself, “I’ll go in to please the dog. It won’t do any harm.” So he went in and sitting down, he listened to the preaching. The next Sunday the old man went again to the church with his faithful friend, and Sunday after Sunday found him at church and the old dog under his wife’s accustomed seat.

Then one morning after the service he arose with tears streaming down his face and opened his heart to God. He told the congregation the story of how the faithful dog had been the means of leading him to Christ. So a faithful God answered his devoted wife’s prayers after all.

Both the old man and the dog have long gone — the old man’s spirit to join his wife’s before the Saviour in that happy land above, and to await the glorious resurrection morning. It is the writer’s earnest hope that this little story may find its way into some home, that some heart will be brought to rejoice in Christ, to whom be all the praise!

“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 (judgment); but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

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

ML 06/18/1967

Two Moslems Find Christ

In the Island of Sumatra, the work of the gospel divides itself into two parts-one of them the tribe called “Kubus,” and the other among the Malay Moslems. As the “Kubus” are largely illiterate and quite isolated from the Moslem population, the colporteur’s work has been largely confined to the difficult task of selling the Word to the fanatical followers of Islam. A report on the work of one of the colporteurs read as follows: “Already his work has stirred up a small storm cloud among the Mammadans. Two Muhammadans have believed on Christ and have been openly baptized as a direct result of this colporteur’s work. These two converts are being persecuted by their own people, but some of the very men who are persecuting them are secretly buying the Book. The storm cloud is growing daily.”

ML 06/18/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:47-52

“And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities.” vv. 47,48.

Joseph immediately went about his business, gathering wheat and other foodstuff into granaries and warehouses, for he never forgot the famine that was to overtake the land. He “laid up the food in the cities,” where it was distributed according to his planning and authority. It would have resulted only in confusion if each man or each little company of men were to store and distribute according to their own thinking. If they were to be saved from the great catastrophe that was to shortly fall, they must be obedient to Joseph’s word.

With a greater disaster confronting this world—a day of dreadful judgment—God has appointed One whom the prophet Isaiah describes as “A hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” Isa. 32:2. Today the invitation is for all men everywhere to turn to Him for salvation. “Tell ye, and bring them near;... there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isa. 45: 21,22.

This is what Joseph portrayed in type—all nations of the world were to look to him for the preservation of life and it would be upon his terms only that they would find it. There are many today who desire to secure themselves from the judgment to come, but who do not want to follow “Joseph’s way,” that is, the way that God’s Word offers. We are told “There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world” and many of these are but the voices of men speaking in their own wisdom. How important it is to remember there is only one sure place of knowing God’s Word—the holy Bible, His own revelation to mankind.

“And unto Joseph were born two sons, before the years of famine came: which Asenath... bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh... And the name of the second called he Ephraim.” vv. 50-52. These two boys were born during the seven years before the famine came, presenting a picture of the family that is now being formed through faith in Christ, before the famine comes. When Joseph’s father later inquired “Who are these?” Joseph answered: “They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place.” This lovely expression reminds us of the words of the Lord Himself when His redeemed will be about Him and He shall exclaim: “Behold I and the children which God hath given Me.” Heb. 2:13.

Rejected by his brethren, Joseph became fruitful in the land of his affliction. And so it is with Christ. His ancient people might despise and reject Him, yet in the day of His rejection “He shall see of the fruit of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” His toil has its glorious answer in the great harvest of souls gathered out of the world during the time of His rejection by Israel.

It is “while it is called today” that the offer of salvation—acceptance into the family of God—is made. through faith in Christ.

ML 06/18/1967

The Angel of the Lord Saved Through a Lithe Boy

It happened back in 1922 in those I early days of the gospel testimony in Bolivia.

Every morning I was accustomed to visit the Conventilla in the city of Potosi. A conventilla is a large building where many families live. I used to go down there and give out gospel tracts every morning.

In those early days there was much opposition from the people and their religious leaders and our lives were often in danger. One morning I had just finished distributing gospel tracts to many in the conventilla, and was just going out the door, when a howling mob of some 200 people followed me, crying out: “Kill him. Get rid of him. Do away with this evangelist. Do away with him!”

They followed me down the street and some already had picked up rocks to stone me to death, when at the critical moment a little boy—a fair-haired little fellow—came across the street to see me. I stopped and stroked his little head, surprised at seeing such a dear fair-haired little lad in a land where all have such dark complexions and black hair. The little fellow, stranger though I was, put his arms around me and was such a comfort to me at a time of such danger and trial.

The mob, seeing the little boy’s attitude toward me and my affection for him, ceased from their violence, and some were heard to call out: “Leave him alone; he must be a good man. See how he loves that little fellow.” Dropping their stones, the crowd dispersed and I was left alone with my little fair-haired friend.

Soon after, the lad crossed the street and went his way. Every day I went back to that-section of the city and tried to find him, but I saw him no more. I came to the conclusion that this was another instance of which that wonderful scripture speaks: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.” Psa.34: 7. I could never find the boy after and truly believe that it was the angel of the Lord that intervened on my behalf on that occasion.

ML 06/25/1967

Birds

Who does not love birds— the bright, beautiful winged messengers that flutter around our windows, build their nests in our trees, and pour out their sweet songs in our ears? God has given us the birds to remind us too, of the great things of eternity and of the way of life and peace and happiness. Come and let us see if we can gather some simple yet precious lessons from five of our feathered friends:

THE BIRD OF SACRIFICE—The Turtle Dove (Lev. 14:4).

These were among the clean birds and fit to be offered to God in sacrifice. You may ask why they should die. What harm have they done? None whatever, but there is a poor leper standing yonder by the side of God’s altar. He has been unclean for many days, and dare not come near to God, or mix among His people. Now he is about to be cleansed, and before this can be, he must bring two birds alive and clean, and give them to the priest. See, he has one of them in his hand now, and the other lies dead at his feet. Some drops of its blood have fallen upon the water in the basin, now the priest sprinkles a little of that water upon the poor trembling leper, and then pronounces the joyful words, “Thou art clean.”

This, dear children, is a sad, but true picture of you; yes, all of us. That leper represents a sinner, that harmless bird the Saviour: the blood shed tells of His sacrifice for sin, and the water sprinkled speaks of cleansing from sin.

THE BIRD OF PEACE—The Dove (Gen. 8:9).

The gentle dove bearing an olive leaf in her mouth, when returning to the ark, showed Noah that the judgment of the flood was past, and that where once violence and wickedness had been, all was cleansed and at peace. That dove and the leaf speak of peace. We know that peace was made by the blood of Jesus. Then He rose from the dead and spoke that word “Peace” to His trembling disciples.

Have you all that peace? Can you say as you look upon that peaceful dove — “A mind at perfect peace with God, Oh what a word is this?”

THE BIRD OF POWER—The Eagle (Deut. 32:11).

The eagle is the bird of power. Look at these great outspread wings. She carries her little ones there. Before the young eaglets can fly, she takes them and bears them on her wings. By this beautiful figure, God tells of how He carries His people along life’s way and safely home to glory. “I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself.” Are some of you afraid to trust Jesus? Do you fear you might fall and perish? You need not, when His power is engaged to carry you through. His blood to cleanse, His peace to enjoy, His power to keep, you will then be able to praise Him too.

THE SINGING BIRDS (Song of Sol. 2:12). How sweetly the lark sings as she rises up heavenward, and pours forth her morning note of praise. Even in the shades of evening, the thrush sings her song. So the believer, the one who knows Jesus, can sing in days of brightness and in sorrow’s night, the early morn of life, and when its sun goes down. Happy Christian, who would not be like thee! Last of all, we have —

THE UNCLEAN BIRD-THE RAVEN (Gen. 8:7).

Sent out of the ark by Noah, it is a type of the sinner, feeding on death and corruption, wandering over the trackless waters, far from the ark, that home of peace. Is that like you, dear reader? Come then to Jesus. He waits to welcome you. There is room for you. But you say, “I am unclean.” The Saviour knows it; yet He bids you come. “This man receiveth sinners.” “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Come to Jesus then, just as you are, just now, and you will receive a warm welcome.

ML 06/25/1967

The Bible in Prison

From a penitentiary in Greece came these moving testimonies of the power of the Word of God and the love of Christ to touch the hearts of some of the young men there. The chaplain was given quotations from written statements some of these youths had made on their experiences through reading the Bible.

“Now I know how a man can be really happy, and what paths he should follow in his daily life,” writes one of them.

“I was much affected to see that the prodigal son, after repentance, was accepted by his father,” writes another. “Now I understand the love which my heavenly Father has accepted a sinner like me.”

“I used to curse and swear,” confessed a third, “but now I have the New Testament always as my companion and consolation.”

Yet another testimony may be given: “I have been sent to prison three times, but I did not then know the real Saviour. How I rejoice now!”

“WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.” Acts 11:43.

ML 06/25/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 41:53-57

“And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said:... And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread.”

Now the wisdom of preparing for the drought was to be proved. How gracious God was to the land of Egypt—indeed to the whole world of that day—that He sent one to them through whom life would be preserved. Pharaoh had unbroken confidence in his prime minister and his measures. When the Egyptians, in their distress and fears, cried to him as the father of the country, his one answer was, “Go unto Joseph: what he saith to you, do.”

“And the famine was over all the face of the earth.” Joseph, no longer in the dungeon, now proved himself their savior. Here again is a picture of the Lord Jesus in resurrection, triumphant over death, and through Himself offering life to all who will accept it. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6: 35.

God provided through Joseph for the needs of the Egyptians, but He had another purpose in connection with the famine and that was to reunite the house of Israel and restore Joseph, his father, and his brethren to one another. For twenty years or more a veil is drawn over the history of Jacob and his sons; but God had not forgotten Jacob, nor the promises made to him, to Abraham and to Isaac.

This presents a picture of the history of the Jewish nation down to our day. Having rejected Christ as their Messiah nearly 2000 years ago they have been set aside. Yet in Romans 11 The Apostle reasons. “Hath God cast away His people?... God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles... Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” vv. 1,11,25,26.

“And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn (wheat); because that the famine was so sore in all lands.” v.57. The famine had spread into Canaan, producing the same distress with the family of Israel. We can see in this the moral government of God who loves righteousness and had a controversy with those brethren of Joseph who had wronged their faithful brother, and had not judged their cruel envy and evil deeds. He who had exalted His wronged and abused servant, was about to break down their hardened hearts and to clear them from the old iniquity which made false their relationship as bearing His name.

But it was also the first step of the accomplishment of His word to Abram: “Know assuredly that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land not theirs, and shall serve them;... and afterward they shall come out with great substance... And in a fourth generation they shall come hither again.” Gen. 15: 13-16.

ML 06/25/1967

An Inca Chief Who Took off His Hat

To the south of us, about 4,000 miles as the crow flies, in the heart of South America lies the land of Bolivia. There the Inca Indians have made their home for centuries. Deep in the thick jungles and high up in the Andes Mountains dwell over 300 tribes, many of whom have never been reached with the gospel.

In the year 1920 Mr. Smith from New Zealand went to Bolivia as a missionary to tell the Incas of God’s love for them. It was a hard life, beset with many dangers and sorrows, but God took care of him and his wife and blessed their labors. At first the Indians were very hostile, and on many occasions these two servants of Christ were face to face with death, but God protected them.

One day as the missionary talked with old Cipriano, an Inca chief, he quoted John 3: 16 to him in his native Quichua tongue: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, hut have everlasting life.”

“Janajpacha chaff jinatapuni cai p’achata munaturka c’ata Churinta korka, tucuy jakai paipi creej ama huanunampaj antes huinay, causaynioj canampaj.” (John 3:16)

As the old Indian listened intently, his dark eyes lighted up first with wonder, then with joy, and he took off his hat in reverence. Like all heathen, he believed there was a supreme Being, but never before had he heard that this same God loved him. It was a happy day for the old chief, for right there and then he believed that message of God’s love and was wonderfully saved. He passed from heathen darkness to light and became a happy Christian. Since that time many of his tribe have “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thess. 1:10.

If our reader has not yet accepted Christ as Saviour, won’t you, in simplicity like the old chief Cipriano, receive Him into your heart by faith, just as you are?

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” Rom. 1: 16.

ML 07/02/1967

Do You Ever Sing Lies?

I was always fond of singing. I Our school teacher formed a sort of amateur choir to assist in the singing, and I was a member. During the winter we also went to an evening meeting, and the teacher was anxious that we should sing there too, as a group. We were flattered by being told how well we sang.

On one of those occasions a man came from another place to address the meeting. After the opening hymn, he prayed for God’s blessing on the message. But he began his message by turning around to the singers and asking, “Do you ever sing lies to God?”

We were thunderstruck at that question. Then he explained by telling us it was as bad to sing lies as to tell them, and worse if we sang them to God. He said a person is guilty if he sings, “Happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away,” if he has not really had his sins washed away. Or if we sing “Christ for me,” when we do not want Him in our lives then we have sung a lie.

Some of the girls were angry and said they would not go back to sing there, but I felt what the man said was true. My sins came vividly before me and I realized that I was not only a lost sinner but I was sinning when I sang some of those hymns. I had no peace until I came as a sinner to the Saviour to receive His forgiveness.

“What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.” Psa. 116: 12,13.

ML 07/02/1967

Whosoever "Will"

In a small mission, off one of the busy streets of a large city, a few earnest Christian workers gathered a number of poor and needy children, for whom they provided a free supper every Sunday afternoon. After the meal they spoke to them from the Word of God. Many were reached with the gospel, who would not otherwise have heard it.

One poor boy, called “Will” by his comrades, heard the singing, and stood listening at the door. The last line of the chorus, repeated after each verse was, “Whosoever will, may come.” This arrested Will’s attention. He was sure the “will” applied to him, but what “whosoever” meant he did not know. As Will stood listening a gentleman passed and Will asked him, “Please, sir, can you tell me what ‘whosoever’ means?”

The gentleman smiled and replied, “Yes, my boy; ‘whosoever’ means anybody; you, if you like.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Will, returning to the mission door. It now stood half-open, and Will, removing his cap, walked in. He received a warm welcome.

Supper was served and then a short gospel address was given, telling how 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. Will went back to the mission many a time and there he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

Have you learned that “whosoever will” means anybody, you, if you like? Have you claimed God’s gift of salvation, as Will did? God still says to you, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

But this sweet invitation will not be continued forever. A day will come when God’s door will be closed, and all who have refused to obey His invitation will be shut out for eternity. Then another “whosoever” will be made known:

“Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:15.

ML 07/02/1967

Bible Questions for July

The Children’s Class

1.“Christ at His coming.”

2.“The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

3.“The coming of the Lord.”

4.“The day of the Lord so cometh.”

5.“Preserved blameless unto the coming.”

6.“He shall come to be glorified.”

7.“The brightness of His coming.”

The Young People’s Class Daniel, a Man Greatly Beloved

1. What did DANIEL purpose in his heart when told of that which would bring him advancement and favor with the king? Dan.

2.From whom did DANIEL seek mercies when placed in a position that affected his very life? Dan.

3.What was DANIEL’S habit regarding prayer? Dan.

4.What can we learn from DANIEL’S answer to prayer, his prayer having been accompanied with self-chastening? Dan.

5.How did DANIEL associate himself with his people’s sin, which had brought about the desolation of Jerusalem? Dan.

6.What effect did DANIEL’S faithful, consistent life have on King Darius’ attitude towards the living God? Dan.

How did the Lord regard DANIEL, assuring us of the true character of the book bearing his name? Matt. 24.

ML 07/02/1967

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Gen. 42:1-8

“Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons,... Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt; get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.” vv. 1-3.

It had been approximately twenty years since Joseph’s brethren sold him into slavery. In those years they had sustained themselves, had raised families and represented quite a company of people living off the land. Their father Jacob was about 130 years of age at this time. No doubt most of the brothers, if not all, their consciences hardened through their sin, had long since sought to dismiss Joseph from their memory; at least they must have considered that he and his dreams were well out of their lives. But “God requires that which is past” and their days of self-reliance came to an end when the famine involved their lives.

It was perhaps humiliating to these men, who had been so self-reliant, to have to turn elsewhere for help, but there was no choice in the matter. The pinch of want had fallen on Jacob and his sons, and if they and their families were to survive they must go down to Egypt, the only place where food was available. Little could they anticipate the consequences of the journey bore them as they bade farewell to their families, their father and the youngest brother Benjamin.

“And the sons of Israel came to buy corn... And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren and came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren and he knew them, but made himself self strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them:... but they knew not him.” vv. 5-8.

The sight of his brethren bowing down before him must have brought no small emotion to Joseph as he remembered his early dreams. Had revenge been his purpose, he might have cast them into prison or condemned them to death. Or, had pride ruled his heart, he might have revealed himself to them immediately, drawing attention to the fulfillment of his dreams. Surely this would have been the just deserts of these men who in their jealousy and hatred had once challenged him with the words, “Shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?”

But these were not Joseph’s ways. He had no room for either vengeance or pride in his heart which was full of love for his brethren, in spite of what they had previously done to him. His object was to win them to himself and to do them good. How like the Saviour this was! “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8.

Memory Verse: “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” Heb. 7:25.

ML 07/02/1967

Tommy, the Sailor Boy

Arthur Johnson was the captain of a small naval vessel. Captain Johnson was now a Christian but at the time of our story he was a hard man of the world and a stranger to God’s grace. His first ship was a frigate with a crew of only about a dozen men. Included among them was Tommy Harper, a young lad who did odd jobs and made himself generally useful.

Tommy had a hard time among these reckless, godless men. His mother had brought him up in the fear of God and not long before joining the ship he had given his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, promising that he would serve Him faithfully.

When the men learned that Tommy was a Christian they did all they could to mock his faith and to try to get him to use bad language. The captain himself encouraged their sport, but Tommy was firm and persisted in kneeling down night and morning to pour out his heart to God. When the men saw him on his knees in prayer they threw things at him, but even as they did so he was praying to God for their salvation. He was sorely tried by their torments, and looked all over the ship for a quiet spot where he might pray and read his Bible; but seldom did he find such a place.

In the course of one voyage the little vessel encountered a succession of storms, day by day increasing in violence. The captain and crew were too much occupied now to notice Tommy, so amid the furious raging of storm he had some peaceful moments.

One stormy night, Tommy made his way to the back of the ship and clinging to the ropes he knelt down and prayed for his shipmates who were all busy carrying out the captain’s orders.

“It’s all up with us, Bill,” he heard the captain say to the mate. “It’s no use trying any more to save her.” The thunder of the storm prevented Tommy from hearing more, but he went on praying.

Presently, above the howling of the wind and rain, he heard his own name. Springing to his feet, he made his way to the captain’s side. “Do you want me, sir?” he asked.

“Look here, boy,” said the captain, “we’re going to the bottom; it’s impossible to do anything now, but,” and stern and weather-beaten as he was, his voice trembled, “there’s a God in heaven, you say. Well, I— I thought perhaps you’d pray for us.”

“Oh, yes, sir,” he answered, without hesitation. “I shall like that very much.”

The rough mariner turned and led the way into his cabin, Tommy and one or two of the crew following. There they knelt down, while the lad prayed that the storm might cease. With choking sobs, Tommy also asked God to save the captain and the other men.

Shortly afterward, the fury of the waves and wind lessened, the clouds broke and the moon shone down upon them. God honored Tommy’s faith. The men recognized the power of God and now they no longer tormented the boy. I do not know whether all the men turned to the Lord but Captain Johnson did and he was saved.

God has said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” He was true to Tommy. Is Tommy’s God your God? Is Jesus your Friend? Settle this question with yourself. Listen to the voice of Jesus calling you to Himself. He has borne the punishment of guilt and sin on the cross, and now waits to receive you. Accept His pardon. forsake your sins, and you will be able to prove what a Saviour He is.

“He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee.” Isa. 30:19.

Memory Verse “Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isa. 12:2.

ML 07/09/1967

A Rabbi Saved

A former Jewish Rabbi had been brought to the Lord and told the following interesting story of his conversion.

“It is many years since I left Jerusalem,” he began. “A good man there told me these words: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God,... and all these things shall be added unto you.’ But I looked upon this man as an enemy, and sought for other things before the kingdom of God; that is why I am in poverty: it is my own fault.

I had met this good man several times; the day before I left Jerusalem I met him again and told him I was going to travel and make money. He looked pained, and said to me: ‘O my friend, seek ye first the kingdom of God.’ I laughed at his words then, and never thought of them again till I was in great trouble.

“Crossing the Atlas Mountains, I fell among robbers who took away all my money, my clothes, and even my phylacteries.” (Phylacteries are small leather boxes containing some Hebrew scriptures, which Jews would often wear on their head and arm during prayer.)

“I wept when they took away my phylacteries, and said to them, ‘Do not take away what I use when I say my prayers.’ But one of the robbers jokingly remarked that he should use the leather strap to fasten on his sword, and the shawl on which I used to kneel in prayer, he said he should cut up to make himself a shirt.

“Presently, however, one of the robbers brought me a book, saying, ‘O Jew, do not cry any more, I’ll bring you something much better.’ So saying he handed me a Hebrew Bible. It was old and the covers gone. He told me he had stolen it from the house of some poor Jew he had pillaged. The robber had given me a lesson without knowing it, for he did not himself know what the book was.

“During the weeks of imprisonment I read that Hebrew Bible much. I found written there: ‘He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.’ Eccles. 5: 10. And now, though I have lost everything in this world, I can say, ‘The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in Him.’ Lam. 3:24.

“At the end of six weeks I was released by the robbers, but did not go on seeking for riches; I had found something better, even the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

A young boy once said he thought the Bible a very dull Book, until he discovered that it told about a Person. As he read on he found in the Lord Jesus his soul’s delight— “the chiefest among ten thousand... the altogether lovely One.” May this same blessed discovery be yours, dear young reader.

O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep sweet well of love;

The streams on earth I’ve tasted,

More deep I’ll drink above.

ML 07/09/1967

The Bible in Poland

Some years ago, a humble villager in Eastern Poland received a Bible from a colporteur who visited his hamlet. Through reading this precious Book he got saved, and then he passed it on to others. Through that one Bible scores more found the Saviour.

When the colporteur visited the town again several years later, he found this group of believers gathered to worship and to hear his preaching. When, during the course of the meeting, he suggested that they might recite some verses of Scripture, he was astonished to find that some could recite not merely verses and chapters, but whole books of the Bible. One man had committed all the Psalms to memory, and together they all knew almost the entire Bible. Passed around from family to family, and carried to the gathering on Sundays, the old Book had become so worn with use that it was hard to read many of the pages any more.

How precious was the old Book to those poor village folk! O that we, who for the most part each have a Bible of our own, might read and value it more!

ML 07/09/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 42:9-17

“And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. We are all one man’s sons; we are true men; thy servants are no spies.” vv. 9-11.

Joseph, guided no doubt by divine wisdom, withheld his identity until an exercise of conscience with his brothers might eventually break down their pride and hardness of heart and bring them to acknowledge their sin and evil ways. Gladly would he have forgiven them at the moment, but well he knew the need of their hearts. It is not love to be indifferent to flagrant evil, even in a brother. They deeply needed this probing of heart and conscience. And this is the way that infinite wisdom deals with the sinner now. Pride must be humbled, abhorrence of one’s sins truly confessed, and complete dependence upon Him for mercy before His grace can act in forgiveness and salvation.

The brethren were well aware they were in trouble and sought to justify themselves before their accuser. “And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.” v. 13. Little did they realize they were in the very presence of this same one who knew all about them. Are we not reminded of Him who “Searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.” 1 Chron. 28:9. Joseph’s brethren, like the sinner seeking to win God’s favor by proclaiming his own merit, had no ground to stand on, for Joseph could see far beyond their words. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Heb. 4:13, It was in faithful love that Joseph pursued the matter. He had God before him and sought the good of his brethren. “Hereby ye shall be proved:... Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days.” vv. 15-17. The ten men must have considered this harsh treatment indeed when they had actually come to Egypt for the sole purpose of purchasing food. Yet it was in reality the act of love on the part of their younger brother who, would lead them by his words and ways which troubled them, to awaken their long-slumbering consciences, that they might fear God as he did.

“And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; then He showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.” Job 36: 8-10. There were lessons the erring brothers were to learn from their “cords of affliction” in the following days.

ML 07/09/1967

Nyi, the Cotton Merchant

Mr. Nyi was a successful business man in the Chinese city of Ning-Poo. One day he was passing along the street when he heard a bell ringing, and following the people he came to what the people in China called a “Jesus Hall.” It was a little mission where the missionary was preaching about Jesus, the Saviour of sinners.

A young man was preaching. He was dressed like a Chinese student, and he was preaching from John’s gospel, Chapter 3.

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” vv. 14,15,17.

It was the first time that Nyi had ever heard the gospel. He had often thought about God and about his sins, and the more he thought the less he liked God, for he felt that God must be angry with him on account of his sins.

But this story the young preacher was telling was indeed good news, and Nyi listened with both eyes and ears open. He was not what you would call a bad man, but he was unable to find peace in his Chinese religion and he had founded a new religion of his own, one that had new ways in the hope that he might find God and rest for his soul. For the first time, Nyi heard about Jesus and the love of God, of His mercy and goodness, and his heart was glad. When the preacher ceased speaking, Nyi rose and began to talk. This is what he said: “I have long sought the truth, as my father before me, but without finding it. I have traveled far and near, but have never searched it out. In Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, I have found no rest; but I do find rest in what we have heard tonight. Henceforward, I am a believer in Jesus.”

Everyone present knew Nyi, and his little sermon had more effect than the preacher’s longer one.

When the people were gone, Nyi remained to talk with the young missionary. His name was Hudson Taylor. They talked long into the night, and afterward Nyi, the cotton merchant, became a great help to the missionaries and often preached the gospel to his people. He spoke bore his friends, and told them why he had become a Christian, and asked them to come to the Saviour and become Christians too.

