Messages of God's Love: 1979

Recently the newspaper carried the story of a famous acrobat and tightrope walker whose long career came to a sudden end when he plunged to his death during a performance in Puerto Rico.

Tightrope walking and other acrobatic stunts have long dazzled crowds, a few individuals having a sense of balance and daring beyond that of their fellowmen.

It was in Shrewsbury in 1739 (known then as the old market town of Salop) that handbills in shop windows advertised that “The Famous Robert Cadman would on February 2nd, fly up and down, firing two pistols and acting seral diverting Tricks and Trades upon the Rope, which would be very diverting to the spectators.”

In spite of the bitter cold thousands of spectators, well bundled up, gathered to watch the remarkable act of the man who intended to “fly.”

A rope had been fastened to a top window of St. Mary’s Church, just a few feet from the spire, and brought down to the Gay Meadow a quarter of a mile away across the Severn River. Previously, Cadman had been employed to remove the weather vane from the top of the spire and had replaced it successfully.

A roar went up from the crowd as Cadman took his position on the rope high above them. With his arms spread out like wings, he appeared like a mighty bird gliding to its eyrie. But suddenly gasps of horror arose from the crowd. A crack like a pistol shot rang out through the frosty air—but no pistol had been fired—the rope had snapped!

Horrified spectators watched as Cadman’s body somersaulted to the ground and lay still. The proud acrobat had taken his last “flight.” Never again would he thrill the crowd with his exploits.

Poor Cadman had trusted his life to a faulty rope. He had put his confidence in something that failed him. Money and applause seem to have been his object in life. It does not appear that he was a man of faith, or had ever trusted in the Lord for his salvation.

How many there are today—young as well as old—who likewise have never trusted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Perhaps they want to go to heaven someday, but they want to enjoy the world and its pleasures first. If they have any interest in things beyond this life, so many are putting their confidence in something other than Christ. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

Christ is the Way of salvation—the only Way (John 14:6), and no one who puts his trust in Him shall ever be disappointed. He will not fail—He cannot fail—a trusting heart.

ML-01/07/1979

Sharing Their Sorrows

Queen Victoria had not long been married when her husband, Prince Albert, died. In her grief she retreated to Balmoral Castle.

While there, by chance she heard that the husband of a poor lady in a small cottage nearby had also died. Ordering a coach to be brought the Queen quietly left the castle and soon was at the door of the cottage of the bereaved neighbor woman. She lifted the latch and went in.

News of her arrival soon got around the little village. When the Queen left, neighbors crowded into the little house.

“What did she say?” they all wanted to know.

“She didn’t say anything,” was the calm reply. “She cam’ in. She sat doon beside me. She took my hand, and we both wept togaither.”

Those two whose lives and ways were poles apart were one in their sorrow.

“Weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15.

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35.

ML-01/07/1979

Benjamin's Question

Ben was just a little African boy, and one day he asked the missionary, “Was Jesus a black man?”

“No, Ben,” replied his friend.

A cloud of disappointment came over Ben’s face, and as he turned away he said, “The white people have all the good things.”

But the missionary called him back and said, “Ben, the Lord Jesus lived in Palestine. That is in the Middle East. There the people have a complexion that is a little darker than we who live in the West, and lighter than yours. It is somewhat in between.”

A smile then lit up little Ben’s face and he joyfully exclaimed, “Then Jesus belongs to both of us, doesn’t He?”

“That is right, Ben,” said his friend. “Jesus belongs to people of all colors. Every one who receives Him as his Saviour belongs to Him, regardless of the color of their skin.”

“For there is no difference...; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:12,13.

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-01/07/1979

Something to Read

“How I wish we had something to read out here!” remarked a young soldier in Belgium one day when he was off duty.

He hadn’t addressed any one in particular but one of his buddies heard his remark, and drawing a small book from his pocket he said, “Here’s some reading for you, Jim. It was given to me the day we left home; it’s something good, I think, but I’ve never so much as looked at it; you can have it if you like.”

Jim took the little volume gladly, and settling down began to read. It was the Gospel by John. Beginning at the first verse of chapters 1 he read on and on, verse after verse, chapter after chapter. As he read the Spirit of God moved over the waters of his soul.

Again the word, “Let there be light,” had gone forth, and in that light he saw himself as a sinner. In the Lord Jesus Christ, the One of whom the Book that had grown strangely dear to him had so much to tell, he found just the Saviour he needed.

Love to the Lord, who had first loved him, filled his heart. He could not keep his treasure to himself; he must read his Book to others. Perhaps some among his comrades had never heard how “God so loved the world"—a wicked ungrateful world—that He sent His own Son to die and be the Saviour of all who believe.

Jim felt he did not know much, he might not be able to say much, but he could read the gospel to any who would listen. Night after night that gospel was read at the Front, and before long three young soldiers were on the Lord’s side, and were seeking daily grace to be true and loyal to Christ.

ML-01/07/1979

The Pail of Sand

A poor native woman who lived by the sea went to the missionary one day carrying a pail of sand.

“My sins are like this pail of sand,” she said. “How can a sinner like me be saved?”

“Where did you get the sand?” he asked her.

“At the beach.”

“Then take the sand back to the beach,” he told her, “and make a pile of it. Shovel the sand as high as you can. Then leave it and see what happens when the tide comes in.”

“Oh, sir,” she exclaimed, “when the tide comes in the pile of sand will all disappear!”

“Exactly!” he replied. “And that is just what will happen to all your sins if you will ask the Lord Jesus to wash them all away. God will forgive them and remember them no more. They will be gone from His presence forever.”

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17.

ML-01/07/1979

Two Naughty Boys

At a large meeting where many Sunday school children were present, a gentleman got up on the platform to tell about two small boys he had known years before, and also about a young girl he had learned to know afterward.

These two boys, Jack and Phil, were one day quarreling and fighting in the street. A young girl, Wendy Brown, happened along just at the time, and seeing the boys fighting, ventured to speak to them and tell them how naughty it was to quarrel and fight like that.

The boys felt rather ashamed at being spoken to by a girl, but before they ran off, Wendy got them to promise that they would come to the Sunday school where she attended. They both came, and continued to attend regularly. In time both boys confessed the Lord as their Saviour, and later both went to serve the Lord in the gospel in foreign fields.

“Now,” asked the gentleman, “would any of you like to see the boy named Jack?”

“Yes!” shouted the children all at once.

“Jack,” called out the speaker, looking across the audience, “will you please stand up?” Up stood the missionary who smiled upon the children and said, “I am Jack.”

“Now, would any of you like to see the other boy, Phil?”

Again the children shouted, “Yes!”

“Well,” he said, “look at me, for I am that boy, Phil, and I too, have been a missionary many years. But let me ask you one more question: “Would any of you like to see Wendy Brown, the girl who stopped those two naughty boys from fighting that day?”

Again a hearty response: “Yes, sir!”

“Then look over there at that shy little lady with the black coat, for she is really Wendy Brown, only now is my wife.”

What a happy meeting of the three together after so many years! What happy meetings there will be in heaven by and by when some who have known each other in their young days find themselves together in the Father’s house of many mansions! Will you be there, dear reader?

We know there’s a bright and a glorious home

Away in the heavens high,

Where all the redeemed shall with Jesus dwell;

But will you be there? and I?

If you take the loving Saviour now

Who for sinners once did die,

When He gathers His own in that bright home,

Then you’ll be there, and I.

ML-01/07/1979

The Gracious One

Grace Shone in all His ways,

In every word and deed;

Not one was ever turned away

Who came to Him in need.

The Lord is gracious still,

He will not turn away

The very weakest little child

That comes to Him today.

Oh, come to Him in faith,

Him Lord and Saviour own;

He’s acting still in perfect grace

Though seated on the throne.

ML-01/07/1979

Little Daniel: Just Say, "Jesus"

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

In a cottage near the highway lived a Christian widow with her little boys, Charlie and Daniel. Daniel had been lame and sick from his birth, but he was a very patient little fellow.

His mother had taught him the Scriptures from his infancy, pointing him to Jesus the Saviour, and she had the precious proof that her boy was a child of God.

One day he called her to his bedside and said: “Mother, I’ve found Him.”

“Found Jesus, Danny? Have you trusted in Him?”

“Yes, Mother, I have; oh, how good He is. I am so happy and glad that Jesus saved me.”

One day a sedan stopped at the cottage and a little girl came to the door and asked for a drink of water. While there she told little Daniel that her father, although surrounded with comfort and wealth, was sick, too, and unhappy.

“Does he love Jesus?” asked Daniel.

“Love who? Jesus? Do you mean our Saviour? Oh, I don’t know, I expect He does. Do you love Jesus?”

“Oh, yes, I do, for Jesus loves me!” answered Daniel, “and He is by my bedside watching; so when I hold out my hands and whisper, ‘Jesus,’ His love covers me all over.”

“Oh, I wish my Daddy would see Him at his bedside,” said the girl, and she ran to her father, exclaiming: “Oh, father, that little sick boy in there says if you’ll only say ‘Jesus’ in your heart, He’ll be sure to come and make you forget your pain.”

The parents seemed struck with the words and the child continued: “Daddy, he looks so happy; though he has been always sick, he doesn’t mind it much, because in the night he sees Jesus standing by his bedside, and He fills his heart full of love, so that he doesn’t think of his pain. Now, Daddy, you say ‘Jesus,’ and perhaps He will come just like that to you.”

Deep down into the sick man’s conscience went these words, and they would not leave him all the way home. How could he say Jesus? He, the man of wealth and society, who had thought of nothing but the world and its pleasures? Almost any other name would seem less out of place on his lips. Yet, the voice of his child kept ringing in his ears: “Just say, Jesus.”

As time went on, dear little Daniel grew weaker every day, and it made his poor mother weep to think she must soon lose him—he had been so dear to her. Urged by his little daughter, the sick mad stopped in one day to see Daniel. After some conversation, the sick boy said to the girl’s father, “Don’t you know Jesus?”

The man was deeply affected and after some silence said: “I’m afraid I don’t know Jesus as you do, my boy.”

“It’s easy,” said Daniel with a bright smile,—“It’s good!” The words penetrated to the heart of the listener, also the feeling with which they were said.

“Easy for you, my boy, but not for me,” he replied.

“Why it’s only ‘Come unto Me,’ you know,” said Daniel; “Mother, please say the verse for the gentleman.”

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” said the mother. “It means a burdened conscience, weary of sin and weary of self.”

“Weary,” murmured the man, “weary, heavy laden, too, with sin and infirmities, both of body and mind.”

“Daddy wants to feel happy in the long dark night as you do,” said the little girl.

“That’s Jesus too,” answered the boy promptly. “That’s because He comes to me; and when I have the most pain, I can sing to myself softly my little hymn: “Jesus can make a dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are: While on His breast I lay my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there.”

“My dear boy,” said the man, “you have done me good. I see that all those who have lost all hope in the world can be happy and even triumphant. “Oh, for his faith!” he added, turning to the mother; “I would give my all to be able to lie serene and cheerful as he lies there today.”

“My dear sir, it need cost you nothing,” said the mother. “Salvation and peace are without money and without price. It is only, Look to Christ and live. We are not saved by our own works or great deeds, but simply by believing what Christ did when He died upon the cross.” (See Romans 5:1-10; Ephesians 2:8,9.)

“Now, Daddy, can’t you say Jesus?” asked the little girl. The father burst into tears and had to leave the cottage, so they went home.

Little Daniel continued to grow weaker and one day he said: “Oh, Mother, Jesus is with me! It will be better for me to go to my heavenly home than to live here and suffer.” Not long after he was there with Jesus.

Sometime after, the sick father called his daughter and whispered, “Darling, I can say ‘Jesus’ now.”

“Oh, Daddy, I’m so glad!” cried the child, and kissed him. “And does Jesus come and talk with you?”

“Yes, darling, He talked with me all last night.”

“Now you will get well, won’t you?”

“No, dear, Daddy is going to heaven; Jesus will be with you and sometime you will come too,” he replied.

His earthly days drew to a close. He had requested that little Daniel, who had been the means of his conversion, be buried in his family grave plot. And now they were together—the rich and the poor, both just saying “Jesus.”

“They have gone to God,” said the preacher; “the little child and the strong man. ‘I have only to say Jesus in my heart,’ said the child. ‘I have been surrounded with every earthly good; but never have I known anything so blissful as the love of Christ that fills my soul in these dying moments,’ said the father.” —Abridged “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

ML-01/14/1979

The Big Storm

Mother had put her two little children to bed that evening, but neither of them could sleep. My, what a noise! Sudden claps of thunder seemed to be shaking the whole world, and during the vivid flashes of lightning they could see the trees swaying and bending before the blast of the wind.

“You can both get into bed with me,” called out Mother, and the two jumped out of their bunks, scampered down the hall and were soon in bed with Mother.

Neither Joan nor Tim were afraid of the storm, for both were saved and knew the One whom the “winds and waves obey.” As they listened to the raging outside, they could hear the crash of trees falling now and then, for their house was right in the midst of a big woods.

“I hope those poplar trees near the porch don’t fall on our roof, Mother,” said Tim.

“Let’s tell the Lord about it,” said Mother, and together they prayed. Then before they went off to sleep, they repeated Psalms 4:8: “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Tim was up early the next morning, and looking out the door he called: “Mother! Joan! Come and look out here!”

Outside they saw the twisted stumps of the three trees they had prayed about the night before. “Just look!” exclaimed Tim. “They did fall but right away from the house instead of toward it!” It was evident that though the wind was blowing directly toward the house, the trees had twisted right around and fallen in the other direction.

“We asked the Lord to care for us,” said Mother, “and this is just another time that the wind ‘obeyed His voice!’ What a God we have!”

But there is a greater and more terrible storm coming one day, perhaps soon! It is the storm of God’s wrath and judgment. Tim and Joan will need not fear that either, for they will be safe home with the Lord whom they have learned to love and trust. Will you, too?

“And a Man [the Lord Jesus] shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.” Isaiah 32:2.

ML-01/14/1979

Jack's Conversion

Sailor Jack was a careless, indifferent fellow, but he had a brother, Tom, who was an earnest Christian.

“I suppose, Tom,” said Jack one day, “that if I should be wrecked, and a ship were to heave in sight and take me off, you’d call it merciful providence. But I say these things happen just as other things happen—that is, by mere chance.”

Soon after Jack went to sea again. God had His eye on him and hadn’t forgotten his unbelieving words. They had been out on the ocean for some days when a great storm arose and the ship was completely wrecked. Jack and his mates drifted about on the ocean for three days and almost deaired of ever being saved. The infidel words he had spoken came back to him and he wondered if God had cast him off forever. Then a ship appeared; he and his companions were picked up and saved.

“Ah, Tom,” said Jack to his brother when he got back home, “when that ship hove in sight, the words I said to you came back to me like a clap of thunder. I was thankful to own that God’s hand was in the matter of saving my life. Now I’m going to do the fair thing by Him. I trust Christ as my Saviour now and will seek to serve Him the rest of my days.”

“God, who is rich in mercy...

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

ML-01/14/1979

"Lord Jesus, Come in"

I said to a little boy, anxious about his soul, “What would you say if any one knocked at the door, and you felt too little to open it?”

“I’d say, Come in!”

The next morning his face was so happy that his mother asked the reason.

Robert said, “Last night, before I went to sleep, I seemed to hear Jesus knocking at the door of my heart. I just said to Him: ‘Lord Jesus, come in,’ and He came in.”

ML-01/14/1979

The Father's Care

Oh, wonderful story of deathless love,

Each child is dear to that heart above!

He fights for me when I cannot fight;

He comforts me in the gloom of night;

He lifts the burden, for He is strong;

He stills the sigh and awakes the song;

The sorrows that bear me down He shares,

And loves and pardons because He cares.

ML-01/14/1979

To God Be All the Praise

When Richard Baxter was an old man a friend spoke to him one day about the good he had done by his writings.

“I was but a pen in the hand of God,” said Mr. Baxter. “What praise belongs to a pen?”

ML-01/14/1979

"Old John Is Dead. I Am New John!"

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

Old John, the peddler, was a remarkably bad character, so bad that neither God nor man could repair him; he must be made new, or be utterly useless—lost forever. He was known around town as drunken John. One night he went into a hall where the gospel was preached. He sat dreamily listening to the preacher till overcome with sleep. At the close of the meeting he was awakened by the singing. And then the speaker came and very kindly laid his hand on the old man’s shoulder.

“Please take your hand off my shoulder,” said John. “A gentleman like you should not put your hand on such a greasy coat.”

“Dear old friend, do you know that God loves you?”

“No, sir, you are mistaken. God doesn’t love the likes o’ me.”

“Do you believe the Bible is God’s Book?”

“Well, yes, people say so, but I do not know much about it.”

“Well, listen to what God says to you: ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Now you are in the world; don’t you see what love God has for you that He gave Jesus to die to save you?” He gave John more scriptures, and the truth went right home to his heart. Old John was saved.

His eyes were opened; he saw the arms of God’s love embracing even him, and the tears ran down his cheeks. His great load of sin was gone—Jesus loved him and died for his sins, and he was happy. He was saved, for “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

John went away a new man. For God says “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” Full of joy and peace, he went to his little cottage.

On entering, his wife and only son were in. He said, “Sally, I’m saved—I have been converted.”

She did not understand him, and so said, “Drunk, as usual.”

After a little she said, “It is time to go to bed.”

John answered, “O, but Sally, I’ve been converted, and before we go to bed we must pray.”

Prayer was something new in John’s home. So Sally and his son got down on their knees. John, not having any religious bringing up, was puzzled to know what to say. His heart was full of joy, and he thought of how he used to express himself before he was saved, so reaching out he took his old hat and swung it around his head three times, saying, with the warmth of his new joy, “Hurray for Jesus!—Hurray for Jesus!—Hurray for Jesus!”

That was John’s first prayer. It was from an overflowing heart, and went to the throne of God with acceptance.

The news soon spread that John was saved, and the women gathered around him in the street to buy from him, and see what John was like.

“Sure enough, there is a great change in him,” said one. “He is not drunk,” remarked another. “Not swearing as he used to,” said a third. There was old John, with his face shining with joy, selling his wares and preaching his little sermon: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It came right from his heart, and although some questioned whether it would last, it was evident that John was a new man.

His son said to him one day, “Dad, if you are going to stay converted, wouldn’t it be good to get a better house?”

Old John evidently thought it was a good idea, for shortly after he saw a fine little cottage to rent. He saw the landlord, and said, “I see you have a house to rent, sir.”

“Yes, I have; who wants it?”

“I want it, sir.”

“You want it; do you suppose that I would rent it to you?”

“You do not know who I am, sir.”

“O, yes, I know who you are; you are old drunken John, the peddler.”

“I thought you were mistaken, sir. Old John is dead. I am new John—“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.’ I have believed God, and have that everlasting life.” Putting his hand in his pocket, he brought out some money and said, “If you are afraid, sir, about the rent, I’ll pay in advance.”

This was enough for the landlord—John got the house. He proved the genuineness of his conversion for many years, and never got tired of telling the story of God’s great love told out in the gift of His beloved Son, the Saviour of sinners.

ML-01/21/1979

Lost and Found

Saturday afternoon Mother and little Betty went down town tether. It was in one of the big stores that Betty began to coax her mother: “Please, let’s go and see the toys.”

So they made their way through the busy store and into the elevator full of people. Soon they were three floors up and getting off into what seemed to Betty like fairyland!

An electric train with real lights and shrieking whistle was speeding along a tiny track through tunnels and under bridges. But in another corner were all the lovely dolls and playhouses, and Betty felt she would like to stay there all day just looking at everything. Wandering from counter to counter, she had a wonderful time.

There was one large beautiful doll house that looked almost real enough to live in.

“Oh, look, Mother, isn’t this nice!” she exclaimed, as she peeked in a window here and there. She wanted her Mother to come and see too.

But Mother didn’t answer, so Betty looked quickly around. Why, Mother was nowhere to be seen.

Oh, where was she? Where had she gone?

There were lots of people all around, and Betty thought perhaps Mother might be behind someone, so she began calling out, “Mother! Mother!”

But Mother did not come, and in a few moments Betty grew frightened and began to cry. “Mother! Mother!” she cried louder and louder.

She was lost, lost! What should she do? And sitting down on a small chair she sobbed and sobbed aloud with all her heart.

Suddenly she heard a familiar voice: “Betty! Betty!”

“Here I am, Mother! Oh, I’m so glad you found me—I was so scared —I thought, perhaps...”

But she didn’t have time to finish, for Mother’s arms were around her hugging her so tightly in her arms.

Little Betty was really lost before she knew it! Yes, she was! But at first she wasn’t frightened for she was having such a good time, and she hadn’t discovered that she was all alone until she looked around for her mother.

Dear boys and girls, some of you are lost—and you don’t know it! Perhaps you are happy and having a good time because you haven’t realized it yet. But you are lost in sin, and far, far away from God.

Yet Someone is looking for you, and we wonder if He has found you yet? Listen and you will hear His voice saying, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. He is waiting to hear your cry, “Lord Jesus, save me.”

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

ML-01/21/1979

Brothers in Christ

During World War II an American and a Japanese soldier met in the jungle somewhere in the Pacific. Covering him with his gun, the Japanese ordered the American to march forward.

As he obeyed the command the young Marine recited the 23rd Psalm:... “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me...” Then he whistled a hymn tune, after which he sang a hymn.

Presently the Japanese stepped forward and began to walk alongside the young American. He joined in the singing of some hymns. Later they both knelt in the mud in the jungle and prayed together.

After that the two went their separate ways—one went back to the American lines, and the other to the Japanese.

These two soldiers found out that they were brothers in Christ. They had sweet fellowship together and in their hearts was a love for each other that rose above the hate men display in times of war.

ML-01/21/1979

A Little Boy's Question

A little boy asked his father at the dinner table, “Daddy, why don’t you read the Bible?”

His father was an impulsive man, and was about to drive the boy out of his presence, but his anger made the little fellow weep. That brought tears to the mother’s eyes, and then the father followed suit. The boy’s tears moved him, and the question struck his heart; and father and mother, up to that hour unconverted, were soon on their way to prayer meeting, where they both found the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” Matthew 21:16

ML-01/21/1979

Dick's Conversion

There once lived a well-known character known in the town as “Foolish Dick.” One day, he was going to the well for water, when a good old man hailed him with, “So, Dick, you are going to the well?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Well, Dick, the woman of Samaria found Jesus at the well.” “Did she?” he asked.

“Yes.”

The remark, riveted on Dick’s mind by the Holy Spirit, awakened him. He thought, “Oh that I could find Him!” He prayed, and soon he found Christ at the well.

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

ML-01/21/1979

"Would He Take Me?"

Memory Verse: “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.” Ephesians 2:8,9

Joe was a soft-hearted fellow and easily led by bad company. The result was that he was often in the tavern and the next day ashamed to hear that his wife and little girl had been standing at the door, waiting to lead him home.

“That wasn’t what you said you would do on the night of your marriage, Joe, when you promised to love and cherish her who had left her father’s comfortable home to become your wife,” a voice seemed to whisper in his ear. Yet somehow, poor fellow, he repeated the same thing week after week, and things were going from bad to worse.

It matters little how sorry a man might be for going deep into sin; he cannot throw off its yoke when he likes. Sin is his master and it needs a stronger arm than his own to break its power and deliver him from its grasp.

But thank God there is One who can save from sin’s guilt and power. His name is Jesus—and He is both willing and able to save. The only open question is, dear reader—Are you willing to be saved?

A number of the boats with their crews in the town where Joe lived had arranged to go to a distant coast for three months fishing. Several of the fishermen were earnest Christians, and as soon as they arrived at their destination, they began to read the Word of God, and to commend themselves and their mates to His care before they went out to their night’s work on the deep sea.

Joe had never seen anything like that before, and before a week had passed he was quite anxious lest he should miss the “Bible Reading.” It was a pleasant sight to see these crews of converted fishermen, beaming with joy, leave the harbor on a beautiful summer evening, singing hymns of praise and speaking about their “happy home in eternity.” Joe could see that these men had the best of it, infinitely better than what he had, and in his heart there was a longing to have what they enjoyed.

It was on a midsummer night at sea that the great crisis came in Joe’s life. He was in his boat with four comrades, three of whom were Christians. Alongside was another boat whose crew were all on the Lord’s side. They were telling one after another the story of their conversion, and Joe, at the helm, sat listening attentively. One told of how far he had been in sin, a drunkard, and of how he had so ill-treated his poor wife. “But,” said he, “Christ took me as I am.”

Joe’s interest was thoroughly aroused, and unconsciously he said aloud, “Would He take me too, Jim?”

“Yes, Joe, just as you are, sitting there at the helm,” replied Jim. And a number of voices chimed in—“Yes, trust Him just as you are, Joe.”

Joe stood up, and lifting his cap from his head, as if he realized he stood in the presence of God, he said aloud, “Here I am, Lord Jesus—a poor sinner deserving nothing but hellfire, but I come just as I am to Thee, and to Thy blood that cleanses from all sin.”

A song of praise on the deep at that midnight hour burst from these happy sailors, and Joe joined in, although through quickly-falling tears.

A week later they returned to their homes, and Joe’s first words to his wife, who met him on the shore with little Mary in her arms were, “God has sent you a new man, Jessie—saved on the deep sea by the grace of God.”

For years Joe lived to testify to his new Master, and many a weary soul was led to Christ by his words.

ML-01/28/1979

A Christian at Five

Stephen is just five years old, yet he knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and that his sins are forgiven. I hope you know this too, dear boys and girls, for one may be called to leave this world at any time, and we do not know what a day may bring forth.

One bright sunny day Stephen was out for a walk with Grandma, skipping along and enjoying the sunshine, as all little boys and girls like to do. It was fall, and Stephen was admiring the pretty-colored leaves and looking at all the interesting things along the way.

Then he spied a ball near the curb, and a look of pain came over his face for he had a secret longing to pick up that ball. But instead, with a sigh he came, and smiling sweetly, he took his grandmother’s hand and said, “You know, Grandma, there are some things that I don’t do because I’m a Christian. Christians don’t steal, and that is Larry’s ball!”

How it warmed Grandma’s heart to see the little boy turn away from temptation!

In Psalms 119:11 we read: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” To know God’s Word and to have it in our hearts will keep us from sin and from the snares Satan sets for our feet.

Boys and girls, you are not too young to know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, nor are you too young to resist temptation. It doesn’t mean that we won’t be tempted, but it both pleases and honors the Lord Jesus when we trust Him and turn away from temptation.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

“By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4.

ML-01/28/1979

Do You Remember?

A company of venerable men, thin and hungry-looking, are assembled in a humble dwelling, engaged in earnest conversation. While they are speaking an armed man bursts in at the door in a furious and threatening manner. They are prepared for his coming, however. The door is shut and he is instantly seized and secured.

Answer found in 2 Kings 6

ML-01/28/1979

The Handwriting on the Wall

Belshazzar, king of Babylon in Daniel’s time, was a profane, impious idolater. One night, when his enemies were all round about the walls of the city, he made a great feast to a thousand of his lords. To show his contempt for the God of Israel he sent for the holy vessels which Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had taken out of the temple at Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. Belshazzar and his guests drank wine out of those sacred vessels and praised the gods of Babylon.

Suddenly a hand appeared and wrote some strange solemn words on the wall before the king. He trembled with fear until his knees knocked against each other. The words written were:

Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin

None of the wise men of Babylon could interpret the writing, so the king called for Daniel. Daniel interpreted the solemn message, part of which is shown below, but the letters are not finished. Draw straight lines to complete the letters and you will see what they read.

That night Darius the Mede and his army took Babylon, and Belshazzar the king was slain.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.”

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

“Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-01/28/1979

Dei Gratia: "By the Grace of God"

Some of our American coins still carry the inscription, “In God we trust,” and we can thank God that this is so. This story is about an English officer who had in his pocket some coins, one of which bore the inscription in Latin, “Dei Gratia,” meaning “By the grace of God.”

On the battlefield one day Henry was struck in the chest by a bullet. He expected to find himself seriously wounded, but to his surprise he was not injured at all. The lead had struck against the silver coin which, like a piece of armor, prevented it going any further. The coin, in the mercy of God, had saved his life.

Henry had a Christian sister at home who had taken care that he should not altogether be ignorant of the gospel, and no doubt she had often prayed for him. Perhaps he thought so; at any rate he felt that it was to God’s mercy he owed his safety.

Examining the coin more closely he observed that it was dented at the words, “Dei Gratia,” as if the bullet would teach him that it was “by the grace of God” that his life had been spared.

This aroused serious thoughts in Henry’s mind, and he remembered that before leaving home his sister had given him a gospel booklet. He had never cared to read it before, but now he got it out of his knapsack and read it. “By the grace of God” he was led to Christ; he became a believer in Him; his soul was saved. Now he was twice saved.

May you never look at a silver coin, dear unsaved reader, without thinking of those precious words, “By the grace of God.” No tongue can tell; no heart can fully appreciate all that is contained in them. Jesus has died upon the cross; God can now pardon the sinner that believes in Him and make him His child and an heir of glory. Eternity will never exhaust the blessed theme for what has been done for sinners “by the grace of God.”

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13.

ML-01/28/1979

Joyce's Answer

“What makes you look so happy, Joyce?” asked mother as the little girl came in with her face beaming.

“Why, Mother, Jesus has just told me He loves me,” was her reply.

“Has He, dear?” said Mother, “and what did you say to Him?”

“I just said, ‘I thank Thee, Lord Jesus, and I love Thee, too!’ " was the dear girl’s reply.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML-01/28/1979

"Thank You!"

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

“O thank you!” said little Marie shyly, as Mr. Nelson slipped a fifty-cent piece in her little hand before leaving. He was an old friend of the family and having paid them a visit he was now leaving for home. He loved children and was especially drawn to little Marie.

But Marie’s daddy hadn’t heard his little daughter’s “Thank you” and said, “What do you say for it, Marie?”

“Oh, she said ‘thank you',” exclaimed her old friend taking her side.

Then with a “Good-bye, God bless you!” he gave the little girl a kiss and soon her father and he were driving to the station.

Jim was a skilled machinist, a well-read and very intelligent man. He had a beautiful home, a loving wife and one little girl, Marie.

“Jim,” said his old friend as they drove along, “your little girl has learned her lesson well.”

“What lesson do you mean?”

“Why, to say ‘thank you’ when someone gives her a gift. And I was just wondering if you have learned to say ‘thank you’ for all that has been given to you.”

“I hope I have,” returned Jim, vaguely wondering what his friend might be aiming at.

“God gave His Son for you, Jim, and offers you everlasting life, heaven, and all else the grace of God brings with it. Have you ever once honestly thanked Him for that gift?

Jim was silent.

“Have you ever accepted Christ?” “No, I’m afraid not,” replied Jim slowly and shyly.

“Then, of course, you think no thanks due to Him from you, eh, Jim? And yet is not this ungrateful. If a friend offers you a gift and you do not want it, you ought at least to thank him for it. And since God, your Creator and best Friend, has offered you eternal life, peace, joy and heaven, then I think the least you can do is to say to Him, ‘O God, I thank Thee for Thy offer, but I do not care for Your gift; but while I decline it, I decline it with thanks.”

“Say no to God! Decline eternal life!” stammered Jim. “Why—no—how—What would become of me without Him?”

We do not give here all the particulars of Jim’s conversion; but he did learn to bow humbly before God in prayer and to say, “I thank Thee for giving Thy dear Son to die for Me, to be my Saviour"; and he found the joy and blessing of heartfelt praise.

“O TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD: BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN HIM.” Psa. 34:8.

ML-02/04/1979

Saved From a Mountain Lion

In the backwoods of Venezuela a missionary met a native hunter who had with him a skin of a cougar or a mountain lion. The hunter told him he had been out hunting with his dog when they came upon the track of the lion. The lion went into a hole in a great pile of rocks, and the dog went in after him. The dog did not come out, for it was nailed down by the great claws of the cougar.

The poor dog was in a desperate case, and facing death. To save his life, the hunter crawled into that dark hole underneath the rocks, with his knife in his mouth. All alone he killed the lion and rescued his dog.

The missionary bought the lion’s skin from the hunter and brought it home.

He had saved his dog’s life at the risk of his own. And this is but a faint reflection of the love and devotion of our blessed Lord Jesus who went into death, even the death of the cross to rescue sinners like you and me from the death grip of Satan, that roaring lion who wields the power of death. It was our sins that took Him there, for “the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23.

Jesus died, but rose again, the mighty Victor over death and the grave. He has rescued and set free all those who have trusted Him as their Saviour. Now “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

ML-02/04/1979

Do You Remember?

It is noon. Sheltered from the scorching sun, beneath the shade of luxurious pavilions, we see a company of persons assembled at a royal banquet. Attendants wait on them with goblets of the best wine, and they appear to have already drunk to shameful excess. Suddenly an alarm is given, the royal host turns to his guard, and commands them to inquire the cause. After this his soldiers suffer defeat, and he himself has to flee.

Answer found in 1 Kings 20

ML-02/04/1979

"This"

“This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.”

What is “This” which is so acceptable to the Lord?

Do you know? Are you doing it day by day? Notice the result if you are. Psa. 69:30-32.

ML-02/04/1979

Lessons from a Snowflake

Our picture today shows a variety of snowflakes magnified under the microscope. Who would have ever thought that the millions of these flakes that fall from above, have all so many various shapes and formations. But we need not wonder, for they are the workmanship of God, and like all that He does they are perfect.

Thousands of years ago, Job was asked the question, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?” Job 38:22. Let us seek to learn some gospel lessons from the snow.

GUILT-“Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psa. 51:7, is the expression of a guilty sinner, who has learned his vileness before God, and longs to be clean and pure before Him. By one means only can a sinner be cleansed—by the blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

GRACE-“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18. This is God’s word of assurance to the sinner who comes to Him, and to accept His forgiveness as proclaimed in the gospel. “Through this Man [Christ Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified.” Acts 13:38,39. No snowflake falling from the heavens is whiter in God’s sight than the sinner washed from his sins. “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,... to Him to glory and dominion Forever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5,6.

GODLINESS-“Her Nazarites were purer than snow.” Lam. 4:7. Those who are saved through the blood of Jesus are set apart unto godliness, to be all for Him, to serve Him here, separate from the world, living as heavenly people on earth. The true Nazarite is one who is separated unto Christ.

GLORY-“His raiment... white as snow.” Mark 9:3. This is how the Lord Jesus appeared “in glory.” “Robes made white” (Rev. 7:14) is a description of the redeemed.

ML-02/04/1979

At the City Gate

At the gate of an eastern city there are generally to be found groups of people, either buying or selling, or simply talking together. Sometimes hundreds of people may be seen there, apparently for no other purpose except that the gate of the city is the usual place of concourse, or meeting.

This, no doubt, is why we read in Proverbs 1:20,21: “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates.”

The meaning of this is, we believe, that God desires that the words of wisdom be spread abroad as widely as possible, so that all may hear.

The words of wisdom are the words that urge men to make the wise choice, to believe the glad tidings of free forgiveness, and to turn to God for salvation while yet the opportunity lingers. This message is sent to you, whether you live in the East or the West; whether you are sitting near the gate of some city of the Orient, or standing on the corner of a street in one of the great cities on this side of the ocean. How have you treated this message from God to you?

The glad tidings do not come to you with flattering speech. They do not deceive you by telling you that you are a very good sort of person, and that all you need to do is to make a little more effort, and then all will be well between you and God.

On the contrary the gospel addresses you as a helpless sinner, and tells you that your only hope of salvation lies in a work you could never do yourself, and towards which you cannot make the smallest contribution.

What work is that? It is the work of redemption undertaken by the Lord Jesus and finished by Him upon the cross. This is the foundation on which you are invited to rest.

If you take Christ as your Saviour, all the merit of His finished work will be made good to you. On the ground of that work alone, God will receive you and make you His child.

Is not this good news? He, every one! Listen to Wisdom’s cry: “She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.... I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Proverbs 8:3,17.

ML-02/04/1979

Peace

Peace! as the morning breaketh—

Peace! as the hours flow on—

Peace! when the day is brightest—

Peace! when the shadows come.

Peace! as we toil and labor

Throughout life’s busy day—

Peace! as we tread in patience,

Some lonely tearful way.

Peace! as we wait Christ’s coming—

Peace! till we reach that shore

Where God Himself shall greet us—

Then—Peace for evermore!

ML-02/04/1979

On the Beach

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

The doctor was weary. All day, since early morning, he had worked in the hospital operating room, and now he was exhausted. Eager to get home he hastened to the parking lot, picked up his car, and was soon on his way.

Along the beach front highway he sped, but just as he rounded a sharp curve a young fellow stepped out into the road and began to flag him down and shout for help.

The doctor pulled off onto the shoulder and stopped his car. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Please help us! We’ve just pulled our friend from the water and we think he is dying on the beach. Can you get a doctor?”

The doctor had wished to see no more patients that day, but this was an emergency—a matter of life or death. “I am a doctor,” he replied, and grabbing his black bag, he raced with the youth over the sand dunes to where a small crowd had gathered.

Requesting the group to stand back, there in the moonlight he kneeled down beside the still form of the boy before him and began feeling for his pulse. Alas, there was no heartbeat! The young people sobbed and cried when the doctor slowly rose to his feet and told them, “I’m sorry, but we are too late! He is gone!”

Scarcely had he made the sad announcement when the beam of an approaching motorcycle lit up the scene and one of the group turned the body of the victim over.

Instantly the doctor dropped to his hands and knees again, and frantically began to apply artificial respiration to the motionless form before him. He applied pressure alternately to the chest, and then pressing his lips to the lips of the boy, he inhaled and exhaled vigorously in a feverish effort to revive breathing. Perspiration broke out over the doctor’s face and his lips moved in prayer as he besought God’s help and mercy.

A long time he worked unceasingly over the boy, and then he felt at last a glimmer of breath in the lad’s lungs. The breathing was growing stronger and the heart was beating again. The doctor called for an ambulance and had someone phone the hospital emergency room to have a bed ready. The wail of sirens heralded the arrival of the ambulance, and soon the boy was aboard and being rushed to the hospital.

This story has a happy ending. In the mercy of God the boy recovered completely, and the doctor, with many others that night, bowed in prayer and thanked God for sparing his life.

But what made the difference in the doctor’s attitude towards that seemingly lifeless form lying there before him on the beach? What suddenly filled him with fresh hope and stirred him to fresh energies in an effort to save that young life?

It was when the motorcycle’s headlight beamed on the face of the boy that he recognized his own son. And suddenly the one overwhelming, all-transforming desire of his heart was to save that life—a life dearer to him than his own!—his own flesh and blood!

God had one Son in whom was all His delight. He did not spare Him, but delivered Him up for us all, that we might be saved from the penalty of our sins. That blessed One hung there upon the cross, as our Sin-bearer, in Calvary’s dark hour. God could have saved Him; He could have saved Himself. And yet He could not save Himself for His love to us was too great. If we were to be saved from hell, and saved for heaven, Jesus must die. So God turned His face away from that blessed Sufferer, and when all was over, when He had finished redemption’s work, Jesus bowed His head and died. For three days He lay in the grave, and then God raised Him from the dead. Now He sits at His right hand in the highest glory, a Prince and Saviour for all who will believe.

Dear friends, remember the story of the doctor and his son. Perhaps you have a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, or a friend who is unsaved. Bring Christ to them; bring them to Him, before they die in their sins. Jesus is waiting; He is willing and able to save.

Son of His love, my Saviour died—

Son of His love, was crucified;

He died for all—He died for me;

And when He died, He set me free.

ML-02/11/1979

The Best News

At Sunday school one day the teacher asked her boys the question: “What is the best news you have ever heard?”

Jerry, whose father was a sailor, said, “My dad is coming home. That’s the best news I have heard.”

Len, who had lived in the country all his life, said, “Teacher, the best news I ever heard is that my father got a job in the city. And we are going to live there.”

“Tom, who had been brought up in Chicago, said, “Well, that’s strange; the best news I ever heard was when Mother told us we were all going to live in the country.”

But Jim, the youngest and smallest boy in the class said, “Teacher, I think the best news I ever heard is that Jesus Christ came into the world to save me.”

How many boys and girls would answer that question like Jim did? That really is the best news in all the world!

E.G.C.

ML-02/11/1979

Can You Place This Man?

I see a venerable man taking a long journey to a river side, over which he bends. Then rising he returns to where he came from. After some considerable length of time, he comes back to the same river and having again stooped over it, he wends his way homeward once more. He is acting according to orders. His whole appearance and manner on his journey home express deep sadness and dejection.

Read this story in Jeremiah 13.

