Messages of God's Love: 1973

ON THE edge of the great forest lived a woodsman named Geert and his wife Marie. They had a dear little girl named Jeanne, and Roger, the faithful hound, completed the little family circle. How happy were Gellert and Marie since the coming of little Jeanne, and so was Roger who made himself the faithful guardian of the humble home.

On this occasion Marie had been called away to a place of some distance leaving Jeanne home with her daddy. Gellert himself had to go away for a short time and though he would have wished not to leave at this time he decided that Jeanne would be safe with Roger’s protecting care for a short while. Hungry wolves prowled through the woods and swamps nearby and he knew he must not be long.

However, Gellert was delayed longer than he expected and when at last he reached home Roger met him all covered with blood. Unable to tell him what had happened the faithful dog could only wag his tail. Gellert’s first act was to call out, “Jeanne, where are you?” There was no response. Blood stains were everywhere and with fear and anger mounting in his heart, the father could only conclude that Roger had become mad and slain his little girl. With his rifle he shot the noble dog.

Poor Roger yelped with pain and casting one last lingering look of love at his enraged master he laid down and breathed his last.

But the yelps of the dog awakened the little child who had fallen asleep in the dark corner of the cabin and she came running to see what was the matter. Thankful to find his little girl safe and sound, but perplexed at the evidence of some struggle, Gellert made a search of the cabin. There under the babe’s crib was the body of a great wolf which Roger had slain in defending his little charge.

So the noble dog did his duty, but died at the hands of his mistaken master. Overcome with sorrow at what he had done, poor Gellert could only weep over the dead body of the faithful defender of the home.

Roger was a wonderful friend, wasn’t he? And yet the Lord Jesus is more wonderful still. Indeed “His name shall be called Wonderful.” (Isa. 9:6). One of His creatures defended the little one entrusted to his care, slew the marauder, but perished in the hour of his victory. The blessed Saviour at Calvary stood in the breach, and He defended His own; He overcame the great enemy of our souls, but was slain in His victory. Yet not only did He die for sinners, but He glorified God in His death.

Bless, bless the Conqueror slain!

Slain in His victory.

Like David who slew the lion and the bear and delivered the little lamb, so the Lord Jesus is today delivering from Satan and from judgment little boys and girls, and older ones too, — all who have fled to Him for salvation.

What sorrow filled Gellert’s heart when he realized that he had slain his noble friend and defender! And what sorrow should fill our hearts when we think of all our Saviour’s grief and pain which we caused Him in Calvary’s dark hour! Surely it should bow our hearts, and we ought to love and praise Him for all He has done for us.

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

Memory Verse: “THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” Gal. 2:20

ML-01/07/1973

A Soft Answer

A missionary in Africa was questioning some little native boys on Matthew 5:5. “Who are the meek?” he asked.

A young boy answered, “Those who give soft answers to rough questions.”

“The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.” Psa. 25:9.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:29.

ML-01/07/1973

"Mother" And "Home"

A GENTLEMAN was walking down a country road one day when he passed a dear happy little girl playing in a field among the flowers. Little Nell was all alone but she seemed to have no fear as she sat and sang and made chains with buttercups and daisies.

“Whose little girl are you?” he asked.

“Mother’s,” she answered with a happy smile.

“And where do you live?” he inquired again.

“At home, sir,” she replied with the same bright smile.

“Ah,” said the kind man to himself, as he walked on. “Those are two beautiful words for a child — ‘Mother’ and ‘Home.'"

But I know two words sweeter still and happy are they who can use them as simply and joyfully as little Nell. These words are “Father,” and “Heaven.”

“Whose child are you?” and “Where is your home?” are two great questions for all of us. If you can answer these questions rightly it will make you happy indeed. Can you say, “God is my Father, and heaven is my Home"?

May God grant that none of our readers may any longer refuse the offers of the Saviour’s love, but come at once to the blessed Lord Jesus who has said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"; again, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” Then you will rest in the assurance knowing that through faith in His dear Son God is your loving unchangeable Father, and heaven your destined eternal happy home.

ML-01/07/1973

Bible Talks: The Singular Vow

Leviticus 27:1-7

“WHEN A MAN shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.” Devotedness to the Lord and His estimate of our service seem to be the theme of this chapter.

We notice in the account of the “singular vow” that estimation is made according to age. In the case of a child being devoted to the Lord, from one month old to five years of age, the value was set at five shekels of silver for a male.

From five to twenty years the value was twenty shekels.

From twenty to sixty years the value was fifty shekels.

From sixty years upward the value was fifteen shekels.

The highest estimation is placed on that period of life — twenty to sixty years — when our faculties and energies are at their best. But it is striking that a higher value is placed on the years between five and twenty than on those between sixty and upwards. A man who bins to devote himself to the Lord at sixty years is only worth fifteen shekels, while a young person under twenty is reckoned at five shekels more. It is not that one at sixty years may not yet be much used of the Lord, for many have been. Some in their later years have labored abundantly and their service much blessed of Him. Nevertheless, it is also true that at sixty years our natural strength is beginning to wane, our memories begin to slip — our faculties are not what they once were. The earlier in life we set our hearts to serve the Lord the better.

How many of those whom the Lord has deigned to use in blessing to His saints and to others in the gospel were led to surrender themselves to the Lord when young. Grace may reach out and save a soul at any time in life, and then surrender to the claims of Christ will follow; but as a rule those who have served the Lord most have been converted in their early years, were early led to yield their hearts and lives to Him.

Samuel and David were both young when called of the Lord. Saul of Tarsus was a “young man” when converted, and Timothy “a youth.” But it is more than mere youth that is needed. This chapter speaks of devotedness. This is what we all need. But a young heart devoted to Christ, and seeking to continue in that devotedness, is a heart that is used of Him.

May our dear young readers be encouraged by this. Sin is a dread master. The Lord Jesus is worthy of our all. He died for us; He seeks our trust, our confidence, our love. He says, “Who will go for us?” (Isa. 6:8). He could send an angel, but He would rather have you.

ML-01/07/1973

A Noble Irish Lad

AN ARTIST named Hall was visiting in Ireland and making some sketches of some of the beautiful scenery. On one occasion when he was in the neighborhood of Lake Killarney, he met a bright young Irish boy, who offered to guide him through the district. They made a bargain and the sight-seeing party started out. The boy proved himself well acquainted with all the places of interest in the neighborhood, and had plenty of stories to tell about them. He did his work well, and the visitors were entirely satisfied.

At the end of the day, Mr. Hall took a bottle of whiskey from his pocket and had a drink. He then handed it to the boy telling him to help himself. But the dear lad polity refused. Mr. Hall offered him a shilling, and a half crown and five shillings if he would take a drink, but the boy was firm. A real manly heart was beating under his ragged jacket.

Mr. Hall determined to try him still further, so he offered the boy a half sovereign if he would take a drink. The poor boy had scarcely seen a coin worth so much before.

But straightening himself up, with a look of indignation on his face he said: “For years my father was a drunkard. It almost broke my mother’s heart; and a hard time she had to keep us children from starving. But finally my father was able to give up the awful drinking habit. I promised him on his death-bed that I would never drink intoxicating liquor; now, sir, for all the money you may be worth, and a hundred times over, I will not break that promise.”

The boy’s decision about drink was a noble one. Yes, and it did good too. As Mr. Hall stood there astonished, he took the bottle of whiskey and threw it out into the lake. Then he turned to the boy and shook him warmly by the hand sang as he did so, “My boy, that’s the best lecture I’ve ever heard. I thank you for it. Now, by the help of God, I will never drink another drop of intoxicating liquor while I live.” And he kept his promise.

To keep from strong drink is wise and good, to accept the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Shield from that and all other temptations is better still. May the Lord help you to do both, dear reader.

ML-01/07/1973

Bible Acrostic

Waters which, flowing softly, were rejected. (Isa. 8)

A river which in Eden had its source. (Gen. 2)

A vale where water hues of blood reflected. (2 Kings 3)

A stream which through Samaria held its course. (1 Kings 18)

The mount where Moses viewed the land and died. (Deut. 34)

A brook whence grapes and pomegranates were brought. (Num. 13)

A cave which shelter to a host supplied. (1 Sam. 22)

A brook near which a prophet refuge sought. (1 Kings 17)

A spot where palms amid the desert grew. (Ex. 15)

An isle where one of things to come was taught. (Rev. 1)

The land which Abraham left at God’s command. (Gen. 15)

The place where Amalek with Israel fought. (Ex. 17)

A vale where slime pits occupied the land. (Gen. 14)

A place which gold for idol uses gave. (Jer. 10)

The mount from which God’s curse on sin was read (Deut. 11)

A town whose gods could not its people save. (2 Kings 18)

The place where Joshua’s bones in death were laid. (Josh. 24)

These rivers, brooks, mountains, and valleys name.

Take their initials and a sentence frame.

ML-01/07/1973

The Hid Treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Matt. 13:44.

IN A WINDOW in an old church for many years was a picture of a dog. Originally he belonged to a peddler and near the church is a piece of ground known as “Peddler’s Acre.”

Years ago the peddler went about selling laces, matches, pins, etc. — anything small and cheap — and he was always accompanied by his dog. One day he and his faithful friend were crossing an open space when the dog stopped, sniffed around, and began to dig into the ground.

The peddler was in no hurry, and for want of something better to do, he sat down and watched the dog at work. It was not very long before the dog uncovered an old pot in which the peddler found hundreds of coins — both gold and silver.

You can imagine how surprised the peddler was. He quickly covered the pot with earth again, marked the spot with a small stick, and went off in search of the owner of the land. It so happened that the soil was poor and the owner was glad to sell the peddler the ground for a very small sum. Now the peddler not only became owner of the land, but also the legal owner of the hid treasure.

He became rich overnight.

Near to this piece of waste land was the parish church, and as a thank offering for his wonderful find, the peddler gave a sum of money to the church. But it all began with the inquisitiveness of his friend, the dog, who was wont to test everything with his nose.

This story surely reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” The story the Lord Jesus told us is far more wonderful than the story of the “peddler,” for you will notice there is one immense diffence.

The peddler bought his land and his treasure for a mere trifle. The One in our Lord’s story “sold all that he had” to buy the field. The Lord Jesus has told us in another scripture (v. 38) that “the field is the world.” By His death upon the cross — the greatest price that was ever paid — He bought the field. He saw in that field a “hidden treasure,” sinners like you and me whom He would have to share with Him His glory in that heavenly land, the objects of His love forever.

Satan claims the world as his; he is its prince (John 14: 30) and its god (2 Cor. 4:4). Man also wants the world for himself. When the Father sent His beloved Son into the world “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11. Men said, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast Him out of the vineyard, and killed Him.” Luke 20:14,15.

But the Lord Jesus gave His life to buy the field and He has all the rights to work in it as well. He is gathering out the treasure — sinners who will trust Him as their Saviour, redeemed by His precious blood. One day soon He will come and take them out bodily and the world will see in that day that they were owned and loved of Him. Then He will come and set up His kingdom on earth. All His enemies will be destroyed, Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit, all creation will be set free from the bondage of sin, and His reign shall be a glorious time of blessing and peace.

In the meantime He is sending out the gospel, inviting sinners to come and be saved. How is it with you, dear reader? Are you one of His treasures? If not, come now while it is the “accepted time"; come while it is “the day of salvation” (2 Cor, 6:2).

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

ML-01/14/1973

Sam and the Jam

Sam was a little boy and had a special liking for strawberry jam. One day when his mother was out shopping the temptation was too strong for him; into the pantry he went to help himself to some of his favorite jam.

It so happened that his mother finished her shopping early and arrived home sooner than Sam expected. Sam truly loved his mother but he did not love her appearing at that moment.

Have I an object, Lord, below

Which would divide my heart with Thee?

O teach me quickly to return,

And cause my heart afresh to burn.

ML-01/14/1973

Bible Acrostic

Who sheltered David in an hour of need? (2 Sam. 17)

Who died ‘mid household grief and public gloom? (1 Sam. 4)

Who sustained the young earth with a cruel deed? (Gen. 4)

Whose words averted Judah’s coming doom? (2 Chron. 28)

Who through an erring monarch’s treachery died? (2 Sam. 11)

Whose faltering conscience saved his brother’s life? (Gen. 37)

Who did the toils of Nehemiah deride? (Neh. 4)

Who bore a gift and a destroying knife? (Judg. 3)

What infant’s birth made glad a widow’s heart? (Ruth 4)

Who for untimely forwardness was slain? (2 Sam. 6)

Who rashly with a God-sent gift did part, Yet by his death a victory did gain? (Judg. 16)

In the initial letters see

A precept that all should heed.

ML-01/14/1973

The Saviour of the World

SOME YEARS ago a young lady had a great desire to go to India as a missionary. She wanted to tell the children there about the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and the best Friend they could ever have.

She was all ready to go when suddenly she took seriously ill. She recovered from her illness, but the doctors told her that she could never go to a land like India now. So instead she became a school teacher in the village.

One day while she was driving alone along the country road, she wrote two verses of a hymn on the back of an envelope. Afterward she taught them to the children in the Sunday school where her father was the superintendent. It was his custom to ask the children to choose a hymn, and so on this particular day they called for this new one. He was surprised and asked who had written it. “Oh,” replied his youngest daughter casually, “Jem wrote it.” This hymn is one which many children know and love

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

When Jesus was here among men,

How He called little children, as lambs, to His told;

I should like to have been with Him then.”

The author of this little hymn became Mrs. Luke some time later, and she added the third verse which made it a missionary hymn:

“But thousands and thousands who wander and fall,

Never heard of that heavenly home;

I should like them to know there is room for them all,

And that Jesus has bid them to come.”

So although Mrs. Luke never became a missionary, she has inspired many others to go forth and tell of the love of Jesus.

Mr. Harold Copping, a famous artist years ago, once painted a picture of Jesus in the midst of five little boys and girls, representing the different races of the world. There they were, red and yellow, black and white, for all are precious in His sight. It was a happy little group, with the hills beyond, and the blue sea in the distance.

One day in India a missionary showed this picture to some little children. It was so real to one little girl that she walked to the front and pointing to the picture with her little finger, she said, “I want that Man to put His hand on my head.” And many dear boys and girls on hearing about Jesus and His love have felt the same.

“I wish that His hands had been placed on my head,

That His arms had been thrown around me,

And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,

Let the little ones come unto Me.”

How sweet it is to be able to tell you, dear boys and girls, that the Lord Jesus is the same now as He was when He was upon the earth, for He is “the same yesterday, and today and forever.” He loves little children now as much as He did then and longs to have them come to Him and have their sins forgiven. He has died for them and shed His precious blood to wash their sins away.

Little ones, and older folks too, who trust Him as their Saviour, will one day gaze upon His kind and loving face, shining in all His glory, and be with Him forever. But in the meanwhile, we can show others by our lives that the Lord Jesus is the best of all friends.

“I long for the joy of that glorious time—

The sweetest and brightest and best—

When the dear little children of every clime

Shall crowd to His arms and be blest.”

ML-01/14/1973

Bible Talks: The Singular Vow

Leviticus 27:8

THE SPECIAL vows we read of 1 in this chapter were not the commands of the Lord, but were the fruit of His grace in the willing hearts of His people. They were spontaneous and voluntary, a mark of their devotedness to Him.

We are reminded of Hannah’s vow (1 Sam. 1). She prayed, asking the Lord for “a man child,” so that she might “give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” God answered her prayer, giving her Samuel at a time when the priesthood was both feeble and corrupted, and what a blessing Samuel was to Israel.

However, Israel made a vow unto the Lord at Sinai which they were unable to fulfill; we know how dismally they failed to carry it out. And this is the history of man, ourselves included. Like Israel we are but bankrupt and ruined sinners.

The fulfillment of this vow was a matter of simple righteousness. Man might change his mind and let himself off easily from fulfilling his responsibility, but as this chapter brings out the estimation of his vow was not up to him but was in the hands of the priest. The Lord Himself had the final word in settling the matter.

We read in verse 8 of special consideration in the case of him who might be “poorer than thy estimation,” and this is a picture of the Lord’s gracious dealings with the poverty of His people. The priesthood, the presence of the priest, told of His merciful provision in the case of Israel’s spiritual poverty. And how thankful we His people now should be for our great and merciful High Priest, Jesus the Son of God. “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4: 15.

Feeble, fallen man is unable to discharge his responsibility, as Israel’s history has only proved. Thus it is that the Lord forbids making vows (Matt. 5: 30-37; the sermon on the mount) saying, “Swear not at all.... But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

Poor Jephthah made a foolish vow unto the Lord (Judges 11:30-40), and though he meant well no doubt, nevertheless the result was the deepest sorrow to his own heart and to the heart of his loved and doted daughter.

This chapter would teach us that if one would set himself apart unto the Lord it can only be in the power of grace. Grace must be the spring and sustaining power all through.

And this leads us in our thoughts to the blessed Substitute, the Lord Jesus, who alone had the strength to take upon Himself and to fulfill Israel’s broken vow, and ours. There might be an escape for man, but not for Him, the willing Victim. Like the ram caught in the thicket by its horns (Gen. 22.) there was no escape for Him; for Him there was no substitute. He stood firm where He alone could stand. He fulfilled completely what we failed to do; He bore the full consequences of all our failure, glorified God in redemption beyond what the law demanded, thus adding the fifth part. Who can estimate His devotedness and worth? God alone can. Surely He is worthy of our hearts’ adoring praise both now and throughout eternity.

ML-01/14/1973

Billy Topsail

BILLY TOPSAIL had two special possessions — a big black Newfoundland dog named Skipper, and a small fishing boat named “Never Give Up.” The three of them — boy, dog and boat — were often seen tether in the bay.

Billy knew a lot about boats and Newfoundland dogs, but there was one thing he did not know as we shall see. He was not afraid of winds and waves, but one day far out in the bay the waves were bigger than he realized. Suddenly the boat overturned and both boy and dog were thrown into the water.

Others watching from a bigger boat nearby at first thought all three had gone to the bottom. But presently the dog appeared, swimming in circles and whining piteously. Then up came the boy’s dripping head. Billy was an excellent swimmer and struck out at once for the big boat, but the dog was now heading towards him and whining so strangely that Billy was puzzled.

“Back, Skipper,” he cried. But Skipper, used to obeying, paid no attention this time. He came right on paddling furiously, and put his great paws on Billy’s chest. Had he suddenly gone mad? Billy held his breath and dived. Frantically swimming in circles again the dog waited for him to re-appear, and then the same thing began again.

“Down, Skipper, back!” cried Billy, and then held his breath for another dive.

Billy had never experienced this thing before and this was what he did not know — that Skipper was there to save him, and Skipper knew how.

And this is just what you need to know, dear reader — that you need the Saviour, the Lord Jesus, and that He is both able and willing to save you. He came from heaven to take your place and die on the cross for your sins. Without Him you are lost and will perish.

The shouts of those in the boat nearby could be heard above the roar of the gale, trying to tell Billy to let the dog save him. When Skier put his paws on Billy’s chest it was so that he could take hold of his collar with his teeth, for the dog knew that the boy must be rescued face up. Finally Billy understood their shouts, and the next time the dog came near he flung his arms around its neck. That was enough. Skipper headed straight for the big boat, and soon both of them were hauled on deck.

You see as long as the boy tried to save himself, he hindered his rescue; but as soon as he gave up and let Skipper take over he was soon safe in the boat.

If you are unsaved, dear reader, may this little illustration help you to see that you are lost on the sea of sin and that you cannot save yourself. Any effort on your part will only hinder your salvation, and you may perish altogether. “Salvation is of the LORD,” Jonah 2:9.

Christ is the only Saviour

He never will fail;

All hopes to save oneself

Will nothing avail.

Cast yourself in faith upon His mercy and in a moment those strong arms of love and power will lift you from the depths of sin and death and put you into the place of everlasting peace and safety in His presence.

“He is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25.

“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.

ML-01/21/1973

Acrostic

What did the Psalmist desire he might know,

Seeing his days were all measured below? (Psa. 39)

What did the angel, on earth and on sea,

Swear by the Lord there no longer should he? (Rev. 10)

What is that life the Apostle sets forth,

God’s gift through Christ, and of infinite worth? (Rom. 6)

What for the people of God does remain?

Seeking it here, we shall seek it in vain. (Heb. 4)

What is it comes in darkness to stay;

Work, while the foolish alone will delay? (John 9)

What through the gospel has Christ to light brought,

Victory o’er death, as by Paul we are taught? (2 Tim. 1)

What midst earth’s changes will ever endure,

Steadfast through all generations and sure? (Psa. 100)

When is the time our Creator to seek,

Heeding the hope which His promises speak? (Eccl. 12; Prov. 8)

Join the initials, a word we discern;

Making an important lesson we learn:

Passing away from the changeful below;

Ask we where is it our spirits will go?

The high and the lofty One does know the same,

Where He inhabits—Holy His name!

For ’tis to there our souls take their flight;

Oh, may we find it not darkness, but light!

ML-01/21/1973

Saved by a Red Petticoat

LITTLE Jennie Clark lived on a farm in Ohio long before you were born, and long before little girls in the country could go to the store with their mothers and buy dresses and petticoats. Jennie’s petticoat was hand-knit. It was made of warm red wool, and had to be fastened around her waist.

One day Jennie was on her way to the big pasture, so she followed the train tracks which ran across the bridge. Suddenly she saw that the huge logs supporting the bridge were on fire. Sparks from an earlier train had started the blaze. Already some of the supports were almost burnt through.

The passenger train was coming any minute. It would be passing over the blazing bridge. Sure enough! She could hear the train in the distance, and she could feel the quivering ground beneath her feet.

Quickly she unfastened her little red petticoat. She held it high over her head and ran down the track toward the train that was coming. The engineer saw the little girl who was wildly waving her red signal. He sounded his whistle, and put on the brakes. But trains do not stop as quickly as automobiles, and it came thundering on. Jennie knew her warning was seen. She jumped off the track in safety. With a screech and a groan the train came to a halt, just a few feet before it reached the burning bridge.

The engineer climbed out of the locomotive and hurried to the little girl. He thanked her for her bravery in saving all his passengers.

One of the passengers in that train was a visitor from France. When he returned to his own country he told about the brave little American girl who stopped the train with her own red petticoat. Soon President Carnot of France heard about it. He sent the Cross of the Legion of Honor to the President of the United States to give to Jennie Clark. Jennie was the youngest person in the world to wear this medal of honor. This medal is France’s highest award for brave, heroic service.

Jennie risked her life, but she did not give it. It was her red petticoat, not her blood, that saved many passengers. But the Lord Jesus gave His life, and shed His blood to reem sinners; it is His precious blood that now saves from sin and death. The President of France honored little Jennie, but the Lord Jesus is honored by God, His Father. He is given a name and a place above all others. He is even now at God’s right hand in Heaven. I wonder if you have thanked Him for dying for you!

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph. 1:7.

Childhood Days

ML-01/21/1973

A Little Indian Girl

IN ASSAM, India, a little girl who for some time had attended the mission school came and told the teacher one day of the sorrow she had because of her sins. A few days after that, as she was going to school, she picked up the torn page from a gospel tract which contained an invitation to trust in Jesus whose precious blood washes the sinner whiter than snow. She read it again and again, and showing it to one of her schoolmates she exclaimed, “What beautiful words!”

Carefully she laid up the torn page and every day she took it out to read. By degrees her soul found peace, her fears fled, and she was known to all as a happy Christian.

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

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

ML-01/21/1973

Bible Talks

Leviticus 27:9

WE WERE noticing that in these vows or acts of devotedness unto the Lord, there were different things one might set apart unto Him — it might be one’s own person, it might be a beast, or a house, or a field. And in the first case where the different age brackets and the valuation of each are stated, there is encouragement for all to serve the Lord, even a little child. How good to know that Christ Himself is for us “the priest” who evaluates our devotedness. Some of us feel of what little worth we are, and yet every act done for Him, every movement of our hearts for Him is precious in His sight.

As we read through the Scriptures how much encouragement we find in them, to set ourselves apart unto Him, to live for and serve Him this little while we are here on earth. The most devoted of His servants tells us in Romans 12:1: “I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” When we think of the Lord Jesus and of all He has done for us surely His love demands no less.

Then in another sense these various ages and their estimations tell of increasing or decreasing spiritual values. Spiritual growth is normal for a Christian, even as natural growth is. Peter tells us in his closing word to “grow in grace, and

in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 3:18. One might be weak and immature spiritually, or on the other hand he might be in decline. However, on God’s side there is no reason why a saint of God should decline spiritually. Caleb could say at 85, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in.” Josh. 14:10. It says of Moses at 120 years that his eye was not dim, nor was his natural force abated (Deut. 34:7). And how many of God’s dear saints have had “an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” both in their life and at the close of their course.

How often there is a great difference between our natural age and our spiritual growth. One may have been a Christian for years and yet not have grown spiritually, as seen in the estimation of one “from a month old even unto five years old.” v. 6. Yet there is a value nevertheless; it is all of grace with any one of us even as the Apostle could say, “By His grace I am what I am.” (1 Cor. 15:10).

ML-01/21/1973

Salim the Turk: A Mohammedan Convert

SALIM was a Turk and a follower of Mahomet, the false prophet, in days when there was not religious liberty in his land. Taught from childhood to regard Mahomet as greater than our Lord Jesus Christ, and to receive Mahomet’s book, the Koran, as God’s Word, he might have lived and died ignorant of the true Saviour, God’s dear Son, and God’s precious Book, if it had not been for the Lord’s grace toward him.

God caused a little tract on repentance, printed in the Turkish language, to fall in his way. When Salim read it the Spirit of God awakened in his heart an earnest desire to know the truth. The tract referred him to the Bible and Salim sought everywhere to get a sight of that most valuable of all books. He went from place to place to find the holy Book, as he called it; but alas, he sought in vain.

Salim began to despair of meeting with that which alone could direct him to the Saviour of sinners. How thankful we should be, we who live in lands with an open Bible, that God has so richly blessed us with His precious Word!

Poor Salim was so much in earnest that he could not rest without God’s book, and so, leaving his business to his eldest son, he devoted himself to the search. At last on coming to Salonica the Lord caused him to meet one of the American missionaries from whom, to the great joy of his heart, he not only obtained a copy of the Scriptures in Armenian but also was taught to read that language that he might learn from God’s own Word the way of salvation. The missionaries helped him too to understand the way more perfectly, and by God’s grace he and all his family became Christians.

Now followed persecution, for his own people hated the Lord Jesus Christ and His followers. Salim and his family moved to Constantinople and when the news spread that they were Christians they were in great danger of their lives. The American missionaries got the whole family aboard a ship bound for Malta where they would be free from persecution and even death.

However, before they got to Malta, the ship had to stop at Smyrna where they, having no passports, were detained two weeks. Again the Lord interposed for their deliverance. It so happened that while staying there an old acquaintance of Salim’s, one for whom he had done favors in the past, and a zealous follower of Mahomet, came to see them. This man did not know Salim had become a Christian, and asked him “Where are you going?”

“The right path,” was Salim’s answer. Mohammedans are accustomed to going on pilgrimages to Mecca, to the tomb of Mahomet, and this friend had been there himself, so he thought that when Salim said he was going “the right path” that he meant he was going on a pilgrimage. Finding Salim had no passport, and being full of zeal for the prophet Mahomet, this friend, who, had he known what Salim really meant might have delivered him over to his enemies, busied himself in securing, and at last obtained, a passport for him.

Thus the Lord overruled the very zeal of one who was an enemy of Christ for the deliverance of one of His dear people and his family, so that they all reached Malta in safely. There they were all baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, rejoicing in the grace that God had shown to them. In the meantime Salim had changed his name and that of the family to Williams. After three years he returned to Constantinople and there he lived, openly preaching the gospel of the grace of God without fear. He was used of God in blessing to many poor blind Mohammedans, seeking to win them for Christ, that they too might learn the value of His precious blood which cleanses from all sin.

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

ML-01/28/1973

Bible Acrostic

Who, by the preaching of Paul, knew the Lord, and with gladness His servants received? (Acts 16)

Who, taught of Christ, His apostles sought out, and in time of sore trouble relieved? (2 Tim. 1)

Who, in the service of Master above, learned his duty to master below? (Philemon)

Who against God and His high priest rebelled, and met death in confusion and woe? (Num. 16)

Who, in the years yet to come, saw his Lord as the Child unto us that is born? (Isa. 9)

Who came in secret to Jesus by Night, nor could meet the Jews’ hatred and scorn? (John 3)

Who, for the truth’s sake, in Christ was beloved by the apostle most dear to the Lord? (3 John)

Who, in the pride of his heart, forsook God, and was smitten a leper abhorred? (2 Chron. 26)

Who, in his doubt, went to Jesus, and found that from Nazareth came Israel’s King? (John 1)

Who, as a brother beloved in the Lord, did from Paul news to Ephesus bring? (Eph. 6)

Who, in the fear of the Lord, hid His saints from the wrath of an impious Queen? (1 Kings)

Who from the mob to take Jesus drew near? In their front a lost traitor was seen. (Matt. 26)

Who, by the aid of his God restored health to a leper, reproving his pride? (2 Kings 5)

Who, bearing witness to Jesus, was stoned, and forgiving his enemies died? (Acts 12)

Whence came the patriarch faithful when tried, and the pattern of all who believe? (Gen. 11)

Whom did the Saviour forewarn of the sin over which he should bitterly grieve? (Luke 22)

Join the initials to all of these names,

And a motto they give for each year;

Which if we heed in our journey through life,

Will make our path bright, safe, and clear.

ML-01/28/1973

"What Sort of Children Does Jesus Love?"

“WHAT SORT of children does Jesus love?” asked the Sunday school teacher as he addressed a group of children one afternoon.

Instantly a chorus of voices answered, “Only good children!” But the teacher was silent for a while, and the children could see by the look on his face that that was not the answer he was looking for.

Presently he said, “Jesus loves bad children,” and they all seemed surprised.

Little Sandy asked anxiously if it was really true; perhaps she thought it was too good to be true. But the teacher assured her that it was true and then she burst into tears.

“Oh I’m so glad,” she sobbed, “for I’m a bad girl.”

“There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Rom. 3:12.

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

The Lord Jesus also said to the poor woman who came and wiped His feet with her tears (Luke 7:36, 50): “Thy sins are forgiven... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

ML-01/28/1973

The Happy Choice

IN INDIA one day a missionary I went to Nallamarama and saw there some of the Christian folk who attended the mission hall. One of the women had on a rather dirty dress and he remarked about it to her.

“Oh sir,” she returned, “I am just a poor woman and this is the only dress I have.”

“Have you always been poor?” he questioned.

“No,” she replied. “I once had money and some jewelry; but a year ago thieves came and robbed me of all. They told me that if I would give up being a Christian and return to the religion of my people, they would give me back everything.”

“And you did not go back?” he asked further.

“No,” she replied with decision. “I would rather be a poor Christian, than a wealthy Hindu. Now I can say, about my stolen goods, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ "

“Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath prosed to them that love Him?” Jas. 2: 5.

“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-01/28/1973

Bible Talks

Leviticus 27:10-34

IF AN Israelite made a vow and devoted a clean beast to the Lord, it was to be holy, and it could not be bought back. Perhaps it had a defect or blemish and he might wish to exchange it for an unblemished one, but this he could not do; he could not alter his original purpose. He ought to have taken this into account when he made the offering. Man might change his mind, but God does not change His. The man might bring another offering, one without blemish, nevertheless the original remained holy as well as the other.

In the case of an unclean beast which a man wished to devote to the Lord, he must first present it to the priest who would estimate its value. Then if the man wished to recall it, he must pay the priest’s estimation with a fifth part added as well. This additional amount was a trespass he must pay because he changed his mind and he had not acted with sufficient concern for the Lord’s glory.

There is a note of encouragement for us here, however. How many of us, especially when young, have told the Lord we wanted to follow Him wholly, but found out that through want of watchfulness and prayer we have not followed Him fully, as we pledged ourselves to do. That early zeal for the Lord cooled off and we were not as earnest as when we first began. If we have failed in our devotedness we can still go to the “priest,” and tell Him all about it; He will value us according to His estimation and will not forget that first love for Him. That first response of our hearts to His love is ever “holy” to Him, and how encouraging to realize that He can and does restore, as we read, “He restoreth my soul.” Psa. 23:3.

Then we have the case of one who set apart his house wholly for the Lord, and the same principle is applied. The house was to stand according to the valuation of the priest. Nevertheless, if the man wished to have his house back he could redeem it at the estimated value, but with the additional fifth added. Thus he would be reproved for his change of purpose and lack of devotion to the Lord.

The Lord did not require these vows; they were of a voluntary nature, and so they could be recalled. But we can see that to make a vow unto the Lord was a solemn thing, and He would have His people to realize the seriousness of it.

In Psalm 15, the question is asked: “Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Then it says, “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”

The Lord Jesus is the only One who answered perfectly to this. In the place where all have failed, ourselves included, He has stood to His vows, for He changes not. He has paid those vows which His people Israel failed to keep; and He has paid ours as sinners; He has restored that which He did not take away and God has been glorified through it all.

Who can estimate the worth of His devotedness? Men might think Him of little worth and estimate Him at 30 pieces of silver, but God has raised Him from the dead and set Him in the highest place in heaven; He has given Him a name which is above every name. This is the Father’s estimation of His beloved Son. How we rejoice in His exaltation!

Memory Verse: “HE THAT BELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL HE LIVE.” John 11:25

ML-01/28/1973

An Hour's Fun

STEVE and his pal Tom lived in a small town twenty miles from the city. One of their favorite pastimes was to go down to the railway station and watch the trains come in.

One Sunday afternoon they stood on the station platform wondering how they could best spend the hour before the next train arrived.

“Whitney,” they asked an old railroad porter who was going by, “how can we have some fun?”

“If it’s fun you want,” replied old Whitney, who was himself a scoffer and infidel, “you just run up the ladder and look in on old Roger, the signal man. You’ll see him up there reading his Bible, and he’ll give you a lot of tracts, and maybe preach you a sermon in the bargain; it will be the best bit of fun you ever had in your life.”

The words were scarcely spoken before the two thoughtless young fellows were scrambling up the ladder and looking in the open door of the signal tower. Sure enough, there was old Roger taking a break, with his open Bible before him; and to add to the “fun,” he got up and handed each of the boys a tract, asking them to read it.

“Read it! O yes!” said Tom and began to read aloud a sentence here and there in a mocking tone, much to Steve’s delight. Then thinking to rouse old Roger’s anger, they both pushed into the signal room; but they were not prepared for what followed. Without saying a word the old man got up, locked the door behind them, put the key in his pocket and sat down.

“Boys,” he said, “it is seldom I have such an opportunity to speak a word to you about your souls. I have one now and I will make the most of it. I will read you some passages from God’s Word. Will you kindly be quiet while I do?”

“Nothing doing,” they said. “We didn’t figure on hearing a sermon; so please unlock the door and let us out.”

“No,” said old Roger, “you must first listen to what I have got to say. You know how often accidents happen on the railway. How can I know if there might not be one today? And what account could I give of myself to God if I had this opportunity of speaking to you of Christ and had neglected it? If one of you were killed, I should feel your blood was on my conscience.” And in spite of their angry remonstrance, old Roger read one passage after another from the Word of God. He spoke to them of the awful danger of sinners going on unsaved, of the love of God even to those dead in sins, that love shown in sending His Son to die for them. He told them that God had pardon and life for such as they were because of what His blessed Son had done upon the cross.

Finally he finished, and unlocking the door he said, “I can do no more now but pray for you.” The two boys then went down the ladder cursing and swearing. Steve took the next train to the city, returning later in the evening; while Tom stayed behind. Both were thoroughly disgusted with their hour’s fun.

Both boys tried to forget old Roger’s remarks, but Steve at least was to be reminded of his last words in a way he little expected. Returning from the city several hours later he stepped off the train and at once saw something unusual had happened. A little group of men with solemn faces were crowded around the office door, and blood spots were all over the platform. “There might be an accident today, and one of you might be killed,” were the words that rang in Steve’s ears.

“What has happened?” he inquired.

“Someone slipped off the platform as the last train went by; it took both his legs off. They carried him into the office, and he’s dying there now.”

Steve pushed his way through the crowd. Was it his friend? No; God had not yet closed the door for Tom. The dying man was old Whitney, and kneeling by his side in earnest prayer was Roger.

In a few minutes all was over, and Steve now began to realize that the man who but a few hours before had been scoffing at the Word of God was himself gone to appear in God’s presence. What an awful thought! Could there be any hope for me, thought Steve. Then he learned that the old porter’s last words were, “Fetch Roger, the signal man! I’m dying. Fetch him! I want him to pray!” They hastened to get Roger, who came at once, but the eternal condition of that poor old despiser is to us unknown, and it must remain so until the coming of the Lord.

But there was one traveling sinner who that night went again to hear the words of life from old Roger, who had spoken to him in faith but a few hours before. Steve believed and was saved. His friend Tom remained unmoved; in fact, his heart seemed to be far harder after that solemn occasion than it had been before.

Circumstances alone do not change one’s heart. It is only by the mighty power of the Spirit of God that under any circumstances a sinner is brought to repentance. Thus the thief on the cross believed and was saved — his companion who alike saw the dying Saviour before him, as far as we know, perished in his sins.

Dear unsaved reader, you have heard again and again of God’s willingness to save all who will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. How will you escape if you neglect so great salvation? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today and you shall be saved “now and forever.” (John 6:37; Heb. 2:3; Acts 16:31.)

Memory Verse: “WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN.” 1 Thess. 4:14.

ML-02/04/1973

"Escape for Thy Life"

WHEN MINERS dig out the coal deep down in the earth, they leave columns or pillars to support the earth above, lest the ceiling cave in and the miners be crushed to death.

Sometimes though when a coal mine was exhausted, the owner, wishing to get all he could out of it, would take away as many of the pillars as he thought he could do without risking the safety of his men. However, sometimes he would take away too much, and the earth above would eventually sink.

In the little town of Gilberton, a few miles from Shenandoah, a family noticed that their little garden was sinking. Their home was just over a coal mine. In days gone by the owner had taken away so much coal that there was little between the house and the pit below, only a thick crust of earth and coal which might give way at any moment and hurl all that were above it to destruction.

How terrible it would be to be plunged into a deep dark horrible pit! And yet something far worse will happen to those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ and will not have Him as their Saviour. The Bible tells us, “the wicked shall be cast into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” If you do not believe on the Lord Jesus, you are like the family living in that house with nothing between them and sudden destruction — no refuge, no support, no safety.

But what is so strange is that these people had been warned that they were in danger. Yet until they actually saw the garden sinking into the pit they took no heed. And have you not been warned again and again in the gospel? Will you be like these foolish folks who waited until the destruction came before they believed the warning? Well, when they saw the earth sinking, they suddenly became alarmed and snatching up such things as were at hand, they all rushed out of doors and away from the place. Hardly had they gone a few feet away when they saw their house turn right upside down and plunge roof foremost down into the gulf, followed by a great mass of rocks and stones which covered it all up and crushed it to powder. Oh what a narrow escape they had!

Dear young reader, you still have time to escape, “to flee from the wrath to come,” and the way to do so is to go at once to the Lord Jesus, and take refuge under His sheltering blood shed for sinners.

“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. Then you will be safe with an everlasting salvation through that precious blood which washes away all sin.

ML-02/04/1973

I Love My Saviour

I love my Saviour, my precious Saviour,

Who died on Calvary’s cross for me;

And now He’s risen, gone back to heaven,

Some day He’s coming back for me.

And while I’m waiting, I’ll seek to please Him

In everything I do and say;

And when I see Him, Oh how I’ll praise Him,

For washing all my sins away.

O trust my Saviour, my precious Saviour,

He died for you as well as me;

He’ll keep you ever, forsake you never;

He’ll make you glad eternally.

ML-02/04/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 1:1-1 8

AS WE leave the book of Leviticus we are made to feel what a precious book it is, so filled with wonderful types and shadows of Christ. There the Spirit of God occupies us with the tabernacle, God’s dwelling place, and ours now through grace. Now, in the book of Numbers it is the desert through which the redeemed of the Lord are passing. For this reason it is sometimes called “The Wilderness Book.” It is a history of the wanderings of the children of Israel in the wilderness for about 38 years and 10 months beginning with their first setting out after the tabernacle was set up. What a story it is of the Lord’s patient, tender and unwearied care of His people, ever prone to murmur and rebel.

The waters of the Red Sea flowed between the children of Israel and Egypt the land of their former bondage. The Lord had redeemed them and brought them to Himself, and now they find themselves in “a waste howling wilderness.” The cross of Christ separates us from the world and Satan’s power, and the world becomes to us a wilderness through which we must travel on our way to our heavenly home. Our trials and testings, and alas our murmurings too, answer to those of Israel, so that God’s ways with them are deeply interesting and instructive to us. These trials and temptations of the way bring out the heart of man, but also the heart of God.

Thus the wilderness is a subject of deep interest to our hearts. In no place do we so learn the sympathies and tenderness of the Lord Jesus as there, where faith and patience are tried and tested — where God leads and feeds, and trains His people in obedience and brokenness of will, for the heavenly warfare of the land.

“And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai,... sang, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their poles; from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.” The first thing then presented in the early chapters is the numbering of those that were fit for war. Those numbered were from twenty years old and upwards, able to bear arms. But we shall find that this numbering was also for other service as well. Twelve men or captains, were also chosen, one from each tribe, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. These men, expressed by their names, stood with Moses and Aaron in numbering the armies of Israel.

This numbering of the people tells us of the care and interest God takes in every one that belongs to Him. Not one is forgotten by Him. These men were numbered for earth, but it is sweet to think that we are numbered for heaven. We are journeying on to that heavenly land, our eternal home, and not one of God’s chosen ones will be missing in that day.

But it also says of these men that “they declared their pedigrees after their families.” They could say with all assurance they were of the stock of Israel and belonged to the congregation of the Lord. And every Christian ought to be able to say, “I know in whom I have believed...” The language of faith is, “we know"; “we know that we are of God"; “we know that we have passed from death unto life.” Until one can with assurance “declare his pedigree,” he can hardly make progress in his life and walk as a Christian. Thus we are told: “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Pet. 3:15.

ML-02/04/1973

A Squirrel Sermon

JOHN was a young boy who lived in Hampshire years ago and had a job of looking after sheep. Instead of going to Sunday school on Sunday mornings he herded his sheep, and got into the bad habit of spending the rest of the day in idling about the village with other young fellows. This not only led to his entirely neglecting to hear the Word of God preached, but to many evil ways beside.

But John’s heart was not at rest for he had been early taught to know better, and he went around with his companions with anything but a happy state of mind.

One Sunday morning, while up on the hillside, he happened to see a squirrel in a tree, sitting on a branch with his forepaws raised together before his little face, as squirrels do when eating a nut. John had been thinking over his evil ways and as he gazed up at the little animal it suddenly struck him that the squirrel was praying. Poor John was not well educated; however, considering that he had lived all his life time in the country, he ought to have known the habits of squirrels better than that to have made such a strange mistake.

But so it was, and it had a great effect on John. His first thought was, “How bad I must be. I never pray even when squirrels do!” All day long the thought still haunted him: “How bad I must be never to pray, when even squirrels do.”

Rounding up his sheep in haste, he hurried home, changed his clothes, and went at once to a place where he knew the gospel was preached. On his way he had to pass a group of his idle companions at the village corner. When they saw that he was dressed in his Sunday clothes, they guessed where he was going and began to taunt him, and to shout “Amen!” in chorus after him. But none of these things moved John. God was at work in his soul, and no amount of ridicule could force him from his purpose.

That night the Word of God proved “sharper than any two-edged sword” to him, and he went home under the deep conviction that he was a poor lost sinner, whom neither praying nor working could save. On the following Lord’s day he went again, and every Sunday he continued to attend, until his eyes were opened to see that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and that “he that believeth on Him hath everlasting life.” Thus washed from his sins in the precious blood of Christ, which cleanseth from all sin, he was made happy in the Lord and from that time he led an entirely different life.

Anxious now for the salvation of others, he became a Sunday school teacher, and took a different job so that it would not interfere with his much loved work on the Lord’s Day. He found his new work much harder, but he was happy in it, and was greatly loved by his little class of Sunday school children. Once when he was laid aside by an accident, they all took up a collection and brought their pennies to help him in his need. He did not live many years, but he lived long enough to show what grace can do in most unlikely means. Long after he fell asleep in Christ, those whom he had taught in his class always remembered with thankfulness the “Squirrel’s Sermon in the Tree.”

“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.... All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:35,37.

ML-02/11/1973

My Father's Care.

IF e’en a little sparrow falls,

My heavenly Father knows,

’Tis He the scented lily clothes

And every flower which blows.

He gives the hungry bird its food,

The drooping bud its shower,

But I am dearer far to Him

Than sparrow or than flower.

Because He made His creatures all,

He guards them ‘neath His eye.

He made me too; but oh far more,

For me His Son did die.

When troubles cause my heart to droop

Or wet my cheek with tears,

My Father’s love, my Father’s care,

Shall soothe away my fears.

ML-02/11/1973

Lost in the Forest

HENRY JACKSON, a young fellow, was lost in the forest for three days. He had gone into the woods to hunt and had lost his way. Round and around he wandered, hopeless, helpless, until he felt death staring him in the face.

He had indeed almost despaired of ever escaping from the terrible solitudes, when all of a sudden he heard on the third day the report of a gun. How his heart must have beaten fast at that sound! That report must have been more delightful to him than the sweetest music he had ever heard, for it filled him with a fresh hope that his life would be spared.

Did he say to himself, I’ve plenty of time; I’ll wait until I hear another shot. No indeed; he was in dead earnest by this time; his life was at stake and his reply to “the joyful sound” was a shot from his own gun. This brought him shortly face to face with an unknown friend, an Indian who was also out hunting.

How glad Henry was to see another man. Neither knew each other’s language, nevertheless Hey was able to make the Indian understand that he was lost. Would he guide him out of the forest? If so, he would pay him well. A bargain was struck and before long, Henry was safe at home having paid the Indian his price for his rescue.

If the report of a gun gave such joy to poor Henry lost in the woods, how delightful would be the good news of God’s grace and love to a poor sinner who knows that he is lost in sin. What earnestness there was in the agonizing cry of the jailor at Philippi, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And how precious to his soul was the reply of the servants of God, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"! Acts 16:31. We know that he received without delay the blessed gospel of the grace of God to the salvation of his soul, for that very night he “rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

Have you, dear reader, heard the report which God has sent from heaven to lost sinners, telling them of deliverance, pardon, peace, and salvation in the Person and work of His dear Son? And have you acted as wisely as Henry lost in the wood? In other words, have you received the salvation of your soul through believing on the name of His only begotten Son?

The Indian required to be well paid for his services; but how blessed it is to know that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. But though this gift is “without money and without price,” let us remember that in order to make it thus free to us, God “gave His only begotten Son,” and the Lord Jesus “gave Himself” for us on the cross, suffering “for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”

O may each of our young friends, while in the freshness of youth, turn to the Lord and put your trust in Him. Then you shall never perish, but shall dwell instead in the presence of God as His dear child, in the likeness of Christ forevermore there where there is no tempter, no possibility of ever being lost, but where all is holiness, happiness, glory and praise forever and ever!

ML-02/11/1973

Jesus

Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!

Jesus! Lover of my soul;

Friends may fail me, Foes assail me,

He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Hallelujah! What a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving.

He is with me to the end.

ML-02/11/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 1:19-54

“OF THE children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were three score and fourteen thousand and six hundred.”

In the numbering of the men of Israel we notice that Judah was by far the more numerous tribe. Judah, Jacob’s son, had failed sadly in his lifetime. But grace rises above man’s sin and failure. Later on when Judah and his brothers were reconciled to Joseph, it was Judah who showed special kindness to Benjamin and to his poor old father, so that when Jacob blessed his sons just before he died Judah came in for special blessings.