One day he was talking with Mr. Taylor about the great change that had come into his life, when suddenly, looking up into the face of the missionary, he asked: “How long have you had the glad tidings in England?”

The missionary was ashamed to tell him, so he tried to pass it over by saying that it was several hundred years.

Nyi was thunderstruck and cried out in his surprise: “What! Several hundred years! Is it possible that you have known about Jesus so long and only have come to tell us? Why, sir, my father sought the truth for more than twenty years, and died without finding it.”

Then with a sigh in his voice, that spoke the pain of his heart, he add, “Oh, why did you not come sooner?”

Oh, dear reader, you who have heard the gospel many times and are still unsaved, how solemn it will be to stand before the great white throne of judgment in all your sins, to know and feel that you might have been saved, but now it was too late. Oh, may you come to Christ now. Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, while it is yet the day of grace, and go on your way happily to heaven.

May we who know that blessed Saviour and have eternal life in Him, go out in love to souls and seek to bring them to Christ.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

ML 07/16/1967

Whom Does God Love?

The boys and girls who came regularly to the Sunday School were having their annual treat. About 200 merry-looking children were gathered together and after some hymn-singing and prayer, one of the teachers spoke.

“I am going to ask you two questions. The first one is for the boys, and the second for the girls. Now be ready. Will any boy tell me whether it is bad boys or good boys that God loves?”

Before he had finished the question many hands were up, and many voices shouted, “Good, good, GOOD!”

“Well, now, will any girl tell me how many good boys are here?”

The girls looked across the room to the boys’ seats, and then hung their heads. No one spoke. The boys seemed impatient to hear the verdict. Still no one answered. At last a little girl whispered, “None,” and some of the boys got on their feet to see who had said that.

“How do you know that, my girl?” asked the teacher.

“Because it says in the New Testament, ‘There is none that doeth good, no, not one.’” Rom. 3: 12.

“Right! Now you see, boys, if it be good boys and girls that God loves, there will be none to love at all, for this girl has told us there is none good. All are sinners, and unless they be saved, they will never go to heaven. Every boy and girl in the world needs to be born again to be converted, else they can never wear a crown up yonder in glory. Now, what is to be done?”

“Pray,” cried one little fellow. “Well, my boy, what will you pray for?”

“To be saved and get to heaven,” he answered.

“And are you sure that will take you there?” But the boy did not answer.

“Can any girl tell me, whom does God love?”

“Sinners,” came the answer.

“And who are sinners?”

“All of us.”

“That’s it. All are sinners — boys and girls, father and mothers too. God loves all.”

“Now another question; was it good children or bad that Christ died for?”

“Sinners,” was the answer again.

“Ah, yes! now you’re getting to understand it. And who is it that Jesus saves?”

“Sinners who believe on Him.” “Are there any here that believe on Him?”

“Yes,” answered a girl of twelve. “I do.”

“And are you saved?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because Jesus says, ‘Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’” John 3: 16.

The meeting came to a close. The teacher waited behind to talk with the girl who said she was saved, and found she had trusted in Jesus only a Sunday or two before, and she was very happy.

Dear young reader, God loves you. Jesus died on the cross to save you. Will you, like this girl, trust Him? If so, you will be saved, and happy too.

ML 07/16/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 42:18-20

Two types of Christ are before us in this part of the story where Benjamin is brought in. Joseph is the more prominent, repeatedly presenting the Lord Jesus not only as the Messiah of Israel, but also as the Saviour of the world. As Joseph became the benefactor of all mankind so “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4: 14.

Benjamin, son of his mother’s sorrow, but also “son of his father’s right hand”—symbol of power— speaks of the Redeemer of Israel, with special attachment to that nation and the One through whom eventually Israel shall be saved. Thus we can understand why the Spirit of God led Joseph to say: “This do, and live; for I fear God: If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die.” vv. 18-20. If they would prove the sincerity of their word, it must be in the presence of Benjamin; then only could they go free.

This is solemnly prophetic of a future day. At the present time the Jewish nation seems to be enjoying prosperity and making progress, with large numbers returning to that land, and its government securing for it a renewed place among the nations of the world. But it is tragic to see that this activity is much like the “seven years of great plenty” with no provision being made for the seven years of tribulation that will follow. In those days there will be great anguish, persecution and suffering, from the midst of which a remnant will cry to God turning in true repentance to Him in the name of the Lord (their true Benjamin, as it were). They will be so bowed down by the realization of their long departure from Go both as a nation and as individuals that they will proclaim their guilt, cast themselves upon His mercy and then know His deliverance. Their language will be: “Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art the LORD our God... truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel... We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God.” Jer. 3: 23-25. Those who refuse to come in the name of their Redeemer will perish, but those who “endure unto the end” in the good of this expressed faith will be brought into blessing.

But the Jew who has heard the gospel of Christ and rejected it must not think that there will be any escape for him if he should be overtaken in that tribulation. He is presently in the time of grace, with salvation offered through the work of Calvary to all mankind (Jew or Gentile) and none shall escape who refuse so great salvation.

Memory Verse: “But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Eph. 2:13.

ML 07/16/1967

A Boy Who Had Three Names

He was a Japanese boy, and his name was Neesima. He was born in a prince’s palace, but he was not a prince’s son. He was the son of one of the prince’s servants. He was ten years old when Commodore Perry went to Japan with a message from America. Neesima learned to read and he studied and read so much that he almost became blind.

One day he went to visit a friend and found in his house part of the Bible written in Chinese. He read it with open-eyed wonder. The very first words of the Book were so strange and wonderful! “In the binning God created the heaven and the earth.” Neesima had never known how the world was made, and did not know about the great God who made us and all things. He put the little Book down and said to himself: “Who made me? My parents? No, God. Who made my table? A carpenter? God let the trees grow up in the earth; although a carpenter made the table, it did indeed come from the trees; then I must be thankful to God. I must believe Him, and I must be upright before Him.”

Neesima began to pray to God, and his first prayer was very simple. It was this: “Oh, if Thou hast eyes, look upon me. If Thou hast ears, listen to me.” You see, he did not yet know God, so he could not pray to Him as his heavenly Father, for we can only know Him through His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Neesima was twenty years old he made up his mind to leave Japan and to travel abroad. One day he said good-bye to his parents, promising to return home within the year. He little thought it would be ten long years before he was to see his native land again. The ship took him to China, and there he found a complete New Testament. In it he came to know that the same God who had made the world, the earth, the sea and the stars, had sent His dear Son into this world to be a Saviour. For a whole year, he was out on the sea, aboard ship, knocked about by the rough sailors. They called him Joe. But he had no money and no one to care for him, and for ten weeks after the ship docked he still lived on board.

But God cared for him, and put it into the heart of the owner of the ship, Mr. Harding, who was a kind man, to take an interest in the young Japanese. He took him to his home and asked him his name.

“The sailors call me Joe,” replied Neesima.

“You are well named,” said Mr. Harding, “for God has sent you to tell your people of the Saviour.” He was thinking of Joseph, whom we read about in the Bible, and who was a savior to his people.

Neesima became the adopted son of his newfound friend, and was called Neesima Joseph Hardy. Mr. Hardy sent him to school and college, from whence he graduated with high honors. Neesima became a Christian and was baptized. Then he returned to his own land and worked to bring many of his own people to Jesus Christ, to whom he had given his own heart and life.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML 07/23/1967

Fulano and the Charcoal Burners

Not so many years ago, a Spanish colporteur, named Fulano, was distributing the Scriptures in North Africa. He was on his way home to Algiers one night when he lost his way in the dark forest. After some hours of wandering about, he came upon a camp of charcoal burners—men, women and children sitting around a big fire. They too were far from their native land, Spain, and treated their visitor very kindly. After a time, Fulano opened his bag, took out a book, and began to read some of the Lord’s parables.

“Beautiful!” they exclaimed. “Read some more.” And they listened eagerly as he read the story of the Lord’s death. It was late when they all retired.

Next morning before he went on his way, Fulano gave them a Bible, and promised that he would come back.

Eagerly they looked for his return, nor did he disappoint them. He came back many times, finally to live with them in their little village. How wonderfully God makes all things to work together for good to those who love Him! God blessed His Word first spoken to the poor charcoal burners that dark night when Fulano lost his way, and many of them found the Saviour and be. came happy Christians.

May God grant that many of our young readers might come to know Christ as their blessed Saviour and Friend, and be able to say with Fulano’s friends, “Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psa. 119: 111.

In Acts 8 we read about a great man who in the days of the apostles made a long journey across the desert to attend a feast in Jerusalem. He was very religious, and yet he was not satisfied. Somehow he had got hold of a copy of the Holy Scriptures, and now on his way home, as he rode along in his chariot, he read Isaiah 53. But as yet he did not know of whom the prophet was speaking in that wonderful chapter. Just at this point, however, Philip the evangelist, appeared and it says, “he preached unto him Jesus.” The traveler believed, and was baptized right there and then. He found Jesus as his Saviour and the last thing we hear of him was that “he went on his way rejoicing.” Are you too rejoicing in Christ, dear reader?

Memory Verse: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.” 1 Pet. 2:24.

ML 07/23/1967

A Chapter A Day

A Chapter A Day: there’s no better way

Of Reading the Bible, a chapter a day.

It will help you to live, it will help you to pray,

You’ll find it a solace, a strength and a stay.

Get into the habit and start right away

To read from your bible a chapter a day.

A chapter a day. it’s an excellent way

Of searching the scripture. you’ll find it will pay,

For hid in these pages are treasures untold

Far richer than rubies or silver and gold;

For with clearness and power and in language sublime

The truth is set forth that lasts longer than Time.

The Bible discloses the deep things of God,

It helps us go straight, at home or abroad.

It points to the saviour, who seeks the lost soul,

Who raises the fallen, brings life to the soul.

It speaks of God’s love e’en to those far astray,

It lightens our darkness with Hope’s cheering ray,

It sings us glad songs as we travel life’s way,

And it tells of a Home at the end of the day.

So whatever men do and whatever they say,

I’ll carry my Bible as long as I may,

And reading it learn how to watch and to pray,

How to serve the Lord and keep the Devil away

By this Sword of the Spirit — a chapter a day.

Until in life’s evening, at set of the sun

I may hear the words, “Faithful servant, well done.

Thou hast finished thy course, thou hast trusted My Word,

Now enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

And then, ah, how thankful and glad will I be

That I formed the good habit so blest unto me.

So let’s start together with no more delay

By reading the Bible, a chapter a

day!

— J. C. Lyon

ML 07/23/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 42:21-24

“And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” v. 21. Conscience in Joseph’s guilty brethren, though it had slumbered long had not ceased to exist and was now awakened to search their souls. The brothers were not long in determining why they were in such deep trouble. “Therefore is this distress come upon us,” they declare. God was dealing with them and they were fearfully aware of it, although not yet ready to bow before Him in full submission. “And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.”

Reuben, who originally thought to rescue Joseph from the pit, recalls to them their wicked deed and his remonstrance. “Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold, also his blood is required.” v. 22. Their confessions were made in the presence of Joseph but they were unaware that he understood as he spoke only through an interpreter. The natural compassion of his heart compelled him to turn from them and weep. Those were tears of gratitude to him who had watched over all his sufferings and dangers. Now too he could see God’s working not only to humble and bless his brethren but to cheer his father’s heart, both by his own restoration to him as one from the grave, and as to his other sons who had been so little a comfort and so often a shame. How quickly his heart would forgive when the proper moment arrived.

Their distress must deepen yet, for God does not spare the flesh; bud the profit would be all the greater at last. No chastening seems to be of joy but of grief; but the end fs worthy of God. Joseph’s way with his brethren was a demonstration of true love which as yet could not permit the display of any emotion or affection until repentance had wrought its full work.

Their sin against Joseph as well as their father, their sin against God too, after being hid for some twenty years, had now begun to be brought home to them. God would not work the grief of the world unto death, but according to His goodness repentance unto salvation, that the truth they had heard from their father might no longer be a mere theory but a living reality, as it was in Joseph’s soul. How their confusion must have touched his loving heart as he heard them acknowledge the sin of their heartless turning away from his agony when he sought them as his brethren in vain — first in leaving him to perish, and next in selling him as a slave.

We learn then for the first time from these verses of the anguish of Joseph when his brethren dealt so cruelty with him at Dothan.

Joseph soon rose above his emotion and returned to them, and bore their eyes he bound Simeon (not Reuben). Reuben had pleaded on his younger brother’s behalf when he was in the pit, and though he was the oldest brother and thus the one principally responsible for their actions, nevertheless he is spared. Simeon was known for his cruelty and doubtless God was over Joseph’s decision to select him from among his brethren for his confinement.

ML 07/23/1967

The Power of the Name of Jesus

A Christian friend, Dr. Brown, who was a graduate from the same college in which I studied for some years, went to India as a missionary. After some years he came back and visited us in the college. He told a wonderful story concerning the power that is in the name of Jesus, the Son of God.

It was the doctor’s privilege to carry the gospel of Christ to the Hindus in a certain Indian city. At the entrance of this city was a cave in which there lived a poor Hindu man possessed by a demon. This man was the terror of the countryside. Often he had been handcuffed by the police, but so violent was he and so great was his strength that he would break the handcuffs off from him and no one could tame him. Each afternoon at four o’clock he would come from his hiding place in the cave, and go through his devilish incantations, and so dreadful was his manner at such times that all who passed by were terrified at him.

Dr. Brown pitied the poor man and after much prayer he decided to visit him and while he was in the midst of his devilish incantations, to stand and call out in his presence the name of Jesus. So it was this particular afternoon he stood before the man who was making such frantic and hideous gestures, cutting himself with a knife and punishing his body with a whip.

Suddenly the man heard a voice calling out: “JESUS! JESUS!” At once he stopped his fearful gestures, and glaring at the doctor he demanded: “Cease from calling on the name of your God.” Before the doctor knew it the possessed man was on him, and attacking him violently. He threatened to knock the doctor’s brains out if he did not stop calling on the name of his God.

Though borne to the ground by his attacker, the Christian persisted and kept repeating: “JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!” At last the man ceased his attacks, his hand dropped, and he fell to the ground, foaming at the mouth. The demon had left him never to return.

The missionary asked his friend the doctor what happened to that man.

“Brother,” said he, “that man is now the brightest Christian in that city, and he is carrying on a work for the Lord Jesus. He was delivered from Satan’s power and brought to the Saviour’s feet from just hearing that Name—the Name of Jesus.” Then he added: “Eric, there is power in the Name, as there is power in the blood of Christ.”

“Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind.

“Now the man, out of whom the devils were departed, besought Him that he might be with Him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.” Luke 8: 35,38,39.

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

ML 07/30/1967

Golden Texts

Yes, better than gold. What all the gold of the world could not do, these golden words from God have done. They have brought love, hope, salvation and rest to thousands of weary hearts. Are they not, therefore, better than gold, yea, than much fine gold? Let us all read the first golden text.

JOHN 3: 16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” What glorious words are these! Seven great facts are here. “God loved” — the greatest Friend; the largest heart. “The world” of men, His great enemies. “Gave His Son” — the best of all gifts. “Whosoever” — the widest invitation. “Believeth in Him” — the simplest way, the only way. “Should not perish” — the greatest deliverance. “Have everlasting life” — the richest possession.

How many have believed the love, received the gift, and thanked God for eternal life? I know many boys and girls who have. They love John 3:16 because it was the verse that led them to the Saviour.

ISAIAH 45:22 — “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Here is the way of life in a nutshell. Who does not understand it? So simple. so sure. “Look” —easiest thing to do; not work, not pray, not try, but look. “Unto Me” — not unto men, but to the Lord Jesus. Just as the bitten Israelite looked to the serpent on the pole, so the sinner looks to Jesus uplifted on the Cross. “Be ye saved” — the sure result. No hope in the notice, but “be ye saved.” Just what the jailor at Philippi heard, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

1 Timothy 1:15 — “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” What a wonderful word this is? No wonder Paul calls it “a faithful saying”! No wonder he says it is “worthy of all acceptance”! “Christ Jesus came” — the highest Person from the highest and holiest place. “Into the world” — the devil’s empire, among his followers. “To save sinners” — a divine work for a described people. Are you one of those for whom He came? Not a very nice name that word, “sinners.” Still it was to “save sinners” — nobody else — that Jesus came.

MATTHEW 9:28 — “Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Not a difficult thing to do, is it? Not “Go” but “Come” — a sweet invitation, a loving Friend. “All ye” — a large number. “Labor” — a weary worker for salvation. “Heavy-laden” — a burdened sinner. “I will give” — a free gift. “Rest” — a great relief, a sweet refreshing. Have you accepted this invitation, and found this relief? All who come to Jesus know it.

ML 07/30/1967

Almost Blind but Happy

In a farm home in Illinois, there I live an old Christian couple. The old man is almost blind, but happy. In his early days he had put his trust in the Saviour, and he loved to read his Bible. A great many of its passages he had committed to memory.

His eyesight is gone now, but not his memory. He cannot read his beloved Bible any more, but he loves to talk about his Saviour, and he can still quote many of the scriptures he learned in his younger days. How thankful he is now that he spent so much time over his Bible then!

Can we not learn a lesson from this old friend? God has not promised us good health and eyesight all our life, but He would “teach us to number our days” and to “apply our hearts unto wisdom.” To know the Lord Jesus as one’s Saviour, to live for Him and honor Him down here, is the truly happy life. To look forward to a blest eternity with Him in heaven is the brightest and best hope of all.

Surely the coming of the Lord is very near. Soon this day of grace must end. The last chance to be saved will have passed Forever. O that none of our readers will be missing from that happy company of redeemed ones who will spend eternity praising Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

ML 07/30/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 42:25-35

“Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way:... And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.” vv. 25,26.

In drawing us near Himself, the Lord does not employ the means we would always anticipate. One who has known something of material comforts may say: “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad,” and perhaps think such an expression has drawn him nearer to the Lord. But (although it is well to recognize the Lord’s hand in daily mercies) this in itself is a dangerous place on which to rest or to quiet the conscience, for comfortable surroundings have a tendency to dull the soul. Joseph was not content to introduce himself to his brethren merely as the provider of their sustenance and place them in comfortable quietness of spirit, when he well knew what was needed to restore them—genuine exercise of heart, deep probing’s of conscience, and confession of their wicked ways against God and the brother whom they had rejected. All who would draw near to Christ, the “true Joseph” whether Jew or Gentile, can do so only on the same principles before there can be any true relationship with God or communion with Him. The Lord will not reveal Himself to any heart that is not morally right with Him, but He does seek to win the heart that is exercised by deep trial. Such, too, was Joseph’s divinely appointed way with his erring brethren.

Retaining Simeon in prison, he sent the others on their way home. “And as one of them opened his sack) to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth. And he I said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying One to another, What is this that God hath done unto us.” vv. 27-28.

It was a very sad company that returned to Canaan, when, upon opening their sacks, every man found his money returned. All the story was recounted to the perplexed father who joined in their fears at the circumstances confronting them. They had been sincere enough in making payment for the food they purchased, but their money had been refused! Rough threats and accusations had been the reply to their statements concerning themselves; Simeon had been bound before their eyes and cast into prison; they had been instructed to bring Benjamin with them on their return, else they would receive no more food and their very lives would be in jeopardy! What could it all mean? The ways of love and faithfulness were working for their good, but they could not yet understand it.

“For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.” Heb. 12:6.

ML 07/30/1967

Nettie's Rescue

One dark midnight, flames were seen coming from the windows of a house. In a few minutes fire trucks came rushing to the scene, their sirens screaming loudly. A crowd quickly gathered, eager to help put out the fire or to rescue anyone in the house. One after another the folks were brought out and kindly received into the homes of the neighbors. It was supposed that all had been saved when a woman burst through the crowd, wringing her hands and crying piteously, “My Nettie, my Nettie is still in there!”

Was it possible that a precious child was still in danger of the awful flames, and no effort was being made to reach her? Yes, the girl was still in the burning house!

Nettie had been put to bed as usual, and after she was asleep, her Nettie’s Rescue mother had gone out to see a sick neighbor. The sound of the fire-siren and the shouts and cries of the crowd brought her quickly to the spot. She gave a hurried glance to see if Nettie had been brought out, but no Nettie was there. Sound asleep in her bed, the little girl was unconscious of her terrible danger.

The firemen looked at each other in dismay. There was not a moment to spare; but who was to risk his life to save little Nettie? Another moment and a tall fireman, his helmet gleaming in the light of the flames, was seen ascending the ladder. It was a terrible risk, and the people below stood with bated breath as they saw him enter the window and disappear amid the smoke.

In less than two minutes he appeared again at the window, clasping the child in one arm. There was a ringing cheer from the crowd, and many a “God bless you” as he came down the ladder. Nettie was soon safely in her mother’s arms. But that noble act cost the fireman his life. The flames from which he saved the young girl had burned him so badly that he never recovered.

Could Nettie ever forget the love of the one who saved her? No; many a time she wept as she thought of his sacrifice, and she often went to the cemetery to put flowers on his grave.

But the love of the fireman was only a shadow of the love of Jesus, who left His heavenly home and, on the cross of Calvary, endured the wrath of God against sin to rescue sinners from eternal judgment and the everlasting fire of hell.

Are you spurning his hand of love outstretched to save you, dear reader? Do you choose rather to continue in sin and go down unconverted to hell? You would not remain in a burning house with flames raging all around? Yet how many sinners choose to remain within a step of hell, refusing salvation.

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

Memory Verse: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26:3.

ML 08/06/1967

A General's Conversion

A missionary to Bolivia tells this story of a general in the Bolivian army who was saved during the Chaco war some years ago.

I was preaching the gospel of Christ to the troops during that war, and ofttimes the general would come with his staff to hear the word preached. Protected under a bomb shelter they sat on ammunition boxes, and would listen to the gospel.

The general took a real interest in the preaching, and at the close of the war when the fighting had ceased, the general attended another service I held under this same bomb shelter. The message for that night was: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27.

After the meeting the general stayed behind and said, “Smith, you know that message really affected my soul tonight.”

“Well,” I said, “General, you have escaped the bombs, you have escaped the bullets, and you have escaped the dangers of this war for three years; but there’s one thing certain you cannot escape.”

“What is that, Smith?” he asked.

“The judgment of God,” I answered. It was most touching to see how the Spirit of God wrought upon the soul of the general. Getting down on his knees right there and then in that terrible place, known as “Green Hell,” where 60,000 Bolivian troops died, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

After the war was over he invited me to accompany him to his residence at La Paz for supper, and said, “You know, Smith, I have an unsaved wife and an unsaved daughter, and I want you to come and give them the gospel.” I went with him and the result was that both his wife and daughter confessed Christ as their Saviour and Lord.

ML 08/06/1967

Bible Questions for August

The Children’s Class

1.“Unto the King eternal.”

2.“Come unto the knowledge.”

3.“Preached unto the Gentiles.”

4.“Profitable unto all things.”

5.“Approved unto God.”

6.“Wise unto salvation.”

7.“Unto all them also.”

The Young People’s Class Moses, the Man of God

1.What did MOSES choose in his early years rather than the pleasure of sin? Heb. 11.

2.What was the first thing MOSES did after the Lord saved Israel out of the hand of the Egyptians? Exo. 15.

3.What two traits of MOSES (two verses) are mentioned at the time when Miriam and Aaron spoke against him? Num. 12.

4.When the Israelites murmured in the wilderness, and the Lord suggested smiting them and raising up a nation out of him instead, what was Moses’ response? Num. 14.

5.What was Stephen’s testimony concerning MOSES? Acts 7.

6.How does the Spirit of God refer to MOSES at the close of his life? Deut. 33.

7.What do we learn from the Lord Jesus about the writings of MOSES? John 5.

ML 08/06/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 42:36-43:13

One thing was noticeably lacking in Jacob at this time. His feeble faith saw no trace of the hand of God in these circumstances. Occupied with his grief he failed to turn to Him, who has said: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50: 15. How much easier this time of trial would have been had he been listening to that voice, but, overwhelmed as he looked back over the years, he complained: “Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” v. 36. How different the language of faith which can say, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”

Reuben, aware that another trip must be made if they were to remain alive, sought in vain to persuade the father to send Benjamin with them, even pledging his two sons as surety. Jacob’s reply was, “My son shall not go down with you.”

But the famine persisted; the food from Egypt was consumed; the hunger of the people was great; and Jacob once more called on his sons to “Go again, buy us a little food.” Chap. 43:1. The loving, faithful hand of God was overruling all for His people’s good until they should come into His blessing through His own way. His was the government that kept the famine “sore in the land.” His the love that withheld all things of nature that would otherwise have satisfied them. The father, reminded that it would be useless to return unless Benjamin accompanied them, I still refused to yield. Judah the plainly told him: “If thou wilt not send him, we will not go down.” v. 5

Recalling that “Whatsoever things, were written aforetime were written for our learning” (Rom. 15:4), we have previously seen that Benjamin presents a type of the true Redeemer of Israel, to whom that nation must look in the coming time of tribulation if they are to be delivered out of distress. It is therefore of special interest that Jacob’s sons are now found insisting that they will not again ask for help unless Benjamin is with them. It is interesting to see this develop; first Reuben approaching the father and now Judah coming forth, saying: “I will be surety for him.” v. 9.

Under the circumstances Jacob was compelled to yield, although not yet sensing that God was over the entire scene. He was still (when left to himself) the old Jacob, scheming and devising ways of his own to pacify the one who had “made himself strange unto them.” His instructions were: “Take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds: And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks.” vv. 11,12. How far short this fell in estimating the heart of “the governor of the land.” He had not asked for their presents. Was not all the wealth of Egypt at his disposal? No, his longing was to see his beloved Benjamin, to have his brethren restored to him, and to be reunited with his father. But there were lessons still to be learned before Joseph could reveal himself to them.