ML-02/11/1979

How the Clown Got Saved

At a busy street corner several hundred people were gathered, watching a clown. He was performing tricks and making funny remarks to the great amusement of the crowd. Following his performance the clown would ask the people for money, and in this way he made a living.

But at this performance there would be no money collected. A very strange thing happened. In the crowd gathered at the street corner was a Christian man. Rather than being amused by what he saw, he pitied the clown. Taking a gospel tract from his pocket, he made his way to the front and handed it to the clown. He took it from him with a look of contempt. Then he held it up high for all to see, and in a mocking voice he began to read it aloud, seeking to make a joke of it. The clown read with a clear, loud voice so that no one in the crowd could possibly miss a word.

The Christian who had given him the tract, remained at the edge of the crowd, listening with a heavy heart. God’s message of salvation was being treated as a joke. The clown read the tract all the way through. The closing words were, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Luke 12:20.

The clown stood silently as he finished reading. But now his face changed, and mockery turned to dismay. Suddenly he left his stand, made his way through the crowd, and began to run as if his life depended on it. The people who had been watching his performance, now looked after him in utter astonishment, not knowing what had happened.

The Christian now took after the runaway clown. After a good chase, he caught up with him. Over and over the clown repeated, “I am lost! I am lost!”

The Christian was able to tell of God’s love for sinners, and the poor clown listened. The words at the end of the tract had pierced his heart and conscience. He realized that he was a fool and that if he died his soul would be in a lost eternity. How sweet to him now were the words of the Christian man as he heard of the death of the Lord Jesus on Calvary’s cross. Just as he was, the clown put his trust in the Saviour of sinners.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

ML-02/11/1979

The Gospel Through a Window

Robert had dear Christian pants and knew much about the Bible, yet for some years he failed to see the real way of salvation or to enter into the joy of it. Then one cold winter evening, looking out of his window, he noticed the strange appearance of the sky; it was very red and beautiful.

He called his mother to look at it, and while admiring the beautiful sight, she said, “Now I wish my dear Saviour would come through those clouds and take me to live with Him forever.”

Bob heard what his mother had said, but the very thought of it alarmed him, for he knew very well that if the Lord came his mother would be taken and he would be left behind. From that moment he could not rest from day to day lest Jesus should come and find him not ready.

A few months later Bob went to visit his brother in the country. That Sunday evening two Christian men came to the village to preach the gospel in the open air. They took their stand outside the house where Robert was staying. He looked at them through the window, but he would not go outside to hear what they said.

The next Sunday he had been out for a walk with his brother, and when they got back, they found the two preachers at the same spot again. Oh how Robert would like to have asked one of them the question, “What must I do to be saved?” But God was going to answer this question without his having to ask it.

Going up to his room, he stood in front of his window, opened wide, and could hear every word that was spoken in the loud clear voice of the preacher.

Just then a hymn was given out and sung by those present. The first four lines had a message for Robert, and contained just what he needed:

Nothing either great or small—

Nothing, sinner, no!

Jesus did it, did it all,

Long, long ago.

Those words went home to his heart, and for the first time he saw the value of the finished work of Christ—how that work was perfectly done, and God was perfectly satisfied with the way it had been done.

The moment Bob saw this, and that all his sins had been put away once and forever, his joy was great indeed. The next Sunday he did not listen to the preachers at the open window, but he went out and stood with them.

He returned home soon after, and he will never forget the joy of his dear mother as she saw him kneel in prayer to God. Her loving arms were soon around him, wanting to know what had made so great a change in him.

And then followed the praise and thanksgiving that the Lord had answered all her prayers for his blessing, and made him now a child of God.

“My word... shall not return unto Me void.” Isaiah 55:11.

ML-02/11/1979

The Angel of the Lord

Memory Verse: “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psalms 34:7

In the African country of Zaire, in 1964, civil war broke out known as the Simba uprising. Wicked, brutal men invaded the schools, hospitals, and shops, emptying them of all their supplies. Many good men were murdered, tortured and mutilated, and all sense of order vanished.

One rainy night seventeen wild youths armed with spears swarmed into the hospital of a mission station and demanded the lady doctor’s keys to her van. Then they ordered her to drive them to a point 70 miles east. It so happened that only a short time before she had disconnected the lights and windshield wipers in hope that if Simbas should appear, it might deter them from making off with her van.

In the darkness and rain, with no lights or wipers, they set off on their perilous journey. Then two miles down the road the Simbas told the doctor to stop at a factory. There they demanded gas and oil from the mechanic in charge and ordered him to repair the lights and wipers.

All the while the lady doctor stood alone in the dark, conscious that death was very near, for if the mechanic revealed that the lights and wipers had been deliberately disconnected, it could well mean instant death for her. Just then she felt she was not alone, for beside her were two of her African friends from the hospital. They had followed the van in the darkness.

Soon the lights of the vehicle shone out, the engine started, and the wipers worked.

“Was this an act of sabotage?” asked the rebel chief.

“It seems so,” answered the mechanic, and immediately seventeen spears were raised threateningly in the direction of the three standing there in the glare of the lights. But just as suddenly those upraised arms were fixed, unable to move a muscle. God had stepped in. The angel of the Lord was there, and the three felt the sense of His presence.

“Go on, kill us,” they told the rebel band before them. “We shall go to be with Jesus, which is far better; but one day God will demand our blood at your hands.”

Then it seemed the seventeen upraised arms were suddenly released, but instead of carrying out their murderous intent, laughing and jeering, the Simbas piled into the van and drove away, taking the mechanic as their driver. The three Christians were left standing alone in the dark and the rain; cold—but ALIVE!

Together they walked back home to the mission, thanking and praising God for His wonderful deliverance and protection.

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil... The righteous cry, and the Lord heath, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” Psalms 34:3, 15-17.

ML-02/18/1979

Saved Just In Time

In Michigan last winter a Christian lady sat in a gospel hall and listened to a faithful message from the evangelist who urged souls to come to Christ while yet there was time. Beside her sat another lady who was a total stranger.

The stranger was visibly shaken by the stirring appeal, and the Christian felt an irresistible urge to speak to her. Slipping her arm around the affected soul she asked her if she were a Christian.

“No,” was the reply.

“Trust Christ as your Saviour now, and you will receive salvation and eternal life at once,” her friend said to her.

It was evident that she had been impressed by her responsibility to her little two-year-old daughter, for she sobbed, “Yes, I would like to be a Christian so that I could be a better mother to my little girl.”

Before leaving they both knelt in prayer and then the speaker himself came and talked with the mother, pointing her to Christ. Soon she was rejoicing in Him as her newfound Saviour. She accepted Him wholeheartedly.

Two weeks later this new convert and her husband and little girl were driving to Pontiac when another car shot out of a side road into their lane. In the terrific crash the mother and little daughter were both killed instantly. For them sudden death was sudden glory for the Lord Jesus had died for the little one as well. They were saved just in time.

The husband was badly injured, but in his despair that night he called for the evangelist who had spoken to his wife the night of her conversion. God’s way of salvation was explained to him, and he was ready for it. He, too, accepted the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour and found the Friend who lifts up the broken-hearted and comforts them in the hour of their deepest sorrow.

The Christian lady will ever thank the Lord that He laid it on her heart to talk with that stranger that Sunday in the gospel meeting.

ML-02/18/1979

Do You Remember This Scene?

A plain with many thousands of dead men upon it tells only too plainly of the fierceness of a recent battle. In the distance the rear of the enemy’s force with its hosts of captives and great quantities of spoil may still be seen. Flushed with victory, they soon reach the walls of their country’s capital. The shouts of triumph from without are echoed by the citizens within.

But who steps forth and in tones that must be heard and pleads for the captives? Who moves the chiefs of the city to close the gates until these are set free? To whom does the victor thus tamely submit and give up the spoil so dearly won? For see, the naked are clothed, the wounded are cared for, the feeble are mounted on horses, and the sometime foes, now friends, conduct them safely homeward.

See if you can remember this story and then read it again in 1 Kings 20.

ML-02/18/1979

He Would Not Miss The Prayer Meeting

Michael Faraday, one of the great scientists, was a Christian. One day he was lecturing to a large audience in London. When the applause had subsided, the Prince of Wales arose and proposed a motion of appreciation and congratulations to the lecturer. When they looked around for him, they found Mr. Faraday had hastily left the hall after concluding his lecture. His close friends knew that the hour of the weekly prayer meeting had arrived. It was there that Mr. Faraday had gone. Though he possessed one of the greatest intellects in the world, he felt he could not afford to miss the prayer meeting.

Gospel Tracts Children who love the Lord Jesus can distribute tracts and so help spread His fame as the Saviour of sinners.

Someone offered a gospel tract to an old man in a country village. He accepted it readily and said, “You don’t know how much good you may do, in giving away tracts and books.

“For years I led a bad, sad life. One morning while I was dirty, ragged and miserable, I leaned against a wall. I put my hand behind me and found a loose stone in the wall. Looking around I saw a little book pushed into the wall and held by the stone. I took it and found it was a little gospel booklet. Through God’s mercy, that little book was the means of my coming to Jesus, and trusting Him as my Lord and Saviour. That was years ago, but He has never failed nor forsaken me.”

ML-02/18/1979

Saved In Her Teens

An evangelist who made large outdoor gospel signs was requested by a farmer in Prince Edward Island to put up one on his property alongside the road. The sign in large bold letters proclaimed the wonderful gospel message, “BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” Acts 16:31.

A teenage girl, on her way to and from school and work, read the sign many times.

One day a young people’s group invited others to attend a Christian class. Among those who came was the young girl who had become so familiar with the gospel sign.

“Does what you’re saying about Jesus have anything to do with that sign in the field along the road?” she inquired.

After a little thought the young people said to her, “Oh yes, that is what it is all about!”

“If you can explain the message of the gospel sign, how I can have peace of mind,” she said, “please do so at once, because I have been troubled, and wondered what it means, ever since the gospel sign was placed there.”

How glad they were to tell her that though she was a sinner, like all of us are, Jesus had come into this world to die in our stead. If she believed on Him as her Saviour, God would forgive all her sins and she should have everlasting life. Then when she left this world, she would go to be with Jesus in heaven, in the Father’s house of many mansions.

The Spirit of God had used the text on the gospel sign to prepare this dear young soul, and right there and then she accepted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. How happy she was! From then on it was her desire to tell everyone of Him whose love had won her heart and given her peace.

You too, dear reader, can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ if you will believe on Him as your Saviour.

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

ML-02/18/1979

Gone in an Hour

Memory Verse: “Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Are you interested in sports—soccer, football, swimming, baseball, volleyball? If you are young, healthy and active, you may not be looking beyond this life. You may not give a thought as to the destiny of your never-dying soul, or where you will spend eternity. In your youth you may think there is plenty of time left before you come to grips with the question of your sins and of your standing before God.

The other day in suburban Chicago a fourteen-year-old high school freshman, member of the soccer team, a boy who liked to sail a boat and ride a motor bike, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Late at night he woke up and complained of feeling very sick. He had a high fever and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. He was gone before they arrived. His father said it all happened within an hour and the family was still in shock.

Dear young friends, perhaps you are healthy and active, without a thought of eternity, but you are a sinner, “For all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), and you need salvation. God wants you to be saved. He says in His Word, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31.)

It’s a terribly dangerous thing to go on your way without Jesus. He is the only Saviour, and there is no salvation to be had outside of this life. If you were to step out of this world, you would be in eternity, and there is no turning back. The door would close behind you forever. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27.)

Trust in the Lord right now because, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2.) If you have the Lord Jesus as your Saviour in this life, you’ll have Him forever. He will take you to be with Himself in heaven when He comes for all His own. If the boy in our story had his trust in the Lord, he is with Him now.

“Here today; gone tomorrow” is an often-heard remark. But you may be gone today! We know not what a day may bring forth! If something should happen to you, wouldn’t you want to be safe with the Lord Jesus? Then trust Him this very day.

ML-02/25/1979

Mother's Prayers

Followed by his mother’s prayers, Jim, a young medical student, left home to work in the city, along with another young fellow his age.

Up to this time, though upright and moral, he had shown no concern about his soul and eternity. In fact he had made light of the remarks of an evangelist who sometimes preached of hell and warned people of judgment to come.

Many times his godly mother had pleaded with God for the conversion of her children, and that in no half-hearted way, but as one who had made up her mind that, come what may, they must be saved. She used to get them around her each morning, when still very young, in the quiet farm home where she lived, and pray with them and for them. And God heard and answered her prayers, for she had the joy of seeing them all brought to Christ early in life.

Relieved somewhat to be away from the restraints of home, Jim began life in the big city where there were plenty of snares and temptations. His companion was not a Christian, and this fact only intensified his mother’s prayers.

Sometimes she would rise at night, walk over to the window, look out in the direction where she believed her boy was, and plead with God for him. Some months passed, and then the answer came in the words of the following letter, so that her prayers were turned into praise: “My dearest mother, I am glad that you are all well. I am sure that you will be glad to hear that your prayers for me have been answered. You may change your prayers into a note of praise to Him who has washed me in His precious blood. I should have been delighted to go with you to the gospel meeting. There is a good deal doing for Jesus in this town, but there is room for much more ... "

His was indeed an out-and-out conversion. He made a clean break with the world and with its so-called pleasures right from the beginning. But he found in Christ his Saviour his joy and comfort, and he lived to serve Him faithfully each day.

“Therefore 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-02/25/1979

The Best Bargain

John Wanamaker in his day was called “the king of commerce.” His sharp eye and superior business acumen enabled him to make his businesses prosper with large profits. But in his last years he liked to go back to his childhood days and recall what he felt had been the most important purchase in his life. He said: “In the course of my life I have made hundreds of transactions and bought properties for millions of dollars.

“But I made the most important purchase of all when I was a small boy, just eleven years old, and lived in the country. When in the Sunday school there, I bought a small Bible for $2.75. I worked to pay for it. And when I look back I see that that purchase has been of longer lasting value than any other I have made.”

God does not promise us in this world the wealth and success that John Wanamaker experienced. Some of His choicest saints and most faithful followers have had little of this world’s store, but He has pledged Himself to care for us all along life’s pathway, and He has promised us “an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God” (1 Peter 1:4,5).

The Lord Jesus tells us, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35.) If you, dear reader, treasure in your heart the Word of God, not only will it enrich your soul in this life, but it will profit you through all eternity when the things of this life are past forever.

ML-02/25/1979

Changed by the Book

A young fellow, brought up in the poorest circumstances, had a job in a hospital. He had had only a few months schooling in his lifetime and lacked all the culture and polished manners that most of his companions and fellow-workers displayed. There was much to be desired in his appearance and personality, and at times he seemed ungrateful for favors shown him.

However, this unlearned and backward young fellow dedicated himself to reading the Bible. In 12 years he read it 160 times and the New Testament 300 times; in fact he scarcely read any other book, paper or magazine.

So great was the change wrought in his soul, his attitude, his appearance and his ways that one would scarcely have recognized him to be the same young boy of former years. But it all came from his faithfully reading the Word of God. The psalmist could say, “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psa. 119:129,130.)

Little by little this young man became exceptionally useful in the lab owing to the careful work he did. Then he worked in the pharmacy and became one of the best pharmacists.

The expression on his face had changed completely. That which 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.)

“Therefore 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.)

Dear reader, how many times have you read the Bible through? How much time do you devote each day in pouring over the sacred pages of “the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus"? (2 Tim. 3:15.)

ML-02/25/1979

Do You Remember?

It is not long after midnight, when two men are ushered into the presence of a third, whose air is one of authority. He seems deeply agitated. The interview is short but conclusive, and the two hurry away not a little pleased.

Answer found in Ex. 12

ML-02/25/1979

"Things Above"

In the deepening twilight of a summer evening, an evangelist found a little boy with both hands extended upwards, holding a line.

“What are you doing here, my little friend?” he inquired.

“Flying my kite, sir!”

“Flying your kite? I can see no kite, and you can’t either.”

“I know it,” replied the little fellow. “I can’t see it, but I know it’s there for I can feel it pull.”

If our affections are set on things above, we shall have the sense of it which cannot be mistaken. We shall feel the pull of heavenly things day by day.

ML-02/25/1979

Bill Heard … Bill Followed

“And the two disciples heard... and they followed Jesus.... and one of the two which heard... was Andrew.” (John 1:37,40.)

I want my breakfast served at eight,

With ham and eggs upon my plate;

A steak “well done” I’ll eat at one,

And dine again when day is done.

I want a spacious modern home,

And in each room a telephone;

Soft carpets too upon the floors,

With pretty drapes to grace the doors.

I want my wardrobe too to be

Of neatest, finest quality,

With latest style in suit and vest,

Why shouldn’t Christians have the best?

But then the Master I can hear,

In no uncertain voice so clear:

"I bid you come and follow Me,

The lowly Man of Galilee.

“Birds of the air have made their nest,

And foxes in their holes find rest;

But I can offer you no bed;

No place have I to lay My head.”

In shame I hung my head and cried;

How could I spurn the Crucified?

Could I forget the way He went,

And stopped not till the veil was rent.

A Man of sorrows and of grief,

No earthly friend to bring relief—

"Smitten of God” the prophet said—

Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood was shed.

If He be God and died for me,

No sacrifice too great can be

For me, a mortal man, to make;

I’d do it all for Jesus’ sake.

Yes, I would tread the path He trod,

No other way will please my God;

So henceforth this my choice shall be,

My choice for all eternity.

The above poem was written in 1960 by a young man, Bill McChesney. In that same year Bill went to the African Congo to bring Christ to the natives there. Just a few days after his arrival the Congo won its independence.

This spelled trouble for the foreign missionaries. In 1964 Bill was a prisoner, and at times was severely beaten. Finally, he was clubbed, speared, and thrown into the Wamba River. At 28, Bill McChesney laid down his life for his Master in seeking the lost. Bill heard—Bill followed.

“And He said unto him, Follow Me. And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” (Luke 5:27,28.)

If He be God, and died for me,

No sacrifice too great can be.

Words of Life

ML-02/25/1979

To the Rescue

Memory Verse: “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:8

This last December a blizzard raged in the Rocky Mountains. Captain Klopfenstein was a skillful pilot, but the weather was truly terrible, interfering with his instruments. He began a slow descent out of mountains toward Denver. Somehow his radar didn’t pick up the high tension, 230,000 volt electrical power line ahead. As the plane grazed the power line, a wing snapped off. There was nothing the pilot could do. The plane smashed mercilessly into the trees ahead on the mountainside.

In the plane 22 People were flying along, some thoughtlessly, some even sleeping, some very worried because of the weather. The pilot and co-pilot had been doing everything possible to reach their destination safely. One minute they were speeding along in apparent safety; the next minute they were wrecked on the rocky side of a mountain, trapped by a terrible blizzard, and in danger of death. One person was killed immediately in the crash.

Most of the rest of the people were injured badly, completely helpless to save themselves.

How this reminds us of so many people today who are going along thoughtlessly, not aware of the danger of their souls. Then there are many who worry about their future, but really don’t search for a place of safety. Others are like the pilot and co-pilot. They are doing everything possible to reach their eternal destination safely, only to find that their very best efforts were not good enough. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6). Dear reader, there is only one way that you can reach heaven safely and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6.)

Those people in the accident realized they needed help badly.

They were in a desperate, helpless position, and they knew it. God says that we, too, are in a desperate and helpless situation. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God... The wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 3:23, 6:23.) Dear reader, have your sins been roved yet through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, you too, are in real urgent, pressing need of salvation.

The airplane crash caused a brief power failure in the electrical line. This gave a clue to the rescuers, indicating the area where the plane went down; and since the radio beam from the plane continued to operate, it showed the direction in which the plane lay. Using two snow machines, the rescuers searched the mountain side. Finally the helpless people in the wreck heard the snow machines. Eight less injured people crawled out of the wreck and shouted for help. Soon the rescuers arrived. The survivors were all packed into the two big machines and carried to safety. It took 11 hours to reach them and another four hours to carry them to the hospital. They had been saved from a terrible death, but only by the devotion and fearlessness of their rescuers.

How wonderful, too, was the devotion and fearlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ in giving Himself to die on the cross to save us from our sins. He made the supreme effort. As those injured survivors were carried safely in the big snow machines, so the Lord Jesus carries each one of us safely home when we trust in Him.

“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10.) Just like the rescuers were seeking for those lost in the accident, so the Lord Jesus is seeking for those who are lost in their sins. When the survivors shouted for help, the snow machines came to their rescue. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13.)

“What must I do to be saved?... Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:30,31.)

ML-03/04/1979

A Singing Sailor

In England a sailor with a happy smiling face gave a bright Christian testimony in a seamen’s mission.

“I found Christ over in America,” he said. “When our ship docked in New York harbor, they paid us sailors off and I took my money and went to a tavern. Pretty soon I was drunk. When I went out on the street, the snow was beating against my face. As I walked along I heard some singing. I stopped to listen. In the Water Street Mission people were singing:

I am so glad that our Father in heaven

Tells of His love in the Book He has given;

Wonderful things in the Bible I see,

This is the dearest that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me—

Jesus loves even me!

“I thought, ‘I’ll go and see about that.’ I went in and Jerry McAuley led me to Jesus, the Saviour!”

When the sailor had finished his testimony, his wife remarked, “It’s been ‘Jesus Loves Even Me’ ever since Johnny’s ship came home. They used to call him ‘Swearing Johnny’ but now I call him ‘Singing Johnny.’ He is always singing about Jesus!”

ML-03/04/1979

"I've Swallowed It!"

“This is a beautiful country,” said Clark to his rancher friend with whom he was staying, as he rose early one morning in the mountains out West. As Clark drew back the drapes he looked out on the clear rushing, tumbling waters of the mountain stream, and throwing open the window he breathed deeply the pine-scented air.

“This is my Father’s world,” he mused; and then as he left his room, he quoted aloud, “When there were no fountains abounding with water; before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.” (Prov. 8:24,25.)

“Yes,” said his host, “this is beautiful country; but how I wish that Christ and His truth were better known here. Do you see that man way over there at work? That is Peter. He’s clever, and he knows this district like a book. He’s a dependable worker, too. But try and talk to him about the Lord and you’ll get nowhere!”

The two strolled that way, and Peter was introduced. Taking a little booklet out of his pocket Clark said, “I’d be delighted if you would accept this, Peter.” Peter took it very reluctantly.

The next day Clark left the district.

About a month later Clark was back to visit his friend, and to meet Peter. “How did you like the tract I gave you?” he asked.

“Well, I’ve swallowed it,” and Peter seemed quite embarrassed and irritated with the presence of the visitor. But he accepted a second tract. And once again Clark disappeared.

Another month passed and back came Clark—back to a more cheerful Peter than on his other visits.

“Peter,” said Clark, “if I give you a New Testament, will you swallow that, too?”

“Yes, sir, but I don’t want to be in debt to you for it. I’ll buy it from you; that I surely will.”

“Fine! I’ll be glad to have you do so. Here it is,” said Clark, handing Peter the beautifully bound New Testament.

Peter lifted his eyebrows and drew a soft whistle. “What’s the price?”

“The price is just this: when through it God teaches you the truth, you must read the portion to six other men and teach them.”

“Them’s queer terms, sir; could you be joking?” asked Peter smiling.

“I surely am not! That’s the only payment I’ll take.”

The ranchman hesitated, scratched his head, and viewed the lovely little volume. Then he agreed and the Book was his.

Months went by, and Clark grew anxious to meet Peter again. Then he caught sight of a man hurrying along the road. He recognized it to be Peter, and called out to him.

“Sure enough,” said Peter, “it’s the evangelist. Welcome, my friend.”

“What are you doing way out here, Peter?”

“I’m paying for the Book. Come and you shall see.”

Peter led the way to a hollowed-out spot behind some shrubs. There were six men eagerly watching out for him, waiting for him to read to them and explain the truth he had learned from his Book.

Like Andrew the disciple of old was the Clark of our story. His business was to bring others to the Saviour. Nor did he rest with just contacting a person just once. Where he couldn’t get a word in he would thrust in his silent messenger, and there in black and white was the story of redemption—“Christ died for the ungodly.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Rom. 5:6; Acts 16:31; Isa. 45:22.)

In the gospels we read that Andrew brought Peter to the Lord. In another occasion he brought the little boy with His five loaves and two small fishes to Jesus and with them the Lord fed five thousand that day. Then again when certain Greeks came to Philip saying, “Sir, we would see Jesus,” Philip went and told Andrew and together they brought the message to Jesus. What a nice reputation Andrew had! If someone was seeking the Lord, and you profess to be saved, would he or she think of coming to you to be shown the way?

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

ML-03/04/1979

An Atheist Saved

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

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

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

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

“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-03/04/1979

A Prisoner Set Free

Memory Verse: “I will surely deliver thee ... because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 39:18

George was a Christian who for years traveled the U.S. highways from coast to coast hitchhiking, seeking to bring Christ and His salvation to those who would give him a ride.

On one of his trips east he was given a ride by a young man. He noticed he had strange burns across the backs of both his hands. George asked him if he would mind telling him how he got them. This was his story: “I was in the Marines in the last war and was captured by the Japanese. I have in my bag a letter from President Truman saying I was in solitary confinement longer than any other man, as far as they know.”

He was a comparatively young man, but you would have taken him for someone’s grandfather. This man had really been through war. He went on: “One night I thought my buddy would die for want of something to eat. So sneaking out during the night, I stole some food for him. But I was caught, and the Japs said, ‘For stealing, this is what we do,’ and they took a hot iron and burned the back of both my hands.”

Letting go the wheel for a split second and holding up both his hands he said, “This isn’t what bothers me. What bothers me is not only that I’m an alcoholic, but I’m a slave to dope.” In his glove compartment were five bottles of drugs. “That is all that will help me,” he said, “when I get these shakes that I got from eleven months of solitary confinement.”

George turned to him and said: “Mister, when the Lord saved me, I too was a slave to many bad habits, but the Lord set me free. One night I was a slave to sin, and the next morning I was a free man in Christ. What the Lord did for me He can do for you. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He came to set you free. So when you find a shady spot, I want to stop and I want you to read something from this New Testament.”

There seemed to be no shade and it was terribly hot. Finally the driver said, “Mister, I’m all mixed up but I’m concerned about this.” So he pulled over onto the side of the road, and there they read the New Testament together. That young man was in earnest and listened intently. The Spirit of God wrought in his heart, and there on the side of the road he received Christ as his Saviour. He was a free man in Christ, for the Lord Jesus came to break the power of sin and set the prisoner free. Like the Ethiopian man of the Acts to whom Philip the evangelist spoke, “he went on his way rejoicing.”

“Be it known unto you... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole....

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10. 12.)

ML-03/11/1979

The Young Singer

Many years ago some boys were seen passing along the streets of Eisenach in Germany. They walked slowly, and at times stopped before the doors of the houses and sang carols about the Lord Jesus.

This day it seemed, the minstrel boys’ singing was not appreciated. Cold, hungry and discouraged they thought of returning to their home.

But there was the house of Conrad Cotta nearby; he was the burgomaster of the city, and his good wife, Mistress Ursula, was very fond of music. She had seen the boys rejected at three doors, and her gentle loving heart felt the deepest pity for them. Beckoning them to come in, she served them a good hot supper after which they were ready to sing their favorite carols.

From that day on young Martin Luther became a frequent visitor at her house. Years went by, and Luther became a preacher and the head of a college. At length the time came when God called him as His chosen vessel in the wonderful Reformation. He boldly declared that one can be accepted of God only by faith in the atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. Luther’s message brought life and liberty to thousands and still goes forth in many lands today.

ML-03/11/1979

Jonah and Nineveh

Jonah was a prophet in the land of Israel to whom the Lord had said, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up against Me.”

But Jonah was unwilling to go to Nineveh and instead he got aboard a ship sailing to Joppa. There he boarded another ship going to Tarshish. On the voyage, while he was asleep, a terrible storm arose and the mariners were afraid they would all be lost. They came and woke up Jonah and told him to cry unto his God; perhaps He would be gracious so that they might not perish.

Jonah told them he was the cause of the storm and also told them to cast him into the sea and it would be calm again. “Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship to land,” but when the storm continued to rage, they at last cast Jonah into the sea. Then “the sea ceased from her raging.”

But Jonah did not drown for God had prepared a great fish which swallowed him alive, and “he was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Poor Jonah! He was repentant and obedient now, and knowing the Lord to be a God of mercy He prayed unto Him from the fish’s belly and asked Him to save him.

“Salvation is of the Lord,” he confessed, and after he said that “The Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.”

Again the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it that preaching that I bid thee.” This time Jonah went, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city and it would take Jonah possibly three days to walk around its walls.

As he entered the city, he cried saying, “Yet forty days, and Nineh shall be overthrown.” When the people of Nineveh heard that they believed God, for they humbled themselves and put on sackcloth. Even the king put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. No one was allowed to eat or drink anything, but all were commanded to cry mightily unto God for His mercy and to turn from their evil and violent ways. When God saw how they humbled themselves, he repented and said he would not overthrow the city.

But Jonah was exceedingly displeased and very angry because God did not carry out what he had preached. What would become of his reputation as a prophet? He had preached judgment, but God had shown grace to Nineveh and spared the people. Jonah told God it were better for him to die than to live.

Now God was very patient with His servant and pointed out to him that there were in Nineveh 120,000 little children, “and also much cattle.” Did He not do well in sparing that great city from the judgment He had threatened?

We hope Jonah found grace to humble himself before the Lord at last, for he was used by the Spirit of God to write his own history.

ML-03/11/1979

An Advocate

Mr. Harris, a wealthy Christian business man, sat at his desk in his office one day, with a sad, serious look on his face. He had just dismissed John, his driver.

John had won his employer’s affection and confidence in those long years during which he had faithfully served him. But for some time now John had taken to drinking, and as all the warnings he received were in vain, Mr. Harris had threatened him with dismissal.

With tears in his eyes John had promised to do better, and one more chance was granted to him. However, he had fallen back into his drinking habits again, and now he was to go. There was no altering the fact this time, and John knew only too well that when his boss said anything with such decision, any attempt to move him to withdraw it was in vain.

So he had gone out of Mr. Harris’ office without answering a word, despair filling his heart. He stood outside, leaning against the wall, his head sunk on his breast, while he thought of having lost such a good boss and having brought this calamity on his family. It all weighed heavily on his mind.

A moment later, Herbie, Mr. Harris’ little son, came running in from the parking lot in childish glee. He looked in astonishment at John the driver and came slowly nearer. Then taking John’s hand confidentially his big blue eyes looked up at him questioningly.

“Yes, Herbie,” said John almost in a whisper, “I have done wrong; your father is angry with me and I have to leave. But,” he added after a pause, “if you were to ask him to pardon me—perhaps he would do it for your sake, for his dear son’s sake.”

Herbie was off like a shot and hastened straight upstairs to his father’s office. Before the door he stood still and waited. John had said: “Your father is very angry with me for I have done wrong.” Would he dare then to ask a favor? “But I haven’t done anything bad myself,” he reasoned, and thus comforted, he walked through the door to his father’s office and slowly entered.

Scarcely had he seen the look of tender love on his father’s face than he hastened to him, climbed up on his knee and settled on his lap. Then putting his arm around his neck he looked up into his father’s face and said in a pleading tone: “Daddy, John sent me to you; he is standing outside in tears, and he wants me to ask you if you will forgive him for my sake.”

George Harris was silent, and for some moments his face betrayed the struggle going on within. Then he kissed his little son and answered him in a severe yet kindly voice, “Did John ask that, son? Yes, I freely forgive him, because you have pleaded for him. Go and tell him so. He may stay, and I will forgive him all.” Then he added, “But he must not drink any more!”

Herbie ran to carry the message, and Mr. Harris silently folded his hands and said as if in prayer, “Now I understand what that verse means, ‘we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous’ (1 John 2:1); and " ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you.’ " (John 16:23.)

ML-03/11/1979

A Lion and Tiger Battle

Memory Verse: “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Saviour.” Isaiah 43:11

When I was a boy, I thought the St. Louis zoo was the most wonderful place. The acts of the trained animals were especially exciting. There were lion, elephant and monkey shows. My parents used to take us boys there, but how glad we were when they said we were old enough to go alone. Now we could look at just the things we wanted to see.

We were at the lion show and the trainer had just stepped into the arena. A gate opened and the announcer shouted out the names of the lions as they ran in.

“That’s Suzy, and that’s King!”

The big male lion faced the trainer proudly. Cracking his whip the trainer approached the big beast. King backed off with a growl, and slowly the man forced him toward the rear wall.

“Up!” he commanded.

The lion obeyed and leaped up onto a large stand six feet high. Soon Suzy was up on another stand beside him.

“Now we’re going to do what can’t be done!” shouted the announcer. “The lion and tiger are mortal enemies, and if they are put into the same cage, they will fight to the death. But our animals are so well—trained that we are going to bring tigers into the lion arena today!”

Another door clicked open and three tigers leaped into the arena. They, too, were huge beasts; and in spite of the excellent training they were supposed to have, to me they seemed fearfully wild. In spite of the trainer’s attempts to control them, one of the tigers continued to run around wildly.

Finally the tiger ran too close to where the big male lion was crouched and watching. With a loud growl King jumped down on top of the tiger and pinned him to the floor. Then I witnessed my first and only lion and tiger fight. There were the two huge cats battling each other, the lion standing over the tiger and biting at him.

The trainer was terribly excited. He tried to hit the lion with his whip, but in his excitement he struck the floor and it broke in his hand. Grabbing a big stick he really laid it on the big lion who finally gave up the battle. The trainer proved he was master.

Instead of King fighting back at his trainer, he ran off. In the mean time zoo keepers had opened side doors, and the big cats all ran to their respective cages, except one tiger who stayed and did a few tricks before the show came to an early closing.

Years have passed, but I often think of that lion and tiger battle. Each time it reminds me that the millennium, that blessed reign of peace and rest when the Lord Jesus shall rule over this whole earth, has not yet come. But in that day the creatures God has made, now suffering because of man’s sin, shall no longer fight each other.

In the meantime we have a great enemy we do well to fear. The Bible tells us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8.)

When that big lion leaped on that tiger, he would have killed him had not the trainer come to his rescue.

Now Satan tempted man to sin in the garden, and so wields the power of death over man because death is the result of sin. However, the Lord Jesus came into this world to save sinners like you and me. By His death and resurrection he has overcome the power of Satan, for all those who by faith trust Him as their Saviour. Christ died for sin upon the cross, and now God offers forgiveness to all who believe in Jesus. He has taken Satan’s weapon out of his hand and we need not fear Him any more. Christ Jesus is his Master: he is defeated.

May each one who reads this be able to say “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57.

ML-03/18/1979

Open the Door

Shelley’s mother had given her a pretty text card and upon it were the words: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20

Shelley thought a great deal about that verse and asked her mother some questions as to its meaning. When she went to bed that night she took the card with her to her room.

In the morning she said, “Mother, I lay awake a long time last night, thinking of Jesus outside the door. And, Mother, I prayed to Him, oh so earnestly, that He would come into my heart and stay there always. And, Mother, I believe He has come in, and I am going to be His little girl.”

Little Shelley opened the door of her heart at the knock of the Lord Jesus, and we are sure that she was right in thinking that He had entered, for He says, “If any man (any means any one, young or old) open the door, I will come in.”

ML-03/18/1979

Orphan Children of China

Along the Burma Road, the back door into China, as in other parts of that vast land, there were multitudes of children who were orphaned, homeless, blind, deformed, leper children, and some who through the poverty of their pants were sold as slaves.

At one place where we visited, missionaries had established an orphanage, and today was Sports Day. The ninety-six children were very excited. There were races, jumping and ever so many games going on. Bigger boys took it seriously and little boys had fun. The girls looked charming in their flowered dresses and pretty aprons with ribbons to match. There was one little girl so small she could not keep up with the rest. Besides, she was too busy looking at all the visitors who were smiling at her.

Later we all saw where they slept and worked. The classrooms and dormitories were so home-like, and the bathrooms spotless and perfectly tidy. Beside each basin was a mug and with it a toothbrush, toothpaste, and even talcum powder.

We had been asked to speak to the children on Sunday. The boys and girls all loved Sunday school, especially the singing, and it was thrilling when they all marched to the song, “Soldiers of Christ, onward go!” They liked the Bible stories, too, and listened intently.

Sumay

One of the older girls wore a very serious look on her face, but when she smiled, she was charming. Her father had been a wealthy merchant, but when his wife, Sumay’s mother died, he became sad and worried about his problems. He knew not God as his father nor the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and while Sumay was still very small he died.

Sumay was cared for by her aunt until the Japanese came, and then they fled up the Burma Road back into China. Thousands of others were fleeing also and the road was jammed. The car in which Sumay traveled overturned; the driver saved Sumay, but the others were dead.

Sumay was taken to a relief center and temporarily cared for. From time to time men would come and look over the girls, choose one for his bride, and after paying a fee take her home. But no one claimed Sumay. The wounds on her head had become infected, and no one wanted her. Would she finally be taken as a slave?

No, God had His eye of love upon Sumay. Though she did not know about Him, He led a Christian lady to the center. When she saw the little girl, she arranged for her to come to the orphanage. For the first time in her life she learned of the One who loved her and died for her. Though she had never known a mother’s love nor a father’s care, yet she became a very charming child when she remembered a heavenly Father’s love to her. Perhaps we shall see Sumay in heaven.

En-Tien

Then there was En-tien. Her mother was dead and her father was an opium addict, which means “he can move, but he is really dead.” He ate little, got up seldom, cared for no one, and instead of earning money he would spend what he had or could get on opium.

En-tien’s mother died and Grana took the little girl to live with her. They were great friends, and En-tien did not like to be out of Grandma’s sight even for an hour.

She helped to sweep and cook, and on Sunday she went with Grandma to sing and pray to Jesus. Grandma told her Jesus loved them and heard their prayers. Though En-tien couldn’t understand much about it, still her little heart was comforted because she knew that Grandma understood. Grandma was so sure she had a Father in heaven. Why, she talked to Him often.

Once En-tien was very sick with smallpox. But somehow she recovered. Grandma said it was her Father in heaven who had made her better. Grandma had always prayed for her when she was sick.

Then Grandma died and En-tien cried for a long time-she missed her so. We hope little En-tien, too, came to know the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and became one of His own little lambs. The Bible tells us, “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” (Isa. 40:11.) Let us pray for the little orphan children of China and other lands.

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

ML-03/18/1979

Who Is It?

A Bible character without a name,

Who died a death none ever died before;

Whose body never to corruption came;

Part of whose shroud is found in every household store?

Gen. 19; Luke 17

ML-03/18/1979

White As Snow

When Harry and Sue got up the other morning, how surprised they were to find that it had snowed during the night. There was a beautiful mantle of the purest snow over everything.

How pretty and pure the snowflakes are as they float down from the sky!

Question: What is the blackest thing on earth?

Answer: A heart defiled by sin.

Question: What is the purest thing on earth?

Answer: That same heart washed in the blood of Jesus.

King David knew about snow, for once when he had sinned he prayed, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psa. 51:7. Dear young reader, have you ever prayed that prayer?

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

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the

mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rom. 10:10

ML-03/18/1979

John Harper's Last Convert

Memory Verse: “What must I do to be saved?... Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:30-31

At 11:40 p.m. Sunday night, April 14, 1912, the great ocean liner, S. S. Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, with 2,223 passengers and crew aboard, struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. At 2:20 a.m. the mighty ship, hitherto declared “unsinkable,” went down carrying with her 832 passengers and 685 of the crew.

The vessel seemed to go down stem first and finally to sink in almost a vertical position with her propellers out of the water. The band played “Nearer, My God to Thee” on the deck as the ship went down.

The S. S. Carpathia, fifty-six miles away, picked up the S.O.S. wireless call, and steaming at full speed to the rescue, arrived about 5:30 a.m. She picked up the survivors in lifeboats and rafts, while a few were still clinging to wreckage.

Some three or four years after the Titanic went down, a young Scotchman rose in a meeting in Hamilton, Canada and told this story. He said: “I was on the Titanic that night she sank. Drifting alone on a spar in the icy water on that awful night, a wave brought John Harper of Glasgow near me. He, too, was holding onto a piece of the wreck.

“Man, are you saved?” he shouted. " ‘No, I’m not!’ I replied.

" ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,’ he called back.

" The waves bore him away into the darkness; but, strange to say, a little later he was washed back alongside of me again.

" ‘Are you saved now?’ he called out.

" ‘No!’ I replied. ‘I cannot honestly say that I am.’

“Once more he repeated the verse, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’

There and then, alone in the darkness with two miles of water under me, in my desperation I cried to Christ to save me. I believed on Him and was saved. I was John Harper’s last convert.”