When the numberings were completed, the sum of all those able for war was over six hundred thousand men. If we were to add to these the Levites and all the women and children, then Israel would probably number more than two million people, What a host this was! Long before God had promised Abraham that his seed should be as the sand of the sea and as the stars for multitude. And now as Moses and Aaron numbered the thousands of Israel we can see how God was fulfilling His faithful promise.

But how wonderful to think of the much vaster host of His heavenly saints, redeemed by blood, and soon to be seen in glory with Christ. Even Enoch of old, the seventh from Adam, prophesied saying, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands [myriads] of His saints.”

Jude 14. How we earnestly hope that each dear reader is numbered for heaven and will be among that vast throng in glory who will sing the praises of Him who died to bring them there!

As we read of this numbering of the tribes how precious is the thought that God has His people numbered gathered around Himself. Just as He dwelt in the midst of His people of old, so He dwells in the midst of His redeemed people now, and He takes a divine interest in all our movements, our trials and our conflicts.

“But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.” v. 47. The Lord had said that the firstborn belonged to Him, for He had spared them that dark night in Egypt when they had taken shelter under the blood of the passover lamb, while all the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. But now, instead of the firstborn God had taken the whole tribe of Levi to serve in their stead in the service of the tabernacle. For this reason the tribe of Levi was not numbered among the people, because they belonged to the Lord.

From twenty years old the men of the other tribes were numbered for war but the Levites must be thirty years before they were permitted to begin their service. They must be more mature, beyond the age of rashness and impulsiveness so often found in youth. In being taken for the service of the Lord in place of the firstborn, the Levites had a very special place. They are a type of believers now for the Church is seen as firstfruits, holy to the Lord.

The Levites’ place was immediately around the tabernacle, which is a pattern of the heavenly things. Thus they had a place of nearness to the Lord the other tribes did not have. We are reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus: “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be.” John 12:26. If we are going to serve Him acceptably we must be near to Him.

In this chapter then we have two types of service — those that were numbered were armed for war, while the Levites who were not numbered served the Lord in the quietness of the tabernacle, the sanctuary of His presence. Both are True of the Christian.

ML-02/11/1973

Living for Jesus

Living for Jesus a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Living for Jesus who died in my place,

Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Memory Verse: “I WILL SURELY DELIVER THEE,... BECAUSE THOU HAST PUT THY TRUST IN ME, SAITH THE LORD.” Jer. 39:18.

ML-02/11/1973

Little Martha and the Pie Man

MANY of our young readers will remember the childhood rhyme, Simple Simon, of how he “met a pie man, going to the fair; said Simple Simon to the pie man, I’d like to taste your wares!”

Well our story today is a true one, about a little girl named Martha, her daddy, and a real pie man.

John was a poor fisherman, whose dear wife and the mother of their three little children had been taken home to heaven some time before. John was a God-fearing, kind and loving father, but he had a hard time providing for his little ones, especially now that their dear mother was no longer there to care for them.

Of late the weather had been stormy and the fishing fleets had feared to venture out into the rough seas. Forced to remain at home, the fishermen had taken in but little of the harvest of the sea.

Having caught very little fish for some time now, John had scarcely earned enough to buy his children food, and when they cried from hunger he was hard put to know what to do for them.

Still he trusted in God, for he loved Him, and believed His Word: “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” Luke 12:24.

John had neither storehouse nor barn, but he had a loving Father in heaven, to whom all the earth and seas belong, and He knew there was not bread enough in the poor fisherman’s home to feed his little family.

One morning, with a sad heart, putting little Martha on his shoulders, John went out for a walk down the street. Presently a pie man emerged from his bake shop with a large tray filled with fresh buns, cookies and other good things, on his head. Little Martha, on her father’s shoulders, was just high enough to look into the pie man’s tray, and the sight of the tempting goodies was too much for her. The hungry little girl reached out her hand to snatch a cake.

“No, no, Martha,” said her father, “those do not belong to us, and I have no money to buy you any this morning.” And as he spoke little Martha began to cry bitterly, nor would she be comforted, so her father sorrowfully turned about and headed home. But even as he turned around a lady was passing by and it seemed as if they bumped into one another.

When they got back home, John took off his heavy sailor’s jacket and as he threw it down out dropped a dollar bill. At first he did not believe his eyes, nor understood where it had come from. Then he called to mind that just when little Martha was crying for the cakes, a woman had pushed against him, and she no doubt had put the money into his pocket. But he took it as from the Lord, and he did not wait to thank God for it, nor did the hungry little children have to wait long for their meal. Closing their eyes, John gave thanks to God for His mercy in sending them their dinner.

Dear young friends, never let us forget to praise God for His answers to our prayers. He Himself who is so good and kind has told us, “Be ye thankful.”

What a blessed God and Father He is to those who know His dear Son as their Saviour! Is He your Saviour? Those who have Christ as their Saviour, also have God as their Father, and He knows “what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” (Matt. 6:8).

Here are some texts of scripture: “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.” 1 John 5:14.

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6.

ML-02/18/1973

When I Think About Winter Birds

WHAT DO you think I heard today? Although it is still winter I heard a bird singing right outside my window. I looked out and there he was — a bright red cardinal. He had just finished his breakfast of berries and now he was singing his beautiful song.

When eating my breakfast, 1 heard another song. There in our cherry tree was a fluffy little gray bird with a black cap and bib. He sang his soft little “chick-a-dee-dee” song over and over again as he hopped up and down the branches.

“He is looking for his breakfast,” said Mother, “and other birds are looking for their breakfast too. See them out in the garden? Some are gray with white vests; some are speckled, and one has a white crown on his head. Their food is waiting for them in the tiny seed cups on the grasses and weeds.”

“I see them,” I said, “and oh, I see a woodpecker in the apple tree. Is he looking for his breakfast too?”

“Yes,” said Mother, “he likes the tiny grubs hidden away in the bark of the apple tree.”

Then I began to wonder.

I wondered about the berries in the bittersweet vine, and the seeds in the garden; the tiny insects in the trees, and the fat little grubs under the bark.

I wondered how the birds know the kind of food that is best for them, and how they know where to find it.

“Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matt. 6:26.

God sees the little sparrow fall,

It meets His tender view;

If He so loves the little birds

I know He loves me too.

ML-02/18/1973

Courageous Little Paul

PAUL was a terror. At school he I was a constant source of trouble and aggravation. His teachers knew that nothing but a change of heart would ever turn this lad from his willful, sinful ways. And if this change was to be, then God must do it — so they waited earnestly upon Him in prayer. It wasn’t long before Paul was brightly converted and he became a wholehearted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Shortly after Paul’s conversion his Moslem father called the school and requested that Paul be allowed to accompany him to a Moslem feast. The teachers were not too happy about letting Paul go, but they couldn’t deny the father his request.

As they were walking along the road, the father turned to Paul and said, “I hear that you have turned Christian; is that true?”

“Yes,” said Paul, “that is true.”

Instantly, in anger, the father struck the lad a cruel blow, and there, right on the main road, began to unmercifully beat him. He then dragged him along the Moslem Mosque, where many Moslems were gathered.

When the father informed the Moslem priests that his son Paul had turned Christian, with angry countenances they looked upon the lad and said, “We will soon knock that out of him.”

They gathered around Paul and a priest demanded that he should repeat after him the first lines of their creed (in Arabic, of course).

“Repeat after me,” demanded the priest. “There is one God.” Paul repeated, “There is one God.”

The priest continued. “And His Name ONE.” Paul repeated, “And His Name One.”

The priest went on, “And Mohammed is His Prophet.” Paul stopped at that, paused, and then boldly said, “And Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

The brave lad, then only twelve years of age, put his finger on the vital point of their faith — and ours. They exalt a sinful man — Mohammed — above our Lord Jesus Christ. What blasphemy! Paul could not and would not do that. His statement that Jesus Christ is the Son of God was a noble confession of faith.

The priests were infuriated they beat the lad and knocked him about. After he was somewhat recovered, they brought him out again.

Again the priest demanded, “Repeat after me, There is one God.” Paul again repeated, “There is one God.”

The priest went on, “And His Name One.” Paul repeated, “And His Name One.”

Then came the test — “And Mohammed is His Prophet.”

What a “test” for a boy of twelve in the midst of a mob of enraged religious fanatics who know no limits in devilish cruelty. But what a triumph as our hero cleared his throat and boldly said, “And Jesus Christ is my Saviour.”

Surely God stood with that little fellow as he confessed Christ, just as He will stand by all others who boldly do so.

The lad managed to get back to the school, and was lovingly cared for and encouraged to go on for Christ.

“The Lord will work for us.” 1 Sam. 14:6.

ML-02/18/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 2

IN CHAPTER 1 we had the numbering of the tribes of Israel by Moses and Aaron, types of Christ as King and Priest in one blessed Person. He knows all them that are His (2 Tim. 2:19), and all His servants are under His watchful eye. It is He who rules, who intercedes for and sustains us in all our walk, our warfare and our service. How good to be under such an eye as His!

Then in chapter 2 we have the arrangement of the tribes around the tabernacle—the Lord Himself in the midst, His presence the central rallying point for all His own. Each tribe had an individual place and interest before Him, and this tells us that each of us now who are His are owned of Him and has his appointed place in His service. Some of us feel so unworthy and what poor things we are at best, yet what a sweet encouragement to know that He has a place in His service for each one of His own.

In the ordering of the camp, where the people are on the march to Canaan and have to face the perils of the wilderness, the first great essential was subjection to the Lord, their Leader. Israel was a great host, and every soldier must learn to keep rank. Our future is in the hands of the Captain of our salvation, His Dry is involved in the fulfillment the promises He has made, but we must be obedient. We are “kept by the power of God unto salvation,” yet we are also told to “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

“Every man shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house.” The whole camp of Israel was made up of four smaller camps, three tribes in each. Everything was ordered of God, and each tribe must pitch its tents in the place appointed for them. The camp of Judah, together with Issachar and Zebulun, pitched their tents on the east, toward the sun rising. On the south was the standard of the camp of Reuben, with Simeon and Gad. On the west was the camp of Ephraim, with Manasseh and Benjamin, and on the north the camp of Dan, with Asher and Naphthali.

Moses, Aaron and the priests were nearest to the door of the tabernacle, and the Levites were all around the other three sides. Nearness to the Lord is suggested in the place the tribe of Levi had, and so they had the best part of all. We as believers have a more wonderful place and privilege for we are nearer to the Lord than Israel ever were or shall be. Israel journeying through the wilderness is but a picture of the Church passing through this world with Christ in our midst, on our way to our heavenly home.

Memory Verse: “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.” John 15:13

No man of greater love can boast

Than for his friend to die;

Thou for Thine enemies wast slain!

What love with Thine can vie?

ML-02/18/1973

Jonah and the Whale

PERHAPS no other Old Testament personality has had more fun made of him by skeptics and unbelievers than the prophet Jonah. Modern critics consider his story a fable. The mere mention of his name provokes a smile, the thought of his being swallowed by a whale is treated as a joke, and the idea of his living for three days in the great fish’s belly is beyond the realm of possibility.

But to the Christian the story of Jonah is part of the inspired Word of God, to be believed and delighted in unhesitatingly. Besides we have the testimony of the Lord Jesus who spoke of Jonah being “three days and three nights in the whale’s belly” (Matt. 12:40). This gives unquestionable proof as to its divine authorship, and we would believe it based upon His words alone.

No outside testimony is necessary, but there is a very remarkable incident which only proves the folly of those who declare a man could not have been swallowed by a whale nor could he have lived three days in it if he had been.

Some years ago a man tells of how a dead whale had been on display by the seaside. Along with others he had entered the whale’s mouth; they had passed through its throat, and found themselves in a space equal to a fair-sized room. It would have been easy for the whale to swallow a man. Even sharks are known to have swallowed men alive.

“In February 1891, the whaling ship Star of the East was in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands, and the look-out sighted a large sperm whale three miles away. Two boats were lowered, and in a short time one of the harpooners was enabled to spear the fish. The second boat attacked the whale, but was upset by a lash of its tail, and the men thrown into the sea, one being drowned, and another, James Bartley, having disappeared, could not be found. The whale was killed, and in a few hours the great body was lying by the ship’s side, and the crew busy with axes and spades removing the blubber. They worked all day and part of the night.

“Next day they attached some tackle to the stomach, which was hoisted on deck. The sailors were startled by spasmodic signs of life, and inside was found the missing sailor, doubled up and unconscious. He was laid on the deck and treated to a bath of sea-water which soon revived him; but his mind was not clear, and he was placed in the captain’s quarters, where he remained two weeks a raving lunatic. He was kindly and carefully treated by the captain, and by the officers of the ship, and gradually gained possession of his senses. At the end of the third week he had entirely recovered from the shock, and resumed his duties.

“During his sojourn in the whale’s stomach Bartley’s skin, where exposed to the action of the gastric juice, underwent a striking change. His face, neck, and hands were bleached to a deadly whiteness, and took on the appearance of parchment. Bartley affirms that he would probably have lived inside his house of flesh until he starved, for he lost his senses through fright and not for lack of air.”

Bartley is also said to have explained that after being hurled into the sea the water foamed about him evidently from the lashings of the whale’s tail. Then he was drawn along into darkness and found himself in a great place where the heat was intense. In the dark he felt around for an exit and found only slimy walls around him. Then the awful truth rushed into his mind, and he became unconscious till the sea-water bath revived him on the ship’s deck.

And where now are the critics who have declared the swallowing of Jonah to be an impossible feat?

ML-02/25/1973

When I Think of Jesus

IT WAS cold walking home from school today. My cheeks were red and my fingers tingled as I came into the house.

Coming into our warm kitchen I smelled the good lunch Mother had waiting for me.

“I’m glad I came home for lunch, Mother, even if it was cold walking home,” I said.

“I’m glad too,” said Mother as she gave me a bowl of hot soup.

As I ate my lunch I wondered about all the nice things Mother does for me. “Is it a lot of trouble, Mother, fixing my lunch every day?” I asked.

“We like to do things for those we love,” replied Mother.

Then she told me this story.

“The Lord Jesus’ disciples had been fishermen. A disciple is ‘one who follows.’ They had been out fishing all night and hadn’t caught a single fish. When morning came they must have been tired and hungry and they were heading for the shore. The Lord Jesus was standing on the shore waiting for them. He asked them if they had anything to eat, and they answered, No. He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the ship.’ This they did, and they caught so many fish they were not able to draw the net in. When they got to land they saw a fire of coals there and some fish and bread laid on it. It was the Lord Jesus Himself who had kindled that fire and prepared that breakfast and He called to them again. ‘Come and dine,” He said kindly, and He and His disciples sat around the warm fire He had made. As they ate the warm meal He had prepared for them, they listened to His words of love and wisdom.

“The Lord Jesus is the same Saviour and Friend of all those who trust Him now,” said Mother. He loves and cares for us just as He did for His disciples when He was on earth long ago. He knows just what we need and He helps and carries us along day by day.

ML-02/25/1973

His Company

A DEAR Christian man used to go about the villages near where he lived and was greatly used as an evangelist and soul winner. With delight he would sally forth after breakfast with his pockets bulging with gospel tracts and books, and with these he would visit around from house to house, among the scattered farms and villages of the countryside.

One day he came across an old peddler, evidently an Irishman. He said to himself: “It is no good offering him a tract. He is an Irishman, and probably has his own religion; but I’ll have a word with him anyway.” So going up to him he said, “Good morning!”

“Good morning, sir,” replied the old man.

“How is business?”

“Well, I’ve nothing to complain of. I have sold quite a bit in this village.”

“Nice day, isn’t it?”

“Yes, very nice!”

“Well now, it is a grand thing to be saved.”

Then he got an answer that filled him with surprise. “O, I know something better than that,” responded the old man.

“Something better than being saved?”

“Yes, something better than that sir.”

“Well, I should like to hear what it is!”

The old man put his hat back on his head and said, “the companionship of the One who has saved me, sir!”

The old Irishman evidently had learned the secret of not only being saved, but of having the companionship of the Lord Jesus Christ with him as he trod his pilgrim pathway down here.

Have YOU learned this secret?

ML-02/25/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 3:1-1 3

IT MUST have been a great joy 1 and satisfaction to an Israelite to look up and see the ensign, or banner, of his father’s house under which he marched and fought. Some regiments in the world have magnificent banners, telling of battles they have won. In Exodus 17 where Moses built an altar he called it, Jehovah-Nissi, which means, “The Lord is my banner.” What an honor and privilege for us now, dear young Christian, to march under the banner of Jesus, the Son of God. What battles He has fought, what victories He has won, and that for us! May we have grace to sing,

The Lord is our Banner,

The battle is His,

The weakest of saints

More than conqueror is.

The psalmist could say, “We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners.” Psa. 20:5. “His banner over me was love,” we also read in Song of Solomon 2:4.

The order of the camp (chap. 2:18-25) helps us to understand the meaning of Psalm 80:2: “Before Ephraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up Thy strength, and come save us.” On the wilderness march these three tribes followed immediately behind the ark, the symbol of the Lord’s presence. May we too follow the Lord and keep close to Him as He leads us on amid the temptations and dangers of the wilderness way. When Israel came out of Egypt, Amalek came and “smote the hindmost” of them, those that were feeble. If we keep close to the Lord we will be safe from Satan’s power.

In chapter 3 we have the priesthood in Aaron and his sons, and then the tribe of Levi are presented to Aaron the priest, “that they may minister unto him.” When God smote the firstborn in Egypt, He spared the firstborn of Israel through the sheltering blood, but He claimed them for Himself. Now instead of the firstborn He took the tribe of Levi to serve Aaron and keep the charge of the tabernacle. Believers now are seen as both “firstborn” ones, wholly claimed by God and given to Christ to serve in God’s house over which He is set as Lord. Only one tribe had this privilege in that day, but now under grace it is the privilege of all the redeemed to serve God within the veil in praise, worship and thanksgiving. This is our happy portion even now, but soon we shall serve Him better in brighter scenes above.

How wonderful to think of the grace that has redeemed us and given us to Christ, to serve Him in this way both now and forever. It was the mercy of God that spared the firstborn of Israel in Egypt, so the Levites were in a special way connected with mercy. Thus it is with us. Those who have a deep sense of the mercy of God that has spared them from judgment will serve Him best.

The Levites were arranged by their families and each had its own definite branch of service. Every Christian has his own particular service from God, and he is responsible to perform it as unto the Lord. We are not left to choose for ourselves in this. The Lord Jesus gives us grace and strength to do His will and keeps us happy in it. How many have proved the truth of His words, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:30. What a blessed Master we have to serve!

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

ML-02/25/1973

Linda's Golden Calf

LINDA listened with wide opened as Mr. Hill told the sad story of how the people of Israel turned their backs on God and worshiped the golden calf. In her mind she could picture that great calf of gold and the people bowing down before it.

The next day on her way to the store Linda was startled. Stopping suddenly in front of the dairy bar she stared in horror! There in the window stood a large glittering image of a calf advertising dairy products. Inside the dairy bar and behind the counter stood Mrs. Williams all unaware of the thoughts that were passing through the head of the small girl standing in front of her window.

Then the small girl with blazing eyes burst into the store and cried, “You mustn’t worship the golden calf!”

Mrs. Williams stood staring in amazement at the small girl, but Linda continued: “God wants you to love and worship Him! You mustn’t worship the golden calf! Honestly, you mustn’t!” Then suddenly Linda was overcome with shyness and shame and ran out the door and down the street.

When Mrs. Williams realized what the little girl had been thinking about she had a hearty laugh, but owing to her busy life she soon forgot all about the incident.

Mrs. Williams was a clever business woman and her dairy prospered. She became wealthy. She owned dairy bars in other nearby towns and “Countryside Dairies” became a well-known and respected firm in that part of the country. She sold her house in the town and bought a mansion in the country. She believed that money was the most important thing in the world; nevertheless she was a lonely woman. Her husband died and then her days seemed more empty than ever.

Mrs. Williams never listened to sermons, but one specially lonely day she heard over the air a broadcast and the subject of the sermon was “The Golden Calf!”

Suddenly it came back to Mrs. Williams — slowly — dimly — then clearly — the funny little girl with the earnest face, bursting into the store that day so many years ago. She sat up and thought very deeply.

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” continued the preacher.

Mrs. Williams saw now the reason for her loneliness and disappointment in life, in spite of all her money. She had forgotten God! She had worshiped the golden calf of money and success!

God spoke to her lonely heart and this time she listened. Alone with Him, she humbly got down on her knees and trusted in Christ, the Saviour of sinners.

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

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

Memory Verse “THROUGH HIS NAME WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.” Acts 10:43.

ML-03/04/1973

A Shepherd's Prayer

HE WAS only a poor goat shepherd in Southern India; his hours were long, and his work toilsome. He rode an old ox which he himself had brought up and trained, and the flock followed after, in the usual eastern style. One of the difficulties he had to encounter was the lack of water, and to find a well was a most welcome event.

A day came when the poor goats had been without a drink for sometime, and the shepherd, leaving the ox with them, wandered a long distance in search of water. Suddenly he found a well; it was among some old ruins. While he was looking down to investigate, the edge of the well gave way, and the poor man fell down some feet. He was caught upon a ledge, however, and so his life was spared.

Somewhat bruised and half-stunned, the poor man began to correct his thoughts. He was in a truly pitiable plight, more than a mile from his faithful ox and the flock of goats. He was unable to climb back up the side of the well, and not a soul could hear his cry for help.

Just then he heard a hissing sound, and though it was growing dark he saw something moving below in the bed of the well. It was a mass of snakes! What could he do? In the hour of his extreme danger, he remembered that when he was just a boy there had come into his native village a missionary, and although he had not taken much heed, nevertheless he had gone to hear the white teacher speak. He remembered one thing the missionary had said, namely, that in the hour of danger or trouble a certain wonderful Lord Jesus would hear and answer prayer. With a childlike faith, in agony and fear, the Indian shepherd prayed for help.

After praying for some time, he seemed to have fallen asleep. Some hours later he woke up, and found it was dawn — darkness had gone! Something was touching his head. He looked up and saw the face of his old ox, looking down at him; and it was the rope dangling from the faithful animal’s neck that was touching his head.

Grasping the rope he called to the ox to back away. In a few moments he was pulled from the well. In answer to his prayer, God had sent his ox to find him and saved his life.

There and then the shepherd trusted in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and for the rest of his life. he testified to his people of his faith in the Christian’s God.

“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.

ML-03/04/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 3:14-22

‘THE children of Levi were numbered in their infancy — “every male from a month old and upward.” Thus they were set apart by God for His service long before they could enter upon that work. The Apostle Paul could say, “it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen.” Gal. 1:15. God has a service for each one of His own, designated long before he enters upon it. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before obtained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. We were noticing that when the camp was pitched, with the tabernacle in the midst, Moses, and Aaron and his sons, the priestly family, were immediately in front of the door of the tabernacle, while the tribe of Levi were camped all around it close by. Believers now are all priests unto God made so by the work of Christ, and all have that place of nearness to Him. But just as the sons of Levi, each had a separate character of service given them, so now each one of us has his own special service given by the Lord Himself to each.

TEXT MISSING

servants now. Every on work entrusted to him of it is a great comfort and encouragement, is it not, to know that no on can do that work better than the one to whom it is given. This is something between each one and the Lord; we need to be much in prayer with Him as to what He would have us to do, and then we need His grace to perform our task well. May we put our whole heart into whatever we do for our blessed Master, and be not half-hearted but whole-hearted servants, especially when we think of how much He has done for us.

It says of Hezekiah that “in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” 2 Chron. 31:21.

The sons of Levi entered upon their service because of their natural birth connection, but ours begins with redemption and is spiritual in character. There can be no service for God until we are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, till we have peace with God, and then we have the precious privilege of serving Him in praise and worship, or in displaying His grace and truth to the world. What a privilege to serve Him in our day, when His coming is so near, and the world’s judgment draws nigh. He could say, “the night cometh when no man can work.” May each of us be diligent in serving our blessed Lord — the best of all masters.

ML-03/04/1973

How Ed Got on the Whining Side

ED WAS A poor Irish boy. He had no shoes and his clothes were thin and threadbare. He seldom had enough to eat and though often weak and sickly he still got into fights with other boys. Usually, because the other boys were bigger and stronger, Ed was the loser.

One day Ed heard there was to be a gospel meeting. The weather was chilly and it was a long way for a sick fellow to walk. He looked at his patched thin trousers and bare feet; would they let the likes of him in? Still there was a voice inside him that urged him to go, and so off he went.

Ed enjoyed the singing. Then the speaker gave out his text: “His right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.” Psa. 98:1.

Ed looked down at his thin right arm. He thought of the big boys who always picked on him. How he’d like Someone to get the victory for him!

The speaker noticed Ed. He saw his tumbled hair, his earnest eyes and bare feet. And he tried his best to talk so the boy would understand.

He spoke of that great enemy, Satan, who clutches people in his power. He spoke of the enemy, sin, that binds us and drags us down. Ed listened and he thought: “Yes, sin and Satan are worse enemies than even the boys that I’m afraid of and hate so.” But how could he get the victory over them?

Then he heard about the Lord Jesus, the strong One, who was born into the world so that He could take our part and fight our enemy. Softly the speaker told of the cross where the Lord Jesus died, and in dying He won the victory over sin and Satan, and death. He proved it too by rising again from the dead. “And now,” said the speaker, “if you’ll join sides with Him and trust Him as your Saviour, then that victory will be yours.”

Ed went home with a happy believing heart. He did not notice the cold nor the roughness of the way. And in the days that followed he didn’t notice the taunts nor the jeers of the boys. Why should he? The Lord Jesus had died for him and now he was on the victory side.

Often Ed thought he would like to tell that preacher that he had chosen the Lord Jesus to be his Captain. But dear Ed was never able to. Not long after going to that meeting he became too sick to go out. As he grew weaker he wanted more than ever to tell his friend how glad he was that Christ had gotten the victory for him.

At last his father sent for the preacher. “My boy is dying,” he said; “will you come?” Of course he would! The preacher came to the poor little cottage where Ed was lying on a straw mat in the corner. He recognized him as the frail, interested little fellow he had seen in the meeting. When the boy saw him enter the room, he stretched out his poor thin arms. Throwing them upwards he cried out in a weak effort: “His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.” Then the whispered cry ceased; the boy fell back on his straw mat, and died.

But the preacher knew that Ed had believed in Christ. The Lord had gotten the victory and had snatched him out of the grasp of Satan, away from the taunts of a cruel world.

Are you interested in so great a victory? Christ has gained the victory. He shows His love for us now. And there are pleasures for us in heaven “for evermore.” Don’t let Satan rob you of all Jesus died to win for you; don’t let him destroy your soul Forever.

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

“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.

Memory Verse: “WHO IS A GOD LIKE UNTO THEE, THAT PARDONETH INIQUITY, AND... DELIGHTETH IN MERCY.” Micah 7:18

Words of Life

ML-03/11/1973

Bible Acrostic

What is said to give favor? (Prov. 13)

What does a scorner not like to hear? (Prov. 13)

What is better than secret love?

(Prov. 27)

What sort of son makes a glad father? (Prov. 10)

What does he keep who is in the way of life? (Prov. 10)

From whose house should we withdraw our feet, lest its owner be weary of us? (Prov. 25)

Who is said, besides the drunkard, to come to poverty? (Prov. 23)

What is said to exalt a nation? (Prov. 14)

What are the proud in heart in the sight of the Lord? (Prov. 16)

What is said to be like deep water in the heart of men? (Prov. 20)

What is said to be like rottenness in the bones? (Prov. 14)

Initials give a word from God, encouraging us to grow in wisdom, obedience and spirituality.

ML-03/11/1973

A Little Brazilian Girl

NEIDE is a little Brazilian girl, 11 with a lovely nature. Her gracious happy smile and quiet patient attitude are deeply attractive. She was only eight years old when she first came to a gospel meeting with her mother and heard the story of the love of the Lord Jesus. Her mother, whose name is Palmtree, immediately accepted the Lord Jesus and found peace and joy in believing.

After attending only a very few more meetings Neide went home one day and asked, “Mother, is it true the Lord Jesus died to save me too?”

“Yes,” said her mother.

With no more pressure, our little eight-year-old Neide gladly accepted Christ as her Saviour and Lord. The family is so poor that the mother was given a Bible and hymn book, and Neide received a New Testament and hymn book also as her very own.

Neide’s father never came to the gospel hall and declared that he does not want Christians to visit his home. He is a wicked man and spends a lot of money on cheap strong drink known as “Pinga.” When he comes home he is continually in a very sad state. As a result his poor wife, little Neide and her four younger brother and sisters suffer greatly.

Little Neide can only come to Sunday School when her father is out or when he is asleep after a drunken spree. But she prizes her New Testament and reads it wherever she can.

One day there was a rough call at our gate and there was Neide’s father with a Bible and two hymn books in his hand. He had come to return the books given to his wife, for he would not allow her to read them. We tried to explain graciously to him the error of his way, but he went away in a rage saying, “I ordered Palmtree to return these but she didn’t have the courage. Well, I have the courage, and here they are.”

Secretly we talked to Palmtree, trying to comfort her, but she replied joyously, “He did not find Neide’s Testament as she had hidden it, so I can still read the Word of God.”

Recently, one Lord’s day, dear little Neide, now ten, popped into my kitchen in a great hurry saying, “I can’t come to Sunday school tay, because Father is home, but here is a little offering for the poor orphan children.” Then pressing 20 cruzieros (about 15 cents) into my hand, she ran off.

Now please do not think all Brazilian fathers are drunkards; many are very good indeed and kind to their wives and children. You Christian boys and girls can pray with Neide and her mother that the father also might be transformed by the power of the gospel. Your prayers may be used of the Lord in bringing great happiness into Neide’s home.

M. Orr

ML-03/11/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 3:23-32

THE Gershonites were to pitch behind the tabernacle on the west. “And the charge of the sons of Gershon... shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door..., and the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it, for all the service thereof.”

When the time came for the children of Israel to move on, or to stop, the Gershonites had to take down or set up the tabernacle in God’s appointed way. Each curtain and each cord had to be carefully picked up and guarded in the journey, then set up in its right place when they stopped. Perhaps taking care of one pin was the responsibility of one man, but we can see that every detail, though seemingly small, was needful and important. They could not leave any part out as unnecessary, for they were acting on God’s behalf and must be faithful.

As we think of the great errors that have come into the professing church today, can we not trace them back to small beginnings — a carelessness in little things, which has resulted in carelessness in greater things. May the Lord help us, dear Christian reader, to watch the little things that mean so much. Let us “keep the charge of the Lord” in the little things as well as the greater things and not pass over them. “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines.” S. of Sol. 2:15.

The Gershonites were to “keep the charge” of the tabernacle itself. And we are called to “keep the charge” of all that concerns the glory and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church which is typified here. The enemy is “a thief and a robber,” ever ready to rob Christ of His glory, and rob us too of our blessings in Him; therefore, great diligence is needed in maintaining the truth.

The Gershonites in their service had more to do with the tabernacle in its outward display, and this perhaps would speak of those now who are specially gifted of God in bringing Christ to men in the world. They have more to do with the wants of man. Some are specially concerned and gifted for the work of bringing Christ to the perishing all around us and some have devoted their lives in the work of the gospel to those that sit in darkness in far off lands. Each one has his own particular service from the Lord and if faithful will be rewarded by Him in that day.

The Lord gives each one of us some little service to do for Him and happy is the one who seeks to do it for His glory. It may be a mother seeking to bring up her family for the Lord in the shelter and care of a Christian home. It may be giving a tract to someone who comes to the door. The important thing is to find out what the Lord would have each of us do and then seek grace to do it faithfully. The Lord Jesus said, “the last shall be first, and the first last.” Perhaps one who has gone on faithfully for the Lord in her little home day by day, and brought up her family for Him, who has labored in prayer and in watchful longing loving care for others, unseen from without but observed and well known by the Lord, will be among the first in that day when service is rewarded.

ML-03/11/1973

A Burglar's Story

JOSE, a Brazilian, once a burglar but now a Christian, tells the following story of his conversion: “One evening I broke into a house, and hiding myself under a bed, waited for the family to retire for the night. When they were ready to go to bed, to my horror, they all gathered in the room where I was hidden and sat down! The father came over to the bed itself, and for one awful moment I thought he had seen me. But he picked up a book and sat down to read to his wife and children. They were wonderful words he read — the like of which I had never heard. When he had fished, he put the book back on the table, and then the family knelt in prayer. I hoped that they wouldn’t see me under the bed! As I heard them pray, it seemed as if the father was talking to a friend in the room. I had never heard anyone talk to God like that before.

“At last the family went to bed. When I thought everyone was asleep, I crept from my hiding place, stole over to the table and picked up the Book. I didn’t stop to steal anything else, but went out into the night with the Book in my hand. It was a Bible.

“As I read the Bible at home, I became more and more disturbed, yet I felt that in it lay the secret of true happiness. The day finally came when I confessed my sins to God and asked Him to receive me through the Lord Jesus Christ.

“My life was completely changed. I wanted to live honestly! I knew that I should return the Bible to its owner, so I did so. The father of the family seemed even more pleased to hear about the story of my salvation than to receive His Bible back!

“I began attending a gospel hall in my city, and it proved to be the very place where the owner of the Bible and his family went to remember the Lord! The Christians there were so pleased to hear how God’s Word had changed my life.”

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4: 12.

Jose, like those of old, “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thess. 1:10. This is what it means to be converted — “to turn to God.” This change is a work wrought only by the Spirit of God in our souls.

Two things go together — a sense of God’s grace and goodness which attracts, and a sense of our sinfulness which convicts. The prodigal son was truly converted. He said, “I will arise and go to my father"; that proved the attraction. Then he said, “Father, I have sinned"; that showed the conviction.

Dear reader, are you converted? Have you turned to God?

ML-03/18/1973

Mother's Prayers

NELLIE was a young girl who worked in a knitting factory in Montreal. One Sunday evening she went to a special gospel meeting and came away deeply convicted. The next day at work she lost her balance and fell in among the knitting machinery. In similar accidents many employees had lost an arm or were severely injured, but to everyone’s astonishment she was picked up unhurt. She was taken home in a taxi where she told her mother of the accident.

“Mother,” she said, “as I lay there among the machines my entire life passed before me in a flash like a series of living pictures and I knew your prayers for me would be answered.”

“Nellie,” said her mother, “before you were born I gave you to the Lord. Every day since your birth I have prayed for your conversion and that He would spare you until you had accepted Christ.”

That same night Nellie went to the gospel meeting and her decision was made — she was soundly converted to Christ. Old things had passed away; she was now a new creature in Christ Jesus.

“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow Him.” 1 Kings 18:21.

The Lord Will Provide

In some way or other

The Lord will provide,

It may not be my way

It may not be thy way,

But yet in HIS OWN way

The Lord will provide.

Memory Verse: “BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

ML-03/18/1973

The Candy Store Man

THE HAMMOND family lived in South Carolina. There were seven boys and girls and each week they would all troop into Mr. Craw-ford’s store to buy candy.

“Good morning, Mr. Crawford. We’d like some candy, please. Every one has five cents.” For a long time the children would scan the rows of candy inside the glass case — jelly beans, gum drops, chocolates, licorice and all kinds of goodies. Mr. Crawford was always very patient but finally the last little buyer was satisfied.

“Thanks, Mr. Crawford,” the children would say as they trooped out the door. “We’ll see you next week.”

But the Hammond children saw Mr. Crawford earlier than the next week — at a place they never expected to see him — at the gospel meeting. The Hammond children were Christians, and they always attended the gospel meetings and Sunday school on Lord’s Day. Their father often preached the gospel at the hall on Sunday nights.

On this particular night when Mr. Hammond closed the meeting with prayer, he asked if there were any in the audience who would like to be saved. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford immediately made it known that they would like to accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Along with others they knelt down that night and trusted in the Lord.

After meeting the Hammond children crowded around Mr. and Mrs. Crawford. There was a buzz and excitement, and it seemed as if all the children wanted to talk all at once.

“Mother, this is the man we buy candy from....” they said.

How glad the children were that Mr. and Mrs. Crawford had both come to Jesus.

“But what made you first think about coming to the gospel meeting?” asked Mr. Hammond.

In reply Mr. Crawford pointed to the Hammond children milling around him. “It was these children,” he said. “They were so sweet and kind to each other, and they seemed to love me. I figured that if these kind of children attended the gospel hall, then I needed to come too.”

Though they didn’t realize it, the Hammond children were showing by their lives that they belonged to the Lord Jesus.

Dear young friends, isn’t it wonderful that Christian boys and girls can be bright lights for the Lord Jesus in this dark world of sin. There are those who are watching you all the time. Perhaps someone who needs the Saviour, but doesn’t know how to find Him, may be watching you. In Isaiah 11:6 it says, “and a little child shall lead them.” And again in Proverbs 20:11 we read “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16.

And for you who know not this blessed Saviour yet, why not come to Him today, confess that you are a poor lost sinner and want to have Him as your Saviour. He’ll not turn you away but will speak words of peace: “thy sins are forgiven thee. Go in peace.” Then He will give you the power to live and shine for Him in the darkness of this world.

“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-03/18/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 3:27-51

The sons of Kohath were to pitch on the south side of the tabernacle. “And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they mister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.” They had an inner service, the care of the ark, the table, the candlestick, the altars and the holy vessels of the sanctuary. This speaks then of worship and praise, presenting to God the Person of Christ, His beloved Son, His divine glory, and His perfect devotedness to the Father, as well as the jealous care for all that concerns Him. May we all know more of this blessed occupation with Christ and all that He means to God.

To the sons of Merari fell the burden of the heavy materials or framework of the tabernacle, its boards, bars, pillars, sockets and pins, and so on. In a typical way the service of Kohath has to do with what Christ is to God and what He has done for His glory, whereas the service of Merari is more connected with His meeting the needs of men. Included then in the service of Merari in type is that labor of love for the Lord’s people. If these boards were heavy, each one was precious, for they were all covered with pure gold. Sometimes the care of the people of God is “heavy” work, often little appreciated or noticed. We know from Paul’s own words that he experienced disappointments of this kind — “Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” 2 Cor. 12:15. But let us remember that the saints are dear to God — covered with “gold” in His sight — so may we each persevere in loving service to one another as unto the Lord.

We can see that there were different forms and characters of service appointed by God to the different families of the Levites. Yet in all they were very closely connected and were dependent on one another. Every piece of the tabernacle was a shadow of good things to come, a foreshadowing of Christ, and thus it was their privilege to all work tether in happy service to Him.

Surely the Lord has a lesson for us here in our day. We have all been redeemed by His precious blood. The same Spirit dwells in each. We all are journeying on to that same blessed home — the heavenly Canaan. Each too has his proper place in the army of God. All fight under the same banner, having but one Captain. All are priests under God and therefore privileged to serve in His sanctuary.

He has not given to each alike the same talents but all are stewards of some gift for which each must one day give account. Let each endeavor to find out what that particular work is which God has given him, and let him not despise any position or work however humble, if it be of God’s appointment. If He has given one a work to do he may be sure it is the most honorable, and it will be the Lord’s joy to reward faithfulness in the coming day.

To the work! to the work! let the hungry be fed,

To the fountain of life let the weary be led!

In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,

While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”

ML-03/18/1973

The Story of a Russian Bible

IN SOME parts of Russia today the authorities forbid anyone to have a Bible. However, a Bible was recently sent to a Russian village of 900 people and God blessed His word to these dear souls.

A Christian in a Russian town near the Polish border received a few Bibles which had been smuggled in. He was so thrilled with them that he decided to keep one, and send the others to Russian towns farther inland. He sent one to a Christian friend in a distant town and how happy the man and his wife were when they received the beloved Bible in the mail. Quickly they called a few other secret believers together and showed them the wonderful book.

“Thank God!” they cried, “somewhere there are brothers and sisters in Christ who have not forgotten us.”

But how could they share one Bible with more than 900 people! Passing it from hand to hand would mean no single person would have time enough to read it. Still they felt the village people must have God’s Word to read, to meditate on and to pray over. What could be done? There was only one solution. The believers sat down and carefully cut the Bible into sections Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.

The Christians decided they could each keep one portion for themselves. If each made two hand written copies and passed them along to other people in the village who did not know Christ, and they in turn each made two hand written copies, they could keep one for themselves and pass the others to four other people. So it was, God’s Word in handwriting was multiplied and circulated through the village.

The people really read the much-prized sections of the forbidden book secretly, and God blessed His Word. Even the local officer in charge closed his eyes to what was happening. As long as they worked hard in the fields on the collective farm every day, it was all that mattered to him. Interest continued to mount in the village until the scriptures were circulated in nearly every home. Then small cottage meetings began to form in the town and for the first time in years the good seed of God’s Word took root.

Since that time many of the villagers have found Christ, and the village is in the grip of a strong spiritual awakening. On the other hand, there are many in Russia who are suffering in prison for their faith. Would you not like to pray for these dear Christians in Russia who are suffering so for Christ? We are told to “remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Heb. 13:3.

How many of our readers can go home and pick up their Bible and sit down and read it, not in secret or in fear, but in liberty and peace? Is God’s Book precious to you like it is to these dear Russians, and do you read it every day? Let us thank God that He has given us the Bible and liberty to read it in this country, to love and to memorize its texts.

“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-03/25/1973

Saved in a Gold Mine

GYPSY HAWKINS, the converted gypsy and evangelist, was used much of God in leading souls to Christ. On one occasion, when he was in Canada, at Rossland he had the joyful and unique privilege of leading a man to Christ at the boom of a coal mine.

One of the officials of the Le Roi gold mine invited the Gypsy to take a tour of the mine. They got into the cage and had a sudden drop of 2000 feet. Then they got into an electric car and drove for nearly two miles in the bowels of the earth.

After inspecting the machinery and the workings of the mine the official took Mr. Hawkins to the scene of a recent accident. Here they had a long talk and the man opened his heart to the Gypsy. God had been speaking to him very definitely at the gospel services. He admitted that he was not a converted man and said, “When you give the invitation tonight, I’ll be the first to come out for God.”

“Why wait till tonight?” answered Mr. Hawkins. “God is no respecter of persons or of places? Why not settle the matter now?”

They knelt down together beside a heap of rubbish—the result of the accident—and there in the depths of the coal mine 2000 feet underground that mine official accepted Christ as his Saviour. Rising from his knees he said, “Gypsy, I have found many a rich nugget of gold in this mine, but now I have experienced the greatest of all. I have found Jesus Christ as my Saviour.”

How happy is the one who has found Christ? He is rich beyond all the dreams of human greed. He has a treasure in the heavens which neither man nor demon can take from him. Have you found this treasure in Christ, dear reader? Is he your Saviour?

“Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee.” Psalm 73:25.

ML-03/25/1973

Samson

WHEN we think of Samson we remember him as the strongest man that ever lived. He did possess enormous physical strength, but the secret of his power was his separation unto the Lord who gave him that strength. As long as he used it for the Lord, the Lord was with him.

In the days when Samson lived God’s people Israel were in bondage to their enemies, the Philistines, who came up in great numbers and overran the land. This was hateful to Samson, and having found a new jaw bone of an ass, with it he slew a thousand of the enemy single-handed.

After that we read Samson went down to Gaza, a city possessed by the Philistines. When they heard that he had come there they surrounded the city and laid in wait for him all night long, intending to kill him in the morning. But at midnight Samson arose “and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron.” What amazing strength he had!

But Samson is but a picture of One who is far stronger than he the Lord Jesus Christ. When the blessed Saviour lay in the sleep of death, Satan, His great enemy, thought he had Him forever in his power. But the victorious Lord arose from the dead; He broke the gates of death, that terrible fortress of the enemy, and came forth the mighty Conqueror.

Death could not keep its prey,

He tore the bars away.

That which once held captive He has led into captivity, He has ascended on high, and one day He will display to wondering worlds all those who are the trophies of His victory.

Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

Death, the great citadel of Satan, no longer has doors to keep Christ’s own in prison, for death itself has become but a passage to life and glory. Just as death could not keep Christ there so there is no power now to keep there those that believe in Jesus.

Hebron, the hill to which Samson bore the gates in triumph, is the place of death. So Christ, the risen One, has passed through death, and now all those who are His own can sing,

Death and judgment are behind us,

Grace and glory are before.

ML-03/25/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 4:1-12

THIS VERY interesting and instructive chapter tells how the vessels of the sanctuary were to be carried through the wilderness and here the Kohathites had the highest form of service to the Lord. Perhaps it did not look that way outwardly, but that which attracts and pleases the eyes of men is not always by any means honorable in the sight of God.

So we read, “And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering veil, and cover the ark of testimony with it: and shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.” After Aaron and his sons had cored the sanctuary and all the vessels, it was the part of the sons of Kohath to bear them on the march.

First came the ark, which was in the holiest of all. It represented Christ and all that He is in the presence of God — in all His divine glory as the Son of God but the One who became Man. The ark, covered with the veil, then is the divine Person of the Lord Jesus with the veil of His holy humanity.

The covering of badgers’ skins protected it, for the Lord Jesus kept His perfection free from all evil. Then outside that came the covering of blue, speaking of Him as the heavenly Man. When He was here on earth He could say of Himself, “the Son of man which is in heaven.” Even those who did not believe in Him had to say, “Never man spake like this Man.” John 7:46.

Next came the table of showbread with its utensils, all of which were covered with a cloth of blue. The twelve loaves on the table bring before us the twelve tribes of Israel. As Son of man the Lord Jesus will come from heaven in power and glory to take the kingdom.

A scarlet cloth then covered the blue on the table for Christ is the anointed One of God, the king of Israel. Once they rejected their gentle monarch crying out, “We will not have this man to reign over us"; but when He comes again all will be changed. His people shall be willing in the day of His power (Psalm 110:3). Twelve is connected with administration on earth, so in the millennial day when the government shall be upon His shoulder, the twelve tribes, united under Him as king, will have a special place in the administration of the kingdom. The gold of the table upon which the twelve loaves rested speaks of the kingdom established through divine righteousness. Lastly comes the badgers’ skins telling of that power which protects all from evil.

In the case of the candlestick it was simply covered with a cloth of blue and then the badgers’ skins above. The candlestick speaks of the divine light of the Spirit of God in the heavenly sanctuary. There is no thought of royalty or glory of man here.

Carried through the wilderness, these precious mysteries — the ark and the vessels of the sanctuary were hidden by the badgers’ skins. The glory of the coming kingdom cannot be seen without now as it will be when displayed in the millennium — now it is hidden from the eyes of men, but by faith we can see these coming glories and rejoice in the thought of Christ’s exaltation. May we have on, as it were the badgers’ skins, careful to maintain that holy separation from evil in our daily walk, as those who shall share that glory and reign with Him in a day that is drawing near.

ML-03/25/1973

The Divine Detective

THEY WERE all there. Fifty of them. We counted again to be sure. My father in Spanish, “Uno, dos, tres, cuatro...” and I in my English.

The sleepily murmuring hens had disappeared on Thursday and now on Sunday night they were all back in place. It had happened while we visited the nearby Bible conference. These meetings were a must with Papa. Even if something was ready for harvest we had to go to the spiritual “fiesta.” “God will take care of the farm if we put Him first,” said Papa.

So on Thursday afternoon we excitedly ate supper early, did the chores, and rode to the conference grove for the evening service. When we returned, an errand took me to the chicken shed. The door was open and in consternation I found every chicken was gone.

As usual we gathered for family worship before bedtime, and we waited to hear what Papa would say. My brother predicted that Papa would pray the chickens would come home. I said, “No, it is too much for even him to ask.”