ML 08/06/1967

A Fearful Leap

I remember poor Kevin. He was a young boy who on one Sunday morning, instead of going to Sunday school, went with a companion to the rocky cliffs along the seashore, for the purpose of robbing a hawk’s nest. Vincent, his companion, was a full-grown man, with no respect for the Lord’s day. He was more mature in sin than Kevin, whose prickings of conscience he may have overcome.

The place in which the hawks had built their nest could only be approached from above; and the surrounding rock was rotten, as if the birds, by instinct, had chosen a spot which no prudent creature without wings would attempt to reach. Young Kevin, however, was sent to the point of danger, by the elder man as he looked on.

Kevin returned again and again, terror-struck, after nearing the nest. At last he swore that he would have it at his next try, so he went forward again. Just when about to grasp the young birds, the piece of rock to which he clung gave way and down with it Kevin plunged. Oh, the despair which looked through that upturned face of his as he felt the rock giving way, and the burning thoughts which like lightning must have flashed through his guilty soul for we are told that often memory in such circumstances gathers with individual distinctness, the whole events of a whole lifetime into a single moment! And sometimes it seems as if evil spirits have hovered, like vultures, around a doomed sinner as he plunged into eternity. True, these are dreadful words; but death in sin is an awful thing, of which we cannot think too solemnly.

Vincent, who described afterward the whole occurrence, descended by a safe path to the shore, and there found his young companion, his lifeless body lying on the rocks below. “I tied my handkerchief about his crushed head,” said he; “that was all I could do.” Yes, that was all he could do, for the dead, mangled body. But what about his soul?

How much better had it been for poor Kevin had he heeded the voice of his conscience and gone to Sunday school and there sat under the Word of God, and listened to the name of Jesus being upheld as the only Saviour of sinners. What infinite gain for his young soul to have received Christ as his Saviour, and lived to sing His praise through time and eternity! But what loss—eternal loss—for him if he were unsaved and he suddenly ushered into eternity without Christ.

O dear friends, young and old alike, take Christ as your Saviour now, while you have opportunity to be saved. Tomorrow, YOU may be in eternity, and it will be forever too late. Confess Jesus as your Saviour and Lord today; tomorrow you may be where Kevin is now. If you have Christ as your Saviour in this life, if suddenly taken out of this world, you will be with Him in perfect bliss forever.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9.

ML 08/17/1967

"I Lost 20 Years' Religion Here"

So said an old lady as she took a farewell look around the spot that had been her second birth place.

I ventured to ask her how she came to lose those twenty years, or if she had got anything instead. So she told me the story.

“I lived quite near,” she said, “so near that I could hear you singing. I sometimes opened my window to hear the hymns. I wondered what sort of people you were—everybody seemed so happy. I was a church member and lived a religious life; yet I could see plainly that you had something I hadn’t got. Led, half by curiosity and half by anxiety, I ventured in one Sunday evening and sat down near the door where I would hardly be seen.

“The preacher spoke of being ‘born again.’ He said that one might be religious and pray, and do the best he could, and yet be outside of heaven at last. I felt that was me, for I never had been ‘born again.’

“The Word of God stripped me of my false religion, and for the first time I came to realize that I was a lost and ruined sinner. Then came the gospel—the story of the brazen serpent, and life in a look to Jesus. I looked and I lived. I felt I could not rest until I told you.”

We praised the Lord together.

ML 08/17/1967

Friends and Foes in the Farmyard

The “preacher” who was “King in Jerusalem,” tells us that God “hath made everything beautiful in His time.” Eccl. 3: 11. And I am sure, as we look up to the bright blue sky above and out upon the earth in its robe of richest green, where all the living creatures, great and small, each in their sphere, show forth the great Creator’s praise, we must acknowledge the goodness as well as the wisdom of God who made and sustains them all. Birds of the air, beasts of the field, and fish of the seas, all speak to us and teach us something about God and His blessed gospel.

Down here on the farm, where we are, there are four object lessons within view, which will form a nice subject for a little gospel talk.

Over there in the corner of the yard is a BROODING HEN AND HER CHICKENS. You remember how the Lord Jesus likened Himself to that faithful mother which we see there. When He looked upon Jerusalem and His people, who would not have Him as their Saviour, He said, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, And ye would not.” Matt. 23:37. Many boys and girls are doing the same, I fear. When the storm comes and the rains descend, the silly little chick who refuses to obey his mother hen when she calls, will find out his mistake. So did Jerusalem, when the Roman armies surrounded it, and so will every unsaved sinner who rejects Christ.

Then over there is a COW. Years ago we might have seen the farmer’s wife coming with her milk pail toward her, though in these days of modern farm machinery this is a sight seldom seen. Nevertheless, this is where our milk comes from, and we need milk for our food today. After one is saved, the new life needs food also; we are told to “desire the sincere milk of the Word” (1 Pet. 2:2) so that we may grow thereby. I wonder if all saved boys and girls remember that, and have their “new milk” out of their Bibles every day?

Then here comes Homer, THE WATCH DOG. How he keeps his eye on the sheep and lambs of the flock! It would be hard for anyone to steal even the smallest lamb while he is there. I know One who watches over His people night and day. He never slumbers, He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). How safe are those who are in His keeping!

But there are dangers about here too. THE WILY FOX, ever ready to pounce on the chickens. Are you all safe, dear young readers? Satan seeks to “devour” (I Pet. 5: 8) all who are out of Christ.

Memory Verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isa. 43:25.

ML 08/17/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 43:15-18

“And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.” v. 15. Acting upon their father Jacob’s instructions, the brothers took gifts accumulated from their scanty supplies and with double their money, they headed again for Egypt. Most important of all, they took Benjamin with them. Had not the governor said: “Bring your youngest brother to me”? But the gifts in their hands only showed how they misjudged the heart of the one with whom they had to do. Their action expressed their confusion of mind as well as their hunger. Every action of Joseph, on the other hand, was a display of faithful love that would not be satisfied until God’s blessing could be poured out upon his brethren.

Surely Joseph must have anxiously awaited the return of his brethren and longed for the day when he would again look upon their faces, especially the face of his much-loved Benjamin. He would be anxious, too, to see what further work of conscience might have manifested itself in his hardened brothers since their first expression of remorse.

Joseph was at all times ready to receive his brethren in love and forgive them when their exercise of heart would do its needful work even though he well knew they would come to him only in their dire need. In this we are reminded of the grace of God, ever ready to receive back sinners who, like the prodigal, have turned their back on Him and spent long years in self-indulgence and sin, but who in their final need and distress look to Him, for mercy. “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth Exo. 34:6.

Upon their arrival in Egypt Joseph made arrangements for hi brethren to dine with him. This was something they had not expected, “And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house.” v. 18. Without knowledge of who this powerful ruler was, they could not rightly interpret his invitation and thought it was a means of bringing them into judgment and bondage.

There is another One who now says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20. Perhaps, dear reader, like Joseph’s brethren, you too have been afraid to accept this invitation, fearful that the exposure of your sins would only result in judgment? It is certainly a needful thing to have one’s heart laid bare before Him, acknowledging one’s wretchedness and helplessness. But when one casts himself upon the mercy and love of the One who gives this invitation, he will prove the precious truth of His assurance: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML 08/17/1967

Rahab and Jericho

Rahab lived long ago in Jericho, a great walled city just west of the Jordan river. She had not been a good woman; in fact, she had lived a very sinful life in a wicked city that God had marked out for judgment. Still God had His eye upon her; she was an object of His mercy. Jericho is a picture of this world and its wickedness, upon which the judgment of God is soon to fall; “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness.” Acts 17:31. Rahab is a picture of those who are saved by grace from the wrath to come; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2: 8.

Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua, the leader of the armies of Israel, had sent spies into the land. When these two men came to Jericho they lodged at Rahab’s house. She knew they were spies and hid them up on the roof under the flax. When the king of Jericho sent men to her saying, “Bring forth the men that are come to thee,” she lied, saying that the men had already left the city under cover of darkness. They pursued after them all the way to the Jordan, but could not find them.

Rahab said to the two men, “I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.” She had heard of how God had brought His people out of Egypt with a strong hand, had dried up the waters of the Red Sea, and of how they had destroyed two great kings on the east bank of the Jordan. Rahab knew that Jericho was doomed, and that it was folly to attempt to fight against God.

Through faith, she saw that Israel were a poor despised people but that God was with them. And she decided that from henceforth Jehovah would be her God, and that she would cast in her lot with His people. Now she knew that her life depended upon the lives of those two men, and she asked of them a pledge. “I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”

The anxious sinner too wants a pledge that he or she will be safe in the day of judgment. God’s answer is Christ, a living Saviour, who passed through death and judgment for us, but who rose victorious from the dead and lives again forever at God’s right hand. “Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Rom. 4:25.

The men pledged themselves to save Rahab’s life and her household; so “she let them down by a cord through the window,” and they escaped. But before they went they told her, saying, “Thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window,” and the lives of all who were found under the shelter of that scarlet line would be spared. However, they told her, if any ventured out into the streets, when the city fell, then they would perish.

Rahab did not wait for the armies of Israel to surround the walls of the doomed city. She bound the scarlet line in the window at once. That was her pledge of safety. She got busy too and became an ardent soul winner, persuading her father and mother, her brothers and sisters to come under the shelter of the scarlet line.

Surely, as God had said, three days later, the children of Israel, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan and were soon marching around the walls of Jericho. “Jericho was straightly shut up.” In the midst of the men of Israel went the ark, the symbol of Jehovah’s presence, borne on the shoulders of the priests. The priests of the Lord went before the ark, blowing on the trumpets of rams horns, every blast sounding forth the notes of judgment. Once a day for seven days, they marched around the city, and on the seventh day they marched seven times around, for God is a God of mercy and gives men time to repent. At the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, the people shouted with a great shout, and those great walls suddenly fell flat, so that every man went straight up before him; “and they took the city.” Jericho was completely destroyed, and its inhabitants perished.

Yet was there one place of safety on the wall, and that was where the scarlet line hung in the window. For Joshua had instructed the two spies to go in and bring out Rahab, her father and mother, her brethren and all that she had, and they were saved, according to the Word of the Lord.

Dear friend, like Jericho of old, this world which rejects God and has put to death His beloved Son, is soon to come under His awful judgment. Then as now, there will only be one place of refuge, like the scarlet line in Rahab’s window. The blood of Christ affords a place of safety for all who come under its shelter. God tells us in His word, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” Exo. 12:23. Do not go on with this doomed world any longer, and perish. Don’t trifle with eternal realities; but like Rahab seek at once the shelter of the blood of Christ and be safe forever. The Lord is coming!

“By faith. the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Heb. 11:30,31.

ML 08/20/1967

Rodney, The Gypsy Boy

Rodney’s father and mother were gypsies. He was born in a tent, and in his early life he knew much about gypsy wagons and caravans.

One day some Christian men came out to the gypsy encampment and preached the gospel there. Rodney’s father became a true Christian and later on at a gospel meeting Rodney himself took the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. After that he became a soul-winner, and went about preaching the gospel.

Rodney had an uncle whom he loved very much. He wanted him to come to know the Saviour too, and to have the joy of being saved. However, gypsy boys were taught to respect their elders, and Rodney held back from talking to his uncle about the Lord. Nevertheless, he knew that he could pray for his uncle and this he did. Often he would disappear, and kneeling down alone he would pray that God would somehow save his uncle too.

It so happened that his uncle noticed that the knees in Rodney’s trousers had holes in them. So he said to his nephew kindly, “How come the knees of your trousers are so worn, Rodney, when the rest of your suit is nearly new?”

“Oh Uncle,” replied Rodney, “I have been on my knees praying for you so many times my trousers are worn through.” Then he began to sob. “Uncle,” he went on, “I want you to become a Christian too.”

His uncle put his arm around the boy and a little later he too got down on his knees and prayed. He confessed to God that he was a sinner, and accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Sometimes boys and girls who know the Saviour feel they are too young to work for Him. But here is something all of us can do—we can pray for others, that God may draw them to the feet of the Saviour too.

“It is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Rom. 10: 15.

ML 08/20/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 43:19-30

Joseph’s brothers, bidden to dine in his house, were genuinely frightened at the thought of being in his presence. Their hearts had not yet shown a readiness to fully acknowledge their guilt concerning their brother, and they were far from God as they continued with this weight of evil upon them. Under such circumstances God would not grant them peace in the presence of Joseph.

Approaching the steward of the house, they recounted the events connected with their first trip into Egypt and the perplexing things that happened before they returned to their native land. To their surprise they heard him say: “Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks.” v. 23. “And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet.” v. 24. The steward’s reply disclosed to them that before they ever related their story he knew all about it. It is good for all to remember that the Word of God “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight.” Heb. 4: 12, 13.

Brought into Joseph’s house, they were treated with a kindness that they did not deserve. Joseph had so ordered in their behalf, his object being to eventually win their hearts to himself. The psalmist, dwelling on God’s ways of grace, could say: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him,” Psa. 103:10,11.

“And when Joseph came horn they brought him the present whit was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.” v. 26. No doubt Joseph one more thought back on his boyhood dream: “And behold your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.” They then answered his inquiry as to the welfare of the father, little realizing his great personal concern and happiness to know that all was well with him.

Next, turning to Benjamin and looking for the first time in more than twenty years upon his true brother whom he loved so deeply, he could no longer hold back tears of affectionate emotion. His weeping, however, was done in the secret of his own chamber — the brothers unaware of the cause of his sudden departure from their presence. In this incident Joseph reminds us of the Lord Jesus, who, coming into Jerusalem as the Messiah amid the acclaim of some of the people, yet saw their hardened hearts and distance from God. “And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41,42.

The barrier of guilt still stood between the brothers and Joseph. His identity was also “hid from their eyes” and his compassion toward them could not be openly shown.

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

ML 08/20/1967

In a Chinese Guest Hall

Hudson Taylor, the missionary to China, had a helper whose name was Neng-Kuei. He was a basket-maker by trade, but few could talk or preach better than he. When Neng-Kuei became a Christian he refused to work on Sunday, and so lost his job. Then when he refused also to make baskets to hold incense which was to be offered to heathen idols, he lost his chance to work in private homes. But he was a good basket-maker—none could make a better basket than he—so he was able to find enough work to keep him from begging, and he was happy.

One day he went to a rich home with his stock of baskets, and the Chinese ladies crowded around him and asked him to make some special baskets for holding incense. The house was being re-decorated and they wanted everything as nice as could be. Neng-Kuei did not notice a workman away up near the ceiling painting the guest hall, but he knew that when he refused to make the incense baskets, the Chinese ladies were very angry.

“What! Not make baskets for holding incense? Refuse an order for anything to be used in the service of Buddha?” They were very angry and the painter pricked up his ears to listen.

“Do not be angry, ladies,” replied the basket-maker. “I am sorry not to comply with your wishes, but I cannot make or sell anything for the worship of idols.”

“And why not? Why not?” asked the ladies, more surprised than ever.

“Because,” said Neng-Kuei, “I am a believer in the Lord Jesus.”

The painter stopped his work to listen.

“I am a believer in the Lord Jesus,” repeated Neng, “and a worshipper of the true and living God.”

While the ladies listened he told them about Jesus, the Son of God, who came down from heaven to die for sinners, he told them about God who is over all, until the ladies grew restless and impatient, and tottered off angry and indignant.

“What was that you were saying?” came a voice from up near the ceiling. It was the painter, Mr. Wang, for that was his name.

“You did not see me,” said Wang. “I am painting up here. What was it you were saying? I heard, but tell me again.”

And there in that rich home, in the great guest hall, where the ladies of the house had heard but had not heeded the wondrous message, Wang heard for himself, and for the first time in his life, the beautiful story of the love of God in sending His Son into this world to be the Saviour of all who will believe the gospel. Wang both heard and heeded and became a true and trusted follower of the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners.

In that beautiful guest hall that day, the Lord Himself had come as a guest, and He was welcomed not by the ladies of the home, but by a humble workman whom no one but He seemed to see. And today that same blessed holy Guest comes and knocks on the door of your heart, dear unsaved reader. Will He find a welcome, or will you turn Him away?

O Jesus, Thou art standing,

Outside the heart’s closed door,

In lowly patience waiting

To cross the threshold o’er:

You bear the name of Christian,

His name and sign you bear,

But oh, what shame upon thee

To keep Him standing there!

Admit Him for the human breast

Ne’er entertained so kind a guest;

No mortal tongue their joys can tell,

With whom He condescends to dwell.

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

ML 08/27/1967

Five Strong Stepping Stones

What a wonderful verse John 5:24 is! Let us read it together.

“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.

Now let us look at the illustration above. Yonder on the distant shore is the dark region of DEATH; here on this side is the bright and beautiful land of LIFE. We all stand by nature in the land of death, for as we read in Roman 5: 12: “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” Judgment and a dark eternity will be the doom of all who remain there.

But, thank God, there is a way of escape provided, a way right across to the other side where life, light and glory are the happy portion of all who make the passage. There are just five steps in it, on five wonderful stepping stones firmly laid, so that no flood can sweep them from their places. Tens of thousands have placed their feet on these stepping stones and gone safely across. Not one of those stones have ever moved.

The first is “HEARETH.” “He that heareth My word.” It is not praying, working, or trying, but “hearing.” God says, “Hear, and your soul shall live.” Isa. 55:3. Have you heard? Do you hear the word of Jesus? How many have heard that word “Come,” (Matt. 11:28), and “It is finished” (John 19: 30.)?

The next is “BELIEVETH.” Many hear who never believe: they hear and forget, but “some believe” (Acts 28:24), and they receive the Word; they rest on it and trust in it (1 Thess. 2:13). What about them?

“HATH everlasting life,” is the portion of those that believe. Yes, that is a big strong stone. Here is a boy who has reached it. He is beckoning to his little sister to follow. She is a bit afraid, like some we know, who say “they believe,” but are afraid to step out on “hath everlasting life.” They need not be afraid, for God’s Word is sure.

Then for the future, “SHALL NOT come into condemnation”; no, never, but “IS passed from death unto life” — right across into “the land of the living,” where there is the “more abundant life” — where they sing,

Death and judgment are behind us,

Grace and glory are before.

Who will make this passage today?

It is open to all, and free.

Memory Verse: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

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

ML 08/27/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 43:30 (continued)

The uniting of Joseph and Benjamin presents, in addition to its immediate affectionate scene, a typical meaning.

Both present types of Christ. Joseph, seen among his brethren in Canaan is a type of the Messiah of Israel. But he was rejected by his own people and cast into the pit—also a picture of Christ in death. Next he was found among the Gentiles, an obedient and humble servant. There, although also cast out and imprisoned, he emerged triumphant from death, in figure, becoming the benefactor, not only of Egypt but of the whole world as well. From the Gentile land he claimed a bride and the marriage was blessed with children—speaking of the calling out of a heavenly bride and the fruit of the cross.

All speak clearly, in type, of the Lord Jesus and his relations with both Israel and the Gentile nations —in the latter as “the Saviour of the world.” For long years Joseph was outside the affections or knowledge of his own people—just as Christ has been outside of Israel. He has not forgotten them, but all but a restored remnant at the end have forgotten Him. His blessing at the moment is centered in the Gentiles.

Yet the time is coming when, out of the rebellious nation of Israel a remnant will turn to God and in their confession of sin and departure from Him, they will find Christ —the One whom they once rejected—in grace responding and presenting Himself as their Redeemer. His power will bring them forth from their place of spiritual famine into blessing and prosperity such as they never could have anticipated. This is Christ, as seen in Benjamin — the son of my right hand, symbol of power—the one who associated himself with his brethren (vile and sin-scarred though they were) and accompanied them to a place of blessing outside their own land. They could have had no salvation without him, This, we may see, is the ground on which a repentant Israel will eventually be brought out of trouble into millennial favor and blessing — coming on the basis of the power of their true Messiah, themselves powerless to act in their own behalf.

Thus when Joseph and Benjamin were brought together, these two aspects of Christ are seen—blessing to the Gentiles and blessing to Israel —both effected in a glorious and dual display of triumph. This must be owned and claimed to be by virtue of Christ’s work on Calvary. The Word of God often points forward to this wonderful time. In Isaiah 53, where His rejection, His place as the Sin-bearer, and His death are all so touchingly expressed, the prophet spoke by the Holy Spirit: “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief; when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isa. 53:10, 11.

ML 08/27/1967

Saved from a Tiger

It was at a mission school in India. A kind Christian lady had gathered many little brown-skinned native girls around her and was teaching them to read and write. But, best of all, she taught them the story of God’s love in sending His dear Son down into this world to save sinners. It was her desire that her little pupils should come to know Him as their own Saviour. She loved them very much, and they loved her too; they called her Mother.

There was one little girl named Joy, who had spread her mat on the brick floor in the lady’s cottage and gone to sleep there for the night. Suddenly in the stillness of the night hours all in the mission home were awakened by a wild cry. The missionary lady jumped out of bed to find little Joy was gone. Then outside in the light of the moon she could see a tiger clawing at something at his feet. Bravely seizing a big stick which she always kept nearby, and with the help of her flashlight, the house mother ran screaming as loud as she could toward the great beast. The tiger, frightened for the moment, ran across the yard and disappeared into a sugar cane field.

Soon the mission was alive with lights and loud voices. The gardener and the watchman and the girls came running to the mother who was holding little Joy in her arms. She told of how the little girl had been carried off and clawed by the tiger.

At the mission hospital the doctors and nurses worked hard to save the life of little Joy.

All were afraid the tiger was still hiding in the sugar cane and that he would come back again the next night. So in the mission school they prayed that the Lord would help them to kill their great enemy. In the afternoon the girls came out to the cane field, each carrying a tin pan. They made a line across the field, while a man with a gun stood at the other end. The signal was given and all the girls shouted as loud as they could and beat on their tin pans. The tiger suddenly woke up where he was and, frightened by the noise, ran through the sugar cane out into the open, straight toward the man with the gun. All prayed that God would help the man shoot the tiger before he hurt anyone else.

There was a loud BANG! and the great beast leaped into the air with a roar. Then he rolled over on the ground; and that was the end of Mr. Tiger.

The Bible tells us, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15.

Most of our readers have no need to fear of being carried off by a tiger. Yet we have a far worse enemy in Satan, the enemy of our souls who, “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Pet. 5:8. He may come “as a roaring lion,” or he may come “as an angel of light.” In either case he seeks only to destroy, to cause us to perish, and only the Lord Jesus can save and protect us from his power. He is the only refuge from so great an enemy.

“Jesus alone, Jesus alone,

Jesus alone can save.”

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8.

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML 09/03/1967

Gospel Tracts

Children who love the Lord Jesus can distribute tracts and so help spread His fame as the Saviour of sinners.

Someone offered a gospel tract to an old man in a country village. He accepted it readily and said, “You don’t know how much good you may do, in giving away tracts and books!

“For years I led a bad, sad life. One morning while I was dirty, ragged and miserable, I leaned against a wall. I put my hand behind me and found a loose stone in the wall. Looking around I saw a little book thrust into the wall and held by the stone. I took it and found it was a little gospel booklet. Through God’s mercy, that little book was the means of my coming to Jesus, and trusting Him as my Lord and Saviour. That was years ago, but He has never failed nor forsaken me.”

ML 09/03/1967

A Derelict Saved

A poor derelict man from the Skid Row district wandered into a gospel mission. A young Christian present spoke to him of the needs of his soul.

“I don’t believe the Bible,” said the man. The young believer repeated one verse, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3, He said again, “I told you I don’t believe the Bible.”

Again the young man quoted him, “Except ye repent, ye shall all like-wise perish.”

The drifter became angry. “You disgusting fellow,” he exclaimed, “What’s the use of telling me that?”

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” returned the young Christian.

Flushed with anger, the man struck him in the face with his fist, knocking him down.

Nevertheless, the young believer quietly got on his feet again and said, “My friend, God loves you. Remember this: ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’”

The next evening the man was back in the mission again before the service began. Said he to all those present: “I could not sleep last night. It seemed that all over the wall in my room I could read those words, ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ I saw them on my pillow. When I got up there they were at the breakfast table. All day long I have seen them. I can’t get away from them. I know that except I repent, I shall perish. I have come back here to get right with God.”

The man was in earnest. A truly repentant sinner he came to Christ that night at the mission hall and went out a saved and happy man—no longer to tread the paths of sin and shame, but to love and live for Christ who had washed all his sins away and bought him with His precious blood.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Rom. 10:9.

ML 09/03/1967

Bible Questions for September

The Children’s Class

1.“In works they deny Him.”

2.“A pattern of good works.”

3.“Zealous of good works.”

4.“Ready to every good work.”

5.“Not by works of righteousness.”

6.“Careful to maintain good works.”

7.“Good works for necessary uses.”

The Young People’s Class Joshua the Servant of the Lord

1.For what reason were Joshua and one other the only ones of the original company that left Egypt to be permitted to enter the promised land? Numb. 32.

2.What spirit was evident in Joshua to all the people? Deut. 34.

3.What instruction did Joshua receive from the Lord which would assure him a prosperous way? Josh. 1.

4.When Joshua was by Jericho, what did he do when he knew he was in the presence of the Lord? Josh. 5.

5.What happened on the day that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of Joshua? Joshua 10.

6.What exhortations did Joshua give all Israel at the time of his death? Josh. 23.

7.What title was Joshua given at this time? Joshua 24.

ML 09/03/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 43:31-34

“And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves.” vv. 31, 32. At Joseph’s command the steward had previously released Simeon from prison as soon as it was learned that Benjamin was with his brothers. Thus all the sons were present at the table—a picture of the coming day when the whole house of Israel, now scattered throughout the world, will again be one people.