“A few minutes later I heard this man of God exclaim, “I’m going down; I’m going down! No, I’m going up!’ Then loosing his hold he sank and was gone.”

What does it mean to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ"? It is to take Him as your Saviour, realizing that your sins are taking you down to judgment and eternal woe, and that He is your only hope of salvation. But He has died in your stead, and if you trust Him as your Saviour, God will forgive and blot out all your sins and give you eternal life. Christ is the lifeboat, waiting to save, and there’s room for you, too.

John Harper’s niece, one of the passengers saved when the Titanic went down, gives the following account of her uncle: “When we went to look for him at about six o’clock, we found him earnestly talking to a young man That evening, before we retired, we went on deck and there was still a glint of red in the West. I remember him saying, ‘It will be beautiful in the morning.’ We then went down to the staterooms; we read from the Bible and prayed, and so he left us.”

“Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction.” Matt. 7:13.

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

ML-03/25/1979

My Faithful Friend

I have a faithful doggie

Who loves me just a lot.

When I return from anywhere,

She’s always on the spot.

When I am gone she watches,

Nor wanders far away;

She loves her home and master

Too much to go astray.

She jumps and barks a welcome,

And tells me o’er and o’er

She wishes I would stay at home

And go away no more.

Now, tell me, little reader,

Would not the Lord rejoice

If you for Him were waiting

And longing for His voice?

You each may learn a lesson

From pets so fond and true;

When Jesus comes to take us,

Will He find you watching too?

He wants your heart, dear reader,

So filled with thoughts of Him

That nothing earth can offer

Will make your hope grow dim.

For filled with thoughts of Jesus,

You’ll long for His return;

And that sweet hope within you

Will ever brightly burn.

ML-03/25/1979

"Gladdest" Most of All for Jesus

In front of a large department store three little girls were standing hand in hand gazing into the window. They were fascinated. Their thin little bodies were shivering underneath their insufficient clothing, and their teeth were chattering with the cold. But they were fascinated by the brilliant array of toys on which their poor little eyes feasted.

Only two of the three little girls could see. The one in the center was blind. They had only rag dolls themselves, and their play things were what they picked up in alleys. But they could look at the toys in the window, for it cost nothing to look.

Even as they stood in front of the window, a famous surgeon rushed out of the store, his arms filled with toys for his own happy little children. He almost bumped into the three standing there, gazing wistfully into the beautiful window. Their poverty-stricken condition touched his heart and he stopped for a moment to listen. One of the little girls on the outside was speaking.

“Over there,” she said, “is a beautiful doll’s house—so big! It has windows that open and a real door—and—”

“Yes, and over on the other side is a beautiful doll with long brown curls,” said the little girl on the other side.

“And she closes her eyes when you lay her down and she can walk, and—”

Here the doctor interrupted. Why must the two have to explain to the thin, wan little thing in the middle? Then stooping down he looked into her eyes and saw that she was blind.

Throwing his packages into the back of his car he came back to the three little girls and asked some questions.

“She ain’t got no mama!” explained one of the little girls.

“Her mommy is dead, and she lives with us,” piped up the other one.

Soon he had won their confidence and was taking them home in his car. Stopping before a typical slum dwelling he knocked, and an untidy woman opened the door. She explained that the little girl was not hers, but she had taken her in the day her mother died and she was doing the best she could to care for the little orphan.

The doctor told her he was an eye specialist and was convinced that an operation would bring sight to those little eyes. “I would like to take her with me,” he said. “It won’t cost you a penny. If I fail, she won’t be any the worse off; and if I succeed, this poor little girl will see.”

The news quickly ran through the hospital that the famous surgeon had picked up a little blind girl and was going to operate on her eyes. The little patient soon won the hearts of all who came in contact with her, and more than one prayed that those little blind eyes might see.

Soon the operation was over, and the little girl sat in bed for days with bandages over her eyes. Then came the tremendous moment with those bandages when they were to be taken off. The doctor sat by her bedside and stroked her little head gently.

“It will be a little while yet,” he said, “and then one at a time we shall take off the bandages and I believe, my little darling, that you will be able to see.” In the corner of the room was a beautiful doll’s house—the identical one that had been in the shop window, and beside it a pretty doll with lovely brown curls, and many other things the heart of a little girl could desire.

One by one the bandages were taken off; then came the last. The nurse held her breath; the doctor’s hand trembled. Slowly in the dimly lighted room the last bandage was removed. The little eyelids raised. The light shone in. There was a little gasp of joy. She saw—imperfectly at first, for it would take time for her to learn to focus her eyes correctly. But that would come. The operation was a success. She gazed in rapture at the doctor.

The doctor pointed out the doll house, and the doll, and said through his tears, “All those are for you, dear!”

But she could only look at him. “Don’t you like the pretty doll?” he asked, giving it to her.

“Oh yes!” she replied, “I like all those pretty things, but I’m gladdest... most of all... for you.”

She was glad most of all for the man who had given her her sight.

Once we were blind,

But now we can see;

Once we were bound,

But now we are free.

The Lord Jesus has opened the blind eyes of all those who have come and believed in Him as their Saviour. He gives us many, many blessings beside. We are glad for all the wonderful things He gives us, but we ought to be “gladdest” of all for Himself—the Giver. “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

How little it cost the doctor, under God’s good hand, to help the little orphan girl to see. But it cost the Son of God His life to bring life and light to poor blind and dead sinners like us. Surely we ought to love and thank Him for such a sacrifice.

“One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me;

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

The Stars

“He made the stars also.” (Gen. 1:16.)

“He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.” (Psa. 147:4.)

The Best Book

The Bible is the best Book,

The Book we hold so dear;

A Story Book, a Picture Book,

A Book of Songs to cheer.

The Bible tells of Jesus,

Now in His Home above;

The Bible brings the message sweet.

THAT GOD IS LOVE.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10.)

ML-03/25/1979

Tsali. Cherokee Brave

Memory Verse: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; ... He was buried ... He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

The thrilling story of Tsali’s love and sacrifice for the sake of his tribesmen is unsurpassed in the annals of American Indian history.

In 1838, 17,000 Cherokee Indians were forced by General Winfield Scott to struggle en masse from Western North Carolina to Oklahoma. More than 4,000 perished along the way on that terrible “trail of tears.” Some 1,000 Cherokees remained behind, however, hidden in the Great Smokies.

In the conflict between the Indians and the whites, before that cruel removal of almost the entire tribe, Tsali’s wife had been murdered by a drunken United States soldier, who in turn was killed by Tsali and his kinsmen. To avoid capture Tsali escaped into the depths of America’s largest virgin forest.

General Scott made a comprise proposal which was conveyed to Tsali by a trusted friend of his. The proposal was: If Tsali and his kin would surrender to be shot, the remainder of the tribe could stay in the beautiful land of their birth.

After days of anguish, Tsali, with his sons and brother-in-law, walked unescorted into Bushnell to face certain death. What brought him there? White soldiers could never have found him in his cave near Clingman’s Dome. Despite a burning desire to live, it was love that brought him there to die.

At the last moment, his youngest son was saved from the firing squad by the tears of a woman missionary. Then the rifle shots rang out. Three brave Indians died and a thousand Cherokees were free to remain in the Great Smokies.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

In love for his suffering people Tsali willingly offered himself as a substitute and sacrifice. And in love for us poor sinners the Lord Jesus gave Himself as our Substitute and willingly died in our stead. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

Tsali’s dust still rests in the grave, but the grave could not hold the Son of God. Death had no claim upon Him for He was the holy, sinless One. As soon as the claims of God’s righteousness had been met in the death of the Substitute, Christ rose from the dead according to the Scriptures.” In that great work of redemption He has brought about deliverance from a far worse fate than “the trail of tears” and made provision for an eternal home, far more beautiful than the Great Smokies for His people.

Today the Eastern Tribe of Cherokees pays tribute to the memory of Tsali. Do you, dear reader, honor Him who is infinitely greater than a Tsali, He who died, who rose from the dead and now sits at God’s right hand in the heavens? Can you say He is your Saviour? If not, then “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18.

ML-04/01/1979

The Young Actress

A young actress had earned the applause and admiration of many by her beautiful voice and talented performances.

Evening had come, and she was on her way to the theater where she would again win the praise and acclaim of the crowds. They were pleasant enough to receive (so she might have thought as she went on) and yet why was she so weary-hearted tonight? And how was it she felt so unsatisfied in spite of her success?

She would be growing old soon, her voice would be going, and then how long would these sort of friends stay with her? and, well, there was something further on still. There was death—and what should she do when that drew near? There was the great score of her sins to be settled! Ah, perhaps it was that that caused the heavy heart tonight.

Suddenly through the hum of the busy city, there broke the clear ring of children’s voices singing in the street. They were close beside her, and the words fell distinctly on her ear—

Depth of mercy, can there be

Mercy still reserved for me?

Can my God His wrath forbear?

Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,

Long provoked Him to His face;

Would not hearken to His calls,

Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

There for me the Saviour stands,

Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.

God is love, and I know and feel—

Jesus lives, and loves me still.”

It was a new, a strange message to the sin-sick soul, and the young actress listened eagerly to the words. When they were finished, she asked the children to repeat them, which they did over and over again. Then giving them a few coins she passed on, with the lines ringing in her ears and heart.

Could it be true? Was there really mercy reserved for a sinner such as she had been? Would the Saviour show His wounded hands and the marks of the cruel cross to His Father to prove that He had taken her place and borne the punishment that was due to her? And was it true that the holy God was also a God of love, and that He was perfectly satisfied with His Son as her Substitute, and could say in all truth—“I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember thy sins"?

She reached the theater, and prepared in a dreamy way to act her usual part. The building was crowded; but as she stepped upon the stage, her thoughts were far away from the audience around her or from the enthusiasm that her appearance had aroused. She opened her lips, but it was not to give forth their accustomed utterance; almost unconsciously the words rang out—

Depth of mercy, can there be

Mercy still reserved for me?

They were followed by an astonished silence—the actress turned and left the stage—left the theater, and hurried out into the darkened streets, never pausing until she had reached the room she had so lately left. There, with the door locked, she threw herself upon her knees and accepted that “depth of mercy” that had been reserved for her, and gave herself—body, soul and spirit—to the One who had died in her stead.

ML-04/01/1979

Seeking

One evening while walking down the street I met a little boy carrying a big cardboard box. Taking a little gospel booklet out of my pocket I gave it to him.

He took it promptly and then stopped for a moment under the street light to look at the title of the tract: it was called “SEEKING.”

Looking up with a bright smile on his face he said, “I am glad to say, sir, that I have found Jesus.”

When I asked him how long he had known Him, he told me that some little time before he had been at a children’s gospel meeting, and there he had sought and found the Saviour. How happy that dear boy seemed in His love!

Can you say too, my dear young friend, that you too have found Jesus? Have you really wished to come to Him? His promise stands as firm as ever— “Those that seek Me early shall find Me.” And His promise is that “him (or her) that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37.)

Come then just as you are and He will receive you, save you, keep you, and at last bring you safe to that heavenly land where He Himself is gone.

ML-04/01/1979

No Sorrow There

A man who did not believe in God and scoffed at the Bible was hurrying along to catch a bus. His attention was arrested by a little boy sitting on a doorstep and singing:

“There’ll be no sorrow there,

There’ll be no sorrow there.”

“Where,” inquired the infidel who was impressed by the words. “Where is it there’ll be no sorrow?” The boy answered,

“In heaven above,

Where all is love;

There’ll be no sorrow there.”

The man hastened on and boarded the bus, but the simple words of that chorus lodged in his mind. He could not drive them from his thoughts; they were fixed.

A world where there is no sorrow! This was the great idea that filled his mind. He dwelt upon it and went over and over it in his thoughts, till a longing to know about that place took possession of him. This was used by the Spirit of God to lead him to the Saviour who died for the lost, guilty and ruined—whose precious blood cleanses from every stain of sin, and fits them for that world where sin and sorrow are unknown.

ML-04/01/1979

34 Lost-Only 3 Saved

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

On this past New Year’s Eve, the 218,000 ton supertanker, Andros Patria, carrying millions of gallons of crude oil from the Persian Gulf to Rotterdam, was sailing past the northwest coast of Spain. Aboard that huge ship, which was longer than 31/2 football fields, were 37 crew members and passengers.

Very heavy seas caused a crack in her side which was followed by a short circuit, explosions and a fire. 34 of the passengers and crew took to a lifeboat to escape but, sad to say, the lifeboat capsized in the violent seas and all perished. Three of the crew remained on the ship and were rescued by a helicopter.

“We were really scared and we never expected to ever return home again,” said one rescued sailor.

The last word of the Andros Patria was that she was a crewless burning ghost ship, sailing along at four knots per hour away from the Spanish coast, leaving millions of gallons of oil in her wake.

What would you have done if you were aboard that ship-stay on it while it burned, or get into the lifeboat provided for emergencies? To whom could you turn for help?

Few of us would ever be in such circumstances as were the men on the Andros Patria, but there are dangers and emergencies just as serious and solemn to face on the ocean of life as we cross this dark turbulent world—storms, trials, accidents, sickness, ruin, sorrows—and death at last, “the wages of sin.” (Rom. 6:23); “and after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27) To whom will you turn for help? The Lord calls you to look to Him.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psa. 46:1)

Have you put your faith in Him? If so, then all will be well. But if not, you might not think to call on Him in an emergency. Or it might be too late—you may be struck down before you have time to cry for help. Or if taken suddenly seriously ill, you may have a sign put on your door, “No Visitors,” and gone forever will be your last opportunity to hear the precious message of the gospel and of the Saviour’s love whispered in your ear in your dying hour. The salvation of your soul is serious business. Do not put it off for a moment. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2)

God has given wonderful proses to those who are His through faith in the Lord Jesus. He says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5) Trust Him today and all these wonderful promises will be yours.

ML-04/08/1979

Faithful Oscar

Harry and Carl ran after their father one morning as he went to work. On their way home, they stopped to pick flowers on the side of the lake. Harry was just three years old, and he wasn’t quite as careful as his brother Carl. He reached over the bank for an extra big daisy, slipped, and rolled down into the water. Carl heard him scream and turned just in time to see the splash as his brother went down. Carl ran home as fast as he could to tell his mother, but it was quite a long way, and I am afraid Harry would have drowned but for brave Oscar. Oscar was a big dog that had been sleeping in the sunshine on the side of the river. Harry’s cry awakened him, and with one spring he was in the water. He caught Harry’s coat with his teeth, and kept him afloat until a boatman came along and picked him up. A crowd soon gathered on the lake side and in a few minutes Harry was safe in his mother’s arms.

Do you think he forgot brave Oscar? No. Although Harry is now a big boy, you may still see him walking by the lake with old Oscar by his side.

I know of One who died to save you from eternal death. That One was Jesus, the Son of God. Have you ever thanked Him? Do you walk by His side day by day?

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” (1 John 2:6.)

ML-04/08/1979

Pebbles

Five little pebbles lay in a brook,

Five little pebbles hid in a nook.

‘What are we good for?’ one said to another.

‘Little or nothing, I’m thinking, my brother.’

Wearing away day after day—

It seemed that Forever those pebbles must stay.

Five little pebbles hid in a brook.

David came down and gave them a look,

Picked them up carefully out of the sand:

Five little pebbles lay in his hand.

Hark! there is shouting and fighting today,

And boldly these pebbles are borne to the fray:

One of them chosen and put in a sling.

Would we have thought that a stone could thus wing?

Onward it sped with a might not its own:

Onward it sped, by a shepherd boy thrown;

Swift as an arrow, straight as a dart!

For the whole nation that stone did its part,

Striking the giant’s great, terrible head,

Laying him low—a mighty man dead.

Five little pebbles found in a brook

Are mentioned with honor in God’s holy Book.

Be thou a pebble, contented and low,

Ever kept clean by His Spirit’s pure flow,

Hidden and ready till Jesus shall look

And choose you, and use you, a stone from the brook.(1 Sam. 17. 40)

ML-04/08/1979

Arm Lost, But Life Received

“What a terrible case of gangrene of the arm! How did it occur?” I asked as I visited a young man who had just been brought into the missionary hospital in Korea.

“Noki, the young man, had a mosquito bite near the right elbow and scratched it. A little redness and swelling resulted, and fearing infection the family had applied a tourniquet above the elbow. They didn’t know what else to do.”

That was three days ago. Now the arm was black and cold, and it would be necessary to amputate to save his life. At first the parents would not hear of it, but finally they consented.

“I’m afraid we may be too late with this young man,” I told our Korean helper the next morning. But we did the best we could.

The family was discouraged, having hoped that some treatment would result in a speedy recovery.

“It’s too bad, Noki, that we had to remove your arm. We certainly didn’t want to, but there was no other way to save your life. By the way, are you a Christian?” I asked him.

“No, I am not.”

“Is there a gospel mission where you live?”

“No, there is no gospel preaching there.”

But Noki received the word of salvation with great readiness of mind, and while there in the hospital he confessed Christ as his Saviour. He asked that someone would come to his town and preach the gospel to his neighbors. The time came when this was carried out. A large number in that place accepted Christ, and a work was started. Noki, our former patient, became the leader of the group. He came and spent some time with us studying the Word so that he might be of more use in the Lord’s vineyard. Among others his whole family was saved.

Noki did not seem to regret the loss of his arm. Had he not had his trouble, he reasoned, he would probably never have known Christ. When he considered the One whom he had found, the loss of his right arm was not even to be compared.

ML-04/08/1979

A Japanese Christian

A young American airman told the story of how in World War 2 he was shot down over a Japanese airfield somewhere in the Pacific.

Bailing out in his parachute he dropped to the ground, breaking his arm and leg in the fall. There he lay helpless while they took him prisoner.

For some weeks he was in the prison hospital with his arm and leg in casts.

One morning he saw a Japanese soldier’s face in the window of his room, staring at him. Thinking he was up to no good, he had the orderly close the window. But the next day he saw the same man standing in the doorway with his hands behind his back. A moment later and he was standing beside his bed.

After that seemed a long time, his left hand shot out suddenly, and he dropped a clean towel on the bed with two bars of soap. “Hide them,” he said, and left the room. The next day, and for many more days after, during his stay there, his Japanese friend brought him things to eat. One day he asked him why he was doing all this for him. (He was then the only American prisoner-of-war in the hospital.) In broken English the Japanese soldier said: “When I was just a little boy years ago in Japan, I received a beautiful doll from some unknown boy or girl in America. It made a great impression on me. Later, I became a Christian and became a member of a Christian congregation. When I heard that an American was in the hospital, I looked into your room, and seeing you did not have a clean towel or soap, I thought I might repay the kindness of that unknown American boy or girl who sent me the doll by bringing you a clean towel and soap. I brought you the extra things to eat because I thought in this way I might practice my Christianity.”

“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men... our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us.” Titus 2:11,13,14.

“God loveth a cheerful giver.”

ML-04/08/1979

Not Home Yet

Mr. Morrison was an evangelist and loved to preach the gospel of Christ’s redeeming love to sinners wherever he went. One time he went abroad on a gospel trip which took him around the world. Just about the same time Theodore Roosevelt went to Africa. Mr. Morrison preached salvation by grace to those who would listen in far-off lands. “Teddy” went to Africa to do some exploring and to shoot a few wild animals.

When Roosevelt came back, he was accorded a reception such as few living men have had. The governor and the mayor greeted him, the bands played, and thousands thronged the wharf to welcome him.

When Mr. Morrison came home, the governor did not come to meet him, neither did the mayor. The police and the fire department never noticed him. No flags were waving, no whistles blowing. Not even one of his relatives was waiting for him.

When Roosevelt went on to New York, the same reception was accorded him in his home city. He was lauded and honored all the way.

When Mr. Morrison arrived at his home station, nobody met him. The only person who recognized him was the old baggage master, and he just said, “Hello, there!” in a casual sort of way.

As Mr. Morrison picked up his heavy grips and started off home, all alone, he could not help contrasting his homecoming with that of “Teddy” Roosevelt. Roosevelt had bagged a few wild animals; the Lord had given the preacher the privilege of leading souls to Christ, how many he could not say. But there was no homecoming for him. For a moment he felt a little blue. Then suddenly he stopped. A new truth had gripped him. He found himself saying aloud, slowly, exultingly: “Wait a minute! I’m not Home yet!”

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21.

ML-04/08/1979

"Sir, I Salute You!"

Memory Verse: “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:28

Yellow fever is a terrible disease that throughout history has caused the death of thousands for the most part in Central and South American countries. Major Reed of the U.S. Medical Corps was convinced that the culprit whose bite carried the killer germ was a kind of mosquito. For years Dr. Reed and other medical men had been experimenting with animals in an effort to come up with an antidote for the dreaded yellow fever. Now they had reached the point where nothing further could be done without working directly with a “human guinea pig.”

“We have done all we can do now without a human volunteer,” one of the doctors remarked. But who would ever volunteer for an experiment so dangerous that it might prove fatal?

Private John Kissinger, a young medic, was quietly working nearby at his job in the hospital. He overheard the doctors’ conversation and began to think. How wonderful it would be if a cure could be found for that terrible killer-yellow fever! The more he thought about it, the more John became convinced that this was the challenge he wanted. Finally he went to Major Reed and volunteered for the frightening task of submitting to any experiments necessary to help win the war against the dreaded disease.

“I would like you to experiment on me,” said John.

Although the very volunteer they were looking for stood before him, Major Reed warned John of the risks and dangers involved in such a commitment. John listened carefully to all his superior officer had to say, but at the end was as determined as ever to accept whatever might befall him if only thousands then and in future generations might be delivered from the grim enemy. How many lives would be saved! was all John could think of.

“Sir,” said John with decision, “you can start on me.”

Major Reed had a strange look on his face. Then he stood upright, and bringing his hand to his cap in a full military salute he exclaimed: “Sir, I salute you!”

Soon after that the experiments began. John was bitten by dozens of mosquitoes. Sure enough, the dread fever began to come on him. He suffered the greatest pain, his skin turned yellow and his temperature ran frightfully high for days. All the while the doctors ran extensive tests on him. He received a host of different medications and injections, and they watched him constantly.

At last he pulled through. The doctors discharged him as cured.

But John was never the same after that terrible ordeal. Gone was his old strength and vigor. For a period of some years he could not walk a step, and was often seized by strange painful sicknesses. But he asked nothing of any one. At last the American government gave him a pension. Together with gifts received from appreciative countrymen he bought a little home in Indiana, where he lived until his death in 1946.

The moving story of John Kissinger and his heroic sacrifice for mankind touches our hearts, but only carries our thoughts on to love more wonderful and self-sacrifice beyond human telling. When, through the serpent’s bite, sin entered into the world and death by sin, when there was no other remedy, Jesus, the Son of God, left His home in the glory and came into this world “to save sinners.” It was the Father’s will that He should come, and He said, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.”

John Kissinger risked his life, yet lived. But it was no risk for the Lord Jesus. He knew He must die, and He offered Himself up without spot to God as a willing Victim on the cross. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” (Heb. 9:28)

Now God has a remedy for sin. For “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) Those who put their trust in Jesus and own Him as Saviour are cleansed from their sins and have eternal life—a life which disease, death, demon or hell can never touch.

“Sir, I salute you!” were the words of Major Reed to the embarrassed young private, John Kissier.

How much more does the Lord Jesus, the Saviour and Friend of sinners, deserve to be honored, worshipped and adored for all that He has done for us!

Tell me the old, old story

Of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory,

Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly

That I may take it in

That wonderful redemption,

God’s remedy for sin.

ML-04/15/1979

A New Song

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

Every morning the red sun

Rises warm and bright;

But the evening cometh on,

And the dark cold night;

There’s a bright land far away,

Where ’tis never-ending day.

Little birds sing songs of praise

All the summer long;

But in colder, shorter days,

They forget their song.

There’s a place where children sing

Ceaseless praises to the King.

“My lips shall praise Thee.”

Psalms 63:3

ML-04/15/1979

The Hen That Came to the Prayer Meeting

Mr. Chang was a gospel preacher who lived in a little village in China a few years ago. The Communists were trying to get complete control of the country, and they did not like the Nationalist soldiers coming to the villages.

One day some Nationalist soldiers, fleeing for their lives, asked the Chang family if they could sleep in their gospel hall. Mr. Chang was too kind to refuse them, so they spent the night in the hall.

The Communists were very angry the next day and told Mr. Chang he would be tried for harboring Nationalist soldiers. They put him in jail. Poor Mr. Chang knew that after the trial he would be buried alive, and soon would die.

The day before the trial, Mrs. Chang and several Christians were in the gospel hall praying for Mr. Chang. Suddenly a chicken from the neighborhood came into the hall cackling loudly, and laid an egg. The hen made such a noise that it disturbed the prayer meeting. Mrs. Chang got up and caught the chicken. She then tied a note to its leg along with a coin to pay for the egg, and the hen went off home.

An hour later, the lady who owned the village inn came down the street followed by a gentleman. Behind them came a crowd of curious villagers. Arriving at the door of the little gospel hall, the landlady simply said, “These are the Christians in this hall,” and then she withdrew.

The gentleman said he was the Communist judge, and addressing Mrs. Chang he asked her some questions: “Did you write this note that was attached to the chicken’s leg? And did you tie this ten cents to its leg?”

“Yes,” answered Mrs. Chang.

“Well,” said the judge, “that hen belongs to the lady who owns the inn where I’m staying.” He then asked Mrs. Chang what she believed of Christianity, and why she would do such an uncommon and exceptional act. “I have never seen honesty before,” he said. “How did you become so honest?”

Mrs. Chang told him in her humble way of the Lord Jesus Christ, her Saviour, and of how He not only saves us from our sins, but He gives us a new life and nature that wants to please Him in all things.

The judge was impressed. “There will be no trial for your husband,” he said. “He can be released from jail, and we will forget the whole incident.”

How wonderful are the ways of God! The prayers of those poor Chinese Christians were answered. There is a beautiful verse in Psalms 50 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” (vs. 15.)

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ,... we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:17. 18. 20.)

CAN YOU FILL YOUR NAME

IN WHERE THE DOTTED

LINES ARE?

God so loved ... ... ... . that He gave His only begotten Son, that when ... ... ... ... . believeth in Him, he (or she) should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ML-04/15/1979

"Roll up Your Sleeping Bags"

Shacleton, the Antarctic explorer, had tried to reach the South Pole but had been driven back by adverse weather conditions. He had left a party of his men on Elephant Island promising to come back and pick them up.

Working his way back as best he could to South Georgia, he tried to reach his men as he had promised, but failed. The ice was between him and the island. He tried again, and again he failed. Unable to keep his promise, he could not rest.

Though the season was adverse, and though his friends told him it was impossible to get back to the island because of the thick ice barrier which lay between, still in his little boat “Yalcho” he tried it again.

It was the wrong time of the year, but he tried it, and strange to say, he got nearer the island. There was a narrow open avenue between the sea and the spot where he had left his men, but this could be filled in at any moment by the great masses of moving ice.

However, with exemplary courage he took the risk, ran his boat into the narrow channel, picked up his men—all of them—and came out again before the ice crashed in. It was all done in half an hour.

When the excitement had died down somewhat, he turned to one of the men and said, “Well, you were all packed and ready!”

The men replied: “You see, boss, Wild (the second in command) never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice he rolled up his sleeping bag and said to all hands, ‘Roll up your sleeping bags, boys. The boss may come today!”

“And so it came to pass,” said Shackleton, “that we suddenly came out of the fog, and from a black outlook. In an hour we were all in safety, homeward bound.”

Christian, let us be awake. Our message this morning is “Roll up your sleeping bags! The Lord may come today! He will not fail His promise: “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.”

May each redeemed heart through grace be enabled to say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20.

ML-04/15/1979

Kim Sook Chong

Kim Sook Chong had previously heard and received the Word of God. She was now a patient in our Korean missionary hospital. Mang the rounds one morning we found her extremely happy; her joy knew no bounds.

“The Lord is going to take me to Himself today,” she said. “This is the happiest day of my life.”

Her friends and relatives, trying to cheer her, attempted to turn her from such thoughts.

“Why do you weep and break my heart? The Lord has shown me that I am going to glory. This is the time for which I have been waiting; it is the crowning day of my life.”

The fragrance of Christ radiated from her room. Those present felt that they were at the very gate of heaven. About four in the afternoon that happy soul made a triumphant exodus from the gloom of earth into the heavenly glory with Christ.

ML-04/15/1979

A Strange Burial

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

In a San Francisco cemetery not long ago a young man, killed in a motorcycle accident, was buried. There was nothing uncommon about that, but what made it a most unusual burial was that his motorcycle on which he was riding when killed was buried with him.

His sobbing mother explained that “It was his whole life!”

It is sad when a young life is snuffed out so quickly, but sadder still that a whole life should have been wrapped up in a motorcycle.

We also read recently of a lady who gave instructions that her car should be buried with her when she died. She, too, passed away and her dying wishes were carried out.

What a strange collection of burial pieces our cemeteries would contain if this practice were followed widely! One grave would contain golf clubs, fishing poles, and perhaps season tickets to all the baseball, football, basketball and hockey games. Another might have pictures of TV and theatrical celebrities; another stocks and bonds; another, a car or boat; and still another a guitar. One grave might perhaps contain a library of books.

We wonder how many Bibles would be buried. Dear reader, if you passed away and were buried with that which meant the most to you during your life, what would it be? What constitutes “your whole life"? Is it that which has brought you the sunshine of the smile of God’s approval?

When the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, was here upon earth, His disciples remembered that it was written of Him, “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up.” (Psa. 69:9; John 2:17.) Again He could say, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34.)

Moses could say to Caleb of old, “thou hast wholly followed the Lord” (Josh. 14:9); and in a later day one who knew the grace of God as perhaps none other, wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21.)

For the Christian, when death comes, the spirit goes to be with Christ there to enjoy the bliss of His presence eternally. The body is laid to rest in the grave to await the glorious resurrection morning when spirit and body shall be reunited in a new body of glory just like that of Christ now to be caught up together with all saints and dwell with Him forever.

But to the unbeliever who dies in his sins will come the resurrection unto judgment (John 5:28,29), the great white throne—“from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.” “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20;11:15.)

In the Gospels we read of many who became followers of Jesus, the lowly, despised Son of God-poor fishermen of Galilee, Levi and Zacchaeus the tax collectors, Luke the beloved physician, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea from among the wealthy, poor blind Bartimaeus the beggar, and countless thousands since from among the Gentiles. Then we read of vast companies who in a coming day will “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:13-17) and “these follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth” (Rev. 14:4).

There is no greater joy and privilege this side of heaven than to be saved through the blood of Jesus and to be a follower of Him down here on earth while waiting for that moment of all moments when He shall come and take His own Home to those mansions of eternal love. (John 14.)

ML-04/22/1979

Eternity

’Tis not for man to trifle; Life is brief,

And sin is here;

Our age is but the falling of a leaf—

A dropping tear.

We have no time to sport away the hours;

All must be earnest in a world like ours.

ML-04/22/1979

Are You Ready?

Jesus said: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.”

Mark 10:14

Mother was putting her little ones to bed and, as was her usual custom, she talked about the Lord Jesus. “Perhaps the Lord Jesus will come tonight,” she said, “and if He does, I hope you will not be left behind, Mary.”

Little Mary, just six years old, said, “I’m not sure, Mother.”

“But,” said Mother, “you can be sure, Mary, if the Lord Jesus has washed away your sins in His precious blood. Have you never asked Him to do it?”

“No, I haven’t,” said Mary, and added, “will you and Frances go out of the room, please?”

So Mother and Frances went into the bathroom to wash. Presently Mary called, “You may come back now.” And with a happy face she told them that she had just been asking the Lord Jesus to wash her sins away and to make her whiter than snow.

The next evening, at family reading Daddy said, “If the Lord Jesus were to come tonight, Mary, would you be ready to go?”

“Oh yes,” Mary replied quickly, “I’m ready, Daddy.”

“And how do you know, Mary?” asked Daddy.

“Because I got saved last night. I asked the Lord Jesus to wash my sins away, and so I know I’m ready to go when He comes.”

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

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

ML-04/22/1979

Stolen Cookies

Mother was busy baking cookies. Timmy and Russell were watching her with angry eyes; they looked so tempting. Mother gave them the broken ones and put the others in the cookie jar on the shelf.

“That’s all for now, boys,” said Mother. “Run and play outside while I take a little nap. Remember, no more cookies!”

Mother had had her nap and was coming downstairs when she thought she heard the scampering of feet. But when she entered the kitchen, there was no one around. She did not think there was anything wrong until she noticed a towel hanging over a picture on the wall. On the picture a Scripture text was printed. Then the truth flashed into her mind.

Timmy and Russell had been naughty and had disobeyed her. They had crept softly into the kitchen and had gotten into the cookie jar. But the picture text condemned them, and they had hung a towel over it while they stole the cookies.

Mother was sad to think the boys had disobeyed her, for she loved them, and she had to punish them for their sin. The boys were sorry too, but they learned a lesson that day they did not forget. The Lord sees all we do. We cannot hide from Him. How wonderful that He has died to put away sin, and those who believe on Him as Saviour can say He has Himself borne “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 Peter 2:24.)

ML-04/22/1979

Wounded for Me

During the last war, an evangelist going along a street saw a wounded soldier painfully holing along. Stopping him, the preacher astonished the soldier by saying, “Thank you for being wounded for me.” The man could only look in surprise.

The preacher then continued, “I know Someone who was wounded for YOU.”

“Wounded for me, sir?” said the soldier, now more surprised. “Who could that be?”

“It was our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions.’ "

With that the servant of the Lord went on his way, leaving the soldier to think of the One who was wounded for him.

Have you, dear reader, seriously considered what the Lord Jesus Christ did for YOU? He saw you lost in your sin and came all the way from heaven to seek you. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Have you thanked Him for being wounded for you on the cross?

“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. 53:5.

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

ML-04/22/1979

Too Much Chocolate

“God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform.”

So wrote William Cowper, the Christian poet, who had but lately experienced the overruling hand of God in mercy in his own life. Anything can serve His might. He may be pleased to use the most unusual and unlikely means or circumstances to accomplish His purpose to care for and bless His own.

In 1964 there was a rebellion in the Belgian Congo, now known as Zaire. Rebel native soldiers overran the country, looting and murdering wherever they went. Mission stations were seized, looted of everything of value, and left desolate. People fled for their lives but many Christians were murdered in the terrible riots.

Missionaries were advised to leave their stations and evacuate themselves into neighboring Uganda. So some arranged themselves into a caravan of families and drove to the Congo-Uganda border exit. The rebels were close on their heels, just a few hours journey behind them, and they prayed that the Congolese officials on the border would allow them to get out of the country as quickly as possible. They took for their text from God’s Word, Matt. 10:23: “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another"; and their faith was strong in what they were doing—they believed it was God’s will for them at that time.

At last, tired and nervous, they arrived at the border and stated that they wished to cross into Uganda. The border guards talked among themselves, and then told the weary travelers they could not leave the country. No reason was given and nothing that was said could make the officials change their mind.

Puzzled and perplexed the missionaries all went to a mission near the border, concerned lest the rebels should catch up with them and murder them, burning down the station as well. Calmly they prayed to God to guide, direct and protect them. So near escape, and yet hindered! The big question was “Why?”

As they prayed and wondered a young missionary lady arrived. She had a smile which almost became a grin on her face. How could anyone smile in a situation like this?

Then she told her story. She, too, had been turned back at the border and no reason given. Her baggage had been searched and the guards took several cakes of “chocolate.” However, the “chocolate” contained medicine which if taken in large enough doses would prove disastrous and render the unsuspecting individuals “hors de coat”—out of action. She had warned the guards of the direful consequences of eating the chocolate, but they did not believe her. They said she was just trying to keep all the chocolate for herself, and before her eyes they devoured all the “chocolate” she had in her suitcase. Knowing what the result would be she could not keep from smiling.

Next morning all the missionaries again made for the border exit. Only one guard was on duty. The rest were all sick at home, they were told. The missionaries smiling said they were sorry so many guards were ill and without any further hindrances they all crossed the border into safety.

Truly God’s ways are not our ways. “He knoweth best, who loveth best.”

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” (Psa. 34:7.)

ML-04/22/1979

The Father's Appointment

Memory Verse: “God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

H.C. Morrison, who later became a gospel preacher, lost his mother when he was just a tiny infant. Shortly afterward his father also died, and so the little fellow was left an orphan.

Henry grew up, and when a young fellow he got into serious trouble and was arrested. He was arraigned in court, but he had such a sense of guilt that he could not look the judge in the face.

“Has this boy anyone to represent him?” the judge asked the clerk of the court.

“No, your Honor,” was the reply.

“Then,” said the judge to a lawyer present, “I appoint you to take this boy’s case.”

Addressing Henry the lawyer asked, “Are you guilty, or not guilty, my boy?”

“I am guilty, sir!” he replied.

“Don’t you think you had better confess the guilt and ask for the mercy of the court?”

“Yes, sir,” said Henry.

“Please, your Honor,” said the young lawyer addressing the judge, “I have noticed that when the aims of justice can be secured and society protected, it is your Honor’s custom to show mercy. I stand with this trembling orphan boy to beg your Honor’s mercy. He confesses his wrong and pleads for forgiveness.”

Then forgetful of usual court custom and restraint he added, ‘Father, I’ll sponsor this boy and give him an education. I believe he will become an upright and useful citizen!” The judge granted Henry a pardon.

The judge had appointed his own son to represent young Henry.

God the Father has appointed His only Son to plead for sinners. But unlike the judge’s son, the Son of God died to cancel our guilt so that God could show His mercy toward us in forgiving us our sins. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8.)

Now the risen Saviour at God’s right hand “ever liveth to make intercession for (us)" whom He has redeemed with His precious blood. (Heb. 7:25.) And the Son always obtains a favorable verdict: “Thou hearest Me always.” (John 11:42.)

How wonderful a God and Father! How wonderful a Saviour and Friend, His beloved Son!

“They went both of them tether.” (Gen. 22:6,8.)

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

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.” (John 3:35.)

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

ML-04/29/1979

A Better Wife and Mother

In India a Hindu lady had been converted. At first her husband was very angry and unkind to her. A missionary asked her one day, “When your husband is unkind to you, what do you do?”

“I cook his dinner better,” she replied. “When he complains, I sweep the floor cleaner. When he talks angrily to me, I answer him softly. I seek to show him that I am a better wife and mother because I am a Christian.”

What the preaching of the missionary failed to do, the wife’s good example accomplished under the power of God. Her husband saw that she was a true Christian because she was now a kinder wife and a better mother than before. Eventually he, too, was won for Christ.

ML-04/29/1979

Johnny's Card

It was found in Johnny’s Bible. A simple card with a few words upon it. But it spoke volumes. Johnny had signed it, making the words his very own. What were they?

It was after a gospel meeting that Johnny had signed the card. In that meeting he had heard and believed the good news that God loved him, and there he had received the Lord Jesus Christ to be his own personal Saviour.

How well it was Johnny had come to Christ that night. One day he was playing with some of his friends in one of the streets where he lived, when he was knocked down and run over by a truck. He was carried to the hospital and died there almost immediately. His mother was sad indeed when she knew what had happened, but, when visited by a Christian worker, she joyfully opened Johnny’s Bible and showed the card he had signed, and told how his whole life had been changed since that night, and how his whole course showed that he was a true young Christian. Are you?

ML-04/29/1979

Oranges on the Ocean

A Christian lady was traveling to America and became so desperately seasick that the ship’s physician ordered her to have nothing but oranges or she might die.

After she had been eating oranges for a few days, the ship’s steward came to her with the sad news that all the oranges on the ship were gone. Undisturbed and in her physical weakness, the lady looked into the face of the steward and said, “My Father knows my need and will undertake for me.”

The steward in surprise answered, “Lady, you forget we are in the middle of the ocean.” Calmly she replied, “My Father is able to open a window in heaven if that were necessary.”

Hours had passed when the steward came into her cabin, his arms loaded with oranges. “Your God has undertaken, just see here,” he exclaimed.

“How did it happen?” inquired the sick lady.

“Did you not hear a siren?” the steward asked. “Well, that was a ship in distress. The storm had driven it out of its course and all its fresh water was gone. We were able to supply their need. That ship carried a cargo of oranges and in their gratitude they gave us a plentiful supply.”

God is on the sea as well as on the land. They that “go down to the sea in ships” do not leave God on the land. Oranges do not grow on the ocean, but God has “a way on the sea.” He can drive a vessel from its course and trade fresh water for an orange for His sick and needy child. His redeemed child means more to Him than His creation.

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19), and if an orange is the need, God will supply it because “faithful is He that promised, who also will do it.”