But our father was a man of faith. The prayer that night was warmhearted. Papa wasn’t upset. He prayed for the person who had taken the hens. He asked God to bless this person! He also asked the Lord to touch his heart and to make him feel so miserable that he would bring the chickens back.

While Papa was asking the Lord to do this I groaned, “Oh, no, it is too much. Papa can’t believe this will happen.”

On Saturday afternoon we left for a camp meeting again. At the gathering next day my papa told about his chickens and that he was expecting them back.

I shall never forget how awestruck I was that Sunday night as my father, humble migrant turned American, small farmer and a man of faith, counted his chickens that had come home to roost. All the way to fifty. Every one of them was there.

But that wasn’t all. On Monday a neighbor pulled into our yard and confessed he was the thief. He said, “Mr. Garcia, you have been praying. Your God wouldn’t let me sleep until I returned every chicken.”

You perhaps, like Garcia’s neighbor, have some things to return. You have a life to give back. The prayers of dear ones have followed you across the country and possibly to distant nations. It is easy to run these days. The airlines and fast cars are everywhere and so convenient.

The eye of God follows us in our wanderings away from Him. The Divine Detective who ferreted out Mr. Garcia’s chicken thief knows every fact and fancy of our lives. “Thou God seest me.”

Listen to the psalmist as he exclaims about the eye of the Lord: “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there.

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; “Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psa. 139: 7-10,12,17,23,24 H. C. in W. Advocate

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

ML-04/01/1973

The Water of Life

Jesus gave her water that was not in the well;

She went away singing,

She came back bringing

Others for the water that was not in the well.

Jesus still gives water that is not in the well;

To all who come believing,

And His Word receiving,

He’ll give the heavenly water that is not in the well.

ML-04/01/1973

Samson and the Lion

A Defeated Foe

ONE DAY when Samson went down to Timnath, he came to the vineyards, “and behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand.” Judg. 14:5,6.

Samson pictures to us the Lord Jesus down in this world and the young lion is a type of Satan.

How terrible and frightening is the roar of a lion, the king of beasts! Satan sought to frighten and turn the Lord aside from His path of faithfulness, but the Lord withstood him. Then on the cross He withstood him again as the “ravening and roaring lion.” And from the terrible conflict He came forth in resurrection as the mighty Victor over death and Satan’s power.

To faith, Satan is a defeated foe, but he still goes about, Peter tells us, “as a ravening and a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” However, those who have Christ as their Saviour can withstand him in the power of God. We are told to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

A little later when Samson again went down to Timnath, “he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion.” Samson took some of the honey and ate it as he went on his way. How sweet it must have tasted! It strengthened him too. When he came to his father and mother he gave them some also. But he did not tell them where it came from.

The carcass of the dead lion with the swarm of bees and the honey inside, is a picture of the power of Satan overcome in the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross. The sweetest blessings have come to us now from that very place where the Lord defeated the great enemy of God and man. Like Samson eating the honey, we too can taste the sweetness of knowing Satan is a defeated foe, and we will have some to share with others too.

ML-04/01/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 4:13-15

ON THE wilderness journey the care of the holy vessels of the tabernacle was the duty of the sons of Kohath. The ark was the only one which had the covering of blue on the outside. It represented the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ — the Lord from heaven, and He could not be hid. In His personal walk down here He was ever the heavenly Man. And we, whom He has redeemed, in our personal walk through this wilderness world ought also to have on the blue — to manifest our heavenly character that others might see that we belong to Christ.

Next came the altar of burnt offering (v. 13); over it and its sacred vessels was spread a purple cloth. Purple is the royal color and speaks of earthly glory. The brazen altar being then typical of the cross, the blessed One who suffered there, the Crucified One, is nevertheless the One who is going to reign over all the earth. Even now in heaven God has crowned Him with glory and honor, on His head are many crowns, and soon the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; “and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15. This is God’s answer to the sufferings of Christ.

We who know Him as our Saviour shall reign with Him in that day. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.” 2 Tim. 2:12.

The badgers’ skins covered the purple cloth so that it was not seen from without. The world does not see Christ now as the One who shall reign, but they will one day when He comes in His glory and power. For “behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.” Rev. 1:7.

By faith we see Him now at God’s right hand and would hasten the day in our hearts when He shall take the throne and we shall reign with Him. But it is not reigning time for us yet; this is not the day of His power. Many of His dear people are in trying circumstances, some in great affliction and suffering. Now He gives us to prove His love and sympathy in our sorrows. He is with us in them and makes all things work together for our good so that we can look back and thank Him for the trials of the way. By-and-by He will display His power and all will be changed here below. But before then we shall have left this world behind and will be at home forever in His presence.

“A little while” — twill soon be past,

Why should we shun the promised cross?

O let us in His footsteps haste,

Counting for Him all else but loss:

For how will recompense His smile,

The sufferings of this “little while.”

ML-04/01/1973

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 was 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!” Then she went on to say that she had put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ; so I knew then that she was rich indeed.

It says 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 when He died for us that we through His poverty might be rich.

Yes, through His death on the cross of Calvary and through His precious blood that was shed there we now have all 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-04/01/1973

"There, There Is Rest"

I KNEW a coal miner who had one dear little girl, the youngest in their family of four. She was the light of his eyes, and when he came home at night she used to meet him at the gate or at the door of his cottage to welcome him home.

One day when he came home after work he missed his little darling, and when he came into the house with his heavy mining boots on his wife called him upstairs. The stillness of the place and the quiet voice made his heart sick, and a foreboding of evil came over him. His wife told him they were going to lose their little lamb — she had had convulsions and the doctor said they couldn’t save her.

The tears made furrows down the grimy face of the brokenhearted father as he leaned over the trundle bed and watched his child sinking. Suddenly she looked up and said, “Daddy, sing ‘Here Is No Rest — Is No Rest'.”

“No, my little sweetheart,” he replied. “I can’t sing, I’m choking; I can’t sing.”

“O do, Daddy,” she asked again. “Sing ‘Here Is No Rest.’ "

The poor fellow tried to sing:

“Here o’er the earth as a stranger I roam.

Here is no rest — is no rest.”

But his voice could make no headway. Then he tried again, as he wanted to please his little girl:

“Here are afflictions and trials severe,

Here is no rest — is no rest;

Here I must part with the friends I hold dear,

Yet I am blest — I am blest.”

Again his voice was choked with weeping; but the little one whispered, “Go on, Daddy, sing, ‘Sweet is the promise,’ " and the poor father went on again:

“Sweet is the promise I read in Thy Word,

Blessed are they who have died in the Lord;

They have been called to receive their reward,

There, there is rest — there is rest.”

“That’s it, Daddy,” again the little one whispered; “that’s it.” And with her arms around her father’s neck she passed happily away into the presence of her Saviour.

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

“Through Jesus Christ” must be the password for all — young and old, rich and poor, kings and queens, presidents and governors as well as common folks. No one can enter heaven on any other grounds; only as lost sinners trusting in Him whose blood was shed so freely on Calvary’s cross. God has said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Ex. 12:13.

Dear reader, is Christ and His precious blood your title to heaven? Do you expect to “see the King in His beauty"? Remember it is not your works and the blood, but the blood of Jesus alone which cleanses us from all sin. No other plea will be accepted by Him. Nothing else is needed. Only Jesus and His precious blood.

“Without shedding of blood is no remission"; “for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the Heb. 9:22; Lev. 17:11.

All in heaven shall give praise, “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” (Rev. 1:5; 5:12).

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them “And the cow and bear shall feed: their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

“And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.” Isa. 11:6-9.

He’ll banish fear and terror,

Sorrow and pain shall cease;

And all His lovely creature friends

Shall bless His reign of peace.

ML-04/08/1973

"Them That Honor Me"

MARY was just eight years old and seemed very much like other little girls. However, there was really a great difference, not in appearance but in her heart. When God looks down from heaven on people, He does not look on the outward appearance, but on the heart. In Mary’s heart He saw something that pleased Him greatly — a willing and obedient spirit.

Mary’s parents were very wealthy, but they did not love God and never did they tell her about Jesus and His love. However, among the servants was a lady who loved the Lord and she often told Mary some of the wonderful things in the Bible, of how He made the world and all the people, the animals and living things in it. From heaven He could look down into boys’ and girls’ hearts and knew those who loved and sought to please Him. She told Mary of how the Lord Jesus came into this world and went to Calvary’s cross where He died for sinners. But He rose again and now lives in heaven.

Mary read the Bible for herself too and gradually the Book grew precious to her. She learned that the Lord Jesus might come at any moment to take all who are saved home to heaven. As she grew older life became difficult for her parents wanted her to go to theaters and dances and places where she knew the Lord Jesus would not be welcome. She read what the prophet had said to king Jehoshaphat when he linked himself with the wicked king Ahab: “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?” 2 Chron. 19:2. Again she read in 1 John 2:15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” Mary desired nothing so much as to be pleasing to the One who loved her and gave Himself for her....

Finally, when her father saw that her face was set heavenward, he became very vexed and told her she must leave home unless she prosed never to speak of Christ to her brothers or to any one else in the house. This was a terrible blow to Mary for it was a great sorrow to think of having to leave her pants, her family and comfortable home and go and live alone in some boarding house. But she remembered the words of the Lord Jesus: “There is no man that bath left house, or parents or brethren... for the kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” Luke 18:29,30.

After much prayer and weeping many tears, she told her father she would have to say good-bye as she must obey God rather than man. With a very sad heart she left home to go among strangers. But she was not left alone, for the Lord Jesus was her Friend and Comforter; she delighted in Him and He gave her “the desires of her heart” (Psa. 37:4).

Not long after this her father died and she inherited considerable wealth. This she began to use for the Lord. She bought a large mansion and took in orphan girls to whom she taught the sweet message of Jesus’ love and God’s salvation. After some years in this good work she became the happy wife of a young Christian man who went about faithfully preaching the gospel, and his labors were much blessed in that district.

Like Mary, every one who is true to the Lord Jesus and puts Him first will be cared for and honored, even if persecuted by those who do not love Him. “Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Sam. 2:30.

ML-04/08/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 4:15-49

THE Kohathites had the sacred privilege of carrying the “most holy things” of the tabernacle, but they were not permitted to touch or even look upon them. “They shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.” Aaron and his sons must first go in and cover those sacred vessels before the Kohathites could take up their service.

Under grace we are privileged to gaze upon the glories of Christ, to worship and adore within the veil; but this is no place for mere curiosity or for the mind of man to be at work. We are solemnly warned against seeking to inquire into the unfathomable mystery of the divine Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The rest of the chapter completes the numbering of the Levites with their three branches — Gershon, Merari and Kohath. As to their standing they were all “joined with Aaron,” yet the class of service of each was distinctly different. Nevertheless they were all “striving together.”

We as believers are one with Christ and members one of another, gathered around Him as our Center, each with a distinct service to do for Him. In this we are called to respect each other’s labors and as far as we are able to help on the work of the Lord.

Gershon means “a stranger,” and it was his work to carry the tabernacle coverings on the wilderness march. The Lord Jesus was ever the homeless Stranger down here, and in following Him we partake of His strangership, Just as the sons of Gershon bore those coverings across the desert so it is our privilege to manifest this character of Christ as we travel on through this wilderness world.

Merari means “sorrow,” and his responsibility was the boards, the bars, the pillars, etc. What little satisfaction there would be naturally in setting them up out on the dreary desert! Yet this was his privilege. And it is our privilege too, dear young Christian, to raise a testimony for Christ in the midst of this barren hostile scene. One may experience much sorrow and reproach in doing so, but there will be much joy too in witnessing for Christ. No one knew sorrow like He did; He was the “Man of sorrows,” but soon when He has all His redeemed at home with Himself in the glory He will be the Man of joy forever.

The floor of the tabernacle was the sand of the desert; in the temple, however, the floor was overlaid with gold. When the high priest went into the tabernacle and gazed on those glories and beauties that spoke of Christ his feet still stood on the sands....

Our feet still tread the desert sands of this world, but one day we shall stand upon the street of gold in the New Jerusalem, and gaze into the face of our blessed Saviour. What we have learned of Him in the sorrows and trials of the wilderness will only deepen our joy then and abide eternally.

Memory Verse: “SET YOUR HEART AND YOUR SOUL TO SEEK THE LORD YOUR GOD.” 1 Chronicles 22:19

ML-04/08/1973

John Berridge

MR. & MRS. BERRIDGE were well-to-do farmers. One day a little baby boy was born into their home and they called him John. They little thought how well known and loved that name would become one day.

Mr. Berridge loved cattle and sheep and wanted John to be a farmer too. But John loved books and reading, and his father began to have doubts as to whether he would ever be a success as a farmer.

John went to live in town with his favorite aunt for some time. One day coming home from school a boy friend of his asked him if he would like to come into his home and hear the Bible read. John went in at first out of curiosity, but as his friend kept asking him in again and again with the same intention, he tried to avoid him as often as possible. Then one day as John was coming back from a fair, his friend waylaid him. John had no excuse ready, and so to avoid offending him he went in again and listened to the reading of the Scriptures and prayer. This time his friend prayed too.

These readings made a great impression on John, but his friend’s prayer affected him most of all. John had always thought himself a good sort of a boy, and he knew that his parents and his teacher thought the same. But he began to find out what a bad boy he must be not to care to hear God’s Word; for if he were really good he would naturally like good things, such as reading God’s Word and prayer. At last he agreed with God’s thoughts about himself and about others: “There is none righteous, no, not one:... There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Rom. 3:10,12.

The time came when John left town to return home, but he used to say in after years, when he was used of God to the blessing of so many, that the first time he really began to think about God and his need of salvation was when he went to the Scripture readings in the house of his friend. The name of that young friend is not known on earth, but is well known in heaven, and perhaps one day those of us who are saved, and will spend eternity with the Lord Jesus will meet the boy who brought his friend to the Saviour.

Back home on the farm John was always getting into trouble at his work, for at the market he was constantly off in his estimate of the value of cattle and farm stock. His father saw that it would be useless for him to continue, and one day he said to him in despair: “John, you don’t seem to have any idea of the proper price of cattle, so I shall have to send you to college, and some day maybe you will be a light to the Gentiles.”

So off John went to college, and there he learned many things which pleased and delighted him and his friends. But he learned very little of what would last forever and bring glory to God.

For some years there was no fruit for God in his life, but the time came when he began to live in earnest; and the constant language of his heart was this: “Lord, if I am right, keep me so; if I am not right, Lord, make me so; and lead me to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.”

God listened to his cry, and one day as he sat musing on the Scriptures, he seemed to hear a voice from heaven: “Cease from your own works: only believe.”

At once he understood. He saw that he had been making a mistake for years, trying to mix the law and grace and to add Christ’s righteousness to his own supposed righteousness. He began to think on the words “faith” and “believe” and found out how often they are used in the Bible.

Then for the first time he preached Jesus and His finished work on the cross, and the country folk flocked to hear him from all parts and were blessed. Great numbers were brought to God.

John went through the countryside, riding and walking, calling at the houses on farms and in the villages, telling boys and girls, men and women, that God was not against them, but for them. God’s great desire was that they might have life, eternal life, life abundantly, through the death of His beloved Son.

His theme was “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Pet. 2:24.

He worked for many years, numbers were brought to God through his preaching, and at a ripe old age he passed into the presence of his Lord and Saviour.

Such is the sketch of the life of a poor boy who learned that he had no goodness of his own, who found his all in Christ, and who had first learned of Jesus through a friend. The epitaph on his grave carries these words:

HERE LIE THE REMAINS OF

JOHN BERRIDGE

AN ITINERANT SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, WHO LOVED HIS MASTER AND HIS WORK, AND AFTER RUNNING ON HIS ERRANDS FOR MANY YEARS WAS CALLED UP TO WAIT ON HIM ABOVE

READER

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN?

NO SALVATION WITHOUT

A NEW BIRTH

ML-04/15/1973

San and Kim

SAN and his little sister Kim were two Chinese orphans. When their father and mother died, they went to live with their aunt and grandmother. Here they were taught to worship the big wooden idol in the house. However, at the same time they were allowed to go to school conducted by some Christian missionaries, where they were taught that the Lord was the true and only God and that His dear Son had become a Man and died for sinners.

One day the Christian teacher sought to show the children the folly of praying to a dumb idol. She gave them a beautiful rose to smell and they were delighted with its fragrance. Then she had them smell a plant with a very disagreeable odor, and at the first whiff, San and Kim held their noses and turned away. The teacher then told the children that the idol could not tell the difference between the smell of the rose and that plant.

After this the teacher took a large needle from her pin cushion and asked the children to prick their arms with it.

“Oh no,” said the children. “It’ll hurt and make the blood come.”

Then the teacher said it wouldn’t hurt the idol if they were to stick a needle into it.

On the way home from school, San told his sister he would go and try to see if it were true what the teacher had said. Little Kim was afraid something dreadful would happen to her brother, and tried to persuade him to give up the idea, but Sam said he was bound to try it.

So when they reached home they went into the room where the idol was fastened to a shelf on the wall. Together they pushed a table under it and climbing up on the table, San held a rose up to the idol’s nose; of course, he took no notice of it. Then he held a nasty smelling plant against its nose, but he never moved his head or showed the least sign of displeasure.

“Well, Kim,” said San, “it’s very certain he don’t know anything about smelling. Let’s try and see if he can feel.”

San hunted around until he found a fork with long sharp prongs, and poor Kim was very frightened when she saw her brother go up to the idol with this in his hand. She stood trembling like a leaf. San was a bit frightened too, but he still resolved to try it, So he got up on the table again and stood before the idol holding the fork firmly in his hand.

With a swing of his arm, he stabbed the fork right into the idol’s fat cheek. There was no cry, no motion, no blood. Nothing happened.

“Teacher’s right!” exclaimed San. “He don’t know anything.”

Then it came home to the children how foolish it was to put such a block of wood in the place of God, and they determined not to worship him any more. San became a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Saviour. Time came when he persuaded his aunt and his grandmother to give up the idol too, and they all became Christians, having no other god but the Lord.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Ex. 20:3.

“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.

Memory Verse: “I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH.” Job 19:25

ML-04/15/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 5:1-31

Thus far we have had the arrangement of the camp, in preparation for the wilderness march. Now God acts to see that the camp is cleansed from evil in order that He, in whom alone was all their strength, might be with them.

They were to put out of the camp “every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead.” Typically the first two speak of the outbreak of the flesh, unjudged sin. It must be put outside, for “holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, Forever.” Psa. 93:5.

Defilement with the dead tells of contact with the world. The world has on it the stamp of death, and so in the Word of God to be connected with the world in any way is to be associated with uncleanness. The world is all around us and we have to pass through it; here we go to school and in it we have our daily occupations, but we are called to walk in separation from it It is attractive still to our old nature, but it is the enemy’s country where “the prince of the power of the air,” works “in the children of disobedience.” We “strangers and pilgrims,” are called to “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” “Our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3:20.

Next, in the case of a man who had committed a trespass, God was not satisfied merely to have the wrong made up, but the man must add “the fifth part.” He must make restitution above and beyond the wrong inflicted. It is not sufficient to merely go to the one wronged and say, I am sorry. God views every trespass as against Himself. If one has wronged another, he must confess it to God and make full restitution, proving that he has thoroughly judged the matter. Thus God Himself is glorified in it.

The Trial of Jealousy

We now come to the ordinance of “the trial of jealousy,” when a husband suspected his wife had been unfaithful to him. It was not left to natural feelings or human judgment, but the suspected wife was to be set by the high priest in the presence of God as the Searcher of hearts, and she was tried by the bitter water.

Her husband brought for her a meal offering of barley flour — not the fine wheat flour usually used in the meal offering, nor was there any oil or frankincense put on it, for the sad circumstances did not admit of these. Afterward the priest took the meal offering from her hand and waved it before the Lord, and a memorial of it was offered on the altar. By this both husband and wife signified that they had committed the matter to God. The priest then took a vessel containing holy water mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor. The water speaks of the searching power of the Word of God mingled with the dust of death.

The priest read to her the curses that would come upon her if she were guilty. If she was pleased to stand the trial after all the warning, she said, “Amen, amen"; then the priest wrote the curses in a book, blotted them with the bitter water and gave the rest to her to drink. The trial Was then made.

If she had been unfaithful, decay would set in and she would be made a curse among her people. However, if her husband’s suspicions proved groundless, and she had not been unfaithful, none of these things would happen to her. She would be declared innocent and set free, happiness would be restored in the family, and she would enjoy the Lord’s blessing in having children.

Here we have a type of Israel first, unfaithful to Jehovah, her true Husband. But she will be acquitted and set free in the coming day, the result of His faithful and unchanging love who bore all her sin and curse upon the cross, so that He can say, “their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

ML-04/15/1973

"Jesus Died for You"

A MISSIONARY went to Africa with his wife and three little children. He settled in a small village and began to tell the natives the story of God’s love to all the people of the world — black and yellow, red and white—and of how He sent His dear Son to die for their sins. The natives gathered around him; some listened eagerly to the gospel story while others only turned away and went on with their old religion.

The missionary’s wife and children all did their part and faithfully helped on the work. Freddie, the youngest, a little blue-eyed fellow with golden curls, was just four years old. He loved to talk to Sam, the “cookie” boy, who worked for the missionary, and with what fond delight he would show him each of his cherished toys.

One day Freddie looked up earnestly into his friend’s dark brown eyes and in a winsome tone he suddenly asked, “Sammy, do you know that Jesus died for you?” For just the briefest moment Sammy gave no answer, as if he waited to hear more from his little friend.

Then to his joy Freddie went on. “Yes, Sam, Jesus died for you and Jesus died for me. There’s no mistake about it; the Bible tells us, and so does my daddy; and of course, he ought to know.”

Sammy now fairly glowed with pleasure and smiled his broadest smile. Then with sweet assurance he replied to the query of the dear child: “Oh, yes, I know that Jesus died to wash away my sin. I know I’m black on the outside, but my heart is white on the inside. I’m on my way to heaven, cleansed by Jesus’ precious blood; now I’m trying to serve Him and tell others about Him too.”

Dear young friend, will you not trust Jesus too? He died for all, but would it not make you happy to be able to sing, “He died for me, and when He died He set me free.” Accept His free salvation today and be sure of heaven too.

ML-04/22/1973

Nimrod the Hunter

NIMROD was a little fat terrier pup with a big bark. Pretty soon he grew so sturdy that his little legs took him around the house, all over the yard and down the lane. He loved to go exploring and whenever his wonderful little nose told him there was a rat around he was all excited.

His master, Uncle Jim, called him Nimrod, the hunter. If you will open your Bible to Genesis chapter 10 you’ll read there about “Nimrod, the mighty hunter.”

Uncle Jim was Nimrod’s hero, and most anywhere Uncle Jim went, you would find Nimrod at his heels.

But a sad day came when Uncle Jim had to go to the Army. Poor Nimrod! For hours at a time he would sit on the low garden wall looking up the lane for Uncle to appear. Three years went by, and bit by bit Nimrod gave up hope. No more did he watch from the wall, but he had not forgotten.

Then one day a neighbor came in with Uncle Jim’s kit bag. What a surprise! His master was coming home. Nimrod was terribly excited, but puzzled too. The kit bag was here, but no master. Grandmother turned the clothes out on the floor to sort them for the wash. Presently she missed the tunic. How could it have vanished that quickly? Then somebody exclaimed, “Why, where’s Nimrod?” Where do you think? — they went to look, and there in his kennel, was Nimrod asleep, the tunic beside him, his head resting on the sleeve.

Soon a well-loved step was heard coming up the walk. Out bounded the faithful little dog and greeted his master with whines and yelps of joy. After three long years they were together once again.

I can’t think of Nimrod and his master without thinking too of a more wonderful story and a more wonderful Friend. Uncle Jim bought Nimrod when he was just a pup. The Lord Jesus bought all those who love Him with His precious blood long, long ago upon the cross of Calvary. Just like Nimrod belonged to Uncle, so those whom the Lord Jesus has redeemed belong to Him. Uncle went away for three years, and the Lord Jesus has been gone for much longer than that, but He is surely coming back again. He has promised “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. Nimrod wanted to be with his master, and so we ought to want to be with the Lord Jesus where He is. When He comes to claim His own, He will take them to His heavenly home, the house of many mansions. We shall never be parted, but shall be with Him and the objects of His unchanging and eternal love.

“One there is, above all others,

Well deserves the name of Friend;

His is love beyond a brother’s,

Costly, free, and knows no end:

They who once His kindness prove

Find it everlasting love.”

When the soft dews of kindly sleep

My wearied eyelids gently steep,

Be my last thought, how sweet to rest

Forever on my Saviour’s breast!

ML-04/22/1973

A Prodigal's Return

ON ONE of his trips Gypsy Hawkins, the evangelist, stopped at Naples, Italy, and while there he spoke to the men at the Sailors’ Rest. There he had the joy of pointing a young English sailor to Christ.

The crew on this sailor boy’s ship were a drinking, gambling, godless crowd and he was nearly as bad as they were. One night he was on watch on deck when he saw immediately above his head a star of unusual brightness. It seemed to him like the very eye of God searching his heart and he was brought under deep conviction of sin. There was no Christian on board in whom he could confide, but when his ship arrived at Naples he went with all speed to the Sailors’ Rest, knowing that there he could get spiritual help for his poor sin-burdened soul. It happened that Gypsy Hawkins was there at the time and it was not hard for the evangelist to point a young fellow in that condition to the Saviour. That night the young sailor found Christ and was brightly saved.

Afterward the Gypsy said to him: “Your case is rather unusual and there must be something to account for it. How about the rest of your family? Are any of them Christians?”

“They are all Christians,” returned the young fellow. “They have been praying for my conversion and speaking to me about Christ for years. I ran away from home to avoid them.”

There on a foreign strand the earnest prayers of years were answered, and the prodigal returned to his home a new creature in Christ Jesus.

“And the son said... Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

“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 15:21-24.

Memory Verse: “IT IS NOT THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN, THAT ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES SHOULD PERISH.” Matthew 18:14

ML-04/22/1973

Bible Talks: The Trial of Jealousy

Numbers 5

In the “trial of jealousy” we have had shadowed forth Israel brought to trial by Jehovah, her true Husband. He had watched over her with a jealous love, but time and again she had provoked Him to jealousy in departing from Him. How patient He had been with her, calling’ her again and again to repentance. But finally He had to bring her to this trial (Psalm 109:4,5,16-18) and she was found guilty. Her sin was not blotted out in the trial and Israel to this day is under the curse, the penalty for her unfaithfulness. She has been judged as a woman that breaks wedlock (Ezek. 16:3).

Yet how blessed to think of the grace that will rise above all Israel’s sin and unfaithfulness, in virtue of the Lord Jesus’ prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The convicted and unfaithful wife in the coming day will stand acquitted through the work of redemption that He has wrought for her upon the cross and she will be made free, and as a joyful mother of children (Isa. 54:1).

But in this trial of jealousy we see not only Israel but Christendom. The marriage supper of the Lamb has not yet taken place, but the church is seen as espoused to Christ, and so the type applies here also.

The professing church has given herself over to another — the world — and her sorrowful history corresponds with that of Israel. Long has the Lord borne with her unfaithfulness. “I gave her space to repent... and she repented not.” Rev. 2:21. How solemn the doom that hangs over guilty Christendom! The worldly, unfaithful, and apostate church will be destroyed. Her judgment stands upon the pages of Holy Scripture (Rev. 17, 18). “Her sins have reached unto heaven,” and “strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (Rev. 18:8).

The true Church, however, composed of all believers, before that time will be caught up to heaven to be with Christ, as the heavenly Bride, forever one with Him.

But the principles here apply also to each of us individually. The Lord is jealous over us with a fervent love. His love does not admit of any question or suspicion. “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” He says, and He loves us unto the end (John 13:1), but we are accounted responsible to Him for the time we are left down here. At the judgment seat of Christ there will be a reward for everything that is done for Him, while there will be loss according to our unfaithfulness. May His love stir up our hearts to more devotedness to Him, the faithful and true.

In this chapter we can see how the Lord not only orders the removal of all known evil from the camp, but in the trial of jealousy He has made the way for the removal of every suspicion of evil. To carry suspicion in the heart is a terrible thing, and is something we ought to watch against. When it involves those near and dear to us, it destroys the sweetest joys of love and friendship.

Still there might be a time when one might honestly suspect evil but be unable to prove it. Then to be suspected of evil is terribly hard to bear, but if such a circumstance is allowed to come into one’s life, it is good for one to patiently wait on the Lord and let Him vindicate him. To resent being tried shows the pride of heart and the flesh at work. And oftentimes a hasty and feverish effort to deny a thing is an indication of guilt, though not always so. If one is willing to be thoroughly tested in the presence of the Lord, to allow the searching power of His Word — the water of death — to have its way, He will take his part, and if innocent He will vindicate him, while blessing and fruitfulness will be a sure result.

How happy if like David one can say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psa. 139:23,24.

ML-04/22/1973

Old Shep

IN THE early thirties away out in the Montana sheep country there lived an old sheepherder named Tony. He was a foreigner and might have been the loneliest man in the world had it not been for the companionship of his faithful collie dog, Shep. Tony had had very little schooling and would be considered ignorant by today’s educational standards, but he had a tender heart and was a good shepherd. Once every two or three months he would go away to town and Shep would wait faithfully for his return.

One sheepherder told of how he had dropped in on Tony on one occasion and the old man invited him to dinner. In his hut were two sick lambs and a mother sheep with a sore nose. A rattlesnake had bitten her. Old Tony was in his rocking chair holding the ewe in his arms and rocking her back and forth like a baby.

To Shep there was something special about his master—he was the most wonderful man in the world, and he fairly worshiped him.

But poor Tony had TB and his days were numbered. He wouldn’t go to a doctor and at last the old man died. They took his body into town in a truck and faithful Shep followed them to the railway station. The last sight he had of his beloved master was when they carried his body into the baggage car. Unable to follow further, he watched the train disappear out of sight.

Shep thought his master had gone off on one of his usual trips so he crawled under the station platform to wait for his return. That spot was to be his home for six long years. From there he strolled forth with new hope each time a train pulled into the station.

The dog paid no attention to freight trains, but every time a passenger train came in he would walk slowly the full length of the cars and sniff the air with his nose. When the train steamed out, he settled down sadly to wait for the next.

The kind station master tried to get Shep to make his home in the station, but he refused; he stayed where he could keep an eye on the tracks. Most everybody around knew Shep, and those who traveled the railway would look out the window and wonder about the dog who was always there to greet the passengers when the trains pulled in.

Six years went by; Shep had grown old. Then one wintry day he died. On January 14, 1942 There was a funeral held in the little town of Fort Benton. Stores closed, school children were let out early, the flag hung at half mast; ranchers, sheep-men, wheat growers, railroad men, people from nearby towns including the mayor of Great Falls arrived by train and car. The agent had made a casket, and schoolboys carried Shep to his last resting place on a little hill where the station men had dug a grave. One spoke a few words on “man’s best friend” and Old Shep’s faithfulness. There was hardly a dry eye in the crowd as the casket was lowered into the grave. Old Shep was gone.

Today a monument marks the grave of Shep who, faithful to the last, had lived and waited in hope of his loved master’s return.

In Shep and his master we see love, tenderness and unselfish devotion rarely seen in this selfish world, in the midst of loneliness, sickness and sorrow. Nevertheless long ago there was One who trod this earth and who was the loneliest of men; He was the “Man of sorrows.” and yet He was the true Shepherd. “He came to seek and to save that which was lost,” (Luke 19:10), for all we like sheep had gone astray (Isa. 53:6), were sin-sick, bitten by the serpent, and ready to die. Jesus the Good Shepherd gave His life for the sheep.

And with what tender care He takes care of His own. He gives them eternal life and they shall never perish (John 10:28). It was said of Him “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isa. 40:11.

Shep’s devotion to his master is but a faint reflection of the deeper and more wonderful love and devotedness of Christ to God His Father. This ought now to be seen in those whom He has redeemed.

Shep’s master, when he died, went to that place from which there is no return but the Lord Jesus has gone to prepare a home for His own, and He has promised, “I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am there ye may be also.” John 14:3; again, “Surely I come quickly.” Rev. 22:20.

Dear reader, are you one of His sheep? He loves you, He wants you; He died for you. Trust Him as your Saviour and then you too will be ready when He comes back to take all His own away from this world to be with Him in heaven forever.

ML-04/29/1973

The Refuge

A STAGE-COACH was traveling along the country road one day when the driver noticed a hawk pursuing a little lark. The small bird wheeled suddenly in an effort to escape and just then a crow flew between them and this gave the lark a chance to get away.

The hawk, however, relentlessly pursued its prey and after several narrow escapes the lark landed on the top of the coach. Still the hawk hovered overhead. Then suddenly the terrified lark flew right into the arms of the driver and settled on his breast, panting and breathless. The driver took the poor little thing in his hand where it was safe and secure, and the hawk disappeared. About three miles further on, he opened his hand to release the lark. It sat there still for some time as if reluctant to leave, then it took off and disappeared.

The little bird had no power to defend itself against its cruel and ruthless enemy, so it sought a refuge in the breast of the coach driver. Does this not remind us of the words of that lovely hymn:

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o’ershaded

Sweetly my soul shall rest.

Then when the driver took the lark in his hand it reminds us of the words of the Good Shepherd Himself: “My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27-29.

Those who flee for refuge to the Lord Jesus find in Him eternal safety; no one can hurt them. If you have not trusted in Him yet, why not, like the lark, fly to the safety of the Saviour’s breast. You will be the object of His love and care forever.

E. H. S.

ML-04/29/1973

Rip

TOM had a fine dog given to him whom he named Rip. He was very fond of Rip, and Rip loved his young master. He would not allow anyone to hurt him.

One day Tom became very angry about something, and losing his self-control, he struck Rip a blow. It was very mean of Tommy to take it out on Rip in this way, for his dog was not to blame.

But Rip did not bite Tommy or fight back. With a look of love in his eye, he peered up into Tommy’s face and licked his hand!

Sometimes boys and girls treat their brothers and sisters unkindly, and want to hit back. But we can learn a lesson from dear faithful Rip; he would not return evil for evil. The Lord Jesus suffered more unkindness than any man, but He never struck back; He was ever kind, even to His enemies. “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not.” 1 Peter 2:23.

“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-04/29/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 6:1-8

IN THE Nazarite we have one who would devote himself altogether unto the Lord in separation from the world. The Lord did not command nor compel one to do this; it was voluntary. Thus a Nazarite means a devoted or separated one.

There were some who were separated from their birth for this path of service for the Lord, such as Samson and Samuel, but above all the blessed Lord Himself. He was the only one who perfectly answered to the vow of the Nazarite. But it ought to have been true of Israel and the Church, and it ought to be true of us for the Lord bids us today to walk in separation unto Him.

Three things were required of the Nazarite: 1) he was not to drink wine nor any strong drink; 2) No razor must come upon his head; but he was to let his hair grow; and 3) he must not let himself be defiled for the dead. Thus we see that Nazariteship is not merely separation from evil, but even from that which was the best in natural things.

It isn’t that God would have us count ourselves as dead to nature or slight the creatures He Himself has made. On the contrary when the blessed Lord Himself was here on earth, though He was always grave and straitened, we believe, because of the evil that pressed about Him on every side, yet He could take the little children up in His arms and bless them. He loved the young man who came to Him in Mark 10; He could speak of the little sparrows and the lilies of the field with affection; and we ought to do the same. There are natural relationships and joys which God Himself has formed — and there is much in Scripture reminding us of our responsibilities to one another in these relationships so that we ought not to neglect our duties. Nevertheless there is the call of God and a power that lifts us above these things.

The Lord Jesus in His life on earth, though He was the Creator, and “all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Col. 1:16), nevertheless had to forego the enjoyment of things here below, for all was ruined and defiled by sin, and He set Himself apart for the work of redeeming all back to God. At the last Passover, the night before He went to the cross, He could say, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matt. 26:29. If He had to give up the companionship of His disciples it was to accomplish their redemption. Now He is waiting in the glory for that day when He will have all His own with Him when we shall taste the joy of His love and companionship in those brighter scenes above.

Memory Verse: “IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Romans 10:9

ML-04/29/1973

Karu

KARU, like most small children, always listened to what the grown-ups were saying! He bonged to the wandering Fulani tribe of Northern Nigeria, so he heard plenty of strange stories. One was about a man called Jesus Christ, who was also the Son of God and who had come down from heaven to die for sinful men. Karu had heard that when his family were pasturing their flocks in the east, near a mission station.

When his people moved away from that district altogether, Karu, try as he might, could find no one who knew more of that strange but lovely story.

A few years later his people moved near another mission station and, better still, met some Nigerian Christians. Karu listened hard and discovered that his new friends were telling him the same story he had heard before — that the Lord Jesus Christ had come for Karu’s sake. Convinced that the message was true, Karu believed and became a Christian.

Then the trouble began! His relives were furious with him and declared they would have nothing to do with him. So fifteen-year-old Karu had to look for another home. He found one with a Fulani couple who had become Christians. For the next two years they treated him as their own son.

When Karu was seventeen, he went to school. Although he had never learned to read he was naturally intelligent and quickly lapped up knowledge. Now he is at the top of his class and loves to read the Word of God above all else.

Karu had a holiday a short time ago. He went back among his own tribe to tell the people of the Saviour. He took with him gospel booklets in his own Fulani language. He was so delighted with the little books and so were the people to whom he gave them, that he soon had to go back for more!

Memory Verse: “THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS.” 1 Timothy 1:15

ML-05/06/1973

Juanita

JUANITA was a little Indian girl. Her parents were well-to-do farmers and so she was one of the high caste. They lived in a village where there was no Christian mission of any kind and so Juanita never heard anything of the Saviour’s love nor the Word of God. Taught to worship only deaf and dumb idols how great was the darkness that reigned in her poor little heart.

One day it was discovered that Juanita had leprosy. The local Indian doctor could not do anything for her but someone told her parents of a leper hospital carried on by kind Christian missionaries. Instead of keeping and hiding their little girl, as many have done until it is too late, the parents brought her to the hospital.

At first Juanita did not like mixing with girls of other castes, but eventually she became one of them. For the first time in her life she learned that Jesus loved her and had given His life to save her. She learned too that no matter what the caste, or what the color of our skin, all are sinners and all need Jesus as our Saviour.

One afternoon while the missionary lady was speaking to a group, some wished to profess their faith in Christ and little Juanita came forward saying, “I have trusted Christ. One Sunday afternoon I took Jesus into my heart; that was two and a half months ago when the doctor was preaching.” Her face fairly shone with joy and gladness. Light had filled her heart; the darkness had gone.

In her first real prayer to God little Juanita said: “God our Father, Thou art Light. There was darkness in my heart, but through reading Thy Word, Light has come. Do not let me walk on the dark road to destruction, but give me a place in heaven, I earnestly ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” Although she hardly knew it the dear girl used the very words of Scripture in addressing God as her Father.

Perhaps because we were born and raised in Christian homes we thought we were better than children of other lands, but, no, if we do not know Christ as our Saviour then our hearts are just as dark as that of Juanita before she trusted the Lord. We hope the reader is one who has found all in Christ and is no longer in darkness but has the light of life.

“The entrance of Thy words giveth light.” Psa. 119:130.

“He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.

ML-05/06/1973

A Raccoon Story

A MAN in Quebec caught two young raccoons which he put in a wooden cage. After a few weeks, one of the coons became quite friendly, but the other always seemed shy, and stayed at the back of the cage. When the man brought out their dinner, only the friendly coon came forward to greet him.

One morning both the animals were gone. Back in the corner where the shy raccoon had always huddled was a large hole. He had successfully covered up the hole with his body so that the man couldn’t see; then after a few nights of digging, the hole was big enough for both of them to escape through.

That coon made me think of people who “cover up” their sins. They may escape for a while, but no one can get away from God. God will call every one to account for his sins; no one shall escape. How much better to come beforehand to the Lord Jesus, the Saviour, to confess those sins and have them washed away in His precious blood.

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

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psa. 32:1.

ML-05/06/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 6:9-21

THE NAZARITE must not drink wine nor any strong drink which would “take away the heart” (Hosea 4:11). And we as Christians are to abstain from indulging in the pleasures of nature, even some that are right in their place being given up in devotedness to Christ. The blessed Lord gives us to enjoy things which He could not enjoy as a man here on earth. However, the Christian’s proper joy is beyond death, and we ought to give up anything that hinders our entering more deeply into the joy and blessing of that life which is beyond the power of death.

Next, the Nazarite was not to shave off his hair but to let it grow. A woman’s hair is her glory for it is a sign of her submission to her husband’s authority, but for a man to have long hair it is a shame to him (1 Cor. 11:14,15). In letting his hair grow the Nazarite humbled himself, taking the dependent and subject place, giving up his rights as man to consecrate himself wholly to the Lord.

The secret of Samson’s strength was his long hair, sign of his Nazariteship. We learn in this that the place of subjection and dependence is the place of power, and Nazariteship is spiritual power. Samson’s enemies were at a loss to know the secret of wherein his great strength lay. Before his marriage to one of them he had slain the lion and later found honey in it — in eating the honey he had strength from God as he walked in communion. But in his connections with the Philistines, in failing to keep himself apart for God, he surrendered his secret, he lost first his strength, then his eyesight.

Here lies the danger for the Christian. If he mingles with the world, it will be to surrender his Nazariteship; his spiritual strength will be gone. God can and will restore in His sovereign mercy, but who can tell how great the loss to our souls both for time and eternity. How much better it had been to remain apart!

The Nazarite must not allow himself to be defiled for the dead. Even if one unexpectedly died beside him, and he became defiled by the dead body, it meant the end of his Nazariteship. The former days of his vow were considered lost days and he must start all over again. This teaches us, does it not, that in a world of evil, where the stamp of death is everywhere, how watchful we should be not to let ourselves become defiled.

When the Nazarite became defiled, he must shave off his hair and bring two turtle doves and a lamb for a trespass offering. These sacrifices speak of Christ; thus how sweet it is to know and feel that the work of Christ meets all our failure, and grace enables us to rise and go on again in communion with Him.

ML-05/06/1973

Wild Horses

WHEN the Williams family from New York City were visiting a ranch in Wyoming, they were taken out for a horseback ride. However, before they got to the coal where the riding horses were, Johnny spotted some beautiful mustangs out in the field.

“I want to ride those horses, Daddy,” exclaimed Johnny. But the rancher told him he could not ride those mustangs because they had not been “broken.” “They would buck you right off,” he told Johnny. So they rode on the riding horses.

In the Bible (Luke 19:29-40), you can read the story of how the Lord Jesus rode a wild little donkey, just like the wild mustangs in our story. Even though the little donkey had never been broken, it did not try to get rid of the Lord Jesus, but went on its way quiet, obedient and good.

When we are born, we are like the little donkey and those mustangs; we have a wild nature that wants to go its own way. We need to have our wills broken before we can be of any use to the Lord Jesus. We need to be saved, to have a new birth, to own the claims of the Lord Jesus over us and to submit to His will. Only by His grace can we do this. When we come and tell Him that we are rebellious, disobedient sinners, and ask Him to come into our hearts, He will cleanse us from all our sin; He will give us a new life and a new nature the same as His, one that delights to please Him and go in the way He would have us go.

“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-05/06/1973

Rescued From Wolves

A LUMBERMAN and his wife lived in a little cottage near the forest. They had one dear little son, Charles. Every day the father went to cut wood or work at the saw mill some distance within the forest. Wee Charles and his mother would wait eagerly for sundown when Daddy would return home.

One late afternoon Charles decided that he would surprise his daddy and meet him on the way home. So off he toddled down the road and into the forest. He was too small to think of danger, for wolves lived in the nearby swamp and often they could be heard howling at nights. After a while, the little fellow got tired and decided that he would play in the leaves and wait there for his daddy to come. The autumn sun shone bright and warm and he made himself a little bed of leaves, and lay down to rest. Soon he dropped off to sleep. The wind was boisterous and blew the leaves about in eddying gusts, and soon the little fellow was covered over with leaves.

Trudging along the forest road with his ax over his shoulder, the father was on his way home from work. The sun was setting behind the trees. He came to the pile of leaves along the roadside and wondered how they got there, for he had not noticed them in the morning. But it was getting late, so he pressed on.

Still something seemed to impel him to stop and investigate, and so he turned back. What was his surprise to find his dear little boy asleep, covered over with a blanket of leaves. Picking him up in his arms, he pressed him to his bosom and sped off home, for he even then could hear the howling of the wolves getting nearer.

We can imagine those hungry creatures, attracted by the scent, coming to that pile of leaves. How they would scratch and fling the leaves about, only to find nothing there. But the woodsman was far on ahead with his little son clasped to his breast, nor did he stop till he reached the safety of the cottage. God was watching over them both and the wolves must find some other prey.

Let each and all who read this tale

And story of God’s care,

Believe in Jesus Christ the Lord,

And they His love shall share.

No friend can shield in danger’s hour,

As Jesus does His own;

The eye of love that never sleeps

Is watching on the throne.

ML-05/13/1973

Heidi

HEIDI was just a very little girl, but she had become anxious about her soul’s salvation, and she wanted to talk to an old friend, a gospel preacher, about the matter. I knew that aged Christian, and can almost fancy I see him now on the platform at the children’s meeting, with his snow-white hair and beautiful smile.

So one day little Heidi went off to where the preacher lived. It was a big house, for his father had been very wealthy. But her courage failed her when she arrived there, and being a very timid little maiden, she trembled very much. Such a faintness had come over her that she feared her face would look very pale, and so she rubbed her hands up and down her face to try to get a little color into it.

But oh dear! she had forgotten that she had put on a new pair of black kid gloves, and unfortunately, some of the dye had come off on her face, and made her look so funny!

The old preacher took her into his study and managed to keep a grave face all the while he talked with her. After telling her of the Saviour’s love to children and prang with her, he told her “Goodbye,” and said very kindly, “Before you go home, you had better go into the wash room and take a look in the mirror; you’ll see you have some black on your face.”

So away she ran wondering what it could be.

Mary, the maid, could not help laughing when she saw Heidi, who was astonished to find what a state she was in.

“How could it have happened, Mary?” asked the little girl.

“Why, dear, it must have come off your black gloves.” And then Heidi remembered how she had rubbed her face.

Now this little girl had a black face, but she did not know it. However when she looked in the glass and saw how black it was, she was most anxious to have her face washed clean.

And how many children there are who have black and sinful hearts, yet they are not aware of it, although the looking glass of God’s holy Word plainly declares that all are sinners, that “there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:22,23.

Soap and water soon got rid of the black marks on Heidi’s face, but only the blood of Jesus can cleanse our hearts from the black stains of sin. Jesus died and shed His precious blood to wash away sin’s stains, to take away our guilt before a holy God, and all those who put their trust in Him as their Saviour are clean and white in His presence. Can you say as did David of old, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow"? Psa. 51:7.

ML-05/13/1973

A Gambler Saved

IT HAPPENED in a gospel mission in Toronto. A well-dressed man came in one Saturday evening under the influence of drink. They persuaded him to wait until he was sober and then one of the workers there took him home at 1:30 in the morning.

Sunday evening he was back again to the gospel meeting and waited for the after-meeting. One keen Christian worker spoke to him.

“Can God save a drunkard and gambler like me?” the man asked.

“Yes,” was the reply. “I was both, and He saved me.”

Then the man went on: “I prosed a man I would play cards with him tonight for $500 and a piano. If I fail to keep my appointment I shall lose my wager.”

The young Christian answered: “The night I was converted I had promised to play a man for $125.00 and a bicycle. I lost my wager but I found Christ. That was the best day’s winnings I ever had.”

“That settles it,” said the man; “Christ for me.” And he knelt down and received Christ into his heart that night.

The following Saturday at a meeting for praise and thanksgiving the new convert told his story as follows: “I was born to wealth and luxury. My mother was a proud society woman. When I was seventeen I went to a great missionary meeting and my heart was deeply stirred. I went home and said, “Mother, I am going to be converted and become a missionary.”