There were, however, two things lacking in this unity. The father was not present; and Joseph, although in the same room with the others, could not yet invite them to sit at his table. There was still unjudged guilt with all of them (except Benjamin, who had had no part in Joseph’s rejection), and full communion with Joseph was not possible. The uniting of the father and all the brethren as one family must await the time of their full restoration. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Ps. 24: 3-5. The brethren required that cleansing and purifying of their hearts before they could be at ease and draw nigh to Joseph.

Joseph had instructed the steward as to the seating of his guests and they found themselves all in proper sequence from Reuben the eldest, to Benjamin the youngest. They, of course, were amazed at this, marveling more and more at this man who, seemed to know all about them.

As the portions of food were brought to the table it would be noticed by all that Benjamin’s portion was five times that of the others. Joseph’s special affection toward him was thus outwardly expressed, for he evidently intended to do for this much-loved brother “abundantly above all that (he) could ask or think.” The brothers may also have sensed in these favors to Benjamin the remarkable insight of their host, for they well knew that although Benjamin was seated at the table with them, he was innocent of any guilt and evil deeds toward their brother Joseph, that marked them.

Nonetheless, Joseph was gracious towards them all. Having invited them into his house, he not only prided a bountiful repast for them, but put them at ease for the time being. As these men were later to look back on this pleasant experience, perhaps it served as a further awakening of conscience and awareness of how their lives had been impoverished by their sinful behavior pointing out, as it did, what their true character as sons of Jacob should have been at all times.

Memory Verse: “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy trans-gressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Isa. 44:22.

ML 09/03/1967

Jennie and the Miser

On a bright summer morning, a young girl of sixteen might have been seen climbing a steep path that led up to an old house, half hidden among the trees, the owner of which was an old man of seventy. He was said to be very wealthy, but no one would have guessed it from his surroundings. Everything seemed to indicate that he lived most frugally; in fact, the old housekeeper complained that she was hardly able to get enough money from him to keep them supplied with the bare necessities of life. The old man was a miser. Money was his god; his whole heart was set on it.

Do you think he was happy? No indeed, he was not. He thought everybody was seeking to rob him, and the haggard look on his face only showed how miserable he really was. With all his wealth he was unsatisfied because, dear young reader, wealth is not enough to satisfy the heart. Like the grave, it never has enough; the more it gets, the more it wants, and it never knows what it is to be satisfied. The world with all its wealth and pleasure is not enough to fill the heart; to a sinner without God it is all “vanity and vexation of spirit.” There is none but Christ can satisfy.

As Jennie tripped along the lane that led to the miser’s house, she was singing the lines of a sweet hymn, and nature all around, the birds, the little lambs in the fields, basking in the morning sunshine, seemed to listen to the song. Jennie was the old man’s granddaughter. She had just come home from school on her summer vacation. Only a few weeks before she had come into the joy that fills the heart of those who receive Christ as their Saviour and Lord.

Jennie had been born again, and she was rejoicing in the knowledge of God’s salvation. As she tripped along that morning, she sang from the gladness in her heart:

Heaven wears a brighter blue,

Earth a robe of sweeter green—

All around a happy hue,

By my former eyes unseen.

Brighter suns around me wheel,

Brighter stars around me shine:

Everywhere I only feel,

I am Christ’s, and He is mine.

When she entered her aged grandfather’s cottage, she found him sitting all alone, brooding sadly over his lot — a sad contrast to her joy in the Lord. They talked about schools and classes, and then Jennie said, “I have come home happier this year than ever I did before.”

“How is that?” inquired the old man with interest.

“It is because I can say, Jesus is mine. He has saved me and satisfied me, and I cannot tell how happy I am since I have trusted in Him.” Then she added, “I am sure, dear Grandpa, that if you only knew Jesus and His love, many of your sorrows would be gone.”

Before she left, he asked her to sing to him. Delighted, Jennie sang as a young convert, in the fulness and warmth of that first love, can sing:

My heart is fixed, eternal God,

Fixed on Thee;

And my eternal choice is made,

Christ for me.

The old man listened eagerly, especially as the lines, so well suited as God’s message to his soul, were sung:

Let others boast of heaps of gold,

Christ for me.

His riches never can be told—

Christ for me;

Your gold will waste and wear away,

Your honors perish in a day,

My portion never can decay—

Christ for me.

The Lord fixed those words deep in the conscience of the old man. Hardened and full of earthly things as he was, he could not forget it. What if, after all, these earthly gains would waste and wear away, and leave him a beggar for time and eternity? That night he tossed restlessly on his bed, thinking of the world beyond the grave — something that had scarcely occupied his mind since he was a boy.

He had gone in for the world, money had been his object in life; in it he had hoped to find the satisfaction of his heart, but he had been sorely disappointed, as everyone else has been who makes that their object in life. There is no satisfaction, no solid lasting joy apart from Christ.

Morning came, and he longed for Jennie to come. Again he asked her to sing to him, and contrary to his usual custom, he invited her to wait for supper. He opened his mind to her, told her how unhappy he was, and what had occupied his thoughts during the night. She told him the story of how she had been saved, and sought to make plain to his dark mind God’s “wonderful words of life.” He knew nothing of the gospel of God, although he had lived seventy years in what people call a Christian country. But such is God’s love and compassion for sinners, that the old man now heard the blessed message from the lips of his own grandchild, and it reached and won his heart.

There on the brink of the grave, and of a lost eternity, with the world set in his heart, God’s good news reached the old miser, and won him for Christ. Surely this was a miracle of sovereign grace, and all who heard it wondered. The old man lived to prove that Christ can save and satisfy. But he had the sorrow of looking back over a life spent in the service of money, which yielded only sorrow.

Do not be snared by the world’s fair promises, dear young reader. The world has nothing new to give. Oh, it is just wonderful to know Christ as your Saviour when you’re young, to go on and live for Him, to serve Him in your life, and to wait for His coming in the clouds to take all His own home to heaven.

ML 09/10/1967

Eighty Four Miles for a Bible

Who of us would walk eighty-four miles to obtain a Bible? Colporteur Fedorenco, who traveled in North Bessarabia, tells this story.

One fine morning a man came to me and asked for a large family Bible of the latest edition. I did not have such a copy with me at that time, but I asked him where he came from, and he told me he had come on foot from his village, a distance of fourteen miles. As I saw his great longing to have the Bible, I told him the Lord wanted to test his faith, for I did not have a copy at that actual moment but would soon obtain one for him. The man was encouraged by this and returned home.

Three days had not passed when he came again and asked for the Bible, but I had not yet received it. I told him he should remain in town a day or two and the Bible would come all right, but he replied that he did not have any more patience and that he could not remain in town any longer. He did not have enough money to pay for his board and lodgings, and he did not want to spend the money he had saved for the Bible. He therefore went home again. On the same day I received the packet with the Bible. When a few days later the man returned with his knapsack on his back, his first words were, “Is the Bible here?”

On my telling him it had arrived, his face, tired from the long walk, lit up all over with joy, for his hope had been fulfilled. I gave him the Bible. He read a few verses from it, paid me at once, and went on his way. A fine example for many, to come three times for the Word of God; the love of the gospel did not count the long walk of fourteen miles—eighty-four miles altogether.

Surely the Lord would bless this dear man for his ardent desire to possess and to read His precious Word, to the blessing of his soul. The difficulties may be great, but love finds a way. May we value, dear reader, what God has put into our hands— “the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

Memory Verse: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

ML 09/10/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 44:1-6

“And he commanded the steward... Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money.” vv. 1, 2.

Jacob’s sons had a pressing need to return to their father and their families with the food for which they had made the long trip. Early the next morning, after dining in Joseph’s house the evening before, they set out on the homeward journey, not knowing that it would be quickly interrupted. No doubt they were in good spirits, for had not the “governor of the land” shown them great kindness, even inviting them into his house to eat? Furthermore he had not mentioned the money that had been found in their sacks on the first trip. Surely all was well with them now and they would look forward with pleasure to returning home there to tell of their amazing experiences.

If such were their thoughts they were much like those of natural man who, in the midst of pleasant circumstances that God has graciously provided for him, often forgets about his sins and his moral distance from God. He thinks not of the need of being reconciled to Him. But if the brothers for the time being put their consciences aside, Joseph realized that in the moral government of God his brethren needed to be searched more thoroughly. Love joined righteousness to bring about their restitution.

The more we look at Joseph’s plan at this time the more we are amazed at his divinely appointed wisdom in establishing circumstances that would not only discomfit and exercise his brothers, but would at once prove the sincerity of their earlier confession: “We are verily guilty concerning our brother.” Benjamin, innocent so far as their cruel crime was concerned, was to be the one through whom they would be tested. There would be an opportunity, in Joseph’s dealings with them, for them to sacrifice the younger brother, just as they had sacrificed Joseph many years previously and thus escape to their own comfort and safety. If this is to be their choice, they will then be confronted once more with the grief of their father; but they had known his grief long before when they falsely reported Joseph had been slain by a wild animal and they had hardened their hearts to the old man’s sorrow.

Had the hearts of these men truly been exercised as to their longstanding guilt? Had their confession of that guilt been real? Would the cause of Benjamin and Jacob now move their hearts or would they again be callously indifferent thereto in the desire to preserve themselves and to escape. The plan that Joseph put in motion would effectively bring out the truth of these questions as no other circumstance could.

“And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou do3t overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?... And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.” vv. 4, 6.

ML 09/10/1967

A Gift from the King

The story is told of a little Swedish boy who walked along the street one day very sad at heart. Albert’s mother was sick; he wanted to buy her some fruit but he only had a few pennies in his pocket. As he walked along he passed one of the estates that belonged to the King of Sweden. There in the beautiful gardens large bunches of luscious ripe grapes hung on the vines.

How good they looked, and as he stood and eyed them he thought of his mother. Picking up courage, Albert ventured to ask the gardener if he would sell him one of those bunches of grapes. The gardener, however, was a stern man and told Albert, “No, these grapes belong to the King.”

It so happened that the King’s son standing by overheard the conversation. He felt sorry for young Albert. Albert was almost overwhelmed when the young prince cut off two fine bunches of grapes and put them in his hand.

“Sir,” said Albert, “how much money do you want for these grapes?”

“I don’t want anything for them,” replied the Prince. “My father does not sell them. He is the King and he gives!”

How happy Albert was as he ran home and presented the lovely grapes to his sick mother, as a gift of the King.

Now God is like that, but oh so much more. It is His joy to give. We learn from the New Testament that He is a giving God, and that we are poor needy sinners, who have nothing to pay. And God has given His best — His only beloved Son. He could not have given more. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Salvation is not to be bought with money, nor it is something we can work for, as many would have us to believe. Salvation is a gift from God, the Giver. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8,9.

“The wages of sin is death; but 1 The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. Have you this gift, dear reader?

ML 09/17/1967

Bible Plants

On these bright sunny days, boys and girls are often out in the parks and forest preserves, where God’s handiwork is seen in the flowers and trees of the field. Perhaps we could have a little talk together today on four plants. we read about in the Bible.

THE BLEEDING MYRRH— Song of Sol. 5:5. This speaks to us of the dying Saviour. The word means “bleeding-flowing.” It was sweet-smelling. It flowed from the tree where it was bruised or cut. It is said to have been used in the Near East by a rejected lover, who anointed the handles of the door that was closed against him. All this tells of Jesus, the lover of our souls, who died. He was pierced for us. His blood flowed for sin. How can any reject His love, or close their heart’s door against Him? Have you opened yours? Can you say, “As myrrh new bleeding from the tree,

Is a dying Christ to me?”

THE LOWLY HYSSOP— 1 Kings 4:33. It was the smallest of plants of which Solomon sang (I Kings 4:33). It was used to dip in the basin of blood and sprinkle the lintel and door posts, that dark night when the destroying angel passed over the land of Egypt and slew the first-born. Only those that were under the shelter of the blood were spared (Ex. 12:22). The hyssop was weak in itself but grew out of the strong wall. So does faith take hold of the precious blood of Christ for salvation, and clings to Him, the mighty One, for security and strength.

THE LOVELY LILY —Song of Sol, 2:2. Type of a saint of God, white and pure—lowly and lovely. God sees all who are in Christ, spotless and fair. They are made white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14), They keep themselves unspotted from the world (Jas. 1:27). The babe Moses was “fair” to God (Acts 7:20). So are all the saved. They become Christ-like, meek and lowly. And the day is coming when they will be glorified and made like unto Christ perfectly (I John 3:2). How wonderful to be saved when young!

THE PRICKLY THORN—Hebrews 6:8. God’s picture of a sinner. They “shall be all of them as thorns thrust away.” 2 Samuel 23:6; “whose end is to be burned.” Heb. 6:8. Fit only for the fire. No fruit to God, no beauty; they die as they live, in sin, and pass into eternity, unwashed, unforgiven. How sad the end! How awful the doom and destiny! Would you escape it? Then flee to Jesus now. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,’ Acts 16:31.

ML 09/17/1967

The Old French Shoemaker

A good many years ago, in Nantes, a Bible was given to a beggar. Unlike the most of his class, the man could read, and when he found that the book was not known in the towns and villages which he passed through in his wanderings, he conceived the idea of adding to his meagre income by reading a portion to those who would be willing to pay for it.

One day he stopped before the little shop of an old man who made the sabots or wooden shoes worn by French peasants, and begged alms of the shoemaker.

“You ask charity of me!” exclaimed the old man, “I am just as needy as you are.”

The beggar replied: “If you are not willing to give me alms, then give me a sou (a French coin worth a cent), and I will read a chapter of the Bible to you.”

“A chapter of what?”

“Of the Bible.”

“What book is that? I never heard of it before.”

“It is a book which speaks of God.”

The old shoemaker, curious to know something of the contents of the book, gave the beggar a sou, upon which the latter produced his wonderful Book, and sitting down on a stone seat in front of the house, began to read. He opened the Bible at John’s Gospel, chapter 3, and the poor old man listened with delight to the words of grace and truth, which fell on his ear with all the attraction of something entirely new.

The narrative of the interview of Nicodemus with the Lord Jesus deeply impressed him, and especially was he struck with the words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Before the reader concluded with the words: “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,” the old man was full of anxiety to hear more, and cried, “Go on! go on!”

“Oh! no,” replied the beggar, “only one chapter for a sou.”

Another sou was quickly handed over, and then the old man learned with speechless joy to the sweet story of the Saviour at Sychar’s well, and felt as he had never felt before when he heard for the first time the divine words: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

The time soon came, however, when the fourth chapter of John had been all read, and the beggar would read no more without another sou.

The old man could not go on pang sous, for he was very poor; but he begged the man to tell him where he had got such a marvelous book. The beggar said that he had got it from a pastor in Nantes, and then went his way.

The book went with him, but its words remained, and through the night as well as by day the old shoemaker repeated to himself, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

ML 09/17/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 44:7-16

“And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing.” v 7. Joseph’s brethren reminded the steward that they had brought back the money previously found in their sacks. Would this indicate that they were thieves? So certain were they of their innocence that they proposed: “With whomsoever of thy servants it (the silver cup) be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.” v. 9.

To this the steward agreed. Starting with the eldest man, the sacks were opened, one by one. He refrained from accusing them concerning the money that appeared with every one of them, for the item of prime importance at this time was the silver cup. But as the money appeared in one sack after another, how it must have troubled each man to find himself again in so disastrous a position. Yet the cup itself failed to appear, until at the very last it was found in Benjamin’s sack.

In abject grief and dismay at this “they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.” v. 13. Straight to Joseph’s house the sad company went and he was waiting for them. Like Elisha, thinking of his disobedient servant, Joseph might have said to them: “Went not my heart with you?” He would be sure to be there when they returned, just as the father waited patiently for the return of his prodigal son and as the God of love now patiently welcomes all who will come to Him in their need.

But it was not yet a time for kindness. Their hearts must be searched out before they can receive a blessing and the process will be painful indeed. “And they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? Wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine (or make trial)?” vv. 14, 15.

Now here was the real testing for these brothers, standing in the presence of their accuser. Shall they plead their innocence? Shall they recite again that they are “true men” and tell of their good behavior? Or as the most obvious and easiest escape for them, shall they allow Benjamin to alone bear the accusation, for after all, the cup had been found with him? Shall they let him stand condemned, even put to death, while the other ten went free?

How happy we are to find that these men, who had such a stained history, now turned from these avenues of escape and put themselves entirely at the mercy of the one bore whom they stood. “And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.” v. 16.

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

ML 09/17/1967

Praying Children

In the city of Washington lived a mother and her little children. The father, a hard cruel man, had acted so violently against his wife and family that she had to take the children and live elsewhere.

One day the angry father visited the home and carried off two of the youngest. He took them to Baltimore and put them in a boarding house. He told the lady in charge of the home that the children had to be taken away from their wicked mother. She was charged to keep a strict watch over them, to prevent their mother from getting possession of them again. Little Paul and Eileen, were neatly dressed, clean, and showed no marks of bad treatment. “Surely,” reasoned the lady, “a mother who takes such a good care of her children cannot be a bad woman.”

At night she took them up to bed. But with a true mother’s heart she was constrained to linger near the room, and peeping in through a crack in the door, she watched, unobserved, these lonely children in the quiet of their bedroom. They got ready for bed. “Now, Eileen,” said little Paul, “let us pray like mamma taught us.”

So they knelt side by side and repeated a prayer they learned at their mother’s knee. Their prayer was soon ended. Then there was a pause. The children remained on their knees. Then Paul prayed again, “God bless dear mamma; and please send us back to her again. Amen.”

The Lord heard that little prayer, and answered it very speedily. The silent listener’s eyes were moist with tears, and her mother heart determined a noble resolution.

Said she to herself, “A mother who teaches her children to pray cannot be the bad woman that the mother of these children is supposed to be. That boy’s prayer shall be answered sooner than he thinks.”

Her mind was made up. She had been imposed upon, as well as the mother of the children. She immediately sent a telegram to the mother, who was frantic at the loss of her children, and informed her where she could find her loved ones.

The next morning, as the beams of the rising sun dispelled the darkness of night, a happy, thankful mother kissed away on her darlings’ cheeks the lingering tears of childish grief over their separation.

Oh that children might be encouraged to trust in the Lord for salvation and to pray to Him; for has He not said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me”? Mark 10:14.

And parents are exhorted to bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:4. He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Eph. 3:20.

ML 09/24/1967

The Old French Shoemaker

One morning, about two weeks after the beggar passed through the village, the old shoemaker rose early, and told his son that the little shop would be left in his care, as he was going to Nantes.

“To Nantes, Father?” said his son, “You cannot think of it. It is much too long a journey for you, for it is. more than sixty miles.”

“I know, but I have made up my mind to go to Nantes.”

All efforts to dissuade the old shoemaker from his purpose were unavailing, so he started on the long walk to Nantes, where he arrived at length. He sought out the pastor who had a depot at which Bibles were sold.

“What do you wish?” asked the pastor, as he entered the depot.

“Sir,” he replied, “I have been told that one could obtain from you a book that tells about God.”

“Is it a Bible you wish?”

“Oh! yes, sir, that’s it! I should like to have one.”

“At what price?”

“Price, sir,” said the old man. “Certainly, we do not give away Bibles.”

“Well, I am unable to buy one, sir. A begger told me that you gave him one, and I am as poor as he is.”

“Where do you come from, my friend?”

He told the name of the village in which he lived. The pastor, knowing it was at a great distance, inquired,

“How did you come?”

“On foot again.”

“How are you going back?”

“On foot again.”

“What! Have you, old as you are, undertaken a walk of more than 120 miles to get a Bible?”

“Yes, sir; and I shall think myself amply rewarded if I get one.”

“If that be so, although I should never give away another Bible, you shall certainly have one. What size would you like to have? Probably one with fairly large type? You read pretty well, I suppose?”

“Ah! no; I do not know a letter.” “But what are you to do with a Bible if you cannot read?”

“Oh! sir, my daughter can read, and there are three people in our village who can read. I do beg you to give me the Book.”

The pastor gave him a Bible, and after thanking him heartily, he carried it homeward with joy. On reaching his native village, he invited the people to come to his house in the evening, when those who could read did so by turns, while the others listened.

The old sabot-maker followed all that was read with the greatest attention, and committed many parts of the Scriptures to memory. The words, however, did not rest in his mind only, but touched the inmost chords of his heart.

Some six months after his journey to Nantes, he was found there again. The pastor, astonished at seeing him, exclaimed: “My old friend! Whatever brings you so far again?”

The old man replied, “Oh! sir, I’ve been all wrong — all wrong, sir.”

“But who told you that you were wrong?”

“The Book, sir; the Bible says it.”

“Oh, really, and what does it say?”

“The Book, sir; it says I’m a poor sinner, and that I need the Saviour. I have heard that you people believe just like the Bible teaches, and if you please I would like to be one of you.”

“Before we admit any one, my friend, we examine him.”

“Examine, sir! I am an old man, over 70, and I know not the number of my days. There is no time to lose, sir.”

A few of the leading Christians assembled immediately, and proceeded to ask the old man a number of questions.

“What do you know of the Lord Jesus Christ?”

He answered: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

“What have you to say about His death?”

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

“What are the privileges of those who believe in Christ?”

“There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

“What would you say was the duty of the believer in Christ?”

“Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

“My friend,” said one, “If these words express your heart, you have been taught by God Himself, and we do not hesitate to admit you among us, and we welcome you as a brother.”

The old man showed, by the confession of his lips and the change in his life, the wonderful results that follow on hearing the Word of God, if received in simple faith.

ML 09/24/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 44:16 (Continued)

Their confession of guilt and their owning that judgment was what they deserved was clearly the result of deep exercise of heart with each of the ten brothers, (for Benjamin alone stood apart from this scene). On past occasions they had been quick to plead their innocence and tell of their good character but now they fall down before their accuser—like Job who seeing himself before God had to declare: “How should man be just with God? If he will contend with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand....How.... shall I answer Him, and choose out my words to reason with Him?...If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.” Job 9: vv. 2, 3, 14, 20.

The day is coming when those who have refused God’s salvation here on earth shall stand before His great white throne: “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;... and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. 20: 11-15. None there will proclaim his goodness as the light of God’s holiness will reveal the true thoughts and intents of the hearts of all who are thus judged.

The true character of these men before him was fully known to Joseph, and whatever they might have said for themselves was nothing in the light of that knowledge. If then the exposing of their true character before their accused could only pronounce conviction of sin, what can these men do to escape his wrath. Absolutely nothing in themselves. But they would soon learn of great kindness of the one before whom they stood.

Oh that all who today seek to gain God’s favor by doing good deeds would own to Him what they are in nature and practice—poor lost sinners on the way to judgment—and cast themselves upon His mercy. When 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. “Not by works righteousness which we have do, but according to His mercy He say us.” Titus 3:5. Joseph could not now display his love to his brethren could he forgive them until they had confessed their deep guilt and of long ago against their father and brother. And God cannot grant salvation and peace to any one now who does not come on this same ground. He must confess himself to be a guilty sinner, own his need God’s saving grace, and accept the free gift of His beloved Son who died on Calvary to wash away his sins.”

Although these men were in misery of soul, how it must have delighted Joseph’s heart, as well as to heart of God, to hear the outspoken confession of their sin and guilt.

Memory Verse: “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood... to him be glow and dominion forever and ever amen.” Rev. 1:5, 6.

ML 09/24/1967

Little May Lee

May lee was a little Chinese girl, just seven years old. Her home was not a happy one; they were very poor. Her father was a slave to opium; he spent most of his money on the dreadful drug, which he smoked day after day. It made him cross and cruel; he often beat his children and treated his wife very badly. They did not have enough to eat oftentimes, nor did they have enough fuel to keep the house warm in the cold weather.

May Lee was a sad little girl. But mile day a kind missionary lady asked f May could come to the mission school. Her mother said she could go, and this was the beginning of a new life for poor little May.

At the mission school May learned about Jesus, the One who came from heaven and brought the love of God to earth. May heard the story of how He went about doing good, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, making sad hearts happy, and above all, of how He went to die upon the cross to put our sins away. Now all who believe on Him are cleansed from their sins and made fit for the Father’s house in heaven.

Little May opened her heart to Jesus and received Him as her Saviour. She knew now that her sins were gone and that she was one of His children. She went home and told her brother and sister the wonderful story of love. They too wanted to belong to Jesus, to have Him come into their hearts. They too confessed Him as their Saviour. Next came Mother, who also believed the good news and was saved. Then they all prayed that Father too would come and be saved, and give up the terrible opium habit.

There was a great struggle going on in Father Lee’s heart, for Satan strives hard to hold his victims under his power. But the Lord Jesus is greater than Satan, and God answered the earnest prayers that went up to Him on behalf of Mr. Lee. One day he too trusted in Jesus, and the mighty spell was broken. No longer was he a slave to opium; the Lord took away the desire for it. For the Lord not only delivers from the guilt of sin, but from its power too. Mr. Lee became a new creature in Christ Jesus.

O what a happy home was theirs from then on. They had their trials and problems, but they were happy in the Lord. They lived for Him and sought to tell others of the wonderful salvation He brings to those who trust Him.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 5: 17,18.

ML 10/01/1967

The Book of Love

When I was a little boy I was taught that there was an elect number who would be saved, and that no other had any chance. Of course, I hoped, along with all the rest of our people, that we were among the favored number; but nobody seemed to have any certainty about it.

When I grew older, I left my country home and came to the city where I got a job working in a warehouse. On Sundays I went where the gospel was preached, and I noticed the preaching was so different to what I had been accustomed to hearing. Another young fellow in the same warehouse told me he was sure of being saved. I wondered how he came to know that. Had he seen the Book of Life, for it says, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”? Rev. 20:15.

I asked my friend that question one day.