ML-04/29/1979

Never Used in Twenty Years

We heard recently of a farmer who had owned a car for over twenty years, but it had never been seen on the road. After his death the car’s speedometer showed that it had been driven only the distance from the salesroom where it was purchased to the barn where it had been stored!

You say, “What a pity! If it had been mine I should have certainly used it.” I am sure you would.

But have you thought that you, and thousands more, have something of far more value, which does not possess a speedometer to show how much it has been used, yet it could, and might have just such an astonishing record?

A BIBLE? Yes! What would the record show as to its use? Do you ever read it? Has it lain idle for days, months, years? Does it show any sign of wear? Are the pages becoming soiled or discolored through use, or is it just as new as when you first had it? Well, you alone can answer these questions.

“The Holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15.)

ML-04/29/1979

Rachel

Rachel was a little Jewish girl. Her mother had died when she was very young. This was such a sorrow to her father that he left his own country and took his little daughter and settled in America. They had everything that money could buy to make them happy, and it was his only object in life to love and care for his little Rachel.

She was a sweet little girl, and better than that, she was a lovable child, and unusually clever. She was everything her father could wish. But when she was in her teens, dark clouds of sorrow gathered around them, for it was found that she was suffering from an incurable disease. No matter how much her father spent on doctors, nothing could be done to save her.

Her father was too full of distress for any comfort. He watched at his daughter’s bedside, powerless to keep the darling of his heart, and without any support from his religion that could shed light upon what was beyond death.

Often he sat beside her bed feeling as if his heart would break. Sometimes Rachel would smile up at him and squeeze his hand, but he could not speak for tears.

One day she grasped his hand and said, “Daddy, do you love me?”

“Why, my darling, will you give me such great pain? Have I never given you any proofs of my love?”

She continued, “But, my dearest Daddy, do you truly love me?” The father could not answer for sorrow.

Then the girl added: “I know, Daddy, you have ever loved me, and I have tenderly loved you. Will you grant me one request? Oh, Daddy, it is my dying request. Will you grant it?”

The poor father replied, “My dearest daughter, ask what you will, though it take every cent of my property, whatever it may be, it shall be granted you. I will grant it.”

“Daddy, I ask you never again to speak against Jesus of Nazareth!”

Her father was dumb with astonishment.

“I know,” continued the dying girl, “but little of Jesus, for I was never taught; but I know that He is my Saviour, for He has shown Himself to me since I have been sick, even to the salvation of my soul, and I believe He has saved me, although I never before loved Him. I know that I am going to Him, and that I shall ever be with Him. And now, dear Daddy, do not forget me... never again speak against Jesus of Nazareth. I ask you to get a Testament that tells of Him, and when I am here no more, you may show Him that love which was formerly mine.”

The effort of speaking was too great for her feeble body, and she stopped; but her father’s heart was too full even for tears. He left the room in great anguish, and before he could return, the spirit of his beloved daughter had gone to be with Christ—the Saviour whom she loved, and who had redeemed her.

Her father bought a New Testament, and as he read it, the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shone into his soul, and he became a humble follower of his Lord and Saviour.

“And... he followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:52.)

ML-04/29/1979

The Test of a Teenager

Memory Verse: “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

“You like the cross, then you shall have it!” Martin, a sturdy teenage boy, was told by his father. Accordingly he was taken to a room at the top of the house and tied by his wrists and ankles to a cross made of two beams? What could he have done to be punished like this?

When Martin was quite young his father, although he hated Christianity, sent him to a Christian school, but with a stern warning against “false teaching.” The boy hadn’t been long at school, hover, when something puzzled him. If, as his father had said, the teaching of Jesus Christ was so wicked, how was it that these Christian folk were so truthful and so kind and helpful.

During an epidemic of cholera it was only the teachers and boys of the school who cleared away the filth of the streets, though the people jeered at them. As he heard the story of the gospel and saw it, too, in the lives of the Christians he was immensely impressed.

What finally won the heart of Martin were the words on a picture of the cross: “I did this all for thee; what have you done for Me?” He could not forget it. After a day or two thinking it over soberly, he went to the principal’s study and told him he wanted to give his life to Christ. The principal reminded him that he ran the risk of suffering and possibly death. He replied in not much more than a whisper that he trusted he was ready for that. He was just 16 then!

Martin went right home and told his parents that he had decided to follow Christ. Just as he feared his father was terribly angry, while his mother pleaded with him not to “disgrace the family.” But he was not moved by either of these threats or entreaties, and then it was that his father and brothers dragged him up to the top room and tied him to that wooden cross.

After some time they brought him down and promised him food and money, but still he would not give in. They brought in one of the leading men of the town to argue with him, but the man got so angry with him that he thrashed him, and the boy was sent up to his prison again.

Two weeks later Martin’s father had a remarkable dream in which he saw an angel come to him and said, “Why are you persecuting your son? Send him back to school.” So to everyone’s astonishment, Martin turned up at school again and got a rousing welcome from everyone.

The effect of the dream faded, however, and Martin was again severely persecuted at home. Then he managed to escape and again showed up at school. He was lodged in the hospital, and three of the school’s best boxers formed his body guard on the way to and from school. One day he was nearly recaptured but almost the whole student body turned out to the rescue, though for three hours an angry crowd besieged the school.

Eventually Martin got away and was taken to a High School in another city. There as a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ he was baptized and took the name of Samuel. He did well at his studies and got his B.A. degree at the university.

Martin went on faithfully for the Lord. What inspired him was what Jesus had done for him.

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

What Christ Jesus did for Martin, he has done for us—He died for sinners. And when we think of this, of the judgment He bore that our sins deserved, surely He is worthy of our best, our all.

“They which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” (2 Cor. 5:15.)

ML-05/06/1979

The Lost Ring

Larry and Lucy had just finished planting their little garden and looked with satisfaction on the work they had just completed.

“Whew, but that was a lot of hard work,” exclaimed Lucy, laughing; “but it will be fun to have our own vegetables and flowers!”

Just then Larry cried out: “My ring is missing! It was a very special ring, for Larry’s grandfather had given it to him just before he died.

The two looked carefully all over the garden.

“Please, Lord, help me find my ring,” prayed Larry. But though they searched ever so carefully the ring could not be found.

During the weeks that followed, whenever Lucy or Larry watered or weeded the garden, they continued to search carefully for Larry’s ring. But they still could not find it.

Then one bright summer afternoon Mother called out, “Larry, why don’t you pick some carrots from your garden for supper? They should be big enough now.”

So Larry began to pull the long carrots from the earth. “Just one more,” he said finally, “and then I think I’ll have enough.”

As he pulled the last carrot from the ground, he could hardly believe his eyes. There was his ring! The carrot had grown right through it!

Larry ran to show his family what he had found. “God answered my prayer!” he exclaimed; “only He made me wait a while for the answer.”

God will always answer the prayer of faith—sometime, somewhere, somehow. In the Bible we read about the patience of faith, and the impatience of unbelief. May we ask the Lord for grace to wait His time for the answer to our prayers. He loves us, and He makes all things work together for good to those that love Him. (Rom. 8:28)

“WHEN JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH, HE SAID..., SON, THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE.”

Mark 2:5

Hear Him speak the word of pardon;

Trust in Him who died;

And thy heart shall lose its burden

By His side.

ML-05/06/1979

Happy Harry

“Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” (Psa. 27:8.)

It was family prayer time, and Daddy who was reading these words stopped for a moment and looked at his young son, Harry.

“Have you done that yet, Harry?” he asked.

“I want to do it, Dad,” answered Harry. So they all knelt down and prayed, and the Lord was there in that cottage that evening. Harry knew that God had laid his sins on Jesus and that He had borne them all away, and he was saved.

Harry was just eleven, but he never turned back, and lived to serve the Lord for many years. Perhaps there is a Harry reading this. Have you sought the Saviour’s face?

“BLESSED IS THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW THE JOYFUL SOUND: THEY SHALL WALK, O LORD, IN THE LIGHT OF THY COUNTENANCE.” Psa. 89:15.

ML-05/06/1979

Mrs. Michel's Treasure

Old Mrs. Michel was very poor. While her husband lived, only by hard work was he able to earn their daily bread. When he died, she was left childless, infirm and in great need.

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

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

Perhaps some rich man had hidden his wealth there, and died before he had been able to remove it. She tapped it gently with her finger and the boards returned a hollow sound.

With beating heart she tried to remove the square door, and soon succeeded without much difficulty; but alas! instead of finding in the recess the silver and gold that she hoped for, she saw nothing but a damp, dirty, mouldy old book.

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

When she had recovered from her disappointment, she began to wonder what book it could be that had been hidden away so carefully. It surely must be of some value. So she wiped the dust off the cover and began to read, and her eyes fell upon these words: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matt. 6:25,26

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

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

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

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

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” (Jer. 15:16.)

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

ML-05/06/1979

Soyung the Leper Boy

Memory Verse: “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24

Soyung was a little Chinese boy, and he was a leper. Sitting outside his house and hiding behind the big water buffalo, he shivered. But it was not the cold that made him shiver, for it was a hot night. Soyung shivered from fear.

A neighbor had just called at the house and shouted to his mother, “Get him out of here. We don’t wish you anything bad, but if he stays, we will all get the disease. So do something.”

“Do?—What am I to do?” replied his mother, crying.

“Do what his father did!” shouted the angry neighbor. “It may be a terrible thing for you to do, but it will be the best thing for the village. Take my advice do it, or else—” and with this threat he walked quickly away.

Soyung’s father had been a leper, too. He had gone away one night on a little boat on the river, and never returned. White foreigners had found him, and after a time he had died among them and their strange gods. To Soyung’s mother this had been a terrible thing.

The night passed. In the morning Soyung heard his mother pounding rice. Soon the morning meal was ready, and the other children were fed and sent with the water buffalo to work in the fields. Soyung went to play with his yellow chicken which he loved dearly.

He still felt afraid, however, but when his mother came out dressed in her skirt instead of her rough farm clothes, he felt better. Perhaps they were going away somewhere together. He felt he would not be alone. Inside something cried, “Oh, Mother, don’t leave me alone!”

His mother gave him a little bag of rice to carry and together they both set off through the village down to the river. Behind them the little yellow chicken came flying along, and began pecking at Song’s feet. He picked his little pet up in his arms, and was surprised that his mother did not chase the chicken back home.

Soon they reached the river where all the little boats were bobbing up and down in the fast flowing stream. His mother untied one boat and putting one foot in the boat, she called to Soyung, “Come, son!”

He stepped into the boat, afraid to turn around, but he knew his mother still had one foot in the boat.

“She will get into the boat with me,” thought Soyung. Then in a second that feeling was gone. His mother’s foot pushed the boat out into the swift current, and he was alone! All he could do was sit in the boat holding his little chicken, and let the tears roll down his face. Nothing else could he do but sit there and cry.

Several days later Soyung was found miles down the river by American missionaries. He was cold, wet, hungry and shivering with fear. He was afraid of these white people, and when they wanted to give him medicine for his disease, he thought it was poison. But their love and kindness overcame his fear, good food and care worked wonders, and Soyung began to get some better.

God was watching over that little life. The Good Shepherd sought the little lonely wandering lamb. “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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.” (Luke 15:5,6.)

For the rest of his life Soyung lived at the mission hospital, working in his little garden. He learned that leprosy is but a type of a far worse disease which he—and all the children of men have—that is, SIN. Only God can cure the dread disease—sin. There is but one remedy and that is the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus died, and “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7.)

Soyung became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. His sins had been washed away in His precious blood, and he lived to serve Him faithfully.

Our Treasury

ML-05/13/1979

Never Too Busy to Be Kind

President Lincoln was a big man with a big kind heart. Busy as he was, he was never too busy to help anyone in trouble. He was a kind and affectionate father to his own children, but he loved children everywhere, and they loved him in return.

One day when Mr. Lincoln was a congressman, he was walking along the street when he saw a little girl at a gate crying.

“What’s the matter?” asked Mr. Lincoln.

“I’m going on a train trip,” she explained amid her tears, “and no one has come for my bags. I’m afraid I’ll miss the train!”

Picking up the bags and hoisting them onto his shoulder, Mr. Lincoln was soon striding down the street with the little girl happily trotting alongside.

“Just like him,” said many when they heard of it. “Never too busy to be kind!”

And this is true in a more wonderful and blessed way of a greater than Lincoln—the Lord Jesus Christ who came into this world to save sinners. In Eph. 2:7 we read: “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” How great the kindness God showed to us when Jesus died for our sins upon the cross!

But this kindness will not do one any good unless he accepts it. If the little girl in the story had not allowed Mr. Lincoln to carry her bags, he could not have been any help to her. And if you will not trust the Lord Jesus to take away all your sins, He cannot help you.

Simply trust Him today. Realize you have a great need as a sinner, confess it to Him, and then accept His kindness toward you.

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

ML-05/13/1979

The Evangelistic Storks

The white stork is a large bird with long reddish pink legs and feet, a long red beak, and white and black markings on its strong wings. It nests often on roof tops and chimneys, and a pair of storks will return year after year to the same nest.

The stork is a respected and protected bird in many places, especially in Germany and Holland. People like storks because they destroy insects and reptiles, and many believe that they bring good fortune. The faithfulness of a pair of storks is considered a model of married happiness, and their long care of their young and for one another is remarkable.

In the region of Alsace, France, storks are considered a traditional element. They are always a source of curiosity and they have become legendary in some places.

The authorities of a town in this province in France once refused to allow a colporteur to set up his little display of Bibles and Testaments on the square in the center of the town. He had to be content to set it up on a back street where there would be little traffic. But He who puts “the stork in the heaven” at her “appointed times” (Jer. 8:7), sent fourteen of these magnificent birds upon the roofs of the houses near the Bible stand.

The news spread quickly, and soon half the inhabitants of the little city, attracted by the exceptional spectacle, were filing by the little stand supplied with the holy books and reading the signs telling of “the grace of God which bringeth salvation to all men.”

It was for more than one person the providential opportunity to secure “the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15.)

How comforting it is to know that everything is directed from above in such a way that each soul may have the occasion to hear, one day or another, the call of the Saviour. When God puts His Word into the hands of a sincere honest soul, even though ignorant of these things, He will surely complete the work if the Book is read with respect and attention. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17).

ML-05/13/1979

John G. Paton

John G. Paton, missionary to the South Sea Islands, grew up in a humble cottage in Scotland. In that home was a little room with only a bed, a small table and a chair. A tiny window let in some daylight.

In that little room John’s father would retire each day to pray and talk with the Lord. He would shut the door and the children would tiptoe through the house as long as he was in there. They knew he was asking God to bless his home and children.

Each day, morning and evening, John’s father would gather the children around him and read the Scriptures to them. Then they would all kneel and pray. John never forgot the godly influence of that Christian home.

When he was a young fellow, John left home to go to work forty miles away. He had to walk all the way and his father accompanied him the first six miles. Then these two, who loved each other so dearly, parted.

“May God bless you, my son,” said his father, “and may your father’s God be with you and keep you from evil.”

After saying good-bye John walked on for some time. Then he climbed a hill to see if his father was still watching him. Just at the same time his father climbed a wall for one last look at his boy. The two waved to each other.

As John continued his journey his eyes were filled with tears. He told the Lord that by His grace he would not grieve or dishonor his dear father.

The time came when John, a true child of God and faithful servant of Christ, went to the South Seas Islands to preach the gospel to the natives who had never heard of Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. God used him much and many Islanders were won for Christ.

Many of God’s servants, like John G. Paton, had their beginning amidst the mighty influence of a godly Christian home.

“From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15.)

ML-05/13/1979

Mother's Prayer

I never can forget the day

I heard my Mother kindly say:

“You’re leaving now my tender care;

Remember, child, your Mother’s prayer.”

I never can forget the voice

That always made my heart rejoice;

Tho’ I have wandered, God knows where,

Still I remember Mother’s prayer.

Tho’ years have gone, I can’t forget

Those words of love, I hear them yet;

I see her by the old armchair,

My Mother dear, in humble prayer.

I never can forget the hour

I felt the Saviour’s cleansing power;

My sin and guilt He canceled there;

‘Twas there He answered Mother’s prayer.

O praise the Lord for saving grace!

We’ll meet up yonder, face to face,

The home above together share,

In answer to my Mother’s prayer.

ML-05/13/1979

Geronimo, the Renegade Won by a Little Child's Smile

Memory Verse: “Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust.” Psalm 40:4

About 1834 there was born near Tulerosa, New Mexico, a little Indian boy who was destined to become famous in early American history due to his cunning leadership. He was admitted to the council of braves at an early age and became a bold, courageous and fearless Apache chief whose band terrorized the American Southwest for years.

Geronimo fought first against the Mexicans whom he blamed for the murder of his mother, his wife and three small children. He led his band in two wars against the United States, plundered the very armies that were pursuing him, and always seemed just beyond reach.

His hatred of all peoples outside his own tribe, his constant raids, his killing, stealing and burning, made him one of the most hated and feared Indians of the early Southwest. He became known as “Geronimo, the Renegade.”

Eventually, however, U.S. forces captured him, and Geronimo became a prisoner of the army along with others of his tribe at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The military provided food and shelter for the captives, and Geronimo had to be content with his lot.

The Frisco Railway had a station near Fort Sill and it so happened that the agent was a Christian. He, with his wife and four small children, lived in a section of the freight depot. Those traveling through on the trains were glad to see this famous band of Apaches, and the Indians were allowed to sell them their crafts—beaded moccasins, blankets, bows and arrows—when the trains stopped.

Geronimo was the greatest attraction, however; and by now he was getting old. He had learned to write his name and he would sell his autograph for a quarter to anyone who requested it. Hours before the trains arrived, he would come down to the station and lay on the platform dozing in the burning summer sun.

One day Freddie and Paul, the station master’s two little boys, stole down to the station to have a glimpse of the old chief, stories of whose life fascinated their young minds. He had lain so long motionless on the platform that they wondered if he had died. Cautiously they drew near and peered into the wrinkled, weather-beaten, leather-complexioned face now relaxed in deathlike sleep. But the old warrior was very much alive. Slowly one of his eyes opened and those lines, which his former cruelty had formed, fashioned themselves into a friendly, warmhearted smile.

The children’s first thought was to flee, remembering that their mother had told them Geronimo would kill little children. But it became evident Mother was mistaken, for in that old wrinkled face were displayed kindness and gentleness, and there was no fear that he would scalp two little boys. The old man sat up and spoke to them in his broken English something about being a friend.

It was after that Geronimo would come daily to the station and talk to the agent. He told him that after seeing the little white “papooses” he could hardly sleep at night because he was troubled with bad dreams. He would talk for hours about Christianity and the salvation of the soul. The agent gave him a Bible and the old chief would get the young Indians attending the government school to read to him from it. Then he would come back to the agent to have it explained.

Gently and patiently the young agent would explain to him how that God loved him in spite of his sinful past and that He had prided Christ His dear Son for his salvation. The old warrior was subdued and humble as he sat and listened.

“Is it possible that God would forgive me for my wickedness?” inquired Geronimo earnestly. “I wake up groaning and very sad at night when I remember the helpless little children. I would steal up to the homes of the white people and kill the parents, and then in my hatred I would torture and kill the little children. Would God forgive this?

“Is it possible when I die I will have a chance to go to the heaven your Bible tells about?” he went on. “I would gladly give the rest of my life if I could only bring back the lives of those I have destroyed.”

The agent was astonished at his confession and amazed at his sincerity. He pointed out to him that there was full forgiveness for him if he truly wanted the salvation of God, for “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7.) Then he read him Isa. 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason tether, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He also 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.”

“Is that all I have to do?” asked Geronimo; “just believe?”

With the simplicity and faith of a child he prayed and truly trusted in Christ as his Saviour and Lord—“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20.)

The old Indian wanted little children no longer to be afraid of him. He was always pleased to talk about the Lord and attended the gospel services at the little hall where some Christians held them. His savage past was still a scar on his memory, but the blood sustained him, and now he had peace of mind—“peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” He meditated much on the love of Christ and loved to tell how a little child had led him to seek the simple truths found in his father’s Bible.

The old warrior’s sunset years were his best. He was 80 when he died in 1909. Those last years were not filled with memories of his courage in battle nor of his achievements in the Indian wars, but with the contemplation of those everlasting glories with Christ that awaited him beyond life’s sunset. He looked on to that heavenly land where Jesus dwells, where His love eternal reigns, and where he would stand with all His redeemed and sing the everlasting song of praise to Him who washed them in His precious blood and brought them there.

In robes of white, o’er the street of gold,

Beneath a cloudless sky,

They’ll walk in the light of their Father’s smile;

But will you be there and I?

ML-05/20/1979

The Saviour Waiting

Behold! a Stranger’s at the door!

He gently knocks, has knocked before.

Has waited long, is waiting still—

You treat no other Friend so ill.

Admit Him, for the human breast

Ne’er entertained so kind a guest;

Admit Him ere His anger burn,

Lest He depart and ne’er return!

Admit Him; or the hour’s at hand

When at His door, denied you’ll stand.

J. Grigg (1765)

ML-05/20/1979

"I'm Saved!"

Margaret was eleven years old when she attended a New Year’s treat for children. Several speakers sought to make plain the way of salvation through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord opened young Margaret’s heart and she heard and believed the Word. It entered her heart as incorruptible seed, “which liveth and abideth Forever.” (1 Peter 1:23.)

When Margaret got home that night, tears flowed freely from her eyes, yet they were not tears of distress but of joy. Taking her grandmother by the hand she said quietly, “Grandma, I’m saved!” This confidence in the Lord rained with her to the last, and she showed by her life what her lips confessed.

Some years earlier, when just a little thing, rheumatic fever had weakened her heart and she was frequently ill. But there in her home she let her light shine by her kind and thoughtful helpfulness in caring in every way she could for the comfort of others in that large family.

Three years after she confessed Him as her Saviour the Lord took dear Margaret home to be with Himself in heaven. She had long been ready to go. Her sins had all been put away from God’s sight by the Lord Jesus who had borne them in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). Cleansed from her sins she was fit for that bright Home above where sin and death can never come.

ML-05/20/1979

Echoes From the Catacombs

In the many miles of underground galleries beneath certain parts of the city and suburbs of ancient Rome, there are countless testimonies by word and symbol to the faith of those who had heard the gospel of the cross through Paul and his followers. Many of the inscriptions carved into the soft tufa stone breathe the calm faith that Paul sought to instill into the hearts of the Thessalonians when he wrote to the brethren “concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow now, even as others which have no hope.” Our word “cemetery” comes from a Latin word meaning “sleeping place,” which was used first by these early Christians of the Catacombs.

How these dear souls laid hold of the truth that death to the Christian is only falling asleep, is borne out by such inscriptions as:

“Zoticus, laid here to sleep";

“Valeria sleeps in peace";

“Tasaris, in Christ the First and the Last";

“Terentianus lives";

“Spare your tears,... for one who lives in God.”

Another record runs as follows: “Here lies Gordianus, Deputy of Gaul, who was executed for the faith, with all his family. They rest in peace. Theophila, a handmaid, set this up.”

This Roman legate is stated to have been converted to Christ through the preaching of Januarius, who suffered in the time of Julian. At that time he and his wife, Marina, with his household to the number of 53 persons, were baized. For his confession of Christ, Gordianus was martyred, and his body exposed before the temple of Minerva, from where it was rescued by one of the household and buried in the Catacombs in the Latin Way.

Beneath the brief yet touching recital of her master’s death, this faithful and affectionate maid, (whose name means “a lover of God” and corresponds to that of the Christian to whom Luke addressed his two writings), scratched a palm branch, as if looking on to the life which lies beyond death, to a glory imperishable that would eclipse the shame of an ignominious death, when His words will be accomplished who said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.

Another inscription reads: “In the time of the Emperor Adrian, Marius, a young military officer, who had lived long enough when with blood he gave up his life for Christ. At length he rested in peace.”

These early Christians were surely worthy followers of those “of whom the world was not worthy," who "wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:38.

Dear reader, how is it with you? Do you know the peace that can meet death calmly and without a trace of fear? Do you know the One who says, “I am the First and the Last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” Revelation 1:17,18. He tasted death that He might bring life to us, life beyond death and the grave.

ML-05/20/1979

Saved in the Catacombs

Memory Verse: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Henry had prided himself on being an atheist. He was an active member of a group of young fellows who, in order to give themselves full license to do as they pleased and to stifle the cries of conscience, vainly sought to deny the existence of God, the truth of the Bible, and the judgment of all those who die in their sins.

One day Henry and his infidel friends were in Rome and visited the catacombs, those underground caves and tunnels in which the early Christians sought refuge from their cruel persecutors. Many who had died for their faith in Christ were buried there.

Henry and his companions gaily wandered along the long corridors, making them resound with the echoes of their loud blasphemous talk and profane songs. Being more venturesome than the rest, Henry had left them to explore some of the more distant galleries. After some little time he lost his way in the labyrinth, as many had done before. Then while seeking his way out, his light went out, and he was left in total darkness in the underground city of the dead. He still groped his way along, but all in vain. Then when thoroughly worn out with his fruitless efforts and full of the horror of the situation, his hands went into a heap of human bones, and he shuddered and fell exhausted on the floor.

Of what was he so afraid, if there were no God, no judgment, no eternity? If a man dies like an animal and that is the last of him, how shall we account for the dread of death which is so natural to him? What is the inward voice that appeals so loudly at such a moment? How many a proud professing infidel has found no comfort in his atheism when the icy hand of death has seized his heart!

The folly and wickedness of Henry’s past life rose up before him, and his infidelity fled before the accusing sight. In a few minutes he was on his knees crying to the God whom he had just blasphemed and reviled.

“Save me! save me!” were his agonizing cries.

The whole night passed before his friends, assisted by guides, were able to find and rescue him. But in the meantime the Spirit of God had wrought so deeply in his soul the sense of his sinfulness and so revealed the Saviour who loved him in spite of all his sin and rejection of Himself, that Henry passed “from death unto life.” He who had entered the catacombs a bold young infidel emerged from the darkness a new man, “born again.”

His companions sought to move his new convictions with sarcasm and railing, but in vain. God had met him, and when God meets a sinner, the words of mere men (who apart from the revelation of God know nothing of the future) are of little or no importance.

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art... thinkest thou... that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering: not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:1-4.

“I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the. Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Psalms 32:5.

ML-05/27/1979

"No Fault in Him"

A Christian man, when traveling on the train, overheard a conversation between two passengers in which they reproached and spoke critically of Christians for their many inconsistencies. The Christian, although grieved to think that occasion had been given for these reproaches, longed to speak a word for his blessed Master, and so he said, “Gentlemen, I have overheard your conversation, and must confess that a great deal of what you say is true. But tell me, however, have you anything to say against the Lord Jesus Christ?”

“No,” they replied, “He was all right!”

None can find fault with Him of whom the dying thief testified, that “this Man hath done nothing amiss.” (Luke 23:41.)

Pilate, the Roman governor, was compelled to confess three times, “I find no fault in this Man.” (Luke 23:4,14,22.)

ML-05/27/1979

Roy's Regret

Roy had made a catapult and went out into the fields one day to try it out. Looking around for something to shoot, he spied a little song sparrow perched high in a tree, singing sweetly and quite unconscious of approaching danger. Roy crept softly under the tree until he stood directly under the little songster. Then he pulled the rubber, which he had loaded with a stone, and struck the poor bird squarely in the breast. Down it came tumbling, and lay dead at the boy’s feet.

Roy had been taught by his godly Christian parents to fear God and His Word, and he remembered instantly that verse: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father... Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matt. 10:29,31.)

Roy felt terribly sorry at the thought of what he had done to one of God’s little creatures. With tears in his eyes, he picked up the dead sparrow, still warm, pressed it to his breast, saying to himself, “Oh if only I could give back the life I took!”

But that was impossible. Only God can give life.

What Roy could not do, God has done in a far more wonderful way for poor dead and dying sinners. We read in Rom. 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

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

ML-05/27/1979

"Death Has No Sting for Me"

“Death Has No Sting for Me”

The storm was raging furiously and the two shipwrecked sailors in their little lifeboat were struggling to reach shore. One was a Christian, the other still unconverted.

After being tossed about for some time in their small craft by the mountainous billows, their boat upset and they were thrown into the raging seas. They were not far from shore and friendly hands had fired a rocket line out to them. The Christian seized the line and making his way to his unsaved mate who knew not the love of God in the gift of the Lord Jesus, passed the line to him and shouted, “Take this and try to save your life, for you are not prepared to die. Jesus has saved me, and death has no sting for me. Take this rope, get on shore, and trust in Jesus so that you will not be afraid to die.”

They parted, and the drowning child of God was heard to sing,

Jesus, Lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer——"

As he uttered the word “waters", a great wave passed over him and he was seen no more.

This truly is “life in death” beautiful beyond expression-the quiet calm in the midst of the storm, the self-surrender of a soul that had all its joy and treasure in Christ at God’s right hand. Here was the secret of it all:

He knew Jesus as his Saviour.

“Jesus has saved me,” he said, “and death has no sting for me.”

My reader, can you say this? “The sting of death is sin.” 1 Cor. 15:56. One unpardoned sin will sink a soul to eternal perdition, but that blessed One who was made sin for us is God’s remedy, God’s ransom for the sinner, the One over whom rolled all the billows and waves of His wrath, when on the cross He became the Substitute for sinners who will believe.

This blessed truth, “He bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24), was the comfort, the stay and the joy of the drowning sailor’s soul. He could thus give up his own life, assured that for him to die was gain, and knowing that to depart and be with Christ was far better. (Phil. 1:23.)

ML-05/27/1979

An Aged Pilgrim's Farewell

“I have my passport!” no shadow of fear,

Nor doubt as pilgrim staff I lay aside,

For I am leaning on a long known Guide

Whose love has lightened the wilderness drear.

But now He bids me before Him appear,

He who for my sins has suffered and died,

‘Tis Jesus, my Lord! the once Crucified!

He is my Passport! my title is clear!

“With the Lord!” absent here—at home with Him,

Whose mercy sought and saved my wandering soul,

That grace, whose glory naught in heaven shall dim,

Shall there each ransomed, praising heart control.

And as I gaze, while endless ages roll,

Praise to the Lord shall be my ceaseless hymn.

ML-05/27/1979

A Chicago Train Tragedy: The Story of Lisa and Pat

Memory Verse: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15

The Chicago commuter train Number 720 had a yellow light. Yellow means, “Proceed carefully at a maximum of 30 mph.”

Suddenly the engineer jumped through the door into the passenger compartment.

“We’re going to crash!” he yelled as he ran for his life.

Behind him the front end of the car collapsed forward with a fearful crash. Screeching brakes and metal mingled with the screams of the passengers. People were thrown in all directions.

It was a terrible tragedy. Forty-five died in the wreck on that October morning in 1972. One moment the passengers were riding along to work oblivious to danger, the next they were twisted and mangled.

How this reminds us of the uncertainty of life! We know not how close we may be to danger and death. This reminds us too of the great tragedy that beset the whole human race in the beginning when sin came in. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.... For the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 5:12; 6:23.

Lisa and Pat were both high school seniors. They were riding along to their part-time jobs that fateful October morning. They were chatting together, when suddenly, without warning, their train car was crushed. As they were thrown against the walls, they both went unconscious.

Slowly, sometime later, they both came back to consciousness in a strange unreal world. Above them the twisted train car tilted at a 45 degree angle. Only their heads stuck out from under the wreckage. Neither could move an inch.

“Are you okay?” asked Pat weekly. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Lisa moaned. “Do you think we’re alive?”

Lisa pushed against the wreckage but it was like trying to shove aside a mountain. The girls became panicky. They began to cry and scream for help. Trapped beneath hundreds of tons of steel there was nothing they could do to free themselves. They might ask, Do you think we’re alive; but the real question was, Would they get out of that trap alive?

Pat and Lisa make us think of so many people who are hopelessly entrapped by sin. They travel along the way of life without a thought of danger. Then suddenly they come face to face with the reality of death and eternity. They try to free themselves from their weight of sin, but they find that their sins are like a mountain they cannot move. There is no one on earth who can take that load of sin away. The only One who can is the Son of God, the Saviour in heaven, who bore sin’s heavy load upon the cross of Calvary. “Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead... should live.” 1 Peter 2:24.

Dear reader, if such is your case, then follow Pat and Lisa’s example and cry for help, for God says: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:15. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13.

While Pat and Lisa were calling for help, Captain John Windle of the Chicago fire department rescue squad was searching the wreckage for injured passengers. He heard the girls’ cries, and soon he and his crew were hard at work trying to save them alive. It took six hours with the help of a gigantic railroad crane to raise the huge train car and free the girls. A waiting helicopter quickly whisked them away to a nearby hospital. Doctors and nurses hovered over them, and in the Lord’s mercies Pat and Lisa were spared and soon on their way to recovery.

Captain John Windle, hearing and answering the girls’ cries, reminds us of that wonderful scripture, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

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

“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.

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

ML-06/03/1979

Wuggins

Once I visited a farm where the children had a pet lamb named Wuggins. The children were raising Wuggins, for his mother had died.

The country was very hilly. Wuggins liked to play, but often went too far away into the hills and could not find his way home.

One day he went away into the hills, and the children were afraid they could never find him again. We went into the hills to look for him. We called and called but could not find him. I went far away to look for him, and the children looked close by the barn.

After a long time I saw him and called, “Wuggins, Wuggins,” but he did not know my voice; he only ran away. I went back to tell the children, for he knew their voices. So when they called, he came to them and they carried him home in their arms. The children were little shepherds who loved their little lamb.

We were all like Wuggins. We are lost unless we know the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Good Sheerd. He has said, “I am the Good Shepherd and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.” John 10:14.

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

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: 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.

Jesus wants us to come to Him and be saved. He has died to put away sin on the cross, and He wants us now to believe on Him. Just receive Him into your heart as your Saviour. In the Bible God tells us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

The Bible also says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isa. 53:6.

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

Will you not ask the Lord Jesus to be your Good Shepherd and pick you up in His strong arms and carry you to heaven, just like the children carried Wuggins home?

R.B.

ML-06/03/1979

"Jesus Loves Me"

Anna B. Warner loved her Saviour, but she also loved little children. Her hymn, “Jesus Loves Me,” is sung by children around the world. The sweet, simple music was written by William Bradbury.

A little boy in India one day stood on the street corner and sang “Jesus Loves Me” loudly. He seemed very happy. A crowd gathered around him, and some of them asked him where he got that song and what it meant. He told them he had learned it at the mission school. Then he told the people who Jesus is and he also told them about the Bible.

In Chinatown, New York, an old Chinaman sang this song on the street. He had only recently found the Saviour and his heart was filled with joy. Now he was a child of God, and he wanted others to hear the good news.

Jesus loves me, He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let a little child come in.

ML-06/03/1979

A Communist Converted

Papiah, at 33 years of age, was a notorious Communist leader in India. He was the terror of the village where he lived and the surrounding countryside. A slave to sin of all sorts, there were few he had not committed. Most of the people lived in fear of him. He would collect money from the villages by force and beat down those who refused him.

A champion of communism, Papiah was the foe of Christianity. He had tortured many scores of native Christians and burned hundreds of Bibles.

One day in July, 1978, some native evangelists on a gospel tour were distributing tracts. They had received in a package of gospel literature from America just eight copies of a tract dealing with immorality and vice. It was a solemn message of the judgment of God which awaited those who went on in wicked ways, but pointed sinners to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and hope of man. They distributed these tracts to eight young men in a distant village.

Early on the morning of July 5th a local native pastor hurriedly came to where the evangelists were camping with the news that the notorious Communist leader, Papiah, wanted to see them. Well knowing what a character Papiah was, the Christians were astonished. Then hearing that Papiah had already come to see them, they first got down on their knees and asked the Lord for guidance and protection.

When they came out to meet Papiah, they were surprised to see him crying like a child and shaking all over. Hundreds of the villagers soon gathered. They took him inside and talked with him for two hours.

He told them that after reading the tract he felt uneasy. There was a revolution going on in his heart. Up until then he had preached that communism was right, religion was wrong. But now he realized that there was something lacking in his heart. After reading the tract he began to feel strange a deep sense of guilt took possession of him and for the first time in his life he began to realize that Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer and hope of man, the Saviour of the world. Here was the only place where he could find peace for his troubled heart.

All night long he had been restless and could not sleep. A great struggle was going on within him. But that morning, after having read the tract over many times, he decided to leave communism and to accept Christ into his heart as Lord and Saviour. Then suddenly a heavenly peace took possession of him. He believed he was saved.

On July 30 he went back home and was baptized before the whole village. From then on he was called Peter. What a miracle! Praise God!

Then another wonderful thing happened after Papiah’s baptism. His father and his two sisters came to the evangelists, and with tears in their eyes they pleaded that they might be baptized also. They had spent several sleepless nights prang to their Hindu gods asking them to change Papiah, but all to no effect. So they gave up their heathen gods and turned to the wonderful living God that had changed the life of Papiah. Upon confession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour they were baptized. The father’s name was changed to John, and the girls were called Martha and Mary.

Now this wonderful family is united by the grace of God and is a strong witness to the saving power of the Lord Jesus. To Him be all the praise!

“Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thess. 1:9,10.)

ML-06/03/1979

Manygoat's Story

Memory Verse: “God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3,4

Abraham Manygoats had been a Navajo medicine man, and he told his story as follows: “I was once a medicine man and very deep in sin. Now I am a child of God, saved and ‘kept by the power of God.’ "

“As I was often at the mission, I began to believe the gospel, but I did not give up any of my Navajo ways. I went to all the Indian ceremonies and dances; I gambled, and did everything else to divert my mind from my sinful condition and my need of the Saviour. I was like a man suffering from thirst who could find nothing to satisfy that inner craving.

“Recently, I have accepted the gospel, and now know the Lord Jesus as my personal Saviour. My heart has at last found rest and peace. My fifty-four years of sinning have been wasted, but now I am in the fold. Now I am not afraid of owls, evil spirits, medicine men, or even death. I am afraid only of sin. Even in my sleep I am afraid sometimes of sinning, for when I dream now of using tobacco or drinking whiskey, or of giving way to acts of impurity, I seem to remember that I have given all that up and shrink back from the least suggestion of it.”

“But what about the old Navajo ritual with its prayers and ceremonies?” someone asked.

After thinking a moment Many-goats replied, “It is like a dead horse that smells. I am learning to read the Scriptures in my own language so that I can go out and tell the wonderful story to my own people who are still in darkness.”

Manygoats lived for almost fifty years after he was saved. He was much used by the Lord in the conversion of many of his own people.

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

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 10:17.

Manygoat’s Dogs

After Abraham Manygoats, former Navajo medicine man, was saved, he found there was often a struggle going on inside him. When he wanted to do right, he found there was also the strong desire to do wrong.

Then as he began to study the Bible, he found that he had within him two natures—an “old man” and a “new man” (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:9,10; Rom. 7). These two natures were just the opposite. The “old man” loved to sin, but the “new man” hated it.

Once Manygoats was asked to tell about his experience with these two natures. He explained: “Before I became a Christian, a black dog lived within my heart. Then one day Jesus came and He saved me. Then a white dog came into my heart.

“Before the white dog came, everything all quiet. After I was saved, black dog and white dog fight. White dog on top—everything all right; black dog on top—everything go wrong.”

“But how do you overcome a problem like that?” he was asked.

“Feed white dog; starve black dog!” replied Manygoats.

ML-06/10/1979

A Blind Lady's Testimony

The preacher had just concluded a powerful gospel message on repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). As he closed the meeting, a former infidel, well-known in the town, came up the aisle and confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Delighted, the speaker asked him, “Which of my arguments convinced you that you were wrong?”

“No argument of yours moved me,” he replied. “But when I was approaching this building I saw a blind woman feeling her way along the wall. She held out her hand to me, asking for help. I helped her into the hall.

“Then, with her face shining with gratitude and love, she asked me, ‘Do you love my blessed Saviour?’

“I noticed the happy look on her face and decided that the One who could make a blind woman happy and bright must be a blessed Saviour indeed.”

ML-06/10/1979

Dogs Outside

My friend, the doctor, was out for his usual morning walk through the park. Down the walk toward him came a lady with her little black dog on a leash. Like most of his kind the little dog greeted the gentleman coming towards him with vigorous wags of his tail. But his tail wagged more vigorously still when the doctor stopped and patted his head and spoke words of praise.

“That is a fine friendly little dog you have there, lady,” he said as he scratched the pup’s fur. “What kind is he?”

The lady by this time had lost her usual reserve, pleased that the gentleman had praised her little pet. She became quite talkative.