“Mother’s eyes flashed as she responded, ‘Wendell, I would rather see you in hell.’ This destroyed all my good intentions made at the meeting and from that day on I went from bad to worse. Last Saturday I was as near to hell as any man could possibly be. Now, by the grace of God, I am saved and on my way to heaven.”

“And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan;... is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Zech. 3:2.

ML-05/13/1973

Jesus Loved Me First

It was at a children’s meeting one time and a very little girl stayed till the after meeting. A kind teacher had a little talk with her and taught her the text: “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. Then she sent her home.

The next morning she met the little girl on the street, and asked her if she could remember the text. “No, teacher, I have forgotten the words, but I know what it was about,” she replied.

“Tell me what it was about then, dear.”

The little one replied, “Jesus loved me first, and then I loved Him afterward.”

“VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME HATH EVEASTING LIFE.” John 6:47.

ML-05/13/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 6:13-27

IN THE law of the Nazarite then we have that holy separation of the Lord Jesus and all who are His own, from the world unto God.

He was the true Nazarite and in this He stood alone. He was “that holy thing,” as was said to Mary, “which shall be born of thee” (Luke 1:35). All through His childhood He was the same. It is said of Samson: “the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan.” Judg. 13:24,25. Then of the Lord Jesus we read, “the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40. When just twelve years old He could say to His parents, “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”

He never walked in the counsel of the ungodly, never did He stand in the way of sinners, nor did He sit in the seat of the scornful, but His delight was in the law of the Lord and in His law did He meditate day and night (Psalm 1). By His death and resurrection others were blessed and set apart unto God; Thus He is the firstborn among many brethren.

We ought to be Nazarites as we pass through this world, but our Nazariteship must come from our being associated with Christ in His death and resurrection.

But Nazariteship was only for this life. When the Nazarite had fulfilled his vow, when “all the days of his separation” were ended, then he was to bring his offerings unto the Lord — a burnt offering, a sin offering, a peace offering, unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, a meat offering and drink offerings. He was also to shave off the hair of his head as a sign that his Nazariteship was at an end. Then he could drink wine.

These offerings all speak of Christ, of all that He was and is to God in His blessed life and wondrous death, they tell too of His love for His own, of that precious work of redemption that He has accomplished for them; they speak of joy, communion, and ease. In that day of gladness, when He has all His own around Himself in glory, when Israel, His redeemed earthly people acclaim Him as their Messiah and Redeemer, when all nations shall adore Him, and all creation is blessed at His feet, then He will drink with His own the new wine of the kingdom.

Our Nazariteship will be at an end then. Our separation from the world will be over for there will be no evil to separate from in heaven. But we shall enter into and enjoy the full fruit of Christ’s redemption’s work, and drink that wine of joy without hindrance with Him above. We can have this joy now in the measure in which we walk by the Spirit in separation unto Christ; but then we shall know and enjoy in all its fullness what now we only know in part.

How sweetly this chapter on the Nazarite ends with the words: “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

ML-05/13/1973

A Fire

A FRIEND of mine was wakened in the middle of the night with the cry of “FIRE!”

Dressing hastily, he ran out to help, and found the neighbor’s house in flames. All the inmates were rescued, except one little girl who was fast asleep in a top room.

Oh what agony the mother was in! My friend determined to try and save her, even though he might lose his life in the attempt.

So he rushed up the burning staircase, the flames burning his face a good deal.

The little girl was sleeping, quite unconscious of her danger, so my good friend picked her up hastily, fastened his big overcoat all over her, and made a dash down the stairs, the fire burning him badly, twisting up one of his fingers.

The dear child was not hurt at all, but my friend suffered very much to save her. Whenever I shake hands with him the twisted finger seems to whisper softly over again the story of the house on fire.

About five minutes after he had dropped the little girl into her mother’s arms, the roof fell in with a crash, so you see she was saved only just in time.

Perhaps like that little girl, you have not known your danger, but have been sleeping on in sin, and not thinking that at any moment you might suddenly be called to die and your soul be forever lost. Only listen to the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” It is a faithful saying, a true saying, and worthy of all acceptation. Will you accept this great salvation now? Will you send up the earnest prayer, “Lord, save me"; “God be merciful to me a sinner"?

ML-05/20/1973

A Children's Meeting

IT WAS a lovely summer evening and 600 or 700 had assembled at a gospel meeting. Most of them were children, but there were those present of every class and age.

There were lots of dear little children — five, six, seven and eight years old, and plenty of big children — twelve and fourteen; while a great number of young men and ladies, fathers and mothers, and even aged white-haired people, had come to hear what was said to the children and listen to the sweet singing.

And oh on that calm summer evening the singing was indeed sweet! How the boys especially delighted in that chorus—

Pull for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore,

Heed not the rolling-waves, but bend to the oar;

Safe in the lifeboat, sailor, cling to self no more,

Leave the poor old stranded wreck, and pull for the shore.

And with what earnestness the hundreds of voices joined in the second verse—

“Trust in the life boat, sailor,

all else will fail.”

—after it had been explained what the meaning was—

“Trust in the Saviour, sinner,

all else will fail.”

And what a thoughtful look spread over many young faces when the hymn was announced—

“I need Thee, precious Saviour.

For I am full of sin;

My soul is dark and guilty,

My heart is dead within.

I need the cleansing fountain

Where I can always flee;

The blood of Christ most precious,

The sinner’s perfect plea.”

But perhaps the sweetest thing of all was to hear the little tiny ones singing alone in the faintest whisper, while the people seemed to hold their very breath—

If I come to Jesus,

Happy shall I be;

He is gently calling

Little ones like me.

I think a good many had to brush away the tears that would come into their eyes, and I have no doubt that some little ones—and some big ones too—did come to Jesus that night.

We did not spend all the evening in singing, but several nice stories were told the children, and a short prayer offered. Then a friend opened his Bible to Romans 3:22,23 and read, “For there is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

He gave a most earnest address and showed how the Word of God distinctly says rich and poor, old and young, children as well as grown-up people are all alike sinners!

And just as the children in the sinking ship would be in danger of going down to the bottom of the sea, so the children of this sinful world, which is very much like a wrecked ship, are in as much danger of being lost as their parents; just as the children who jumped from the sinking ship into the life boat would be safe, so sinful boys and girls who trust themselves to the loving arms of Jesus will be quite safe.

Afterward a young girl, Ann, came to the front and asked very earnestly, “Is it true?”

I turned to Romans 3 and read slowly “there is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” I told her she could not enter the holy and beautiful city unless she came to the sinner’s Saviour, to be cleansed from all her sins in His precious blood.

All the crowd had gone home and just Ann and I were left. We bowed in silent prayer and Ann told the Saviour that she wanted all her sins forgiven and would trust Him alone to save her. The next day when I saw her she had such a happy peaceful look on her face which seemed to say, “It is all true —The Lost Doggie ONE afternoon when Debbie was walking home from school she looked around and saw a little pup following her. He looked so lonesome that she took pity on him and when she stopped to pet him, he wagged his tail and licked her finger. “You better go home,” Debbie told him and started on her way again. But when she looked back, there was the pup still following her.

The puppy was lost, and did not know which way to go. He followed Debbie right to her home. She warmed some milk and poured it into a dish for him. His little tummy grew round and firm as he lapped up the warm milk.

Then not knowing what to do with him, she put him in the shed. A little later a small boy knocked at the door and asked Debbie if she had seen a little puppy. “Someone said they saw a pup following you home from school,” said the boy.

Debbie was glad to take the boy out to the shed where a very sad looking and lonely doggie greeted them. When he saw the boy he barked and wagged his tail with delight and licked his hand. Moments later the boy was going down the sidewalk with the pup at his heels.

Many boys and girls, like the little pup, are LOST! — lost in sin — and do not know which way to go. Now the Lord Jesus loves little children, and He “came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

When the lost sinner and the seeking Saviour meet, how wonderful it is. The Lord Jesus died to put our sins away to bring us back to God. He brings us into His house of love and light, warms us, feeds us, takes care of us, and makes us happy. This happiness will go on forever, for those who follow Him on earth will spend eternity with Him in heaven. Can you say, dear young reader, I was lost but Jesus found me?

Memory Verse: “IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” 1 John 1:9.

ML-05/20/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 7:1-9

IN THIS chapter we have the free gifts of the princes of Israel for the service of the Levites and for the needs of the altar. How lovely to see the happy spirit that moved them and the oneness that prevailed among the people. Though they all had different places in the camp in relation to one another, nevertheless all had an equal place before God, and how happy it is to see them serving together in love to Him and to one another.

Each prince brought an ox and every two of them brought a wagon; so there were twelve oxen and six wagons. Moses, however, did not take them without first asking the Lord what to do with them. It is nice to see this waiting on the Lord on the part of Moses, and how good it would be if there were more waiting on God; and also more “striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). Instead today we find a spirit of independency, like in the days of the Judges; so many do that which is right in their own eyes, without stopping to consider what God has spoken in His Word. But how honoring to God when we seek His guidance first of all and then how happy for us when serving in the path of His will.

The Lord told Moses to accept the offerings of the princes and to give them to the Levites. So Moses gave two wagons and four oxen to the sons of Gershon to carry the curtains of the tabernacle. To the sons of Merari he gave four wagons and eight oxen because they had the heavier burdens of the boards and pillars. But he gave none to the Kohathites, for their burdens — the holy vessels of the sanctuary—were too sacred to be transferred to the oxen. Their burdens were to be carried on their shoulders. This might seem a more wearisome duty yet it was from the Lord and carried with it the highest honor.

In this connection we read of how at a later day, when King David neglectful of the Word of the Lord, sought to bring up the sacred ark and had a new cart made for it, drawn by oxen; it ended in disaster and the greatest humiliation for David (2 Sam. 6).

This distribution of the wagons and oxen might not have seemed equal outwardly, and yet it was an equal distribution. Some of God’s saints seem to be especially burdened, but then there are those who can be trusted the most. How comforting to know that God arranges everything and puts each of us in our respective place according to His perfect wisdom. Never does He lay a burden upon us that His grace will not enable us to bear. The sons of Merari were less numerous than their brethren, yet they had the most oxen and wagons. Kohath, the most numerous, had none.

God is sovereign and how happy for us when through grace we can rejoice in what He has entrusted to others and in what He has given to us. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6), and as we travel on together through this wilderness world, on our homeward way, may we be kept happy in the realization that our Father’s love toward all His children is not to be measured by the different services and honors He has given to each.

Though it was his lot to suffer for Christ in a dungeon, the beloved Apostle could say, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4).

ML-05/20/1973

Two Brothers

IN A country district there lived two brothers, sons of Christian parents. One of the boys, while still young, came to know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and from then on that young life was devoted to his Master’s service. It was his joy to tell forth in the gospel the love of Him who gave Himself for sinners everywhere.

Bill, his brother, on the other hand went the other way. Bad companions and drink brought him down to ruin. In early years his young life was tarnished with shame and dishonor. He knew the way of salvation, and doubtless he wanted to be saved some day, but Satan is a terrible master and sin an awful chain. Some of the sweet gospel hymns Bill learned in childhood were the songs he would be heard singing in his drunken moments.

Time and again God had spoken to Bill, seeking to turn him from his evil course; “for God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.... He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit.” Job 33:14,24. But these gracious pleadings of His Spirit seemed lost on poor Bill.

One evening Bill, drunk as usual, was leaving the park with some of his companions, and I heard him singing, “Tell Mother, I’ll be there!” I thought to myself, I wonder if Bill will be there — will he meet his old mother in heaven?

The next day brought the sad news of the fatal accident that took poor Bill’s life. He and a companion, apparently drunk, had been driving down the country road. They hit a concrete bridge and both were knocked unconscious in the crash. Bill never regained consciousness; his companion recovered. A bottle of liquor was found in the wrecked Ford.

People die pretty much as they have lived, it is said. There is little hope that Bill ever repented and closed in with God’s offer of mercy. How sad and solemn to think of one so young gone to hell!

Just think of these two brothers, reader, one on the road to heaven, and one on the road to hell! Which road are YOU traveling?

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

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Prov. 29:1.

“Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezek. 33:11. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-05/27/1973

Arf and His Friend: A True Story

ARF was a small dog who bonged to a school teacher. Arf made friends with a small kitten and they became much attached to each other. They played together, they went around exploring tether, and often slept together beside the kitchen stove.

One day when they were taking a nap, the kettle boiled over and the scalding water poured down on the sleeping pup. Poor Arf ran away howling piteously. He had not gone far, however, before he remembered his little companion. Though badly scalded, he returned immediately, picked up the kitten in his mouth, and carried him away to a place of safety. Wasn’t Arf a true friend!

Now the Lord Jesus is “a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” He loved us, and when some of us were sleeping in our sins, at all cost to Himself He came and picked us up, suffered in our stead, bore the wrath and judgment we deserved, and lifted us to a place of safety. No one will ever know how much He suffered there in Calvary’s dark hour.

How sweet the gospel message that tells us He died for sinners everywhere. He died for you, dear reader, if you will but trust Him as your Saviour.

“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-05/27/1973

A True Pigeon Story

A BIRD lover had two pairs of pet pigeons. There were two baby pigeons in each family and they lived side by side in two little houses the man had made for them.

One day while his parents were away gathering food one of the baby pigeons fell out of his nest down onto the ground. He was not hurt but he could not get back to his nest again. The owner finding him on the grass picked him up and put him back in his nest again.

Now the parents in the other pigeon house were at home when this happened and it seemed as if they said to themselves: “One of our babies might fall out in the same way, and we must do something to make things safer for them.”

So this wise father and mother went to work, and bringing sticks and straw to their doorway they built a cunning little fence across the front of their nest. It was not so high that the little pigeons could not look over it, but it was high enough to keep them from falling down off their little porch. All the while the man was watching what went on so you will know that this is a true story.

Long ago God told His people, “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon-thine house, if any man fall from thence.” Deut. 22:8. In those days, as in eastern countries even now, many homes have a flat roof, and many a delightful hour the family might spend there. However, this area could be the scene of a sad and even fatal accident if not properly safeguarded, so the roof must be protected by a battlement, or railings all around it, to make it a safe place.

Now the house in Scripture in one way speaks of the home and we are to provide safeguards to prevent spiritual accidents from taking place there, for the Christian is seen as having been saved out of this world and called to live above and apart from its sin and darkness.

The first great safeguard is to take the Lord Himself into our hearts and homes, to make Him the honored Guest there, and to order our lives so that He will be glad to come and stay.

Another battlement, or guard, is faithful reading the Word of God and this will build us up in our faith. Diligent searching the Word and meditation will also keep us from falling into errors and the many pitfalls Satan has put along our way.

Then comes prayer — another important safeguard without which there can be no power to walk pleasing to the Lord.

These are brought together in Jude 20,21: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

“Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness.” 2 Pet. 3:17.

Memory Verse: “VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” John 3:3.

ML-05/27/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 7:10-89

WE NOW have the offerings of the chiefs of the tribes for the dedication of the altar. Each offered on his day and each offered exactly alike.

On the first day the prince of the tribe of Judah offered; and his offering was a silver charger and a silver bowl, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meat offering; a golden spoon full of incense, and one bullock, one ram, one lamb, for a burnt offering; a kid for a sin offering, and for peace offerings he brought two oxen, five rams, five goats, and five lambs.

On the second day the prince of the tribe of Issachar offered and his was exactly the same. The third day another prince offered and so on for twelve days; so that all the tribes shared in the dedication of the altar.

This is a long chapter, and it may seem wearisome to some to repeat the same things over and over again. Perhaps the natural mind of man might ask, Why not simply state that each brought exactly the same offering as the other and let it go at that? But faith does not question the wisdom of God and delights to confess that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is written for our learning. “As for God His way is perfect.” And if we wait upon Him and seek to learn the mind of the Spirit in His Word, He will surely make it plain in His own time.

The children of Israel were about to set out on the wilderness journey to their promised homeland, and these gifts of the chiefs of the tribe tell of the happy spirit among them. It shows their oneness in mind and purpose.

They were God’s people and all shared alike in His love. We learn too how much God values the response to His love in the heart of His people; all is recorded, and nothing is left out. In the king’s family, his sons and daughters may have different ranks and decorations, but each alike is the object of their father’s love. What an encouragement this is to us who are accepted in the Beloved! The sense of this should make us, as we travel on together in the wilderness, seek to serve Him and one another in love, and to encourage one another. The very trials and difficulties of the way will then only be occasions that bring us more together.

In these offerings—the fine flour, the sacrifices, the gold and the silver — God saw in type the blessed Person and work of His dear Son. God delights in the praise and thanksgiving of His people for they tell afresh of the glorious work of Christ.

What a happy note then on which Israel began their journey. How well it had been if they had continued in this same spirit. But alas, they soon forgot the Lord’s goodness, and their thanksgiving turned to murmurings and complaining. Later we read of outright rebellion against God and Moses and Aaron. Alas, such is the heart of man.

And this is the history of the Church. That first love and freshness that moved the saints of God in those early days soon faded away.

Still it is a comfort to know that there is not a blessing given to the Church in the beginning that cannot be enjoyed now by God’s children, where there is faith to act upon His Word and trust Him for the promises that He has made in it.

ML-05/27/1973

Ruf, the Sheep Dog

THERE had been a terrific snowstorm and the snow lay in great drifts many feet deep.

The farmers were very anxious about their sheep for there were hundreds of them unsheltered on the hills at the time. One farmer had no fewer than 300 missing and tether with his men and his faithful dog, Ruf, he started to search for them.

When they reached the field nothing could be seen but drifts of snow under which the poor sheep were buried. The men would not have been able to find the missing animals were it not for Ruf. He understood what needed to be done, and ruing quickly over the snow with his short sharp barks he dug with his paws little holes in various places.

The men went to work wherever Ruf made a hole and under each they found a sheep. They worked hard all night, Ruf showing where the sheep were buried and the men digging them out. As a result, most of the sheep were saved.

Good dog Ruf! He was a true shepherd dog. The farmer said that had it not been for Ruf he would have lost all his sheep that night.

The Lord Jesus is the true Shepherd. He came to seek and to save the lost sheep — lost in the darkness and sin of this world. But He had to die to save His sheep. He is “the good Shepherd who giveth His life for the sheep.”

Everyone is a lost sheep until the Shepherd finds him. Has He found you, dear reader? If you will cry to Him, you who are buried deep under your sin and shame, He will surely find you and lift you up on His shoulders and carry you home to heaven.

With tender hands He lifted me;

From shades of night to plains of light,

O praise His name, He lifted me.

Memory Verse: “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME, AND I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE.” John 10:27,28.

ML-06/03/1973

A Shipwreck

A TERRIBLE storm was raging along the coast and two Christian men on the beach were watching a small ship grounded on a sand bank. The life boat was out and not far from the ship but the great breakers, raging and foaming on the sand bank, made it almost impossible to get near it.

“I think the life boat is getting around to the ship,” said one man, but then he added suddenly with dismay, “But look! the ship has gone down!”

The ship had gone down but not before the captain and sixteen sailors had been taken off in the lifeboat.

The next day the two men who had watched the rescue met with some others to read the Bible and five of the rescued sailors came in. They were so interested that the next night they brought all the crew — sixteen men rescued from death, one an old man and one a boy of fifteen. God had allowed them in their desperate plight to come to the point of being nearly drowned so that they might think about the need of their never-dying souls. Now they were in earnest and wanted to hear what God had to say to them.

It was a Norwegian ship that had gone down, and a Norwegian Bible was among the wreckage washed up on the shore. The gospel preacher read the scriptures in English and the mate read them in Norwegian. But the men could understand a little English and the preacher did his best to help them.

The preacher began by asking, “When your ship was stuck on the sand bank and the great waves were rolling over the deck, supposing I had taken a loud speaker and shouted to you, ‘I invite you to come ashore and you will be safe,’ would that have been good news to you?”

“No sir,” they replied, “that would have been no use.”

“Well, when the lifeboat was a hundred yards away from you, suppose the captain of the lifeboat had called out, “There now, we have done our part, you must do yours,’ would that have met your case?”

“No sir,” they said again, “there would have been no hope for us.”

“Just one more question: when the lifeboat reached you at last, did you expect it had lots of tools to repair your ship?”

“No indeed, the ship was a total wreck,” they replied; “you could not mend her. If we had stayed to repair her we should have gone down too.”

The preacher agreed with them, and went on to show the men from God’s Word that they, like all men, were total wrecks, for that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” He told them that the power of Satan and the waves of sin beating upon their souls were greater and far stronger than those hammering against their wrecked vessel. The sailors listened, and we believe it was the beginning of a new day for some of them.

If you are lost, the Lord Jesus will save you but you must send up a signal of distress to Him, and say like Peter, “Lord, save me!” He will come and take you in His arms and forgive you and care for you until you are with Him, safe in His glorious home forever.

Naught that I do

Can my salvation win.

No strivings of my own

Can purge away my sin.

But Jesus only, shed His blood for me To wash away my sin and set me free.

ML-06/03/1973

A Helping Hand

A LITTLE lame dog was trying to climb up over the high curb stone onto the sidewalk. Before he reached the top, he always would fall back. Several people passing by laughed at the little dog and went on. Then, a workman saw him and pitied him. He went over and lifting the little dog onto the sidewalk, he went on his way.

When the Lord Jesus was here on earth, He went about doing good, and many a poor sinner, lame and suffering, He lifted from the depths of sin and shame and set him upon the heavenly road. He gave His life for us on the cross. How we should thank Him for His lovingkindness!

ML-06/03/1973

He Loved Me

“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. A young girl was repeating that verse to her teacher one Sunday afternoon when she burst into tears and said, “I see it all now. Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, He was pushed for my sins. I never understood it before; Jesus is my Saviour.”

And there is no rest, no peace, no salvation for any sinner until he or she is able by faith to say, “Jesus was punished for my sins. He loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

ML-06/03/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 8:1-26

IN THE end of the last chapter we I read that Moses went into the tabernacle to speak to the Lord and he heard the voice of One speaking to him from off the mercy seat, from between the cherubim. It was the voice of God giving instructions as to the candlestick. And He said unto Moses: “Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.” It was Aaron (not the Levites) who was to light the lamps and keep them burning. It is the priesthood of the Lord Jesus in the presence of God that sustains the true light and testimony in this world. The light of the lamps was to throw light on the candlestick so that its beauty might be seen. The candlestick, or lamp stand, is a type of the Lord Jesus who is the true light of God, and the seven lamps sustained by the oil are but a type of the Holy Spirit. And so the Spirit’s blessed work is to glorify Christ in this world.

When we think of Numbers as the wilderness book, and that the people were getting ready to march, we can understand why these instructions as to the candlestick come in here. We need the Lord Jesus and the light of His presence to guide us on our journey. At the same time our walk and our ways through this world should be according to that light, which shines upon every page of Scripture.

Then too we as Christians are “light in the Lord"; we have that light within us. As we travel along through this dark scene, we are to let our light shine and so glorify the Lord Jesus our Redeemer.

After this followed the consecration of the Levites. We learned earlier that they belonged to the Lord and were given to Aaron and his sons for the service of the tabernacle. Here they are connected with every Israelite in a very special way. The Israelites laid their hands upon their Levite brethren and thus identified themselves with them as set apart for the Lord. They are thus seen as the people’s representatives and typically their service bonged to all God’s people.

The Lord said of the Levites, “They are Mine,” and we, who are typified here in the Levites, should always remember this in our service! We are called to serve in happy obedience to Him who has loved us and bought us with His precious blood, while at the same time we should be ready to serve all our brethren.

The years of service of the Levites was from the age of 25 to 50. No particular age limit was given for a priest. The descendants of Aaron were all priests. There are forms of service for the Lord which shall cease when we leave this world, but as priests we shall serve Him in His presence in the glory forever.

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and path made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

ML-06/03/1973

Saved in Mid Ocean

AYOUNG sailor stood up before a group one evening and told the story of his conversion.

It was at sea one night while he was on duty. On watch all alone in the darkness, no sound to be heard except the dashing of the waves against the sides of the ship, he stood there thinking of home and school days now over and gone.

Amid these memories there flashed across his mind a verse of God’s holy Word, often repeated in schooldays. It was this, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

Standing alone there with God, under the starry heavens, he said aloud, “O my God, I am weary enough; I come to Christ for rest"; and at that same hour he found rest and peace to his soul. He now lives to tell to others of Him who is the Rest for the weary.

He went “below” that night with a light heart, and before his ship mates he sang his first song as a redeemed one at rest in Christ.

Dear reader, have you found rest to your soul, or are you still burdened, unsatisfied, sad and weary in your heart? There is no rest in the world; none in pleasure; none in sin. If you live a Christless life you will have no rest in the sad hour of death, and in the deep dark eternity, where the sinner’s soul goes after death, rest is unknown.

But there is rest in Christ now, and for you, if you will “Come.” But in order to be saved you must say from your heart — “Christ died for me.”

ML-06/10/1973

A Donkey Sermon

TO TWO of His disciples the Lord Jesus gave the command, “Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find there in a place where two ways meet, an ass with a colt tied (or ‘tethered') there, loose it and bring them to Me.”

This true story should be of much interest to all of you young folks, for it is a picture of many in our day, in fact, of all of us at one time.

This colt was with its mother, and the Bible tells us we are all by nature like a wild ass’s colt (Job 11: 12), — not a very flattering description but a true one, whether we like it or not.

Then this colt was tied, or tethered, at a place outside, where “two ways meet,” which is just where sinners are now. The two ways are the “way to heaven” and the “way to hell.” To be found tethered there is a terrible description of those who are not converted.

But the Lord said, “Loose them and bring them to Me.” That’s what the Lord Jesus is seeking to do now — “give deliverance to the captives” and bring them to Himself (Luke 4:18). And if any one asks why, I reply in the words of the Lord Jesus, “The Lord hath need of him” (Mark 11:3). Yes, the Lord needs all you boys and girls, and older ones too. It is better to be freed and in that liberty wherewith Christ makes us free (Gal. 5:1), than to be standing “tethered” to sin at a place outside, where the ways meet that lead to heaven or hell. For if you continue to stand there, there is nothing more certain than that “you will die in your sins” (John 8:24), and where Christ is you cannot be.

So they loosed the colt. This is liberty, and then the Lord Himself took control of it, and thus claimed it for His own blessed service.

And this is what He will do to you, dear reader, the moment you surrender yourself to Him as your Deliverer and confess Him as your Lord (Rom. 10:9). When Jesus mounted the “delivered” colt others could see the difference; they judged no doubt that it had changed owners, and as they saw the Lord riding up to Jerusalem on that colt they could see what had happened. And all your friends and neighbors where you live will know you have been converted. They will see you are serving under a new Master, when they see the Lord controlling your life, and that you are no longer “tethered” to a place “outside,” but singing the new song of redemption (Psalm 40:3) as those who saw the Lord’s royal entrance into Jerusalem that day sang “Hosannah':

ML-06/10/1973

Moses and the Ark of Bulrushes

LONG AGO the Israelites were slaves in the land of Egypt. They multiplied so fast that the Egyptians were afraid they might become stronger than themselves and cease to serve them. So Pharaoh, the cruel Egyptian king, gave orders that every son born among the Israelites should be cast into the river Nile.

How great must have been the sorrow to mothers to have their baby boys taken from them and drowned in the river! Well, there was one God-fearing mother who had a little baby boy and she felt that she could not let him be taken from her. So she hid him in the house for three months, but at last she found she could hide him no longer. Perhaps the little fellow cried out so loudly at times that she was afraid her secret would be found out.

What was she to do? We believe she and her husband prayed to the Lord a good deal about it. She made an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and pitch to keep the water out, and then she put her dear little son into the ark, carried it to the river and put him among the flags, or reeds, by the bank. Leaving his older sister behind to watch, she went away.

By and by Pharaoh’s daughter came down to wash herself in the river and she spied the little ark. She sent her maid to fetch it, and when she opened it how astonished she was to see the little babe. He was crying, and her womanly heart so pitied the little fellow that she determined to save him. She sent Moses’ sister to get a nurse and who else should she get but her own mother, of course. So the mother could now nurse her little boy openly and unafraid, she could love him to her heart’s content, and be paid wages for doing it. That is the first and last time I ever heard of a mother being paid wages for nursing her own little child in this way. How she and her husband must have poured out their hearts in thankfulness and praise to God for the way He had undertaken for them! But “is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Pharaoh’s daughter called the little child Moses, which means “Drawn out,” because she drew him out of the river. He became her adopted son, and when he grew up he became the one chosen of God to deliver His people out of Egypt and to lead them across the desert toward Canaan’s land. So that is how God honored his noble mother.

“Them that honor Me I will hor.” 1 Sam. 2:30.

ML-06/10/1973

Almost at the Gate

How bright are the closing moments of life to many of those who know the Saviour.

An old Scotch minister, when dying, said to those watching at his bedside, “Fellow passengers to glory! How far am I from New Jerusalem?”

“Almost at the gate,” they replied, and he passed inside.

When a Christian man named Grimshaw was dying, his friends asked him how he felt in the presence of death. He replied: “As happy as I can be on earth, and as sure of glory as if I were in it. I shall step out of this bed into heaven.”

“It’s all peace, peace, peace,” said another.

ML-06/10/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 9:1-5

IT WAS the first month of the second year after the children of Israel came out of Egypt. Now they were about to leave Sinai and move on on their wilderness journey. But before they set out, the Lord commanded them to keep the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

They had kept the passover in Egypt, but it would seem from the words of Stephen in Acts 7:42,43, that this was the only time they kept it in the wilderness. The next time we hear of them keeping it was 38 years later, when the wilderness journey was over and they crossed the Jordan and entered the land of Canaan (Josh. 5:10,11).

This chapter shows the importance of the passover in the eyes of God, for redemption underlines all God’s ways and His dealings with His people, whether in the wilderness or elsewhere. They are redeemed to God, and apart from redemption God could not have anything to say to them at all, nor could He guide or bless them.

We never get far from the cross in Scripture for we need the remembrance of the death of Christ wherever we are. Israel could not have gotten out of Egypt without the passover, and for us there is no way out of this world, shut up to judgment, apart from the death of Christ and the blood of the Lamb. Then we need His death here all along our wilderness journey. And when we leave this world and enter our heavenly land, that precious death will be the foundation of our eternal glory and blessing with Christ.

Among the feasts in Leviticus 23 the Passover stands alone. It was “a feast of the Lord,” and Israel were to keep it as such. It was instituted of God in Exodus 12 before the sacrifices in Leviticus 1-7. It is not a burnt offering; it is not a sin offering; nor is it a peace offering; but it partakes of the characteristics of all three. All that Christ is for God and for our acceptance in Him, all that He is for sin, all that He is as the common joy of God and His people are here set forth. In it we have a full Christ presented.

In Egypt the prominent feature of the passover was the blood; it was for God to see for He said, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” Within, the people fed upon the lamb roast with fire and they ate the unleavened bread for seven days. And this is the prominent feature of the feast here.

And as we journey through this wilderness world, from beginning to end, we are to remember that “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,” and to “Keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and of wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Cor. 5:8.

They were to eat the passover “on the fourteenth day of the first month between the two evenings.” We know that on the first evening the Lord Jesus sat down with His disciples to eat the passover (Matt. 26:20) then on the second evening He was laid in the grave (Matt. 27: 57). So the Lord’s passover was slain between these two evenings. Perhaps the first evening would speak of Israel’s being set aside, and the second evening the setting aside of this present period of grace. Surely we must be nearing the end of the journey, but that which is to characterize us while we wait is the unleavened bread, that separation from all evil, as seen in the holy life which the Lord Jesus presented to God so perfectly.

Memory Verse: “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-06/10/1973

Sammy

SAMMY was a little Nigerian boy with a round chubby face, big black eyes, and frizzy hair. He became an enthusiastic scholar at the mission school, and soon everyone knew about his frightening experience.

His home was just a mud hut with one door and no windows, in a small native village. The people were very often afraid for some of the tribes were very fierce, especially the cruel head hunters. Sammy shivered when the people of the village warned him about their evil deeds.

One day some white people came to his village and asked the chief if they could start a school for boys and girls. The chief granted them permission and Sammy along with others attended the class. It was there he first heard about the Lord Jesus. The missionary told him about God who lived above the sky, and had sent His only Son Jesus down into this world to be the Saviour of all who trust Him. Sammy liked going to school and he liked the teacher. Every day he learned more and more about the Friend for little children.

One day he had to go a long way to the market and started off along the forest path with his little bundle. By and by he caught up with an old man going the same way. They talked about many things but just as they came to a fork in the road three men caught up with them. The old man asked one of them which road led to the market and the man told him to take the path to the left. So Sammy and his companion started off along the path.

By and by it began to get dark. Then Sammy felt terribly afraid when he saw these three men coming up behind with their spears raised. They were head hunters.

“They’re going to kill us,” cried the old man. “Run for your life, little boy, and shout to Mohammed to help you. Run for your life.”

Poor Sammy ran but it was too late for one of the men threw his spear which went right into Say’s back. He fell to the ground unconscious, yet before he passed out he called to the old man saying, “No, I’m not going to shout to Mohammed. I’ll ask Jesus to help me.”

“No, no,” replied the old man, “Jesus cannot help. Ask Mohammed to help you, and run — run, little boy.”

The head hunters were laughing as Sammy and the old man lay on the ground. One man lifted Sammy and the two others took the old man. They were carried into the mountains and Sammy was thrown into a hole in the rocks. He was still unconscious and to make sure he would be killed, the men dropped a big stone on top of him. However, the stone only jammed between the rocks and Sammy wasn’t killed. The men went away and didn’t come back. But the Lord Jesus heard the little boy’s prayer.

By and by he opened his eyes and remembered all that had happened. He was very frightened. Then he prayed to the Lord Jesus once again.

“Please, Jesus,” he said, “help me to escape from these wicked head hunters.” Then he thought, “I must try to get out before they come back.” And he began to wriggle from under the stone jammed between the sides of the crevice. He struggled until bit by bit he got free.

He felt very weak and ill, but he ran down the hill and into the forest; then he came to the river and felt too weak to wade across it, but even as he lay down to rest he heard someone coming and saw the head hunters standing in the clearing. They were looking at the blood stains left by Sammy’s bleeding back. They had followed the trail of blood and knew he was somewhere. Then Sammy prayed again, “Lord Jesus, help me to escape from these awful men.”

Then he felt he heard a whisper saying, “Go into the river and try to cross.” He believed that the Lord Jesus was speaking to him, and so making as little noise as possible, he stepped into the water and began to wade toward the other side. The current swirled around him; again he prayed to Jesus, but the river swept him away.

Then quite suddenly some men appeared on the opposite bank and one of them plunged into the water and pulled Sammy out of the river. He told them that the head hunters were after him. The men were terribly angry when they saw the wound in Sammy’s back. They took him to a Christian mission and the missionary washed the wound and bound it in clean bandages. Very soon Sammy was strong and well again.

The wicked head hunters were captured and turned over to the police. Sammy inquired as to what happened to the old man who had told him to cry to Mohammed, and learned that he had been killed. His prayer had never been answered. Mohammed was dead, so how could he help anyone.

Sammy sat down and was very thankful to the Lord Jesus for helping him. He stayed in the mission school and became one of the keenest scholars. He was a bright Christian and loved to tell other children the story of how the Lord Jesus answers prayer and had saved him from death.

ML-06/17/1973

Fishing

There are many different ways of catching fish, but two ways are most familiar. One is by using large nets that will sometimes enclose thousands of fish at a time. Another way is by hook and line, which catch one at a time. There may be seral hooks on one line, but one hook will only catch one fish.

Now Satan fishes for souls in both of these ways. His big net is the world, and in this he will try to enclose you. Beware of getting into the world. Men say, “follow the crowd,” or “come with us,” but that is where Satan rules, and he numbers his victims by millions. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Ex. 23:2.

Then again Satan fishes by hook and line. That is to say, he will tempt you individually with some special sin or temptation, and by this means get hold of you. Beware of this, and remember your only safety lies in trusting the Lord for your salvation. Do you belong to Him? If not, you are in great danger. “Flee from the wrath to come.” Luke 3:7.

ML-06/17/1973

Jesus Is Coming!

MANY boys and girls think there is plenty of time to be saved. They are young and want to enjoy life, and when they are grown-up they think there will be plenty of time to trust Christ.

But boys and girls sometimes never live to grow up; they die when they are young. Then too the Lord Jesus is coming quickly; He may come today. When He comes all the Christians will go — men and women, boys and girls. Then the door of salvation will be closed, and unbelievers will be shut outside forever.

The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. All those Christians who have died will arise out of their graves and along with the living ones will be changed and given bodies of glory, and all caught up together joyfully to meet their Lord and Saviour in the air (1 Thess. 4; Matt. 25).

Happy and joyful for the Christian boy or girl who is ready for this event; sad beyond words for those who are unbelieving.

I remember when a boy I would sometimes wake in the night. All was so dark and quiet, and the fear would steal into my heart that the Lord had come and taken my pants and all the Christians to heaven, and that I was left behind for judgment. Thank God, this had its effect upon me, and made me willing to trust the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, and so to be ready. Are you ready?

Memory Verse: “IF THOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND OF THEE.” 1 Chron. 28:9.

ML-06/17/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 9:6-21

HERE WE have the gracious provision for those who might be defiled and not able to keep the feast on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Lord told Moses they could keep it on the fourteenth day of the second month, and this they did. Furthermore, if a man was on a journey or had become unclean because of a dead body, he could keep the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month, but he must keep it. If a man who was clean, and not on a journey, and did not keep the passover, he was to be cut off from among his people.

The people here were under law, and we are under grace. Yet it is a solemn thing for a Christian not to remember the Lord Jesus in His death! It is not a command, but a privilege of love. The love of Christ constrains us to answer to His long request made on the night in which He was betrayed, “this do in remembrance of Me.” Surely it would show a lack of affection for Him on the part of one for whom He died to absent himself from or to hold back from responding to this desire of His heart. How could one intelligent as to these things expect guidance from the Lord for his path if he neglected or willfully absented himself from the remembrance of the Lord in His death?

The pillar of cloud which we get in the last half of the chapter speaks of guidance and this follows the keeping of the passover. The one is the basis of the other. God’s people are totally dependent upon Him for guidance through the wilderness. There is never a time or a circumstance when we do not need His guidance.

The Lord had condescended both to dwell with His people and to guide them through the wilderness. The cloud, a symbol of His presence, covered the tabernacle on the day it was reared up, and it abode with them all through the wilderness journey. It was as a cloud by day and as the appearance of fire by night.

All might see the cloud and the obedient Israelite would watch it for the first sign of the Lord’s will as to the way and time to move on from one place to another. What a privilege it was for a godly Israelite to quietly wait for the Lord to direct all his movements. He who trusted Him was at perfect rest, though no doubt it was irksome to those who wanted to do their own will.

When the cloud moved they moved, when it stopped they pitched their tents; and when it remained they rested, and thus fulfilled the commandment of the Lord. It might be a few days, or it might be a great many, but it was whenever the cloud rested they rested. So they were just really traveling with God.

Oh how good it was to have such a sure unfailing, Guide who always “Led them forth by the right way” (Psa. 107:7). And we too have that same faithful loving Guide who journeys with us and leads us by His Spirit along the way. He shows U3 plainly where He would have us go, and where we shall have His presence with us, and that is where He will feed us day by day with that heavenly manna, Himself the bread of life come down from heaven. May we ever wait upon Him, being careful that we do not stand still when He wants us to go forward, or go forward when He wants us to stand still.

ML-06/17/1973

Saved by a Meteor

MR. AND MRS. WATT were missionaries in Africa, and they had four little children. Whenever possible they spoke faithfully to the natives of the love of N’gai (the supreme Being) to all mankind, as shown in the gift of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. But, save for a few friendly souls, the people were unwilling to listen to their message.

There were many enemies, and time after time they attempted to poison and murder the missionaries. But God watched over His faithful servants and these evil designs came to nothing.

One evening a vast multitude of warriors, determined to wipe out the white man from their country, were on their way to the mission station, led by a chief named Mwana Muka. They carried with them lighted brands, intending to burn down the grass-thatched building of the mission. The missionaries’ children went to sleep with their clothing and boots on so as to be ready to flee if necessary.

No sooner had the sun like a great red ball sunk in the west, when huge clouds came rolling up in the eastern sky. Soon the heavens were black and vivid flashes of lightning lighted up the sky, followed by peals of rattling thunder which seemed to shake the earth. Then the rain came down in torrents. During the space of half an hour, the heavens were let loose in such a manner as the missionaries never saw before or since in that land of tropical downpours.

The missionaries had cried to the Lord, assured that if it pleased Him He would in His own way bring deliverance. Now they could see how the mighty hand of God had wrought on their behalf. Not only were the savage warriors stricken with fear by the terrific storm, but their bow strings were rendered useless by the soaking rain. Themselves drenched, dismayed, they slunk back into the bush, no doubt thinking that God Himself was fighting against them.

But Satan is a relentless foe and though defeated once, he will come back again. A few days later, the missionaries were warned that the hostile tribes were gathering for a fresh assault. Mr. Ainsworth, in command of the government fort some miles away, sent a band of soldiers to carry the missionary and his little children to safety. Mr. Watt sent word back saying how grateful they were for this kindness, but felt that they must decline the offer of the protection of the government fort, and trust in God who had called them to make known the glad tidings there. They were assured that He would in His own way direct all things according to His own will, for “if God be for us who can be against us.”

That night was a time of great tension and painful suspense. The two little ones were fast asleep, but the older two were kept awake by the excitement of the hour. The missionaries threw themselves upon God, and prayed that it might please Him to confound and defeat the plans of these savage relentless warriors and send them deliverance.

Even as they prayed they heard a most unearthly roar overhead. Springing to the door to see what was the matter, they found the heavens ablaze with light, and caught sight of a white-hot meteor of immense size, shooting across the heavens right over their station. The gigantic fiery ball whizzed through space with terrific speed, lighting up the whole country with a lustrous, dazzling glow, and leaving behind it a great trail of fire. Then it disappeared, striking a mountain thirty miles away.

The huge meteor had swept directly over the heads of the armed multitude of warriors. Struck with such terror and mortal dread they rushed panic-stricken to their homes upon the hill, leaving the missionaries in peace, to praise and thank God for His great deliverance and for all His goodness.

Truly, “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”

“O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him.” Psalm 34:7-9.

ML-06/24/1973

Amy's Kitten

LITTLE AMY was playing in the yard at dusk just before bedtime when a little stray kitten squeezed under the gate and came mewing toward her. It was such a skinny, starved-looking little thing, one could almost count its little ribs, it was dirty too, and its eyes were red and sore. But Amy’s loving heart went out to it in pity and she picked it up in her arms and carried it into the house.

As soon as Amy’s daddy saw the kitten he told her to take it outside. She could feed it on the porch but she couldn’t keep it. Little Amy pleaded for the little outcast, and earnestly implored her father to please let her keep it.

Her father loved his little girl and it was hard to resist her pleadings but as he went on reading his newspaper he tried to think of a way to get rid of the kitten without breaking Amy’s heart. He decided he would take the little puss out to a farm in the country and at the same time give his little daughter a new dolly which would help her forget her unsightly new pet.

That night before he went to bed he went to the kitchen and heard a faint mewing. Over in the corner, lo and behold, was the little kitten in the dolly’s bed, with a dish of water beside it. Amy’s daddy was vexed because his little girl had encouraged the little stray to stay, but later when he went into Amy’s room and saw her sleeping with such a sweet peaceful look on her face his heart melted. He thought of how kind was her little heart to want to do all that for an outcast kitten, and he was proud of her.

The next morning he went to Amy’s cot and said, “You can keep the little kitten.” Oh how happy she was! Nothing could have pleased her more, and she threw her arms around her daddy’s neck and gave him a big hug and a kiss.

We were all like the stray little kitten — dirty, starved, sin-sick and friendless. God’s love went out to us “when we were yet sinners,” and sent His beloved Son to die for us. For “God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. Those who come to the Lord Jesus in all their need will find the warmest of welcomes; He never turned any one away, and says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. He cleanses us from all our sins, He comforts and feeds us, He gives us to know that He loves and will never forsake us, and one day soon He will come and take us to the Father’s house to be with Him forever. Oh what a Saviour! Do you know Him, dear reader?

ML-06/24/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 9:22,23

Our God is light: and though we go

Across a trackless wild,

Our Jesus’ footsteps ever show

The path for every child.

At every step afresh we prove

How sure our heavenly Guide;

The faithful and forbearing love

That never turns aside.

IF ONE stayed behind after the pillar of cloud moved on, he would not find any manna on the ground for him the next morning. So if they had not gone with the cloud, they must have missed their daily bread. But there would be food in abundance about the camp, and light from the pillar of fire. May we seek grace to go on with the Lord, no matter what the trials and difficulties of the way might be, and we shall find in His presence “food in abundance” and light for our path.

When there was faith to simply trust the Lord, the heart would be at rest; but unbelief would not rest when the cloud stopped, and would lag behind when it moved on.

Then we hear of Amalek smiting the hindmost (Deut. 25:17,18). Amek is Satan acting on the flesh, and he dogs the footsteps of God’s people in the desert. If we lag behind, in someway or another we are sure to get into Satan’s power.

At times the people might travel by night and the pillar of fire would give light for the way. The darkness might increase, but the light would only shine the brighter. Surely we are in the darkest period of the church’s history, for these are the “perilous times” and the “last days.” But whatever the difficulties and sorrows that may come, the Lord will be with His people, and if we really look to Him, the greater our need, that much more grace and guidance will He supply for the way. The future is just as clear to Him as the past and what we need is that simple dependence upon His love and care. The great thing is to have our eyes on the cloud. If it moves forward, we go forward; if it stays, we are content to rest.

In these days of confusion, we need more than ever the anointed eye so that we might see clearly (Rev. 3:18). We need the upward glance to Him, who alone can give light. If we move without Him, or if we tarry behind when He moves, we move without light. May He keep us all looking up, as we joey on.

Oh, walk with Jesus, would’st thou know

How deep, how wide His love can flow!

They only fail His love to prove

Who in the ways of sinners rove.

Walk thou with Him; that way is light,

All other pathways end in night:

Walk thou with Him; that way is rest,

All other pathways are unblest.

Oh, walk with Jesus! to thy view

He will make all things sweet and new;

Will bring new fragrance from each flower,

And hallow every passing hour.

Memory Verse: “FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED.” John 3:17

ML-06/24/1973

Saved on the Battlefield

DURING one of the battles fought between Paraguay and Bolivia in a jungle zone called “The Chaco,” a chaplain was called to the side of a seriously wounded soldier in the night. Many brave men had died that day, and many more had been wounded in the bitter fighting. The Christian chaplain’s soul went out to the men in deep sorrow. All day long and on into the weary hours of night he spent his time seeking to help and comfort the wounded.

About 2:00 in the morning, just as the chaplain had lain down to get a little sleep, a messenger came from a sergeant requesting him to come immediately. A soldier was dying; he was not ready to meet God and he wanted to know how to be saved.

Kneeling by his side in the trench, the chaplain heard the dying man ask faintly, “Chaplain, will you help me to die?”

“I would help you to die, if I could,” replied the chaplain. “I would carry you on my shoulders into heaven if I could; but I can’t do that. However, I can tell you of One who can.”

“Who is he?” asked the dying man.

The chaplain told him of the Lord Jesus Christ, of how this blessed Man was his Saviour, and that He had come into this world to seek and to save that which was lost. Profound silence reigned, and the chaplain thought the man had gone, but then he heard the voice of the dying man asking again: “How can I meet God? How can I be saved?”

Then the chaplain read to him 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.”

The poor fellow lay there with his eyes riveted on the chaplain’s face. It seemed as if every word was going home to his heart.