“No, not yet,” said he, “but I have seen the Book of Love, and read my name there.”

He saw the look of astonishment on my face, so he opened his Testent and read John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

He pointed out to me that both he and I were included in “the world, and in “whosoever.” That completely solved my difficulty about election, I saw that I was included among those whom God loved. But then how could I be sure that I was one for whom Christ had died? I mentioned this difficulty to my friend in the warehouse.

“Oh,” he said, “we will just go back to the same Book, and get in. formation there.” So he opened his Testament at Romans 5:6-8, and read: “Christ died for the ungodly ... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

“Does that satisfy you, Charlie?” asked my friend. “There need be no difficulty, surely, in the face of that. God says that Christ died for the ungodly, and for sinners. You are included there, sure enough.”

I saw in a moment that Christ died for me. I claimed my place as one of the “ungodly”; and as a “sinner” I believed as one of the “whosoever’s,” and was happily saved.

ML 10/01/1967

In Jerusalem

The ceaseless troubles in Palestine had not made work any easier for the Bible colporteurs. Jerusalem had been the center of bitter strife, but even so, colporteurs went on quietly, making good use of such opportunities as came their way. One of them relates a pleasing incident.

“Violence and civil strife prevent me from going outside the city. But I met a dear Christian Arab policeman who has liked reading the Bible since his boyhood. He stated that he had friends, both Jewish and Arab, among whom he desired to start a Bible class, and would I bring him Bibles in Arabic and Greek and Latin and Hebrew? This I did, and he said, ‘Ever since I was a boy, I have had a longing for the Bible through the visit of a colporteur to my home in Hebron; and ever since then I have believed in it and wished that all men would read it. And that is why I have bought these eight books from you, for the benefit of others. Pray much for me.”

“It is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” Rom. 10:15.

ML 10/01/1967

Bible Questions for October

The Children’s Class

1.“Love and faith.”

2.“Glory and honor.”

3.“Quick, and powerful.”

4.“Faith and patience.”

5.“Their sins and their iniquities.”

6.“Goats and calves.”

7.“Author and finisher.”

The Young People’s Class Elijah a Man of God

1.What are the first recorded words of ELIJAH which would identify him as a man of God? 1 Kings 17.

2.How do we learn that ELIJAH was obedient to the word of the Lord? 1 Kings 17.

3.When ELIJAH prayed in the presence of the false prophets, what was his concern for the people of Israel? 1 Kings 18.

4.Did ELIJAH go into the wilderness to escape Jezebel at the word of the Lord? 1 Kings 19.

5.What question did the Lord ask ELIJAH at this time in restoring him to communion? 1 Kings 19.

6.In what way did the Lord reveal Himself to ELIJAH, thus manifesting His heart of grace? 1 Kings 19.

7.How does the New Testament liken our feelings and experiences with those of ELIJAH (Elias)? James 5.

ML 10/01/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 44:17-31

Joseph, who was anxious to prove the reality of his brothers’ confession, had yet one further test. They had themselves set forth the terms of the penalty to be executed against them: “Behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.” But Joseph replied: “God forbid that I should do so; but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.”

Knowing full well that the man in whose hand the cup was found, that is, Benjamin, was innocent, he feigned indifference as to his fate by offering the others a means of escape if, in selfishness, they would forsake their younger brother.

Joseph remembered only too well how readily he had been forsaken by these same men at Dothan, heedless of his cries and tears. Would they now leave Egypt as free men amid the tears of Benjamin, or had their proclaimed confession of guilt brought a true change of heart in them? We can see how God guided Joseph in wisdom to devise such a test as this. The truth of the matter must now be revealed in his presence.

“Then Judah came near unto him, and said, O my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.” v. 18. Judah then unburdened his heart before this “mighty man,” recounting the whole history of events from their first journey down to Egypt, their return to their father, their father’s reluctance to let them go again with Benjamin, and finally concluded: “Now therefore when I come to the servant my father, and the lad b not with us... he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.” vv. 30, 31.

It is interesting to see that before Judah spoke so freely to Joseph he “came near unto him.” Previously he had been afraid to be in the house of this unknown ruler, but now he found boldness to draw near to him, aware that only in this place could he plead for mercy. Witnessing this scene in Joseph’s house reminds us of a more wonderful invitation: “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” Jas. 4:8; again “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalm 145:18-19.

Joseph did not withdraw from the one who approached him in sincerity of heart, but inwardly welcomed him, longing to hear the expressions that would open the door to the clearing of guilty conscience and the outflowing of forgiving love to the very ones who before had “hated him without a cause.” Our blessed Saviour will never turn away from anyone who comes to Him in sincerity of heart, no matter how greatly that one may be stained with sin.

Memory Verse: “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12.

ML 10/01/1967

Little Edgar

A poor widowed mother lived alone with her little son Edgar. One day she was taken very sick; she felt that she was not long for this world. Before she passed away, she called little Edgar to her side and said to him: “Jesus will take care of you, my darling. Do not be afraid when I am gone. Ask the Lord Jesus for what you need, He will give it to you.”

Soon Edgar began to feel very cold and hungry. He called to his mother, but she did not answer. Then the tears began to run down the little fellow’s cheeks. The day wore on, but still no one came to help, and he thought of his mother’s parting words. He was only a small boy and had not yet learned where to find the Lord Jesus, of whom his mother had so often spoken. So what do you think he did? Well, he wrote Him a letter, and it went something like this: “Dear Lord Jesus: Mother said you would help me. I am very hungry. Will you come and bring me something to eat? I am cold, too; and the fire has gone out. Please come soon. Signed, Your little boy, Edgar.”

The words were written in large sprawling letters, and very badly spelled. However, he folded it up, and wrote on the outside— “To Jesus.” Then he ran off down the road to the Post Office to put it into the letter box. Sitting down on the grass in the little village square, he waited for the answer. He was quite sure the answer would come. Every now and then he went to the window at the Post Office and asked if there was a letter for him. No answer came, and he was getting more and more hungry.

That afternoon, as the postmaster was sorting the mail, he came to the small boy’s letter. He looked at it for a moment; then he tossed it to one side and went on sorting the rest.

At supper time, the postman said to his wife: “By the way, there was such a curious letter in the box today. I wonder who could have written it?” His wife went and got the letter and they read it over together. The postmaster was a kindhearted man, but he himself was poor, and he wondered what could be done for the hungry boy.

That afternoon a Christian lady came into the Post Office. She had a tender heart, and she was also quite well-to-do. The postman showed her Edgar’s letter and her heart was touched as she read it. She immediately set out to find the little boy, and so under the Lord’s good hand Edgar’s letter was answered that very day, for the kind lady took him to her own home. There he had plenty to eat, nice clothes to wear, and he went to school too. She became a real mother to the orphan boy, for she loved him for the Lord Jesus’ sake.

Now those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and Friend, do not need to write Him a letter. They can simply talk to Him in prayer, for He is very near. The Bible tells us, “The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon Him.”

Have you ever called upon Him, dear young reader? You must first find Him as your Saviour, the One who has died to put away your sins. He will not keep you waiting for salvation. Do you realize that you are a sinner, and that God must punish sin? If you come to Jesus, you will find One who has borne the punishment you deserve, so that if in repentance you accept Him into your heart, you will be saved. Then you will have Him, not only as a Saviour, but as a Friend, and One who will take care of you all along life’s pathway. When He comes, He will take you to be with Himself forever.

“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psa. 145: 18.

ML 10/01/1967

The Needed Remedy

A French nobleman was suffering from what appeared to be a mental disorder. Seeking a cure he went to a noted doctor. After a thorough examination the doctor said, “I can find nothing wrong in your body which would cause Your trouble.”

“Doctor, help me if you can! This depression and sadness will make me lose my mind.”

The doctor then turned his attention to the nobleman’s life. His questions brought out that the man was very pleased with himself, that he had no enemies and that peace and love reigned in his family circle. With one more question from the doctor, he acknowledged that he did not believe in Christianity. He said too that one of the teachings of Christianity always haunted him; it was fear of judgment to come. Thereupon the doctor, taking from his bookcase a well-worn Bible, said, “I have an old Book which captains the remedy for your trouble.”

Turning to Isaiah, chapter 53, he handed the Bible to his patient, requesting him to read it aloud, line by line. As the reading went on, the doctor told the nobleman that it was Jesus who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet. As he sat reading that wonderful chapter, the cure was expected. The sick nobleman became the believing nobleman. His fears of judgment to come were all gone now.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour, you should certainly be afraid of judgment to come. But you can be saved now by simply trusting in the finished work of the Son of God.

“As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Heb. 9: 27,28.

ML 10/08/1967

Nets and Their Message

Perhaps some of our readers have seen a fishing net in the sea. In Bible lands they use them in a somewhat different way than the fishermen on our own shores, in “casting” and “drawing” them. But the lessons of the net are the same.

MENDING Their Nets—Matt. 4:21. Nets with rents let the fish slip through, so they need to be mended. Seated in their boat on the lake, James and John, the two young fishermen, heard the voice of the Lord Jesus calling them to Him by name, and we read “left the ship and their father, and followed Him.”

WASHING Their Nets—Luke 5:2, to make them ready for future service. The Lord used that clean net to bring a big catch of fish to the shore. Nets need to be clean as well as whole to be of use to the Lord, and the lesson would not be forgotten by these converted fishermen. Clean once for all by the blood of Christ, all true believers are, but they are to cleanse themselves from all defilement by using the water of the Word applied to their walk and ways. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.” Psa. 119:9.

CASTING Their Nets—Matt. 4: 18. Two more of that little group of young men of Bethsaida, Andrew and John, heard the Lord’s voice calling them as they were “casting a net into the sea.” “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” He said. They left their nets, and “followed Him.” There was no halting, no waiting until a more convenient day.

FORSAKING Their Nets—Mark 1: 18. When the Lord bade these young fishermen to come after Him, they gave up their work to be followers of a homeless Saviour. The “riches of Christ” are far better than the best the world can give.

DRAWING The Nets—Matt. 13:48. This is the reward of all the fishermen’s toil. So when the gospel net is drawn to eternity’s shore, it will be joyful to find children, Sunday school scholars, and hearers, young and old, for whom many have toiled and prayed, safe on the heavenly shore, not to die like fish, but to live with Christ and serve Him forever.

Memory Verse: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

ML 10/08/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 44:32-34

“Thy servant became surety I for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame... forever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father?” vv. 32-34.

Judah’s words fell on ears quick to hear and a heart anxious to respond. There were three important indications of a true change of heart in these men. Most welcome, perhaps, to Joseph was the evidence that they would not forsake Benjamin for Judah offered to take his place as a bondsman, so that his brother might go free. There were also repeated expressions of compassion toward the father who they feared would die if the lad did not return. Their envy and selfish cruelty had given way to tender love to their father and his affection for the younger son of Rachel. Remembering the father’s grief when years before they had returned from Dothan without Joseph, their concern for him now was seeking to spare him additional sorrow. Furthermore, they confessed their place in connection with it all: “Thy servants shall bring down... our father with sorrow to the grave.”

In these things Joseph discerned in his brothers that which he sought after. How great the change now so evident in them! To them a humbling and tearful experience, but to Joseph immeasurable joy as he saw their self-condemnation and repentance. The door now stood open for him to reveal himself to them.

Judah’s confession to Joseph was made on behalf of the ten who had been guilty of so much evil. Benjamin, present with them, had had no part in their past evil deeds and in this respect was in all innocence. Again this presents a picture of Christ, associating Himself with His people Israel; “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” Isa. 53:4. On Calvary’s cross He presented Himself as a Saviour to all the world, but yet in a special way as an atonement for the sins of His earthly people Israel. This will not be fully manifested until the tribulation when the faithful remnant of that day will look upon Him whom they pierced (Zech. 12: 10) and display their deep sorrow that He should suffer in their stead.

In the present story Benjamin actually escaped punishment, but the true Redeemer of Israel “endured the cross, despising the shame” and will deliver the faithful ones out of tribulation, unite them with Himself, and they shall share with Him the millennial glory and blessing.

After his revolting course in chapter 38, Judah might not have seemed to be the natural one to take up the case. But the truth according to God is that Judah was the one whom grace had now fitted for the work. Later on in the disposition of the land Benjamin and Judah had a special nearness in their respective lots. Later still, overcoming their natural resentment of the anointed king of Judah, David, who superseded Saul’s line and their tribe, they became attached to Judah and the house of David beyond and unlike all the others. Benjamin, “son of My right hand,” typifies Christ in His tearing to pieces the enemies of the Jew in the day of retribution that is coming.

ML 10/08/1967

Over the Falls

Roger Woodburn, age 7, had without doubt the most unique and terrifying experience for a human being. He was swept over Niagara Falls, but through great mercy he lived to tell of his frightening ordeal and thrilling rescue.

Roger and his sister, Deanne, 17, on the morning of July 9, 1960, went out for a boat ride with a friend of the family, James Hunnicut, age 40. Roger’s father had made the children promise that they would wear their life jackets. It was a beautiful day, and all went well. The little craft propelled by its 7:1/2 h.p. outboard motor was in comparatively safe waters about five miles above the Falls. Hunnicut, the pilot, allowed the boat to sail downstream into the calm waters just below the Ontario Hydro control dam.

Few boats have dared to venture below this point of “no return.” It was here that Hunnicut underestimated the strength of the current, for when he turned the boat around and headed back, he found that instead of making headway, they were being carried slowly but surely downstream. Soon they were in the swirling rapids; then amid the rocks the motor sheared a pin and was useless. Deanne hastily put on her life jacket; Roger was wearing his. Hunnicut seized the oars, but in vain; the powerful current had the little boat in its grasp and carried them ever downward. Now they could hear the roar of the mighty cataract. Robert became frightened and screamed, “We’re going to die.” Deanne tried to calm him. Then the boat capsized, throwing them all into the water.

Deanne had a last glimpse of Roger and Hunnicut being swept along in the current ahead. She summoned all her strength and made for the shore of Goat Island. The crowds of people watching near the brink of the Falls froze with fear. Deanne was only a few feet from shore, but was being swept along. Then a brave onlooker risked his life, climbed over the rails, and with one foot hooked in the railing he reached out his full length. Deanne caught hold of his thumb, only fifteen feet from the brink of the awful chasm, 162 feet deep. Another man also climbed over the rails to help, and together they pulled Deanne to safety.

Meanwhile, James Hunnicut had grasped little Roger, telling him, “Don’t be scared! I’ll hold you.” But the savage waters tore them apart. Over they went! Down, Down, Down! and were lost to view in the seething spray and billows below.

River experts estimate the hole at the bottom to be 180 to 200 feet deep. James Hunnicut perished. The river gave up his dead body four days later.

Roger shot clear of the rocks below and hit the water hard. Down, down he went, but up he came again fast. Moments later, the captain of the little excursion boat, Maid of the Mist, saw an object in the water at the base of the Falls. He radioed to shore calling out, “It’s a boy. And he’s alive!”

Passengers on the little ship were terrified. Then as Roger floated downstream, the men on the ship threw him a life preserver. Two attempts failed in the surging, boiling torrent. Roger began to cry. At the third try, however, he seized hold of the life preserver and was drawn to safety.

Apart from a few bruises, neither Roger nor Deanne were the worse for their awful experience, and were released from the hospital after a few hours.

Surely, it was the mercy of God that spared their lives; yet in a human way, what no doubt helped to save them was the fact they both wore a life jacket. James Hunnicut did not have one, and died.

This amazing, terrifying incident helps illustrate to us what is being enacted in the lives of boys and girls men and women, every day. We are all being carried along irresistibly in the great stream of time. That awful drop over the mighty Falls of Niagara may well serve as a picture to us of death. “It is appointed un to men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27. It may be a bright summer day, in the midst of some seemingly innocent pleasure, that death may come and can for you, dear reader.

James Hunnicut’s last words to Roger were, “I’ll hold you,” but how vain his efforts! Reader, when you pass out of this scene from time into eternity you will go out alone.

It is said, that without doubt what saved Roger’s life was his life jacket. That life jacket may well serve as a picture of Christ. Those who have Christ in their life will have Him in death they will not pass into it alone. And just as Roger rose again above the awful flood, those who have Christ, even if called to pass through death, will one day rise in resurrection life, beyond the power of death, to live with Him in glory forever. They have everlasting life now; and they will not come into judgment but have passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).

On the other hand, those who do not have Christ as their Saviour and Preserver will perish in the awful flood waters of judgment to come.

Perhaps Deanne’s rescue before going over the Falls might serve as a little illustration of those who have Christ as their Saviour and who will not pass through death, for when the Lord comes from heaven to call His own out of this world, there will be the living ones who shall rise to meet Him in the air. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the winkling of an eye, at the last trump.” 1 Cor. 15:51,52.

Dear reader, in closing this story, we would like to affectionately ask you the question: “Do you have the Life Preserver on—Do you have Christ as your Saviour?” Take Him now. Do not delay. Today you may have to face death and pass into eternity. And where will it be for you—heaven or hell?

Passing onward, quickly passing,

Naught the wheels of time can stay;

Sweet the thought that some are going

To the realms of perfect day;

Passing onward—

Christ their Leader,

Christ their Way.

ML 10/15/1967

Two Birthdays

Little Ruby had a birthday book and whenever anyone came to see her father and mother, she would bring out her book and ask them to write their names in it.

One day a Christian gentleman visited the home, and as usual Ruby brought out her birthday book and asked him to write his name in it. He did so readily, and the little girl put out her hand to take the book back again. But instead of handing it back at once, the gentleman said, “Wait a moment, I have another birthday.” Ruby watched with astonishment as the gentleman turned over the pages of the book until he came to another date. There he wrote his name underneath it, adding the words, “Born again.” Then he handed the book back to the little girl who was so surprised that she forgot to say, “Thank you.”

Not long after Ruby’s Aunt Marie paid them a visit and, of course, she must write her name in Ruby’s Book. After writing her name, she handed it back to the little girl. Instead of taking it from her, little Ruby just looked at her and said, “Please write your name under your other birthday.”

“My other birthday! What do you mean?” asked her aunt in astonishment.

“Oh,” replied Ruby, “Mr. Thompson has two birthdays; I’ll show you.” She opened the book and showed where the Christian friend had written his name in, and then she turned over the page and pointed to another entry where were the additional words, “Born again.”

“Now,” said the little girl, “Please write your name opposite your other birthday.”

Poor Aunt Marie was convicted then and there. The arrow entered deep into her conscience. She had heard the gospel message before, and had heard the Word proclaimed, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. But as yet she had not received the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. However, it wasn’t long after that she bowed to His claims of love and was truly “born again,... by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Pet. 1:23.

When she came again to visit at Ruby’s house, she was able to write her name the second time in the little girl’s birthday book.

Happy Birthday to You!

Just One Will Not Do.

Born Again Means Salvation;

How Many Have You?

ML 10/15/1967

Bible Talks: The Story of Joseph

Gen. 45:1-3

“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.”

The grand event of Joseph identifying himself to his brothers was not one for strangers to witnes3. Alone with his brethren, the touching scene brought out the long-deferred display of his affections, a picture of the time when the Lord, as the Messiah of Israel, will make Himself known to His earthly people. At his words, “I am Joseph,” his brethren were terrified, fearing no doubt that he would show them the wrath that was due them. They certainly had not expected to ever encounter him again, much less to find him in so glorious and stately a position of authority and power.

Joseph was well aware that such a discovery must fill them with fear and dread, and he graciously sought to put them at ease. His love would cast out their fear. “Doth my father yet live?” he inquired, although already informed that he was alive and well. The question would have two purposes: First to remind them that their father was also his father —the relationship remained a binding claim upon them all. Second, he knew from Judah’s words that their thoughts toward the old father were now right and affectionate, and to be reminded of him would help to relieve their fear of Joseph and help also to take their thoughts away from their own poor selves. This wise and thoughtful act by Joseph is another picture of the Lord Jesus, primarily in His future relations with a repentant Israel, but also in His ways with all who come to Him in our present day of grace. He is ready and desirous of putting away the anxiety of every repentant sinner who will come to Him in need and will bow and own Him as Redeemer and Saviour. One coming to our loving Saviour with a sense of his sins and of judgment deserved, but claiming the merits of His Person and work on Calvary, will prove the grace that will remove his fears and bring him into quiet security and rest. “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27.

What a wonderful thing it is to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and have all fears of being in His presence removed. Are you enjoying that place? The day is coming when all who have owned Him as Saviour will be brought into His presence with exceeding joy. But those who reject Him will be in His presence with fear and trembling as they face the sentence of judgment from His lips: “Depart from Me ye workers of iniquity.”

Memory Verse: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive: and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psa. 86:5.

ML 10/15/1967

The Little Gopher

It was a warm summer evening and milking time on the farm. The farmer was busy carrying pails of milk from the barn to the milkhouse. The little kittens gathered at the favorite hour to await their share of the abundant supply. The farmer paused and filled a small pan on the floor especially for them. Their little spiked tails pointed in four directions as they surrounded the dish, and their furry tummies grew round and full as they lapped at the warm milk. Mother Puss was out hunting.

In the nearby fields the gophers sat near their burrows or played in the evening sun. Suddenly they all dived for their safety. Alas, it was too late for one little fellow. Something dark and huge suddenly appeared from nowhere, and he was pinned to the earth by great cruel claws. Mother Cat had intercepted him. He squeaked with terror and pain as her teeth closed on the nape of his neck.

Apparently it was not Mother Puss’ intention to kill and eat her prey there. In triumph she headed for the barn. Paralyzed with fear, the little gopher ceased to struggle. The sight of the green fields where he had lived his brief but happy little life faded from his eyes; then he fainted away.

It so happened that on this week end a friend from the city had paid the farmer a visit. He was in the barn at the very moment when in marched Mother Puss proudly displaying her catch. He watched as she deposited her prize at the feet of one of her little toms, who immediately pounced upon it, biting and growling fiercely. Then in true cat fashion he proceeded to play with it for a while.

The visitor had a tender heart and loved God’s little creatures, now suffering because of man’s sin. He knew that gophers were no friends of the farmer, that they dug holes in his fields, and ate his grain. He knew they were pests and marked to be destroyed. Still he himself had tasted of mercy, for he knew God “who is rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4), and he longed to show mercy to that poor little gopher.

With this on his heart, the visitor stooped down to affect the rescue. The kitten growled horribly and its teeth gripped its prey more tightly, determined not to give him up. But strong fingers forced the little jaws open and moments later the little gopher was lying far from danger on the soft grass outside.

A long while he lay there motionless. Then the little eyes opened on the blue sky above once more. Was it a dream, after the horrible reality of the past hour? At last, a poke from the stranger stirred the little creature to life and action. He got on his feet and started off as fast as he could across the yard in the direction of home—a “saved” little gopher, bruised and bitten-but free!

How like the gopher is the sinner! —an enemy of God by wicked works (Col. 1:21); living at a distance from Him on earth which He has made, helping himself to what is really God’s, robbing Him and sinning against Him continually. Not only is he a sinner against God, but he is also a captive to Satan, (2 Tim. 2:26); being carried down to judgment (Heb. 9:27).

Now there came into this world a heavenly Stranger, Jesus the Son of God; He saw our desperate case as sinners, and looked upon us with pity and love. There was power in that love too, and at all cost to Himself He stooped to save.

The man in our story might have given the farmer a dollar or two to pay the farmer for what the gopher had robbed him of; but all the gold in all the world cannot pay sin’s debt. “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Heb. 9:22). A spotless victim must die in the sinner’s stead, and Jesus came to take that place. He has answered to God for the sins of those who trust is Him as their Saviour. He has paid the full debt, and God demands no more. Those who believe in Jesus shall not perish; they have been set free-not to live to themselves, “but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:15.

How is it with you, dear reader? If you stand before God in your sins it will mean everlasting fire? Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. Now is your opportunity to be saved. Take Him now.

ML 10/22/1967

A Shepherd's Story

A poor shepherd told a story of how he had been brought to God. He said: “I forget now who it was that said to me, ‘John, you are very poor’ True. ‘If you fell ill, your wife and children would be hard up.’ True. And then I felt anxious and uneasy for the rest of the day. In the evening there came wiser thoughts to me, and I said to myself, ‘John, for more than thirty years you have lived in this world, and you have never possessed anything much. And still you live on, and have been provided each day with food and clothing, and each night with a good sleep. God has never sent you more than your share of trouble. When you needed help, it always came. To whom do you owe all this? To God. John, don’t be ungrateful any longer, but get rid of those anxious thoughts; for what could ever induce you to think that the hand from which you received so much, would close against you when you grew old, and have greater need of help?’ I prayed to the Lord and told Him these things, and thanked Him for such a Saviour. After that. I felt at peace.”

“Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust.” Psa. 40:4.

ML 10/2/1967

Bible Trees

BIBLE TREES, and such a lot of them too! Some green, some in blossom, some with fruit, others withered, one dead, another rooted up. Let us see what we can learn from four of them.

A TREE PLANTED — “A tree planted by the rivers of water” (Psa. 1:3); “Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Matt. 15: 13. Planting comes first. Before there can be blossom or fruit, it must be planted. Planting is being born again, that work of the Spirit of God in the soul. That is the first thing, to be planted by God. See that you are truly converted, really born of God (John 1:13).

A TREE PRUNED. — “Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2. That is to make it more fruitful. There are many things about us after we have been converted, which God has to take away from us, by the sharp pruning knife, or cleansing, of His Word. We should be willing to let them go, to give them up, when God tells us. This is the way to be truly happy— “that your joy may be full” (John 15: 11), and fruitful.

A TREE PULLED DOWN— “Hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon.” 1 Kings 5:6. A tree pulled down is not a pretty sight, but this had to be done before it could be raised up and covered with gold in God’s temple. The pulling or cutting down tells of natural pride, vanity, and all the rest that belongs to us as sinners, having to be brought down. Yes, we ourselves brought down, taken out from the world, to be beautified and glorified in Christ. The change when one is crucified, dead and raised up in Christ. Once a proud sinner in the world, made to be a pillar in God’s temple.