“He is a terrier,” she said, and then went on to tell in glowing terms how he was of pedigreed stock and had carried off many ribbons at recent dog shows.

The doctor, who was a Christian, continued to pet the dog and remarked that he felt rather sad when he saw how fond they were of each other. The lady was puzzled at his remark.

“Why would you be sad because I have such a fine dog for my pet?” she asked.

“Well,” he said, “I know you two are very fond of each other, but when the time comes for you to die, you’ll have to leave your dog outside of heaven, for it states very clearly in the Bible that outside are dogs. " (Rev. 22:15.) Then taking his Bible he read her the passage.

“Sir,” she returned with great earnestness, “I only wish I knew for sure that I would be in heaven with God. I have never known how I could be sure that after I die I would go to be with the Lord.”

There was a park bench nearby, so the doctor suggested they sit down and talk more about it. She seemed to be in real earnest, wanted to get right with God and glad to have someone whom she could trust and in whom she could confide.

The doctor turned to 1 John 5:12 and read to her: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” She had never seen that passage, she said, though she had been to many services at a nearby church and had heard many sermons. No one had ever explained to her the way of salvation or told her how she could get rid of her sins and the constant gnawing sense of guilt.

He explained to her that “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23.) God gives eternal life to every one who trusts in Jesus. He died on the cross for sinners. The Son Himself is that life, and God says, “He that hath the Son hath life"; has it as a present and eternal possession. If she wanted forgiveness, redemption and everlasting life, then she must trust Christ Jesus by faith and accept Him as her Lord and Saviour.

The doctor also called her attention to the scripture: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7.)

The lady was quick to understand this precious truth, and her heart was touched. Her soul took a long journey in so short a time that day, for she accepted the message. The darkness of her heart was dispelled in a moment, and the light of heaven shining down from the face of the Saviour was reflected in her happy face. The peace she had sought for years she had found at last.

She seemed to forget all about her little dog for the time, and she exclaimed in her joy, “How wonderful it is to know that I belong to Jesus, He belongs to me and He has cleansed me from my sins. Now I know that I shall live with Him forever.” The doctor rejoiced with her. That was a happy day for both.

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting place

And He has made me glad.

ML-06/10/1979

Before the Storm

Bruce and Reggie were the best of pals! They liked to do everything that they could together. Reggie was four years old, and Bruce was three. One day Reggie said, “Let’s hunt lions and bears and things!”

“Okay!” Bruce answered bravely.

“They’re in the woods, ‘course, so that’s where we’ll have to go to hunt ’em.”

Soon the two little chums were walking softly through the woods just outside of town with big stick guns over their shoulders.

“Bang! Bang! I bet I got that squirrel,” bragged Reggie.

“But where are the lions and bears?” Bruce wanted to know.

“C’mon! We’ll find ’em. They’re in the thickest part of the woods,” answered Reggie.

After a while, the boys discovered that they were hungry, and decided to go home. Turning about they started back the way they had come. After walking what seemed a very long way Reggie stopped, and said, “That’s funny! There’s getting more woods all the time! Maybe we ought to go this way.” So they turned to another direction.

“I’m getting aw’fly tired. Aren’t we almost home?” Bruce finally asked.

“Whee! I’m tired too!” Reggie answered as they both sat down on the ground to rest. “I didn’t know we came so far.”

The two boys sat leaning against a log, and before they knew it, they both fell sound asleep.

At home telephones were ringing, the boys’ mothers were crying, and policemen were asking questions. The yard and street were full of friends and neighbors getting ready to start out with the policemen to hunt for Bruce and Reggie.

Finally two hundred and fifty men started out to find the lost boys. When they reached the woods, they spread out into a long line and carefully began their search. Almost an hour went by when from the thickest part of the woods came a shout that soon passed along the line to every man—“FOUND!”

Bruce and Reggie were still sound asleep when two big men picked them up and started to carry them home. As they hurried homeward the sky was filling with dark clouds, and the wind was beginning to warn of a real storm coming. Less than an hour after the boys were found, a blizzard swept down upon the woods and town. But Reggie and Bruce were safe at home with their mothers!

Another storm is coming—a very terrible storm! It is God’s judgment upon those who have not believed His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Like Bruce and Reggie, many boys and girls do not realize that they are lost in their sin, and God’s Word speaks of them as being asleep in their sin.

How wonderful that Reggie and Bruce were found before the storm broke! And, oh! it was less than an hour before the storm that they were found! Have you been found? God’s storm of wrath and judgment cannot be far off! “Awake, thou that sleepest!” Eph. 5:14.

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

ML-06/10/1979

A Madman Saved In A Communist Prison

Memory Verse: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 8:37

The Communist guards pushed Joe Korbel roughly along the cold stone hallway of the Znojmo Prison in Czechoslovakia. Why was he there? He was a gospel preacher. They considered him a threat to Communism because he strongly influenced others, especially young people and children, to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

The guards cautiously opened the door to a small cell. They grabbed Joe and quickly pushed him in, slamming the door behind him. There was only one bed in the cell and someone was already lying on it, covered completely with a blanket. Joe wondered what his new cell mate was like.

As Joe gazed curiously at the bed, a hand crept slowly out from under the blanket. Joe was spellbound. The hand was very hairy and had long black nails. Then the other hand came out, just as weird-looking. Slowly the hands pulled the blanket back an inch at a time to reveal a wild, unshaven face. It was the face of an insane man. He grinned and then growled like a furious beast.

Joe instinctively backed into a far corner looking for a way of escape, but there was none. Would the wild man attack? Joe knelt right then and there and prayed, “Lord, here I am, putting my life in Thy hands.” And the Lord did protect his servant, for just then the lights went out and the insane man stayed where he was.

The next morning the man appeared to be gone. A very much relieved Joe got up from his sleeping place on the floor. He walked over to tidy up the bed. There was a wild scream and the terrible hand reached out from under the bed and grabbed his ankle. Joe leaped back in fright, jerking himself free from the madman.

The insane man spent his days under the bed. As days went by there was no violence, and Joe’s fear changed to compassion. He longed and prayed for some way to help this poor man. When his cell mate was asleep, he would go over and wash his sores, and it did seem to soothe him.

One day a small package arrived from Joe’s wife. The only thing that remained untouched was a sandwich. Guess what kind of sandwich it was? It was a Bible sandwich! There, hidden between two pieces of bread was a New Testament. Joe devoured that sandwich with great pleasure. Day after day he read his Testament, even though Bibles were forbidden in Communist prisons. The guards discovered that Joe had the New Testament, yet somehow the Lord kept them from taking it from him.

One day as Joe was reading his Testament, his insane cell mate came out from his place under the bed. Joe pretended to pay no attention as the man sat down cross-legged by the window.

“What are you reading?”

Joe jumped up, fearful, and looked around to see where the voice came from. He had never heard his cell mate speak a word before, only growl. Suddenly he realized who had spoken.

“This is my Bible, the Word of God,” he answered; “and God is telling us about His love and how He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save and heal our souls.”

“Give it to me!” the man demanded. Fearfully and reluctantly Joe handed over the New Testament, wondering if it would be torn to pieces. The man began to read the Book as Joe looked on in fascination.

Now Joe began to praise God silently as his hope for the poor man grew. He prayed fervently for him. All that day the insane man read the Scriptures. All the next day he read on. On the third day he began to read again, early in the morning. Then Joe heard some strange sounds—the man was crying—great, painful uncontrollable sobs. Joe’s compassion overcame his fear. He knelt beside the poor man and put his arm around him.

“Don’t cry; God loves you and is able to help you!” he told him.

“No, no, I am lost. Nobody can help me! I am lost! They are going to hang me!

Joe tried to comfort him. Slowly in broken sentences the man told his story of political intrigue, of imprisonment, and of torture. He had nothing to look forward to but the death sentence.

Joe told the man the wonderful story of Calvary. Then he prayed fervently for him.

“You have read your Bible, and maybe you remember that Jesus said, ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ If you will only believe in Jesus, He will forgive you. He will give you peace. So cast all your problems and worries and burdens on Him. He will help you and protect you; He will be with you in life and death. Will you now ask the Lord Jesus to forgive your sins?”

Weeping the man said, “Do you believe that He will hear me, and even can save my life for my family’s sake?” And he waited breathlessly for an answer.

“Yes, if you will ask Him. He can do it,” Joe replied.

Amid many tears and heartbreaking sobs, the man opened his heart to the Lord. How he prayed! When he was finished he was a different man—a new man in Christ! The guards noticed the difference. Often they came and stared at him through the peephole in the door. They had thought that the madman would kill Joe, the gospel preacher. Instead Joe’s God had healed the man of his insanity.

We do not know this man’s name for it isn’t revealed for his own safety. We do know, however, that the Lord did deliver him miraculously from the death sentence. After spending a number of years in prison he was set free and able to return to his beloved family.

How great is our God! How great is His love!

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

In Mine Enemies’ Camp

ML-06/17/1979

Lost Jimmy

In a city where I once visited there is a street called Broad street and another called High Way.

I happened to be walking along Broad street when I met a little boy, Jimmy, crying bitterly. Jimmy had lost his way. He wanted to go home, but instead of going along the High Way he had turned onto Broad street by mistake. I listened to his story and taking his hand I was leading him home, when his poor mother came up all breathless with excitement. Seeing her lost little Jimmy, she caught him up in her arms and hugged him and carried him safely home.

Jimmy reminds me of other little boys and girls who want to go to heaven but they are lost. They are on the wrong road. They have chosen the broad road “that leads to destruction,” instead of the “High Way” that leads to heaven.

There is One who has come from heaven to seek and to save lost ones, even Jesus, the Saviour. He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and if you will but trust in Him, He will take you up in His arms and carry you safe home to heaven.

“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: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7:13,14.

ML-06/17/1979

Hide-And-Go-Seek

Most little children like to play hide-and-go-seek. A group of little boys and girls were one day playing their favorite game. One would go and hide, then the rest would all try and find their little playmate. How carefully they would search—behind the doors, in the cupboards, under the table, under the bed, upstairs and downstairs, behind the trees and bushes, everywhere.

Now the Lord wants us to seek Him. He wants us to seek Him diligently, and He has promised that one who seeks Him diligently will find Him. But unlike the game the children play, we find that while we are seeking Him, He is seeking us. It does not take long for a seeking Saviour and a seeking sinner to meet.

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

“If... thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deut. 4:29.

ML-06/17/1979

No Doubts

A little girl was being examined by a church committee as to her faith in Jesus Christ, and she was asked to relate her experience.

Humbly she replied: “I don’t know if I have any ‘experience.’ All I know is that Jesus said, ‘Come unto Me,’ and I came; and He said, ‘I will give you rest,’ and He gave me rest.”

But one of the older men was not satisfied, and so he said to her, “But my dear, you do not seem to know much about the Slough of Despond"—one of Christian’s experiences in The Pilgrim’s Progress.

“Please, sir,” said the little maiden in her simplicity, “I did not come that way.”

Faith is a very simple thing,

Though little understood;

It frees the soul from death’s dread sting,

By resting on the blood.

Faith is not what we see or feel;

It is a simple trust

In what the God of love has said

Of Jesus as the Just.

ML-06/17/1979

Earnestly Sought

A farmer lost a $20.00 bill in his barn. He was not a wealthy man, and the loss of $20.00 was a serious matter to him. He resolved to turn over every straw until he found it.

After hours of determined search he discovered the precious bill and went home rejoicing greatly.

A little later the farmer became deeply convicted of sin, and remarked to his wife: “I wish I could believe in the Saviour; but alas, I cannot find Him.”

His prudent wife replied: “If you look for Him as diligently as you looked for that $20.00 you lost in the barn, you will find Him.”

The farmer thought much upon that advice, and made up his mind to seek the Saviour and find Him, come what may. He spent much time in earnest prayer. Now, unknown to him, the Saviour was seeking him more earnestly than he was seeking the Saviour. The farmer’s quest was not in vain, for he was soon rejoicing in the possession of Christ.

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” Luke 13:24.

“Those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Prov. 8:17.

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

“And... he followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:52.)

ML-06/17/1979

Saved in a Communist Rally

Memory Verse: “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

Erna Korbel was a Christian nurse in a Communist hospital. One day the doctors and nurses were ordered to attend a Communist lecture.

Erna went into the lecture room a little early and found a seat in a corner at the back. “I have to go,” she thought, “but I don’t have to listen.” So she settled down and began to read her New Testament.

Soon after, another nurse whom Erna did not know, sat down beside her. Glancing at the New Testament Erna’s unknown companion soon realized that it was a religious book.

“Do you believe in God?” she asked.

Closing the Book Erna replied, “Yes, I do. You know, I have a personal Friend in Jesus Christ. I have experienced so much joy since I accepted Him into my heart and life.”

Just then the lecturer began to speak. Erna’s companion whispered, “Are you interested in listening to the speaker?”

“Oh no, not at all,” replied Erna. “I’m here only because I have to be.”

“I’m so glad,” her companion whispered. “I’m not here by choice either. For years I’ve been looking for some one who really knows Jesus and the true way to God. Please, can you tell me more about it?” she pleaded.

There in the middle of the Communist meeting, Erna whispered the message of God’s love to the longing heart of the nurse beside her. While the speaker presented his ungodly atheistic ideas, the nurse received into her heart the precious Saviour and rejoiced in the forgiveness of her sins.

In the days and years that followed, that nurse proved the reality of her salvation. Many times after her conversion she came to pray with Erna and to rejoice with her in Christ.

Dear reader, do you know the love of God in sending Jesus into this world to die for your sins, to make you happy and to have you with Himself for all eternity?

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

-In Mine Enemies’ Camp

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

ML-06/24/1979

Treasure Found

On the banks of a river stood an old historic building; it had been there for many years. Some little boys, playing nearby on the river bank one day, found a treasure. They dug up a pot containing $300.00 in silver coins. The coins were very old, and some of them had come from foreign countries.

How rich those boys felt themselves to be! When other people heard of their find, they rushed to the river bank and began to dig also. They were hunting for lost treasure. Although they searched for many days, they only found about $35.00 in coins.

If people would work so feverishly and spend their strength in searching for perishable things such as silver and gold, how well would it be for them if they would seek after God and the treasures which are to be found in His precious Book, the Word of God! All that we have ever known of God the Father and His dear Son Jesus has come to us from the written Word. Jesus is God and in Him are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:3. When all the silver and gold have passed away, He will still abide forever.

To know Jesus as your Saviour is the most important thing in life besides the sweetest and the dearest.

Dear boys and girls, and older ones too, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isa. 55:6.

“My son,... incline thine ear unto wisdom,... If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Prov. 2:1,2,4,5.

It was in Olde Towne, the streets were narrow and the houses were high on each side. Very little sunshine shone through the windows on one side of the street. One day a man walking along the street noticed a barefoot boy holding a small piece of mirror. With his mirror he was trying to catch the sun’s rays and reflect them on a certain window of one of the houses across the street.

“What are you trying to do, my boy?” the man asked in curiosity.

“Do you see that window up there, sir?”

“Yes!”

“Well,” said the boy, “my little brother had an accident two years ago, and he hasn’t been able to walk ever since. He’s lying on his back in bed up there and I’m trying to get some sunshine through the window into his room.”

That little fellow was seeking to share the sunshine he was enjoying with his little invalid brother. Dear Christian boys and girls, may we who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and Friend seek to bring some of the sunshine of His love to others who know Him not, or perhaps to some Christian shut-in whose lonely hours would be cheered by a visit from someone.

ML-06/24/1979

The Hidden Hook

Mukitela wanted the bird that lived in the tree near his African home, and he wanted it alive. He had set traps for it, but the bird was too smart to enter his traps. One day when Mukitela was in a trading store, he saw some fish hooks. Mukitela bought one of these sharp hooks and some strong string and hurried home.

He drove a peg into the ground, then tied one end of the string to the hook and the other end to the peg. After that he baited the hook with a locust. All the while the little bird was sitting in the tree watching what was going on. He wanted that locust very much, for locusts tasted good to him.

As soon as Mukitela had walked away, the bird flew down on the ground. He looked at the locust, but he did not see the fatal hook. He seized the locust and tried to fly away. Alas, the sharp hook pierced him and held him fast. Mukitela came back quickly; he caught the little bird, put it in his bag, and took it away.

Dear young friend, let us learn a lesson from the story of Mukitela and the bird. Satan, the great enemy of our souls, uses all kinds of traps and bait to catch boys and girls, and men and women. He uses many kinds of temptations, things we like to do naturally, the pleasures of the world, and even things that appear to be harmless, to take souls captive.

There is only one who can set sinners free from the snares and power of Satan and sin. That is God’s dear Son. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15. It was love that brought Him down from the glory to where we were. If He had not loved us so and come to save us, every one of us would have gone down to the pit, to suffer the judgment of God against our sins forever.

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” “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.” 1 John 3:8; Heb. 2:14,15. He bore sin’s penalty upon the cross, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML-06/24/1979

The Lighthouse

The famous Eddystone Lighouse stood on the coast of England for many years warning mariners of the deadly rocks along the shore and pointing the way to the safety of the harbor nearby. Many a sailor had cause to thank God for the faithful lamp of the lighthouse as the ship steered clear of danger and sure destruction and sailed in safety on its way.

Inscribed on the Eddystone Lighouse were the words:

“To give light and to save life.”

How beautifully do these words describe the coming of the Lord Jesus into this world. He came to save sinners. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:10,11.

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. 7,-7

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” Luke 12:6

ML-06/24/1979

The Lamplighter

The old lamplighter had spent much of his young days in evil ways but, wonderful to tell, he had been converted. He had found a new life and hope in Jesus; the Saviour had become his light and song.

One day he met one of his old buddies who had in times past often joined him in his sinful ways. This friend reproached him for “turning pious.”

The old lamplighter responded: “You know what I am—a lamplighter. Well, I turn the lights on in the evening. Then late at night, I turn them off again. When I go around turning out the lights, I look back, and all the way behind me is darkness. That is like my past life.

“But when I look in front of me there is a long row of twinkling lights to guide me, and that is like my future since I found the Lord Jesus as my Saviour. My pathway will be filled with light until I come to the end of the way. Then it will be eternal sunshine. There shall be no night there.”

“For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Rev. 21:23.

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

ML-06/24/1979

"We Are Going Down … " America's Worst Airline Tragedy

Memory Verse: “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7

Early on the bright, sunny morning of September 25th, 1978 in the city of San Diego, California, the worst catastrophe in America’s aviation history took place.

A huge airliner with over one hundred and thirty passengers on board was making its approach to the San Diego terminal when suddenly, as it turned to line up with its designated landing strip, it was involved in a collision with a smaller aircraft, demolishing it and hurling its two passengers to their deaths.

The collision disabled the huge airliner. In flames and out of control, it crashed about fifteen seconds later, a short distance from the writer’s home. There was a terrific explosion and fire with the tragic result of “no survivors.” The last communication from the pilot was, “We are going down.”

What a solemn warning to us all! They who were almost to their destination and loved ones were suddenly hurled into eternity. Yes, dear reader, ETERNITY; and where will you spend it?

The writer arrived at the scene a few minutes later, and with his back to those terrible flames, helped the police in controlling the huge crowds. Stunned by the tragic scene, he could only think of all those precious souls perishing in the flaming wreckage of the plane and of those killed in the smashed and burning homes.

How helpless we were! As some one said, “There is not a single thing we can do to help them.” They were beyond rescue, too late for first aid or medical care, and above all too late for spiritual help if they died without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Well may we ask the question: “If you had been on that plane or in those homes, where would you be now?” Would you have been ready? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour? If not, then dear reader, be warned before it is too late! If you die in your sins, you will be forever lost with no hope of being saved.

Had the plane at the last moment turned left rather than right, it could very easily have been the writer and his house that were destroyed instead. But what a difference to be ushered into His presence where there is fullness of joy and to be forever with Him who loved me and gave Himself for me!

Such was the case of a stewardess on board who was saved just two weeks before the crash. What a comfort to her Christian parents living in Holland to know she had accepted the Lord as her Saviour.

Perhaps the Lord in His mercy saw fit to spare us so that you may read and heed this warning if you are not saved at this present moment. Dear reader, let me urge you in all the seriousness that came over me as I worked so close to those terrible flames in the presence of death, to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour before it is too late.

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

“Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Heb. 4:7.

“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.

A.E.G.

ML-07/01/1979

Why Harry Didn't Worry

The train drew up at the station and the usual crowd of travelers got out. The people waiting on the platform crowded in and pushed along the aisle to find the empty seats. Harry, a young boy carrying a small bag and quite on his own, was one of them. There was no one to bid him “good-by” but he seemed quite content. He soon found himself a seat and there he sat looking out the window, watching the countryside as the train sped along.

An older gentleman kept his eye on little Harry for a while, and then he asked him if he had been on the train before.

“Yes,” replied Harry, “many times; and I love to watch the sheep and the cows in the fields as we go along.”

The passengers all settled down; then they came to another station where many people left the train, and many more got on.

By and by the sky grew dark and stormy-looking, and it would soon be nightfall. The older gentleman looked a little perturbed at his young companion, and at last he said, “Aren’t you afraid, my boy, being on your own like this on a dark night and away from home?”

The little fellow looked surprised, and glancing at the bag he carried, he said, “No, I’m not worried; why should I be? My Daddy’s the engineer, and he knows all the tunnels, and when we get to the end, we’ll have our supper.”

No wonder little Harry was so confident. He was on the train and his father was the engineer, so he was perfectly happy to sit there until they reached their destination.

Is this not a good picture of God’s children on their way through life in this world? Harry wasn’t afraid every time they went through a tunnel—his father was in control; and when the journey was over they would sit down and enjoy each other’s company!

And isn’t that just what God has promised to His children in His Word? His dear Son was lifted up on the cross in order that we might have eternal life, and when we are brought to believe on Him as our Saviour, we are born by His Spirit into the family of God. God is our loving Father, and the Lord Jesus has said that even the little sparrows are not forgotten by Him. We are more valuable than many sparrows, so He tells us.

If we belong to Jesus, we can always be sure of the Father’s loving, faithful care all through our life, and then we shall share His Home with Him forever.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth Forever.” Psa. 107:1.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

ML-07/01/1979

A School Girl's Conversion

“As I was leaving a gospel meeting in a tent one evening, the young lady near to me was asked the question, “Are you saved?” I do not know what effect it had on her, but it caused me to think. I spent a miserable night; I woke up worse. I tried to get comfort, but found none, until a text which I had often heard came into my mind. It was this: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” I caught at that, clung to it, and as its meaning became clear, I had peace. Next morning I could not study or read for joy. Thank God I am saved. Jesus is mine. Several of my schoolmates are Christians, too.

“Mary L—.”

ML-07/01/1979

"That Will Bear Me in"

Jimmie Angus was dying. He was just sixteen, and had been a strong boy and a willing helper with his father who had for years been a fisherman. In the days of his health, he often stood at the harbor and watched the fishing vessels borne into safety on the crests of the Atlantic waves. Often he had heard from the lips of a God-fearing fisherman a fervent “Thank God” as he stepped on shore. Their life was a dangerous one, and it was no easy thing to enter the harbor in a storm, but on the crest of a swelling wave they could be borne in to safety.

Sinclair was standing by Jimmie’s side and they were talking together of their happy days as friends, knowing that they must soon part. Both Jimmie and Sinclair had gone to Sunday school tether, and had believed the glorious gospel message of the love of God in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for sinners. They knew they would meet again in the glory.

Just as they parted, Sinclair said, “Well, Jimmie, you are nearing the harbor, and the word I would like to give you from the Lord is, ‘Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.’ " Isa. 12:2.

“Thank you; thank you, Sinclair. That will bear me in!”

The very next day Jimmie’s life was over, and he entered the heavenly harbor where the Lord Jesus was waiting to welcome him home.

Dear reader, have you a trust that will “bear you in"? Don’t trust in yourself, or your works, or your religion. Trust in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners.

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

ML-07/01/1979

Death Doth Hide but Not Divide

Do you know what it is like to have someone you love very much go to be with the Lord? If you are a Christian, you need not sorrow as others do who have no hope.

E’en for the dead,

I will not bind my soul to grief:

Death cannot long divide.

For is it not as though the rose

That climbed the garden wall

Had blossomed on the other side?

Death doth hide

But not divide!

Thou are with Christ, and Christ with us—

In Him united still we are!

ML-07/01/1979

Rescued Twice

“I was rescued from a watery grave when I was fourteen years old; I was rescued from an eternal hell a year later.” These were the opening words of the testimony of a young fellow at a gospel meeting. Then he went on to tell how that he and his sister went out in a row boat. He lost his oar, they were almost swamped by the waves; but they were saved by the lighthouse keeper when he saw their danger.

“And I was saved by the Lord Jesus, just in the same way. He came to seek and to save sinners, and I was one. So I just let Him take me out of my sins, and set me by His side.”

That was a short but bright testimony to the saving power of Christ, wasn’t it? And it shows how you may be saved, too, dear young friend, right now and where you are.

ML-07/01/1979

The Oil of Lovingkindness

The story is told of a man who always carried a little can of oil in his pocket. Whenever he heard a door squeak, he would put a little oil on the hinges to stop the noise.

We can all carry with us a little of the oil of lovingkindness. Many a cry of anguish, a sigh of pain, a discordant note or a complaint would be hushed with a little of the oil of lovingkindness.

ML-07/01/1979

One Girl … And God

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

Lisa Agnew looked long and hard at the large map on the wall. The teacher had just explained the difference between so-called Christian and non-Christian lands. She had pointed out the large colored areas and explained that those were not Christian countries.

“When I grow up I’ll be a missionary,” Lisa said to herself. “I’ll go to one of those countries and tell the people that Jesus loves them.”

Lisa was only eight years old—so it was a long wait for her until she could carry out her plan. But at last, twenty-two years later, she sailed for Ceylon.

In those days no Cinghalese woman or girl could read. They laughed at Lisa’s idea for a school. “What are the girls good for except to cook food? They can’t learn to read any more than sheep,” they said to Miss Agnew. But Lisa didn’t give up. She prayed on.

Often God used little things—everyday things—to start the answer to prayer on its way. This time it was a tropical shower. Two little girls, soaked to the skin, ran to the missionary’s house. Lisa felt sorry for them and offered them bananas. One little girl’s mother became very angry—her daughter had lost caste by eating in a stranger’s house! And there and then the door was open for Lisa to begin her work.

“You have given my child something to eat! You must take her and bring her up!” the angry mother said. Yes, Lisa’s prayer was answered.

But this was only the beginning. A tiny, tiny beginning. Lisa fed and clothed the child and taught her the Tamil alphabet, never dreaming what this would lead to. This one little girl was soon joined by others, and in a short time many of them had memorized the 247 letters of the Tamil alphabet. A girl’s boarding school was opened!

More than one thousand girls studied there with Miss Agnew as their principal. Lisa was given the name, “The Mother of a Thousand Daughters,” by her Indian pupils. But Lisa was not satisfied to just teach these girls to read. She wasn’t satisfied even to take in these thin, half-starved little girls and see their faces fill out as she fed them. No, not Lisa!

Perhaps she remembered that Obadiah had fed God’s servants with bread and water. He had kept them from starving even though it was a time of famine. But Lisa knew that there was a far worse famine in Ceylon than the one of Obadiah’s day. People were dying without ever having drunk of the water of life. People were dying who had never heard that Jesus was the Bread of Life who could satisfy their souls. Lisa couldn’t be satisfied unless she knew that she was giving the Bread of Life and the Water of Life to these girls.

Lisa personally told these girls in her care that the Lord Jesus loved them and died for them. She had the joy of seeing 600 girls profess to belong to Christ and go out to live among their own people. She brought Bread and Water to them and had the joy of knowing that they took the Water of Life to their own people.

“Jesus said... 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.

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

John 4:14. —J.B.

“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 the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

“And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together:...

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

ML-07/08/1979

Karen Ruth Johnson

March 31, 1942-June 6, 1959

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

This paper was prepared by Karen Ruth Johnson, fulfilling a school assignment at San Marino High School, San Marino, California. It is of special interest that it was completed on Thursday night, June 4, and presented to her teacher on Friday, June 5. On Saturday, June 6, Karen’s earthly life ceased as the result of a head-on automobile collision. Karen’s high school diploma was awarded posthumously at the graduation exercises of her class on Wednesday, June 17. Her brief life was a bright testimony to the reality of life in Christ.

Karen departed early in life “to be with Christ; which is far better,” we know from Philippians 1:23. Who can tell, this side of the glory, the bliss that is hers now of being with Jesus, that blessed Saviour, whom she loved, who once died for her. She could say, “the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

Karen’s parting testimony is given here in the hope that it might encourage other young people to come out for Christ and to boldly confess Him as their Saviour and Lord. It is written of Abel of old that “he being dead yet speaketh.” Hebrews 11:4.

MY Philosophy of Life by Karen Ruth Johnson My philosophy of life is based on the Holy Bible and the God who wrote it. I know that He has a plan for my life and through daily prayer and reading of His Word I will be able to see it. As far as my life work or life partner I am leaving it in His hands....

I feel that this philosophy is very practical and can be applied to everyday life. Every decision can be taken to the Lord in prayer and the peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour is something many cannot understand. Many search for a purpose and reason for life. I know that I am on this earth to have fellowship with God and to win others to the saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that after death I will go to be with Him forever.

Jesus Christ teaches love and respect for everyone....In God’s sight no one person is worth any more than another.

Knowing and loving Jesus Christ personally makes me want to please Him and accomplish things for His glory. Paul says in the New Testament, “Whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God,” and “For Me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

This philosophy contains all of the seven points given in your lecture of April 20th. As I stated in the beginning:

(l) It is very practical to have someone to turn to for any decision or problem, small or large.

(2) What could be more optimistic than knowing that God has a purpose and plan for one’s life....To know I have accepted Jesus Christ’s gift of Salvation and have eternal life is a most wonderful thing and brings peace to my heart. God has the best for us and if we let Him He will improve our lives and solve our problems.

(3) God in His Holy Word teaches us to have love and burden for every person as Jesus Christ Himself.

(4) One of my main purposes in life is to share this experience I have had with Christ and to show the peace and happiness that it brings.

(5) This is an important goal in itself, but more completely, my aim in life is to accomplish what the Lord has for me to do, which is certainly the most worthwhile goal in life.

(6) The more I know Him the more happiness I find and the busier I am. He has things for me that the world could never offer and I learn to appreciate more and more how fortunate I am.

(7) God’s standards are higher than anything attainable and present a great challenge and make me realize how futile it would be for me to do the best I could, because I, being human, could never reach God’s standards, and therefore never be worthy of entering heaven. God has given me contact with the best; in His world, in my born again friends, and in my fellowship with Jesus Christ. It is well known that the highest beauty, truth, justice, and goodness are found in God’s Word.

This is my philosophy, and yet it is not mine. But I am God’s, and whatever I have is His. I have faith that He is the only answer and I do love Him so.

ML-07/08/1979

An Indian Boy's Story: As Told by Jimmy Shendo

I was brought up in a Christian home. My parents took me to Sunday school whether I wanted to go or not. I was a miserable frightened boy because I attended Sunday school. All the other boys in the Pueblo made fun of me. They tagged me with all sorts of names, such as “Hallelujah.” I knew they were mocking me because I attended Sunday school down the road from our village.

Not knowing how to answer, I would fight back. To my youthful understanding it seemed that the words they spoke and the rocks they threw were stronger than the power of God in my life. Fear of the boys’ cruelty soon possessed me. As I grew older, I slipped further and further away from the Lord. I gave up fighting my persecutors and finally joined them.

I found myself running away from God instead of with Him. Everywhere I went I would hear something about God, such as a gospel song. I lived under heavy conviction, until one day I had to make a choice between heaven’s path or hell’s road. The Lord drew me back to Himself, to His love and salvation. My choice to serve Him has led me to study His Word and seek to find out His will for my life. My fighting and flight has ended. Jesus Christ has captivated my life.

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

ML-07/08/1979

"He Brought Him to Jesus"

Eric is a nine-year-old Jewish boy who has been coming to the Bible classes since he was very young. He comes from a broken home and has lived in many areas.

Despite these “setbacks” Eric loves the Lord and tells others about Him. He witnesses to his classmates and tells them he no longer wants to be bad “because it won’t please God.”

One Friday evening, Eric was waiting for the van to bring him to the service. In the hall of his apartment building stood a young Jewish man of about 20, who noticed that Eric was carrying a Bible. He asked Eric where he was going, and when he heard, he thought that he too would like to attend the Bible study. He said he had been waiting to meet someone, but they hadn’t shown up. So Eric invited him to come along.

God had already prepared his heart, because after the message he went up to one of the Christian workers, himself a converted Jew, and kneeling down with him prayed asking the Lord to come into his heart.

We can pray for this young man that he will come out faithfully and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ML-07/08/1979

Doctor Baedeker

Memory Verse: “Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and ... delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7:18

Frederick Baedeker was born in Germany in 1823. He was weak physically all his life, yet he lived to be 83 years old. God had a special work for him to do, and Scripture says, “As thy days so shall thy strength be.”

In his early years Frederick was a proud infidel. After some years in the German army he settled in England. One evening when he was 43, some friends persuaded him to attend a meeting in which Lord Radstock spoke. Frederick had planned to leave the minute the meeting was over, but before he could get out the door, he felt the hand of Lord Radstock laid on his shoulder.

“God has a message for you tonight,” he told Frederick. “Come with me into the next room.” Frederick followed, and there Mr. Radstock spoke to him earnestly of his need of salvation and of the claims of Christ. Frederick bowed before those claims of love, and when he came out of that room, he was a humble believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

From that night until the day of his death Dr. Baedeker did not cease to teach and preach Christ as the only Saviour and His redemption as God’s remedy for sin. He began in the villages near his home. Then he traveled through Germany, Bohemia, Poland, Moravia and Switzerland, preaching the gospel.

The poor prisoners in Russia were laid especially on his heart, and he traveled all over Russia and Siberia visiting the jails and prison camps. His heart was filled with the love of God for those poor men. No matter what opposition he met, or what perils or discomforts he suffered in long hard cold journeys, he was faithful in giving the gospel to the men in chains and behind bars.

When they stood in their heavy chains before Dr. Baedeker, he knew that some of them would soon start on the awful march to Siberia. He tenderly told them of the Saviour who loved them and died to save them. He could not set them free from their chains, but he could tell them of One who could set them free from the burden of their sins and from Satan’s power. Furthermore, by His death He had opened up heaven to all who had faith to believe.

On one occasion when he was in Finland he spoke to the prisoners there. A professor interpreted for him. The men listened respectfully but seemed unmoved by the message. Dr. Baedeker wondered why. When he visited Finland a second time, he spoke to those prisoners again, but this time a sweet young lady, a baroness, interpreted for him. There was a striking change in the expressions of the men. Many eyes were filled with tears as they listened to the message of the Saviour’s love.

“Why such a change in the prisoners today as compared with my last visit?” he asked the officer in charge. The officer replied: “When you spoke the first time and you addressed the men as ‘my beloved friends’ or ‘my brothers,’ the interpreter translated your words as ‘men’ or ‘prisoners.’ But the lady today interpreted your words as you spoke them ‘my beloved friends’ and ‘my brothers.’ " There was love expressed in these words and it reached the hearts of these poor souls.

Dr. Baedeker also visited the dreadful island of Saghalien which is surrounded by an icy sea. Prisoners sent there spend the rest of their days in hard labor. With no hope of release the men were desperate. Dr. Baedeker told them of the pardon for sin, the joy and the peace which the Lord Jesus can give to those who trust Him. He told them of the home in glory the Saviour has prepared for all those that love Him. Many of the prisoners were deeply moved as they looked at the kind face of the tall man and heard his hope-bringing words. Many of them answered his plea to accept the Saviour. No doubt many will meet him again on the clouds of glory when the Lord comes to gather His redeemed ones all home to heaven.

Just before he died Dr. Baedeker said, “I am going to see the King in His beauty!” And so shall all even now who own Him as Lord and Saviour.

“I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matt. 25:36,40.

ML-07/15/1979

Closed on Sundays

Russ was a fine Christian young fellow. One summer he bought an ice cream stand from a man who was not a Christian. This man had always kept his stand open on Sundays.

“I have always sold more ice cream on Sunday than any other day in the week,” he told Russ.

But Russ determined his stand would be closed on Sundays. “I want to honor the Lord in my business,” he told himself.

Some doubted that Russ would make a go of it, knowing that Sunday was the best day of the week to sell ice cream. But something happened. On Wednesday afternoons, when most of the stores closed, Russ kept his stand open. Soon he was doing more business on Wednesdays than he would have done on Sunday.

The Lord Jesus said, “If any man serve Me, him will My Father honor.” John 12:26.

ML-07/15/1979

Trep

Trep, the world’s top police dog, is a German shepherd who lives in Miami, Florida. He has sniffed out $63,000,000.00 worth of narcotics in his lifetime.

On one occasion Trep was brought to a high school for a demonstration. He was to look for ten packets of narcotics that had been hidden somewhere in the clothing of ten students.

To everyone’s surprise Trep sniffed out eleven!

There is a verse in the Bible which says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:23. And that’s a solemn reminder for us all.

Remember, God sees everything we do, and He knows every thought we think. One might think he can get away with sin, but he is deceiving himself. God is not mocked.

Achan who took of “the accursed thing” at the fall of Jericho, when he took “the goodly Babylonish garment” and the “wedge of gold” which was forbidden, and hid it in his tent, thought he could hide his sin. But he was found out and paid for it with his life (read Josh. 7).

Joseph’s brethren thought they could cover up their sin when they had sold their brother into slavery in Egypt and then lied to their old father, Jacob. But God brought it all to light years later, and after much sorrow and trial they had to confess what they had done, and Joseph graciously forgave them.

David tried to cover up his great sin, but in vain. It all came to light and brought such sorrow and suffering to David before, and even after, he confessed it.

Ananias and Sapphira thought they could hide their sin by lying to the Holy Ghost, but they too, were surely found out (read Acts 5).

Sin doesn’t pay. It will come out sooner or later. How can we get rid of our sin and sense of guilt? Confess it to God.

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

That is the only way to deal with sin.

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

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

ML-07/15/1979

"I Love Jesus the Most"

Timmy was watching Mother take care of Baby Ann. She gave little Ann a bath and fed her. Then she put Ann in her crib.

Timmy noticed the happy smile on Mother’s face all the while, and thought, “Mother must love Baby Ann very much.”

Then suddenly he began to cry. Mother put her arms around her little boy and asked, “Why, Timmy, what is the matter?”

“Mother, do you love little Ann more than you love me?” he said.

“Of course not, Timmy,” she replied. “I haven’t loved you any the less since Baby Ann came. I love both of you the same. You are both dear to me!”

Then somewhat relieved Timmy asked, “Mother, do you love anyone more than you love me?”

“Yes, Timmy, I do,” said Mother. “I love the Lord Jesus more than anyone else.”

“Oh, that’s all right, Mother,” exclaimed Timmy happily. “I love Jesus the most, too!”

ML-07/15/1979

Ram, the Hindu Boy

Ram’s father was a Hindu priest in India. He wanted his son to become a priest, too, so he sent him to a Hindu school. There Ram studied English as well as the Hindu subjects. When his father learned that Ram was studying English, he was very angry.

“You are going to be a Hindu priest,” he told him. “You must not read English books and learn the ways of the English.”

After Ram had finished school he was given a place to serve in one of the Hindu temples. But he was not happy. He felt that his people were worshipping lifeless gods who could neither hear nor answer their prayers.

One day Ram bought a Bible and began to read it secretly. He longed to find the true and living God. In the Bible he read of how Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross, and he wondered, “Did Jesus die for me?”

One night he could not sleep. Finally he prayed, “O God, please show me the truth.” Then he went to sleep.

As Ram slept he had a dream. He dreamed that he saw a bright light shining on the wall. In the midst of the light he saw a cross. When he awoke he was sure that God had answered his prayer. He was sure that the Bible told about the true and living God. He knew, too, that Jesus, His Son, had died for him and was his Saviour.

In the morning he did not go to the Hindu temple. When his father came home, Ram told him, “I have found the true God. Jesus Christ is His Son and He is my Saviour. He forgives the sins of all those who come to Him. I can no longer worship the lifeless Hindu gods.”

Ram’s father was terribly angry. He tore up Ram’s Bible and made him leave home.

However, God was watching over His child. Kind missionaries gave Ram a home and helped him. Later on he became a gospel preacher. Going from one village to another he told his people about the true and living God and Jesus Christ the Saviour of lost sinful men.

The Lord Jesus said: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.

ML-07/15/1979

Heaven

Heaven is a blessed place,

Free to all of every race;

Boys and girls, and grown-up too,

Will be there, and so may you.