“Chaplain,” he would whisper, “please repeat those words ‘that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’” Slowly the chaplain read again the wonderful words of life, and then the dying soldier spoke again. “O sir, stop! Is that really there?”

“Yes, it’s here in God’s Book.”

“Please read those words again! Do repeat them, please, chaplain!” So he read them a second and a third time.

The dear fellow folded his hands and the chaplain read on, but before he had finished, the dying man had closed his eyes. Suddenly he opened them again and the look of terror had changed into a sweet smile of peace. All fear of death had fled. The chaplain bent over him and heard him whisper faintly, “Whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Again his eyes closed, but once again they opened. Then fixing them on the chaplain’s face he whispered, “That is all I want, sir,” and he was gone — gone from the battlefield to be with Christ — “absent from the body, present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

Dear reader, can you say that John 3:16 is enough to take you to heaven? Yes, that is all you need.

ML-07/01/1973

Taste and See

WHEN SUE and her mother were shopping at the super market one day, there was a lady there giving away samples of crackers and cheese. Smiling, she handed Sue and her mother a sample of each and it ended up in Mother buying a package of crackers and a half a pound of cheese.

Then at the delicatessen the girl behind the counter had put out little samples of sandwich loaf on toothpicks for customers to taste. It tasted so good and so Mother bought some slices of sandwich loaf for Sue’s lunch.

This makes one think of what David said back in Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”

We might tell you how good the Lord is, but you will never know for yourselves until you “taste and see.” When you come to know Him as your own Saviour you will find out that He will be far more to you than tongue can ever tell. “The half hath not been told,” said the Queen of Sheba.

For Thou exceedest all the fame

Our ears have ever heard.

How happy they who know Thy name

And trust Thy faithful word.

ML-07/01/1973

Brave Nellie

NELLIE was just twelve years of age and lived with her father and mother by the ocean. With them also was Nellie’s little niece, Gwen, whose parents had died when she was a tiny girl. Nellie made it her duty to guard her little niece, especially in stormy weather when the great waves would sometimes roll up the beach and overflow into their cottage garden.

One stormy day little Gwen, attracted by the high tide, wandered outside the garden gate and was swept from her feet by a great wave and carried into deep water. Nellie heard her cry of distress and rushing out she saw the little girl being carried out into the sea. Brave Nellie lost no time in wading out into the deep tide, and grasping Gwen by her dress, she dragged her back to safety.

It was a brave and timely rescue, and when the villagers heard of it, they came and complimented Nellie on her bravery. Nellie’s father, who was a Christian man, knelt beside little Gwen’s bed and praised the Lord for enabling his little daughter to rescue his little grandchild. He also asked the Lord to help Nellie to tell little Gwen of Jesus the Saviour who was able to save her from a much greater danger — that of losing her own soul.

Nellie was a bright little Christian, and telling her little charge of the sweet story of the Redeemer’s love, she sought to win her young and tender heart to the Lord. In doing so the love of Christ so filled Nellie’s own heart and she began to share in that blessed service of seeking to “rescue the perishing.” She took a Sunday school class in that village, and had the joy of hearing more than one confess the Lord Jesus as one’s personal Saviour. Her heart’s desire was also granted when she heard little Gwen too confess the Lord.

Nellie grew up to be a beautiful young lady, and loved and esteemed by all. Her father too was respected and spoken of as the “happiest man” in the village.

So it is those who seek to honor the Lord will be honored by Him.

HOW dearly doth God love us,

And this fair world of ours,

To spread blue sky above us,

And deck the earth with flower

There’s not a plant so lowly,

Nor bird that cleaves the air,

But tells, in accents holy,

His kindness, and His care.

ML-07/01/1973

Bible Talks: The Silver Trumpets

Numbers 10:1-4

GOD makes His will known to His people in different ways. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night speaks of divine light and guidance for the eye, that is, spiritual guidance for those who have eyes to see. But God also makes additional provision for guidance for those that have “ears to hear.”

When Samuel was but a child and ministered unto the Lord at Shiloh, in the days of Eli the old priest whose eyes had grown dim with age, the Lord spoke to Samuel and he hearkened to what He had to say. May we be like him as expressed in the lines of the little hymn:

Oh, give me Samuel’s ear—

The open ear, O Lord!

Alive and quick to hear

Each whisper of Thy word;

Like him to answer at Thy call,

And to obey Thee first of all.

Oh, give me Samuel’s heart!—

A lowly heart, that waits

When in Thy house Thou art;

Or watches at Thy gates

By day and night—a heart that still

Moves at the breathing of Thy will.

Moses was instructed to make “two trumpets of silver,” that is, of the atonement money. In this we are reminded that redemption underlies all God’s ways and dealings with His people. These silver trumpets were of “beaten work"; and whenever they were used they bring before us the great cost—the sufferings, and the smitings — our blessed Saviour bore in order to redeem us.

These trumpets served three main purposes: (1) For the calling of the assembly; (2) For the journeying of the camps; (3) For war when in the land.

None but the sons of Aaron, the priests, were to blow these trumpets. A priest speaks of nearness to God, so one must be walking with the Lord and in communion with Him to be qualified to blow the trumpet or sound an alarm.

In the first case the blowing of the trumpets was to bring the people to the door of the tabernacle. God delights to have His people gather around Himself, in the enjoyment of His presence. “And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ... that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:3,4.

In such cases there was not the need to “sound an alarm,” but it was the simple calling of the people together. And there are times when the Lord would have us to come together around Himself, when there is no need for an “alarm.” There are those regular meetings during the week — those precious seasons around Himself: the remembrance of Himself in death, the gatherings for prayer and the reading the Word, the Sunday school and the Bible class. We need not fear but rather rejoice as these occasions roll around every week. May each of us hear the call to assemble and make every effort to be present!

On such occasions the Lord not only gathers us to the joy of counion but also that He might build us up by communicating His mind to us through His Word.

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

ML-07/01/1973

A Narrow Escape

IN THE early days of the work in Africa the pioneer missionaries encountered many wild animals as they journeyed across the vast stretches of jungle and tall grass.

On one occasion, when accompanied by about a hundred natives, Mr. Watt, the missionary had shot down a big rhinoceros. He thought the animal was dead, but suddenly it jumped up, very much alive, and began making for the natives who scattered and fled for their lives. The animal picked out one man from the crowd and kept after him alone.

The rhinoceros has a big ponderous body but he is exceedingly swift. For a time the native kept well in front, but quick and nimble that he was, the huge animal was gaining on him rapidly. It seemed there was but a minute between him and death. The rhino tossed the man into the air, but another bullet from the missionary’s rifle caused the engaged beast to wheel around and with a furious snort it dashed at Mr. Watt.

He had no more ammunition, so he turned and fled with the infuriated monster at his heels. It was a race for life, the huge creature squealing viciously. Never had the missionary run so fast before. Yet still the rhinoceros kept close at his heels.

At last Mr. Watt felt he could not run any more and gave himself up into the hands of his loving God and Father. Suddenly like a voice from heaven came the words, “Throw off your helmet.” He did so and became immediately aware that the animal had stopped. Looking around to his immense relief the huge monster was plowing up the ground with his horn and tossing his helmet into the air. Exhausted, Mr. Watt sank down on the ground, unable to rise. Looking around there just twenty paces away, the gigantic angry beast was still turning up the hard sun-baked earth in a furious rage. Then finally exhausted it lay down beside the helmet.

A little later the native gun bearer returned with the ammunition. The missionary fired one more shot and the rhinoceros rose no more.

How grateful to God was Mr. Watt for His mercy in sparing his life.

“HAPPY IS HE THAT HATH THE GOD OF JACOB FOR HIS HELP, WHOSE HOPE IS IN THE LORD HIS GOD.” Psa. 146:5

Oh, what a Saviour is Jesus the Lord!

Well may His name by His saints be adored!

He has redeemed them from hell by His blood—

Saved them forever and brought them to God.

Come, then, poor sinner, no longer delay,

Come to the Saviour, come now while you may;

So shall your peace be eternally sure,

So shall your happiness ever endure.

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-07/08/1973

Freddie's Sermon

FREDDIE was a very little fellow. His father was a preacher, and loved to tell people of how the Lord Jesus came down from heaven to this sinful world to die in the sinner’s place.

Freddie had often heard his father preach, and one day he looked up earnestly at him, and said, “Fweddie wants to pweach.” His father answered, “Freddie is too young to preach.” But Freddie could not rest and the whole week he kept on saying, “Fweddie wants to pweach.” When Sunday came, his father, thinking that it would quiet him, said, “You may come up onto the platform with me if you sit very still.” But even this did not satisfy Freddie. He still said,

“Fweddie wants to pweach.”

So his father stood up and told the congregation that his little boy had been worrying him all week because he wanted to preach. Then he lifted Freddie up so that he could see the people. At first Freddie felt frightened at seeing so many faces, but then he said slowly, “Fweddie wants to tell you, Fweddie loves Jesus.”

That was Freddie’s sermon; only a few words, but it went home to the heart of one old man who was over seventy years of age. He was quite broken down at the thought of a little child loving Jesus when he himself did not. This was the means of his being brought to know Jesus as his Saviour, and to love Him.

Dear boys and girls, who read this true story, if you know and love Jesus, you too may be little preachers. I do not mean that you may speak to large congregations from a platform, but you may tell your friends of the Saviour you love, and you may be the means of bringing some of them to know and love Him too.

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

ML-07/08/1973

"He That Giveth to the Poor Lendeth to the Lord."

A poor widow lady who lived alone in a country place attended a meeting and heard of the need for Bibles among the poor. She had only a dollar left, part of which she intended to pay out for some wool to make an apron for herself, and part for some candles, so that she might work in the evenings.

She felt so much for the poor people without Bibles that she determined to put 50c in the collection and let her apron wait. As she heard more about the need of the poor she at last determined to give the dollar altogether, “because,” she said, “I can do better without an apron than people can do without the Word of God.” So she went home that night and slept comfortably.

At dawn the next morning a neighbor called at her door and said, “Peggy, we have had a terrible night; several of my sheep have been carried away by the flood. Two more are dead in the hedge of your garden. You can have the wool from them if you like.”

She thankfully accepted the gift, and from the wool she was able to make several aprons and buy candles besides. As no one knew what she had done the day before but herself and God, she looked upon that circumstance as God’s gracious goodness towards her.

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7.

ML-07/08/1973

Bible Talks: The Silver Trumpets

Numbers 10:5-10

We’re pilgrims in the wilderness;

Our dwelling is a camp;

Created things, though pleasant,

Now bear to us death’s stamp.

But onward we are speeding,

Though often let and tried;

The Holy Ghost is leading

Home to the Lamb, His bride.

THE LORD ordered that the silver trumpets were to be blown first of all for the gathering tether of the people around Himself. Then they were to be used for the journeyings of the camps, in which case an alarm must be blown. When God called His people to move on no ordinary sound would do; it must be an alarm. It is no light thing to take down our tents and move on with God.

At the first alarm Judah’s camp went forward; at the second, Reuben’s, and so on. The various camps also seem to have blown an answering alarm, showing they were alive to the situation.

Those silver trumpets tell out afresh the blessed truth, “Ye are bought with a price,” for silver speaks of redemption, and the effect of such a testimony is to gather God’s people around Himself and to cause them to go forward. It is not an eye but an ear needed in this case; it is a question of hearing God’s call and what He has to say to us. The Lord Jesus could say, “The Lord God hath opened Mine ears, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.” May our ears, as His people, be also attentive, waiting and watching daily at His gate to hear His word.

How many there are these days, as Scripture tells us, who heap to themselves teachers “having itching ears,” those who “turn away their ears from the truth, and are turned unto fables.” They refuse the appeals of the silver trumpet from God’s Word, and so have no divine guidance. “Sounding brass or tinkling cymbal” (1 Cor. 13) will do for them. But only in the clear and certain sound of the trumpet will rest and sure guidance for the journey be found. To blow an indistinct or “uncertain sound” with the trumpet will not prepare souls for either.

Then there are always those who want to lag behind, content to settle down and stay where they are. As we pass on our way homeward, may we be warned away from the shoals of unbelief upon which so many are stranded.

The third use of the trumpets was for war when in the land. When oppressed by the enemy they were to blow an alarm, the Lord would remember them and save them from their enemies. When there is trouble or warfare God is always equal to it. He causes the alarm to be sound and then comes in to help and care for His people. He gives them the victory over their enemies for His glory. The sounding of the alarm would comfort and encourage God’s people in the thought that He was there in the midst of His own. We are told in Philippians 1:28 to be “in nothing terrified by your adversaries"; “so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Heb. 13:6.

Memory Verse: “BY HIM ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS.” Acts 13:39.

ML-07/08/1973

Motorcycle Riders

WHEN I was ten years old I got “bit” by the “motorcycle bug.” From that time on, right on through the years of my boyhood and youth, my ambition was fixed and firm. I hoped, studied, labored and dreamed with one ambition: MOTORCYCLE FAME AND GLORY.

As time went on I became a motorcycle racer... Years passed — years of thrills, spills and chills... Then one day things changed.

One Sunday afternoon while out in the country doing a little highway racing I bent a corner too fast and ended up in the ditch with a severely mangled and broken leg and other injuries. I lay on the road for two hours before an ambulance finally arrived.

Then as the ambulance went screaming back to the hospital, we were in a collision with another automobile; and in the second mishap of the day I went through the windshield of the ambulance, broken leg and all. I arrived at the hospital broken, battered and bruised.

I had a long time to lie there and think.

I remember being told once that a fellow should be sure he dies right; because if he dies wrong he can’t come back and die right. But still how carelessly we live, knowing that death is our destiny. He dogs our footsteps, lurks around every shadow. In the past I felt death’s breath many times over my shoulder; but now it seemed death had finally caught up with me and I knew if I died, I would die wrong, without God and without hope.

I had never really sought God for I believed that if I found out what God had to say to me in the Bible I would lose all my pleasures. So whenever I would run into anything “religious,” I would quickly brush such thoughts aside. But no matter how I tried NOT to think of such things, that “still small Voice” came to me again and again — just as it has come to you. Run over your past life and count those times.

I was very much ALONE in that hospital under the dark shadow of death, for I realized that if a person dies without God, he dies “ALONE,” yes, all “ALONE.”

Then as I continued to think about these things, I remembered hearing in the past that old gospel story.... “How that Christ died for our sins.... and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” And those who received Jesus Christ as Lord would have eternal life.

There on that hospital bed I obeyed the gospel and God saved me... just as He said He would.

I found out that IN CHRIST, instead of the pleasures of sin, I had pleasures forevermore. I found peace... peace with God... peace from a troubled conscience ... peace that passes all understanding... peace the world can never give.

Memory Verse: “BE IT KNOWN UNTO YOU THEREFORE,... THAT THROUGH THIS MAN IS PREACHED UNTO YOU THE FORGIVESS OF SINS.” Acts 13:38.

ML-07/15/1973

Bakke

BAKKE was a little girl who lived in India. Her father and mother were very poor and never sent her to school, so she could neither read nor write.

When her parents moved to another town they lived opposite a large home run by some Christian missionaries. Bakke saw many little girls going in and out of the house every day and wondered what they did in there. The little girls all seemed to be happy and nicely-dressed.

There was a board with some writing on it over the entrance to the big house but Bakke’s parents could not tell her what it said. Then one day her uncle came and he told them it read, “Mission School for Girls.” He said Bakke’s father should send her to the school to learn to read and write, but her father did not want her to become a Christian. However, he finally consented to her going though he hated Christians.

How glad was little Bakke to go to school with the other little girls. She learned to read and write, and she also learned about the Lord Jesus, who loves little boys and girls and came into this world to save sinners. She also learned many wonderful stories from the Bible.

One story Bakke liked especially was about the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a dying man along the side of the road. Though he was a stranger, he saved the man’s life. Bakke learned that the Good Samaritan is a picture of the Lord Jesus who though a heavenly Stranger shows kindness and love to lost and dying sinners. He gives them eternal life here and a home in heaven with Himself. Bakke thought, How unlike my people is the Good Samaritan, for my people only hate and even kill others.

The time came when Bakke’s father decided to move back to his old village, and Bakke was so sad when she had to leave school and all her kind friends. But before leaving she asked her teacher if she could have a Bible of her own to take with her. She said, “I want to read God’s Book every day.” Her teacher did give her a Bible and as she read it faithfully each day she learned more about the Lord Jesus. One day she asked Him to come into her heart, and He did. He gave her to realize that He had put all her sins away on the cross and she trusted Him as her Saviour. Now she was no more sad, but a bright happy little Christian who like her Saviour loved to show kindness to others.

ML-07/15/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 10:11-32

THUS FAR God had been graciously providing for the needs of His people for their journey across the wilderness to Canaan’s land. Now all is ready, and the march begins.

“And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.”

What a marvelous sight it must have been! — a vast host, perhaps two million strong, priests carrying the ark of God, the Levites bringing the tabernacle and its sacred vessels, men armed for war, fathers, mothers and little children, with all their cattle, all marching in orderly array, while overhead hovered the pillar of cloud, the presence of Jehovah, the God of heaven and earth who journeyed with them and marked out the way.

God has a people now who are journeying through this wilderness world, a people redeemed by blood, a vast company, marching on to their heavenly home, and He Himself is journeying with them. How wonderful, dear reader, to belong to that company! Can you say, I have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, I belong to Him, and I am journeying on with Him and His people to heaven’s rest?

There was no pathway through the desert for Israel then, there was no guide through and out of it but the cloud of Jehovah’s presence. Nor is there any path for us through this world but that which the Lord Jesus has marked out. He has gone before and left the print of His footsteps behind that we might not miss the way.

And Moses said unto Hobab his father-in-law, “We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.

“And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes.”

Moses failed here, for it seems that he counted on the kindly help of his father-in-law who was acquainted with the wilderness. But this would never do. And it was not the mind of God that a natural child of the wilderness should be “eyes” of His people. Jehovah was their leader, and He would not have them to lean upon man. Hobab said, “I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land.” No doubt this was well; for they might have depended upon him instead of upon God, who had provided the cloud of glory to guide them.

On the other hand how sad that Hobab should have departed to his own land and to his kindred. Moses told Hobab of the blessing God had in store for His people, and that if he would go, this blessing would be his too. But Hobab never had another opportunity as far as we know, to come with the people of God. If one who reads these lines is unsaved, we would ask you now will you not decide to accept Christ as your Saviour and go with the people of God to that better home above. If you refuse, it may be your last opportunity; and then, how solemn, to be lost forever. God in His Word says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML-07/15/1973

Bible Acrostic

The king whom Abram slew to save Lot’s life .(Gen. 14)

The king whose son took Jezebel to wife. (I Kings 16)

The king whose pride by God was brought down low. (Dan. 4)

The king who, fearful, to a witch did go. (1 Sam. 28)

The king’s son who was murdered on his bed. (2 Sam. 4)

The king who mourned in song his foe when dead. (2 Sam. 1)

The king who to Jehoiachin was kind. (Jer. 52)

The king who would not aged counselors mind. (1 Kings 12)

The king whose warlike help king Ahaz prayed. (2 Kings 16)

The king who begged that God would grant him aid. (2 Kings 19)

The king who cruelly died by Ehud’s blade. (Jude. 3)

The king whose mother words of wisdom taught. (Prov. 31)

The king’s court which gentle Esther sought. (Esther 5)

The king-built city where a king was slain. (2 Chron. 11)

The king’s consoler sent to ease his pain. (2 Kings 20)

The king whose brothers twain their father slew. (2 Kings 19)

The king who, more than any, heavenly wisdom knew. (2 Chron. 1)

Combine the initials of these royal names;

They give a text which man’s poor splendor shame.

ML-07/15/1973

Sam

To Scotland’s shores one happy day

An African boy was brought,

By one who in his native land

His people’s blessing sought.

Here Sam was taught to read and sing

Of Jesus and His love;

And, soon confessing Christ his Lord

Was “born” from heaven above.

His schooldays past, he went to serve

A man of wealth and fame;

But who, alas! despised the Lord,

And spurned His honored Name.

When Sam applied to fill the place,

He humbly made request

That he might go where Christians meet,

On God’s great day of rest.

To this the master gave consent,

Remarking with a sneer;

“Religious boys soon join the rest

When they are servants here.”

But Sam still walked in wisdom’s ways,

And to the Lord was true

Refusing to take part in wrong,

Or share what sinners do.

One day his master’s son took ill,

And doctors said would die;

When Sam was told, he went apart

And to the Lord did cry:

“Oh, spare my master’s only son,

And save his precious soul;

For Jesus’ sake, put forth Thy hand,

To save and make him whole.

“And turn my master’s heart to Thee

To trust in Christ the Lord;

That he may sing my Saviour’s praise,

And love His Holy Word.”

That prayer was heard in Heaven above—

In peace the answer came;

The son was spared, and he was saved

To honor Jesus’ Name.

And when the grateful father heard

Of Sam’s effectual prayer,

He owned a miracle was wrought,

His precious boy to spare.

His heart was won by grace divine,

His life to Christ was given;

And now he walks the narrow way

That leads to God and Heaven.

Memory Verse: “VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME HATH EVERLASTING LIFE.” John 6:47

ML-07/22/1973

Annie's Dream

IN FAR AWAY New Zealand one sunny day on the side of a hill, a group of school girls were clustered around their teacher. On the top of the hill stood the school for girls surrounded by beautiful flower gardens.

The teacher was a Christian and her voice could be heard saying, “Dear girls, the home of Jesus in heaven is full of light and song, love, joy and peace. There is no sin nor sickness, and no one will ever say ‘good-bye.’ "

She went on to tell how the Lord Jesus is coming soon for all who will hear His voice, whose sins are all forgiven through making Him their choice. “If He should come today, girls, to call us away, she asked, “are all who stand around me here ready to go to be with Him?”

Yes, all the girls were saved and ready, except one. Poor Annie had often been spoken to about her need of a Saviour, but she held fast to her pleasures and the things of earth.

One night while Annie was asleep and the moon shone in through her little window, her school friends were on their knees in a nearby room praying for her. Even as they prayed, Annie had a dream. She dreamed that the Lord came to call His own away and take them to heaven, and she was left behind alone.

Annie awoke in terror, and looking about she saw that every bed in her room was empty. Jumping up she wandered up and down the corridors, scarcely knowing what she did, until she heard voices coming from one of the rooms. It was all dark but she recognized the voices of her girl friends and she heard her own name borne up in prayer to God.

“Lord Jesus, save Annie, we pray,” were words she heard repeated by several voices. It was too much for Annie. Oh how thankful she was to find that her friends were still here and that she still had a chance to be saved.

Stealing in quietly into the room she knelt down to pray with the girls. Then it was the girls’ turn to be surprised when they heard a plaintive voice cry out, “Lord Jesus, save me; I am a sinner.” It was Annie’s voice. At once the answer came from heaven to her troubled heart: “I came to seek and to save that which was lost and tonight I come to claim your precious soul, Annie.”

When Annie rose from her knees she was a different young girl. Her fear and terror had ceased, and when the lights were on, her friends rejoiced to see her radiant smile. How they thanked God for answering their prayers! We know there was joy in heaven that night for “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.

Now Annie is ready and waiting for the Lord Jesus to come, while she finds her greatest pleasure in loving service for Him down here.

ML-07/22/1973

The Dirty Window

LITTLE LAURA was helping her mother clean house. Mother sent her outside with a pail of water and a cloth and told her to wash the windows. A little later when Mother went outside and checked on her little daughter she found her almost in tears.

“Mother,” she said, “I’ve been rubbing hard on this window and it just won’t get clean.”

Mother soon found out the trouble. She found out the dirty spots were on the inside, and no amount of rubbing on the outside would make the window clean. Laura went inside and soon she had the window all clean and shiny.

How often we are like little Laura and the dirty window. We have tried to live clean lives outwardly, to be good, kind and loving to others, but still the ugly stains of sin are there. The truth is our hearts are filled with sin and the heart must be cleansed before our lives can be clean. Only the blood of Jesus can remove sin’s stains, but when we trust Him as our Saviour He washes us whiter than snow in God’s sight. Then from that cleansing within comes the purity without which others will see.

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

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

All welcome are to Jesus Christ—

The little children too,

May in the gracious Saviour fin,’

A loving Friend and true.

All welcome are to Jesus Christ,

Whoever will may come;

He came to seek and save the lost,

To call the wayward home.

If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee. 1 Chron. 28:9

ML-07/22/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 10:33,34

THE SILVER trumpets sounded, the cloud of Jehovah’s presence lifted, and “the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai.”

Guided by Jehovah’s presence, every step brought them nearer to their home in Canaan’s land. The Lord is a perfect Guide of His people today, even as the Lord Jesus said “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. How sweet to sing together as we march along through a hostile world.

Here in the body pent,

Absent from Him we roam.

Yet nightly pitch our moving tent

A day’s march nearer home.

Our Father’s home on high,

Home to our souls so dear,

E’en now to faith’s transpiercing eye

Thy golden gates appear.

Our thirsty spirits faint

To reach the home we love;