A TREE PLUCKED UP — (Jude 12). Because it bore no fruit. It was torn up by the roots, withered and dead, only fit for the fire. Just like the false professor, never planted by God, never born of the Spirit, therefore rooted up (Matt. 15: 13). Beware, dear boys and girls, of this awful doom. Be sure you are trusting in Jesus, and truly converted, not merely professors without life in Christ.

ML 10/22/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 45:4-10

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.” v. 4 How tenderly Joseph now sought out their affections. True, they were not entirely comfortable when invited by the one whom they had once so cruelly cast out, for they did not yet understand the full working of grace and forgiveness. Joseph, seeing their hesitation and uncertainties, proceeded to quiet their fears: “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.”

He would not allow any fears nor regrets to rise up and mar their enjoyment of his love.

Is this not a lovely picture of the One who now searches the heart and conscience and desires to draw all to Himself? Those who are afar off He is ready to bring nigh, through faith in His atoning blood shed for them. Joseph’s readiness to forgive his erring brethren reminds us too of His promise, “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 8:12.

Joseph, now the exalted one, tells his brothers he is the same one whom they sold as a slave into Egypt. Yet beyond this he condemned them not at all, saying rather, “It was not you that sent me hither, but God.” We can only suppose that the hearts of these rough men were touched at this display of forgiveness, and that they experienced great relief to discover that he did not further relate their past deeds nor threaten to punish them.

If they were amazed at this display of love, how much more must they have been surprised to hear his further proposal: “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph,... come down unto me, tarry not.” v. 9. And it was not only the aged father to whom the invitation was extended. All the brothers, with their entire families, were also to return and bring their flocks and herds with them. Residence was promised them in the land of Goshen; he could say, “Thou shalt be near unto me.” How welcome this prospect must have been to the famine-stricken sons as they contrasted the poverty of their land with the place where Joseph dwelt.

The picture of Israel, presently so long away from their Redeemer and in spiritual poverty, again comes in view in this wonderful story. If any of the house of Israel will now have blessing it can only be in the presence of their true Joseph—the Lord Jesus Christ—finding in Him a Saviour. Blessing will never be experienced while remaining away from Him, nor in the old rituals and commandments which have been replaced by a better way. It will be the portion of all—Jews or Gentiles —who accept His offer of mercy and call upon Him out of a true heart.

Memory Verse: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal. 1:3,4.

ML 10/22/1967

Jean the Little Lighthouse Keeper

The lighthouse sends its bright beams across the waves; sailors miles out to sea can see its light and are warned not to come too near to the rocks that line the coast or that lie hidden beneath the water. Jean, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter, had lost her mother several years before; she lived alone with her father in a lighthouse built on a huge rock that jutted out from the shore. One day her father had to go on shore on business, so he left Jean to take charge of the lighthouse until he returned. “I’ll be sure to be back before it gets dark,” he promised her.

Away he went, and as the hours passed, Jean sat in the great lonely lighthouse all by herself. Then a storm came up; the wind began to blow, and the roar of the waves sounded in her ears as they dashed against the rocks; the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed. Dark clouds scudded across the sky, and night came on faster than usual; but still her father had not returned.

Jean was frightened in the midst of the great storm, but she had a Friend, One who was above all the storm and who takes care of those who trust in Him. Jean began to think of the sailors who sailed in the ships that night, but there was no-one to light the great lamps. What could she do? After sitting there for some time alone, she went and found a long candle which her father used for lighting the lamps. Away she went up the winding staircase, around and around—200 stone steps she had to climb—but at last she reached the top. But, alas, poor little girl! She was too small to reach the lamps, even with this long candle in her hand, standing on tiptoe and holding it as high as she could. The lamps were still out of her reach. What was she to do now?

All the way down the steps she went again, and took the great family Bible in her arms. Back up she climbed again, carrying the big Bible. When she reached the top she was very tired, but putting the Bible gently down on the floor, she stood on top of it, and with the long lighted candle in her hand she tried again to reach the lamp. This time she could reach it, and the next moment out shone one bright light after another, until all the lamps were shining over the dark stormy sea. With feelings of thankfulness, Jean descended the stone stairway to wait for her father’s return.

It so happened that her father had fallen into the hands of wicked men called wreckers-pirates or plunders, who watch for wrecked ships and go on board and carry off anything of value. A band of these men had seen the lighthouse keeper that afternoon coming from the town and they said to each other: “Let’s take him and tie him up in a cave. He won’t be able to light the lamp, and maybe there’ll be a shipwreck, so we can go aboard and help ourselves.” So they caught the lighthouse keeper and imprisoned him on the rocks, intending to keep him there all night. Their evil plans seemed to be working out well, when all of a sudden the beams of the lighthouse shone out along the rocky shore! Though full of rage and disappointment, the men realized that their scheme had failed. Knowing they could accomplish nothing by holding their prisoner any longer, they cut the rope that bound him and set him free. When the lighthouse keeper finally reached his home, he found his little daughter sound asleep in a big chair in front of the fire, for Jean had determined not to go to bed till her father came home. She woke to find her father’s arms around her and a loving kiss pressed on her forehead.

“My little girl,” he said, “not only have you saved your father, but you have perhaps saved many lives aboard the ships that saw the light on the shore.”

The Lord Jesus came into this world as the true Light, and how brightly that Light shone in the darkness of this world. He said, “I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. But “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil,” and they sought to put out that light. They put that blessed One to death upon a cross of shame. But God raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heaven. Now He shines forth as the Saviour of sinners, and all who put their trust in Him and own Him as their Saviour and Lord, have that light, by the Spirit of God shining in their hearts.

One day, God is going to judge wicked sinners who rejected Him on earth, and who now refuse that Light from heaven which comes to us in the gospel of His grace.

Oh, that you, dear young reader, may be among those who have accepted Him, and rejoice in that light which shines along the Christian pathway to that bright home in heaven.

“The god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4: 4, 6.

ML 10/29/1967

Some Bible Boys

There are many boys you read about in the Bible, but we will take just five for today, each illustrating a vital gospel truth.

ABEL was the first to offer a sacrifice to God. He brought a firstling of his flock and sacrificed it to God on an altar of stone. That victim was his substitute, its life was given for his. It died in his stead, and his faith saw therein a type of Christ, the promised One, the sinner’s surety, who would die, the Just for the unjust, to bring us to God (1 Pet. 3:18). God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and him with it, declaring that he was righteous.

SAMUEL heard the Word and obeyed the call of God (1 Sam. 3:9, 10). The Lord is still calling boys and girls through His Word, and all who hear and obey the gospel call (John 5:24), receive eternal life, now, they pass from death unto life, and shall not come into judgment.

ISAAC is a type of the obedient Son of God, the Lamb of God’s own providing, who gave Himself a sacrifice and an offering to God, for us (Eph. 5:2). He was obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8). For Isaac, a substitute was found—a ram caught in a thicket by its horns—to die in his stead (Gen. 22:13), but for Jesus, the Son of God, there was no substitute found. He must die in our stead. God spared Abraham from sacrificing his son, but He did not spare Himself. “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?”

JOSEPH was a sufferer, first at the hands of his own brothers (Gen. 37:22), and then at the hands of the world (Gen. 39:20). But God raised him to honor and glory in Egypt (Gen. 41:40-42), to be a Saviour (v. 45) of his people, to provide for them in their need (Gen. 42:25). So it is with Jesus, exalted as Prince and Saviour (Acts 5:31), in a more wonderful and blessed way.

DAVID, the shepherd lad, conqueror of Goliath the giant, was raised from a lowly place in life to reign on the throne of Israel (Acts 13:22), and to shepherd God’s people (Psa. 78: 72). So the Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), who gave His life for the sheep, but who conquered death (Heb. 2:14), the great Shepherd who lives (Heb. 13:20), to lead His flock (Psa. 23:2), and who will yet reign over all the earth in a coming day.

ML 10/29/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 45:11-13

“And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou halt, come to poverty.” v.11. This verse establishes Joseph’s age at 39 years. He was 30 when he first stood bore Pharaoh—followed by seven years of plenty and two years of famine. It was at approximately 17 years of age that he had been sold into slavery, so it is not difficult to see that in the 22-year interval he had changed a great deal in appearance and had undoubtedly adopted the dress of the Egyptians and spoke fluently in their language. It is readily seen why his brothers failed to recognize him until he told them who he was. His strangeness to his brethren brings to our attention the words of the Lord Jesus, of whom the Spirit spoke prophetically: “I am become a stranger unto My brethren, and an alien unto My mother’s children.” Ps. 69:8.

All that God had disclosed to Joseph in his boyhood dreams and that he had related to his father and the other sons had come true. Thus his brothers had by now amply proved the truth of the prophecies that they would “make obeisance” and “bow down themselves to him.” When he spoke of another five years of famine his words were accepted without question. How could they question the truth of such a one as this? Their eyes had seen his glory, they had experienced his authority and power, and their hearts had tasted the sincerity of his love and desire for their welfare.

“And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.” v. 13.

Joseph’s glory in the land of Egypt spoke further of the glory that will later be displayed in the Lord Jesus as the Prince of Peace, when His earthly people are happily reunited with Him. Yet there ever was an intrinsic glory in the Person of Jesus while He walked here and though He veiled that glory, there were times when it shone forth. “He could not be hid.” Mark 7: 24. On His way to the garden we hear Him pray: “Father,... glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee .. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” John 17:1,4.

Joseph rejoiced to think of his father learning of his glory. The Son of God rejoiced, in a far more perfect way, to have His glory declared before His Father, but could commune with Him in a divine relationship that Joseph could not experience. Viewing the cross He prayed: “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” John 17:5. God’s answer to this we read in Philippians 2:9-11: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Memory Verse: “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4: 32.

ML 10/29/1967

A Philippine Story

In a village in the Philippines many years ago there lived a young boy who had learned to read. His favorite Book was the Bible, and he was the only one in the village that possessed one.

Those were days when some men in the village did not like the people to read the Bible; in fact one man had threatened the boy with trouble if he did not destroy his Book. So he hid it in a hole down by the river, and from time to time, when no one was looking, he would steal away down there and all alone he would read the stories of Jesus that he loved so well.

One day after a great rain the river flooded and his precious Book was washed away down the river.

How sad he was when he found it was gone!

However, in another village farther down the river, there lived a man who was famous among the people as a storyteller. He was out on the river the day after the big rain when he noticed something black in the water. Picking it up he discovered it was a book. After drying the pages he read into it, and found it to be full of wonderful stories. He began to tell these stories to the people and he became more famous than ever.

By and by when the Philippines became a United States possession, the American missionaries began to arrive and they gave the people Bibles. They were not afraid to read them now.

A Pilipino Christian came to the village one day and he began to tell them wonderful stories about Jesus, about David and Joseph, and others we read in the Bible. Some of the people said, “We have heard those stories before. Are they true?” The preacher told them they were, and asked where they got them from. “From the storyteller,” they replied. “Where did he get them from?” They went to bring the storyteller, and when he came he told them about finding the black Book in the river.

Sometime later the same preacher visited the first village where the young boy lived and told him the story of how a black book had been found down the river. Together they went to visit the storyteller, and what was the boy’s delight to find that it was his own precious Bible that the other had found floating on the water. How happy he was when the storyteller gave his treasured Book back to him again.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” Jer. 15: 16.

So the Word of God grew and multiplied in that land, and many of the Pilipinos have found Christ as their Saviour.

“For 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 may give seed to the 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.” Isa. 55: 10,11.

ML 11/05/1967

The Cow That Preached

Do you know how an infidel was once converted? God likes to save infidels. He likes to save those who have been defiantly shaking their fists in His face. Yes, instead of condemning such, He meets them, and forces them in grace to acknowledge Him. This is just what he wants to do with you if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.

This infidel was a jeering scoffer, who denied the existence of God. One Sunday he went out to his field to while away his time, for Sunday can be a dull day for a godless man. In the field was a cow that he owned and when she saw the man she came to him and licked the back of his hand. And he was converted through that cow. How? Did the cow preach? Yes, the cow preached by reminding the man of a verse from the Bible.

“The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” Isa. 1:3.

The cow brought to his memory that striking verse, which he had learned as a boy, and it went to his conscience.

“The Bible is true after all,” he said to himself. “That cow knows me, but I do not know God.”

As a result of this, he came to God, confessing that he was indeed a sinner. He took the Lord Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour. The man who had been an infidel, who had claimed that there is no God, now joyfully took God’s offer of salvation. Won’t you do so, too?

ML 11/05/1967

Backsliding

A Christian had been neglecting the week night meeting. He was visited by a servant of Christ who sought to bring before him the truth of the Word, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25.

He went to the fireplace, where the embers were glowing brightly on the hearth. He took a live coal and set it in a place off by itself. Together they watched as it changed from the red glow to a cold, black mass. His Christian friend then remarked: “You need not say another word; I’ll be there on Wednesday evening.”

ML 11/05/1967

Bible Questions for November

The Children’s Class

1.“It shall be given him.”

2.“He shall receive the crown of life.”

3.“Whosoever shall keep the whole law.”

4.“He shall lift you up.”

5.“If the Lord will, we shall.”

6.“The prayer of faith shall save the sick.”

7.“Shall hide a multitude of sins.”

The Young People’s Class Noah

1.A Preacher of Righteousness How did NOAH walk in his day when all the earth was corrupt before God? Gen. 6.

2.By what act of faith did NOAH become heir of the righteousness which is by faith? Heb. 11.

3.What did NOAH do immediately after the flood that resulted in a promise from God concerning the whole earth? Gen. 8.

4.How is NOAH referred to in the New Testament as one who warned the ungodly of judgment to come upon the world? 2 Pet.

5.What effect did the preaching of NOAH and his preparation of the ark have on those around him? Matt. 24.

6.What characteristic of God is made known in His waiting for NOAH to prepare the ark? 1 Pet.

7.1S there any difference in the way the righteousness of God is made good to us now as it was to Noah? Rom. 3

ML 11/05/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 45:14-16

It was not Joseph’s wish to remain a stranger to his father’s household and he told them of his desire to bring them all into a place where hunger would be unknown and where they would be under his loving and able care. “There will I nourish thee,” he promised. A wonderful place was assured them, but the security of it was in the person of Joseph who would be near them and nourish them. Happy the Christian who learns to keep near the Person of the Lord Jesus. There he proves the loving care of the Good Shepherd who leads His own into green pastures and still waters. In the mutual good of that communion they are ever preserved from spiritual famine or want.

“And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” vv. 14,15. The tears and kisses testified to the reality of Joseph’s words. Through these assurances, sealed with kisses and tears, the barriers were broken, fear dispelled, and “his brethren talked with him.” How much there was to talk about—they could scarcely touch on all the events of the many years of separation; nor yet fully enter into all that the promises of the future meant to them. There is a more blessed time for the believer to contemplate, when united with His glorious Saviour. In the ages to come God will display “the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us. through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:7.

“And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.” v. 16. When Joseph revealed himself to his brethren no one outside the family was permitted to witness the scene, but now the time had come for Pharaoh and his people to learn of the joy of his reunion. Insofar as the record goes, it appears that the Egyptians were never told of the past misbehavior of these men —they were simply and plainly identified as “Joseph’s brethren” and Pharaoh and his servants were pleased with what they heard.

Once more a lovely picture is before us. In that day when Jesus, as Messiah, will be owned by Israel, those who are outside will also be witness to their joy and prosperity. “And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against Me; and ... . whereby they have... transgressed against Me. And it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” Jer. 33:7-9. As we see the divine plan unfolded in the Scriptures shall we not say with the Apostle Paul: “How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”

Memory Verse: “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6.

ML 11/05/1967

Tom and the Two Doctors

The railway coach was filling rapidly when a young fellow entered and sat down beside me. As the train moved off, he began to hum a hymn tune and I wondered if he were a Christian. Then, a lady came along handing out gospel tracts. As she handed one to Tom at my side, he said, “May I pass it on when I’m done with it?”

“Certainly,” was her reply.

I then turned to the young fellow and asked, “Do you know the real meaning of that tract in your heart and experience?”

“Yes, thank God, I do,” he replied. “How did it all come about?” So he told me his story.

“Do you see that farm over there? That’s where I work. My first boss was a Christian. He was always trying to do us good, and had gospel meetings every week. But I couldn’t be bothered with the thing. I wasn’t a bad sort of fellow, but I didn’t want to be a Christian. I liked a drink now and then and a game of cards; but I just hated all that kind of thing the boss was so keen about. Things went on until I found a strange illness affecting me so that I couldn’t get through a day’s work as I used to.

“At last the boss saw that something was wrong, so one day he said, ‘Tom, you better see the doctor and have a checkup.

“Now, I thought, it’s all up with me. The doctor will probably say, ‘Tom, you haven’t long to live.’ Then I’ll be just done with. So I drove off to see the doctor, about ten miles away. I didn’t hurry the first five miles, I can tell you. I got to turning things over and over and talking to myself in this sort of way: ‘Here, Tom, you are in a bad way. Probably you’ll get bad news from the doctor, that you haven’t got long to live; and if you’ve got to die, you’ll just wish you were a Christian, and it will be awful mean to just give yourself to Christ because you were scared. But then, if the doctor says you will be all right in six months, you won’t mind, and you won’t want to be a Christian.’ So I got to working it backwards and forwards in my mind and I saw there was only one right thing to do-an honest thing; and that was to give myself right up to the Lord Jesus before I got to the doctor, and knew what my future might be.

“So I stopped there on the side of the road, jumped out, got down on the grass and said, ‘Lord Jesus, I am all wrong. I am a big sinner. I am lost, and I know it. I have to see the doctor, and I don’t know what he’ll say to me; but I want Thee,’ Lord Jesus, to take me just now and here, if Thou wilt, and forgive me, and change my life, and take away my sins, and keep me from sin. Oh, take me as I am!’

“And the Lord Jesus just did it. I just trusted to Him then and there as my own personal and loving Saviour.

“I jumped up and didn’t I drive happily over the road the other five miles? I didn’t care what might happen now. Going along, the Lord seemed to talk to me just as if He were sitting by my side. He seemed to say, ‘Tom, you are Mine.’ ‘Yes, Lord.’ ‘All Mine—spirit, soul, and body? ‘Yes, Lord. ‘Well, Tom, I want to send you on some errands for Me—to take some messages for Me; but I want My messengers to be like Me, and to be holy.’ And so the Voice seemed to whisper, ‘I want you to give up drink, I don’t like My servants to touch it. It is not a good example to others; and it ruins so many.’ ‘Lord,’ said I, ‘I’ll never want to touch it again.’ And then, Tom, I want My messengers to have a sweet breath when they speak My messages; I do not want you to waste their money.’ ‘No, Lord I can see that plainly enough.’ ‘So’ Tom, for My sake, give up your smoking!’ Away went my tobacco out into the road. I felt that God was claiming me altogether.’

“Well, I got to the doctor, and he examined me all over, and said ‘Tom, you will be all right if you will do what I say — give up drinking.” I have given it up already.’ ‘And then you must quit smoking.’ ‘Well, doctor, I’ve given that up too!’ ‘You’ll be all right if you’re careful.’

“Thank you, doctor, but I seem all right now. I got put right on my way here.” ‘Then why did you come to see me?’ ‘Well, the fact is, doctor, I met another Physician on the way to you.’ Another doctor? There’s no other doctor within forty miles of me. ‘What’s his name?’

“Reverently, with tears running down my cheeks, for I couldn’t keep them back, I said, ‘His name is the Lord Jesus Christ, doctor’; ‘and I told him all that happened.’ The doctor took my hand, and said, ‘Tom, I thank you for your honest and bold confession. I wish I could say the same as you; but I can’t. Still, I feel you have helped me, and I thank you. God bless you. You’ll be all right before long.’

“That’s how it all came about, and I have been praising the Lord ever since. Now I rejoice to serve the Lord and to help on His work any way I can.”

ML 11/12/1967

A Children's Favorite Hymn

Many years ago, Mr. Albert Midlane, a Christian man in the isle of Wight, wrote the beautiful hymn, “There’s a Friend for Little Children.” For almost a century it had been sung in Sunday Schools around the world, and it is as simple and sweet today as when it came from the author’s heart and pen.

What makes this hymn a special favorite is, that the Friend, the Home, the Crown, and the Robe are all for “little children,” just such as those to whom Jesus said: “Suffer little children to come unto Me.” Luke 18:16.

A FRIEND—One who “loveth at all times” (Prov. 17: 17), and as people said of Him, “A Friend of sinners” (Mat. 11: 19). “A Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24. Do you know Him as your Saviour, and your Friend?

A HOME—The Father’s house (John 14:2), already prepared by the Lord Jesus Himself and waiting for all who love Him. There all the Father’s children go when earthly life is past. All who are “born of God”—but no others—will gather at last in that heavenly home. Will you be there?

A CROWN—A crown of bright glory for each brow—not a “corruptible” crown but an incorruptible one (1 Cor. 9:25). Yet this, as the little hymn says, is for those who have “found His favor,” those who are “saved by grace” (Eph. 2:8).

ML 11/12/1967

From the Land of the Nile

A Colporteur who labored in the Nile Delta in Egypt tells of having cast his bread upon the waters and finding it after many days. He wrote:

“One day I entered a village and inquired if there were Christians in it, at whose house I might spend the night. The man whom I happened to ask took me to his house and said, ‘Do you not recognize me? I am the man who bought a Bible from you four years ago and, praise be to God, I came to know Christ well, and to believe that He is the living God and the only Saviour.’

“Then he brought in his wife and three children, all of whom had come into the same faith in Christ, and were reading the Bible together, morning and night. He went on, ‘I was despised by the people for taking the Bible, and had to leave the village and go to work in Cairo.’ It was with much difficulty that he earned a living. Said he, ‘I beg you that you will pray to the Lord for me, that He may have mercy upon me, and lead me near to Himself.’

“I spent the night in that house with pleasure. In the morning, my host took a New Testament and gospel portions for the purpose of distributing them among his friends.”

“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.

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

ML 11/12/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 45:17-24

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.”

As the hand of God has been seen directing all the events of Joseph’s life, so now the same divine ordering is seen working on behalf of Jacob and his family. God is well able to move the hearts of kings, to cause a famine, and to effect changes in the kingdoms of this world—all for the good and blessing of His own. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.” Prov. 21:1. No wisdom of man could have devised circumstances so favorable for the entrance of Jacob and his sons into Egypt. Yet did Pharaoh and his people owe a warm reception to all of Israel’s kin for Joseph’s sake. Pharaoh’s heart was drawn toward Joseph’s people; it was he who made the very proposals and provided the means to transport them to his land and establish them in the best of it.

Scripture records many such instances over the course of history, of kings and rulers working according to the will of God on behalf of His people. Let us never doubt this watchful care over His own, or His wisdom in establishing ways and means to suit His purposes. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isa. 59:1.

At Pharaoh’s command Joseph provided wagons with mules and provisions for the way, to which he added gifts of his own. “To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat (food) for his father by the way.” vv. 22,23. True tokens these were of his love and a foretaste of the way he would nourish them when they returned. And what a wonderful provider is our Saviour, “Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim. 6:17. “All things are yours... And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” I Cor. 3: 21,23.

Joseph did not let his tender affections for his brothers blind his eyes to their needs for diligence and the hazard of their drifting into careless ways when left once more to themselves. “See that ye fall not out by the way,” he admonished them, as they left for Canaan. Must we not also confess that each child of God needs the same warning as he pursues the wilderness journey. The Word gives a faithful warning: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12. There is only one sure object that will keep His people true, steadfast and unerringly on the right course: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Heb. 12:2.

ML 11/12/1967

Saved from the Snow

It was in the days of the first 1 Napoleon. The French army was retreating from Moscow and terrible hardships were endured. In the bitter cold, through blinding snow the men dragged their weary feet, their ranks getting thinner every day.

As column after column of troops retreated ever westward, the cry of a little child was heard. He had been dropped by his mother from one of the wagons that had passed on ahead. Several of the soldiers rushed back and rescued the little fellow from death. Opening his great coat, one of the men reverently and gently laid the little one close to his heart, thus shielding him from the icy blasts. Another soldier, and another, would take his turn in bearing safely onward that weak child whom they had rescued from a snowy grave.

As the days passed, the situation became more desperate, the hardships increased, while the guns and attacks of the enemy troops took their terrible toll. Rivers had to be crossed, and battles fought to clear the way for the survivors of that ill-fated expedition.

Amid all the dangers and sorrows of the homeward march, there was one who was safe and well cared for. Sometimes carried by one soldier, and again by another, it so came about that the little fellow reached Paris safe and sound. The soldiers had saved him from death and they were not going to leave their work half done. They finished the work they had begun by shielding and watching the rescued one till they arrived safe in the capital at last.

This world is a cold dreary waste— “the Valley of the shadow of death” —filled with hardships and sorrows along the way. But the care which these kindly soldiers bestowed upon that motherless little child shall be as nothing compared to the infinite tenderness with which God, the Almighty Redeemer, shall lead you on to that city of eternal rest, dear reader. Only trust Christ now as your Saviour, and you will be saved from death, kept by the power of God, and safely landed in glory.

“Redeemed..., with the precious blood of Christ,... kept by the por of God through faith unto salvation.” 1 Pet. 1: 18,19,5.

ML 11/19/1967

Bible Doves

BIBLE DOVES — How gentle are the doves as they coo among the trees, or fly above the fields in summer. Perhaps we might learn some simple lessons from “Bible doves”.