How to reach that blissful shore—

Has been told you o’er and o’er;

Trust God’s Son this very hour,

He will give you grace and power.

Yes, I’ll trust God’s blessed Son,

Trust the work that He has done,

He has died on Calvary’s tree,

Risen on high to set us free.

From that happy home above

He will come for those He loves;

No more sorrow, sickness, tears,

Through the everlasting years.

ML-07/15/1979

Safe in the Rock

Memory Verse: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

A missionary who worked among the Indians on the southwest plains was asked to speak one Sunday afternoon at a little Indian village about fourteen miles away. He rode to the village with some friends in a large wagon pulled by a team of horses. The roads were rough but they reached the little village in time for the afternoon service.

The meeting over, around five o’clock the missionary and his friends started back to their home town where he was to preach the gospel that night. They had not gone far when they observed large black storm clouds coming up from the horizon. Soon they saw the pouring rain coming rapidly tards them.

“We are going to get soaked,” exclaimed the missionary with no little concern.

“I still hope we won’t,” said the driver. “I think we can make it to the big rock before the storm hits us,” and he urged the horses on faster.

They reached the rock at last, and then the missionary saw a large cave in the rock. The driver drove the team, wagon and all, right into the cave. A minute later, the storm broke over the plains in all its fury, but it did not touch the travelers who were safe in the rock.

That rock on the plain was a refuge in a time of storm. The Lord Jesus is a Rock for sinners who have fled to Him for refuge. He is our Refuge in time of storm and trouble.

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

The tempest’s awful voice was heard.

O Christ, it broke on Thee;

Thy open bosom was my ward;

It bore the storm for me.

Thy form was scarred, Thy visage marred;

Now cloudless peace for me.

ML-07/22/1979

Lincoln and the Lost Coin

Many stories have been told about Abraham Lincoln. Great leader though he was, still he was a humble man with a kind and tender heart.

One rainy day when he was walking along a muddy street in Springfield he saw a little girl crying.

“What is the matter, my dear?” he asked.

“I slipped and fell in the mud,” she sobbed, “and lost the money Mother gave me to buy something at the store.”

“Let’s see if we can find it,” said Lincoln, rolling up his sleeves. Moving his fingers through the mud he soon recovered the lost coin. Giving it back to the little girl, who was all smiles now, he sent her happily on her way.

How kind and humble the Lord Jesus was when He was here on earth—none so kind as He! Though Lord of all, and far above kings, presidents, and great men of the world, yet was He the humblest, the lowliest, the kindest and most tender-hearted Man that ever trod this earth. He went about doing good and making poor people glad.

Jesus is still the same today, though exalted to the highest place in heaven. He says, “Come unto Me... for I am meek and lowly ... and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28,29.

No friend like Him is so high and holy;

No, not one! no, not one!

And yet no friend is so meek and lowly;

No, not one! no, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggle:

He will guide till the day is done.

There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! no, not one!

ML-07/22/1979

Paw, a Thailand Boy

Paw, who lived in Thailand, had never heard of Jesus. But one day someone gave him a Gospel of Matthew, and he read it over and over again, memorizing many of the chapters.

He had no one to teach him, but the Spirit of God was his teacher. Gradually he began to understand what he read and he obeyed its message as well. Paw came to love the Lord Jesus and to trust Him.

The last commands of the Lord interested him greatly: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” So Paw decided he would go and visit all the villages around and read God’s word to the people. He read aloud from his Gospel in front of buildings and on street corners, and many people would stop to listen.

Then some years later he met a missionary who gave him a whole Bible. That was a happy day for Paw. He was now eighty years old and almost deaf but his eyesight was still good. His loved Bible was his constant companion. He read it to others and explained its wondrous message. Just before he passed away he said, “Pah Yesu! Pah Yesu!” which means, “Jesus, my Jesus!”

Dear Paw’s testimony still lives on in the little villages in Thailand where he lived and labored. There are a number of Christians there who came to know the Lord because someone gave Paw a Gospel of Matthew and because he obeyed its message.

“He [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” Hebrews 5:9.

“What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.

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

ML-07/22/1979

Fulano and the Charcoal Burners

A Spanish colporteur, named Fulano, was once distributing the Scriptures in North Africa. He was on his way home to Algiers one night when he lost his way in the dark forest. After some hours of wandering about, he came upon a camp of charcoal burners—men, women and children sitting around a big fire. They, too, were far from their native land, and treated their visitor very kindly. After a time, Fulano opened his bag, took out a book, and began to read some of the Lord’s parables.

“Beautiful!” they exclaimed. “Read some more.” And they listened eagerly as he read the story of the Lord’s death. It was late when they all retired.

Next morning before he went on his way, Fulano gave them a Bible, and promised that he would come back.

Eagerly they looked for his return, nor did he disappoint them. He came back many times, finally to live with them in their little village. How wonderfully God makes all things to work together for good to those who love Him! God blessed His Word first spoken to the poor charcoal burners that dark night when Fulano lost his way, and many of them found the Saviour and became happy Christians.

May God grant that many of our young readers might come to know Christ as their blessed Saviour and Friend, and be able to say with Fulano’s friends, “Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalms 119:111.

In Acts 8 we read about a great man who in the days of the apostles made a long journey across the desert to attend a feast in Jerusalem. He was very religious, and yet he was not satisfied. Somehow he had got hold of a copy of the Holy Scriptures, and now on his way home, as he rode along in his chariot, he read Isaiah 53. But as yet he did not know of whom the prophet was speaking in that wonderful chapter. Just at this point, however, Philip the evangelist, appeared and it says, “he preached unto him Jesus.” The traveler believed and was baptized right there and then. He found Jesus as his Saviour, and the last thing we hear of him was that “he went on his way rejoicing.”

ML-07/22/1979

"That's All I Want!"

Each child had cited a Bible verse

In the Sunday school one day;

And each one with credit performed his part,

Till at last came little May.

“The Lord is my Shepherd"—she paused to think,

And her heart the faster beat—

“The Lord is my Shepherd—that’s all I want,”

And she promptly took her seat.

‘Twas a message new from a little child,

And it stirred my inmost soul;

Such a tender Shepherd is all I want

Till I reach the heavenly goal.

ML-07/22/1979

Frederick Stanley Arnot

On his last trip to England Dr. David Livingstone, the devoted African missionary-explorer, spoke at a service in Hamilton. Many school children listened to the missionary as he told of the vast need in Africa and of the great cruelty of the slave trade.

Among Livingstone’s hearers was a little boy named Frederick Stanley Arnot and his mother. He was just six years old, but he listened eagerly to all that was said and David Livingstone became his hero. He made up his mind that when he grew up he wanted to go to Africa and help the great man. From that day forward Africa drew Frederick like a magnet.

He was converted when he was ten years old. One day he and his friend Jimmie went into a neighbor’s garden and began helping themselves to some plums that were ripening on the tree. Jimmie’s older brother saw them from a window and shouted, “Thief! Thief!”

All day long Frederick heard those words ringing in his ears. The next day he had to pass the Hamilton prison and he was filled with terror at the thought he might be taken to jail as a thief. Just then he saw an officer bringing to the prison a boy who had stolen a pair of boots. Freddie rushed home and hid there until bedtime. Then when everyone else had gone to bed he got up.

“I must tell God about my sin,” he thought. “I must ask Him to forgive me.” Kneeling down he began to cry and felt he was too wicked for God to forgive him. Then he thought about the Lord Jesus dying on the cross for him.

“Jesus had to die for me because I am wicked,” he said to himself. Then while still on his knees, he repeated the verse his parents had taught him when he was still a tiny little fellow-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.”

Suddenly Freddie knew for sure that he believed on Jesus as his Saviour. He knew, too, that his sins were forgiven for he felt the load of his guilt was gone. The next morning he awoke with a happy heart—he was saved.

Freddie’s desire to go to Africa grew more rapidly than ever now. He knew he had a wonderful message for the African people, a message of God’s salvation and forgiveness of sin. When he was fifteen he said that God had called him to be a missionary. He learned to be a blacksmith, how to repair watches, and how to find his way with a compass when in a lonely far-off region. He preached frequently in the open air with his father.

In 1881, when he was 23 years old, he sailed for Africa. He knew that he would face difficulties, dangers, sickness and privation there, but he was not afraid. He said, “God’s promises are not mere words to be memorized and repeated. They are certainties to go by.”

For years Frederick labored for the Lord in Africa. After a busy life for Him and for others he died at the age of 55. His was not a long life, but it was filled with faithful service for the Saviour whom he had learned to love when he was just a boy.

ML-07/22/1979

A Russian Boy's Story

Memory Verse: “He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

My parents were Ukranians but I was born in Siberia, one of fourteen children. Mother never had enough food for us all, and when at the age of three I took ill with typhoid fever, they thought I would not live. However, I was wonderfully spared.

When I was old enough, I went to the village school and there heard very often that there was no God; that only stupid people believed there was. Teachers told us that if we saw or heard anyone pray, we should come and tell them and they would see that these people were re-educated. From time to time we noticed certain people would dippear from the village never to be seen again.

It was during World War 2 and at the age of sixteen I was taken into the Red Army and sent to the front line. We had no uniform nor any food rations and soon after were taken prisoners by the Germans. Many froze to death during the night hours, and I decided to try and escape.

I cut my way through the wire netting but did not get far before a soldier saw me and stood me against the wall to face the death penalty. An officer quickly intervened and I was spared and sent back to camp.

After traveling all the next day we were allowed to sleep in a field, and I hid under some hay thinking I was safe. Other prisoners did the same and orders were given to set fire to the hay. However, they had another idea; instead, a German soldier stood on top of the hay and fired down into it. One bullet passed me on my right side and another on my left, but none touched me.

Then it was as I lay there trembling, miserable and sad, I said to myself; “Why can’t I die?... If there really is a God protecting me and I find Him, I’ll serve Him for the rest of my life.”

Some hours later I crawled out of my hiding place. No one was in sight, but where could I go? Along a small path I walked and saw a horse whip. A voice inside seemed to tell me to pick it up. But why carry a whip? Suddenly a voice ordered me to halt! I had unknowingly walked into the German lines. The soldier saw me with the horse whip and, thinking I was the driver who brought them supplies, he pointed to a horse and a cart tethered to a tree. So I was allowed to go on without question.

On I walked until my strength gave way and I fell. A woman in a cottage saw me and came at once. Taking my head in her lap she exclaimed in tears, “Oh, my boy, I’m going to help you. I hope someone will do the same for my son, who is somewhere in this world.”

She took me into her home and looked after me until I was stronger. But I knew it was dangerous for both of us if I stayed, so I told her I must move on. I came to a river with a forest on the other side. The bridge had been deroyed so I had to swim across the icy water with my clothes tied in a bundle on my back. I had to let go my clothes, however, and arrived on the other side, cold, naked, hungry and no place to go. Again I wished that I might die. Then I saw my clothes had washed ashore not far downstream, and I was amazed to think how they had been given back to me.

After three days I came across a man cutting wood, and he took me to his home. His wife had a meal ready and at once with a friendly smile she pointed me to a chair at the table. Then I realized I was with some kind of religious folks. They told me the German Army had allowed them to have Bible classes and to meet together to read God’s Word. This was something new to them as before the coming of the Germans they could meet only in secret.

In the house was also a girl of thirteen who told me she, too, was a refugee and that the kind people who were caring for us were Christians. She told me her parents “had gone to be with the Lord.” I did not understand and asked, “They have gone to be with whom?” She explained that they were dead but because they were Christians they are in heaven with the Lord Jesus.

I said, “When you are dead, you are dead.” Then when I asked her why she was not sad at having lost her parents, she replied: “They are not suffering any more.” This did not satisfy me, and I wanted to know how she knew all this. She was younger than me, but here she was telling me about Someone I had never heard about. She told me she had read it all in the Bible—a Book I had never heard of before. But that night I heard from the lips of this little girl Marie, the story of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners, from His birth to His crucifixion and resurrection.

Three weeks later in that same village I took Jesus as my personal Saviour. I realized that God had saved me for a purpose. He had led me to this home. I had cried: “Lord, if ever I find Thee, I will serve Thee for the rest of my life.” So there is a God, and He had heard my cry.

I discovered that the whole village had only two Bibles and four hymn books. They could not give me a Bible, but they allowed me to write out the Gospel of John. For four years this was all I ever had until I got to Germany after the war and began working in an American Army camp.

One day a postman brought a parcel sent to me from America. Who over there could have sent me a parcel and how did they know where I lived? I could not bring myself to open it for sheer delight. But what joy when I did so—for in that parcel was a Bible. I danced around the camp telling everyone to come and see it. It belonged to me, my very first, and my very own. I do not know to this day who sent it, but whoever did may God bless him abundantly!

I am now a missionary. The Lord who did so much for me has given me the joy of seeing fulfilled my desire to serve Him for the rest of my life.

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

ML-07/29/1979

A Friend Always Near

Last winter little three-year-old Jennie Persing, who lives on a farm 25 miles southeast of Battle Creek, Michigan, spent a whole night in a cornfield in near 40-degree temperature, but survived because of her dogs.

When her mother later explained what had happened, she said little Jennie had gone outside with three of her dogs and had wandered away. Searchers did not find her until the next day. Two dogs, one a six-month-old German Shepherd, and the other, a year-old mutt, were still with her. Police think the two dogs must have stayed with Jennie and kept her warm all through the night.

It is wonderful to have pets like that.

The Bible tells us of a Friend “that sticketh closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24). He wants to be the Friend of every boy and girl. I would like you to meet this Friend. His name is Jesus.

He is a loving Friend. Indeed, Jesus loved me and gave Himself for me. He died on the cross for me.

He is a living Friend. He died on the cross for sin, but He did not remain in the grave. He rose from the dead and went back to heaven to sit on the Father’s right hand. That’s why we can sing, “He Lives!”

Jesus is a lasting Friend. Some friends are not faithful. When we are in trouble they leave us, but the Lord Jesus will never leave nor forsake us. He stays with us all through the troubles we have to face.

Have you taken Jesus to be your Friend? He is ready and willing to be your Saviour and help you each day of your life. You need never be lonely again.

You can look to Jesus for strength and for wisdom. He has promised to be with you forever. Won’t you have Him as your Friend today? Uncle T—

How dearly God must love us,

And this poor world of ours,

To spread blue skies above us,

And deck the earth with flowers!

There’s not a weed so lowly,

Nor bird that cleaves the air,

But tells in accents holy

His kindness and His care.

The Bible too He sends us,

That tells how Jesus came,

Whose Word can save and cleanse us

From sin and guilt and shame.

O may God’s mercies move us

To serve Him with our powers,

For dearly He does love us

And this poor world of ours.

ML-07/29/1979

My Lost Lamb: As Told by a Navajo Christian Girl

On the Navajo reservation where I live there is plenty of grass among the trees and in the mountains. I usually do all the sheep herding when I am home. I love sheep and take them out to where there is water and lots of grass. I like to see them graze and grow fat, and I love to sit in a quiet restful place and watch the little lambs follow their mothers.

One day my sister wanted to take the sheep out, and I told her to watch them carefully, especially my own little lamb. I had raised it and given it a name, and wherever I went there it was beside me. When I called its name, it would come running to me.

Late that afternoon my sister came running to me and exclaimed, “I’m sorry, but I can’t find your lamb anywhere!” I didn’t get angry with her, but it nearly broke my heart to hear that my lamb was missing. We put the rest of the sheep in the corral and taking a flashlight, we started out to look for the lost lamb. I had also asked my father if he would help us in the search.

The night was chilly and I searched in many places, with tears running down my cheeks. I called and called but heard no cry. It got late, the coyotes were out howling, and my father said we would have to go home. He said he would look for my lamb in the morning.

I couldn’t sleep that night. All I could think of was my little lamb lost out there somewhere in the wild. When dawn came I didn’t wait for Father, but went on ahead. Presently I came to a Y in the path. Which direction should I go? On the left were high mountains, on the right valleys and deep gulleys. I decided to go to the right.

As I walked along I called out my lamb’s name. “I’ll never find it,” I thought; but then I prayed, “Lord, please help me find this lost sheep of mine.” I listened for a while, but heard nothing.

Then suddenly I did hear something. I called out, and a few seconds later I heard a faint “Ba-a-a-ah!” I called again but could not tell where the bleating came from. I kept on walking, and suddenly there it was! My little lamb’s head and feet were stuck in a big hole, and it was struggling pitifully to get out. I reached down, picked it up, and held it in my arms. I cried with joy and gladness and called out to the others that I had found my little lamb at last.

The Lord Jesus is the true Shepherd. “The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. He is still seeking His lost sheep and gathering them around Himself. “All we like sheep have gone astray;... and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6.

The Bible tells us that God has given Jesus “a name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). Whoever calls upon that name shall be saved (Rom. 10:13). He gave His life for you, dear reader, and He’s waiting to hear your cry so that He can bring you safely home, just as I did my lost little lamb.

Jennie Yazzie

ML-07/29/1979

The Flat Tire

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

The missionary had spent some days in the little village of Bella Vista, in Bolivia, where he had been telling the people there of the wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone could save them from their sins. He had planned to visit Ajencha, just 20 miles away, and spread the glad gospel tidings there.

When he arose in the morning for his journey, he found he had a seven-inch rip in one of the front tires of his jeep. There was no garage in Bella Vista, and he had no spare, so feeling very disappointed he decided he must remain in Bella Vista, until he could get a new tire.

But God who “moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform,” knew all about that flat tire and was going “to make all things work together for good.” The missionary purchased a new tire, and some days later he took his journey to Ajencha. Arriving there he was surprised at the reception he got from some of the people.

One man, named Francisco, was a rough character and leader among a group who were violent in opposing the gospel being preached in their town. But Francisco and his wife now came to meet the missionary and to hear the story he had to tell about God and His Son Jesus Christ. They had been watching the other Christians in the town and realized their lives were different from theirs. They wanted to know what the secret of this might be.

The missionary was delighted to tell them about the Lord Jesus who had come from heaven to die on the cross of Calvary so that all who believed on Him might have their sins forgiven. Francisco knew he had many sins needing forgiveness, so he said to the missionary: “Do you remember the time you planned to come to Ajencha and you couldn’t come because of your flat tire? I was one of those who didn’t want you to come to our town with your story about God, and I had my men set up a road block to stop you in your jeep. We had sticks and stones ready to beat you, and not only that, but we had hot paraffin with us intending to burn you! But you didn’t come!”

It was this that made Francisco think about the missionary’s God. He must be the true God when He could upset all their plans and save His servant from their cruelty.

Francisco and his wife confessed their sins, believing the Lord Jesus would save and forgive them.

After that when the missionary went to Ajencha, the people were friendly and would listen attentively to the gospel story. Francisco and his wife would invite the missionary to stay with them. They often talked about the Lord who could use a flat tire to save the life of His servant, while proving to others that He is the one true God.

This same Saviour can be your Saviour, too, dear reader, if you will only believe in Him and trust Him as your own.

ML-08/05/1979

Valentine: The Man Who Loved Children

About 1700 years ago there lived a man named Valentine who was known for his great love for children. He was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and among many of his close friends were many boys and girls. He taught them about the love of Jesus, the Saviour, and told them they should love each other. The children came to love him very much; he was so nice and gentle towards them.

Valentine and his friends lived in a time when everyone was commanded to worship the false gods of the Roman Empire. However, many of the Christians were faithful to the Lord Jesus, believing that to worship any other God was idolatry. So they refused to bow to these demands of Rome.

This strong stand made the Roman authorities very angry and orders were sent out to the soldiers to arrest any who would not worship Rome’s gods. Among those arrested was the children’s dear friend, Valentine. When he was taken away to the local prison the children were sorry and missed him very much. They knew that he would miss them also.

“What shall we do?” they asked each other. “How can we let our friend know that we still love him and think about him all the time!”

“I know what we can do,” said one. “We’ll write little notes of love and throw them between the bars on his cell window.”

And that’s what they did. When Valentine received the notes of love from his little friends, he knew the love he had taught them would not die. This gave him much comfort and encouragement when a little later, on February 14, A.D. 269, he was taken from the prison to be put to death for his faith in Jesus Christ.

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

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

Psa. 56:3

ML-08/05/1979

Saved Carrying His New Testament

Last October Robert Hanson, a night watchman in Charleston, West Virginia, was making his final round before dawn in the basement of a department store building. Suddenly an intruder shot him in the chest, but miraculously Robert was not wounded.

The reason? He was carrying in his shirt pocket a small New Testament, and it effectively stopped the bullet that struck him “like a sledgehammer.”

Later Robert explained that he was in the habit of carrying a New Testament.

Wonderful as this story is, there is something more important than carrying the Word of God in our pocket. It is to have it hidden in our heart.

How can we have the Book of God in our heart? Well, first of all read it faithfully, at least a chapter each day.

Second, memorize verses and passages. If you memorize a verse each day, that will mean 365 verses in a year!

Finally, meditate on what you read and memorize. If you are truly saved, this will nourish “the new man” in you, which is Christ, and will help you to grow strong in the knowledge of Him.

The psalmist tells us, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psa. 119:11.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33.

ML-08/05/1979

William Tyndale

William Tyndale’s translation of the Greek New Testament into English was now completed. Haunted by the fear of discovery and death, he fled secretly from Eland to Hamburg, where friends sheltered him during his tremendous work.

The problem was now to find someone who would print the New Testaments. This work would be as dangerous as Tyndale’s own. To whom should he turn?

From various secret sources he eventually learned of a printer named Peter Quenell, living in Cologne. This man would risk all he had to get the English New Testament printed. Again secretly, Tyndale moved to Cologne. Each night he would creep to Quenell’s printing press and check each new sheet, making sure that no errors were made on the printed page. Everyone involved in the work was sworn to secrecy.

One night while Tyndale was at the press, a white-faced apprentice rushed in.

“Tyndale, fly!” he gasped. “You are betrayed! The building is to be searched.”

Gathering all the precious pages together, Tyndale rushed away. He was none too soon. His enemies entered and searched every possible hiding place. Happily, no suspicion of an English New Testament was found.

John Cochlaeus was the betrayer, and learning that Tyndale had got away he advised the king of England to have all the ports watched.

Tyndale was, in fact, making for the city of Worms by way of the River Rhine. Friends there would shelter him, and hopefully he would find a printer to finish the work. His faith was rewarded. Within a few months the first bound copy of the New Testament was in his hands.

Hundreds of copies were soon ready to be smuggled to England. Hidden in barrels of flour and other goods, they were taken by sympathetic merchants to ports on the English coast. Enemies were constantly on the look out and whenever New Testaments were found, they were ruthlessly burned. Many did get through, however, and the joy of those who received them knew no bounds.

Tyndale continued this work until one tragic day when he was again betrayed. This time he was imprisoned and condemned to death “by burning at the stake.” His last words were a prayer which became famous—“Lord, open the king of England’s eyes”—and the Lord answered that prayer.

Within one year of his death, a whole Bible which had been mostly his work, but was partly that of a man named Coverdale, was being sold in England with the King’s approval! This was the first printed whole Bible in English.

Things improved so much that in September 1538 a Royal Proclamation stated that a Bible must be placed in every church in England. In some churches the Bibles were chained, and as in the days of the Lollards people who could not read came to hear others read it to them. Some of these Bibles still exist today.

“Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven” Psa. 119:89.

ML-08/05/1979

The Children's Friend

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” Mark 10:14.

Who LOVES the little children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who CALLS the little children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who loves to have them near Him?

Who tells them not to fear Him?

Say, children, do you hear Him?

Jesus the Lord.

Who DIED to save the children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who LIVES to GUARD the children?

Jesus the Lord.

Who is it that will gather

The little ones together

Safe home to God the. Father?

Jesus the Lord.

Oh, COME, dear little children,

Come to the Lord,

Come NOW, dear little children,

And trust His Word.

He’s waiting now to save you,

Hell lovingly receive you,

And NEVER, NEVER leave you—

Jesus the Lord.

Time

Time past is gone, you cannot it recall,

Time is you have, improve the portion small;

Time future is not, and may never be,

Time present is the only time for thee.

ML-08/05/1979

A Christian at the South Pole

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

Most school boys and girls know the story of Captain Scott and his journey to the South Pole. Scott with four friends, Wilson, Bowers, Oates and Evans reached the South Pole on January 18, 1912. However, they learned that another explorer, Amundsen, a Norwegian, had reached the South Pole a month before them. So they were disappointed in not having the honor of being the first to reach the Pole.

Their return journey was dogged with set-backs, such as the death of Evans and Oates, the loss of their dogs, their ponies, their motors, and the awful weather conditions.

One man who kept them cheerful and hopeful throughout all their dreadful experiences was Henry Bowers. He had been brought up in a Christian home. His mother was a widow, and every morning she and Henry and his two sisters sang a hymn together, read a chapter of the Bible, and prayed. At the age of fourteen he went to a naval training school and made rapid progress. At eighteen he was first mate under the captain.

Young Henry’s mind was filled with ambition, yet doubts were there, too, until one night on deck he valued his life. Christ seemed to come to him and tell him life here was to make a great decision—to choose Christ or the world. The world seemed as nothing compared with Christ, and there alone on the deck of his ship he chose to put Christ first in his life.

In June 1910 he joined Scott’s expedition to the South Pole. His cheerfulness and Christian character shone throughout that expedition. In March 1912 he wrote his last letter. Scott, Wilson and Bowers were living their last moments in a small tent, all knowing that death was near.

“My own dearest Mother,” he wrote,... “we have had a terrible journey back... God alone knows what will be the outcome of the 22 miles march we have to make, but my trust is still in Him, and in the abounding grace of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whom you brought me up to trust in, and who has been my stay through life...”

Perhaps only a few hours after writing that, Lieutenant Henry Bowers passed into eternity to meet his blessed Saviour whom he had trusted as a young officer of 18. Bowers had seen the sinful life among some of the sailors at sea. On one occasion while in port in Australia he wrote home: “The steward has deserted; we are getting ready for sea again. I went to the city to extract the cook from jail. We are getting our new crew dumped aboard—all drunk.” In the midst of all this he was kept faithful to his Lord. He chose the better part—he chose Christ.

Have you Christ in your life, dear reader? If you trust Him as your Saviour He will take away all your sin and guilt, and not only that but He will keep you from the evil, sinful ways of the world. He will keep you, too, from the deceitfulness of your own heart. Be like young Henry Bowers — choose CHRIST!

ML-08/12/1979

Bible Acrostic - Read Acts 14

“Barnabas they called Jupiter,” the Scripture thus relates,

What by the priest of Jupiter was brought unto the gates?

When to a cripple Paul did say, “Stand upright on thy feet,”

In what speech did they declare the things considered mete?

From what city had the men of God been recommended, And sailed thence once again when for that time their work was ended? When by certain people Paul was stoned and very injured lay,

Unto what city did he go on the very next day?

In times past who were allowed in their own ways to go,

Yet God was good to all mankind, the Scriptures tell us so?

Who by Barnabas and Paul were in every church ordained,

And when with fasting they had prayed were to the Lord commended?

When Jews and Gentiles made assault upon the Godly men,

And using them despitefully what did they to them then?

When Paul spoke of the Living God Who made the earth and heaven,

What else, said he, did He create and all things that are therein?

(The first letters of the answers tell what filled the hearts of the children of men through the goodness of God).

D.B.

ML-08/12/1979

How God Used Rene

Little Rene loved her father very much, even though he wasn’t a Christian. Her mother had been, however, but she had passed away to be with Jesus when Rene was just a tiny baby.

One day little Rene asked, “Day, do you love Jesus?”

How can I love Someone I have never seen?” he replied.

The little girl was silent for a moment. Then she asked, “Daddy, how old was I when Mommy died?”

“Just six months, my pet.”

“I don’t remember seeing Moy,” Rene went on. “I don’t remember her at all, Daddy, but I love her just the same because you have told me how good and kind she was.”

At this her father broke down and big tears began to stream down his cheeks.

“Rene,” he said, “you have given me a message from God. I have never seen Jesus but I have often heard how good and kind and forgiving He is. Pray for me for I want to really trust Him and love Him for all that He has done for me.”

“Whom having not seen, ye love.” 1 Peter 1:8.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

ML-08/12/1979

The Blind Singer

While hunting during his vacation, a young man’s attention was arrested by the sound of a feminine voice singing. As he came nearer to a gorge far away in the mountains in Virginia he recognized the words of the hymn:

There is a happy land,

Far, far away;

Where saints in glory stand,

Bright, bright as day.

Oh, how they sweetly sing,

“Worthy is our Saviour King!”

Loud let His praises ring,

Praise, praise for aye.

Come to this happy land,

Come, come away;

Why will you doubting stand?

Why still delay?

Oh, we shall happy be,

When from sin and sorrow free,

Lord, we shall be with Thee,

Blest, blest for aye.

At last he followed the voice to a log cabin where an old black lady with hair as white as snow was standing outside by her wash-tub singing away as though her heart were overflowing with gladness. She was unusually tall and straight. As the young college student stood enchanted with the scene, he found that she was also blind. She kept on singing and washing. Then straightening up, she turned her sightless eyes heavenward and made the surrounding rocks and mountains ring as her joyful voice was now singing:

We’re feeding on the living Bread,

We’re drinking at the Fountain head;

And whoso drinketh, Jesus said,

Shall never, never thirst again.

O could we make our doubts remove—

These gloomy thoughts that rise;

And see the Canaan that we love

With unbeclouded eyes.

We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,

And soon shall hear the trumpet sound,

And then we shall with Jesus reign,

And never, never part again.

At last the student said to her, “Auntie, you are blind!”

“No, sir,” she said. “I’m not blind! I can’t see you, nor these trees, nor rocks, nor mountains, but I can see into the kingdom. I can see that ‘happy land, far, far away.” "

The young student was so impressed with what he saw and heard, that from then on, he became deeply concerned and convicted of sin. Nor did he rest till he found rest in Jesus. When later he became a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he often told that the echo of that black, blind lady’s song still followed him.

ML-08/12/1979

What a Little Boy Supplied

When Jesus fed five thousand men,

Their wives and children all,

There came a little boy to Him

In answer to His call.

He only had five barley loaves,

And fishes numbering two,

But in the hands of Jesus, oh,

What great things they could do!

He gave up all to Jesus;

How great was his reward!

For when each one had eaten,

In obedience to the Lord,

Twelve baskets full of fragments

There were taken up, we read;

So what the little boy supplied

Had more than met their need.

ML-08/12/1979

Who?

Who tips the daisy’s petals red?

And sets a crown upon her head?

A crown of gold fit for a queen

Someone whose hands are never seen.

Who tints each flower with lovely hue?

And paints the sky in brightest blue?

Who weaves a grassy carpet green?

Someone whose hands are never seen.

Who holds the rainbow in the skies?

And blends the sunset’s gorgeous dyes?

Who threads the heavens with starry skein?

Someone whose hands are never seen.

Someone whose hands we do not see

Made everything-and you and me;

For you and me He died between

Two thieves-and there His hands were seen!

W.M.

ML-08/12/1979

A Police Officer's Refuge

Mr. Gibbons was a police officer in Bermuda. He used to make his rounds on his bicycle, for until recent years no cars were allowed on this beautiful island in the Atlantic.

One night when on duty, as he neared Somerset Bridge, he was caught in a sudden rainstorm. Quickly he looked for some shelter, and, seeing a two-story building with a big flight of open stairs outside, he wheeled his bike behind the wall and under the staircase to keep out of the rain.

As Mr. Gibbons stood there in the shelter of the stairs, while the rain poured down, he realized a gospel meeting was in progress upstairs and heard one telling out the sweet message of Jesus and His love for sinners everywhere. As he listened to the old, old story told forth once again, he believed and was saved; for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17.) He had found the Saviour, the only Saviour, and a Friend, One who from then on would watch over and care for him all the way from earth to heaven. Then, too, not only had he found a temporary shelter from the rain, but a shelter from the judgment of God against sin—for all eternity.

ML-08/12/1979

God-of-the-Lady-Upstairs

Memory Verse: “Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” Psalm 88:5

Celia shocked her Jewish rabbi father when she expressed her determination to become an actress. She was a young lady of poise and charm and soon found an opportunity to train for the ballet in her Old World homeland. After her first season she came to America where the bright lights of New York were beckoning.

Celia starred in the musical, “Blossom Time,” and from then on she tasted of success. She experienced the intoxicating delight of being sought after and acclaimed. One of her admirers was Abe, a New York business man, and their courtship soon led to their marriage.

Life now held everything she had ever asked of it, and more. That it could also hold sorrow and bitterness she would have refused to believe; for others, perhaps, but not for her.

Only five years later Celia had become the shadow of her former self, with all the joy and sparkle gone out of her. What had happened? She and Abe felt their happiness complete having been blessed with two beautiful children, but their joy had been short-lived after David, their first child, had died after an attack of pneumonia. Then Rachel, a beautiful little girl of three, had been killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Abe sought to drown his grief in business and social activities, but Celia would not be comforted. For months she withdrew from all social life and brooded over her loss.

It was not until their third child, little Joseph, was placed in her arms that Celia began to live again. Ever mindful of the two little ones who had been snatched from her, she guarded this boy as her own life.

Then quite without warning, while her husband was away on business, this baby became ill with a mastoid complication. The doctor held out little hope; the child might live through the night, he might not.

It was after the doctor left that Celia, standing over her baby’s crib with tormented eyes and haggard face cried out, “How can there be a God?” No just and merciful Being, she reasoned, would take her babies from her one after the other. It never entered her head to turn to her devout father or look into the teachings of the Jewish religion. The ritual of the Synagogue could not, she felt, help her now.

During that fateful evening a knock came at Celia’s door. She opened it to find the warm-hearted lady upstairs.

“I heard your baby crying,” she said, “and came down to see if there’s anything I can do.” Moved by her neighbor’s sympathetic concern, Celia asked her to be seated and sobbed out her story, ending with the words, “And there seems to be no hope.”

“We must never give up hope,” replied her friend kindly. “You know we have a Father in heaven who never forsakes those who trust Him. If we confess His dear Son as our Saviour and pray to Him in faith, He has promised to hear and answer our prayers. Then, taking a small New Testament from her purse, she read: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.... Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do.” John 14:1,13.

“And now I am going to pray for your baby,” she went on, “and you must pray for him, too. But you must remember to ask in the name of Jesus, your true but rejected Messiah, as the Bible says.”

Jesus! Celia winced, for that name had ever been a forbidden one in her childhood home. But in spite of all this, her heart was strangely stirred as she now listened to this godly woman pray for her baby’s recovery.

As soon as she was left alone, Celia made a momentous decision. She would do anything if it would mean the saving of her child. She dropped to her knees as she had seen her neighbor do and cried, “O God-of-the-lady-upstairs! I don’t know anything about Thee, but if you spare my baby’s life, I’ll do anything Thou shalt ask.”

At that moment she sensed a Presence in the room and her heart was filled with wonder for she knew it could be none other than the lady’s Jesus. She ran to the crib and saw that the child had fallen into a natural sleep. Skeptical, she laid her hand on his head; it was no longer hot to her touch. From that hour her baby began to mend.

At her first opportunity Celia bought a Bible and diligently read for herself. God led her step by step until the day came when she saw that this same Jesus, who had been so misunderstood and rejected by her people was in very truth the Promised One of Israel foretold by Moses and the Hebrew Prophets. She believed and confessed Him as her Saviour and Lord. The God-the-lady-upstairs had proved to be the only Saviour for her.

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

ML-08/19/1979

The Way Home

It was a dark stormy night, and little Peter had lost his way in the streets of the big city. He was crying bitterly.

A policeman saw him and asked him his name and address.

“You’re not very far from home,” he told Peter. “Go down this street eight blocks, then cross over the bridge, make a right turn and you’ll see your home.”

But Peter was hardly listening. He was cold and frightened. He was just about to turn away when he heard another voice say in a kindly tone, “Here, my boy, I’ll take you home!” A kind friendly man threw his coat over the boy’s frail little shoulders, and Peter felt his hand clasped in a big strong hand as they walked along together.

Soon Peter was safe in his warm home.

The policeman had told Peter the way to his home, but the other kind man had both shown and taken him there!

The Lord Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” that leads to the Father’s house above. He does not leave us to find our way there: He goes with us. If we trust Him as our Saviour, He will lead us safely to our eternal home where we shall be with Him forever.

ML-08/19/1979

A Tramp Saved

A poor derelict man from the Skid Row district wandered into the gospel mission. A young Christian present spoke to him of the needs of his soul.

“I don’t believe the Bible,” said the man. The young believer repeated one verse, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3.

He said again, “I told you I don’t believe the Bible.”

Again the young man quoted him, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

The drifter became angry. “You disgusting fellow,” he exclaimed, “What’s the use of telling me that?”

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” returned the young Christian.

Flushed with anger, the man struck him in the face with his fist, knocking him down.

Nevertheless, the young believer quietly got on his feet again and said, “My friend, God loves you. Remember this: ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ "

The next evening the man was back in the mission again before the service began. Said he to all those present: “I could not sleep last night. It seemed that all over the wall in my room I could read those words, ‘Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ I saw them on my pillow. When I got up there they were at the breakfast table. All day long I have seen them. I can’t get away from them. I know that except I repent, I shall perish. I have come back here to get right with God.”

The man was in earnest. A truly repentant sinner he came to Christ that night at the mission hall and went out a saved and happy man—no longer to tread the paths of sin and shame, but to love and live for Christ who had washed all his sins away and bought him with his precious blood.

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

ML-08/19/1979

Who Cares?

An evangelist one day visited one of the editors of one of our leading American newspapers. Taking him by the hand he said to him, “I have come to ask you to be a Christian.” The editor withdrew his hand, turned and walked across to one of the windows, and stood looking down into the street below.

The evangelist thought he had grieved him. Finally the man returned, his face wet with tears. Then, taking the evangelist’s hand again, he said, “Thank you, sir. With the exception of my mother when I was a bit of a boy at her knee, nobody, not even my wife or my best friend, not even the preacher, has ever put such a question to me.” Then, sinking into a chair, he added, “I thought no one cared.”

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

ML-08/19/1979

Saved by the Book

Memory Verse: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Pedro was an angry young man, and he had reason to be. When Pedro was thirteen years old, guerrillas had brutally killed his pants and his brother right before his eyes. Now at sixteen his heart burned with vengeance.

Pedro crossed the backland trails of the Andes in Columbia looking for an opportunity to even the score with those who had caused him such grief.

Somewhere in that remote area Pedro came in contact with a student from a Christian school in Armenia some distance away. This humble servant of Christ was on an evangelistic trip, preaching the gospel as he went along. When Pedro heard the truth of God’s love to unworthy sinners and of His offer of forgiveness of sins to all who trust in His Son as their Saviour, the Lord opened his heart, he repented of his sins and believed the message.

Pedro was saved—wonderfully saved—through the message of God’s Book, the Bible. The following year when the Christian school opened in Armenia, Pedro was there as a student—together with the student evangelist who had won him to Christ.

Pedro studied all that year, and when the session was over, Pedro returned to his familiar mountain trails—this time not with evil purposes but with the Word of God in his hand.

One day as he traveled on foot an army patrol suddenly broke out from its hiding place. The patrol was under orders to kill anyone without correct identification pers—and that very day Pedro had lost his!

In vain he tried to explain why he did not have his papers. The anger of the soldiers mounted. They believed he was another of the guerrillas who had been responsible for so much suffering and death. Pedro had no doubt that the soldiers’ threat to execute him were real.

His mind went to the promises of God’s faithfulness to His own, even unto death. And where were these promises? In the Bible!

Pedro took his Bible from the small bag he was carrying and began to explain to the soldiers his mission—that of urging people to find peace and salvation through Jesus Christ.

With keen interest the captain stepped forward, at the same time ordering his men to stop their harassment.

“Where did you study the Bible?” the captain asked.

“At the Christian school in Armenia,” Pedro responded, totally unaware of what that answer would do for him.

“You can go free!” exclaimed the captain. “I know what you stand for. I trained at the Army Base at Armenia and have been at that school. I know the director there. We played basketball together and I listened to the message of the Word of God.

“You can go free, and as long as you are in this territory, I will be responsible for your safety.”

Pedro resumed his journey, realizing with deep thankfulness that once again he had been saved by the message of the Book.

Today Pedro still preaches the gospel in Columbia. He is alive and serving the Lord because twice the Word of God brought salvation to him.

H.G.

—The Witness

ML-08/26/1979

"No Hope!"

“No, Mother, I can’t eat anything. I’m not hungry.” “Then, my boy, you must be sick. I’ll take your temperature.”