The bright inheritance of saints,

Jerusalem above.

~~~

There shall all clouds depart,

The wilderness shall cease;

And sweetly shall each gladdened heart

Enjoy eternal peace.

Moses had said unto Hobab, “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good.” This is truly the spirit of the gospel. The gospel is good news from heaven. Moses’ invitation to Hobab was both simple and individual. “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28) is the Lord’s gracious invitation today.

But Hobab said, “I will depart to mine own land.” He was related to Moses but he did not belong to Israel. There are many who never feel at home in the company of the Lord’s people. If they cannot enjoy their company on earth, how do they expect to enjoy it in heaven?

Moses thought Hobab would be helpful in the journey because he knew the wilderness. Hitherto Moses had trusted only in the Lord; now he would trust in God and Hobab both. How many there are who would trust in Christ and something else. But this will never do. Christ alone must save, and bring us home to heaven.

“We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you.” v. 29. This is truly the language of the believer. He has a glorious prospect. He rejoices in hope of the glory of God (Rom. 5:2). He does not mind, therefore, being called “stranger” (away from home) and “pilgrim” (going home) (Heb. 11:13).

Moses’ mistake in counting on Hobab’s help only brought out the Lord’s grace. He had laid it down from the very first that He would come and journey in the midst of His people. The ark would travel in the very center of the march, a place suitable to God’s majesty. But now a change takes place, brought out by the wants of His people and their failure to reckon upon that which He had provided to meet the difficulties of the way. So we read, “And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days’ joey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them..., to search out a resting place for them.”

How gracious of the Lord in this way to go before them to seek out a resting place for them in the desert. He is the only all-sufficient leader. His eyes are never weary, His heart is never at fault.

ML-07/22/1973

Children Saved

ONE beautiful May afternoon, years ago, the Empress of Ireland left Quebec with 1476 passengers aboard. She steamed grandly down the St. Lawrence until at a point where the river is 30 miles wide. Here she entered a fog, and in the fog was rammed by the Storstad, a Norwegian coal ship. In less than a quarter of an hour the beautiful liner went to the bottom, and in that short time over 1000 precious lives were lost in the dark icy waters.

Let us learn a few lessons from this disaster.

All this happened within a few hours of their starting out, and a little after two next morning. How like many lives — wrecked very early, spoiled at the start! We need not think it is only those far on in life who meet with trials, temptations and death. How important it is to have the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and Pilot at the beginning of our lives.

It was a small vessel that caused all this loss. One paper said: “It is a disquieting fact that in these days of such progress and advancement in construction with watertight compartments, that such a magnificent vessel should sink like a stone after one blow from a freighter not one-tenth her size, and with a speed of less than 12 knots per hour.”

Dear reader, we need not wait for big sins to sink us. Little temptations we may think too small to be concerned about may be our ruin.

A correspondent told of how a little girl eight years old was saved. Her name was Gracie Hanegan, whose parents were Christians. They were both drowned. The little girl, with her hair in braids down her back, told of having no lifebelt, and when thrown from the doomed ship she had nothing to keep her afloat. She sank and on coming up she saw a piece of floating wood and grabbed it. Then she was pulled into a lifeboat by a man’s strong arms.

She was saved by availing herself of that piece of wood, and we as sinners need to lay hold of the promise of God. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. But she could not have been saved if someone had not laid hold of her. We are only saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, and not of works. (Eph. 2:8,9).

Another little girl named Helen was saved and said: “My daddy woke me, and brought me up on deck. When the ship began to sink he took me under his arm and jumped into the water with me. He began to swim with me and put me up onto a piece of wood. I didn’t see Daddy any more after that. I swam with the piece of wood, and came close to a boat and was taken in.” “My Father woke me” is the language of all who are eternally saved. They can say of the Lord Jesus, “He brought me,” “He took me,” “He put me in safety.”

When the rescue boats got among the drowning, a mother’s voice pierced the darkness, “Over here! over here! O my baby!” Two boats rushed frantically in the dark to the rescue, but before they got there the cries had ceased, and silence reigned. They must have perished in those cold dark waters of death.

How often men are unable to save from death, but the Lord Jesus can and He will save us from perishing in our sins if we cry to Him and trust Him as our Saviour, for it is written “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21.

Dear reader, are you among God’s saved ones?

ML-07/29/1973

J-E-S-U-S

Jesus died on Calvary’s tree,

Even for such a one as me,

So that I to heaven might go,

Untold bliss with Him to know –

Strange that He should love me so!

ML-07/29/1973

The Lost Spectacles

A COUNTRY pastor, visiting the flock,

At old Rebecca’s cottage gave a knock.

“Good morning, lady, I mean not any libel,

But in your dwelling have you got a Bible?”

“A Bible, sir!” exclaimed she in a rage;

“Do you think I’m turned pagan at my age?”

Here, Sally, run upstairs for it, my dear;

’Tis in the drawer, be quick and bring it here.”

The girl returned with Bible in a minute,

Not dreaming for a moment what was in it.

When lo! on opening it at the parlor door,

Down fell her glasses on the cottage floor.

Amazed, she stared, and was a moment dumb.

At length she said: “Oh, sir, I’m glad you’ve come.

’Tis six years since these glasses I have lost,

And I have missed them to my poor eyes’ cost.”

At length the glasses to her nose she raised,

And clasped the Bible, saying, “God be praised!”

ML-07/29/1973

Hoo Wang

HOO WANG lived in the village where there were no Christians. One day he took a trip to another village and while he was there he heard a man preach about Jesus Christ who came from heaven to save sinners. Hoo Wang liked that message. He knew he had done many bad things and this bothered him. Now he had heard about One who had come to wash all those bad sins away in His blood. Hoo Wang believed in Jesus, he opened his heart and yielded his life to Him. After that he desired to live for Jesus every day.

A missionary came to Hoo Wang’s village one day and asked, “Are there any Christians here?”

“Just one boy,” was the reply.

The missionary stopped at another house and asked for drink. The man kindly gave him a drink of water and then the missionary asked him, “Have you ever heard of Jesus?”

“Oh, yes,” he replied, “there’s a boy here who’s always talking about Jesus. He wants me to give up my idols and open up my heart to Jesus.”

“What’s the boy’s name?” asked the missionary.

“Hoo Wang,” the man replied. “I think Hoo Wang is right because his life has changed so much since he believed in Jesus. Time was when Wang used to be so selfish and mean, but he’s not that way anymore. He is always kind and thinking about others. He says it’s because Jesus has made the change in him.” The missionary stopped for some time and he preached the gospel in that village. Many of the natives came to hear him and there was blessing too. God had used Hoo Wang’s faithful testimony for Jesus.

ML-07/29/1973

Which Is the Way to Hell?

A wealthy man who held an honored government post was converted through his own question. Driving along a country road one day he stopped and asked a small boy, “Son, which is the way to hell?”

Possibly the boy mistook the question. At all events he replied, “Go straight on, sir; you’ll soon be there.”

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matt. 7:13.

Memory Verse: “AND THIS IS HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT WE SHOULD BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.” 1 John 3:23

ML-07/29/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 10:35-11:3

HOW FULLY does the Lord identify Himself with His people, as seen in the prayer which Moses, taught of God, uttered when the ark set forward. Israel’s enemies are God’s enemies, so Moses said, “Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee before Thee.” Then when the cloud rested he said, “Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel.”

What a comfort it must have been for fathers and mothers and their little children to go to rest and sleep in their tents in the peace and satisfaction of knowing that the face of Jehovah was looking down on them in love. And we can do the same, dear young Christian, for underneath those outspread wings of love and power we can rest surely and in peace. “He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psa. 121:3,4.

Scarcely had the Israelites left Mount Sinai when they began to feel the hardships of the way. They had formerly complained about the path, now they object to the provision.

“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord.”

For eighteen months they had feasted upon the manna — type of the Lord Jesus, the living bread. Like salvation, the manna came down from God and it was free to all. But the people got tired of heavenly food, and began to complain. Exodus 16:31 tells us the manna tasted like wafers made with wild honey, but afterward when the people had lost their relish for it, it tasted like fresh oil.

God feeds His people today in the wilderness through His Word. Christ is the food of His people, the bread of God, come down from heaven. But it is the sign of a bad condition of the soul when Christians neglect the Word of God and devour the trashy literature of this world. Just as wholesome food helps to maintain the body in health, so reading the Word of God and other good wholesome books, together with prayer, will keep the soul in health also.

Apparently the people became tired of the flavor of the manna and began to grind it in mills and beat it in a mortar. They baked it in pans in order to vary the flavor, but alas, this only spoiled it, for it no longer tasted like wafers made with honey. Its sweetness was gone, and it tasted like fresh oil. How this reminds us of the attempt on every hand to try by various means to make the things of God more attractive to the natural heart of man. Instead of the old faithful preaching the word is toned down, to make it interesting to the intellect, thus robbing it of that freshness, and sweetness and power when the truth is presented in simplicity by the Spirit.

The manna continued to fall in spite of the murmurings of the people? Nevertheless God’s anger was kindled and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed many of them. The people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched.

ML-07/29/1973

Clever Rover

A SUMMER afternoon a group of children were playing at the end of a pier jutting out into a lake near Kingston, Ontario. One caress little fellow playing too near the edge of the pier stepped off backwards and fell into the deep water.

None of his little companions could save him, and their cries brought no one from the shore. But just as he was sinking for the third time a superb Newfoundland dog rushed down the pier, jumped into the water and pulled him out. They took the little fellow home apparently none the worse for his experience.

The grateful children took the dog to a bake shop and fed him with a great variety of cakes and other goodies, as many as he would eat.

This story is only one of a great number telling of sagacity and bravery on the part of dogs in rescuing people.

Now for the amusing sequel. The next afternoon the same group of children were playing at the same place on the pier when our hero of the day before came trotting down to them with the most friendly wags and nods. There being no occasion this time for supplying him with cakes and dainties, the children only stroked and patted him.

However, Rover had not come out of pure sociability. A child in the water and cakes and candy were closely related in his mind, and if this relation was not clear to the children, he resolved to impress it upon them. So watching his opportunity he crept up behind a child standing near the edge of the pier, gave him a sudden push which sent him into the water, then sprang in after him, and gravely brought him to the shore — looking up for more cakes and candy!

Clever Rover made a little mistake, but we forgive him that for his watchful and ready courage. After all he was only a dog. But he may also teach us a lesson to be always ready to rescue souls whether we get cakes and candy or not, for a kind deed is its own reward.

Our blessed Saviour went into the deep waters of death to rescue sinning, perishing sinners like us. He did not come seeking a reward, but He laid down His life and shed His precious blood to put our sins away so that we might live and share with Him the joys of His heavenly home forever.

And yet He has been rewarded, for God has “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. 2:9-11.

“He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11), when He shall have all His redeemed ones around Himself in the glory, and earth shall be blessed beneath His feet.

ML-08/05/1973

A Home in the Rock

IN PROVERBS 30:24-28 we read of “four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise.” One of these is the Coney, and it says, “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make their houses in the rocks.”

The conies are in size and shape much like the rabbit, though they do not belong to the rabbit family. They cannot dig or burrow, so they seek a home ready-made for them. Since they are “a feeble folk” and cannot defend themselves against their enemies, they need a very safe home; so they dwell in clefts and holes in the hard, strong rocks where nothing can touch them.

They have many enemies, but chiefly hawks and eagles. When a hawk catches sight of little coney sitting in his door in the sunshine, he flies swiftly until he gets just over him, and then suddenly dives down in hopes of catching the little animal in his strong claws.

But the sun in the heavens warns the little coney of his danger, and unless he is very heedless or has strayed away from the rock, he can usually escape. When the hawk swoops down, he always hovers for a moment just overhead to make sure of his aim, and the bright sunlight throws his dark shadow on the ground. This warns the coney, unless he has his eyes shut, and knowing what that shadow means he dives into his hole and is safe.

We can just imagine the little coney peeping out at his enemy knowing that he cannot get at him. How snug and safe he must feel and how glad he is to be warned by the sunlight overhead to escape from danger before it is too late.

The Word of God warns us all to flee from the wrath to come. It is the light “that shines in the darkness.” It tells of coming judgment for all who refuse to flee to the Lord Jesus for safety. It throws a dark shadow of coming judgment on the oath of the sinner (2 Thess. 1:9), so that unless he just shuts his eyes, he cannot help seeing it. But how sad to think of so many who shut their eyes and won’t see it. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Heb. 2:3.

If when he saw the hawk coming the coney tried to dig a hole for himself in the ground, the hawk would have him in a moment. But he doesn’t stop to do anything but just dart at once into the rock, which is ready and waiting to receive him. There are some boys and girls, and older folks too, who knowing that they are sinners and that judgment is coming, try to make a way of escape for themselves. Alas, while they are trying, sometimes death overtakes them and then they are lost forever. But God has a place of safety for all who will avail themselves of it, and that is in the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, who died upon the cross. Whosoever will believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

ML-08/05/1973

"He Never Knew It"

TWO BOYS were in school tether. Shortly after one of the boys took sick and passed away. After his death, his parents received the following letter from the one who had been his school mate, but whom they had never seen.

“I owe it to your son,” the letter read, “what I never can express. He led me to God, and yet he never knew it. The way was this: “A good many of us slept in the same dorm at school, and I slept next to your son. I wondered why sometimes when I was longer in going to sleep, I heard him rise from his bed and go to the chair on which he laid his clothes. I found out why — it was to pray. So quietly and simply did he do this — no show about it — that I felt it go to my heart. He taught me to think and pray. How I loved him! How I bless God for him!”

Memory Verse: “BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD WILL NOT IMPUTE SIN.” Rom. 4:8

ML-08/05/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 11:4

“AS REMARKED earlier Numbers gives us the journeys of the children of Israel in the wilderness and alas, their continual murmurings and rebellion. But this history only exalts God for it shows His patience and grace towards His people. How wonderful to read at the end of that journey, “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel.” Num. 23:21.

After three days journey Israel complained of weariness and we have the beginnings of that work of unbelief in the hearts of the faithful. They had forgotten that song of perfect deliverance they had sung on the banks of the Red Sea when they saw their enemies dead on the sea shore. For when it is necessary to march through a desert where there is neither water nor a highway, where one must depend entirely upon God for everything, then the flesh begins to get weary and to think of enjoyments it had in Egypt.

A Christian through being in God’s presence will often grow weary of the evil of the flesh and this proceeds from the love of Christ in him. This sort of weariness God delights to relieve so that one does not grow slack in His work nor does he yield to temptation.

Israel complained and “it displeased the Lord,” for in their complaining they really were rejecting Him. They despised Him though it took the form of weeping (v. 4, 10). When we allow the flesh to become active in us, we are weary of the way and the Lord is set aside. This the flesh ever does. God takes care of everything, but the flesh only finds weariness and breaks out into complaining.

God allowed the fire to burn among the people in order to bring them back to Himself. They humbled themselves and Moses interceded for them, so that God could continue His mercy toward them. But there were apparently many among them whose hearts were yet in Egypt. “The mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting.” Doubtless these were strangers, hangers-on who had accompanied them out of Egypt when those fearful blows of God’s judgment fell on that doomed land. But they were not of Israel, and God had put a difference between Israel and the Egyptians (Ex. 11:7).

For our journey home to heaven we have need of but little; and, in fact, the lighter our baggage is the easier will be our march. God does not give us that which would attach us to this world of sin, but only what is necessary for the journey toward Canaan. But the worldly-minded are not content with this provision for as seen in “the mixed multitude” they have no hope of heaven (Canaan), they have no inheritance there.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts

My daily thanks employ;

Nor is the least a cheerful heart

To taste those gifts with joy.

Through every period of my life

Thy goodness I’ll pursue;

The desert past, in glory bright

The precious theme renew.

Through all eternity to Thee

A joyful song I’ll raise;

But, oh, eternity’s too short

To utter all Thy praise.

ML-08/05/1973

Fred Arnot and the African Boy

FRED ARNOT, the missionary, was one day traveling through the African jungle. He was tired and thirsty after walking many miles, so he entered into a hut to rest a little while.

The native children gathered around and gazed with deep wonder at the missionary, for they had never seen a white man before. Mr. Arnot had a sweet smile which won the hearts of many of the children. They came closer, encouraged by his smile, and at last one little fellow drew nearer than the rest and in his own artless manner he gave expression to his puzzled mind.

“White man,” said the little fellow, “please tell me what river you wash in, and can I wash there too?”

This opened up a subject dear to the missionary’s heart, so He explained to those little African boys and girls that the color of our skin doesn’t make any difference with God, but the color of our hearts. A white man’s heart may be just as black as an African’s, but when cleansed with the blood of Jesus an African Christian’s heart will be just as white and pure as that of a white Christian. But he went on to tell that only the blood of Jesus can wash away sin’s stains, and the longer we go on in sin, the blacker our hearts will get.

“For skins of every color

From lands between the poles,

Are welcome to God’s heaven

If they have blood-washed souls.”

The missionary told the little African boys and girls that they should not seek to have skin as white like the white man, but that they should seek to have their souls made whiter than any white man’s skin by believing in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and being cleansed in His precious blood.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though yours sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.

Jesus died for little children,

All the children of the world:

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in His sight;

Jesus died for all the children of the world.

ML-08/12/1973

A Good Soldier

THREE boys were having fun playing in the woods one afternoon. Suddenly one of them left off playing.

“I have forgotten something,” he said. “I forgot to pray this morning; you must wait for me.” He went into a quiet corner of the woods and kneeling down he prayed. Returning to the others he was soon merrily engaged in the game.

That brave boy grew up to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and not ashamed of His service. What a privilege to serve in the ranks of the great Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus, our Saviour.

ML-08/12/1973

A Wise Little Sparrow

A LADY living in a big city told this true story. A baby sparrow had fallen into a window well, and being unable to fly, it could not get out. The mother bird was at the top, looking down with pity and alarm at what seemed a hopeless plight of perhaps her only child. Many and ingenious were the attempts of both the mother and the baby sparrow to get him out of his dungeon. But all proved futile.

The lady looked on with considerable interest, mixed with fear and anxiety less the mother might fly away and desert her child. But no! her mother love would not give up. Each new effort seemed to be defeated in one way or another. At last the intelligent little mother flew away and returned with a straw in her beak and rested for a few sends on the edge. The lady looked on with delight when the little baby after a chirp or two from its mother, learning the particulars no doubt of the project, took a hold of the end of the straw in its beak. The little mother pulled valiantly, straining and struggling, while the baby bird fluttered and climbed. Finally it was out of its dungeon and as the two little birds sat there together it would be hard to tell which one was the happiest.

Sparrows are counted of little value in this world. In the Lord’s day two were sold for a farthing and five for two farthings — one thrown in for good measure—in the market. But in our day they are counted as worthless and a nuisance. Yet in spite of their worthlessness, they are loved and watched over by God and not one falls to the ground without His tender eye looking down upon it in pity.

The Lord Jesus tells us, “Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7.

The Psalmist could say, “The sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of host, my King, and my God.” If the little birds find a resting place in His presence, may not we? Indeed we can, dear young reader. “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” (Matt. 11:28) are the words of the blessed Saviour to sinners everywhere.

Memory Verse: “O LORD..., BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN THEE.” Psa. 84:12

ML-08/12/1973

Charles' Thoughts

Father — Charles, would you not like to go and live with one of your aunts or uncles?

Little Charles — No, Daddy, no. I would rather live here.

Father — But your aunts and uncles are very kind.

Charles — Yes, I know they are very kind, and I like to go and see them, but I don’t want to live with them always.

Father — You wish then to live with us at home, Charles? How long would you like to live at home?

Charles — I should like to live with you and Mommy until Jesus comes.

ML-08/12/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 11:5-15

“THE CHILDREN of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: but now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, besides this manna, before our eyes.”

They had complained before, but this was worse. In despising the manna they despised the grace of God; they were blind to all the gracious goodness He had shown toward them. They seek something else than God gave them as the most suited and perfect food for the way. How sad it would be if God were to give His people some food which would attach them to earth. But God in His perfect wisdom gave them manna from heaven, for in spite of their complaining and despising “when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.”

Israel remembered the fish, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic of Egypt — things of earth enjoyed there — but they foot the slavery, the bricks and the lashes. Satan does not bring to our remembrance the miseries of this world, but that which the flesh delights to indulge in. But God in His love does not give that which would cause us to settle down and be happy here and at the same time forget that we are in the wilderness and only marching through it.

When the manna fell each morning it was a token of God’s loving remembrance of His people. If He had, say, given the manna just once a month, He would have shown His love but once, not every day. But God shows us moment by moment how much He loves us, and the believer receives His gifts while loving the One who gives them. If we are not content to see the manna every morning, we really despise His love. May we know more and more what it is to be wholly dependent on God. Moses was both displeased and discouraged by the people’s murmurings and here he failed in faith. The responsibility of carrying the burden of such a multitude on his shoulders was too much for him. He said, “I am not able to bear all this people alone.” But the Lord did not ask him to do so. Surely God was able. Could not Moses trust Him and find in Him all the strength and wisdom needed for his task. We may blame Moses in this, but how many there are who will not trust the Lord for salvation, and many when saved cannot trust Him for their daily needs. But, “the Lord is good, happy is the man who trusteth in Him.”

Moses forgot that the difficulty was before God, and that it concerned Him. The disciples in the ship tossed in the midst of the waves were afraid, but could they perish if they were with Jesus? God will never give us more to do than we can with His strength. God had said to Moses, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Ex. 33:14. Surely if he had realized that the Lord was with him, and had been enjoying the rest which His presence gives, he would not have complained of the burden. God can do without any of us, but He gives us the precious privilege of serving Him. Then may we never complain of the burden He gives us to bear, nor feel we have too hard a task, for “God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” 2 Cor. 9:8.

ML-08/12/1973

Brave Ben

BOYS—and girls too for that matter-are always moved by an act of heroism or courage, and it is easy to see why the class at school was hushed and still during this scene.

Ben and Chris were two boys in the same class at school. One day when they were in the schoolroom alone together some firecrackers went off. Now the teacher had strictly forbidden anyone to bring firecrackers into the school, and he immediately demanded which one of the boys had done the deed. Chris denied it. Ben would neither admit nor deny it, and as a result he was severely punished for his obstinacy.

When the boys got alone again, Chris asked: “Ben, why didn’t you say you didn’t do it?”

“Because there were only us two, and one of us must have lied,” said Ben.

“Then why not say I did it?” asked Chris.

“Because you said you didn’t, and I wanted to spare you even though you were telling a lie,” answered Ben.

Chris’ heart was melted. Ben’s moral gallantry subdued him. When the class was assembled again, Chris, the young culprit, marched up to the teacher’s desk and said, “Please, sir, I can’t bear to be a liar. I let off the firecrackers,” and then he burst into tears.

The teacher’s eyes moistened as he looked upon the young self-accuser, and as he thought of the undeserved punishment he had inflicted upon Ben, of whose guilt in the matter he had no real proof, his conscience was smitten. Then before the whole class, hand in hand with the guilty Chris, as if he and the boy were joining in the confession, the teacher walked down to where Ben sat and said aloud in the hearing of all the class; “Ben, my boy, Chris and I ask your forgiveness; we are both to blame!”

The class was hushed and still, as men and women in older schools are apt to be when something true and noble is being done — so still, you might almost have heard Ben’s tears dropping on his book, as he sat enjoying the moral triumph which subdued himself as well as all the rest. Then, from want of something else to say he gently exclaimed, “Hurray for teacher!” in which the rest of the class joined, and the tears flowed down the teacher’s cheeks again.

The Lord Jesus took our place and bore the punishment we deserved. He had no sin of His own to answer for. We were the guilty ones, but He took our place and died in our stead, because He loved and pitied us.

The teacher could not punish Chris for he had already punished Ben. And God will not nor can He punish a sinner for whom Christ has died. Those who have put their trust in Jesus as their Saviour are freely pardoned. God sees them as sinless now in His sight, made so by that precious blood which washes whiter than snow.

ML-08/19/1973

Min Tung

MIN WAS just a poor dirty hungry little Chinese boy. His parents were dead and he had no friends, no home, no food, and no money. For four days he had little to eat and had walked twenty miles into the town of Linying. He felt sick and sad and wanted to go to sleep and never wake up again. For a time he had been a slave boy to his elder brother. But when war and famine came to the country Min often had nothing to eat. Finally his brother sent him away for good.

Sick, hungry and sad he had fin ally reached the town and creeping into the corner of the temple he lay down to sleep, wishing he might never wake up.

Two dear Christian men, Mr. Wang and his friend Mr. Duncan, came walking along the road. Everywhere they saw people starving. The missionaries had opened camps where they might feed children.

Suddenly they saw the little bundle in the corner of the temple and discovered poor Min, thin, cold, but fast asleep. They felt so sorry for him that they picked him up and carried him back to their home. For the first time in his life Min slept in a bed with white sheets and never had he tasted such good food. What if he were to wake and find it was all a dream?

Then they took him over to the camp where he began to learn about the Lord Jesus. Young Min was a bit deaf so he sat in a front seat. When the missionary spoke and said, “God loves us” Min was puzzled because he had never known what love was in all his life.

Then one day he saw Mrs. Duncan playing with her little baby daughter. She was making such a fuss of her little one and Min could not understand, not ever having been shown any love in his little life time. “Look how she loves that little girl,” he said. But then lowering his head he added, “I haven’t anyone to love me.” A Christian Chinese lady put her arms around him and said, “Don’t say that, Min. We all love you. And don’t you remember that God loves you and that Jesus died for you?” Min began to think about it.

One Sunday evening they had a song service in their little hall. They only had a tiny oil lamp for light and no hymn books, but Mr. Duncan had taught the boys and girls to memorize the hymns. On this occasion instead of all singing together, the boys and girls were called on, each one of them, to come and sing a hymn. If someone was too nervous or shy, two could sing together. “But,” the missionary said, “unless you mean what you sing, do not sing at all, for singing hymns is like talking to God.”

Then Mr. Duncan asked, “Is there anyone here who has trusted the Lord Jesus, and finds it hard to tell someone? Can you sing it?” Slowly a young Mohammedan girl whose father had died in the famine made her way to the front and sang: O, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee: O, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.

There was a pause and then from the darkness of the back of the room came a boy and stepped up on the platform. It was Min. He seemed so different. His face was shining. He said to the missionary, “I’m not much of a singer, but if you’ll help me I would like to sing ‘Jesus Loves Me.’ "

The missionary never forgot that night when with his arm around Min’s shoulders he helped him to sing, “Jesu Ai Ngo — Jesus Loves Me.”

We wonder where Min is now and if he is still alive. For today all the missionaries have been driven out of China. For when the Communists conquered the country they would not allow the teachers to continue telling the people about the Lord Jesus. Now the work must be carried on by native Christians. Many have already suffered and died for their faith.

We can pray for many boys and girls in China just like Min who do not know what it means to be loved by God or anyone else. How sweet to think that boys and girls, and older folks too, who love the Lord Jesus will one day all be in heaven around Him, and we believe Min will be there too. We hope our dear reader will be there — saved now to sing the Saviour’s praise forever.

ML-08/19/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 11:16-30

MOSES was downcast and discouraged by the complaining and unbelief of the people. Their unbelief seems to have infected even God’s trusted servant. But the trials of the wilderness only bring out what is in our hearts while at the same time they reveal the wonderful grace and goodness of the heart of God.

God did not rebuke Moses here but He did take him at his word. The honor He had put upon Moses he would have to share with others. He told Moses to gather seventy elders of Israel to the tabernacle and He would take some of the Spirit which was upon Moses and put it upon them. “And they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”

He also told Moses that on the morrow He was going to give the people flesh to eat, not just for one day but for a whole month, until it became loathsome to them. They had despised God saying, “Who shall give us flesh to eat?... for it was well with us in Egypt.”

But Moses’ sad unbelief comes out here. He reasoned: “How could God give enough meat to feed 600,000 men for a month in the wilderness. Shall all the flocks and herds be slain to satisfy them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be caught for them?” Instead he ought to have said, “God who gives us bread from heaven every day can easily give us meat too if He pleases.”

How patient was the Lord with His failing servant. He said: “Is the Lord’s hand waxed short? Thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee or not.” Unbelief says, See first, believe after. But faith believes first and sees afterward. The Lord said to Martha, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” John 11:40.

Moses gathered the seventy elders together and the Lord came down in a cloud and spoke to him. “And He took of the Spirit that was upon Moses and gave it to the seventy elders.” And it came to pass, that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.” Two of these men, Eldad and Medad, remained in the camp; however, the Spirit rested upon them and they also prophesied.

Moses’ servant, Joshua, a young man full of zeal and jealous for his master’s honor, thought Moses should forbid these two men. He thought only Moses should prophesy. But it seems this jealousy of his servant recalled Moses to the grace in which he stood for he manifested a very lovely spirit here. Delighted to see the work of God’s Spirit in His people, wherever they were, he said as it were, “Are you jealous for me? I wish all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that He would put His Spirit upon them all.”

We should covet this lovely spirit of Moses for this looked on to our time, even now, when God has gathered together in one all His people and has given His Spirit to dwell in each. Perhaps He has given some to see things more clearly than others, but it is only grace that enables us to walk in the truth. Some are in a wrong position no doubt, but let us not hinder in any way their service for the Lord. They are dear to God, and we ought to rejoice to see Christ preached. The work is His and He is sovereign in using whomsoever He will.

It was a day of failure and weakness and Moses felt His own weakness in the midst of it all, but he was enabled to rise above it and joy in the Lord. May we know more of the sweetness of this peace and joy in our day.

Memory Verse: “CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED FOR US,... WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE.” 1 Peter 2:21,24

ML-08/19/1973

The Indian and His Dog

IN WESTERN Pennsylvania years ago there lived a farmer with a large family of children. One day little Derrick, just four years old and the youngest of the family, went into the woods nearby and was lost. This was a great sorrow to them all, especially the father and mother.

Getting several neighbors to help him, the father went into the woods searching for the boy. All day they searched without success. When night came on the neighbors went home, but the father refused to go. Getting a lantern he determined to spend the night hunting for his child, but when morning came still the little fellow was missing. Then the father went home to get something to eat before starting out again.

Just as he was getting ready to go an Indian friend who lived in the neighborhood called to see him. The Indian had a fine and intelligent dog and hearing the story of the lost boy, he asked the farmer for the shoes and stockings which little Derrick had worn last. Holding them out to his dog he said, “Chief, I want you to smell these and then go into the woods and try to find the boy who wore them.”

Chief looked at his master for a moment and taking two or three sniffs at the shoes and stockings he started off into the woods.

Knowing they could not keep up with the dog the farmer and the Indian decided they would sit on the porch until he came back. As they sat there they could hear him barking every little while. In about an hour from the time he left, Chief came running back wagging his tail and looking very bright and happy.

“There,” said the Indian, “he has found your boy. Let us go with him.”

They followed Chief and sure enough they found poor little Derrick almost dead with cold and hunger, lying at the foot of a big tree.

What a happy day that was to the farmer and his family. And how thankful little Derrick was to be back home. How much indebted they felt to that Indian and his fine dog, Chief, for the kindness he had done them.

Derrick is like many a little boy and girl, and older ones too, who have strayed away and gotten lost. In Luke 15 we read of the Lord Jesus as the good Shepherd who came to seek and to save that which was lost. “He goeth after that which is lost, until He find it.” The sheep’s need is urgent. Little Derrick was nearly gone when they found him. And how many are perishing out in the cold and darkness of this world!

The shepherd yearns over the lost sheep and the wanderer has no idea what is in his heart. For the blessing is only tasted when the loving Shepherd and the poor lost one meet face to face. The Shepherd died for the sheep. He gave His life a ransom for many. He shed His blood for the remission of sins.

When the good Shepherd has found the lost one, what does He do? “He layeth it on His shoulders rejoicing.” That is, He takes the entire responsibility of the safety of the sheep. He holds it up and keeps it by His almighty power. The sheep is on the shepherd’s shoulders—put there and kept there by him. How precious this is! What perfect safety!

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:6,7.

Memory Verse: “I CAME NOT TO CALL THE RIGHOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE.” Luke 5:32

ML-08/26/1973

Three Golden Sieves

Old Grandma Becker was a nice old-fashioned sort of lady;

She’d always some kind and pleasant word for everybody ready.

And when she gave her friends a little advice ’twas in a way so clever

They could but take it patiently, and love her more than ever.

She used to say in her odd way that what we said to others

Should first go through three golden sieves she called her “sifting brothers.”

Now these same golden sieves of hers, perhaps you’d like to handle.

They’re three short questions you must ask before you gossip scandal.

First, “Is it true?” for, if ’tis not, of course the matter ceases;

Then, “Is it kind?” and would you like to be thus pulled to pieces?

Then, “Is it needful?” last of all, if it has passed the others;

Now, what do you think of Grandma Becker and her three “sifting brothers?”

I’ll tell you what I think myself — I like her honest teaching,

And shouldn’t mind how much we have of just her sort of preaching;

For if we listened such advice would save a deal of railing,

And give us time for better themes than other people’s failings:

To aunts and uncles, cousins dear, come sisters, wives or mothers,

Let’s go to Grandma Becker’s shop, and buy three “sifting brothers.”

ML-08/26/1973

A Brave Dog

A SMALL ship was driven onto the rocky beach and stranded. The surf was rolling furiously and before long the great waves would pound the little craft to pieces. Eight poor sailors were crying for help, but no boat could be got off to their assistance.

Just then a man came strolling along the beach accompanied by his fine Newfoundland dog. Seeing the sailors’ distress, he put a short stick in the dog’s mouth and then directed his attention to the stranded ship. The intelligent and courageous fellow at once understood and springing into the sea he fought his way through the waves.

However, he could not get close enough to the ship to deliver what he had in his mouth. But the crew joyfully tied a rope to another piece of wood and threw it towards him. The dog saw the whole business; in an instant he dragged it through the surf and delivered it to his master. A line of communication was thus formed, and every man on board was rescued from a watery grave.

What a brave intelligent dog he was! He might have been decorated with a medal, but a good deed is its own reward; and his master’s praise abundantly compensated him.

Let us be on the watch for human wrecks too, and try to rescue others from the ruin to which sin exposes them. The Bible carries within it lifebelts and ropes for all who are drowning in life’s troubled sea. It points to a Saviour who is willing and able to save all who have faith to trust Him. The gospel is the lifeline by which thousands of souls, shipwrecked on the sea of life, going down to death and judgment, to perish in the waves of eternal damnation, have been landed safely on the shores of everlasting salvation.

“They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses... He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:28-31.

Throw out the Life-Line to danger-fraught men,

Sinking in anguish where you’ve never been:

Winds of temptation and billows of woe

Will soon hurl them out where the dark waters flow.

Soon will the season of rescue be o’er,

Soon will they drift to eternity’s shore,

Haste then, my brother! no time for delay,

But throw out the Life-Line, and save them to-day.

ML-08/26/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 11:31-35

ISRAEL in their unbelief had sunk 1 down to the level of the mixed multitude — the strangers who had followed them out of Egypt and lusted. They were really in heart looking back into Egypt, like Lot’s wife, escorted by the angels from the doomed cities of the plain. An object of mercy and grace, surrounded by angelic care still her heart went back to Sodom. She neither appreciated the goodness of God in sparing her nor did she believe that the threatened judgment upon Sodom was so near at hand. She looked back, and she became “a pillar of salt” — a standing witness of the folly of unbelief. How solemn for our days are the words of the Lord Jesus: “Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32.

It is a solemn thing to consider that if in unbelief we insist on having something, God may give it to us. But often there is a vast difference between God’s mind and what He allows. Perhaps a young Christian might desire something which the Lord knows would not be good for him. Where the heart is not humble one might even persist in prayer for it, till at length God may allow him to have what he sought after. But it is only to reap the sorrow that comes from self-will and the heart insisting on having its own way.

So it was with Israel. God showed that He was able to supply the people with flesh as He had said. He sent a wind which brought the quails from the sea in countless numbers.

When quails migrate it is said, they do not seem to be able to fly against the wind, so they wait for a favorable breeze. After a lengthy flight they become tired and can be easily knocked down or captured. On this occasion the quails flew two cubits or about three feet above the earth, and they fell in thick heaps all around the camp, so the people gathered them in great quantities. They gathered them greedily all day and all night, and all the next day. They forgot the warning of the Lord — and while they were greedily eating the meat, but forgetting the mighty One who sent it, the Lord struck them with a very great plague, so that many of them died. God was displeased with them for their unbelief.

How much better had it been if they had ceased their murmurings and humbled themselves before God. But alas, in spirit they were far from God and they took their own way, as if they knew better than He did what was good for them. No doubt they flattered themselves at His answer to their request. But it was a sorrowful answer He sent them. “He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psa. 106:15.

And Moses called the place Kibroth — hattaavah, which means “the graves of lust,” because there they buried the people who lusted, that is, who wished for the meat and melons of Egypt. And they left this place of their sin and sorrow, and traveled on to Hazeroth. Surely Israel’s lessons in the wilderness were written for our learning.

ML-08/26/1973

Ahmed

AHMED was a tall handsome Indian boy with jet black hair, and he lived in Natal, Africa. A missionary had just addressed a crowd of Indian students, and after the meeting was over, Ahmed stayed behind for a chat. In his early life they had lived across the road from a big temple and every day hundreds of people came to place their offerings at the feet of the god.

Ahmed and his mother had often been there too to place a gift in the shrine. There was one ugly little god especially for the children. Ahmed would place his gifts before the idol and quietly steal away. All the idols were very ugly with eyes that looked in every direction, but their garments were the most costly silks and satins adorned with jewels.

The priest, however, was very dirty and untidy, and some of his front teeth were missing.

On feast days Ahmed would sit with thousands of others and watch this little priest stick a fork through his tongue. When Ahmed asked his mother why he did that she told him it would please the god of the temple. Ahmed wondered about all these things and asked his parents many questions but their answers never seemed to satisfy him.

One day Ahmed went down to a little hall at the end of the street where white people held services. Their message seemed so different from what he had heard all his life, for they talked about God and Jesus. The speakers were not dirty like the priest of the temple nor did they stick forks in their tongues. Ahmed wondered if he should bring a gift but the missionary told him that the best gift he could bring was himself — to place himself, a sinner, at the feet of the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. At first Ahmed could not understand. The white preacher talked about God, but where was He? He couldn’t see Him, like the gods he was used to all his life.

Then one day the white man surprised him and told him they were to have a special meeting at another place where only Indians would be present. And he said, “Ahmed, I want you to come.” There was to be a special speaker from a far distant land. When the day arrived Ahmed was there with 80 more Indian stents.

All through the meeting Ahmed’s eyes were glued on the man on the platform. The speaker talked about the gods of the temple and said they were no gods at all. “They are only carved out of wood. And when you put your gift before the god, after you’re gone the priest comes and takes your gift for himself. It’s no use for a priest to stick a fork through his tongue, for the god cannot see what you are doing.”

These were the very things that Ahmed had been thinking about over many months. He had had a secret longing in his heart but now he realized that deep down in his heart he wanted to know and love the true God. The man on the platform talked as if the true God was his friend. The speaker went on.

“There is only one true God, and He did something very wonderful for us.” Then he 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.”

The speaker talked about Jesus and told of how when he was just a boy in his own country he found Him as his Saviour and Friend. He said, “I do not need an idol to rind me of Him, for He now lives in my heart. Every day He talks to me and tells me He loves me. He guides me too in what I should do. He is my very wonderful Friend.”

“The Lord Jesus wants to be your Friend too, he told them,” and Ahmed’s eyes were shining. When the meeting was over he waited for the speaker to come down from the platform and then very timidly he said, “Sir, I would like the Lord Jesus to be my Friend.”

How pleased the preacher was to hear this and as he sat and talked with Ahmed he led him to Christ. Again he opened his Bible and pointed to the great verse in John chapter 3: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever,...” “Ahmed, do you know the meaning of that long word?”

“Yes, sir, it means anybody, everybody; it means me. I can believe on the Lord Jesus, and then He will be my Friend.”

The preacher prayed while Ahmed bowed his head. That afternoon Ahmed found the Saviour, and then he realized that the Saviour had been seeking him for a long time. When he bid good-bye to the servant of Christ his eyes were shining with happiness. He had found the true God, he had found the real Saviour — the Lord Jesus Christ.

ML-09/02/1973

She Didn't Want Him - At First!

“AND TO think that at first I didn’t want him!” sighed Mrs. Mascarella, with tears in her eyes, as she looked at the lifeless form of Jiggs — a little mongrel dog she had made a friend of a few weeks before.

Jiggs was found dead beside Lucy’s bed. Lucy was the youngest of seven children who were aroused by Jiggs when the house caught fire. Jiggs first aroused Mrs. Mascarella, and then each of the seven children. They all escaped but poor Jiggs.

Yet the honest confession about the dog who saved them was one of dislike, for Jiggs was only a poor, stray, mongrel dog.

How many today dislike the lowly name of Jesus and speak of Him with scorn! Yet He is the One who died upon the Cross to save sinners from the judgment of God against their sins. Jesus is the only Saviour — the only Refuge from the coming storm — our Deliverer from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10.)

How are you treating this blessed Saviour, dear boy or girl?

“He is despised and rejected of men;... 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.” Isa. 53:3,5.

“And 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.

Memory Verse: “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” John 1:29

ML-09/02/1973

The Little Boy's Gift

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes... And Jesus took the loaves;... and likewise the fishes.” John 6:9,11.

’Twas only a small boy’s basket,

And a small boy’s love for Him;

But the gift with the love,

Moved a power above,

And thousands were fed by Him.

“Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any.” Job 36:5.

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8.

ML-09/02/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 12:1-10

IN THE last chapter God had taken of His Spirit and put it upon the seventy elders, but He never spoke to them as He spoke to Moses who, He says, was faithful in all His house (v. 7). Now an occasion comes, in which the Lord showed that He would honor the one who had honored Him.

God knows all that is in our hearts. If evil and unbelief be there unjudged, it is His way to bring it out so that we might judge it in His presence and separate from it.

“Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married.” Miriam, who had watched over and cared for her little brother long before when he was a tiny babe, had been honored by the Lord and she is called a prophetess in Exodus 15:20. It was she who led the women in that wonderful song of praise to Jehovah on the banks of the Red Sea when Israel saw all their enemies dead on the seashore. But now in a spirit of self-exaltation she fails and drags her brother Aaron down with her. They said, “Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses? hath He not spoken also by us?” How far removed this was from the lovely spirit of Moses who just a little while before had said, “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets.” But decline had set in and it is evident that Miriam and Aaron in their pride would make themselves equal with Moses, which thing could only take from him that pre-eminent place of leadership God had given him.

The fact that Moses had taken a Gentile wife was in their eyes a lowering of his dignity. He was no higher than they, perhaps lower, and so they no longer looked up to him or recognized his God-given place.

It seems that Miriam was the leader in this uprising, though Aaron ought to have been the one to check her evil thought; but he did not. She was not subject to the Lord whose ways of grace she did not understand. God has said, “Do My prophets no harm” (Psa. 105:15), so this occasion is a solemn warning to us of how God hears every word of reproach or unkindness against any of His servants and He will surely judge it.

“And the Lord heard it.” Moses never said a word, for had he undertaken his own defense it would only have hindered God’s coming in and dealing with Aaron and Miriam. What a lesson for us here! Moses is silent, God takes up the case for His servant; and “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31.)

God commanded the three to come out to the tabernacle and then He came down and stood in the door of the tabernacle. Then He said unto Aaron and Miriam: “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth,... and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall He behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

God was angry with them and when He departed, behold, Miriam was a leper, white as snow. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb. 10:31.

ML-09/02/1973

Sandhu

AN OLD sadhu, or holy man, trudged along the road in Pakistan one day. He carried a stick and a small pack containing his few belongings.

When he came to a village he would stop, put down his pack, take out one of his books and, calling the people to come and hear, he would read to them and then beg for money and food.

One day he stopped at a small village and clapping his hands he called aloud to people to come and listen. A small crowd soon gathered, and he began to read to them. The Book he had selected to read for this occasion happened to be a Bible — not that it meant any more to him than any of the rest of his books.

He read the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The people, most of whom could not read, had never heard this story before.

In the group was a young man, Sandhu. He had had a burden on his heart for a long time, and when he heard these words of the Saviour he was overjoyed, for he felt the Lord Jesus was speaking directly to him. Sandhu opened his heart to the Saviour right then, and he became a faithful follower of that blessed One. He changed his name to Ghulam Masib, which means “Servant of Christ.”

Ghulam suffered much persecution, for his people were angry when they learned he had become a Christian. His wife left him and never came back. Some of his children left too.

But he had one young son who loved his father very much and would not leave him. One day, like his father had done, this dear boy opened his heart to the Saviour and became a Christian too. What a comfort he was to Ghulam. They had many happy times together.

Then a missionary came along one day, much to Ghulam’s delight, and learning of his trials and persecutions he asked him if he was sorry he had become a Christian.

“Oh no,” replied Ghulam, “I am not sorry. I have great joy. Jesus my Saviour gives me only joy.”

Years have passed and Ghulam is an old man, and blind. But he hasn’t lost his joy. He attends the gospel services faithfully and his little grandson leads him by the hand to his seat. His face fairly shines with the joy of the Lord.

Now, dear reader, may “the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,” (Romans 15:13), just as He did dear Ghulam.

Memory Verse: “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” Romans 6:23

ML-09/09/1973

"I'd Rather Have Jesus!"

A FEW YEARS ago a wealthy society girl attended a gospel meeting and hearing, perhaps for the first time, about the Lord Jesus, took Him as her Saviour. When she went home from the meeting, she immediately told her parents of her new-found joy in the knowledge that her sins were forgiven.

But instead of rejoicing with her, those parents ridiculed their daughter, jeered at her and made fun of what she had done. When they saw that none of this affected her belief in Jesus they decided to try another means of attack. The wealthy father went out and bought her a new automobile, one that was especially attractive to a young person. As he handed her the keys, he said, “Young lady, this car is yours provided you won’t carry this Bible with you, or talk about Jesus, or go to places where they preach about Jesus.”

With the keys in her hand, she heard her father’s conditions. Then without hesitation she handed them back to her father, saying, “Thank you for the car, Dad, but I’d rather have Jesus.”

How wise that girl was. An automobile would give her pleasure for a little while but God’s salvation is for all eternity. And how unspeakably awful it would be to turn one’s back on God’s offer of mercy in favor of any of earth’s pleasures.

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

ML-09/09/1973

Saved Through a Dream

TINY is a little terrier dog who lives in England. Tiny loves to chase foxes. Only recently 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 offers 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 said 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.

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.

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

“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-09/09/1973

"He's Left All"

Two friends met on the street.

They had just heard of the sudden passing of a business man whom both had known, and who had possessed considerable wealth and property.

“How much has he left?” inquired one.

“He’s left all,” was the abrupt and unexpected reply.

Yes, and when you come to leave this world, dear unsaved reader, you will leave all — your friends, your home, your pleasures, your money, your all.

But wait a minute, there is something you would gladly leave bind, but which you cannot:

Your Guilty Sins

What you would take with you you cannot, and what you would give worlds on a death-bed to leave bind you, you cannot — YOUR SINS.

Not one forgotten by God, they will prove awkward companions at the judgment seat — the great white throne, Oh, now in mercy’s day, flee to the shelter of the blood — trust the Saviour who died on Calvary’s tree — the risen, exalted, glorified Saviour, and salvation is yours on the spot.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from ALL SIN.”

ML-09/09/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 12:11-16

THE SIGHT of the Lord’s judgment on Miriam humbles Aaron. When he sees his sister a leper white as snow, he seeks no longer to be equal with Moses, but calls him, “my lord.” “I beseech thee,” he says, “we have done foolishly... we have sinned... Let her not be as one dead.”

Thus far Moses had not uttered one word of rebuke or complaint; he did not even tell the Lord what Miriam and Aaron had said against him. And God says of him here that he was “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” He gave His devoted servant a place of still greater honor for He allowed him to intercede for the one who had injured him. “And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech Thee.”

God had chosen the meekest man on earth to be the ruler of His people, and how like the blessed One whom he foreshadowed Moses was! We cannot but be reminded here of Him who said: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls.” Matt. 11:29. Again we remember the Apostle’s words, when he would silence the flesh in some, “I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ...” (2 Cor. 10:2). Well may we take these words to heart, for “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.” Psa. 25:9.

God did heal Miriam, but she had to be shut out from the camp seven days, and Israel could not continue their journey until she was brought in again.

Miriam the prophetess and Aaron rising up against Moses foreshadows both prophet and priest in Israel rising up against Christ as King. Israel rejected her gentle monarch when He came in lowly grace and she is now suffering from the hand of God in judgment, shut out from her place of privilege and blessing — but to be restored in the coming day when her seven days are fulfilled.

Moses beseeching God for the one who had wronged him pictures to us the far more wonderful intercession of the Lord Jesus when in the midst of His awful sufferings on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

The two leaders had spoken against Moses because he had married one of the daughters of a Gentile, whose home was the desert. And Christ has chosen for Himself a Gentile bride. He found her in this desert world, He has espoused her to Himself, and soon He is coming to take her to His heavenly home. The grace that has gone out to poor Gentiles such as we only brought out the jealous hatred of the Jews, the chosen earthly race. They showed themselves to be the avowed enemies of the gospel of the grace of God going out to sinners everywhere. How precious to think of the love “which many waters could not quench and which the floods could not drown” — love that would not turn back but which persevered in spite of all men’s hatred and God’s wrath to have “that pearl of great price” — the Church — for His own glory and delight.

ML-09/09/1973

The Message on the Coin

FROM THE moving caboose I noticed a man standing beside the rails, his arm stretched out. We were riding slowly down the track in the Irving Railroad yard on a through-freight to Sherman.

As it was obvious he had something for us, as we approached I held out my hand. In it he left a small metal coin. I turned it over to look at both sides. I had never seen anything like it before. I was flabbergasted!

While in the Service I lived in sinful ways. Many times I wanted God, but I realize now I didn’t find Him because I wanted myself more. I didn’t want to give myself up.

Back in civilian life I began work on the Frisco Railroad. At this time I became very much depressed. One day it even occurred to me that suicide was the way out. I mulled it over, trying to think how to take my life without causing embarrassment to my family.

Then I met Utah Rogers. It was he who gave me the coin that day on the caboose. It had no monetary value but was covered with fine type. I read the words.

“Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21.

“My, my,” I said to myself, “this is really something!” I was kind of flabbergasted, you know. Yet at the same time I was encouraged.

That was the beginning. Utah Rogers began handing me coins and literature whenever he’d see me. I really didn’t know what to think of him. But I was interested in this type of individual because it seemed he knew what he was talking about. Besides, he was so sincere, kind and helpful.

I decided to change my way of life and try to play the role of a Christian. I went to church and took my family. I actually became one of the leaders in the church, but all the time I knew I wasn’t right.

Utah kept plugging away at me. Finally one day I decided to do what the coin advised, and call on the Lord Jesus Christ for help. I realized I had come to the end. There was nothing I could do to help myself, but the Lord Jesus had done it all for me. He was just waiting for me to give in to Him.

Do you know, as soon as I called on Him He came into my heart just as he said He would. I knew right then that I had eternal life and that I was saved. The load of guilt was lifted. My sins were gone forever.

It was a battle, but I had it out with the Lord and I have been a happy man ever since. He speaks to my heart as I read my Bible each day.

It’s the most wonderful thing in the world to have a Saviour and Friend like Jesus.

Utah and I are co-workers for the Lord on the Frisco and we want others to know and love Christ too, to possess eternal life.

On the railroad we don’t have a regular schedule, but we often stop what we are doing and say “Let’s gather around and give thanks to the Lord.”

I find there is real encouragement in this. My strength comes from the Lord.

The LORD is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1.

The Christian Railroader

ML-09/16/1973

Little Harry's Faith

A Christian mother had just tucked her little boy in bed and kissed him good-night. She lingered awhile at his bedside to tell him a Bible story. Harry was a good obedient boy but that day he had done something that grieved his mother. He had told her he was sorry and had asked her forgiveness. As she stooped down for the last kiss he asked, “Is it all settled, Mother?”

“Yes, Harry,” she replied; “it’s all settled with me; but have you settled it all with Jesus?”

“Yes, Mother," said little Harry. “I told him I was sorry. He has saved me and I know He has forgiven me,” and his little face lighted up with a sweet smile that showed the joy of the gospel in his heart so often hidden from the wise and prudent but often revealed to babes.

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

ML-09/16/1973

Preaching in the Hayfield

AN EARNEST gospel preacher was one day driving down a country road and passed a hayfield where a farmer was working. The farmer never attended any of the gospel services but the preacher stopped for a chat anyway.

Suddenly there was the far off rumble of thunder and black storm clouds began to blow up from the horizon. The farmer was greatly distressed lest his hay should get a soaking and was for rushing to the barn for a team when the preacher offered his horse for the work. The farmer declined, but the Christian man persisted, and pulling off his coat went to work, helping the farmer load the hay on his wagon. Just as they got to the barn the rain came pouring down.

The farmer took out his check book and said, “How much do I owe you, sir?”

“O nothing,” replied the preacher; “nothing at all.”

But the farmer insisted on paying him for his work.

“Well, my friend,” said the gospeler, “did you ever hear an Irishman preach?”

“No,” said the farmer.

“Well, you come to the gospel next Sunday and you’ll hear one. Come, and we’ll call it even.”

The farmer agreed, and for the first time in many years he sat under the preaching of the Word of God. He found out that the man who could pitch hay could preach the gospel too. He saw himself a sinner before God and was convicted.

But he bowed before the message of the love of the Saviour and of the grace that puts all our sins away. He believed it, to the eternal salvation and blessing of his soul.

ML-09/16/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 13:1-27

AFTER A year and some months in the wilderness Israel had reached Kadesh-Barnea, just on the border of the promised land. And what a good land it was! — a land flowing with milk and honey, type of the heavenly land — the glory which God has given to His people now and which we are soon to enter.

Apparently it was the people that urged Moses to send out spies to search the land, though here in our chapter the word seems to come from the Lord Himself. The plan received God’s sanction, and twelve men were appointed, one from each tribe, and two of them were Joshua and Caleb.

It is clear from Deuteronomy 1:21,22 That the proposal to send the spies came from the people, and not from God. Had He not said He would drive out the Canaanites? What need was there to search? Had He not said it was a good land? Could they not trust His word for it? But as we have seen earlier, unbelief was at work in the hearts of the people, and their leaders as well. And now at this point on the borders of the land they seem to think they have a right to judge for themselves and be independent of God.

God had said, “Go up and possess” the land. He did not say “search it.” Was He about to cease from going before them, and leave them to fend for themselves? No indeed; His faithfulness to His word remained unchanged. But the people say, We will send men to spy out the land. They would see for themselves, and find out if the land was as good as God had said it was. Even Moses seemed pleased with their proposal, but surely he ought not to have encouraged them in a path of unbelief. But the people’s will was disobedience, and disobedience is sin.

However, God heard the words of the people and now He would prove them. So He gives Moses the command, “Send thou men.” Sometimes when willfulness is apparent God allows men, and even His children, to have their own way, yet at the same time He always accomplishes His will in the end. He will always have the last word and be glorified. Yet when we assert our own wills, we only stand in the way of our own blessing.