SILLY DOVES — (Hosea 7:11) They expose themselves to danger, putting themselves in places where they may be caught, snared and made captive. They are like boys and girls with sin and Satan: exposed to death and judgment, unsaved. Doves have little or no por to defend themselves; their safety is in flight to a place of security.

THE DOVE IN THE ROCK—(Jer. 48:28). Their nest is in the cleft of the rock-safe from harm. This is like the sinner. He flees to Christ, the Rock of Ages, cleft to hide and shelter from coming judgment. The feeble dove is safe in that strong rock, while secure in Christ is the boy or girl that believes in Him!

THE DOVE IN THE ARK—(Gen. 8:8). She found no home, no rest in the great watery waste. She had to go back to the ark and be received there again. No true believer can ever find a home or portion amid the sins and pollutions of this world. In Christ alone is his refuge and peace. (Read Matthew 11:28,29; John 16: 23.) Are you safe in Him?

HARMLESS DOVES — (Matt. 10: 16). The dove does not sting. Gentleness is her nature: so the Christian “Blameless and harmless” (Phil. 2:15). Gentle unto all, like Christ: easily known in school and home. Not faultless; but seeking ever to do what pleases God. Exposed, saved, satisfied-transformed.

Without Christ—in Christ—With Christ—like Christ. Ask yourself: Where am I?” In these four pictures of the dove, you will find what and where you are.

ML 11/19/1967

Androcles and the Lion

Many years ago, a Roman slave, named Androcles, was charged with some wrongdoing and was sentenced to be put to death. But Androcles escaped to the desert in Northern Africa. One day, when sitting at the entrance of a cave, he was much surprised and terrified to see a large lion coming towards him; but instead of pouncing on him, the lion quietly came up to him, and lifting his paw, at the same time he licked Androcles’ hand. There was a thorn in the paw, and the lion seemed to realize that a man could take it out and relieve him of his suffering. Androcles took the thorn out and the lion bounded off.

Sometime after this Androcles was captured, and condemned to fight a lion in the arena. When the hungry beast was let loose, he sprang towards Androcles, but stopped suddenly, crept quietly to him, and licked his feet. It was the same lion from whose paw he had pulled the thorn, and though the circumstances were entirely different, the lion remembered the kindness, and showed his gratitude.

I am sure no one would have expected such a thing from a wild animal, but what a lesson it may teach us. If a beast can show gratitude for kindness done to it, how much more should we! Our parents have done many kind acts for us, and have denied themselves many things, so that they could give to us, end yet how often children turn around and speak disrespectfully to parents, and disobey them. They act as if they had less sense of kindness shown them than that poor dumb lion.

There is something more than this, for there is no one who has loved us as the Lord Jesus has. He has given Himself for us; He died in our place, and bore the judgment we deserved.

“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5: 8.

How much do we love Him, and show gratitude for all that He has done for us? Are we willing to please Him? Is it our delight to talk often to Him, and read His Word, and thus have Him talk to us? May we each one seek to please Him in all our ways, and thus show that we love Him.

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord.” Psa. 69:30,31.

ML 11/19/1967

Do You Know Jesus?

Mr. Hanley was lying in bed, very ill. A Christian went to visit him and immediately saw that the sick man was so ill that he would not get well again. He leaned down and quietly asked, “Do you know Jesus?”

The poor man shook his head.

“Do you want to know Him?” Again the man shook his head. The kind visitor stayed a little longer to visit but soon he had to leave. A few days later Mr. Hanley died. Is it not solemn to think that maybe he died without knowing Jesus?

On another occasion a little boy was asked the same question. “Do you know Jesus?”

“Yes!” he said.

“Who is He, then?” the boy was asked.

Quickly he replied, “He is my Saviour.”

Yes, Jesus is the Saviour of all who believe that He died for them on the cross, and bore the punishment that they deserved.

Now let me ask you the same question: Do you know Jesus? Do you know Him as your Saviour? If you cannot say yes, I must ask you, too, do you want to know Him? Do not think you can wait until you are bigger, because Jesus may come at any time and take all the boys and girls who believe in Him to be with Him in heaven. After He comes it will be too late for you to say, “I want to be saved.”

In the Bible, God tells us that we are sinners and deserve to go to hell. But the Bible also tells us that Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross, and if we believe on Him our sins are all forgiven.

“To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.

ML 11/19/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 45:25-46:4

“And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” Jacob had no hope of again seeing his beloved Joseph and the report of his sons could not be accepted by him as truth. “He believed them not.” This is sad testimony to the lack of confidence in the father’s relationship with these rough sons. How often before had he known their deceptions and how could he now believe their words?

It was not until he saw the wagons and gifts sent from Egypt by both Joseph and Pharaoh that he could embrace the truth of Joseph’s existence and prosperity. As he looked on the bounties with which they returned and heard their repeated assurances he was compelled to own the story was true. “And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” v. 28.

“And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.” Chap. 46:1. Jacob, being 130 years of age, found it no small thing to undertake the long journey to Egypt. He was no longer in the strength and energy that had marked his youth and in which he so often failed to take God into account. How refreshing it is to see him, whose earlier years were so often marked by impetuous acts and self-confidence, at this time directing his first steps to Beersheba, “the well of the oath,” where Isaac and Abraham had previously resorted to commune with God. Here he offered sacrifices to God. Here it was Isaac had been forbidden to go down into Egypt as Abraham had faultily done. But now God spoke to Israel in the vision of the night and bade him fearlessly to go down into Egypt. “And God spake unto Israel... and He said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation. I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again; and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.” vv. 2-4. “Fear not to go down into Egypt” calmed his present uneasiness: “Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes,” gratified the earlier desire of his heart over his long-lost child.

Approximately 200 years earlier Abraham had heard similar words of comfort from God, telling him to “fear not.” God also spoke to him in a vision saying: “Know of a surely that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs,... and afterward shall they come out with great substance.” (See Gen. 15.). When the promise now came to Job, “I will go down with thee into Egypt; and... bring thee up again,” we can see this prophecy about to take place exactly as God had foretold.

Memory Verse: “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 11/19/1967

Tom Needham's Story

Tom Needham’s parents were Christians, living in the South of Ireland. He was the youngest of ten children, all of whom were brought up in the fear of God.

At the age of thirteen, Tom entered the British Navy. Several years later, he left the navy to sail in a merchant ship for South America. The captain of the ship was a very ungodly and cruel man. One day when they were in the Bay of St. George, Patagonia, Tom and some other sailors were sent ashore in a small boat. Then, without any warning whatever, by instructions from the heartless skipper, he was left behind on that rockbound coast.

Tom was captured by Tehuelche Indians, who were hunting seals, and they took him to their camp. Tom’s captors were cannibals, and prided themselves on the fact that they never spared a white man. However, the chief took a special liking to the young Irish fellow, and through a merciful intervention of God his life was spared. During his year’s captivity in Patagonia he learned the Indian language and accompanied them on their hunting expeditions. He became an expert in lassoing wild cattle and in catching ostriches with the bolus.

But Tom’s heart longed for liberty, and he determined to make a dash for freedom. One day when the Indians were off-guard, he mounted one of the strongest and fastest of the horses and galloped off into the tall pampas. Several of the braves pursued him for miles but he made good his escape. When canoeing down the Parana River he found a war raging between Paraguay and Brazil. Tom was seized as a spy and condemned to be shot. He was led out for execution and the soldiers stood ready to fire.

However, before the word of command was given there was a commotion among the crowd and a man suddenly appeared on horseback. Dismounting, he rushed to an officer standing by and exclaimed: “Don’t you dare shoot that boy. If you do, I will hold your country responsible for the outrage. He is either British or American, and I am the Austrian Consul.”

As he spoke, he waved in the air a parchment document sealed with various seals. The prisoner was released and handed over to the care of the Consul. Tom’s heart was filled with gratitude to the man for being the means of saving his life, and he told him so.

At last after many stirring experiences and hairbreadth escapes, Tom reached the coast and boarded a ship for England. There he learned that all his brothers and sisters had moved to Boston in the U.S.A. So he came to Boston, where his sisters would not at first believe that he was their long-lost Tom. However, his eldest brother, who became a well-known servant of Christ, identified him, and he was welcomed with open arms.

It so happened that an American evangelist was having special meetings in Boston just then. A cousin took Tom to the services. The address that night was on the words, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Dan. 5:27.

God carried the words home in mighty power to Tom’s heart and conscience, and he was led to see that he was lost, ruined, and condemned, utterly unable to say or do anything to save himself. That very night he laid hold of the glorious fact that the Lord Jesus was “wounded for his transgressions, and bruised for his iniquities,” (Isa. 53: 5), and by believing on Him who loved him and gave Himself for him, Tom was pardoned (Acts 10:4), justified (Acts 13:39), and saved (Acts 16:31). He immediately confessed Christ before others, and sought to make known the glad and glorious gospel of Christ.

One evening while preaching in a Canadian town, he was telling some of his experiences. At the close of the service an elderly man, trembling with emotion, took his hand and invited him to his home. As they entered the house, Tom Needham saw a painting of the ship, and at once recognized her as the one in which he had sailed to Patonia. The man then said, “I was the captain you told about in your story today. Now I want to ask you your forgiveness.” Needless to say, it was freely and fully given, and Tom Needham had the joy of pointing his former captain, who left him on the Patagonian shore, to the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. The old captain was converted, his afterlife proving the reality of the change in his heart.

“Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!... for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Rom. 11: 33,36.

ML 11/26/1967

Lessons from a Snowflake

Our picture today shows a variety of snowflakes magnified under the microscope. Who would have ever thought that the millions of these flakes that fall from above, have all so many various shapes and formations. But we need not wonder, for they are the workmanship of God, and like all that He does they are perfect.

Thousands of years ago, Job was asked the question, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?” Job 38:22. Let us seek to learn some gospel lessons from the snow.

1.GUILT— “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7, is the expression of a guilty sinner, who has learned his vileness before God, and longs to be clean and pure before Him. By one means only can a sinner be cleansed—by the blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 1: 7.

2.GRACE— “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18. This is God’s word of assurance to the sinner who comes to Him, and to accept His forgiveness as proclaimed in the gospel. “Through this Man (Christ Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified.” Acts 13:38,39. No snowflake falling from the heavens is whiter in God’s sight than the sinner washed from his sins. “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,6.

3.GODLINESS— “Her Nazarites were purer than snow.” Lam. 4: 7. Those who are saved through the blood of Jesus are set apart unto godliness, to be all for Him, to serve Him here, separate from the world, living as heavenly people on earth. The true Nazarite is one who is separated unto Christ.

4.GLORY— “His raiment... white as snow.” Mark 9:3. This is how the Lord Jesus appeared “in glory.” “Robes made white” (Rev. 7: 14) is a description of the redeemed.

ML 11/26/1967

Michael Faraday

Michael Faraday, one of the great scientists, was a Christian. One day he was lecturing to a large audience in London. When the applause had subsided, the Prince of Wales arose and proposed a motion of appreciation and congratulations to the lecturer. When they looked around for him, they found Mr. Faraday had hastily left the hall after concluding his lecture. His close friends knew that the hour of the weekly prayer meeting had arrived. It was there that Mr. Faraday had gone. Though he possessed one of the greatest intellects in the world, he felt he could not afford to miss the prayer meeting.

ML 11/26/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 46:5-27

Whether or not Jacob had knowledge of the earlier relation given his grandfather concerning his people’s move to Egypt, we are not told. But Jacob revealed his confidence in the same God that Abraham and Isaac had known and was encouraged by His assurances as he undertook the long journey southward. It is delightful to see the old patriarch’s trust in God at this important time of his life.

“And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. And they took their cattle, and their goods which they had gotten in the land of Canaan,... and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.” He and his sons had no idea of entering that land as mere dependents on its prince, whatever his desire to show all honor to Joseph. They therefore took their “stuff” along with them.

Nevertheless the message from Pharaoh had been: “regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” What a generous welcome this was to the little company! There was no cause for concern, for the best of the new land lay before them. Pharaoh voiced the highest authority in these assurances to Joseph’s people. May we ever remember that God has promised complete care and provision for all who are Christ’s, for He identifies all such with His Son, just as Pharaoh identified Israel and his people with Joseph and showed kindness for his sake. Has the believer assurances of divine care in this our day? Indeed he does. He is told not to trust “in uncertain riches but in the living God, who giveth it; richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Tim 6: 17. “Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:31-33. The psalmist was in the good of this when he said: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Psa. 68:19.

The names of those accompanying Jacob are listed and counted in verses 8-26, a total of 67, including the father. “And the sons of Joseph, which were borne him in Egypt, were two souls; all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.” v. 27. How instructive it is to see God taking account of the names and the number of His people, few and feeble though they were. Be the circumstance ever so small, or the occasion ever so great, the eye of the Lord is at all times upon those who are His. Well may the believer say with Hagar of old, “Thou God seest me,” and be encouraged to know more of this watchfulness and care. “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways.” Psa. 139:2-4.

Memory Verse: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

ML 11/26/1967

A River Pilot's Conversion

A Christian captain, sailing down the Mississippi, had a serious accident in which his ship was so damaged that he was in danger of losing both ship and cargo. However, in spite of the disaster, the captain remained calm, and so much so that it was evident to others that it was his faith and trust in God that sustained him in the trial. The Bible tells us, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.” Isa. 26:3.

While in this trying situation, there came to his aid a river pilot, who, on his own confession, neither feared God nor regarded man. After offering to help the captain, he began to storm and swear.

A little later, having observed the captain’s peace of mind, he contrasted his conduct with that of the captain and said to himself: “How is it, that while I have nothing to lose, here I am swearing as though the ship belonged to me; and the captain, who has ship, cargo, and reputation at stake, seems perfectly calm? It must be his religion. I have a Bible on board my boat, and I am going to start reading it, and see if I can find what his faith is.”

The pilot did read, and the Spirit of God applied the truth to his soul. He became convinced that he was a lost sinner, and knew that without the faith which he had seen displayed in the captain, he must be lost. Convicted in his soul, he turned to Christ and was happily converted. Afterward he called on the captain to tell him what the Lord had done for his soul.

“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.

ML 12/03/1967

An African Boy's Desire

Mr. Philip, a Missionary in South Africa, told the following story: One day, having given a New Testament to a girl, her brother, a boy about ten years of age, asked for one for himself. I had laid down a rule that I would give but one Bible free to a family, so I refused to give him one without money. The children came from a poor home where the widowed mother had a hard time trying to make ends meet.

The boy went off, but a little while later he was back with a small coin worth about a nickel. I informed him that I could not give him a Bible for that small sum, so off he went again and returned with another nickel. Finding that this was still not sufficient, he tried again to obtain more money, but failed; he made a fourth attempt and this time he succeeded and came back with another nickel. The poor boy could do no more, his resources were at an end, and he knew if he did not succeed now he must be without a Bible.

It was quite affecting to see this interesting boy, in an imploring attitude, with his arms extended, holding his money in his open hands, and the tears in his eyes, while he pleaded for a Bible. I could no longer resist. I inquired how he got the money, and was told he got one nickel from his mother, one from his brother, and that he had pledged some of his toys for the other. I gave him the Bible, and returned his money. The poor boy could not have appeared more happy than he showed himself to be on this occasion, even if a king’s crown had been put on his head.

May we who have so much in this day of wealth and plenty have more of the spirit of the little African boy and appreciate more than we do the great and blessed privilege of hang the Word of God, the Bible, to read and enjoy.

“Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven.” Psa. 119: 89.

“Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psa. 119:111.

Memory Verse: “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Luke 18:17.

Around the throne of God in heaven

Will many children sing;

Children whose sins are all forgiven,

Will heavenly anthems bring,

Singing, “glory, glory, glory be to God on high!”

Because the Saviour shed His blood

To purge away their sin;

Now washed in that most precious flood,

Behold them white and clean!

ML 12/03/1967

"And Fell Asleep"

Anna Packman, just eight years old, was taken sick one day at school. She came home but her illness continued. Two days afterward, she told of how a Christian man had come into the little Sunday school and told them how kind it was of their teacher to tell them of the love of Jesus. Then she repeated her text, “I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me.” Prov. 8:17. After this, she sang the little hymn:

Around the throne of God in heaven,

Will many children sing

Children whose sins are all forgiven,

Will heavenly anthems bring,

Singing, Glory, glory, glory be to God on high.

A little while after, a friend asked her, “What did the Lord Jesus come into the world for?”

She answered, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” And often when she awoke she would repeat: “Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.”

When her companions came to see her, she sang a little hymn:

There is a happy land, far far away,

Where saints in glory stand,

Bright, bright as day,

Oh how they sweetly sing,

Worthy is the Saviour — King,

Loud let His praises ring,

Praise, praise for aye.

On the morning of her departure, she said good-by to her father and friends, and looking up, she waved her little hand, saying, “Glory, glory, glory!” and then fell asleep.

ML 12/03/1967

Bible Questions for December

The Children’s Class

1.“Full of glory.”

2.“Gave Him glory.”

3.“The Spirit of glory.”

4.“His eternal glory.”

5.“Called us to glory.”

6.“Honor and glory.”

7.“To Him be glory.”

The Young People’s Class Samuel Asked of God

1.For how long did SAMUEL’S mother dire him to be lent to the Lord? I Sam.

2.Did SAMUEL serve the Lord as a child? 1 Sam.

3.As SAMUEL grew, how was the Lord’s presence with him manifested? I Sam.

4.What formula did SAMUEL give to Israel when they desired to return unto the Lord? 1 Sam.

5.What did SAMUEL build unto the Lord at his home in Ramah? 1 Sam.

6.What did SAMUEL do when the people made known their desire to have a king over them? 1 Sam.

7.When SAMUEL became old and was about to retire from his labors, what service to the people did he consider it a sin not to continue? 1 Sam.

ML 12/03/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 46:28-34

“And (Jacob) sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.” We can see the sense of propriety in Jacob in sending Judah before him to give good notice of his coming to Goshen. We have noticed earlier the faith and wisdom of Joseph who had already in chapter 45:10 sent to his father the message as to Goshen, bore he had said a word to Pharaoh. It was the outlying part of Egypt, where they could best retain their old occupation as shepherds, and were least exposed to the idolatrous and moral corruptions of that land.

“And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.” Thus the long cherished meeting took place — the aged father, the long-separated son, and all the brethren happily united and brought into joyous harmony with one another. Here was a beautiful foreshadowing of the time when God will see His Son united with His earthly people. Yet it also tells of the joy that is the present portion of any of Israel’s race now, who coming to Christ the rejected One, own Him as their Saviour. Their blessing will not be earthly — as will be Israel’s in the future day — but heavenly, along with those saved from among the Gentiles in this day of grace.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me, and the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and: their herds, and all that they have vv. 31,32. Egypt, the world’s mightiest nation, enjoyed a high degree of culture and achievement in various sciences. In their estimation it was considered an abomination to even eat with a Hebrew. Furthermore, they held shepherds in low esteem and disdained those engaged in this occupation.

Joseph knew the difficulties that would arise if his brethren were to attempt dwelling close to, or mixing with, the people of Egypt and undertook to speak to Pharaoh on their behalf. He thus appeared as a “daysman” or “intercessor” between the great ruler and these people who, by nature and practice, would have no access to his person or to his favors. In identifying himself with them, he is a type of Him who in a later day identified Himself with His poor, sinful and hopeless people; “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Heb. 2: 11.

The blessed Saviour, taking upon Himself the form of man, has taken the sinner’s place on Calvary before a just and holy God and this is all-availing for salvation to all who through faith lay hold of it. “Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation (or atonement) for the sins of the people.” Heb. 2:17.

ML 12/03/1967

Jonathan

“Where are you going?” said Jonathan to two small girls as they walked along.

“We’re going to the children’s mission school,” answered Lena and Bertha.

“Oh, I’d like to go with you,” said Jonathan.

“Come along then,” replied the girls.

Jonathan was a little Jewish boy, six years old. At the mission school he received a kind welcome. When he saw so many children, all of whom were strangers, he felt shy, and stayed close to Lena and Bertha.

When the children were all assembled, the teacher opened school with a very earnest prayer to the Lord Jesus. Then she told them of how that when He was on earth He called the little children to Himself and blessed them, saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me,” Mark 10: 14. To Jonathan it all seemed like a dream; it was like being in another world, and hearing a new language. He could not take his eyes off the teacher. Gladly would he have listened to hear more of this wonderful Saviour, but the lesson was soon over and then the teacher took the children out under the trees, where they spent some time singing and playing.

When Jonathan got home his mother asked him where he had been. “Oh, Mother,” he said, “I’ve been to the mission school, and I wish you would let me go there every day.”

“My child!” said his mother in astonishment. “Why do you want to go there?”

“Oh, they sing there, and tell nice stories,” he answered; “I went with Lena and Bertha, and I should like to go every day.”

His mother was silent for a moment; then she said, “Well, you may go.” Jonathan kissed and thanked her.

From then on, a new life began within the boy; as the flower opens in the sunshine, so the heart of Jonathan unfolded beneath the beams of God’s love. The dead prayers which he heard at home could not satisfy the desire he felt to learn more of the Friend of little children, who came from heaven to earth “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19: 10; “Who gave Himself for our sins,” so that we might have life. Jonathan thirsted for that “water” which we can only get from the Lord Jesus, who gives it freely to all who come to Him.

One day at the school the teacher was telling the children the story of Calvary, and of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus, who was crucified there. “The Lord Jesus suffered all this for us, that we might have eternal life, and live with Him in heaven,” she explained. A solemn pause followed, and then the teacher said, “Let us pray and give thanks.” The children responded, “Yes, let’s do.” Streams of grace flowed down from heaven that day and there was “joy in heaven” (Luke 15:7). Little Jonathan went home, his face shining with happiness, and exclaimed, “Oh Mother, the Saviour died for us, for you, for me, for Father and oh, for everyone.”

The mother’s face flushed with crimson. Then after the first moment of her embarrassment she said, “Jonathan, never let me hear these words again.” But the child, filled with deep earnest joy, pressed again the words on her soul: “The Saviour died for you, and for me, and for Father and for everyone.”

“Who told you this?” she asked, hastily.

“The teacher,” replied Jonathan.

“Don’t you ever say those words again, my boy, because it is not true. These things are not for us; do you hear what I say?”

Poor Jonathan stood like one struck by lightning; then he went back to school, weeping.

“Why do you cry, Jonathan?” the teacher asked kindly.

“Oh,” answered Jonathan, “Mother told me that it is not true that the Saviour died for us, and that these things are not for us”; and again his eyes filled with tears.

“Dear Jonathan,” said the teacher, “God can open the ears of those who do not know His love. Pray for your mother, and steadfastly believe that the Lord Jesus died for you and your parents.”

“Is it true?” asked Jonathan again “Yes,” declared his teacher; “all that I have told you about Jesus is true,” and then, putting her hands upon his curly head, she prayed that God would bless the dear boy, and give the knowledge of Himself to his parents.

Jonathan was quiet; the teacher pressed him to her heart, kissed him, and sent him back home. Then she went to her room and prayed for that Jewish family.

She never saw Jonathan again, for his father forbade him to go any more to the mission school. Great tears rolled down the boy’s cheeks, but he did not rebel. Then a hard time began for him. Often he wished to be taken to heaven. Sadly, he watched Lena and Bertha as they passed him on the way to school, and often he was inclined to go with them to school; but no, he must be obedient and stay at home. His drooping spirit was reflected in his little sad face.

One cold winter evening, a small boy might have been seen standing atop a tree trunk before the window of the mission school. Though a cold north wind was blowing, and he wore neither hat nor coat, he had but one object — to get one look at the happy children inside; nothing more. It was Jonathan. The boy was happy, his cheeks aglow, his eyes alight with pleasure.

Inside the school, all was joy and gladness. He heard Lena singing a child’s hymn and Jonathan felt great joy and happiness. Then all the children sang, “From heaven above He came,” and when the last line died away, Jonathan went home unobserved as he came, but in a different state of mind.

ML 12/10/1967

Don't Overlook the Children

Among the many stories Gypsy Hawkins, the evangelist, liked to tell, was one about a little girl at St. Edmunds. They were having special gospel services in connection with the railway mission there.

After one meeting Mr. Hawkins spoke to every grown-up about deciding for Christ. Then they had a time of silent prayer and the evangelist closed the meeting. However, one little girl waited behind.

“Have you given your heart to Christ?” asked the evangelist.

“No, but I want to,” she replied with tears in her eyes.

That night he had the joy of leading the dear young soul to the Saviour, and a flood of happiness filled both their hearts.

Mr. Hawkins rebuked himself for having overlooked her and for concentrating solely on the adults. Probably neither he nor the other Christian workers thought that very much had been accomplished that night. Yet the Spirit of God was doing His own blessed work in the soul of that young girl and there was “joy in the presence of the angels of God” that night.

Ten years later Mr. Hawkins was holding gospel meetings at Stow-market, when a wealthy Christian man offered him the use of his Cor and chauffeur, saying, “Drive where you like.” One day he asked the chauffeur to take him over to St. Edmunds. Then he inquired of the local preacher how the young girl who had been converted in his mission there ten years previously was getting on. “She is the best Christian worker we have,” was the reply.

Memory Verse: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7:14.

ML 12/10/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 47:1-6

“Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen. And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh... And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying... The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.”

There is much for our consideration in what has taken place thus far in the story of Joseph. We have seen a people impoverished and facing starvation in a distant land, where they were without hope until they encountered Joseph, the one whom they once rejected. Through him they were invited to come and enjoy the bounties that could only be theirs when near him. But first they needed to confess their past sins and guilt, then to believe and trust in Joseph. Acting in this faith they found access to Pharaoh and heard his abundant promises poured out — “the best of the land” was to be theirs.