When my temperature was taken, I was sent to bed at once. Later that evening, I was awakened and had to sit up so that the doctor could examine me. I felt very ill and could scarcely breathe. Outside the wind was howling and lashing against the windows with all the fury of a late winter storm. At last the doctor spoke.

“I’m sorry to tell you,” he said in a whisper to my mother, “your son is very ill and I’m afraid there’s no hope for him.”

The last words reached my ears and I repeated to myself, “No hope... no hope!” “I’m going to hell,” I thought: for I knew that I had done and said wrong things that would shut me out of heaven. My mind was confused and afraid. Then suddenly it cleared for a moment. Quickly I repeated to the Lord Jesus:

“Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee;

O Lamb of God, I come!”

Then with peace in my heart I fell asleep and didn’t wake up for three days.

Slowly I recovered from that terrible illness, but I have never forgotten that dark stormy night when I found Christ as my Saviour and He washed all my sins away in His own precious blood shed for me on the cross of Calvary.

Boys and girls, don’t delay! No matter how young you are, you need to be saved. If you have never opened wide the door of your heart and asked the Lord Jesus to come in, then do it NOW!

Into my heart, into my heart,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come in TODAY; come in to stay!

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

ML-08/26/1979

Debbie Finds a Friend

Debbie’s father was a fisherman. The family lived in a little cottage down by the sea. Debbie had never gone to Sunday school and she had never read the Bible. Until she was nine years old she had never heard about the Lord Jesus.

Then one day a little girl named Jennie came to live nearby. The two girls became the best of friends.

Late one afternoon Debbie and Jennie started on a long walk. There were so many things to see. They scrambled over the rocks and picked up the pretty shells and little sea creatures which the storm washed ashore. The sparkling waves and foam seemed specially beautiful to the two young friends as they strolled along the beach.

“How wonderful it all is!” exclaimed Jennie. “Do you think the sea that Jesus walked on was like this?”

“What sea was that?” asked Debbie.

“The Sea of Galilee, I think,” replied Jennie. “He walked on the water in a storm and said to the wild waves, ‘Peace, be still!’ and it was calm right away.”

“But how could He make it quiet?” asked Debbie. “No one could do that.”

“Oh yes, He could!” said Jennie emphatically. “He is God! He can do everything, and...”

But before she could say another word, Debbie jumped up.

“Jennie,” she exclaimed, “the water is coming in so fast. We shall never reach the gap before it covers the sands.”

Closer and closer came the tide. One more minute and it would be too late.

Just then the girls spied a boat drawn up on the sand. The Lord had provided a way of safety for them.

The girls stepped into the boat and watched the water swirl and dash around them. At last Jennie spoke.

“Debbie,” she said, “don’t you think we should thank the Lord Jesus for saving us?”

“He didn’t save us,” answered Debbie; “He wasn’t even here.”

“Oh, Debbie,” explained Jennie, “don’t you know, He’s always here? He hears every word we say and He knows everything we do. Shall I tell you about Him?” And without waiting for an answer, Jennie began telling Debbie how the Lord Jesus came down from heaven as a little babe in the manger. When He became a Man He went about doing good, healing the sick, making the blind to see and the deaf people to hear. He even raised dead people to life again.

Then Jennie went on to tell about the shameful crown of thorns they made Him wear, and how they nailed Him on a wooden cross on which He died, all because He loved us and died for our sins.

When Jennie finished her story, she saw the tears rolling down Debbie’s cheeks.

“Oh, Jennie,” she asked, “was it for me He died?”

“Of course; it was for you, as much as for me, Debbie,” explained Jennie. “Now He says, ‘Come unto Me and believe that I died for you.”

“I do believe it,” said little Debbie, “but it seems too wonderful to be true. How could He die for the likes of me?”

For many weary hours the girls sat in the boat. Night came on so that the wind and waves tossed the little boat about.

“Let’s ask the Lord to send someone,” said Jennie at last. Getting down on their knees the two girls prayed to their Father to send someone to help. And He who hears and answers prayer heard and directed a boat which had been searching for them. They were rescued and were soon home and in their beds.

Debbie never forgot that night on the wild sea. When she grew up and had little ones of her own she often told them this story. But she always would finish with these words: “Yes, children, we can praise the Lord for that storm. He took that way to speak to my troubled heart, and bring me in peace to Himself.”

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

ML-08/26/1979

How Jimmie Preached

Little Jim was only four years old, but he had been to Sunday school, and one day he surprised his mother by preaching the gospel to her. He had a kind teacher who believed that little children could come to Jesus and be saved. One Sunday morning she wrote on the blackboard the words of the Lord Jesus, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

When they were having their dinner that day, the little fellow all at once put his knife and fork on his plate, and looking up into his mother’s face said, “Mommy, don’t you want to have all your sins washed away? You have only to come to Jesus, for He says, ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ " His mother turned very pale, for these words made a deep impression upon her.

ML-08/26/1979

Lucy's Return: A Letter from a Returned Prodigal

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

Dear Brother: You will be surprised to hear from me. It is now two years since I entered the Gospel Hall, and, thank God, I was saved that night. I shall never forget it. My conversion was most wonderful. Seven days before I was saved, I tried to take my life, but God kept me from doing so.

I remember I quarreled with my mother because she would not let me go to dances and shows; but I was determined and very worldly, so I told her I would leave home and she would never see me any more. I took the last train at night for the city where I thought I would not be seen, leaving behind all those who were dear to me.

When I got off at the station, I was quite taken up with the gaiety of the city. I was sure I would soon get plenty of companions, which I soon did. I got a job where I could get out almost every night, and I went in for everything that was worldly. There was scarcely a night that I wasn’t at a theater or a dance. I never gave a thought for my little home in the country, where a dear mother was praying to God to bring her wandering child back to her. Nor did I think of the many who were looking for me in vain.

Things went smoothly for three years without my parents knowing my whereabouts. Then my job ran out and I was left in the big city with a tarnished character, without a friend, and no money. I had wasted all my earnings on companions who turned their back on me when my money was spent. Then a dear woman I had known gave me a week’s lodging. I went to my room, threw myself on my bed and cried. Forsaken and alone, all the world seemed against me. Never in those three years had I thought of uttering a prayer or cry to God, until I was penniless and in utter despair. I had led a wicked life, and now the time had come, I thought, for God to punish me.

I was in this condition for seven days, and the last day happened to be Sunday. I could not sleep all night, and prayed asking God to forgive me for all I had done. When dawn came, I decided to end it all, but even as I walked up the street that day, I met a friend who asked me to go with her to the gospel meeting, which I did.

Never shall I forget that night, for I still hear the words of the preacher, “Prepare to meet thy God! This night thy soul shall be required of thee!” I was struck dumb at the words, but his message seemed to get sweeter, until he came to another text: “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.

I gave myself to the Saviour right then and there, and He did not turn me away, thank God. I went on my way rejoicing in the knowledge that my sins were forgiven, Jesus had saved me, and I was on my way home to heaven.

That same night I wrote home, asking Mother to forgive me. I was very anxious to get a letter back from her, but one never came; she came herself instead. Never shall I forget that day when we met after the long absence. She threw her arms around my neck, and cried bitterly. It was a joyful meeting.

I came home after that, but it was only to see her die. I had broken her poor heart. She is in heaven now, and many a time I sit down and cry when I think of all the bad I had done and the sorrow it caused Mother. But I know the Lord has forgiven me. I am trusting in His precious blood and am sure I shall meet Mother in heaven one day.

Now, dear brother, may God bless you and spare you long to preach the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. I remain, Your sister in our soon-coming Lord, L.I.

ML-09/02/1979

Saved From the Well

Patty’s mother had told her not to play near the old well. But Patty played near there anyway. The well was covered with boards. She stood on them and jumped up and down. Then a board broke! And Patty fell down into the dark well.

“Help!” she screamed.

There was no water in the well, thankful to say. It had been partly filled with dirt. However, rain water had run in and turned the dirt into black, sticky mud. Patty went down, down, and down into the mud.

Mother heard her little girl’s scream and came running. She pulled off some more of the boards and tried to reach Patty, but her little girl was too far down. She was going down more and more into the mud.

“Help! Help!” called Patty’s mother. Then she broke off some more of the boards and dropped them down beside Patty. Patty took hold of the boards and tried to pull herself out of the mud, but this failed. Mother jumped down beside her. She stayed on the boards and tried to pull Patty out of the mud, but Patty was too far in.

Some men had heard Mother cry for help and they hurried to the rescue. They got ahold of Patty and strong arms pulled her out of the mud. They pulled both Patty and Mother out of the old well.

Patty was not hurt, but she was covered with mud. Mother gave her a warm hath and then put her to bed. Then she sat down beside her little girl.

“I felt so much better when you got down there with me,” said Patty. “But I’m glad you didn’t get in the mud, too.”

“If I had sunk in the mud I couldn’t have helped you,” said Mother.

“But I want to tell you of something worse than black sticky mud. It is sin. Sin is like the mud. It keeps pulling you down, and you sink into it deeper and deeper. We cannot get out of it by our own strength. The more we try to save ourselves the deeper we sink.

The Lord Jesus came from heaven. In Him was no sin—He was holy, harmless, undefiled. In Him was love, and there was power in that love. He came down to where we were. He went down into that deep dark pit of sin, and He was punished for us when He died for sin upon the cross. God now says if one believes in Jesus, His dear Son, as his Saviour, He will forgive that one his sins. “Their sins,” He says, “and iniquities will I remember no more,” because Jesus has died.

Patty did ask the Lord to save her. And that very day she was saved twice—saved from the muddy well and then saved from the horrible pit of sin and death and judgment.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psalms 40:1-3.

ML-09/02/1979

Samson and the Lion

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.” Judges 14:5,6.

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

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.

Booborowie, South Australia, is a wide treeless plain covered with fields of clover. This clover prides good flows of honey during summer months. Because of the absence of better sites, bees will establish colonies in anything which offers a shelter, from the boxes of seed drills to a roof corner of a shed, and from rabbit burrows to old drums in rubbish dumps.

I was walking over a hill on the south side of the clover field, and I came to the carcass of a horse which had died some months previously.

It was now a sun-dried hide stretched over a skeleton. What I had taken for a cloud of blowflies proved to be a swarm of bees. Looking through a gap in the hide, I found that they had established a colony inside. I did not have a veil with me nor a smoker to quiet the bees, so I received numerous stings on the face while reaching through the entrance to break off a large piece of the honeycomb. But I counted it well worth the pain because I was able to do what Samson had done over 3,000 years ago; I ate some honey from a hive which had been established in the carcass of a dead animal.

Later, and this time with a smoker and veils to protect our faces, I showed this reminder of a Biblical story to some Christian friends.

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-09/02/1979

Little Mary's Faith

“How do you know your father will be on the train?” a traveler asked a little girl as she waited at the station.

“Because he said he would,” replied Mary brightly.

“But suppose he does not mean it?” he continued, wishing to discover how firmly she believed her father.

“Yes, he will. Daddy never says things and doesn’t do them. He said for me to be here in the station. Then when the train comes, he will get off and take me with him.”

“But what if the train doesn’t come?” he added kindly.

“Well, that won’t be Daddy’s fault!” Mary answered with decision.

“Perhaps he missed the train.”

“Oh, my Daddy keeps his word no matter what happens. If he thought he would miss the train, he would hurry and catch it some way. Daddy says we should keep our word like God keeps His. And God never breaks a promise.”

“Dear little girl,” the traveler remarked at last, if you always believe God as you believe your father, you will never regret it.”

Just then the train came rolling into the station. Moments later Mary was in her father’s arms. “I knew you’d come, Daddy,” she said, as she threw her arms around his neck.

In the same way we know that God will keep His word. He never fails His promise. Let us believe His word as much as Mary believed her father. God will not disappoint us. The Lord Jesus will come for us just at the right time—His time.

—Good News

ML-09/02/1979

She Took My Seat: No Second Chance

Memory Verse: The Lord said, “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” Job 33:24

May 26, 1979 will be remembered as one of the saddest days on the calendar in many homes and families in this generation.

It was Saturday afternoon, and American Airlines flight 191 took off at 3:02 from O’Hare Airport on a nonstop flight to Los Angeles. As the giant DC-10 jet liner left the ground at more than 200 miles per hour, the left wing engine dropped off onto the concrete runway and bounced in a spurt of flame. The plane continued to climb to an altitude of about 200 feet, then went into a deep bank, cartwheeled in midair, and crashed in a billow of flames less than a mile from the runway.

Not one survivor!-273 lives lost, including two killed on the ground —the largest death toll in United States aviation history.

One of the many stories that has come out of this dreadful tragedy is about two young ladies who met for the first time—and the last—at the airport just before the fatal crash. One was a Christian and she told a reporter, “My parents wired me the money to purchase a plane ticket and fly home for summer vacation. I packed my clothes and said goodbye to my friends. My roommate drove me to the airport and I was waiting to board the plane.”

She was booked to fly on Flight 191, and while waiting she met another young lady also traveling to California. They were to fly on different flights. The Christian girl was scheduled for the earlier 191 flight.

As the two of them sat and talked, the Christian girl discovered that her new friend had an important appointment and needed to arrive earlier than she was scheduled. The Christian girl thought for a moment and said, “I have an idea! I don’t need to be at home at any certain time. All I would need to do would be to call my folks and let them know I will arrive later. You can go in my place, and I will go in yours.” Her friend was delighted and thankfully agreed to it immediately.

The girls made the necessary arrangements with the airline officials and the exchange was made. Shortly after the one boarded the earlier plane and the other waited for the later flight.

It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that the young Christian who had so graciously given her seat to her companion learned of the terrible tragedy. She knew that God had chosen to spare her life.

Doubtless one of the first thoughts to enter her mind was, “Did the young girl who took my seat go to heaven or to hell?” And, dear rear, if you had been on that ill-fated plane, where would you be today?

If you are unsaved, we would urge you to come to the Saviour now. Make no delay. Here in His Word He has shown us the way.

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

“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-09/09/1979

Jenny Lind

Jenny Lind was the world-famous Swedish singer of years ago. She used to come to New York and give concerts. One day she paid a visit to a boat anchored in the New York harbor. This boat was a chapel where a man of God named Olaf Hedstrom, used to preach the gospel.

Jenny Lind was at the height of her fame and influence in the musical world at the time of her visit to the gospel ship. She heard Mr. Hedstrom preach and was deeply impressed. After the service she had a long talk with the preacher and he spoke to her faithfully about her need of salvation. Soon they were on their knees in prayer and Jenny Lind was weeping. She well knew the vanities of the world and felt, too, her need of the Saviour. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Scripture tells us in Romans 10:13. Jenny Lind did call upon the Lord, and right then and there she was gloriously saved.

The faithful servant of Christ did not mince words. He talked about heaven and hell, about sin and judgment. He pointed her to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

After this Jenny Lind wrote Mr. Hedstrom many times, expressing her appreciation for having led her to the Lord. One day she wrote saying she would never appear on the stage or in the theater again. She left it all behind for Christ. Because of this many expressed strong resentment against her religion and against Olaf Hedstrom, but she kept her promise. Never again did she appear in opera.

Some years later a visitor found Jenny Lind reading her Bible. “Why did you leave the stage?” he asked.

Looking out toward the beautiful sunset, the singer said simply, “Because it blinded my eyes to that.” And then looking down at her Bible she added, “And because it blinded my eyes to this.”

At the time of her conversion she had said: “There is no peace in created things. They cannot give happiness, but only increase my anxiety. There is no peace, O God, until my soul finds peace in Thee.”

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,” says the blessed Saviour, “and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” John 14:27.

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

ML-09/09/1979

Henry's Lesson

Close to Henry Johnson’s home was a pond. He and his elder brother, George, had made a raft, and they had quite some adventures floating about on it on the pond. One day during summer vacation, George had to go to the vissage nearby. He would be away for some time, and this gave Henry the chance he had so long waited for. He and George often quarreled about the raft because Henry always insisted on steering it.

Mrs. Johnson, the boys’ mother, was an invalid and confined to her bed. She was very nervous at the thought of her sons’ adventures on the pond. When Mrs. Johnson had learned that George had gone to town, she told her nurse to tell Henry that on no account was he to go out on the raft. But Henry was quite proud of himself and, sad to say, disobedient. He said to himself, “Mother doesn’t understand—as if a fellow of nine can’t take care of himself.”

So off Henry went to the pond, and after considerable effort he managed to get the raft into the water. As he leaped on board it floated away and, losing his balance, he fell into the water almost up to his chin. With much difficulty he managed to scramble back onto the raft, but chilled by the cold water, he guided his craft to the bank again and ran home as fast as he could. It was impossible to conceal from the nurse what had happened, for his dripping clothes told the tale. And he knew that when his mother learned of his disobedience, she would be deeply grieved. Now he was miserable and felt very sorry, because he loved his mother. How could he tell her, and obtain her forgiveness, as the nurse would not allow him into his mother’s room? After some time and much anxious thought, Henry made up his mind.

Getting a slate, he wrote on it: Dear Mother, I am sorry that I did what you told me not to. I went out on the raft on the pond and fell into the water. I am so unhappy because I disobeyed you. Will you forgive me? If you do, rub this out and send me back the slate again.”

Taking the slate to his mother’s door, Henry knocked. When the nurse opened the door, Henry asked her to take the slate in to his mother. A few minutes later the nurse came back and handed him the slate.

Henry scarcely dared to look at it, but plucking up courage he did so, and found it wiped quite clean. Oh how relieved he was to know his dear mother had forgiven him, and he loved her more than ever.

We know from the Bible that “all have sinned,” (Rom. 3:23), and all sin is against God—every evil thought, word and deed. But God can forgive, now that Jesus has died. If one repents and is sorry for his sins, he has only to go to God and tell Him so. God is gracious and ready to forgive, and the blood of Jesus wipes the slate all clean.

But God does much more than this. He takes the forgiven one into His family. He becomes a child of God by faith in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The sin question will never come up again, for He says, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Isaiah 44:22.

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” Psalms 103:13

ML-09/09/1979

The Rolling Woman

A missionary in India tells of seeing a strange sight one day. A native woman was rolling along the road. She was not doing it for money, but through it she hoped to have her sins forgiven.

They had gone to visit one of the villages when they saw four wen with bundles on their heads and one carrying a brown flag. This flag was the sign that they were on a pilgrimage. The missionaries thought one of the bundles was lying on the ground, but when “the bundle” started rolling along, they saw it was a thickly padded little woman doing her penance on the highway. A red flag was tied to her feet to warn the oncoming traffic.

She had already traveled many miles but still had many more to go. She was a follower of the goddess Yellama whose temple was at Pandrapier, and this was where they were going to worship. They did about three miles a day.

They had no desire to listen to the Gospel story. They would not believe when they were told that they did not need to go rolling along the road to obtain the forgiveness of their sins. Salvation was a gift from God, God who so loved them that He sent His Son to die for them. He rose again from the dead and was alive in heaven, ready to save them and forgive all their sins if they would only believe on Him. The four women began clapping their hands and singing their songs of love to their goddess while their friend rolled along quite happily.

The missionaries turned away feeling so sad that these poor souls would not listen to the message that would have brought them life, peace and true happiness.

Are you “rolling along” through life not listening to the sweet gospel message? We are not saved by our own doings, but according to God’s mercy. “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.” Ephesians 2:8,9. On the cross the Lord Jesus did all the work for our salvation; we have no strength to do anything. He did it all on Calvary, and now there is nothing left to do but believe.

ML-09/09/1979

Safe Under The Rock

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

It was a hot summer day and a forest fire raged along the slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Started by the explosion of a dynamite charge, the fire was soon out of control, and, racing up the canyon, it spread from ridge to ridge, where it burned for days.

Old Indian Joe came riding up the canyon on his pony and stopped to watch the fire fighters at work on the mountain side. For some time he gazed at the devouring flames and billows of smoke. Unnoticed by him the fire crept up from another side of the slope. Then suddenly he realized that he was surrounded by flames and could not go back by the way he came. The face of the cliff was too steep for him to climb, but not for the fire, and soon it was roaring up to the clearing where old Joe and his horse stood. The fire fighters saw him and called to warn him of his danger.

Old Joe had to act quickly. Jumping off his horse he took a leather strap and brought it down with a resounding slap on the horse’s flank. The startled horse took off on its own down the slope, going the safest way it knew, while Joe looked after it hoping it would reach safety.

Jutting out from the cliff was a huge rock, underneath which was a bare spot, void of all grass or bushes. Lowering his head, old Joe made a dive through the smoke and flames and reached the shelter of the rock; there he crouched in safety. Looking back he could see the fire sweeping across the very spot where he had stood with his horse a few minutes before. He was just in time. The fire fighters thought the old Indian was doomed, but Joe was wise. He sought the shelter of the big rock. The flames raged all around outside, and the rock itself was blackened and scarred, but Joe was safe through it all. Finally when the fire died down, he came forth from his hiding place, and as he gazed at the scene of destruction before him, how thankful he was for the shelter of the rock.

I would like to tell you about another Rock and another fire. We read of how “a man shall be as a hiding place... and a covert from the tempest;... as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isa. 32:2. We know that Man is the Lord, for David calls Him “my Rock and my Fortress.” Psa. 18:2. Again in 1 Cor. 10:4 we read “that Rock was Christ.”

The fire is the judgment of God against our sins. Now the Lord Jesus bore that judgment on Calvary’s cross for all who trust Him as their Saviour. There the fire of God’s wrath swept over Him, causing Him to cry out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Psa. 22:1. All that God is against sin broke over the blessed head of that spotless Substitute. And just as the fire consumed the brush around the rock which sheltered old Joe the Indian. Yet the rock remained; so after those awful fires of Calvary had spent themselves, the Rock remained, but the sins of every believer in Jesus were gone—and gone forever.

The Bible tells us of still another fire—“the devouring fire...everlasting burnings.” (Isa. 33:14). This is the end for those who reject the only Saviour of sinners, and perish in their sins. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

ML-09/16/1979

A Little Extra Kindness

In the old city of Jerusalem, long ago, underneath the king’s palace was a storeroom where all sorts of cast-off clothes and rubbish were kept. One day one of the king’s Ethiopian servants, Ebed-melech, might have been seen rummaging among the rubbish picking out some old soft rags.

It so happened that at this time the prophet Jeremiah was confined in a foul dungeon. He had faithfully delivered God’s message to the King and his people, but they refused His word and some of them persecuted His servant. God, hover, was watching over Jeremiah, as He always does those who trust Him. Jeremiah had a friend in Ebed-melech, and God was going to use him in Jeremiah’s deliverance.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will"; so we read in Proverbs 21:1. The king told Ebed-melech to take thirty men and to get Jeremiah up out of the dungeon before he died.

Perhaps one might have asked Ebed-melech, “Why all those old rags? All you need is some rope.” But we can imagine the tender look on the dear black man’s face, as he thought, “My old friend has suffered much and is weak. I hope to make it a little less painful for him when we pull him up.”

So he took the rope and the soft rags to the foul-smelling dungeon where Jeremiah was kept. “Put these old rotten rags under your arms under the cords,” he called down to Jeremiah. Jeremiah did so, and was drawn up out of the dungeon, into the light of day. From then on he remained in the prison court.

We love this story. How touching it is! God thought it worthy to record Ebed-melech’s kindness in His Book. He takes notice of any little kindness done to His own. You can read this story for yourself in Jeremiah 38. Then in Jeremiah 39:15-18 you can read of God’s promise to care for and bless Ebed-melech. “For I will surely deliver thee,... because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the Lord.” verse 18.

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40.

ML-09/16/1979

The Remedy

Little Bill was the only son of Dr. and Mrs. Nome. He was such a loving boy and always lively and happy. But rosy cheeks and a smiley face are not always the signs of health, and Bill’s outward looks were deceiving. The little fellow who was so full of life and joy began to grow dull and weary.

“Daddy,” he exclaimed one day in his fear, “is there no way to go to heaven? Have you any medicine for that?”

Poor man! What answer could he give to such a question? The only Physician who was able to help him he did not go to.

There was, however, one who knew of the only remedy “for such a time as this.” He was not a doctor nor a learned man, but a poor boy who had been a street arab. The doctor had picked him up to run errands and do odd jobs for him.

David was a Christian boy and had often wanted to speak to Bill about the Lord. One day he was very surprised when the doctor came and said, “David, Bill wants to see you. Go and entertain him for a while and cheer him up.

“But one thing I tell you, not a word about religion. You understand?”

“Not speak of the Lord Jesus, Doctor? That is impossible,” exclaimed David. “I must speak of Him.”

The doctor was provoked and sent David away, but before he left the room he called him back again. “Here,” he said, “go and entertain Bill, but see to it that he keeps under the covers.”

With a happy heart David went off to visit Bill and soon was sitting at the bedside of the little sufferer, holding his thin wasted hand in his. Before long he began to tell Bill of his Saviour, of how He died for sinners, and that now He was God’s remedy for sin. To all who believe on His dear Son as their Saviour, God gives a full pardon, for He bore their sins in His own body on the tree.

This was what little Bill was longing for, though he knew it not. Soon he received the Saviour into his heart and found rest and peace in believing.

A little later the doctor entered the room and saw at a glance the change that had taken place in his boy. That sad and troubled face was now beaming with joy and he heard two young voices, one weak and the other strong, singing a sweet hymn of praise to the Saviour.

Sometime later the doctor himself was taken very sick and lingered for some days between life and death. He sent for David who came and sought to cheer his master with words of comfort. In order to make good use of his time, when he thought the doctor was sleeping, he would go over the next Sunday’s memory texts, repeating them in a low tone. Quite often, however, the sick man was not asleep; he did not interrupt the boy, but listened quietly. In this way he heard the Word of God.

One day when David was bringing something to the doctor, he stepped quietly into the room, but the sick man had not heard him enter. On his bed before him lay the open Bible and David heard him whisper in much earnestness, “Oh, Lord Jesus, Thou true and only source of salvation, wash me from my sins!”

The Lord heard his prayer and He did not turn him away. The door came to Jesus and proved the preciousness and value of this only remedy—the only way of salvation—Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

ML-09/16/1979

Two King Edwards

Two very interesting little incents are supposed to have taken place in the lives of two of England’s kings both of whom were named Edward.

One day King Edward VI and some of his court attendants were assembled together, when one of them wanted something just out of his reach. Looking around for something to stand on, the attendant saw a large Bible—and carelessly laying it on the floor, he stepped on it, and reaching up he grasped hold of the thing he desired.

The King, not wanting to embarrass his attendant, said nothing, but instead, stooped down and picked up the Bible, kissed it, and laid it on a table. The King knew the value of the Book that he held and who was its Author; he did not want it to be despised.

King Edward VII lived three hundred years later. When he was a boy, his mother, Queen Victoria, gave him a little gospel paper. Years later, when he was dying, he remembered it and asked one of his attendants to find it for him. It was found and read to him, and God used its message to give him peace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ before he died.

How solemn it would be if the Bible only told us we were sinners doomed to eternal punishment by a holy God, if it did not tell us how that same God so loved us that He sent His only Son into the world to be our Saviour and to bring us back to Himself!

But instead, what a wonderful Book the Bible is, for it tells us of Jesus who died for us, who lives again in heaven, and who is coming back for all those who have been cleansed by His precious blood.

ML-09/16/1979

A Humble King

A French king was found one day by some of his attendants engaged in teaching his cook’s little boy out of the Scriptures.

They said it was beneath his dignity as the king of France to be engaged in teaching his cook’s child.

His answer was a noble one. “My friends,” he said, “this boy has a soul that is as precious as mine, and it was bought with the same precious blood. If it was not beneath the dignity of my Saviour, the King of glory, to die for him, it is not beneath the dignity as king of France to tell him what has been done for his salvation.”

ML-09/16/1979

The Song on the Doorstep

John Vassar loved to win souls for the Saviour. On one occasion he was going from door to door giving out tracts, talking with people, and seeking to bring Christ to their souls. One lady, when she heard what he was doing, said, “If he comes to my house, I will slam the door in his face.”

The next day John Vassar rang her doorbell without knowing what she had said. Sure enough, when she saw who it was at the door, she slammed the door in his face. John sat down on her doorstep and sang,

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The depth of love I owe;

Dear Lord, I yield my heart, my all

To Thee who loved me so.

The woman heard the earnest song, and her deep need of the Saviour was suddenly impressed on her heart. Opening the door she invited John Vassar to come in, and he had the joy of leading her to Christ.

ML-09/16/1979

Sonya's Song: An Atheist Girl Comes to Christ

Memory Verse: “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Psalm 34:8

Sonya, whose father is a high-ranking Communist official and whose mother, too, is very active in the Communist party, lives in Moldavia. This is a Soviet republic bordering on Romania. Sonya’s true story comes to us from a Russian believer who recently emigrated to the United States from the Soviet Union.

It was a crisp Sunday afternoon in mid-autumn. Sonya lifted her hand and caught a red leaf, abruptly ending its slow, swirling dance downward to the dusty, unpaved street. She was glad for this quiet part of the city and for a chance to be alone after chattering all afternoon with her university friends.

As Sonya walked along, she began to hear music—beautiful singing. It seemed to come from a yard completely surrounded by a high board fence with a heavy wooden gate. She had never heard such sweet melodic song before, so full of warmth and joy. She pushed the gate open a crack and looked inside.

In the middle of the yard sat a modest house that served as a meeting room for a Christian group. Sonya could see that the house was bursting with people because a large, overflow crowd stood in the yard.

Some of them noticed Sonya as she peeked in through the gate. “Come in,” they said. Sonya followed timidly as the men pushed a narrow path through the crowd. Once inside the building, they helped her find a place to stand where she could see and hear more easily.

Although at first somewhat apprehensive, Sonya quickly found herself caught up in the spirit of the meeting. She enjoyed the singing of the crowd immensely. Then when the preacher began to speak, she listened attentively. For the first time in her life, she heard the Bible read and the gospel message presented—God’s love to lost, ruined man in the gift of His dear Son. She heard that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and salvation through His blood shed in death upon the cross.

Then at the close of the service, the speaker invited any who wished to be saved and to follow the Lord Jesus to remain. Compelled by the inner urging of the Spirit of God (something she had never felt before), Sonya pushed her way to the front to join four other young people.

Then with tears streaming down her young face she told them all: “Friends, all my life I have been told there is no God. In school I was told that religion was for the old, uneducated, illiterate and superstitious babushkas who were still living in the past. In my atheistic home, my parents scoffed at the idea of God and ridiculed those who believed in Him.

“Yet my life was not happy. It was empty and without purpose. In my despair, I turned to my friends and told them about my emptiness and search for some kind of meaning and fulfillment of my life.

“Some of my friends sympathized with me and confessed that they, too, were going through the same difficulties, that their lives were just as empty and meaningless as mine.

“Other friends of mine laughed at me and ridiculed my search for some meaning to life. They told me that one only goes through life once, so I should get everything I could out of it—eat, drink and be merry, because tomorrow we will all be dead. But I was not satisfied with this attitude and advice and continued my search for something that would fill the void in my heart.

“Today, dear friends,” she continued, “for the first time in my life I found exactly what I was searching for. I heard that there is a God, that He loves me, and that He will forgive my sins. I can have peace and joy and wonderful hope of eternal life. My search has come to an end. This is what I want. And from today on I want to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.”

When Sonya left the meeting that night, she had no idea how soon her new commitment to the Lord Jesus would be tested. It happened as soon as she got home.

Usually her parents paid little attention to her. They did not question where she spent her time or seem to care when she came home very late. But this night her parents were waiting for her.

“Where have you been?” her father asked. The parents’ unexpected attentiveness caught Sonya off guard, but she managed to answer honestly. “I have been to a religious service.”

Both parents stared at her in silence, their burning eyes reflecting both shock and amazement. “And what happened there?” her father finally said in icy tones.

“I became a Christian!” Sonya found strength to reply.

At this both angry parents stood up and began to yell, mocking Sonya and cursing her. When her father became so enraged that he began to strike her, she had to flee from home.

Sonya did not come back home until her parents had cooled off. After several days, they permitted her to return, but she lived under the cloud of their bitterness. Why shouldn’t they be bitter, they reasoned. Their only child would never make them proud of her as a good, atheistic Communist. She had “ruined her life.”

Shortly after, officials at the university heard of Sonya’s conversion. They tried to force her to reject her faith and give up Christ. But her Savior stood by her and strengthened her, and when she refused, they expelled her from the university.

Sonya’s steadfastness has brought her persecution by school and government officials and rejection by her relatives and former friends. But to her now Jesus, the Son of God, who loved her and gave Himself for her, is “the chiefest among ten thousand,” “the altogether lovely” One. The all-absorbing desire of her heart now is to live for Him, to follow Him, and to wait for His coming from heaven.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:7-8).

ML-09/23/1979

The Heart's Door

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in.” Revelation 3:20.

At the heart’s door, the Saviour’s knocking;

At the heart’s door, locked in sin;

Don’t you hear Him gently knocking?

Open the door and let Him in.

ML-09/23/1979

Hungarian Christian Young People

It is wonderfully refreshing and encouraging to hear of how the Spirit of God is working in grace in Hungary. During the past two years the Hungarian government has revoked the licenses of several gospel preachers and/or evicted them from their homes. In spite of this, however, there is a growing work among young people and they are leading others to Christ.

“One young college student travels to the most remote parts of Hungary every month by slow train, 300 kilometers, there and 300 kilometers back, to meet with peasant young people and with gypsies and to preach to them the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He leaves late Friday night and doesn’t return until the following Sunday night. He is now finishing up his college work and had an opportunity to get a good position in the city. He declined the offer, however, in order to get closer to the gypsies to whom he brings the glad tidings.

One school girl sacrificed her whole summer vacation and made it a point to be at every event in which Christians gathered in the name of Jesus Christ. There she would clean, cook, wash, and late at night she would help young people in studying the Scriptures.

When her parents planned to take her along on a vacation outside the country, she begged them to let her stay. So what could have been a foreign tour ended up being a one-Saturday event. She spent Friday and Sunday with other Christian workers where she was greatly needed.

“I saw 31 young people who determined to spend their Sunday mornings teaching children about the Bible.”

Then there is a teacher who has been dismissed from his position three times because in class he testified of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet he has been nicknamed by some as “Sunshine Prince” because he is always smiling and his joy radiates from within.

Lacy, the musician, who could very easily be a nationally famous guitarist, ever since his conversion plays only for the glory of the Lord Jesus. He composes his own pieces and wherever he is asked to play, whether it be at a young people’s sing or at the “Communist Youth Union", he witnesses for his Saviour through song.

Slavic Gospel News

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

“I beseech you therefore,... by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1,2.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us;... He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14,15.

ML-09/23/1979

Misdirected

Memory Verse: “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” Acts 15:11

Karen Edholm had been sleeping in her seat as the train carried her along on her monotonous journey. The 700 mile trip from Stockholm, Sweden, to Murjek in Lapland near the Artic Circle seemed to take forever. Outside it was 16 degrees below zero and the country was covered with ice and snow.

The train began to slow down and Karen sleepily opened her eyes. “We must be nearing home at last,” she thought. Then the train suddenly jolted to a stop. Karen sat up quickly.

“Is this Murjek?” she asked a fellow passenger.

He nodded as if to say “yes", so Karen grabbed her handbag and hastily opened the compartment door. Stepping out in the darkness she found herself falling. There was no platform and only the deep snow broke her fall. Getting to her feet she found herself in the middle of nowhere. There was no station and not a soul in sight.

Karen turned to climb back on the train, but it had already started to move on, leaving her behind. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” she screamed, but nobody answered and nothing happened. She had only summer clothes on, and there she stood shivering in the cold as she watched the lights of the train disappear in the distance.

Karen had been misdirected! Standing there helpless in the bitter cold, she was in danger of freezing to death.

How many poor souls there are like Karen!—going along on life’s journey asleep spiritually, hoping all will be well when they reach the end! And if awakened as they near the end with sober, serious thoughts of eternity, how often are they “misdirected” by those who ought to know better or who do not know the way themselves. The Lord Jesus is “the Way,” and all who trust Him as their Saviour will arrive safe Home in heaven at last.

When Karen stepped out into the night, instead of feeling a solid platform under her feet, she found herself falling. Those who have Christ are standing firm on “redemption ground.”

On Christ the solid Rock I stand—

All other ground is sinking sand.

Karen began to stumble along the tracks toward Murjek. It was bitterly cold. She jumped up and down, she flapped her arms and held her breath in an effort to beat the cold. Then she slipped and fell. “I’m going to freeze to death for sure,” she said in anguish.

Half an hour later she jumped for joy at the sound of another train. As the train approached she shouted and waved her arms. Alas! no one heard or saw her, and the train thundered past. Soon all was quiet.

“Does no one care?” she groaned.

But there is One that knows and cares, unsaved reader, you who are still out in the darkness of this cold world, still in your sins. Jesus cares about you, and “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

Karen dragged one foot after another along the barren tracks. An hour later she was almost unconscious on her feet, her clothes stiff with ice.

Then rescue came. A breakdown trolley came clattering down the tracks, and the men were amazed to find a half-frozen Karen on the railroad. Tenderly they wrapped her in their own coats and carried her to safety. The doctors stated that in 30 minutes more Karen would have frozen to death. She was saved just in time!

How many have come that close in their soul’s experience—saved just in time! But the Lord Jesus doesn’t want you to wait that long. Delay may be fatal. He wants to save you now! He wants to pick you up in those everlasting arms of love, wrap you in the robe of His own righteousness and carry you safe home to the love and light, to the warmth and glory of the Father’s house above, where you will be the object of His love and care forever.

" For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-09/30/1979

A Bad Penny

Bobby lived in the days when one could buy the best candy for a penny—if one had the penny. And a quarter could buy ever so many things.

“I want 24¢ worth of ground beef, please!” Bobby watched as the butcher took the meat from the glass case. He weighed it carefully and wrapped it in brown paper.

“Here you are, Sonny!” The butcher smiled at the eight-year-old boy who was seriously handing him a quarter. “And here’s your change.”

Bobby took the penny that the butcher held out. In a few moments he was in the grocery store next door standing in front of the candy case. He pointed out the candy he wanted, and then was on his way home, eating his candy as he went.

It was really so easy! And there was no way that anyone would ever find out.

Bobby had it all figured out before. Once a week Mother would send him to the store for 25 worth of ground beef. It was so simple to just say "24 worth” to the butcher and then he had a penny for candy. No one would know that he was really stealing it.

Bobby was quite proud of the way he had everyone fooled. At least, in the day time—but the nights were another matter! The nights—well!—they were pretty rough sometimes. Yes, Bobby’s conscience was pricking him. He had gone to Sunday school for as long as he could remember. His teacher had taught him how awful sin was and that God must punish those who are sinners. But she had taught him, too, of God’s love, and about the Lord Jesus dying on the cross for sinners to save them from judgment to come.

Then there was another thing. His teacher also often talked about the Lord Jesus coming back for those who sins He bore, to take them to heaven with Him. Mother and Dad often talked about these things, too, and every day they read from the Bible and prayed. Bobby knew that Mom and Dad were anxious that he should accept the Lord Jesus into his heart while he was young.

What would they say if they knew about that penny he so often stole—and bought candy with it? He didn’t intend that they would ever find out, but he knew for sure that he could not hide his sin from God. It made him feel sad and uncomfortable all alone in the dark at night.

But worst of all was the thought that maybe the Lord Jesus would come during the night for those that belonged to Him! Mom and Dad he knew would go up with Him, and his little brother and sister would, too. They were too small to understand yet. How dreadful it would be to wake up and find the house empty and still—all of them gone, and he left behind with no hope of ever being saved but with only judgment before him.

“Here’s your change!” the butcher would say cheerfully, but Bobby’s heart was growing heavier. Even the candy didn’t seem to taste as good any more, and at night when God by His Spirit would speak to Bobby’s heart, he would squirm under the blankets. He knew he was a bad sinner.

One day Bobby’s father took him to a little gospel meeting held in a store building. Again he heard the story of God’s great love in sending the Lord Jesus to die for the sinner. Bobby wished he was saved. It was awful to be afraid of God. It was awful to be so afraid of the coming of the Lord Jesus.

One night Bobby couldn’t sleep. He wished he had never, ever stolen even one penny. Tears were soaking into his pillow. It seemed so late! But he felt he just had to talk to his father.

Dad was still up and was surprised when his dear boy came downstairs, his eyes wet with tears. Then Bobby told him the whole story. Daddy listened quietly. He did not become angry, but he opened his Bible and together they read these wonderful verses: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

“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.

Bobby knew this verse well, but this time he put his own name in it. And then it read like this: “For God so loved (Robert) that He gave His only begotten Son, that if (Robert) believes in Him, (Robert) shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The Lord seemed to speak these words right to Bobby’s heart. He was one that God loved. He was the sinner the Lord Jesus died for. He believed it and received Him as his own precious Saviour.