The twelve men went up and for forty days they searched out the land. They found it to be just as the Lord had said — a marvelous land — a land flowing with milk and honey. It was the time of the first-ripe grapes and they brought back from Eshcol a bunch of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it on a staff. They also brought back pomegranates and figs. Truly God’s word is true. What He promises He is able to perform. He never misrepresents nor exaggerates. And all He has told us of the heavenly Canaan to which the saints of God are journeying, we will find true to the ‘letter when we get there, for “All the promises of God in Him [Christ] are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Cor. 1: 20. Only He gives us a foretaste of that heavenly glory now, just as the men carried back those magnificent grapes of Eshcol. They speak of Christ the true Vine, who lives in that glory, and of all the fruits of His love, their sweetness and joy which gladden our hearts and make us long to be with Him there.

ML-09/16/1973

Flowers - Beware!

THERE IS in the Himalaya Mountains certain flowers whose odors make travelers fall into a very relaxed sleep. To neutralize and guard themselves, the people of the country have another plant that they carry with them.

This flower is a magnificent plant with a seductive thorn. But you cannot pass nor be among these flowers without being attacked by a dangerous sleep. They are not poisonous, but those that fall into this sleep die at the end of about twelve days, not because they are poisoned, but only from the lack of food and water.

Such is the effect also of the pleasures of this world. It might be that there is nothing bad in these pleasures themselves, but they cause the soul to sink into a sleep towards the realities of spiritual things. Thus, the real needs of the soul are neglected and the end can be tragic.

The remedy for this is found in the Word of God. Here we find water to quench our thirst and Christ — the bread of life to satisfy our hunger. Here also we find warning as to the pleasures of this world and their seductive influences.

AWAKE — “thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Eph. 5:14.

DRINK — “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” John 4:14.

EAT — “Jesus said... I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger.” John 6:35.

ML-09/16/1973

Dixie's Ten Cents

IN BOSTON one day a pale-faced little girl walked hurriedly into a bookstore and said to the man at the counter: “Please, sir, I want a book that’s got ‘Suffer little children to come unto Me’ in it; and how much is it, sir? I’m in a great hurry.”

The bookseller looked down at the little child and taking her thin hand in his said, “What do you want the book for, my dear, and why are you in such a hurry?”

“Well, sir, I went to Sunday School last Sunday and the teacher read about the Good Shepherd who loved little children and who said those words. And the teacher told us about a beautiful home where He takes care of His little children and makes them all happy, and I want to go there.”

“But why are you in such a hurry?” he asked her again.

“Because I may not be here very long and besides, she went on, “the lady that takes care of me, if she knew I was going to spend my money that way, she’d take it away from me, so I’m in a hurry to buy the Book.”

The bookseller wiped his glasses and taking a Bible from the shelf he said kindly, “I’ll find you the words you want, my dear; listen while I read them.” Then turning to Luke 18:15, 16 he read: “And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” And then he told her about the Good Shepherd, how He came down from heaven to seek and to save the lost sheep; how He suffered and died for sinners that we might live, and he told her about the bright and beautiful home in heaven which He has prepared for all those who love Him.

“Oh how nice that is!” said the earnest little listener. “He says, ‘Come.’ I’d like to see Him.”

The kind Christian bookseller turned away to hide the tears that were running down his cheeks. “You can keep your ten cents,” he said, “but you come here every day and I’ll read to you some more out of this Book.”

The little girl thanked him and hurried away. The next day, and the next, and many days passed but the little child never came to hear about Jesus again. Some time after a coarse-looking woman came into the bookstore and addressing the bookseller said, “Dixie’s gone! She died talking about the Good Shepherd and she said that you were to have these ten cents for the missionary box at your Sunday school.”

Throwing the ten cents on the counter, she hurried out of the store.

The ten cents were put into the missionary box. Next Sunday the story of little Dixie was told to the Sunday school. So many hearts were touched that day that we believe some of the children came to the Saviour and devoted their lives to help finding out lost sheep and bringing them to the Lord Jesus.

“Suffer little children to come unto Me.” Luke 18:16.

“He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isa. 40:11.

ML-09/23/1973

The Best Bargain

JOHN WANAMAKER was known in his day as “the king of commerce” for having known how to make his businesses prosper with large profits. In his last years, he liked to remember which had been the most important purchase in his life. He went back to his childhood.

“In the course of my life, I have made hundreds of transactions and bought properties for million of dollars. But I made the most important purchase at eleven years old, when I was a little boy in the country. In the Sunday school I bought a small Bible for two dollars and seventy-five cents. I paid for it by working. And when I look back I see that it was that upon which my life was built. It has been the purchase that has been of longer-lasting value than any I have made.”

Dear reader, the Lord Jesus said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. If you treasure in your heart the Word of God not only will it be for your good in this life, but it will profit you through all eternity when the things of this life have passed forever.

“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 5:25.

ML-09/23/1973

Changed Joe

JOE, a hospital employee from among the poor lived in a shack. He was uneducated, not having gone to school more than a few months. His appearance was disreputable and he seemed very ungrateful.

But this unlearned employee dedicated himself to read the Bible. In 12 years he read it 160 times and besides he read the New Testament 300 times. He practically read no other book, paper, or magazine.

Such was the change that Joe might have been mistaken from what he was previously. His whole practical life changed. But, it was all due to reading of the Word of God — that which gives intelligence to the simple.

Little by little Joe became exceptionally useful in the laboratory, owing to the careful work he did. Then he worked in the pharmacy, where he became one of the best pharmacists.

The expression on Joe’s face changed completely, and that which had appeared impolite, dull, and unintelligent gave place to calmness, energy and certainty.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psa. 19:7.

“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psa. 119:130.

Dear reader, how much time do you spend reading the Bible?

ML-09/23/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 13:28-14:4

WHEN THE spies returned from searching the land they told Moses and Aaron and all the people: “We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.” The land was all that God said it was, they said, but they could never take possession of it because the obstacles were too great — insurmountable.

It was an evil report these spies brought back but even among them God had His faithful ones. Joshua and Caleb were men of faith, and Caleb stilled the people saying, “Let us go up at once,... we are able to overcome.”

The evil report of these men was not that they lied in saying the people were strong and their cities great, but it really was denying the power of God and His right to give the land to whoever He pleased. To them in their unbelief the land bonged to these giant-like men bore whom they themselves were but grasshoppers; what could they do? Instead had they been men of faith they would have remembered that these giants and walled cities were as grasshoppers before God. But they had not faith to trust in Him who had given them the land, and so they came under the fear of man. We read in Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” What bright opportunities and victories for faith we often lose through the fear of man! whereas faith is mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy (2 Cor. 10:4).

Then we read, “the congregation lifted up their voice again and cried, and the people wept that night,” but they wept not for sorrow but in their unbelief. They forgot about all past victories and the wonderful miracles God had wrought since they had left Egypt. They thought not of the grapes of Eshcol and the fruitful land flowing with milk and honey, but of the walled cities and the giant sons of Anak; they thought not of the promise of God but of the enemy’s power.

They refused to trust in the Lord but said, “Would God we had died in the wilderness.” And this literally came to pass for with the exception of Joshua and Caleb they all died in the wilderness. Sometimes God takes men at their word when they persist in their own way.

Furthermore “They said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” Such is the natural heart: if we do not go on with God the heart will go back to the world to satisfy its desires.

May we read in Israel’s failures in the wilderness what our own hearts are apt to be. We too are in the place of trial, for we are in the wilderness of this world and liable to the same failures and sins. Surely these lessons are more for us than God’s people of old, for us who have a better salvation. The same grace that met all their needs for those forty years flows out to us today in a richer and more blessed way since Christ has died and now lives for us as our great High Priest and Advocate above. May we learn the lesson of our own hearts and cling to the Lord until the wilderness is past and we are at home in His presence forever.

ML-09/23/1973

Different Roads

A TERRIBLE storm had descended and the ship seemed lost. Most of the passengers were terrified. Among them and one of the most fearful was an atheist. He had until now been trying to convert others to his convictions. God, eternal life, judgment after death — all these were ridiculous fables!

Not knowing to whom to go to for courage in this danger, he entered the cabin of a passenger who, in the face of the atheist’s unbelief had given testimony to a deep faith in God. He found him perfectly peaceful.

“Oh, Sir! tell me, what do you think?” he asked. “Don’t you think we are going to sink? We are only a step from a great disaster. How this boat rolls from one side to the other; we are going, aren’t we?”

“Yes, sir,” was the Christian’s answer to the miserable man, “we are going, but not by the same road.”

He that trusts in the Lord does not fear, even though he walks in the “valley of the shadow of death,” while for the ungodly, “Their way is their folly” (Psa. 49:13) and their end eternal perdition afar from the presence of God. But after death, all will believe. There won’t be any unbelievers in eternity for all will experience then the realities of what the Word of God speaks so plainly of now.

Reader, awake now to such solemn realities. Put your trust in the One who has made “Peace with God” as to the question of sin and judgment to come. Then the worst storm will never shake your peace.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psa. 23:4.

“These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matt. 25:46.

Memory Verse: “O TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD: BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN HIM.” Psalm 34:8.

ML-09/23/1973

Saved in the River

WALTER was a young fellow with a dear Christian mother, but of late he had been wandering from the good way he had been brought up in. No longer did he go to Sunday school, and in the summer time he generally spent his Sundays sailing on the river with his gay companions.

One Sunday morning the boat upset. Poor Walter could not swim and he went down in the deep water. As he rose to the surface for the last time, one of his friends seized hold of him and his cold, apparently lifeless body was brought ashore. He was carried home. Everything possible was done for his recovery, but for a long time it seemed uncertain whether he would live or not. There was a feeble heartbeat, just enough to keep hope alive.

His mother knelt by his bedside and prayed in her agony that her son might be spared at least until he could seek the Lord and find pardon. As she thus prayed, the cold hand she held in hers gave a feeble squeeze. The eyelids quivered a little but did not open. But after a while Walter gazed at his mother and said in a low whisper, “Mother, I’m saved.”

She supposed that he meant he was saved from drowning and so she responded, “Yes, dear, thank God you are saved.” Then in broken sentences, with long intervals between, Walter gave this remarkable experience: “Mother, I heard you praying. If I died you would have thought me lost; but I am saved. When I let go my hold on that boat, a thought flashed across my mind, ‘I am lost. I’m going into eternity with all my sins unpardoned.’ I lifted up my heart to heaven and said, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner! Lord, save me!’ I seemed to hear a voice distinctly say, ‘I will save you, trust Me.’ I’m sure it was the voice of Jesus. Then all my fear was gone. After that I knew nothing until I heard you praying for me. You would have mourned for me as lost: but, Mother, I’m saved.”

Time proved he was right. He recovered his health and strength, he gave up all his disobedient evil ways, and lived the life of an earnest and devoted Christian. How wonderful is the power of Jesus to save!

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

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

ML-09/30/1973

"No Children Allowed"

GEORGE and his mother lived in a couple of rooms in a busy section of the big city. They were very happy together until one day they were told that the house in which they lived was to be sold, and they would have to move. And so the poor mother began her weary round of going about from place to place, trying to find rooms where they could live. But over and over again she was asked, “Do you have any children?” And when she replied that she had one boy, she would receive the same answer, “Sorry, no children allowed here.”

So the days passed away and the time was drawing very near when George and his mother would have to move out. Still nothing was found.

One day, George came home from school and found his mother in tears. She was sad and worried and didn’t know what to do. George thought things over in his mind and soon decided what he would do.

The next morning his mother went off to work and George got ready for school as usual. But before going out, he wrote a note to his mother and left it on the kitchen table. It read: “Dear Mother: I’m going away from home, not because I don’t love you, but because you can’t find a place to live while you have me. I’ll come back to you when I’m grown up, and I’ll work hard and we’ll have a nice house to live in. Love, George.”

Then little George started out. But he didn’t get very far. In crossing a busy street, he was knocked down by a car and seriously injured. They took him to a hospital and called his mother. She came hurrying to his side, but George was so badly hurt that he was dying.

Just before he died, he said, “Mother, I’m going to the best Home of all — a home where they never say, ‘No children allowed,’ because Jesus said: " ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.’ " Mark 10:14.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a Place for you.” John 14:2.

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me, He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide.

He will wash away my sin,

Let a little child come in.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

ML-09/30/1973

Not Afraid

A YOUNG Christian girl in a very wealthy family was sick and had to stay in bed for many days. She seldom had anyone in the room with her at night. On one occasion she lay awake about midnight, the family were all asleep, and the house was very still. Suddenly the door of her room opened and a man walked softly in. He came towards her bed and then stopped a moment. Her little night lamp was shining on them both from the stand by her bedside. She did not scream or cry. The robber looked at this beautiful girl as she gazed on him with perfect calmness.

Lifting her finger and pointing solemnly towards heaven she said, “Do you know that God sees you?” The man waited a moment but made no reply. Then he turned, walked quietly away and disappeared.

The power of evil was there, but God’s Hand was there too. What a blessed thing it is too, to take hold of that Hand as that young lady did and feel the power of Jesus there to protect her. He who had power to raise Himself from the dead is present every moment of the day to comfort and protect His people.

ML-09/30/1973

Thank You

At the dinner table once a little girl closed her eyes and whispered, “Thank You, Thank You, THANK You.”

“What are you so thankful for, dear,” asked her mother. “For the nice dinner you had?”

“I was not just thinking about the dinner,” the little one replied, “but I was thanking Jesus for dying for me.”

Have you ever thanked Jesus for dying for you?

Can you say, “He was punished for my sin; the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me?” If you have never thanked Him, why not begin now?

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

ML-09/30/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 14:5-10

THE PEOPLE had lost the sense of the Lord’s goodness in giving them the land and when they thought of the difficulties that lay before them they gave way to despair. They refused to go forward. How weak was their state! And yet is it not so with us as Christians at times? If we lose sight of the glory and are not enjoying in our souls the blessed hope then we too become weak; the trials and difficulties of the way become too much for us and we give up.

It is a day when even saints of God are giving up on every hand; but may we not give up, dear young Christian. Let us press on with God.

If we have our eyes on heavenly things we will have also the sense that the Lord is with us, and this gives courage and strength to go on. May we know more of what it is to “rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” and not only so but to “glory in tribulations also.” (Rom. 5:2,3).

Not merely had the people lost the sense of the Lord’s goodness but in the wretched unbelief of their hearts they blamed Him for their troubles and difficulties. They said: “wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land to fall by the sword..?” vv. 2,3.

How sad this was, and yet our poor hearts are no better at times. Have there not been times when under trial our faith has failed, and while we confess that the Lord has saved us out of sin’s bondage, yet we have said these trials are the result of our becoming a Christian and of following Christ.

If Israel had been enjoying the Lord’s goodness and thoughts of that wonderful land He had given them, they would have said instead, “O how good of the Lord to bring us this far along the journey. Here we are only a step from Canaan, soon it will all be ours to enjoy with Him, and surely He who has brought us thus far will bring us the rest of the way.” And we too are nearing the end of the journey. At any moment the Lord may come and we shall be at home with Him in the glory land. Then let us not stop or turn back but go on with Christ.

But Israel stopped there and pretended they were concerned for their wives and children, who they said would be exposed to death. This was really only selfishness. As a matter of fact it was those little ones who were the objects of the Lord’s care; they were the ones He spared and brought into the land while their unbelieving parents and elders died in the wilderness.

Moses and Aaron, shocked at the words of the people, fell on their faces. Joshua and Caleb, rent their clothes and spoke unto the people saying, “The land we passed through is exceeding good. If the Lord delights in us He will bring us into it. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor be afraid of the people of the land. The Lord is with us, not with them.”

But that which should have cheered the people at that moment only brought out the murderous hostility of their hearts. “All the congregation bade stone them with stones.” Such was Israel, and such is the human heart under trial.

With Moses and Aaron on their faces, the testimony of the two faithful witnesses refused, and the people in outright rebellion, what could avail at such a moment? How good to read next that “the glory of the Lord appeared” before all the children of Israel.

I came to Jesus, and I drank

Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

And now I live in Him.

D Drink, while streams of grace are flowing, rich and free

R Reader, God’s abounding mercy

I Is for thee.

N Now you may, by Jesus’ loving call,

K Know the joy of sins forgiven, once for all.

ML-09/30/1973

A Strange Protector

ON A FARM in Massachusetts lived Mr. and Mrs. Miles with their three little children and a maid. The farmer passed away and his widow, who was a good Christian woman, decided to give up the farm and move to a small house in the nearby village. So she held an auction sale and the farm and its equipment were sold. On the day of the sale a Christian friend told the lady that he thought she had done wisely in giving up the farm for, he said, it was a half mile away from any other house, and she would be lonely and unprotected there.

“Oh no,” she said, “not unprotected — far from it! You forget that I am now under the special care of God who cares for the widow and the fatherless. I know He will protect us.”

Now we must tell you how God did protect them. The night of the sale there was a good deal of money in the house. The only persons there were the mother, her three little children and the maid.

Some time after going to bed the lady heard a strange and unusual noise at the back of the house. Then she was startled by the barking of a dog in one of the downstairs rooms. This alarmed her still more as they had no dog of their own at the time.

Getting up she hastily dressed and after waking the maid together they went downstairs. At first they looked into the room where they heard the barking. There they saw a huge black dog scratching and barking furiously at the door leading into the kitchen. The brave servant girl opened the door without fear, and in a moment the great dog rushed out. Through that open door the widow could see two men at the kitchen window, which was also open. The men instantly turned to run, and the dog leaped through the window after them. There was a terrible fight out there in the dark, but the men finally got away though followed far off by the faithful dog.

Mrs. Miles and her maid fastened the window and doors and decided to sit up until morning, for of course it would be hard to sleep any more that night. Hardly had they sat down before they heard the noble protector scratching at the back door for admittance. They gladly let him in and when he came up to them wagging his great bushy tail they patted and praised him for his goodness and courage. Then he stretched his great form beside the warm stove and went to sleep. The next morning they gave him a breakfast that any dog would have been glad to get. As soon as he had finished his breakfast, he went to the door and stood there whining until it was opened. Then off he ran in a great hurry and they never saw him again.

They had never seen the dog before, and never knew to whom he belonged. But the grateful Christian widow felt sure that God her Father had sent him for their protection that night. Her faith was stronger than ever that God would fulfill His word but she marveled more than ever at the mysterious workings of His providence.

Say not, my soul, from whence

Can God relieve my care?

Remember that Omnipotence

Has servants everywhere.

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psa. 34:7

“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.” Psa. 91:4

ML-10/07/1973

Lost Diamond

A VERY finely dressed lady dropped her diamond ring one day as she stepped from her cab in the City of Washington. Down it fell into the gutter where it was speedily buried in the filth that flowed toward the sewer. She looked with dismay on that muddy stream and offered a policeman $5 to put his hand down into the gutter and try to find the ring.

At first he hesitated but finally agreed and, reaching down into the filth, he spent some time in groping about in the gutter. But he failed to find the lost jewel and at length he gave up the search. He told the lady that it had probably been washed along and gone down the sewer. She paid him the $5 and he went his way.

But the lady stood there still looking sadly down at the place where her lost gem had disappeared. She could not bear to give it up. She lingered and hesitated; but finally taking off her gloves, and pushing back her silk sleeves, she bared her arm for the task. Putting her fair arm down into the filth she searched patiently in every direction. Her perseverance was rewarded, for she found the precious ring and carried it away in triumph.

Now there are lost souls all around us, those for whom Christ died, who are 10,000 times more precious than that lady’s gem. But they are lost in the mire and filth of sin. Yet still they may be searched out and brought to Christ by earnest, persevering effort; if we put forth loving personal effort for them they may be saved.

Jesus, the spotless Son of God came down, to where we were in the sin and filth of this world to seek and to save us, to cleanse us from all our sin, and make us fit for His presence. How must He, the holy One of God, have shrunk from sin, but on Calvary’s cross He took upon Him the sins and guilt of those who trust Him, bore the wrath of God against those sins and put them all away. His jewels now are those whom He has cleansed. “And they shall be Mine,” He says, “in that day when I make up My jewels.” Mal. 3:17.

Like the stars of the morning

His bright crown adorning,

They shall shine in His beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

Memory Verse: “I AM THE LORD: AND BESIDE ME, THERE IS NO SAVIOUR.” Isaiah 43:11

ML-10/07/1973

Jimmie the Gypsy Boy

A HOME missionary once told the story of how one day he visited a camp of gypsies. Passing in among the caravans and tents he bought some of the cooking utensils they were making, and then he learned that one of their number, a little boy, was very sick. When he asked permission to see him the father asked: “Did you want to talk about religion to him?”

“No,” was the reply.

“What then?” questioned the man. “I want to talk to him about Christ.”

“Oh then you may go. But if you talk religion to him, I’ll set the dog on you,” he threatened.

In the caravan he found the poor boy alone and in bed. Evidently he was in the last stages of T.B. His eyes were closed and he looked as if he were already gone. Very slowly the missionary repeated in his ear the precious gospel text: “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.

He repeated it five times but there was no apparent response. The little sufferer did not seem to hear. He repeated it the sixth time, and then the boy’s eyes opened and he smiled. To his visitor’s delight he whispered: “And I never thanked Him! But nobody ever told me! I ‘turn to Him my thanks. Only a poor gypsy boy! I see! I see! I thank Him kindly!” He closed his eyes and a look of intense satisfaction came over his face, and as the missionary knelt beside him he thanked God. The boy’s lips moved again and his visitor’s ears caught the words “That’s it!” There were a few more words, and then his voice could be heard no more.

The next day the missionary visited the camp again and found that his dear gypsy boy had died (it were better to say he had fallen asleep in Jesus) about eleven hours after he had left the day before. His father said the boy had been very “peaceable,” and had died a “tidy death.” There was no Bible or Testament in the camp. The missionary left one of each. The father wished him “good luck” and gave him a bundle of little things “the boy Jimmie” had made.

With unquestioning faith this dear little fellow took God at His word the first time he heard the gospel message. With his dying lips he thanked Him that He so loved the world that He gave His Son for him, “a poor gypsy boy.” God is satisfied with the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross where He died to put away sin. Jimmie was satisfied as well and his simple faith in Jesus meant instant and everlasting salvation. In just eleven short hours the little sufferer exchanged that forlorn, rickety caravan for God’s paradise above, where Jesus was waiting to welcome him home. Now Jimmie is proving that God is as good as His word.

Have you, dear reader, said “Amen” to God’s way of saving lost sinners, by simply believing the gospel and, like Jimmie the little gypsy boy, accepted His dear Son, Jesus, as your own Saviour? God grant that you may, rather than ruse Him and pass on with your sin unpardoned to the “great white throne” and its awful judgment.

ML-10/07/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 14:11-39

ISRAEL were now only a step from Canaan; but in their rebellion they refused to go into the land. Then the glory of the Lord appeared. And the Lord said to Moses, How long will this people provoke Me? How long will it be before they believe me? “I will smite them with pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.”

It is wonderful to see the spirit in which Moses intercedes now for the people. He has not a thought for himself and will not hear of being made anything of. His first thought is, What will the Egyptians say and the inhabitants of the land? The Lord’s word and honor is what fills his heart; and to keep His name from being dishonored he prays that Israel might be forgiven.

The nations, he says, would say that the Lord was not able to bring the people into the land. He clings to God’s own words and to His ways of mercy and grace with Israel all the way from Egypt until now. He had spared them this far; it was unthinkable that He would give them up now.

It is indeed wonderful to hear Moses thus taking God at His word, telling Him that according to the character He had given of Himself He must act in mercy and long-suffering. And it is very beautiful to see how he always comforts himself by what God is in Himself. Here was one who had come to know the Lord and he loved and trusted Him with his whole heart.

God hears Moses’ prayer and passes over the people’s sin, while maintaining His own honor. He would pardon and show mercy, but He would by no means clear the guilty; for, said He, those men who have seen My glory and My miracles, and have tempted Me these ten times and have not obeyed My voice, they shall not see the land. Every one that was numbered from twenty years old and upward should die in the wilderness.

However, Caleb would live and go in and possess the land because he had fully followed the Lord. Joshua too would live.

We read in verse 10 that “the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation bore all the children of Israel.” In a coming day God who ever maintains the honor of His name, will show mercy to Israel but will display His righteousness in judgment. Then His glory shall fill the earth. For a time Israel have been driven from the land; the ungodly shall never possess it. But there is mercy for “the little ones” — the remnant, who shall enter in and possess that good land. How sweet to see in Moses the Spirit of Christ pleading for His people that these purposes of love might all be brought to pass.

ML-10/07/1973

Simple Searching

In Barnabas, not Paul,

In Samuel and in Saul,

In David, not in King,

Not found in Stone, but Sling.

In Jonah, not in Whale,

In Esau who did fail,

In Persians, not in Medes,

Whole: One a sinner needs.

ML-10/07/1973

How Grandmother Rested

“DON’T GO over to Grandmother’s during noon-hour!” That was Mother’s standing order to John, her little boy of seven. Grandmother lived in the old cottage across the lane from the farm house where John lived. He had been told that Grandmother rested an hour at noon every day and must not be disturbed.

But the thought of Grandmother resting puzzled John. He had never known her to rest. The idea of her stopping work for a whole hour in the middle of the day was too hard to imagine. His curiosity increased until one day he ventured over to Grandmother’s back door just bore twelve o’clock.

She was busy as usual — this time baking pies for the threshing crew expected next day.

“Grannie", he called shyly, “what do you do when you rest every noon-hour?".

“Who told you I rest?” she replied a bit sharply. “Wait a minute and I’ll show you how I rest.”

Having removed some pies from the oven and smoothed her long white apron, she led John into the next room, closed the door and sat him on a chair.

Then she knelt down and began to pray aloud while John looked on amazed.

She prayed that God would save John and his brothers from the paths of sin. She prayed for his father and mother and other loved ones near and far. She prayed for the neighbors, for the sick, for the preacher and for the Gospel. Then she thanked God for sending His Son into the world to be the Saviour of sinners. She thanked Him for all His loving care over them all. Nothing or no one seemed to be overlooked. For nearly an hour she prayed, pouring out her heart to the God who hears and answers the prayer of faith. With her fervent Amen, John slipped off the chair and ran home. At last he knew what grandmother did every noon hour. She prayed!

John was brought up the hard way. By the time he was twelve, he was able to cut wood and handle a logging team almost like a man.

At the close of one long cold day in the woods, his father told him to hurry home ahead of the horses and chop the ice from the waterhole.

Evidently this took longer than expected and when father arrived and found the waterhole still unprepared, he angrily grabbed the ax and wielded it as if to strike John.

The boy dodged the blow and, half in fear and half in anger, ran into the house. Quickly collecting the only extra piece or two of clothing he owned, he ran away, determined never to return.

The winter was spent working for his keep on a neighbor’s farm a few miles away, and in the spring, though still only twelve, John struck out to face the world alone.

For many years he led a hard sinful life, drifting from place to place and job to job, finally becoming a hard rock miner in the Northern Ontario gold fields. Here he was married and had children of his own.

But God, who is the observer as well as the preserver of men, had his eye upon John still, and the time came for Grandmother’s prayers for him to be answered.

His wife, unknown to him, had attended a gospel meeting and been brightly saved. Immediately her heart yearned for her husband and the following Sunday she ventured to ask John to attend the gospel meeting with her. To her surprise and delight he readily agreed.

The preacher was also a miner, and after the sermon, John promptly asked him if he would come to their home for supper the next evening.

At the appointed hour the preacher arrived and following supper inquired, “John, why did you ask me to supper, was there not something you wished to ask me?”

“Yes,” replied John. “You know I am fast traveling the road to hell. Tell me, is there really any hope for a sinner like me?”

How gladly the preacher showed John from the Scriptures God’s way of salvation, How fervently he prayed that John would look to Christ and live!

Far on into the night the light shone into his dark heart and John, weary and heavy laden with his sins, came to Jesus, just as he was, and Jesus gave him rest. (Matt. 11:28).

Grandmother’s prayers for John were answered at last! Today he is happy in Jesus and awaits the moment when he shall look into His Saviour’s face — and see his dear old grandmother who prayed daily for his precious soul.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

Sweetest Name on earth;

How can I, a sinner.

Come to know its worth?

Oh! the sinful sorrow,

Oh! the strangest shame,

That I saw no beauty

In that sacred Name.

Never found the mystery

In that simple word,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Saviour, Lover — Lord!

ML-10/14/1973

"Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock"

“DADDY, what does it mean to have Jesus knocking on the door of your heart?”

The question was asked by a very little girl named Mary as she and her father walked home from Sunday school.

The children had read together the well known words of the Lord Jesus, “Behold I stand at the door and knock.” Then the teacher had explained that every heart had a door with a lock on the inside—while Jesus waited on the outside, knocking and waiting to be invited in.

But to Mary, it still remained a mystery, so she inquired further of her father. To her earnest question he replied, “Mary, one day you will hear Jesus knocking on the door of your heart. When you do, just open the door and ask Him to come in.”

Nothing more was said about it and in the evening Mary was put to bed as usual. But not to sleep!

During the night her father and mother were awakened by the sounds of someone moving about the house.

They listened as soft footsteps made their way along the dark hall and up to their bedside. A little hand touched Father on the face just as he reached up and switched on the light.

Guess who? It was Mary.

“Why aren’t you asleep, Mary?” exclaimed her father and mother together. “We put you to bed hours ago! What’s the matter?”

“Oh,” she whispered joyfully, “after you tucked me in I couldn’t get to sleep. And in the night Jesus came and knocked on the door of my heart. So I just opened the door and said: “Come on in Lord Jesus! and He has come in. I just had to tell you about it before I go to sleep.”

Memory Verse: “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.” Revelation 3:20

ML-10/14/1973

Birthday Presents

The story is told of a boy who received on his birthday three gifts, a box of chocolates, a silver watch and a beautiful Bible. Asked some weeks later what had become of his birthday gifts, he replied: “The box of chocolates — well! its gone. The silver watch is going. But the Bible is the Word of the Lord and it endures forever.”

“Being born again.... by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Pet. 1:23.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matt. 7:13.

ML-10/14/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 14:40-45

THE FORTY years wanderings in the wilderness had been announced by God Himself — a year for each day the spies had spent searching out the land. Then the people would be reminded all that time of the evil report those men had brought and that they themselves had despised the pleasant land God had so graciously given them.

However, these were not to be fruitless years to faith. None of the Lord’s ways with us are fruitless where there is the faith to trust Him. Our waywardness and disobedience bring down His chastening hand; but He makes all things work together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). He does not willingly afflict and even pain and sorrow bring their profit and reward.

The ten faithless spies who brought the evil report died from the plague before the Lord. When the people heard they were to turn back into the wilderness again, “they mourned greatly.” And now they would change their mind and would seek to escape the government of God. They say, “Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised: for we have sinned.”

We can see here how that the natural heart cannot submit to the will of God. Only by grace can we walk the path of obedience to Him. Such is the ruin wrought by sin in man’s shameful fall.

The people had refused to go up and take possession of the land at the first command of God, and now the rebelliousness of their nature appears in their refusal to turn again to the wilderness. Moses warned them against transgressing against God, and told them they would not prosper. “But they presumed to go up unto the hilltop: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, darted not out of the camp.” There was no movement of the cloud nor blowing of the trumpet for war heard on this occasion. They went up without God and their presumption ended only in shame and disaster. The Amalekites and the Canaanites came down and smote them and chased them all the way to Hormah.

In their presumption these men pleaded the promise of God as a sanction for their act; they said, We will go up unto the place “which the Lord hath promised.” How often do men, and sad to say even Christians, have their minds made up to take a certain course and plead the word of God as a sanction for their disobedience and self-will. Let us pray that the Lord might deliver us from undertaking anything without God or that would not be according to His blessed will.

There are times, dear young Christian, when we need to cry to the Lord to help us against ourselves — to deliver us from the pride and rebellion of our hearts; for it is only through Him that we can get the victory over our enemies — the world, the flesh and Satan. We need to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “Without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Otherwise we are just as helpless as Israel. On the other hand when in the path of humble submission and obedience to the Lord faith can say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth Me.” Phil. 4:13.

ML-10/14/1973

The Captain's Cat

IN THE first gray light of morning, a ship sailed up the coast of England. The cook was in the little kitchen, frying bacon and sausages for breakfast, the crew were polishing up their appetites, and Tammy the cat was just plain hungry.

She was the captain’s cat, a special pet of everyone on board except the cook. The captain said she was a good obedient cat, but the cook said she was a thief.

So the boat sailed on. The sea was not rough, the smell from the kitchen was delicious, and all was well. Perhaps for you, life seems smooth enough, but it won’t always be that way. Some morning you will see your last sunrise. Do you know Jesus as your Saviour, He who lives on the other side of death?

All looked smooth enough for the sailors, but suddenly there was an explosion which shook their ship from end to end. It took the captain hardly a moment to discover that there was NO HOPE. The ship was doomed and they must escape at once. The cook left the kitchen, and in a few seconds everyone was lined up by the lifeboats, which were carefully lowered and rowed away.

The Captain was the last to leave, and he stopped by the ship’s rail. “Tammy, Tammy” he called. This call had often brought Tammy from any corner of the ship to get a tasty scrap from his hand, but today there was no sign of Tammy. Not a whisker.

Well, she wasn’t worth risking his life for. The captain left her to her fate.

Why didn’t Tammy come? Had she suddenly become deaf? Not at all. She had followed her nose and not her ears. Who cares if the captain is calling? The cook is gone from the kitchen and Tammy is having a feast.

You know the ways of cats, but do you see the same fault in your own life? Who cares if Jesus is calling me? I am having a good time. Cats are just cats you know, and they can’t understand about a sinking ship. But you can understand when God says that there is NO HOPE for a sinner who refuses Christ.

The Captain thought Tammy was not worth saving. But you are worth saving! God gave His only Son to save sinners like you. His call is to “whosoever will". Will you not open your ears and obey His call?

The Captain took his binoculars to shore with him, and after he landed, he took a good look at the sinking ship. There was Tammy, sitting on the deck, washing her face and paws. Then she curled up in a patch of sunlight and went to sleep.

The ship stayed afloat longer than anyone expected, and a lot of people became interested in Tammy.

She even had her name in the paper. But before next morning, ship and cat went to the bottom. What good is feasting and fame if death must end it all?

Tammy made her choice. What choice are you making? This is your opportunity to be saved. This is the call of God in your ears. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners". Will you come to Him and be saved, or will you stay as you are and be lost?

“HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR LET HIM HEAR.” Matt. 11:15.

ML-10/21/1973

Gospel Triumphs

AN OLD colporteur for the Bible society was trying to sell portions of the Scriptures in Kai-fung Fu, China, years ago. That city was full of bitter enemies of the Bible and the missionaries. Suddenly some bad men began to attack the colporteur and scattered what they called his “foreign devils” books to the winds.

Some of the gospels were picked up by a man named Chu. He began reading them and became deeply interested. He learned something of the truth in them, but more than twelve years passed away before he learned the way of salvation more clearly and fully.

One day while he was on a joey he met a missionary and tether they read the Scriptures regularly. When Chu went back to his home he got acquainted with another native man who also had heard the gospel in another part of the country. The two began to meet and read the Word together. Then they started to worship the Lord in Chu’s house. They invited the neighbors in to hear the gospel every Sunday. At the end of two years there was a little group of Christians meeting in a city which the missionary regarded as nearly hopeless for the undertaking of a Christian mission. A small beginning of a brave Chinaman led to the larger and growing work of grace in that very stronghold of Satan.

“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:13.

ML-10/21/1973

"To Shine the Longest"

An evangelist was one day talking to a group of Sunday school children. They all watched and listened eagerly as he brought out a row of candles on a board.

A long candle was at one end of the board, and a short one at the other. Between the long one and the short one were candles of various heights. The speaker said: “Now by these candles I want to represent a family—the grandfather, the father and mother, the older boys and girls, and the smallest little boy. Suppose they have never heard the gospel until a servant of Christ comes along and tells them the wonderful story of Jesus and His love. They all receive the message with joy, and all are saved to love and serve the Lord Jesus.

As he spoke he took another candle already lighted, and lit all the rest of the candles. “This other candle,” he explained, “will represent the Holy Spirit by which we are ‘born again’ and who comes to dwell in our hearts when we believe on Christ as our Saviour. And now, children, I want you to tell me what candle represents the grandfather, which ones represent the father and mother, and so on.”

The children all thought the tallest candle would be the grandfather. “No,” said the speaker, “that stands for the littlest one who believes in Jesus.”

There was a silence. Then one little boy said: “I know why. ‘Cause he has the chance to shine the longest for Jesus.”

Oh, won’t you come to Jesus

While you’re young?

Don’t think it will be better

To delay it until later,

But remember your Creator

While you’re young.

“Walk as children of light.”

— Ephesians 5:8

JESUS bids us shine

With a clear, pure light,

Like a little candle

Burning in the night;

In this world of darkness

So we must shine,

You in your small corner,

And I in mine.

Living for Jesus, working for Jesus,

Seeking in this life others to win;

Loving Him wholly, serving Him only,

This is what gives me true joy within.

ML-10/21/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 15

ISRAEL’S refusal to take possession of the land is referred to by the Apostle in Hebrews 3.

“Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years.... Wherefore I was grieved with that generation,... So I sware in My wrath. They shall not enter into rest.” vv. 7-11.

Their despising the land was “the provocation.” They saw His works for forty years and were continually provoking Him.

But here at the border of the land where their complete ruin was displayed, how brightly does the faithfulness of God shine out. Those unconditional promises made to the fathers long, long before He would not forget — they must be fulfilled. At the very time when they are about to turn back and begin those long sad years in the wilderness, His thoughts are of their bright future, and He begins to speak of the time when they would enter the land. He says, “When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you...” He speaks of it as “the land of their habitations” — it was to be their permanent home. And this looks on to the coming day, far beyond the time when they would reject their Messiah, when they would be forgiven, cleansed, given a new heart, and every man sitting under his own vine and fig tree.

God sent them back into the wilderness for He had much to teach them of the evil of their own hearts and also to display the rich and wonderful grace that would meet all their sin. There were lessons to be learned there that they could never learn in the land. And surely this is for us also. We too are in the wilderness and are learning that our hearts are no better than Israel’s but we are also proving the rich grace of God and the priestly intercession of Christ.

How precious is this grace! The sin of His people cannot frustrate His purposes of love, though for a time they may have to suffer under His government. Yet in the end His mercy shall rejoice over judgment.

And this unchanging purpose of God is made known to us now in a far richer and fuller way than to Israel, to us who have better proses. How often in our unbelief and failure have we dishonored Him and yet His grace has shone the brighter all along our pathway. Has He not declared: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father who gave them Me is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one"? John 10:28,30.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:35, 38-39.

As we journey on may we learn to appreciate more this abounding grace.

Memory Verse: “TODAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS.” Hebrews 4:7

ML-10/21/1973

Prayer Answered

THREE young men in the Congo decided to travel eight days into the jungle to the salt marshes to buy salt and sell it at home. They were accompanied by a young Christian boy. As they walked along the road, the three scoffed at the young fellow for his faith in the Lord Jesus, telling him that God did not answer prayer and it was only a “white man’s notions.” At night they slept in the forest around a campfire which helped keep off the wild beasts.

One night on their way home they were suddenly awakened by the crashing of trees and branches which told them the elephants were near. Hastily gathering their belongings they fled in one direction only to run into a troop of elephants. They turned and dashed madly away in the opposite direction, only to be met by more elephants who were trumpeting furiously. All way of escape seemed cut off.

“We are dead men. Where can we go?” they asked each other in fear.

“Kneel down here right by the fire,” said the young Christian lad, “and I will ask God to protect us.”

They knelt down around the fire and he prayed, simply committing their lives into God’s keeping. Even as they prayed a huge tusked elephant strode past within the light of the fire, and still another followed. They took no more notice of the little group than if they had been rocks or bushes.

At last the whole herd had passed. For a time the four remained kneeling, then they looked around and realized that they were delivered. Returning to the fire they knelt down once more and asked the Christian boy to return thanks to God for their wonderful escape from death. Before they reached home, a few days later, the three young scoffers had got rid of their unbelief and had turned to the Lord. Out there in the jungle they found out what a gracious Saviour He is. They learned that “this Man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” (Luke 15:2). God used those elephants to awaken them to their lost condition and to work repentance in their souls.

The young Christian lad who was not ashamed to confess Christ be-fore others became one of His most trusted servants and evangelists.

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psa. 34:7.

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

ML-10/28/1973

Brave Elsie

IN ENGLAND long ago there lived a Christian blacksmith and his little daughter, Elsie. Her mother had died when she was quite young. It was in the days when wicked men who hated God’s Word tried to get rid of all the Bibles in the country.

Elsie’s father had a Bible which he loved to read with her every day. She liked the stories about Jesus whom she loved and trusted as her Saviour. Her father kept the precious Book hidden in a hole in the ceiling of his blacksmith’s shop.

The soldiers heard that the blacksmith was a Christian and that he had a Bible, and one day they came and took him away to prison. They searched all over for the Bible but couldn’t find it. They thought it must be hidden in the shop somewhere so they determined to burn the shop down. After setting fire to the building, the soldiers left.

Seeing the shop in flames little Elsie determined she must save her father’s Bible. Quickly she dashed into the smoke and flames and climbing onto a chair she took the precious Book from its hiding place and fled from the building. Though badly burned she was still able to dig a hole with her hands in the ground and wrapping one of her garments around the book she buried it.

Sometime later the village people found her lying in the garden badly burned. They took care of her and she got better. The villagers thought how brave a little girl she was to rescue and protect her father’s Bible like that.

May the blessed Book of God be precious to us as it was to little Elsie and her father.

“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:... More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping them there is great reward.” Psa. 19:8,10,11.

Memory Verse: “THE FATHER SENT THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.” 1 John 4:14.

ML-10/28/1973

Who Were They?

The way is long, the hill is steep,

They climbed together father and son.

“Here is the wood. Where is the lamb?”

All gravely asked the younger one.

The father graver still replied,

“A lamb will God Himself provide.”

Who were they? Read Genesis 22 and John 1:36.

ML-10/28/1973

The Rich Man's Funeral

IN ENGLAND years ago, there once lived a very rich and very selfish old man. He did not worry that the people around him were very poor. He was not concerned when the ground was frozen hard and the poor little children had holes in their shoes. He did not care when the north wind blew and the schoolboys’ jackets were thin and their knees were red with cold. It did not bother him that the little girls shivered in shabby coats and the old folks limped with rheumatism. He had plenty of money for his needs, why should he care?

But God in heaven cared. God cared that the whole world was full of sin and sorrow, and money would not cure it. God heard the groans of the world, and God knew that sin was the cause of all that sorrow. God had only one Son, whom He could give for poor suffering sinners, rich or poor. And He did care!

But now the rich old man had one thing that bothered him. What would become of his wealth when he died? He must make a will, but he really wished that all his money should be for himself. So he said in his will that all his wealth should be spent on his funeral!

Thousands of dollars for one feral! The mayor of the town did not know what to do. They could not find a coffin so expensive, and even if they did, thieves would dig it up!

At last someone had an idea. They would invite everyone in the village to the funeral, supply every one of them with a good warm suit of clothing and shoes, and serve all a fine feast.

This was done in royal style. Everyone came to the funeral in snug new clothes, they rode behind fine black horses, and enjoyed a good dinner. The whole village remembered the old man with thankfulness for years to come, but there was no love in it, no love given and none returned.

But God is love. God gave His only Son; a love-gift to this sinful, sorrowful world. The Lord Jesus gave His life upon the cross that you and I might be clothed with the garments of salvation and sheltered from judgment through His death. Oh the feast of love for those who will trust Him!

Do you not love Him in return? He will give you a robe of righteousness so that you never need to fear to stand before God. Will you go on without Him, facing the storm of judgment against sin, unsheltered and poor? Money cannot buy this shelter. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can. Will you just take God’s salvation and love Him in return?

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [or mercy seat] for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.

ML-10/28/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 15:1-21

IN THE last chapter the unbelief and rebellious ways of the people led them down to their defeat and, shame. The next chapter tells of worse rebellion and more solemn judgment. But how precious is this chapter which comes between the sad records of Israel’s sin and ruin. Here we learn how God is above all the foolishness and unbelief of His people. Their wretchedness does not alter Him in the slightest degree like the sun in the heavens, which shines on, shedding its light and warmth on all around; nothing can stop its shining. The rain, the clouds and storms may keep us from seeing its pleasant light and from feeling its rays, but it shines all the while, as bright and powerful as ever. God wants us to know that He does not change and that His word is the same.

Though the people had despised and lost the pleasant land for themselves, here He speaks of the time when He Himself would give it to them and they would enjoy it with Him. They would be in the greatest favor and would bring their burnt and free will offerings to make a sweet savor unto the Lord. In their daily life when eating the bread of the land they were to bring a heave-offering to the Lord. This was to be eaten by the priest’s family at home, but here the whole congregation were to eat of it. They will be a kingdom of priests.

In their public worship they were to offer wine as a drink offering, and this tells us of the joy and rejoicing that will fill the millennial earth when Christ reigns as Messiah and King over all. Thus wine has a special place in these offerings for it “cheereth God and man” (Judg. 9:13) and is reserved for the time of future blessing when the curse shall be removed, when all creation shall be delivered from the bondage of Satan, and when sorrow and sadness shall have passed away.

They were to offer a meat offering along with the above, with a hin of oil. The meat offering speaks of communion and the oil of the Holy Spirit. Even earthly joy will be sanctified by the Spirit and acceptable to God in that day when Christ as Son of man shall have taken away out of His kingdom all things that offend.

But if restored Israel’s and earth’s rejoicing will be so great in that day how much fuller and sweeter will be the joy of the redeemed company when called on high to share Christ’s heavenly glory. Then He will drink with His own the new wine in the Father’s kingdom. It is Christ Himself who will be our rejoicing in that day. He who in grace beyond all telling brings us to share it all with Him as the fruit of His sufferings and toil.

ML-10/28/1973

God's Care

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deuteronomy 33:25, 27.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22.

ML-10/28/1973

The Bells Ring Out

“I HEAR a bell ringing,” said Mrs. Blake to her husband. “Where is the sound coming from?”

“Oh, I know. Tom told me all about it today. He’s got a new idea. When he gets the milking done, he’s going to ring that bell outside the barn to tell us he’s ready for supper.”

“That will be fun,” said Mrs. Blake smiling. “Then all of us will hear Tom’s chimes. He is always on time too so we can almost set our clock by his bell.”

“Trying different bells and sounds is one of Tom’s hobbies,” said Brad. Then he added thoughtfully, “Mother, Tom told me something else today. He told me the story of Jesus.”

Tom told many of his friends about his best Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as his bell rang out a message, so his voice told out his joy in knowing the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Tom had told his father of how the Lord Jesus was nailed to the cross and of how He died to put our sins away. His father believed Tom’s message. So ardent was Tom’s love for his Saviour, that he desired to see Him soon.

The Lord granted him this request for while he was still a young fellow, He took him out of this world to be with Himself forever.

“And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.” Rev. 22:4.

ML-11/04/1973

Jesus Is Enough

A CHRISTIAN lady used to visit in a hospital. One day she found there a little boy so thin and small, and she felt so sorry for him. He was much smaller than most boys his age.

She was very kind to him and brought him fruit and flowers whenever she visited the ward. She found him eager to hear about the Lord Jesus, the sinner’s Friend. As time went on she got him to think about his need of the Saviour but he would always speak of how he belonged to his church. He didn’t seem to realize that the Lord Jesus had died on the cross for him.

But one morning when she called she found him with his little face all aglow. When she asked him why this was so, he replied joyfully, “Oh lady, I always knew Jesus was necessary, but I never knew until yesterday that He was enough!”

The little fellow had made a great discovery. Jesus is not only necessary for our soul’s salvation, but He is also enough. He is all the sinner needs — nothing more and nothing less.

Jesus, Thou art enough

The heart and mind to fill;

Thy patient life to calm the soul,

Thy love its fear dispel.

ML-11/04/1973

Hide and Seek

LITTLE boys and girls like to play hide and seek. One shuts his eyes against a tree or a goal of some kind and while he counts up to a hundred the rest all run and hide. Then he tries to find where they are. How carefully he searches — behind trees, under bushes, bind doors and buildings. Sometimes he finds them, sometimes he doesn’t.

Now God wants us to seek Him, and to seek Him diligently. He has promised that when we seek Him we will find Him. His Word says, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isa. 55:6. It is easy for us to find Him if we are in earnest.

While we are seeking the Lord, He is seeking us. How wonderful that is! It does not take long for a seeking Lord and a seeking sinner to meet, And then oh how happy it is when we find Him as our Saviour and Friend!

“Those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Prov. 8:17.

Memory Verse: “LORD, BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME: HEAL MY SOUL; FOR I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THEE” Psalm 41:4.

ML-11/04/1973

A School Clock and Its Hours

TODAY the hours on the school clock face, so familiar to you all, shall be our subject. The Bible tells us that “there are twelve hours in the day” (John 11:9). This clock shows what they are.

ONE reminds us “there is one God” (1 Tim. 2:5), whose name is Love: all other gods are idols.

TWO families—“children of God” (John 3:2) and “children of the devil” (John 8: 44); two roads, the broad and the narrow, tell of the saved and lost and no middle class.

THREE graces — faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13) — found in all true believers. Three tells of resurrection — the Lord Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and all who believe in Him, have passed from death unto life and stand on redemption ground (John 5:24).

FOUR noble youths stood firm for God in the court of Babylon. They would not sin against God to please the greatest king on earth in that day. Four also tells of the four corners of the earth and of the gospel going forth to sinners everywhere.

FIVE barley loaves which a lad gave up to the Lord Jesus — and were used to feed 5,000 men besides mothers and little children (John 6:9). He uses the weak things to do His mighty works.

SIX cities of refuge were set apart for the manslayer to run into for safety (Josh. 20). The sinner who flees to Christ finds in Him a refuge from coming judgment. (Heb. 6:18).

SEVEN — the perfect number often used in the Bible: the seven Spirits before the throne of God (Rev. 1); also used in perfection of evil — seven demons which the Lord cast out of Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9); seven nations of Canaan destroyed by God for their sins (Deut. 7:1).

(To Be Continued)

ML-11/04/1973

Who Is He?

There are seven letters in his name

The first is found in GRACE alone,

The second in BLOOD which does atone;

The third is always in the TREE,

Fourth in Gethsemane’s AGONY.

Fifth says the Saviour’s UP on high,

Sixth, that He’ll come BACK bye and bye.

Seventh tells us we shall ASCEND

Who know Him as our Lord and Friend.

All together—a name you’ll find in Luke,

Before you have read quite through the book. (Luke 24).

ML-11/04/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 15:22-41

WE SEE here that while there was forgiveness for sins of ignorance, the sin itself had to be atoned for. Ignorance did not make the sin to be no sin, as many would like to think. Sin defiles and interrupts communion. We read of a sin offering here and other offerings were needed for restoration. There must be the confession of failure even though the sin be caused by ignorance. These offerings all speak of Christ and His work of redemption without which there can be no forgiveness or restoration of counion with God.

But there was to be no provision for the presumptuous or willful sinner. He could not plead ignorance for he sinned against a well-known command. He was to be cut off or put to death because he had despised the word of the Lord and broken His commandment. It is a solemn thing to despise the word of the Lord We have an illustration of this in the next verses (vv. 32-36) where a man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath. They shut him up until the Lord should pass judgment on him. The Lord said he must be put to death. Then all the congregation stoned him outside the camp.

It might seem a trivial thing to some to be gathering sticks on the Sabbath but God had said, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy,” and the man could not plead ignorance. He had violated the majesty of God. Israel had put themselves under law and the Lord would have them understand the absolute and perfect obedience they were called to render in that day.

How thankful we should be that we are not under law, but under grace. Times without number we have failed and sinned willfully, but the stroke of judgment due to us fell upon our blessed Substitute. Well might we bow before Him and thank Him for having suffered in our stead.

In the end of the chapter the Lord told the children of Israel to wear a riband of blue on the fringes of the borders of their garments: “that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them.” Surely there is a word in this for us all — even boys and girls who love the Saviour.

The blue is the heavenly color, and we should ever keep before our eyes that we belong to heaven. Others ought to see this in us too. It is not enough that we should keep ourselves from evil, or be content with leading a godly life, both of which we should cultivate. But we ought to be reminding ourselves from day to day of where we belong.

The garments speak of our character and ways, particularly before others, so in our walk and ways day by day there ought to be the token that we are heavenly, not merely that we hope to go there by and by. If we were to make heaven merely a hope for the future, it would be like the Israelite not looking at his riband of blue or perhaps not wearing it at all. We are as the beautiful hymn states,

Called from above, and heavenly men by birth,

Who once were but the citizens of earth.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:1,2.

ML-11/04/1973

A Valiant Captain's Effort

THE Patrick Morris was a large ferry boat which carried passengers and cars across the strait between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The captain was proud of his ferry and had made the trip back and forth many times.

One day while the ferry was in the harbor at Port aux Basques, a fierce storm came up and the waves in the strait began to roll high. The wind was blowing hard.

Rather than brave the wind and waves out in the strait, the captain of the Patrick Morris kept his ferry in the quieter waters of the harbor, waiting for the storm to die down.

But, while they were waiting, there suddenly came a “Mayday,” that is, a cry of distress from a boat in trouble out in the strait.

The captain was tender-hearted and feeling the urgency of the occasion, he disregarded the raging storm, and gave orders for the ferry to move out into the strait. Slowly the big boat churned its way out of the harbor into the storm.

After driving through the tossing waves for some time the labors of the crew were rewarded. There in sight was a small fishing boat foundering before the wind. The situation was dangerous. But taking the risk the captain ordered the big ferry to be maneuvered into position with its huge loading and unloading door away from the wind, and near to the sinking boat.

“Open the door,” he commanded. As the crew hastened to obey, the electrical equipment whirred and the great door slowly opened.

From this position, it was hoped they could more easily rescue the men on the little boat. But they had made a sad mistake. No sooner was the big door open, than along came a towering wave and washed right up into the ferry. The electrical power supply was knocked out by the sudden pouring in of the water, and the crew could not close the door again.

How terrible were their feelings as wave after wave washed up into the ferry, and sad but true, they knew that the big ship itself was sinking.

About 28 men escaped in the life boats and were able to get safely to shore, but the captain, the first mate, and the chief engineer all went down with the ship.

The captain wanted to save the men in the fishing boat, and he made a valiant effort to do so, but he failed — he was not able.

Let us tell you of a Saviour who came into this world to save sinners sinking down into the dark waters of death and eternal judgment. The Lord Jesus so loved and pitied us that He came from God, went to Calvary’s cross and died there to put our sins away. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6. But He rose again the third day, went back to heaven, and now “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25.

No one who comes to Him for salvation will be turned away for He has said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

ML-11/11/1973

Old Man Kline

IT WAS a dark, wintry night. The road was a lonely one along which Mr. Kline hurried. His mind was made up. Yes, murder was in all his thinking. He’d get rid of his enemy “now"! “Nothing, or no one, shall change my mind!” said he to himself. Kline knew the road his enemy would take on this particular Sunday. “Yes,” he reassured himself; “Whispering Lane, is where it will be. There’s a ditch alongside the road and I’ll wait for him there.”