This (in type) is exactly the way that God can accept and bless those who by nature and on account of their sins are far from Him. The Lord Jesus has said: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved”; and again: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 10:9; 14:6. It is evident that the sinner cannot come to God by himself — he (like Joseph’s brethren) needs an intercessor— and the Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can take this place for him.

Having owned that his sins hay placed him at such a distance from God he learns that Christ in His death has made atonement for his sins. He then accepts in simple faith that salvation that the Lord Jesus brings in all its fullness. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:1,2. Through faith in Christ, the one who once was “without Christ... having no hope, and without God in the world,” is brought into a new relationship with God and finds Him the giver of every good and perfect gift.

One thing additional is impressed upon us at this point: The household of Israel was to be a separated and distinct people, although actually dwelling in the land of Egypt. Egypt is a type of the world, and the Lord Jesus, when praying to His Father on behalf of His own in John 17, said: “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17: 15,16. The people of God are now seen by Him as “A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people... which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Pet. 2:9,10. God grant that His own might remain undefiled and separate from this present evil world!

ML 12/10/1967

Nobody's Son

From a western prairie home a young father had gone on business to a distant town. He was detained overnight and as he laid down to sleep he prayed for God’s protection for his young wife and baby alone at home.

At that very moment his wife was tucking the baby into its little crib. As she did so, suddenly she noticed a man’s foot showing from below a heavy drape. She turned pale and terror filled her heart, but on glancing around the room her eyes lighted on a text on the wall. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” Psa. 103:13. This assurance calmed her — God saw and God cared.

She knelt down by the crib and prayed in a low voice that sinners might be led to Christ, and that those who were meditating crime might repent and be saved. Then she prayed for God’s care over herself and her babe claiming His power and promise to save. She then calmly sat down, a look of peace settling on her face.

With a sudden movement the robber stood before her. In a low husky voice he told her he had heard her prayer for protection and that her prayer was already answered for he would not harm her. “My mother prayed for me too, but now she is dead and I am a wanderer for whom no one cares. O! lady pray for me as long as you live. Pray for ‘Nobody’s son,’” and he hurried out.

Years later as she was listening to a preacher tell the story of his conversion to a large company, he told of the prayer that first awakened him, and she realized her prayers had been answered, for the robber for whom she had prayed so long, was now telling others of the great salvation offered to all who will take Jesus as their own Saviour.

It was a joy to them to meet, and thanking her for her prayers, he told her how he was no longer “Nobody’s son” but a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

What honor to God and blessing to the robber flowed from this dear woman’s faith! By FAITH in Christ we become God’s children and then we trust our loving Father to care for us all along our pathway down here. And He never, never disappoints faith. Have you proved this?

“Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22.

ML 12/17/1967

Jonathan

After this, Jonathan went away to school. He passed through the university, the darkness of which was never broken in upon by the Word of God. The impressions of his childhood gradually passed away, but he never lost a desire for the “Lost Paradise,” as he called it. The world yielded him no amusement, nor could his friends’ pleasures satisfy him. His only enjoyment was to take a walk in the forest alone with his own thoughts.

Jonathan studied medicine, and was soon known as a diligent scholar and man of great learning; this gave him some satisfaction. One day he was with an older doctor visiting patients at a hospital. They came to the bed of a woman who seemed to be very near her end. The older doctor looked at her for a moment, felt her pulse, and said, “I think you’ll be better soon”; then he left the poor sick one. She said nothing, but the look on her face spoke more than words could convey. This look met Jonathan’s eye, and went to his heart; his conscience was greatly troubled. As soon as the older doctor left the hospital, Jonathan went back to the woman who, although in great pain, was quiet and had folded her hands in prayer.

“Dear friend,” he said, “I just had to come back and tell you the truth before it is too late. It seems to me you have only a little while to live, so if you have anything to arrange before you leave this world, make haste. If I can do anything for you, I will help you as much as I can.”

The dying woman looked at him with gentleness and love; and said “Dear sir, I thank you, you are very kind. I feel I am near my end, and rejoice that I am going home, going to leave this world, and to be forever with Christ. But if you wish to do me a friendly service, get the book which you will find under my pillow, and read to me a little.”

Jonathan found the book; it was a New Testament with the Psalms. “What would you like to hear?” he asked.

“Read the 17th chapter of John, please.”

With deep interest and feeling, he did so, and it was as if he had never heard such words before. He looked at the patient; her soft eye was fixed on him with an expression of thankfulness, and heaven’s joy was in her face.

“Thank you, sir,” she said, “for this kind service. I will ask my Saviour to bless you. I am going to rest in my heavenly home, and I give you this book as a token of my gratitude. Remember our conversation. May the Saviour bless each word of it to your heart.”

She gave him the Testament, and he left her and returned home. He closed the door of his room and read from his Book, “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:2. This seemed to be the very language of his heart. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out,” said the Lord Jesus, and He made true His word.

In the dead of the night, deeper and deeper Jonathan searched into the precious Book, the holy Word of God. The Lord Jesus brings light out of darkness. The Spirit of God was taking a slow but certain way to accomplish a great work in his soul.

The next scene is a small chapel where many people are gathering. A solemn pause follows the singing of the first hymn, then in the midst of the people there arises a fine looking young man with black hair and dark complexion; with deep feeling, he utters the words, “Let us pray.” When his prayer is over, he reads a part of the 19th chapter of John, and when he comes to verse 30, “It is fished,” tears run down his cheeks; then with an earnest expression he repeats the words, “It is finished!” Yes, it is finished, through grace and love, praise be to God the Father of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

It is Jonathan, who now carries the glad tidings of the Saviour’s love to poor souls sitting in darkness in the gloomy deserts of Africa.

ML 12/17/1967

I Belong to Jesus

The shortest sermon I ever heard was preached by the shortest preacher I ever saw. It took place on a boat on the St. Lawrence river. Ever since the boat left the wharf, I had been amused by hearing a clear, high-set voice asking questions, one after another, as fast as the little tongue could go.

A policeman took his place beside the little boy, who turned up his dear little face and said, “Are you a policeman?”

“Yes,” answered the man, looking at him kindly.

“Why are you a policeman?” was the next question.

The policeman gave a puzzled laugh, but took out the key of a patrol box, and a pair of handcuffs, and told him they were to put on bad boys when he took them away.

“You won’t take me away.” said the little fellow bravely, looking him straight in the face.

“No, my boy, I won’t take you; but who do you belong to?” asked the big man still smiling.

“I belong to Jesus,” said the child.

The big policeman got very red in the face, and, rising hurriedly, left his seat.

I shall never forget that little preacher and his little sermon.

The sermon was only four words. Dear reader, could you preach it truthfully?

“I BELONG TO JESUS.”

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also.” Matt. 10:32.

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

Can a little child like me

Pray to Jesus fittingly?

Yes, O yes, He loves to hear

Prayers from lips of children dear.

I will need His help today

In the things I do and say.

ML 12/17/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 47:7-22

“And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh.” Pharaoh, because of Joseph’s association with his people, accepted those who would otherwise have had no claim upon him. So God fully accepts all who come to Him through the Person and work of His beloved Son.

“And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.” When Pharaoh asked Jacob his age, he replied: “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.” How wondrous the grace of God toward Jacob! Although compelled to acknowledge that he had not measured up to the life of his fathers, yet, he blessed Pharaoh when he went in and again before he came out. It would seem strange, perhaps, for one in Jacob’s position to take the place of blessing the greatest man in all the earth. Yet he did so with all the assurance and dignity of one who was the possessor of God’s promises, which embraced a far more elevated position than the monarch before him.

Not a favor did he ask though we may be sure he might have had anything. Yet there was in this neither vanity nor pride, but a soul that had come to know divine goodness. His portion was a better thing than the world can confer. There was treasure enough in God for Pharaoh; so his heart overflowed on the king’s behalf. “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” Heb. 7: 7.

So it is now: the feeblest child of God has a higher and far superior place than the wealthiest or most powerful man of this world, for are we not told: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ”? Rom. 8: 16,17. Can any earthly position’ compare with this?

“And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Ram. eses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.” vv. 11,12. This brings before us a happy and touching scene. Joseph and his father must have had many a cherished hour together. It is particularly interesting to learn that Joseph nourished his own with food throughout the rest of the famine and none had lack, from the oldest to the youngest. Joseph’s eye was upon them throughout those trying years, reminding us of the One who has an even greater concern for His own and has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

As for the Egyptians, “There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.” v. 13. Now the God-given wisdom of Joseph in preparing for the famine was fully tested and proved. As the people pressed upon him for food he opened the granaries and storehouses. At first they paid for their supplies with money, but as this was consumed, they traded their cattle in exchange for food. As the famine persisted they next gave their land over to Pharaoh. Finally their very lives were offered as servants, and they were accordingly removed into cities from one end of Egypt to the other.

ML 12/17/1967

Ready Now

In the city of Liverpool, England, some years ago, on a cold cloudy morning, the captain of a steamer was coming down the street on his way to his ship, when he noticed a poorly clad, hungry little boy standing in front of a fine restaurant.

The captain placed his hand gently on the boy’s shoulder and asked, “What are you doing here, my little man?” The little boy, with a piteous look, said, “O sir, I was just standing here looking at the good things they have to eat in the restaurant.”

“Well,” said the captain, “if you had on good clothes, a clean face, and your hair combed, I would take you in the restaurant and get you something to eat.”

The little boy, with a look of love and gentleness, and with tears in his eyes at the captain’s kind words, brushed his hair with his hand and said, “I am ready — ready now.” To which the captain replied, “Well, my little man, God bless you; come with me into the restaurant and I will get you something to eat.”

As the little fellow began to eat, the captain asked, “Where is your mother, my boy?” “Mother died when I was about four years old,” replied the child. “Where is your father?” “I haven’t seen father since mother died.” “And who takes care of you?” inquired the captain.

The boy, with a look of calm resignation, said; “When mamma was sick, just before she died, she told me that Jesus would take care of me: she taught me how to pray and to love Jesus.”

Putting his arms around the boy, the captain said, “Come with me my little man, and you will always be my boy.” He made arrangements to bring the little lad on the steamer and introduced him to his men, sang: “He will wait on me, and his name is “Ready Now.” He is always ready and you must not call him by any other name than “Ready Now.” The little boy cleaned up after the captain had given him a new blue suit of clothes, and he began his pleasant duty of waiting on the captain, and did so most faithfully.

The captain learned to love dearly the little child. Shortly after the little boy had been on board, he took sick, and one day he said to the captain, “I feel sick; I have awful pains in my breast. O captain, I want to get close to you.” The kind-hearted man took the little child in his arms and pressed him to his heart. The little one fell asleep and was carried very carefully to his berth.

A few days later the doctor said to the captain: “I have done all I can for that poor child; he is seriously ill and will die.” “O Doctor,” cried the captain, “save him; I can’t give him up.” But the child continued to grow worse. One day the boy sent for the captain whom he loved so dearly, and as the captain looked him in the face, he saw that death was very near.

The little boy, in a low, weak voice, said: “O Captain, I do love you, you have been so good to me. But say, Captain, I am going to leave you; I am going to where Jesus and mother are. Yes, Captain, I am going to be with Jesus. O Captain, won’t you give your heart to Jesus? Meet me in heaven. Captain, Jesus loves you; won’t you let Him save you and be a Christian?”

The captain, with deep emotion and trembling voice replied, “I have been thinking about it, my little boy.” “But when, Captain?” asked the sick boy. “I will attend to it soon,” replied the captain. “But when?” again asked the boy. “When will you be ready to give your heart to Jesus?” “Well,” said the captain, “I will not put it off much longer.” “O Captain, won’t you let Jesus save you? When will you be ready?”

With tears streaming down his cheeks, the captain fell upon his knees and cried, “I am ready now— ready now!” And there on his knees, with a broken and contrite heart, the captain opened his heart to the Lord Jesus. About a half hour afterward some of the men came to the captain’s room and found him kneeling in prayer, the little boy’s arms around his neck — the child cold in death’s embrace — the spirit had returned to God who gave it. He had pleaded with the captain to the end and had won, a faithful little worker for Jesus to the last.

The captain gave up his position as captain of the steamer and went out to preach the Gospel of the grace of God to poor, lost sinners and to tell of the dear little boy, who had been the means in God’s hands, of leading him to the blessed Saviour.

Dear young reader, are you a Christian? Do you love Jesus as this little boy did? Are you ready to meet Him? Do you know Him as your personal Saviour who died for you on the cross of Calvary? If not will you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour now, and then you can say, “Ready now.” “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML 12/24/1967

Learning the Scriptures

Theodosius, the great Roman general and emperor, who lived in the fourth century, wrote out the New Testament with his own hands.

Zuinglius wrote out the epistles of Paul, and learned them by heart.

Cromwell, Earl of Essex, learned all the New Testament.

Dr. Gouge read fifteen chapters every day — five in the morning, five after lunch, and five after supper.

Bonaventure wrote out all the Bible twice, and learned much of it by heart.

King Alphonsus read the Bible fourteen times over; and prince George of Transylvania read it through 27 times.

How dear must the Word of God have been to these diligent students of divine truth!

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jer. 15: 16.

ML 12/24/1967

"I'm Not Too Young"

Mr. Hawkins, the gypsy evangelist, while holding meetings at Leamington, had an experience that impressed on him the importance of taking children seriously.

He had given a rather lengthy Bible lecture and decided not to have an after meeting. However, he invited any anxious souls to wait behind after the meeting if they wished. The large congregation filed out, and no one appeared to be waiting. He put his Bible away and prepared to leave. Then he noticed two little girls and a boy who obviously desired to be spoken to.

“Hallo!” he said. “What do you want?”

“We want to give our hearts to Jesus,” was their reply.

Mr. Hawkins pulled out his watch and said: “It is very late. You had better go home. We have a special children’s meeting on Friday. Come back then, and we’ll have a talk about the matter.”

At this the boy began to cry. “Oh,” he said, “I deliver papers on Friday and can’t come to the meeting. I would like to be saved tonight.”

Instantly Gypsy Hawkins saw his mistake and said to the little fellow, “You’re right, and I’m wrong.”

They had a little talk together in which Mr. Hawkins made the way of salvation clear and simple for these dear children to understand. Then they all knelt down in the aisle and there on their knees each of the three accepted the Lord and confessed Him as their Saviour. That young boy became an earnest Christian, grew up to be a preacher of the gospel, a well-known and respected servant of Christ.

Gypsy Hawkins never forgot that rebuke ministered quite unconsciously through that little boy at Leamington. Ever after that he was most careful to deal with all children who showed the least desire to trust in Christ. He was used to lead boys and girls to the Saviour in many parts of the world.

So the little children’s chorus is true,

“I’m not too young to come to Jesus,

For He loves a little child.”

The Lord Jesus tells us in the gospels, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones.” Matt. 18: 10.

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

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

ML 12/24/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 47:23-31

Joseph’s dealings with the people of Egypt were entirely in the interest of Pharaoh who left all authority in his hands. This is an illustration of the present authority and power of Christ, through whom God now speaks to us; “Whom He hath appointed heir of all things,” who upholds “all things by the word of His power.” (Heb. 1:2,3). The time came when Joseph bought both all the people and the land for Pharaoh, speaking of the coming day — the very end of all things of time—when Christ “shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power.” 1 Cor. 15:24.

When these things were accomplished Joseph disbursed seed to the people, for the famine was near its end and it was time to plant for the future. At this time he taxed the people — one fifth of the crop to be for Pharaoh and four parts for themselves, which remained an annual tribute throughout Egypt. All these things were readily accepted by the people; they were glad to have had Joseph administer so wisely for their needs. “And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord.” v. 25. Our thoughts look forward to the time when the blessings of the Lord shall be upon a cleansed world, of which the psalmist has spoken: “Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion: and unto Thee shall the vow be performed. O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come.” Psa. 65:1,2.

“And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.” v. 27. Under the blessing of God, administered through Joseph the children of Israel prospered. The land of Rameses, which was a part of Goshen, was fertile and lush and they thrived in these rich provisions. In addition to their own flocks, they also raised herds for Pharaoh. All was favorable and went well for them.

“And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: but I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace.” vv. 29,30. Joseph’s splendor and all the glory and wealth of Egypt did not in the least wean Jacob’s heart from the land of promise. He had never forgotten that the proses of God to his fathers, himself and his children, were connected with Canaan — not with Egypt. The stay in Egypt was merely an interlude in God’s providence for them, but their real interests remained in their own land. His faith looked on to the time when his descendants would leave this land and return to their own country — the land of promise. With the same solemnity as Abram employed in sending Eliezer for Isaac’s bride, he made Joseph not only promise but swear to carry his body out of Egypt and bury it in the burial place of his fathers. He had complete confidence in Joseph. The matter was too important to entrust to his other sons. Joseph readily pledged to fulfill his father’s request.

ML 12/24/1967

"God Is Not Mocked"

As God-fearing miner had often experienced the blessedness of the scripture, “All things work together for good to them that love God,” Rom. 8:28, in connection with the cares and burdens of life. His fellow miners often heard it from him, but they despised the Word of God and treated him with scorn.

One day, as he was about to descend with his mates into a shaft 1500 feet deep in the earth, a dog grabbed his carefully wrapped lunch. Not wishing to go hungry, he was forced to run after the dog in an attempt to rescue his dinner. However, the foreman could wait no longer, and he and the crew started to descend the shaft. Seeing their companion running behind the dog, the men in mockery cried after him, “All things work together for good.”

Indeed this incident did work together for good for our friend. On the way down the cable of the elevator broke and the whole crew plunged into the depths beneath. None of the men came out of that mine alive!

“God is not mocked.” Gal. 6:7.

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

ML 12/31/1967

A Little Boy and His Bible

There was a little boy living in a fishing village on the south coast of England, who loved his Bible more than his breakfast or his dinner, and every morning he would steal away with it to the seashore. One afternoon he was reading as usual, when a number of boys found him out and began to annoy him. So, to avoid them, he. got into a tiny boat that was anchored near. Some of them cut the rope, which the boy, being intent on his Bible, did not notice till he found himself drifting out to sea on the ebbing tide. Darkness and mist soon came on and the poor little boy was alone with his Bible on the wide ocean.

Two days after a large Norwegian vessel was passing up the channel, when a man at the look-out spied a black object on the water. The captain’s telescope soon made out that it was a small boat, so the ship sailed up to it, and then they saw a little boy fast asleep clasping a Bible!

They lifted him out and he awoke, but fainted away directly through weakness from want of food. However, kind care soon restored him, and then he told his story, and what a comfort his loved Bible had been to him in those lonely hours on the water, until he had become too weak to read.

What a comfort God’s Word must have been to the lonely boy! Indeed, nothing else could have sustained him in this terrifying experience. Do you know the precious Saviour of whom this Word speaks and can you say, “Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart?” Jer. 15:16.

“Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord.” Deut. 8:3.

ML 12/31/1967

The Story of a Clown

At a busy street corner in a large city, several hundred people were gathered, watching a clown. He was performing tricks and making funny remarks to the great amusement of the crowd. Following his performance the clown would ask the people for money and in this way he made a living.

But at this performance there would be no money collected. A very strange thing happened. In the crowd gathered at the street corner was a Christian man. Rather than being amused by what he saw, this man pitied the clown. Taking a tract from his pocket, he made his way to the front and handed it to the clown. The man took it from him with a look of contempt. Then he held it up high for all to see, and in a mocking voice he began to read it aloud, seeking to make a joke of it. The clown read with a clear, loud voice so that no one in the crowd could possibly miss a word.

The Christian man who had presented the tract, remained at the edge of the crowd, listening with a heavy heart. God’s message of salvation was being treated as a joke. The clown read the tract all the way through. The closing words were “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Luke 12:20.

The clown stood silently as he finished reading. But now his face changed, and mockery turned to dismay. Suddenly he left his stand, made his way through the crowd, and began to run as if his life depended on it. The people who had been watching his performance, now looked after him in utter astonishment, not knowing what had happened.

The Christian man, who had given the tract out of a feeling of pity, now took after the runaway clown. After a good chase, he caught up with him. Over and over the clown repeated, “I am lost! I am lost!”

The Christian was able to tell of God’s love for sinners and the poor clown listened. The words at the end of the tract had pierced the clown’s heart and conscience. He realized that he was a fool and that if he died his soul would be in a lost eternity. How sweet to him now were the words of the Christian man as he heard of the death of the Lord Jesus on Calvary’s cross. Just as he was, the clown put his trust in the Saviour of sinners.

Will you too take Jesus as your Saviour? Just as you are, where you are, will you put your trust in Him? He will save you for all eternity.

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

ML 12/31/1967

Jump or Be Lost

An Arab was speedily being carried down the river toward a terrible waterfall. He could not help himself, the stream was far too strong for him to prevent the boat from being swept to the raging rapids. Just then a friend on the shore saw his danger, and knowing that he could not swim, himself jumped into the sweeping waters and swam towards him.

“Jump, man!” he cried. “Jump into the water and I will save you!”

It was his only chance of safety. He must leave the drifting canoe, and taking the place of a drowning man, trust himself to those strong arms stretched out to save him. So with you, dear reader, if still in your sins, you can do nothing to save yourself, but the Lord Jesus is ready and willing to save you, if you will just trust yourself to Him.

“I cannot swim,” fearfully called the Arab.

“Jump, man, jump!” urged his faithful friend, you are drifting toward the cataract!”

It was his last chance, but he answered back, “I am afraid!”

“Well, then goodbye,” cried the strong swimmer, as he turned to fight his way back to shore, “NOTHING CAN SAVE YOU.”

It was true, “nothing could save him.” In a few minutes the canoe was swept over the terrible falls, a raging whirlpool buried him from sight, and he sank to rise no more.

The Arab’s friend risked his life in order to save him, but the poor Arab would not trust his love and strength, and because of this he perished.

You, too, will perish, dear reader, if you refuse to accept God’s offer of salvation, for there is no other way to be saved. Jesus saw our need and came down here to save us for “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. He took our place, bore the judgment we deserved, and now by simple trust in the Lord Jesus we may have God’s gift of eternal life.

If you refuse His offer of life you must perish and be forever lost. How solemn this thought!

Scarlet, scarlet, though your sins be scarlet,

They shall be white as snow in His precious blood.

Crimson, crimson, though your sins be crimson,

In His precious blood they shall be white as wool.

ML 12/31/1967

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Gen. 48:1-4

“And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.”

It was seventeen years since Jacob came with his family into Egypt. When the end of his days drew near, the old father felt keenly his responsibility as head of his household. As the one through whom the proses of God were channeled, he knew that before his departure he should communicate to each son those God-given prophesies as to his future. He must also bestow and establish individual blessings with wisdom and discretion.

Jacob’s last days were really his brightest. His earlier years were often marred with self-confidence, impetuous acts, sometimes with deceit and secrecy, and a variety of trying experiences that resulted from going in his own strength, rather than being dependent on God. But as he grew in age he also grew in wisdom and turned more and more away from his own ways to trust in God. The close of his history manifests this change, from the time that Joseph sent for him to come into Egypt. (We see this in his going to Beer-sheba to seek God’s counsel, in his visit to Pharaoh and his blessing the monarch, his quiet trust and confidence in Joseph’s provision for him, and finally his behavior in these his closing days.

Now he is found on his bed —weary and weak in body, but fresh and stronger in mind and judgment than in all the vigor of his life, and anxious to make known to his sons the future pattern of their lives that God has revealed to him. What a contrast this was to the final days of his own father, Isaac, whose early life was happy and blessed, but whose closing days were marred by his sad mistakes in connection with the blessings of his sons. There was none of this in Jacob. His earlier life may have been miserable enough, due to many failures, but his close was bright and clear, rising to new heights as, submissive to God’s revelations, his communications to his sons were in good order, showing a keen insight into the character of each and a true revelation of God’s mind concerning them. This is particularly important because, at this point, God’s Word is about to display these sons and their families as the foundation from which would soon grow a great nation, to be known to this day as the children of Israel.

On no dying bed of the patriarchs shone light more brightly than on Jacob’s. None was given so much as Jacob to scan Israel’s future. But strong in faith, adoring and giving glory to God, he is about to open his lips as God’s mouthpiece over his grandsons.

Memory Verse: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Rom. 5:9.

ML 12/31/1967

Messages of God's Love: 1967

Table of Contents

The Great Fire of London

A True Dog Story

Bible Questions for January

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob

Two Gun Joe

Charlotte Elliot

Two Hearts

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob

"I Will Never Leave Thee nor Forsake Thee"

Yokes

How Harry Took Courage

Captain Russell

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob

Alone in Mid Ocean

How the Justice Got Saved

The Shepherd Psalm

Bible Talks: The story of Jacob and introduction to Joseph

A Little Highland Hero

The Hobo

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Brave Antonio

Four Towns or Cities

An Indian and a White Man Saved

Bible Questions for February

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

The Tract in the Boot

Receiving, or Refusing

A Little Pig That Needed a Saviour

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

The Prison Keys

How Farmer Brown Found Peace, Resting on the Word

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Black Fritz

An Indian Wedding

Prayer

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Bob the Fireman's Dog

Prince Frederick

Among Robbers

Bible Questions for March

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

King George and Queen Mary

Old Joseph's Conversion

He Is Worthy

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Asking the Blessing

The Strange Book

Christ Is All

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

The Brave Sea Captain

"Let the Dead Bury Their Dead" Luke 9:60

Last of the Family

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Saved by Indians

"God Created … "

Charles Li

Bible Questions for April

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

A Fishing Story

The Way to Heaven

Two Soldiers Saved

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Two Men and a Bear

The Ant Lion

Saved Under Water

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

An African Boy's Message

A Mine Disaster

Last Call for Answers

A Prize Fighter Saved

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

The Mark on the Ship's Deck

Did They Let Him in?

A Singer Converted

Bible Talks: The story of Joseph

Tommy and the Bird

Bible Beasts

An Atheist Saved