Old Kline was soon at the spot and was lying in wait. Suddenly his evil thoughts and intents were diverted by the sound of children singing. They were making their way home from Sunday School. Kline’s curiosity was aroused. He strained every muscle to hear:

“Jesus died for all mankind,

And Jesus died for ME.”

“What? Are they singing about me?”

Again he listened and thought he heard:

“Jesus died for old man Kline,

And Jesus died for me!”

Kline was completely upset. The words kept repeating themselves in their misunderstood phrases. Finally he got up from his hiding place and hurried home. But there was no peace in his heart — only a deep conviction of sin and remorse until he, too, could sing with the children;

“Jesus died for all mankind,

And Jesus died for me!”

ML-11/11/1973

A Little Slave Girl

MANY of our readers know well the story of the little captive maid from the land of Israel, whom God used in bringing healing and blessing to her master, Naaman, the great Syrian general, long ago in Old Testament times.

This story is about a little slave girl who lived on the island of Madagascar years ago. A slave market was often held in a hill town in the north of the island and one day there came to the market a lady from one of the wealthy Malagasy families to buy-some slaves.

She looked closely at one group of men and women, boys and girls, all up for sale and then suddenly her attention was drawn to one little girl. She was looking at the lady and whispering, “Buy me! Please buy me!” The lady did buy her and the little slave-girl quietly followed her new mistress home.

Torn from her home, far from her father and mother and her brothers and sisters, the little girl often felt lonely in the days that followed. But she had managed to bring with her one book, the new Testament in her native tongue, and in her spare time she loved to sit and read the precious volume.

One day her mistress saw her with the Book and asked in a surprised and longing voice, “Can you read?”

“Yes,” was the little girl’s quick reply, “Can’t you?”

“No,” returned her mistress’ reply and to the little servant’s surprise she added, “Will you teach me to read?” Right there and then they sat down and held their first lesson.

The lady was quick and eager to learn and soon she was reading the little slave girl’s one Book. Then the wondrous message of the Book made such an impression on her that soon she was asking others to join them.

Regularly a little group gathered around the slave girl as she taught them to read her New Testament. Soon several of her pupils became true believers, “born again,... by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Pet. 1:23).

Other little groups of Christians began to appear in the surrounding countryside and to worship the Lord, and the work abides today. It all started with a little slave girl who 1,et her light shine, who was willing to make known to her mistress the knowledge she had of God and His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, much like the little slave girl we read about in the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5.

Suffer little children, to come unto Me, and forbid them not.

Memory Verse: “FOR THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS; WHO GAVE HIMSELF A RANSOM FOR ALL.” 1 Timothy 2:5

ML-11/11/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 16:1-3

WE NOW come to a very solemn chapter in the history of Israel in the wilderness — the rebellion of Korah and its fearful judgment. Korah was a Levite, a grandson of Kohath, to whose family were assigned the very high and special privilege of caring for the sacred vessels of the holy place. He with Dathan and Abiram, of the tribe of Reuben, headed the rebellion against Moses and Aaron, but Korah was the prime mover.

We remember in the previous chapter God had given His people a riband of blue to wear; “a sign that ye might remember, and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God.” v. 40. Having persuaded 250 princes of the people to join them, Korah, Dathan and Abiram gathered themselves against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?”

Here we see the flesh, intruding into the holy things of God, turning the grace of God into the worst evil and bringing down His sure and awful judgment. God had said, Be ye holy, and Korah and his men come and say as it were, We are holy. In this they include all the congregation, but this last is only to hide their own pride and self-will. Not satisfied with their God-given place Korah and his company aspire to the priesthood. They say they are as well fitted for the office as Aaron. They thought they might do without Moses and Aaron, now that God had allowed all to wear the riband of blue.

But this charge against Moses and Aaron was really against God. It was He who had separated both to Himself and given each his place in Israel. This was not a question of holiness merely, but one of God’s sovereign choice.

Korah would call the “flesh” holy. He would seek to bring it into the sanctuary and give it a place in the presence of God. Now this is what we find repeated in the church, even from its earliest beginnings, the flesh allowed a place in the things of God, a place which belongs only to Christ. The great sin of Christendom is opposition to the priesthood of Christ, man pretending to be the channel or means of communication between God and sinners. “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Tim. 2:5,6.

Dathan and Abiram were of the tribe of Reuben, Jacob’s first born, who having failed was rejected. Perhaps these men were jealous of Moses and Aaron, sons of Levi, whom God had exalted. Their complaint was different from that of the Levites; they said Moses aimed at being a prince over them. How false was this charge! God had said Moses was the meekest man in all the earth. How often had the people utterly failed and had it not been for the intercession of Moses they would have perished under the judgment of God long ago. In Moses and Aaron we have types of Christ, our great High Priest and Mediator, who has entered into heaven by His own blood, “having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12). To set Him aside is to set aside the ground of all blessing. This is apostasy and will bring down the fearful judgment of God upon Christendom.

ML-11/11/1973

A Navajo Shepherd Boy

THE WIND, sweeping down from White Mesa, blew cold against the Indian boy, Hosteen Nez, as he herded his sheep and started homeward. When he had penned up his sheep in the corral he found that one was missing. Where had he lost it?

He looked about the hogan, a round, low, one-roomed hut, built of logs and plastered with mud, the only home the boy had known dung his fourteen years, and it looked very pleasant and comfortable to him now. His mother was just taking some Navajo bread off the fire.

“Let me have it quick, I must go back; I have lost a sheep,” he said.

The heavy clouds above White Mesa told him that a storm was already raging in the mountains and would soon come down the valley.

Where could that one sheep have strayed from the others? The boy was puzzled as he stumbled over the darkening trail, trying to recall the day’s stopping places. Surely it must have been in the Wash where he had taken them to drink earlier in the day.

The wind that had quickened to a gale seemed to cut through his clothing, and flurries of sand half blinded him. Oh if he could only find his poor lost lamb!

The clouds piled darker over the mountains. There was an occasional flash of light, followed by a heavy roll of thunder. He longed to be at home, but a Navajo boy is not easily separated from his sheep, and so he plunged on and on toward the edge of the Wash. Straining his eyes through the dark, he called again and again. Then a faint bleat that only an Indian’s ear could catch, and without thought of danger to himself, Hosteen Nez was struggling toward a helpless bit of life caught in the treacherous quicksand. Experienced as he was in the ways of the desert, all his strength and skill were needed in that fight to save the lamb, but he won: and once again he struggled wearily up the sandy bank with the lamb flung over his shoulder. The rain now came driving in sheets over the valley. It was not easy to carry the half-grown lamb, with its wet, muddy fleece in his arms, partly protected by his coat, but he knew it must have warmth soon or his labor would be in vain. In remembering its helplessness he somewhat forgot his own discomfort and fear, and struggled on.

More than two hours later, weary to the point of exhaustion, dripping, shivering, with the fear of the thunder still in his heart, he left behind him the darkness and storm and entered the shelter and welcome warmth of the hogan.

Near him, in sleepy content, lay the little lamb, its troubles over, its strength renewed. He watched it idly wondering at his feeling of affection for it. Queer what a fellow would brave and endure for a little helpless animal. It was not worth much money, but somehow he liked it; he had paid a heavy price for its life. It was his before it was lost, but it was doubly his now; he had bought it back from death with the price of his own labor and strength.

Months later Hosteen Nez lounged at the nearest Trading Post, the door opened and a missionary entered and began talking in Navajo. What queer ideas the white man had, and how funny some of his words sounded. But what was that a God Who sought sinful lost men as a Navajo would seek a lost sheep “What man of you... Both not leave the ninety and nine... and go after that which is lost until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” Luke 15:4,5.

Hosteen Nez leaned eagerly forward. Again he felt himself facing the bitter wind; he saw the pitiful, struggling lamb in the quicksand; he felt the joy of its rescue from the rain and darkness and rushing of the waters from the mountain heights, that in a moment more would have doomed the helpless little animal.

" ‘All we’ — white men, Navajos, big men and women, boys and girls — like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on Him Jesus Christ, God’s Son — the iniquity of us all’ (Isa. 53:6).

“God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, came into the world to save sinners, and He not only found them but He bought their safety, by dying for them — giving His own precious life for them.”

Hosteen Nez had always thought the white man’s God too strange to understand. But the story of such love, how easy to understand, and so good. Could it possibly be — yes it must be — true!

That day the tender Shepherd found Hosteen Nez. Has He found you, dear friend!

If you want Jesus Christ as your Shepherd and His gift of eternal life, say to Him from the depths of your heart: “Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and need a Saviour. I take Thee just now to be my Saviour from sin and eternal death.”

Memory Verse "... THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME.” John 20:31

ML-11/18/1973

Happy Jane

A ROUGH-LOOKING man, employed as a cattle driver, came to a missionary in India one day bringing with him his little girl about eight years of age.

“This is my daughter,” he said, “and I want you to please take her into your mission. I have learned something about Jesus and I have given up worshiping idols, I want my little girl to learn about Jesus too.

They took her in but she appeared as a very unpromising scholar. Ragged and dirty, she seemed as dull and unteachable as the cattle she had helped to drive. The entire change of life was at first hard for her to bear.

But under the Lord’s good hand, love and kindness began to have their effects. She began to take a great interest in the school exercises and in the Sunday school classes. Before a year had passed away it was evident that a great change had taken place in her. The Spirit of God was at work in her heart. She was gentle and loving in her tender and manner, and she was neat and tidy in her dress and ways.

One day she came to the missionary and earnestly desired to be baptized. She understood well what it meant. She gave good evidence that she had truly been “born again” and that she was a real little Christian. The missionary suggested she might better wait a while, but she replied: “I am not strong and may not have long to live. I want others to know that I am a Christian before I go to be with Jesus.”

So she was baptized by the name of Jane. Then not long after she came to ask if she might go and visit her people. It was a long journey of several days. When they asked her why she wished to go so far, she answered: “They do not know about Jesus, and I want to tell them what a Saviour I have found in Him. My grandmother is old and she can’t live much longer. I want to tell her about Jesus before she dies. There is someone going to my village tomorrow and he says he will take care of me. Please let me go and in fourteen days I will come back again.”

So they let her go. True to her word fourteen days later she returned.

As she entered the missionary’s study her little face was beaming, and joyfully she exclaimed, “I’m so glad I went. I was just in time. Grandma lived only three days after I got there. But I told her about Jesus. I prayed with her and read to her out of my Testament. Before she died she said, “I believe in Jesus.” So I know she has gone to heaven, and O I’m so glad I went!”

Not too long after that little Jane was taken very sick and it seemed that the Lord was going to take His little lamb to Himself. Shortly bore she left this world, the missionary asked her, “Are you happy, Jane?”

“O yes,” she replied joyfully. “Are you afraid to die, Jane?” “O no! I’m going to be with Jesus!

It’s all joy!” These were the last words she uttered before she passed into the blissful presence of her Saviour.

“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psa. 16:11.

ML-11/18/1973

"That Hand Never Lost a Man"

IT WAS among the Alpine heights. A dangerous crossing had been reached and many of the climbers were fearful.

Reaching out his hand the guide said to one, “That hand never lost a man.” The traveler passed in safety.

Christ is the Guide. He never fails one who trusts in Him. He is able to save unto the uttermost — that is all the way through. Not only can He save the vilest sinner who comes — He can do that for He has once died for us. But He is able to save right on to the very end the weakest believer, because He ever lives for us. His hand never lost a man or woman or child. His own word is.

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE,

AND I KNOW THEM,

AND THEY FOLLOW ME: AND

I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE;

AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH,

NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN

PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND.”

John 10:27,28

ML-11/18/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 16:4-35

WHEN MOSES heard this accusation of Korah and his company he fell upon his face. What a lesson for us! The proud, haughty words of these men, instead of inviting Moses to reply in the same spirit, only had the effect of humbling him before God. He told Korah that the Lord would show who are His, and who is holy. They were all to take censers, to put fire in them and incense and then come before the Lord on the morrow.

Is it a small thing to you, he said, that the God of Israel has separated you to bring you near Himself to do the service of the tabernacle — and do you want to be priests also? Instead of appreciating the honor God had conferred on them they despised the Giver. Unsatisfied, they grasped after what He had not given — they would be as Moses and Aaron. May we have grace to be satisfied with our lot, with that which God has given us, for this imparts real peace and happiness to the soul.

Dathan and Abiram who joined with Korah in the rebellion say nothing about the congregation being holy. They charge Moses with not fulfilling his promise. But this charge was really against God. The riband of blue was to keep them in remembrance of Him but this was all lost now. They speak of Egypt now not as a land of bondage, but as a land “flowing with milk and honey;” it was as good as Canaan. They blame Moses for not bringing them into the promised land, when the truth of the matter was the Lord had brought them there and their own unbelief had shut them out. Moses, they said, wished to be a prince over them, that he had deprived them but now they were aware of his designs. And yet this was the same Moses who had said to God “Blot me out of Thy book!” rather than that Israel should be consumed. How terrible was the evil of their hearts! Theirs was not a sin of ignorance; it was altogether open rebellion, upon which the judgment of God was swift to follow.

Moses, whom they had so falsely accused, and Aaron, again fall on their faces before the Lord and intercede for the people, saying, “O God, the God of the spirit of all flesh, shall one man (no doubt Korah, the leader) sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?” God told them to warn the congregation to separate themselves from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

So there stood Korah and his company with their censers, in their pride daring the judgment of God. In their tent doors stood Dathan and Abiram, equally proud, with their wives and children. Then came the sentence of death, not the coon death of man, but “a new thing” from the Lord, so that all might understand “that these men have provoked the Lord.”

Suddenly the earth opened her mouth, “and all the men that appertained unto Korah went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them... And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.”

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb. 10:31. May we watch against the first workings of pride in our hearts; how little we know what they are capable of! The Lord give us grace to keep low down and to walk humbly before Him.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21.

ML-11/18/1973

Jim and Bill

JIM WAS the black sheep of the family. In his home God’s name was honored and his parents sought earnestly to teach their children the simple truths of God’s Word. But Jim would have none of it. For him life was more than being “religious” and he vowed he would get away from it all. So at an early age he turned his back on home and those who so dearly loved him, ran away and joined the Navy.

What fun and freedom he had! No more gospel meetings for him! He had had enough to last him for the rest of his life.

Aboard the same ship Jim was on was an older seaman, named Bill. He was an ungodly fellow, but poor Jim in his ignorance thought that everything Bill did was just about right; he called him “his mate.” Between them there was no evil nor vice they were not into as they sailed from port to port overseas. A pair of hardened wicked sinners they were!

But the love of Jim’s dear parents at home never wavered. They cried to God without ceasing, praying that He would bring their poor wandering boy back to Himself and to them.

Years passed, and both Jim and Bill got married. Their poor wives had a sorry time of it with their drunken husbands. But they stuck with them and eventually both families were posted to a naval base in the Far East.

Each Saturday night Jim and Bill went into town and ended up drunk at one of the many bars there. But “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform,” and the prayers of the dear parents at home were heard in heaven.

At the base there was a church service for any who wished to attend, and a Sunday school for children as well. Bill’s little children went to the Sunday school and there learned many sweet gospel hymns and stories from the Bible. One Sunday little Ann told her Daddy and Mommie one of the Bible stories and sang a chorus she had learned. Bill’s heart was touched, but he said nothing.

The following Saturday found Bill and Jim in town at their favorite bar. Jim asked Bill what drink he would have.

“I don’t want any drink, Jim,” he said. “I only want to pray.”

Pray! His mate must be out of his head, thought Jim, and he became alarmed. But Bill was firm. He then told him about his little girl, Ann, and of how her Sunday school lesson had somehow touched his poor hard wicked heart. “I want to pray, Jim; I don’t want to drink,” he repeated.

Jim was not too pleased with this sudden turn of events, but he had enough decency left to feel that a bar was scarcely the place for them to pray.

“We’ll have to go to the Cathedral, if you want to pray,” he said; “we can’t pray here.”

The Cathedral was only two or three blocks away and they made their way there. The doors were wide open, but not a soul did they find inside as they entered. They got on their knees in one of the pews. There were Bibles in the pews and Jim opened one at random. It happened to open at John’s Gospel, chapter 3, where our blessed Lord met Nicodemus on that memorable night and told him, “Ye must be born again.”

Jim knew it all so well, but when as he read aloud he came to verse 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,” the consciences of both were overwhelmed and completely convicted. Both cried aloud for mercy to God against whom they had until now sinned and whom they had so dishonored. And God who is rich in mercy heard their cries and answered their prayers.

While on their knees they both found God’s pardoning grace and arose with the sense that their sins were forever gone, all washed away in the precious blood of Christ. Scarcely could they refrain from shouting for joy along the way as they walked back to their homes at the Base.

When Jim told his wife the wonderful news, that he was saved, that he was now a new creature in Christ Jesus and that old things had passed away, the poor girl could hardly believe a word of it at first. She was sure Jim was under the influence of drink again. But, no! this was a real work of the Spirit of God in the hearts of both Jim and Bill and they both went steadily on in the Christian life. Both had the joy of winning their wives for the Saviour, and now two happy Christian homes are the result of that work of God.

Truly “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25.

ML-11/25/1973

He Loves Me

An old man, over ninety, was asked by a visitor: “My dear aged friend, do you love Jesus?”

His deeply furrowed face was lit with a heavenly smile, the result of 67 years spent in following the Lord. Grasping the visitor’s hand with both of his he replied: “Oh! I can tell you something better than that.”

His visitor asked him, “What is that?”

“Oh, Sir,” he said, “He loves me.”

“And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.” Eph. 3:19

ML-11/25/1973

The Wrong Dress

THE END of the school year had come at last. It was graduation day. 66 grade eight girls assembled in their Clifton, Arizona school for the happy occasion. But amid all the gaiety and excitement, Sally, one of the girls, was barred from the graduation ceremony. Why? Because she had failed her year? No— but because her dress did not conform to regulations.

Long before the students had been told they must wear plain pastel dresses for this occasion. Sally came wearing a yellow-flowered dress. Poor girl, she went home in tears.

“She was defying authority,” explained the school board chairman. But the truth was, Sally’s parents were too poor to buy her a dress, so her aunt kindly made her one. Unfortunately no one had told Auntie that the dress must be plain pastel.

We feel very sorry for poor Sally whose feelings were so deeply hurt, but we are reminded that the Lord Jesus used a similar illustration to teach us all a most important lesson.

In the parable of a certain king who made a marriage for His Son we read: “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 22:13.

The only suitable wedding garment had been provided at great cost out of the royal bounty. No other would do for this glorious event. To come wearing self-chosen clothes was not only a deliberate insult but a direct offense against the king. Nothing could excuse this man’s contempt for the king’s grace and honor. Nothing could excuse his preference for his own robe — especially on the grand occasion made by the king to honor his son.

In the parable the king and his son picture to us God and His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus. The man without a wedding garment is a picture of religious people who prefer their own righteousness, when God says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6.

If we have put on Christ “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30), we have everything we need.

In the coming day, when God “comes in to see the guests,” everyone found not having a wedding garment will be cast into outer darkness. There shall be weeping. How awful! Are you safe in Christ — now?

THERE’S a stranger at the door,

Let....Him in....

He has been there oft before,

Let....Him in....

Let Him in, ere He is gone,

Let Him in, the Holy One,

Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,

Let....Him in....

Memory Verse: "... BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM.” Romans 5:9

ML-11/25/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 16:35-40

IN THE rebellion of Korah and his company, Korah presents to us the religious world, Dathan and Abiram the civil power, but Korah is the instigator or leader. Moses, “king in Jeshurun” (a name given to Israel — Deut. 33: 5), and Aaron the priest are types of Christ. So the whole rebellion is a type of the opposition against the royalty and priesthood of Christ.

The earthquake which took place when Korah and his company went down alive into the pit and perished came not from any natural causes. It was an act of God dealing directly in special judgment on the rebels.

But here we are reminded of another earthquake which took place when the Lord Jesus was on earth. The rebellious people rose up against their true King who came in lowly grace. They said, “We will not have this man to reign over us"; so they crucified Him. When He died, we read, “the earth did quake, and the rocks rent"; but it was not in judgment on His foes, for instead “the graves were opened; and many of the bodies of the saints which slept arose” (Matt. 27:51,52). This quake could not be attributed to any natural cause for it was God in divine power testifying to the glory of the Person of His beloved Son, the true King of Israel.

How sad to think that in the latter days the unbelieving Jews will lead the world in opposing Christ when He comes back to reign. The antichrist — the false prophet and send beast of Revelation 13: 11 together with the first beast, head of the great Western power, will be caught in open rebellion against Christ when He comes out of heaven with all His saints. The earth will not open up to receive the rebels in that day but these two leaders will be cast alive into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20).

This sin of Korah has been repeated in the history of the church. Evil men, religious men, have sought to destroy the authority of Christ in the church. How sad that in Jude’s epistle, which describes the religious history of the world, Korah is mentioned as the last stage: “they perished in the gainsaying of Core.” First it was Cain’s worship — without faith, dead works, refusing to own the total ruin of man. Then comes “the error of Balaam"—men greedily seeking reward from the world, its riches and honors. Last comes “the gainsaying of Core” — denying Christ as the only High Priest appointed of God. It is here the judgment falls.

False corrupt religion is leading the world on to its judgment. And just as the people were warned to flee from the tents of Korah and his company lest they be consumed in their sins, so we ought to heed the warning of God concerning the judgment of the great false religious system; “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4.

This record of Israel’s journey through the wilderness thus far shows what man is under trial, that the human heart is untrustworthy even in the people of God. The only resource is the priesthood of Christ. He alone is worthy and able to be our great High Priest and appear in the presence of God for us. He has finished completely the work of putting our sins away; but He has not finished His work of interceding for us yet. Soon we shall be with Him in heaven. That work of intercession for us will be over forever, and He will lead the eternal praises of all those for whom He died.

ML-11/25/1973

Grace and Mercy: The Story of Jean

IT HAS been said that grace is getting what we don’t deserve, while mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Perhaps the story of Jean will help to illustrate this.

Jean’s parents were very poor, and as with many of his social level poverty became a stepping stone to crime. Jean stole for a living, he even stole bread to feed his sister’s starving family. Caught by the police he was sent to jail; then after some years in prison he was paroled.

But Jean learned through these experiences the truth of Scripture, that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15). Though free again he found that no one wanted anything to do with an ex-convict. In the midst of his despair he found a friend in the kindly bishop who welcomed him to his home. The tender-hearted bishop showed Jean no little kindness. This was grace — unmerited favor or undeserved love.

But the human heart is untrustworthy; Scripture says it is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). One day Jean disappeared. Then it was discovered one of the bishop’s most valued treasures was also missing. Apprehended again by the police Jean was found with the lost article in his possession.

However, the bishop’s tender heart still went out to Jean and he would not press the charge against him. He freely forgave the young culprit, who had not only taken what was not his own but had abused the confidence placed in him. Instead of sending Jean to jail the bishop freely forgave him and welcomed him back. That was mercy, was it not?

And is not this an illustration of God’s ways with sinners like ourselves? God by His Spirit works repentance in our souls, and He frankly and freely forgives all who believe on His Son who died for sinners. Salvation, full and free, is offered to all. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Those who have Christ as their Saviour can say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31.

The kindly bishop forgave and welcomed Jean back, but God has done far more for those who trust in Jesus. Not only do we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins, but He has united us to Christ forever, and there is a home prepared for us in heaven to which He is soon going to bring us, where we shall sing forever the praises of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3:24.

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

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

“Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Tim. 1:2.

ML-12/02/1973

The Fountain

Close by a village school

A shaded fountain stood.

And boys and girls had cooling draughts

As often as they would.

The fountain ever flowed,

Its streams were free to all,

And many children loved to come

And see the waterfall.

Some drank it on the spot,

And many twice a day

Would bring their empty pitchers there

And bear them filled away.

But though the thirsty longed

These waters to obtain,

And with them fully quenched their thirst,

They thirsted soon again.

Not so when thirsty souls

The Living waters try,

For these, outflowing from the Rock,

The heart can satisfy.

They never thirst again,

The Lord of glory said,

Whose poor and needy souls to Christ

The Fount of life, are lead.

’Tis there a child gets life,

Though dead in sins before;

’Tis thence a little child may drink,

And go and thirst no more.

“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13,14.

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

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

ML-12/02/1973

Hungering for the Word of God

A MISSIONARY in Canada once looked up from his desk to see his room filled with Indians. They had entered so quietly that he had not heard them coming. He asked them where they came from.

“We came a distance of fourteen nights,” they answered, for they reckoned distance by the number of nights on the way. “We have the Great Book, [the Bible], which we can read, but we cannot understand.”

He asked them what missionary had taught them to read, and they replied that they had never seen a missionary. They lived in the Huon Bay region, hundreds of miles away from the nearest missionary station, but their hunting grounds adjoined those of Christian Indians, and from them they had heard about the Great Book.

“They read and explained it to us,” said these men, “and last winter we all learned to read, every one in our village.”

The missionary could scarcely believe that they had learned to read without a white teacher, but when he opened the Book, which they had obtained from an agent of the Hudson Bay Company, he found their words were true; they could read easily and correctly. Like the Ethiopian treasurer, they wanted a guide, and they had traveled a distance of 14 nights over the snow to find one.

How different to these Indians in the Hudson Bay region are millions who do not have to learn to read or get someone to read to them this Great Book. They do not have to journey hundreds of miles over the snow in order to have the Book explained. And yet they do not value their opportunities and are not eager to know the Holy Scriptures which are able to make them wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).

May we learn to value more, dear young friends, the wonderful words of life found in God’s blessed Book, the Bible.

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

ML-12/02/1973

Repentance

“What is the sweetest thing in the world?” The question was asked of a class of deaf and dumb children. Different answers were written on the blackboard.

Tom wrote, “going home"; Sandy wrote, “Mother’s love"; and so on until Lynn, the youngest of the class went to the board.

Hiding her face from sight she wrote with trembling fingers, “the tears of repentance.”

All who have truly repented of their sins and who have trusted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will know what this dear girl meant and will agree with her.

Someone has said, “Repentance is the teardrop upon the eye of faith.”

“Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.

ML-12/02/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 16:41-50

The 250 men who had dared to test their title to the priesthood by offering incense had been consumed by fire. God would now show who was His choice and the value of the high priest whom they had despised. Eleazar the son of Aaron was instructed to take all their censers and out of them to make broad plates with which to cover the altar. This was to be a memorial or warning that no strangers, not of the seed of Aaron, were to come near to offer incense to the Lord.

In spite of the solemn judgments they had just witnessed the hearts of the people were hard and unrepentant, for on the morrow there was a fresh outbreak of murmurings. They came to Moses and Aaron saying, “Ye have killed the people of the Lord.” Defiant of God they would still maintain the right of the princes who had died to offer incense. They charged Moses with slaying righteous men, and were willingly ignorant that it was the Lord whose judgment had destroyed them. In reality they were saying God was unrighteous in what He had done. This was solemn indeed. It brought down further judgment for suddenly the glory of the Lord appeared and the plague destroyed 14,700 more of the people.

It was a climax to their wickedness but God in His wondrous mercy used the circumstances to confirm the priesthood of Aaron. How wonderful is His mercy! Truly, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

God had confirmed Aaron’s title to the priesthood by His judgment on the princes who had dared to dispute that title. Now Aaron was commanded to intervene in mercy for those dying from the plague. He was to take a censer, put fire from off the altar in it, then put on incense and go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them. Aaron did so, “And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.”

In Aaron standing between the dead and the living we have a lovely picture of Christ. In the coming day He will intervene on behalf of God’s earthly people. The sword of judgment will be sheathed and the little remnant will be spared, restored and become a great nation.

But He is all this and more for us His people now. The fire taken from off the altar speaks of divine judgment which Christ Himself has borne for us. The incense is the sweet savor of His Person and work which ascended up to God, the preciousness of Him who bore the judgment so that God can arrest the power of death and be righteous in doing so.

How precious to think that in Aaron’s putting the incense on the fire, we have a picture of Christ pleading before God the merits of His one atoning sacrifice and putting God in remembrance of it! Our failures deserve God’s righteous judgment but the sweet incense of Christ is ever before Him and He sees us as sprinkled with the blood.

Like Aaron standing between the dead and the living, so Christ has gone within the veil by His own blood to make intercession for us. We are on the living side of the Priest and the death angel cannot pass. Sweet it is to hear Him say: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28.

ML-12/02/1973

The Conversion of Jerry Mcauley

JERRY McAuley, the founder of the Water Street Mission in New York, at the age of 19 was sentenced to Sing Sing prison for a term of sixteen years and six months.

In the prison chapel one morning, “Awful Gardiner” was preaching. He had been a notorious prize-fighter and an all-round ruffian and Jerry had known him prior to his going to prison. As Gardiner went on, with tears streaming down his face, telling of the love of Jesus, Jerry was convicted of sin.

Gardiner quoted some passage of Scripture that impressed itself upon Jerry, and when they were dismissed and he had gone to his cell, he looked in the ventilator and found a Bible. Dusting it he tried to read but with some difficulty. He had never had one in his hands before, and he looked aimlessly to try to find the verse Gardiner had quoted. He never found that particular verse, but he did find that Jesus died for sinners, and the Holy Spirit drew him to the Saviour.

“I’ve found Jesus,” cried Jerry. “Oh, bless the Lord, I’ve found Jesus.”

The unusual sound attracted the keeper, and he threw the beam of his dark lantern on Jerry as he was praising God in his lonely cell. In rough tones he shouted, “What’s the matter with you?”

“I’ve found Jesus.” replied Jerry.

“I’ll put you in the cooler in the morning,” returned the keeper, and he took down his number.

Jerry said later, “The Lord made him forget it, for I was never put in the cooler.” This was Jerry Muley’s conversion.

A wonderful revival broke out in the prison. Missionaries from the city went up and every opportunity was given them by the management. Jerry was the center of all this activity. It resulted in his being pardoned by Governor John A. Dix, and the last eight years of his sentence were canceled.

Memory Verse: “FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.” Romans 5:6

ML-12/09/1973

Doctor Johnson's Kindness

DR. JOHNSON, one of the world’s great writers, had a tender heart. Once when he was staying at a friend’s house in the country, the gardener brought in a little rabbit he had caught in the garden. His master, who at the moment was talking with Dr. Johnson, told him to take the little bunny out and kill it.

On hearing this conversation Dr. Johnson begged that the bunny be placed in his arms. No sooner was this done than going to the open window he set the little creature free.

His friend was quite vexed saying the doctor had deprived them of a good dinner. But the great man replied that he would not be the loser by showing kindness to the poor little creature.

Now God has shown kindness to guilty sinners such as we. We were worthy of death but He sent His blessed Son into this world to die in our place, and He delights to set sinners free who have put their trust in Jesus.

Have you, dear friend, come to God and acknowledged that you are guilty, that because of your sins you are worthy of death, but that Christ has died in your stead? How glad the little bunny was to be set free! Have you been made glad through His salvation?

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

ML-12/09/1973

Faithful Pal

PAL, the dog, was following two men as they walked along the road. If you had watched Pal ambling along you would not have known whose dog he was.

When they came to a crossroad one man turned to the right but the other man went straight on ahead; Pal followed him. Pal knew whom he belonged to and followed his master.

The Lord Jesus is the blessed Master of all the boys and girls, and grown-ups too, who love and trust Him as their Saviour. He goes before them and they follow Him. Do you belong to this wonderful Lord and Master? Is He your Saviour? Which way do you go?

“One is your Master, even Christ.” Matt. 23:8.

“If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be.” John 12:26.

ML-12/09/1973

He Saved a Poor Sinner Like Me

I was once far away from the Saviour,

And as vile as a sinner could be;

And I wondered if Christ the Redeemer

Could save a poor sinner like me.

I wander’d on in the darkness,

Not a ray of light could I see;

And the thought filled my heart with sadness,

There’s no hope for a sinner like me.

And then, in that dark lonely hour,

A voice sweetly whispered to me,

Saying, “Christ the Redeemer has power

To save a poor sinner like thee.”

I listened, and lo! ’twas the Saviour

That was speaking so kindly to me;

I cried, “I’m the chief of sinners,

Thou cant save a poor sinner like me!”

I then fully trusted in Jesus;

And oh, what a joy came to me!

My heart was filled with His praises,

For saving a sinner like me.

No longer in darkness I’m walking,

For the light is now shining on me;

And now unto others I’m telling

How He saved a poor sinner like me.

And when life’s journey is over,

And I my dear Saviour shall see,

I’ll praise Him forever and ever,

For saving a sinner like me.

ML-12/09/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 17:1-11

“AND THE Lord spake unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers,... twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod. And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi:... And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom”

In the last chapter Aaron, standing between the dead and the living till the plague was stayed, is a wonderful picture of Christ standing between His people and the angel of death. Now in Aaron’s rod, laid up before God and then bursting forth into life, we have another lovely type of Christ as the One who has lain in death but has risen out of it in resurrection power. He went into death in order that He might burst its bands, He has forever rolled away the stone, but more than this, He has forever freed His own held captive in the chains of death. Now He gives eternal life to whomsoever He will.

The Lord Jesus went into the strong man’s house (death), bound him and spoiled his goods (Matt. 10:29). Now He has the keys of hell and of death. In Hebrews 2:14-17 we read, “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... that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God.” Heb. 2:14-17. What a glorious Saviour we have! He alone is worthy and fitted to be God’s High Priest and to sit upon the throne of His glory!

Aaron’s rod that budded, bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds spoke of God’s grace and goodness; it was also an assurance of His mercy. But it was also “to be kept for a token against the rebels” as a reminder of their sin. When the Lord Jesus came to this earth He was rejected by His people and He went back to heaven. His presence there is a “token against the rebels” now.

Just as Aaron’s rod, laid up in the ark was hidden from the eyes of Israel, so is Christ hidden from their view now. But after the Church is gathered home to heaven, He will appear again to the remnant of His people who will receive Him in that day. No longer will there be the token against them, for their sins and iniquities He will remember no more. He will quite take away their murmurings, and Israel will bear fruit to God.

In Aaron’s rod, breaking forth into life and fruitfulness, we are reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus: “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24. He was that grain of wheat that has brought forth much fruit to God. And this same gospel tells us that we who now have this same resurrection life in Him are chosen and ordained to bring forth much fruit to the Father’s praise and His glory. “He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” (Chap. 15:5).

ML-12/09/1973

Brave Antonio

ANTONIO was an Indian and lived in one of the many villages in Mexico. He had believed the gospel and was happily saved. Now he was eager to tell his friends and neighbors about his Saviour.

But many of the villagers did not like to hear Antonio telling out his “good news,” and one dark night he was called before an Indian council. There sat several Indians armed with guns and sitting by a judge. The judge told Antonio 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 other 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 his friends and neighbors, and even strangers who came to town, that Jesus Christ is 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 small chapel built by humble believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. It stands as a monument to Antonio the Indian, who loved His Saviour more than his own life.

The LORD is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27: 1.

Memory Verse “IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE.” Ephesians 1:7

ML-12/16/1973

How George Could Not Get Away From God

GEORGE was determined not to go to the gospel service, so in order to escape the Sunday preaching he got on his bicycle and rode off into the country.

But God still loved George and followed him there. As he rode along the country road his attention was arrested by a piece of green paper tacked onto a gate post. Getting off his bike he got near enough to read it. Imagine his surprise when his eyes fell on the words, “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD,” printed in bold letters.

George stood speechless. God had sent that message to him there, and he could go no further. He sat down on the side of the road convicted and no longer fighting God. The hour had come when he must decide to belong to Christ, or to go in fully for sin and the world. He weighed the matter well and looked at the issues for time and eternity. At last his decision was made and he said, “It will be Christ for me.”

Getting back on his bicycle he pedaled home. That evening found him at the gospel meeting, and tang his stand among the people of God, he told them what the Lord had done for his soul. The Lord gave him strength to give up his old habits and companionships which were leading him down to ruin. From then on he used his bicycle in the service of the Lord going from village to village preaching the glad gospel news and seeking to win others to the Saviour.

Dear reader, have you ever been converted? Are you ready to meet God? One day you must meet Him, ready or not. Where will you spend eternity? If you have not been converted to God, you cannot, and will not, go to heaven. “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. Salvation will be yours when you receive Christ as your own and only Saviour. Say, will you do so now!

ML-12/16/1973

The Widow's Dream

The widow slept; and while her eyes

Were closed in slumber, a dream she dreamed,

Filling her soul with sweet surprise,

So strange and yet so true it seemed.

When morning dawns, and the widow wakes,

“It could only have been a dream,” she cried.

“How swift a journey the spirit takes!

I thought at first I had surely died.”

Her scanty store for a scanty meal

She carried in to a neighbor’s near:

“I should like the warmth of your fire to feel,

And to eat my morsel in comfort here.”

“Ay, ay, come in; there is always room,

And put your chair in the old man’s nook,

And tell him something, to chase his gloom,

Out of your favorite, holy Book.

“You have a scanty breakfast.”

“Nay, It is enough.” she quickly cried.

“The promise fails not from day to day;

I know my Father will still provide.

“And if so be He should want me home,

It is a token that’s easily read:

Whenever He means to bid me come,

And not before, He will stop the bread.”

“You’re happy, Nancy?” “Ay, ay,” she cried;

“And so would you be if you were me.

There’s never a sinner for whom Christ died

Whose life on earth should unhappy be.

And yesternight I was dreaming, too,

A happy dream you would like to hear;

A dream, I know, which is mostly true:

I wish the end might be true and near.

“I thought I stood by a river side,

And far away on the other shore

Was the golden city, its gates flung wide:

But there was no one to take me o’er.

“I saw the ‘shining ones’ in the street;

I heard their harp-strings music pour;

I saw them waiting my soul to greet;

But there was no one to take me o’er.

"1 Thought I saw where the Saviour’s throne

Shone in the midst of that city fair:

Oh, how I longed to be up and gone!

And suddenly, suddenly I was there!

She ceased; and after a pause they said,

And what did you see in that city fair?”

No answer. The spirit to heaven had fled:

Suddenly, suddenly she was there.

ML-12/16/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 18

THE RESULT of the rebellion of Korah and his company against Moses and Aaron ended in the judgment of the rebels and in Aaron’s being established more firmly and clearly in the office of high priest. So it will be in Christendom at the end. The judgment of God will surely fall upon those who have usurped the place which belongs only to Christ, God’s High Priest above, the blessed Man of His choosing, the only One worthy and fit to stand in His presence and intercede for His people.

Aaron’s rod was only a stick like the other rods, for Aaron was a poor weak man like the rest. But God had chosen him and given him the office of the high priest that he might lead His people into the promised land. He was but a faint shadow of the Lord Jesus, the perfect holy One, who had lain in death, but whom God raised again to lead us into the heavenly glory.

God had told Moses to put Aaron’s rod that budded, which spoke of priestly grace, into the ark along with the two tables of the law. When the people saw what the Lord had done they said: “Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. Whoever cometh anything near unto the tabernacle of the Lord shall die. Shall we be consumed with dying?” In their unbelief they failed to see the full meaning of Aaron’s rod being laid up in the ark. They saw the token against the rebels, but they did not see the grace. It seems the grace and goodness of God was more frightening to them than His judgment, for they felt how unfit they were to have to do with Him.

But God was working through all these circumstances for His own glory and for the blessing of His people. Now they were glad to have Aaron go into His presence for them.

Thus the necessity of the priesthood of Aaron becomes more evident, and so in chapter 18 details as to the position and requirements of the priestly family are more clearly presented. Holiness is insisted upon, for God has Christ before Him in all these things.

The Lord told Aaron he and his family should bear the iniquity of the holy place and the iniquity of their priesthood for they were unclean. Also the Levites were to be joined with them in the service of the tabernacle. But Aaron and his sons should keep the priests’ office for everything of the altar and within the veil. God gave it as a gift to Aaron and his sons; and everything that the children of Israel offered to the Lord was to be given to the priests.

How different is our condition now with those priests of old, who bore their own iniquity. They were unclean for Christ had not come and died to sin, therefore they could not pass within the veil into the second tabernacle. We enter in now as purged worshipers. We do not remain at the altar without, but enter within the veil. Though we are no better than Israel’s priests, yet we have no iniquity of the sanctuary to bear for Christ has borne it all. With Him within the holiest of all is our place forever.

He’s gone within the veil,

For us that place has won;

In Him we stand, a heavenly band

Where He Himself is gone.

There all’s unsullied light,

Our hearts let in its rays;

And heavenly light makes all things bright,

Seen in that blissful gaze.

ML-12/16/1973

Fakomo

FAKOMO was a poor African boy who had been taken away from his home to become the servant of a Copt in Egypt. His master called himself a Christian, but alas, he did not know the Lord as his Saviour, nor did he instruct Fakomo, so as a result the boy grew up in darkness.

One day a Mohammedan woman told Fakomo he should follow the teachings of Mohammed, and soon the boy became very strict in observing all that Mohammed had told his followers they should do.

But as time passed on, Fakomo grew restless, he ran away from his master and found work in another house. One day there came to his new master’s home a minstrel who went from house to house singing Arabic songs in praise of Christianity. So it was that Fakomo heard the name of Jesus. There was a charm to him in that name, for it was a sweet and beautiful sound to his ear. The minstrel sang that Jesus was God’s Son, and although that was all the boy heard of Jesus, God had by these words created an earnest longing in his dark soul to know Him who bears that sweet name. The religion of Mohammed had no Saviour and only left the soul of poor Fakomo empty and restless. But all this time God had been teaching him his need of the One who could say, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

Fakomo begged his new master to tell him about the Christian faith. But he did nothing to help the poor boy. Fakomo heard about a great man called a bishop whom he felt sure would tell him the way to the longed for knowledge. But neither did the bishop tell him anything about the Lord Jesus and His love to sinners. Poor Fakomo, bitterly disappointed, went back to his master with a sadder heart than ever.

But brighter days were coming. One day a native evangelist came to town preaching the glad tidings of forgiveness of sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The first who received the message of God was Fakomo. God said, “Let there be light: and there was light.” How his dear dark face shone with joy as he heard Jesus say: “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.

Fakomo had heard the words of Jesus, the words of the Saviour, he believed that God had sent Him, and from that day he has had the divine certainty of three things: that he has eternal life; that he shall never come into judgment, for Jesus has borne his judgment on the cross; thirdly, that he has passed from death unto life.

Now he delights to proclaim the glad tidings of eternal salvation through the death and resurrection of that Saviour so precious to his own soul.

“The people which sat in darkness saw great light.” Matt. 4:16.

“To Him [Jesus] give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.

ML-12/23/1973

The Lion's Roar

HARRY and his little sister Amy were once visiting a zoo. They were standing in front of a lion’s cage. Amy was trembling with fear. Her brother laughed at her.

“I’m not afraid of the lion!” he boasted. Then he went as near the cage as the strong bars would let him go.

Suddenly the lion opened his big mouth and let out a great roar. Harry was terrified and ran away as fast as he could. Little Amy followed close behind.

Surely the lion is not an animal to be played with. Neither is our powerful enemy, Satan. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may dour.” 1 Pet. 5:8. He is far too strong for us. The Lord Jesus overcame Satan when He died for us on Calvary’s cross and rose again from the dead. Now there is safety in the Saviour — but only in Him.

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

ML-12/23/1973

"Do You Love Jesus?" - "I Do for Quite a While!"

LITTLE ROSE and her mother were sitting in a railway coach waiting for the train to start. Suddenly at the last minute a man came rushing down the platform and with great difficulty climbed aboard just as the train was about to move off. A minute later and he would have been too late.

After resting a while in his seat the man tried to interest himself in the newspaper. However, this did not seem to satisfy him for he began to swear and use the name of the Lord Jesus in oaths and curses. It was this which stirred the soul of little Rose for she came and standing near him said, “Tell me, do you love the Lord Jesus? I do for quite a while!”

Another traveler in the same coach was a missionary who had also heard the blasphemous use of that precious name of “Jesus,” “which is above every name,” and had wondered how he might speak to the offender. He was indeed startled by the tactful and artless way in which the little girl had handled the matter.

The effect of Rose’s innocent remark was very evident, for the man was suddenly quiet and did not annoy the other travelers any more for the rest of the journey.

By and by little Rose and her mother got off the train. The missionary felt the opportunity was now favorable for a talk with the traveler whose language had been so offensive earlier. The Lord blessed the presentation of the gospel to him, for he was quite subdued and listened attentively to the message of the grace of God and the Saviour’s dying love.

Sometime later the man, now a newborn soul, confessed the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. He said: “The Lord used the unexpected question, ‘Tell me, do you love the Lord Jesus?’ and little Rose’s testimony, ‘I do for quite a while,’ to humble me. It came as a solemn rebuke out of the heart and mouth of a child, so courageously put to me, and it led to my conversion. I simply could not get rid of the question until I too could say, ‘Yes, I do love Him.’ The talk with the missionary helped me very much, but I always thank the Lord that He used that dear little girl to speak to me as she did.”

“Out of the mouth of babes... Thou hast perfected praise,” Matt. 21:16.

ML-12/23/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 19:1-6

WE READ in chapter 18 that the Levites were joined to Aaron and his sons, the priests — type of Christ and His own—and were servants to them. Now all believers are priests; and all are Levites too for they are typical of Christians who are redeemed, cleansed and consecrated to the service of the Lord. Furthermore, they have no inheritance on the earth.

In Israel a Levite was not a priest, but now one must be a priest — a worshiper — in order to be a true Levite, for the Levite speaks of service to Christ and the Church. Teaching and expounding the Word, watching over and caring for the flock of God, visiting among the poor and ministering to their needs, this loving service to Christ and His own would answer to the service of the Levite of old. But those who engage in such labors must first be called by the Master and their service must not be separated from Him. How sad to see many who have taken this place in the professing church who are not Christians at all, but who are strangers to His grace, who have made a profession out of these sacred privileges in order to gain a place for themselves in the world. Surely this is a great evil, and the all-seeing eye of God will find out the guilty in the day of the world’s judgment. In any little service we may feel called of the Lord to do may we seek grace to do it happily and humbly as unto Him, remembering His word, “without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

We now come to a remarkable provision of God for His people, made not when they were just entering the wilderness but after they had been long on their journey.

“And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke. And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face...

“And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times. And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: “And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer...”

We do not have atonement in view here, nor the sprinkling of the blood as on the Passover night as that which secures from judgment, for both these tell of that wonderful work of redemption of the Lord Jesus on the cross which met all our need as guilty sinners once and forever. But the offering of the red heifer is God’s provision for us as believers who become defiled while traveling through this wilderness world and need cleansing by the way.

We all know what a defiling place this world is. We are surrounded with evils of every kind, and we continually need cleansing—not by blood, for that once applied is never needed again; “for by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Heb. 10:14. How wonderful the grace that has prided for us not only as guilty sinners but also as needy saints.

ML-12/23/1973

Bob and the Watermelon

BOB WAS a little boy and lived in the country. His father had a fine patch of watermelons in the garden and Bob could hardly wait until they were ripe.

Bob knew he shouldn’t touch those melons without asking his father, but Satan suggested to him that if he took just one no one would know. Yet by the time the melons were ripe Bob made up his mind he would have one all for himself. So taking his new jackknife he severed a big one from the vine and taking it around behind a big old tree stump he sat down to enjoy his feast.

The Bible says “Stolen waters are sweet,” and “there is pleasure in sin for a season.” We are sorry to say Bob enjoyed his melon, and then to make sure that no one would find out, he buried the skin and seeds behind the big stump.

The next day, Bob’s mouth watered again as he looked at the melons ripening on the vine. It was easier to take a melon the second time. And again Bob enjoyed the stolen fruit behind the big stump. Again he buried the skin and seeds in the ground. Bob had several watermelons after that until one day at suppertime his father remarked, “What’s happening to our watermelons? Somebody must be stealing them.”

Poor Bob’s conscience smote him then and there. He said not a word but he had no more appetite for watermelons. Well had it been for him if he had confessed to his father then that he was the thief. He was miserably unhappy and could scarcely look his father in the face but he kept his secret until it came out in a remarkable way.

Bob scarcely went near the old stump, for it ever reminded him of his guilt. Then one day the next summer, his father took him over there and lo, the ground all about the stump was covered with melon vines.

“I think I know who stole our melons last summer his father said. Just the other day I saw something bright out here. It was your jackknife that you couldn’t find last winter.” He looked very sadly at Bob as he said, “I’m afraid the old stump wasn’t a very good place to keep your secret.”

God says, “Behold your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:23. It is sin that separates from God, gives us a bad conscience and makes us miserable and unhappy. Sin brings us into shame and dishonor. Sin brings death and judgment.

Only the Lord Jesus can put away sin before God. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Dear young reader, if your sins are still unforgiven, go to the Saviour now. He knows them all, and you will find forgiveness, peace and happiness.

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

ML-12/30/1973

The Shark's Fin

I WAS ONCE sailing on the Pacific Ocean just off the Mexican Coast. One day when the sea was very calm I saw what seemed to be a long, sharp-pointed knife come ring above the surface and cutting the water, while it kept up with the ship for an hour or more. Upon looking closer, I saw that it was the fin of a shark that was following us, ready to catch any one or anything that might fall overboard. It was very large, and had cold cruel eyes, as it glided noiselessly along, watching for a chance to do some terrible work.

So I thought that great enemy of souls, Satan, follows people about, hoping to seize them in some unguarded moment, and drag them down to destruction. He is in the waters of sin; however pleasant they may seem, it is dangerous to trust yourself to them. The only place of safety is aboard the good ship of salvation on which Christ Himself sails.

“Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

ML-12/30/1973

Seeking a Better Country

IF YOU HAD been boys and girls a century ago, you might have seen in many parts of our country many outfits like the one in our picture — a canvas-covered wagon drawn sometimes by horses or mules and often by oxen. Mother and the little children and all else they possessed were put inside; older children often walked, while father or one of the older boys drove the team. At night they camped; they set the animals free to feed on the grass around. They built a fire and mother and the girls cooked supper while the boys got wood and water, or sometimes caught fish and hunted if they could.

These people came from many countries far away, They had heard of America, that it was a good country, rich and plentiful and free, while in the countries where they lived they suffered from poverty and were often oppressed by those in power. They believed the report, and though it cost them some struggles to leave their friends and the scenes of their childhood, they pulled up their stakes and came away to seek a new home and plenty in this favored land. Boys and girls parted with school friends and companions to go with their fathers and mothers to the good country they had heard of but had never seen.

Now the children of God, dear young friends, do the same thing in a far higher and deeper sense.

They give up this world for heaven. They have heard of that blessed land where the Lord Jesus dwells, where all is peace and love and light. Weary with the burden of the wretchedness of sin they have left it all and started for heaven.

There was one thing which the people who came to America had all alike to do to get here. They all had to cross the mighty waters of the ocean. And so all those who go to heaven must by faith too cross the waters of death. The Lord Jesus has passed through death before them and now God’s children are those who are dead and risen with Christ His beloved Son.

These were on their way to the rich land of our country, as you see them in our picture, and some happy days and lovely scenery they enjoyed often together. But again they had storms, muddy roads, rivers to cross, and other troubles; alas some died along the way, but their trials and sorrows only made them long to reach home and rest. Sometimes the children would find fault and wish their parents had never left the old home. Those were dark days which made the fathers and mothers sad, but they kept on. And the way to heaven, dear children, is happy if we keep in the sunshine of our Father’s presence and enjoyment of the Saviour’s love. It has sorrows too, times when we cannot help weeping and wishing the Lord to come and take us to heaven. But if we kneel in prayer before God, He hears us, and He comforts us, He answers our prayers, and so makes us learn what a loving Father we have.

Are you, dear boys and girls who have Christian parents, going on with them to heaven, or do you still cling to this world and to your sins?

“But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16.

ML-12/30/1973

Bible Talks

Numbers 19:7-10

IN THE burning of the red heifer we learn that sin in God’s sight is a far more serious matter than man often supposes. God sees it in the light of His nature, while man generally judges according to how it affects himself and others. This world is a defiling place and even children of God contract defilement while passing through it. Thus in the ashes of the red heifer we see God’s gracious provision for putting away defilement in His children.

The heifer unmixed in color — in appearance without — unblemished, and unbroken by the yoke which sinful man would put upon it, is a type of Christ, who only did His Father’s will, in whom was no sin, and who, as the faithful and true Witness, suffered death at the hand of His creatures.

The heifer was slain as a sin offering outside the camp and its blood sprinkled by the priest seven times before the tabernacle. The blood was not brought inside. After this its flesh, blood, skin and dung were set fire to before his eyes. Again the priest came forward and cast cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Then a third person collected the ashes and laid them up without the camp in a clean place, to be mixed with running water for use as often as the occasion required.

The blood sprinkled completely before the tabernacle but not brought to the altar tells of our access to God by one perfect sacrifice, the death and precious blood of Christ. His blood cleanses from all sin, yet it is not the blood that is applied to the defiled saint of God here. But it is Christ offered to God, the perfect sacrifice never again repeated. We never read of another red heifer offered up, nor was the blood sprinkled again bore the tabernacle. Christ has borne it all and the work of redemption done forever.

But the ashes of the red heifer mixed with the running water speak of cleansing for the believer. They tell of Christ’s death and judgment completely borne — all consumed — applied by the Holy Spirit to our souls through the Word, as seen in the water, to cleanse us from our defilement.

The heifer burned without the camp tells of what sin is in the sight of God who will not have His sanctuary defiled. But it also tells of the place our blessed Saviour took when He suffered without the gate and became sin for us, “who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

The cedar wood and the hyssop speak of man’s greatness and his nothingness, the scarlet of this world’s glory. Thus all that man glories in are gone in the death of Christ. Here we learn the utter end of all that we are in nature. Such we are before God. What a wholesome lesson then we learn from the burning of the red heifer.

ML-12/30/1973

Messages of God's Love: 1973

Table of Contents

Faithful Roger

A Soft Answer

"Mother" And "Home"

Bible Talks: The Singular Vow

A Noble Irish Lad

Bible Acrostic

The Hid Treasure

Sam and the Jam

Bible Acrostic

The Saviour of the World

Bible Talks: The Singular Vow

Billy Topsail

Acrostic

Saved by a Red Petticoat

A Little Indian Girl

Bible Talks

Salim the Turk: A Mohammedan Convert

Bible Acrostic

"What Sort of Children Does Jesus Love?"

The Happy Choice

Bible Talks

An Hour's Fun

"Escape for Thy Life"

I Love My Saviour

Bible Talks

A Squirrel Sermon

My Father's Care.

Lost in the Forest

Jesus

Bible Talks

Living for Jesus

Little Martha and the Pie Man

When I Think About Winter Birds

Courageous Little Paul

Bible Talks

Jonah and the Whale

When I Think of Jesus

His Company

Bible Talks

Linda's Golden Calf

A Shepherd's Prayer

Bible Talks

How Ed Got on the Whining Side

Bible Acrostic

A Little Brazilian Girl

Bible Talks

A Burglar's Story

Mother's Prayers

The Candy Store Man

Bible Talks

The Story of a Russian Bible

Saved in a Gold Mine

Samson

Bible Talks

The Divine Detective

The Water of Life

Samson and the Lion

Bible Talks

How Mrs. Poore Became Rich

"There, There Is Rest"

"Them That Honor Me"

Bible Talks

John Berridge

San and Kim

Bible Talks

"Jesus Died for You"

Nimrod the Hunter

A Prodigal's Return

Bible Talks: The Trial of Jealousy

Old Shep

The Refuge

Rip

Bible Talks

Karu

Juanita

A Raccoon Story

Bible Talks

Wild Horses