Snuggling down into bed a little later, happy Bobby was sure his sins were forgiven, for the heavy load of guilt on his conscience was gone. Jesus had taken it away in that crimson flood that flowed from His pierced side. Bobby was sure, too, that when Jesus came in the clouds, He would not leave him behind.

The next time Bobby went to the store he said to the butcher, "25 cents worth of ground beef, please!”

M.J.T.-Childhood Days

ML-09/30/1979

Misha's Reply

One day in school eight-year-old Misha was asked by his Russian teacher to “shake his fist in the face of God.”

Young Misha was a Christian boy. Though only a child he knew he could not comply to his teacher’s command. When he sat stiffly, his teacher scolded, “Misha, you are not obedient.”

With wisdom beyond his years, Misha replied: “If there is a God, as I believe, then I am afraid to shake my fist. If there is no God, as you say, then there is no need to shake my fist.”

S.G.N.

ML-09/30/1979

Gospel Sets Former Atheist Free

A letter came recently from the Kazakh republic of the U.S.S.R.: “In the name of the Lord I express my gratitude for your ministry. I am 21 and work in a local electrolaboratory. Like many others in this world, I searched for truth, and eventually found it. Scripture has been fulfilled: “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

“I came to know the truth through your ministry and your messages now have meaning. I am still so weak in my spiritual life but I pray daily and feel a bond between my soul and truth.

“Now I know no fear because the truth has expelled fear. I possess only a Gospel. A Bible is my desire. I would be so grateful if you could send me one. Pray for me!” S.G.N.

ML-09/30/1979

Saved by the Dolphin's Nose

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

While strolling along the seashore early one morning, Dr. McCrossen discovered that he was not alone. Seated on one of the benches was an old sailor. His shirt, cap and rugged features all spoke of his occupation. Sitting down beside the old sailor, the doctor asked, “What is the meaning of that fish picture on your button?”

“There’s a tale behind that button,” replied the old man. I like to tell it to anyone who will lien.”

“I’m interested. Please go ahead.”

“Well, it goes back some sixty years when I was a boy and went to sea. I was jolly lucky, sir, in the ship I happened to take. The captain was a good man, a Christian. I learned the meaning of that word on his ship. Don’t know that I’d ever met a real one before. We hadn’t gone far out to sea when he ordered all hands on deck. ‘Boys,’ he said, ‘it has always been my custom to have a prayer whenever I set out on a voyage and commit the ship to the Lord God. I believe in prayer and He has never failed me when I really trusted Him.’

“Right there he ordered us all down on our knees while he prayed and committed the ship, everyone and everything on board to the Lord. Every day he prayed with us and read a portion of the Book. It wasn’t long before every sailor on board was converted to God. It wasn’t only the captain’s teaching but his life that won us. There was no drinking, fighting or swearing during the entire voyage.

“We had a fair voyage around the Cape and north to India. After unloading we took on a new cargo and started for home. We had been gone a year. All went well until we sailed into the Bay of Biscay. There we ran into a terrible storm. I thought of Jonah’s experiences, but there was no Jonah on our ship. She was lifted mountain-high, then plunged to the depths of the sea. Suddenly she struck a sharp rock and we rushed to the pumps. Work as hard as we could, we couldn’t stop the water from rising. We were completely worn out and told the captain we were dead beat!

“Our good captain didn’t seem worried. ‘Boys,’ he said, ‘remember when we left England we prayed and committed the ship to God? I know He heard me and I am trusting Him. He will see us safely through.’

“Cheered by these words we returned to work, and it wasn’t long before we noticed the water was going down. This spurred us on, and in a short time the ship was pumped dry. What happened, we didn’t know. We just thanked Almighty God; and when we reached smooth water, we held a praise meeting.

“When we arrived on shore, the ship was drydocked. And what do you suppose we found? Well, that great hole was corked by a fish, a dolphin, if you please, sir. The same Lord who spoke to Jonah’s fish spoke to that dolphin so that he poked his nose into the ship’s hold. Sometimes I think dumb creatures can hear God’s voice when stupid humans who don’t believe in Him cannot.”

“And the button?” I reminded him.

“Oh, yes, we had a pin made to remember the goodness of the Lord with the picture of a dolphin on it. I always wear it. And every morning I sit here by the shore in case some lonely fellow comes along needing a helping hand. I tell him this story and show him the way to God, the God who loves him and can help him. I try to lead him to the Saviour just as our good captain showed us the way when we first put out to sea.”

-Young Gleaners

ML-10/07/1979

How Long Would It Take You to Hand-Copy the Bible?

Every night for the past three months Yuri has come home from work to a tedious but very important task—copying a friend’s Bible. Carefully he writes, letter by letter, verse by verse. The work is slow, but Yuri, a new Christian, knows that this will probably be the only Bible he will ever own.

At least 40 million people in Russia would like to own their first Bible. Millions more disillusioned atheists might read it if they had one. During the past 25 years fewer than 300,000 copies have been printed inside Russia, while during the same period over 1,500,000,000 were printed in the United States alone!

Over the past few years thousands of Bibles have been smuggled into Russia by Christians, but it is like a crumb for a thousand mouths.

However, despite government opposition, a work of the Spirit of God has been going on behind the Iron Curtain. Reports continue to filter through: “We baptized 30 new Christians last Sunday, but we have no Bibles to give them. Please remember us.” S.G.N.

ML-10/07/1979

The Book Was Worth An Egg

As Chi-Wing, a little Chinese boy, went down the street of the village, he was surprised to see a crowd gathered around a man, the likes of which he had never seen before. The man had white skin on his face. He had always been used to folks whose skin was yellow. In curiosity, Chi-Wing drew as near to the white man as he could. Then he saw that the man was selling books, and as he stood there, he told the people that if they bought one, it would explain to them how to get to heaven, and how to be really happy.

Chi-Wing had an egg with him (for Chinese girls and boys often go shopping with an egg), and he summoned up courage to purchase a book with his egg. How proud he was as he set off for home, for he was sure that father would be pleased with the book.

But he was greatly disappointed. His father was very angry when he heard about it. “A book that only costs an egg cannot be worth much,” he said angrily. Poor Chi-Wing crept into bed that night with a sad heart. However, he soon fell asleep.

In the middle of the night he awoke, as he heard his father and mother talking. His father was sitting at the table, and you can imagine Chi-Wing’s joy as he heard his father saying, “This is a good Book. It tells about One, named Jesus, who loves everyone.”

Some time after this, the white man came to the village again, and from him the boy learned to know and love the story of Jesus. Soon after he took Jesus to be his own personal Saviour.

So, after all, Chi-Wing was right when he said that the Book was well worth an egg, wasn’t he?

ML-10/07/1979

Saved From the Salty Sea

“Lord, I’m drowning! Save me!”

Harry, a middle-aged fisherman from Alaska, has one thing at least in common with Peter, the fisherman of the Gospels. The Lord Jesus reached out and saved him in the midst of a raging storm.

Harry had heard the gospel from missionaries who came to his isolated village on the Alaska Peninsula. But steeped in alcoholism he chose to ignore the message.

One day when out on the ocean, waves from a violent storm threw him out of his boat. In the water, when he thought all hope of rescue was gone, he cried out in desperation and lifted his heart to God. Out there in the salty sea he asked the Lord to forgive his sins and come to dwell in his heart. God heard Harry’s prayer, saved his soul and then miraculously rescued him from the briny deep.

But that was just the beginning of countless mercies and blessings that came into Harry’s life. First, God took away his desire for drink and completely delivered him from his sinful habits.

Then as a result of his conversion, his wife and several of their children came to Christ. Today, Harry is a bright Christian and his testimony extends into several villages beyond his own. He praises the Lord and stands as a lighthouse to those who are still struggling with drugs and alcoholism.

Sparsely populated Alaska is not the kind of place where gospel meetings draw huge crowds. Here a Christian’s work for the Lord is more likely to be an individual, person-to-person effort.

But one by one, as Alaskans do come to the Lord, their changed lives carry a bright witness among their friends and neighbors. We, as believers, can pray for those who, like Harry, have come to Christ and want to spread the gospel in their communities. Many times they have to stand alone with very little Christian fellowship until, slowly, others in their villages come to the Saviour. S.G.N.

ML-10/07/1979

A Young Skeptic's Conversion

A young man who had been a skeptic for years, when dying, sent for me to come and see him. I was startled to see the ravages of disease; his eyes were bright, but his voice was low.

I sat by his side. He told me: “It has been dark with me; but it is brighter now. I think I see the light. I found out last night that I was a sinner, a great sinner.” Then the tears gathered in his eyes, but looking at me, he added: “I want to tell you about my life. I’ve been a skeptic. I had a good education, but I began to pick the Bible to pieces, and when a young man begins to do that, you know that there are many things he cannot understand, and I was young. I could not see how Christ could be God; how His being taken by the Roman soldiers and nailed upon a cross, was any good to me. I read about Him, and I thought He was merely a good Man, and that a crowd of cowards had killed Him.”

He paused a moment, then continued, “Now, I want you to explain to me fully and clearly all about Christ.”

Lifting a silent prayer to God, I read a few verses; then spoke to him of sin and the necessity of atonement. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22).

I spoke of the spotless humanity of Christ, proving Him to be God. I took him from scene to scene of the Saviour’s life. We lingered by Gethsemane together, and went on to Calvary. I spoke of the darkness and the desertion; His being made sin for us, who Himself knew no sin; and the Holy God who could not look upon sin, forsaking Christ because He was bearing our sin.

Then I spoke of the resurrection and ascension; and of Christ and Heaven, because sin had been put away; there, because God was satisfied with what He had done for the sinner. “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 whispered: “I see it now, I believe it, too; the barriers are broken through at last, and I have peace with God.”

He had been to God about his sins before I saw him, and now he grasped the finished work of Christ clearly.

Where art thou? A saved sinner on the road to eternal glory, or a skeptic on the road to endless gloom? Where now? Where then?

ML-10/07/1979

A T-Shirt for a Bible

Memory Verse: “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalms 119:11

The truck plodded down the road, obviously in need of repair. Some of the sailors grumbled at this long and tiresome assignment. But not Pyotr. He considered it a gift from God each time he was chosen to drive into Leningrad from his naval base far north of the city. Whenever Pyotr drove a truck or bus in for repairs, he had a chance to go to a gospel service.

Expectancy surged within him as he thought of the service tonight. His family would be there... his special Christian family.

As usual, the room was packed. The service, though typically long, was far too short for Pyotr. Tomorrow he would head back for his base—a Christian, alone.

Pyotr, a young Christian sailor, was originally stationed in the Ukraine where there were plenty of places to go to a service. And every time he went he got “charged up,” as he called it, to glorify God. With his vibrant voice, his poetry, and his bold witness, Pyotr loved to sing and give out the gospel to anyone who would listen.

“What are we going to do with this Christian fanatic?” his naval superiors asked each other. “We’ll cut him off from his services and those Christian friends of his,” they reasoned. “Maybe that will kill his enthusiasm for those silly religious beliefs.” So they transferred Pyotr to a lonely base in northern U.S.S.R.

At the naval base, Pyotr prayed with all his heart that God would give him two things: fellowship with other Christians and a complete Bible. All he had was a Gospel of John.

Pyotr’s prayer for fellowship was answered each time he came rattling into Leningrad with a truck or bus.

And his second prayer was answered on this special day.

After the service a young man about Pyotr’s age greeted him warmly. He was a brother in Christ visiting from the West. To Pyotr’s surprise, the young man said, “I can bring you a Bible. Maybe tomorrow?”

“A Bible!” exclaimed Pyotr. “I’ve been praying for a Bible. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow. I’m going with you to your hotel right now. I want that Bible today!”

Soon Pyotr was holding a commentary on the Gospel of John, a book of poems and short meditations, and a new Bible. He nearly burst with thankfulness.

“But what can I give you?” he asked.

“Please Pyotr, nothing,” said the young man. “These books are gifts.”

But Pyotr wanted so badly to show his gratitude. He looked down at his navy T-shirt. No, he couldn’t give that away. The offers would ask about it back at the base. But then, what did that really matter? Pyotr pulled off his shirt and gave it to his new Christian brother from the West.

A navy T-shirt for a Bible... an equal exchange? It was the best Pyotr could give to express his thanks for the miracle of God’s Word-a Friend to comfort him on the base.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jeremiah 15:16.

“I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” Psalms 119:162.

ML-10/14/1979

The Bible Tells Us

The Bible tells us Jesus came

From glory bright and fair—

God’s perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb—

His mercy to declare,

The Bible tells us Jesus died

A sacrifice for sin;

The gates of heaven to open wide,

That we may enter in.

The Bible tells us Jesus rose,

And left the silent grave,

Triumphant over all His foes,

The mighty One to save,

The Bible tells us Jesus lives

Again upon the throne;

The blessed proof the Father gives

That mercy’s work is done,

The Bible tells us He will come

To take His saints away,

To dwell with Him in His blest home

Through everlasting day,

The Bible tells us all may come,

And drink at mercy’s stream;

That Jesus soon will share this home

With all who trust in Him.

ML-10/14/1979

Ding! Dong! "That Clock!"

A party of campers in the summertime found a fine spot for their tents on a beautiful green terrace quite near the old village church. It was all so peaceful as they enjoyed their supper in the evening sunshine.

When they settled down for the night the village was so quiet after the noise and traffic of the city they had left.

They soon found one unexpected snag, however—the clock on the church tower just beside them struck every hour through the night—and every quarter hour, too! It was not surprising that hardly anyone slept much that night. Just as they were nodding off, the clock would strike another hour or another quarter.

When morning came, they all stirred themselves, and after breakfast they started to explore the countryside. As they were having supper that evening, one of them said: “I s’pose we’ll have another sleepless night,” but they couldn’t do anything about it then, so turned in. They heard the old clock chime away until about midnight. Then, whether it was the country air or because they were extra tired, no one knows, but they slept quite well.

The next night they were completely oblivious—they all slept soundly and took no notice of the clock and its chimes. It still told out the time throughout the night, and it was just as close to them; yet none of them heard it!

Do you know, dear boys and girls, that it can be like that with the gospel? God has been speaking to children, young folks and older ones faithfully down through the years. And He is speaking to you now as you read this story, reminding you that if you are unsaved, you need salvation, and that “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Perhaps you are thinking, “Oh, I’ve heard all that,” and you close your mind to it. But if you don’t stop and listen now, it will make less and less impression as you get older, until you fail to hear it altogether, and so you miss the most important and precious thing in all your life.

What is it that God wants you to hear? Is it something that will take the joy out of your life? No, indeed! Rather it will put true joy and happiness into your soul. God’s message is that He loves you, and that He sent His dear Son into this world to be your Saviour. For your sins are not only making you unhappy and miserable, but you have no power to free yourself from their power. Jesus died to save you from the judgment your sins deserve, to take away all your guilt and fear, give you joy and peace with God instead, and make your life really worthwhile.

Here are three chimes on His clock, so listen to them now:

“Behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:15.

“He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

ML-10/14/1979

Honey Instead of Jam

Mrs. Tee, a missionary mother in China, was thinking somewhat sorrowfully about her children coming home from school for the holidays. Her store cupboard was sadly empty; her jam pots needed refilling, and sugar was so expensive that she had to let the fruit season go by without making her usual supply. What should she give the children during the holidays? Jam, delicious homemade jam, had always been such a standby treat, but this year there would be none. Then what do you think the Lord did?

Summer was over, and Mrs. Tee, who had been housekeeper for a number of fellow workers at a hill resort, came home. She was going to her storeroom when the old servant who had been in charge called her back.

“You had better be very careful how you go in there,” he said, “for the place is full of bees!”

Bees! Bees! What could they be doing in a busy housekeeper’s storeroom? Never connecting their presence with her empty jam pots, Mrs. Tee opened the door slowly and peeked in. Sure enough a swarm of bees had taken possession, finding their way through the little window, and there they were by the hundreds! A droning hum filled the air; and when she could see in the dim light, Mrs. Tee found that the bees were massed over a big honeycomb that almost filled the space between the two shelves.

When it dawned upon her, she could have danced for joy! For was it not the Lord’s own tender, loving way of providing for the holidays? She had not said much about it; perhaps she had not prayed much about it; but her mother’s heart had keenly felt the disappointment of not being able to give the children all she felt they needed. They had to go without jam that year; so the Lord supplied honey, sending the bees to put it on the very shelves of the storeroom, in the sight of the empty jam pots.

The Lord will supply all your needs if you simply trust in Him who is “sweeter than honey.”

“Ah Lord God!... there is nothing too hard for Thee.” Jeremiah 32:17.

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

ML-10/14/1979

"Thou Shalt Find It After Many Days"

A British soldier in India was persuaded to attend a Sunday evening service. The Padre told of the need for everyone to be saved. Looking straight at the soldier he said, “The Lord Jesus died on the cross for you. Won’t you ask Him to forgive your sins?”

That night the soldier became a Christian.

The first thing he did was to buy a Bible. He put his name and the date and place where he trusted the Lord Jesus on the fly leaf.

Ten years later, a lady in Yorkshire bought a Bible from a second-hand book stall. She was interested to see that it had been in India.

A few more years went by. One summer evening after the lady’s husband had been preaching in the market place, a shabbily dressed man stepped from the crowd and spoke to him. He told how that years before when he was in India, he had become a Christian. For a time all was well; then he stopped bothering to read his Bible. He then stopped bothering to pray, and his bad companions drew him back to evil ways.

When he returned to England, he left the Army but could find no work. He needed money and sold many of his possessions. The preacher’s words had reminded him of those days.

As it was getting late, the preacher asked the man to his home for supper. There, after another talk, he knelt and asked the Lord to forgive him for the years of forgetting Him, and once again committed his life to Him.

“I have not got a Bible,” he said. “I wish that I had that one I sold when I came back to England.”

The preacher’s little girl was listening. Quickly she brought from the bookcase the Bible, bought by her mother years before. “Could this be the one?” she asked.

With tears in his eyes the man took the Bible in his hands. “Yes, that was my Bible,” he said quietly.

“Then it is yours once again,” said the preacher. “Take it and treasure it.”

How wonderfully the Lord Jesus cares for His children even when they turn away from Him and forget Him. He even brought this man’s Bible back to him after many years. E.M.

ML-10/14/1979

Osagi's Sacrifice

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

Baruta, chief of the Malangos, was a very old man, and he had several wives. All these wives had daughters except Ofesa, the youngest. She had a baby son called Osagi. This meant that when the old chief died, Ofesa’s son would be chief, and the other wives were jealous. They treated Ofesa badly and Ofesa continually scolded them in return.

Baruta, wearying of the quarreling, beat Ofesa so severely that she ran away taking Osagi with her.

Ofesa went and lived with her grandmother, and she showed her the tattoo marks on Osagi’s hip that proclaimed him the rightful chief of the Malangos.

“I only wait for Baruta to die,” she said; “then Osagi shall return and become chief.”

But when Baruta died, it was a long time before Ofesa heard the news. The old chief’s brother, Kongu, ruled in his place.

Osagi was eleven when Ofesa heard of Baruta’s death, and being afraid to return herself, she sent Osagi on the journey alone. So Osagi, a fine boy with tight curly hair and a wide smile, set off on foot along the river path.

On the second day he saw a small truck stuck in the deep mud caused by the heavy rains. The owner was trying to heave it out. Osagi came forward and lent a hand, and between them the truck rose out of the mud and was pushed onto the more solid path.

“Where you going?” asked the man. When Osagi told him, he said he was going to Malango also.

Osagi discovered his name was Geoffrey Hunt, and he was taking good news of a God of love to the isolated peoples of the Big Forest. As they journeyed, Geoffrey told Osagi about the Lord Jesus and of how He loved and died for sinners everywhere. Osagi said he would like to be a Christian, only he had a little matter to settle first.

When they arrived at Malango, the chief, Kongu, refused to hear Geoffrey Hunt or to let him speak. Osagi, who had thought much about Jesus, and what a blessing the gospel would be to his people, felt sad about this.

“I wish to be a Christian more than anything else,” he said to himself, “And God will believe me if I make a big sacrifice for Him.”

So Osagi went secretly to Kongu and showed him the tattoo marks.

“If you let my friend speak, I will never tell who I really am,” he said, “and you shall remain chief of the Malangos.”

Kongu, who very much wanted to remain chief, agreed, and Geoffrey Hunt began to preach the gospel to the Malangos.

Many of the people loved the message, and even Kongu found in it a cure for his empty heart. So Osagi’s uncle became a Christian, too.

One day Kongu called the people together. He said, “I am not your rightful chief, since Osagi here bears the tattoo marking him as Baruta’s son.”

The people called for Osagi. He Jack the Sailor His mother asked him to read his Bible every day, but Jack went to sea and didn’t give his Bible another thought. One day he took sick in a foreign port and was rushed to the hospital. In the next bed to him lay an older sailor, dying.

“Mate,” he said to Jack, “I’ve got something here that is very precious to me.” And he pulled out a package of printed gospel messages. “I was a very wild fellow,” he went on, “but reading these has brought me to believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and I’m certain of going to be with Him in heaven when I die.”

Jack took the bundle of papers, but he was so embarrassed he didn’t came and stood by his uncle.

“My uncle has ruled you well,” said the boy, “and though I came here to make myself chief, yet now I have found a better path. I would rather be a servant of God than rule in my uncle’s place, and so I ask Mr. Hunt to teach me well so that I may go and teach other tribes the story of Jesus.”

And so it came about that Osagi’s sacrifice became a real blessing to many.

“Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it;... There is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside Me. Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 45:18,21,22.

ML-10/21/1979

Jack the Sailor

His mother asked him to read his Bible every day, but Jack went to sea and didn’t give his Bible another thought. One day he took sick in a foreign port and was rushed to the hospital. In the next bed to him lay an older sailor, dying.

Jack took the bundle of papers, but he was so embarrassed he didn’t know which way to look. He remembered how his mother had asked him to read his Bible, and he felt ashamed that he never took the time to read a chapter each day.

“I want you to read these gospel messages,” the dying sailor said, “and may God bless them to you. And will you do me a favor? Write a letter to the man who preached them and tell him that God blessed his messages to my conversion and that I hope God will bless them to you.”

Jack began reading those printed messages right away. After the older sailor had gone home to be with his Saviour, Jack, too, was convinced that he was a sinner who needed to trust Christ and to turn from his sins.

Later he wrote a letter to the servant of Christ who had preached those messages, and he told him the good news that God had used them to lead a dying sailor and himself to faith in Christ.

ML-10/21/1979

From Sadness to Joy

Much of Brenda’s little life was lived in fear. Her mother and daddy quarreled constantly, and for the three of them life was miserable much of the time. When Mother disappeared, Brenda knew that her mother had all she could take, and Brenda’s heart was broken. Life was full of heartaches and darkness for both the little girl and her father, and certainly for the mother.

None of them knew the Lord, nor read His blessed Word. How different it would have been for them if they had! O what a difference it makes when He is taken into our lives and into our homes and His love is shed abroad in the family atmosphere!

Christian neighbors had prayed many times for this family, and now that the mother was gone, they interceded more earnestly. Then when they learned that Brenda’s daddy wasn’t coming home till late at night, they began inviting the little girl to have supper with them. Brenda accepted gladly because she was lonesome and hungry.

Around the family table Brenda learned about Jesus who loves to lift up the broken-hearted and to comfort the weary and the sad. The family did all they could to show love to Brenda and to make her life easier. Little by little she learned that the beautiful home life they shared with her was because Jesus had saved them, had taken away their sins and guilt, and had given them a new life and a new hope beyond this world. Brenda never had known that any home could be such a taste of heaven.

One night around the table as they read the Scriptures and talked of Jesus and heavenly things, Brenda opened her heart to the Lord and accepted Him as her Saviour. At once she experienced the joy of salvation, for all her guilt and fear were gone. Overnight she became a happy child, and the next day she went about smiling and singing for joy in her Saviour.

Her father noticed her skipping and singing—something she had never done since she was just a tiny girl.

“How can you be so happy without Mother?” he asked.

Then she told him she had learned to trust and love the Lord Jesus who had now come to live in her heart.

The disappointments and emptiness of his life helped make her father desirous of having this joy and happiness, too. The time came when he, too, turned to Him who never turns anyone away. Humbly he confessed his wrong and sinful past to the Lord, and asked Him to come into his heart and be his Saviour from then on. He, too, tasted the joy of salvation and became a happy Christian.

Now their thoughts were about Mother far away, and they both began to pray, asking the Lord to send her home again. As they prayed, their faith was strengthened, and they counted on God to answer their prayers. “There is nothing too hard for the Lord.”

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

God answered their prayers, for Mother decided to come back, and they made preparations for her homecoming. What a happy day it was when she returned, and a happier one when she, too, bowed at the feet of the Saviour and owned His claims of love over her. Reunited, they were closer than ever before, for they were now one in Christ Jesus, who “hath done all things well.”

“He is able.” Hebrews 7:25.

ML-10/21/1979

Rest-Stones

In India, among the poor, burdens are often carried on people’s heads and on their backs. As resting places, stones are set up along the hot, dusty and sandy roads, just right for a man to rest his burden upon. There he can stand until relieved and refreshed, he is able to go on his way.

A native Christian in Travancore once said to a missionary, “Oh, sir! Christ is everything to me; Christ is my rest-stone.” How beautifully he expressed his sense of relief and blessing found in his Saviour.

The Lord Jesus has said: “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.

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Psalms 55:22.

ML-10/21/1979

Speaking in the Book

Mr. Bryson, who worked for many years translating the Bible into Nandi (an African language) woke up very early one morning to realize someone was astir. Quietly turning over he saw his native helper with his face shining with joy, reading the Bible with the help of a piece of candle.

“You look very happy,” said the missionary.

“Yes,” replied his helper. “My heart is running over with thanks and love to the One who is speaking to me in the Book.”

ML-10/21/1979

Speculations

Michael Farady, the brilliant scientist whose discoveries really laid the foundation of much of the immense development of modern science, was an earnest Christian. When he was dying someone said to him, “Mr. Faraday, what are your speculations now?”

“Speculations? I have no speculations!” he replied. Thank God, I’m not resting my dying on guesswork. ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day'.”

ML-10/21/1979

Sophy Gunner

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

Sophie Gunner was an Indian woman who lived in Northern Ontario. She was the village bootlegger, and quite often you would see her overcome with drink. On many occasions she lay in the dirt, rolling about drunk, and calling to passers by. No one paid much attention to her at such times.

One day her little girl, Tammy, went to Sunday school nearby and heard about the Lord Jesus and of how He died on the cross to save sinners. Tammy went home and told her mother what she had heard.

The next week Tammy went back to the Sunday school to hear more of the wonderful stories from the Bible. She told her teacher that she had spoken to her mother about Jesus and that she had listened.

Several weeks after that, during a terrible blizzard, Mr. Penney, a Christian man, was visiting the local preacher. Long after dark, as the two men sat talking about the things of the Lord, there was a knock at the door.

“Who could be out on a night like this?” exclaimed Mr. Penney.

“It’s probably just the storm,” said his host. However, as he went to the door, the knocking came again, but much louder this time.

Mr. Penney was sitting in the living room and could not see the door. Consequently he was quite puzzled when he heard the strange voice of a woman asking if Mr. Penney was there. Having been assured that he was, the stranger proceeded quickly without invitation into the living room. As she came around the corner into view, Mr. Penney was startled and almost frightened when he found himself face to face with Sophie Gunner. She had a desperate expression on her face and such a wild look in her eyes.

“There must be something wrong,” thought Mr. Penney. But he was completely taken by surprise when Sophie exclaimed, “I wonder if you can tell me how I can get rid of my sins!”

His host suggested that she come back when she was more sober. But she insisted she had to know now if that were possible.

The three of them sat down tether, and the two men read to Sophie many verses of Scripture about the Lord Jesus and His love to guilty sinners.

“Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

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

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

“The blood of Jesus Christ. His Son cleanseth us from all sin.... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7,9.

They explained to her that no matter how wicked a person might be, the Lord Jesus could cleanse away every stain of sin.

“I want Him to do it now!” cried Sophie.

Then as she knelt by the couch, her coat dripping with melted snow, she poured out her heart with tears to the Saviour, confessing her many sins.

Her prayer ended. When she rose to her feet, her countenance was completely changed. She had such a happy, peaceful look, and seemed completely sober. She knew now that the Lord Jesus was her Saviour and that her sins were gone!

After that, at home, Sophie found it difficult to live her new life as a Christian. But the Lord stood by her and He gave her strength to resist temptation and to live for Him.

If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you will certainly see Sophie in heaven one day.

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

ML-10/28/1979

He Took My Place

Jeff Hanson was a miner who had been invited many times by Bill, his friend and fellow worker, to attend some gospel meetings. Jeff always refused. “If I go to those meetings,” he told himself, “I’ll have to give up all the things I enjoy.”

But Bill persisted until one night Jeff decided to go. Knowing he had to go to work in the pit that night at 9:30, Jeff went to the meeting in his working clothes and slipped into a back seat. Bill was already there, however, and came to sit with him.

The message was based on the story of the lost sheep in Luke, chapter 15, and Jeff was moved deeply when the preacher said that Jesus was the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10).

Then Jeff heard him explain from Isaiah 53:6 that all men and women are like sheep who have gone astray and who have deliberately gone their own way.

“And the Lord has laid on Him,” said the preacher, “the iniquity of us all.”

Jeff knew that he had sinned many times and that he deserved to be punished for his sin. But that night he found out that Jesus had died in his place. His sins had been laid upon Jesus, and God accepted His death as the payment for all the sins of all those who believe in Him as Saviour and Lord.

After the preacher was finished speaking, he asked for those who wanted to know more about salvation in Christ to stay behind. Jeff was ready to stay when he remembered that he had to go to work. Pulling out his watch, he checked the time.

His friend Bill gave him a nudge. “You stay, Jeff,” he said; “I’ll take your shift at the pit.”

“Thanks, Bill,” said Jeff, and made his way to where the speaker sat talking to several.

While the preacher was talking with him, Jeff saw Bill leave to take his place at work. That night he knelt with the speaker, confessed his sinfulness to God, and found forgiveness of his sins because Jesus had died for him.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,” the preacher read to him from the Bible. “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7,9.

Later on that night Jeff was startled by a commotion at the back of the hall. It was a man from the mine.

“There’s been an accident,” he said. Jeff learned that the very level where his friend Bill was working out his shift had been buried by a roof cave-in. Bill was gone!

Jeff broke down and cried. “If Bill had not taken my place,” he said, “I would have died tonight without a Saviour.”

The Christian Railroader.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

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

Many are choosing Christ to-day,

Turning from all their sins away;

Heaven shall their blessed portion be;

Where will you spend eternity?

ML-10/28/1979

A Hockey Player Finds Christ

Reg, as a boy, grew up in Tonto. He cannot remember when he learned to Skate. But in that city of sports, hockey had become almost his year-round game. While still in his teens, Reg’s aggressiveness attracted the professional scouts on their look-out for young talent. He played semi-professional hockey and later became a professional.

Then Reg married a young lady whose parents were devout Christians, and indirectly Reg came under the influence of the gospel. He was deeply impressed with the godly consistent lives of the Greers and admitted that “being saved” was not like any religion he had ever known.

When his wife first became a Christian, Reg showed signs of concern, but his attendance at meetings could only be spasmodic as he was fully occupied as a hockey player. At times he expressed a desire to be saved and never failed to show respect toward Christian people.

During the training camp for the coming hockey season Reg had the best record in camp. He felt certain of a good year ahead even though he was now thirty-four years of age. As the season opened, he lifted the paper one day and learned he had been traded. This came as a shock, so rather than move, he reluctantly resigned and took another position.

For the first time in his life Reg had evenings free and attended special gospel services every night. He became so troubled that at the risk of being dismissed from college, he came to meetings rather than attend night classes.

One Saturday afternoon a friend spent two to three hours with him going over the Holy Scriptures. He went back to a gospel meeting where he wept like a child. Some who know of his rough handling of other players on the ice could hardly believe their eyes when they saw this powerfully-built athlete weeping in a gospel meeting. He could see he was lost and going to hell and nothing else mattered to him. Reading Isaiah 53:6 he could see he was a lost sheep that had gone astray. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6.

Reg knew he had turned to his own way but could not believe that the last part of the verse really was for him. How could he ever know that God had laid his sins on the Lord Jesus?

He despaired of ever being saved and threatened not to go back to the meetings, but Sunday afternoon he began to get ready for meeting as usual. As he was shaving he felt further from salvation than at any time in his life. He had learned the bitterness of being lost. Suddenly the closing words of Isaiah 53:6 flashed into his mind. He saw if he was in the first all, “All we like sheep have gone astray,” then he must be in the last all: “And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” In that moment he believed that Christ bore his sins on the cross.

At the end of the meeting that night as he went out the door, a look of peace and joy was on his face. The speaker ventured to ask him if he was saved. He had told no one yet but could hold it no longer, and said: “Well, all I have is that Christ bore my sins.” He was assured that no one else had more than that. A sinner needs no more.

The Gospel Monthly

ML-10/28/1979

From All Wrong to All Right

John Knight was a simple-hearted farmer. He preached no sermons, but in his slow deliberate way he loved to speak of the Lord, and many times he proved the faithfulness of the One whom he knew and loved. Here is what he says on one occasion: “One day when I was plowing, everything seemed to go wrong. The plow was wrong, the horses were wrong, the hired boy was wrong-everything was wrong!

“So I said to the boy, ‘You stay here and look after the team while I go to the other side of the bushes.’ I went to the other side of the bushes, and kneeling down I told the Lord all about it. When I came back, everything was different! The plow was right, the horses were right, the boy was right. All was right!”

Do we wonder that that boy grew up to know the Lord and became a preacher of the gospel? Prayer changes things, in a field, at home, at school, yes, everywhere! Have you proved this?

“He laid down His life for us.”

1 John 3:16

ML-10/28/1979

Sunk at Sea

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

I was serving on the S.S. Kirk-pool in the year 1942, when World War II was at the height of its fury. We had a cargo of coal aboard when leaving Durban, South Africa, and we sailed for the South American port of Montevideo, but we were destined not to reach our desired haven.

Ten days out we were walleyed by a powerful German raider, torpedoed, and heavily shelled. It was an awful nightmare. Within twenty minutes the Kirkpool was a floating wreck, tossed and rolled in the surging sea, like some great monster in its death struggles. Her bridge was in flames, and our lifeboats had been mercilessly blasted away.

It was on this same night, after the ghastly shelling had ceased, away on the fore part of the sinking ship, while the great seas lashed over her, I knelt down before my Maker and called on Him to deliver our little band of survivors from their awful peril. This was the first time I had ever really called upon God from my heart.

Captives!

We were forced to take wooden hatchboards and lash them together to form very crude and frail rafts. On these we took to the shark-infested water, and after floating around for some time, we were picked up by the raider. Here we were kept on board as prisoners for 24 days before being transferred to another supply ship. On this ship, several hundred British seen were held captive.

God’s ways are past all human understanding. Physically, our plight was extreme, but it was on this very ship, in such circumstances, that I learned the message of love which brought my salvation. I heard that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for me on Calvary’s cross. I learned that there was forgiveness of sins for me, if only I would believe on Him and seek the shelter of His atoning blood which was so freely shed for me. I trusted Him then and there, and have since found Him to be an all-sufficient Saviour.

God’s Power and Love

Even in a prison camp I proved His love and keeping power, so that on being released, after three and one-half years, I was still praising God.

Before Christ came into my heart, my life could be summed up in two words, “Desperately wicked"(Jer. 17:9). My past sins I haven’t mentioned, but God—praise His Name—has put them from Him, “as far as the east is from the west” (Psa. 103:12), for Jesus died for sinners like me.

He can and will do the same for you, dear reader, if you will respond to His loving invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. A.C.R.

ML-11/04/1979

Only a Little Slave Girl

A pitiful cry was heard coming from the direction of the neighborhood well.

“Did you hear that, Daddy?” asked the missionary’s young son.

“Yes, I did, Clifford,” Mr. Clinton replied; and father and son hurried to the spot. Several Chinese women had already gathered around the big well and were gazing hopelessly into its depths.

“It is Wa Lung, Mrs. Lee’s little slave girl,” they heard one of the women say.

Mr. Clinton looked down into the dark well but could see only water.

“Wa Lung,” he called loudly, but the only answer he got was the echo of his own voice.

Quickly seizing the heavy rope to which the bucket was tied, he said, “Clifford, would you be willing to go down after her if I tie this rope around you, and then let you down and pull you up again?”

“Sure, Daddy! I’ll go!” replied the boy; and he waited while his father quickly tied the rope around his waist. Then he lowered Clifford into the well.

“Stop! Stop!” cried the Chinese women, as they saw the boy disappearing into the well. “The missionary is crazy to risk drowning his son just for a slave girl!”

Then they stood silent at last waiting to see the outcome of the “foolish” missionary’s act.

Some minutes passed, and all was silent below. Then Mr. Clinton received the signal and began to pull on the rope. Up came Clifford, clinging tightly to poor Wa Lung. The women thought the little girl was dead, but the missionary applied artificial respiration, and soon she revived.

The women continued to declare that the missionary was crazy to risk his son’s life to save a Chinese slave girl. “Only sons are important,” they said. “Not girls—and a slave girl at that! It was such a foolish thing to do.”

“Listen,” said the missionary, when things had quieted down. “God did something like this, only far greater and much more wonderful. Like Wa Lung, we were all sinking down and perishing in the deep pit of sin. We were sinners, disobedient and worthless. But God loved us just the same, and He sent Jesus, His dear Son, down into this world to save us. On the cross He descended into the deep dark well of sin and death; He died to redeem us. But He rose again from the dead and brought with Him all who put their trust in Him as their Saviour. He has gone back to heaven and waits until the moment when He will come again and take all His own to be with Him up there.

“Do you mean,” asked the Chinese women, “that God sent His Son to die for poor Chinese women and girls just as much as for your Emperor or the President of the United States?”

“Yes,” he replied, “God loves every one just the same, and Jesus died for all. I came here to tell you about Him.”

“For there is no difference... for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:12,13.

The story of how the missionary risked his son’s life to save a Chinese slave girl quickly spread through the towns and villages. Often as the missionary went from one place to another preaching the gospel he would hear people say, “We want to hear about God who loves all people enough to give His Son to save them. We want to hear it from the man who tries to be like Him.”

ML-11/04/1979

Rodney, the Gypsy Boy

Rodney’s father and mother were gypsies. He was born in a tent, and in his early life he knew much about gypsy wagons and caravans.

One day some Christian men came out to the gypsy encampment and preached the gospel there. Rodney’s father became a true Christian, and later on at a gospel meeting Rodney himself took the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. After that he became a soul-winner, and went about preaching the gospel.

Rodney had an uncle whom he loved very much. He wanted him to come to know the Saviour, too, and to have the joy of being saved. However, gypsy boys were taught to respect their elders, and Rodney held back from talking to his uncle about the Lord. Nevertheless, he knew that he could pray for his uncle, and this he did. Often he would disappear, and kneeling down alone, he would pray that God would somehow save his uncle, too.

It so happened that his uncle noticed that the knees in Rodney’s trousers had holes in them. So he said to his nephew kindly, “How come the knees of your trousers are so worn, Rodney, when the rest of your suit is nearly new?”

“Oh Uncle,” replied Rodney, “I have been on my knees praying for you so many times my trousers are worn through.” Then he began to sob. “Uncle,” he went on, “I want you to become a Christian, too.”

His uncle put his arm around the boy, and a little later he, too, got down on his knees and prayed. He confessed to God that he was a sinner, and accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour.

Sometimes boys and girls who know the Saviour feel they are too young to work for Him. But here is something all of us can do—we can pray for others, that God may draw them to the feet of the Saviour, too.

“It is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15.

ML-11/04/1979

An Atheist Saved

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

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

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

ML-11/04/1979

A Little Boy and His Bible

There was a little boy living in a fishing village on the south coast of England, who loved his Bible more than his breakfast or his dinner, and every morning he would steal away with it to the seashore. One afternoon he was reading as usual, when a number of boys found him out and began to annoy him. So, to avoid them, he got into a tiny boat that was anchored near. Some of them cut the rope, which the boy, being intent on his Bible, did not notice till he found himself drifting out to sea on the ebbing tide. Darkness and mist soon came on and the poor little boy was alone with his Bible on the wide ocean.

Two days after a large Norwegian vessel was passing up the channel, when a man at the look-out spied a black object on the water. The captain’s telescope soon made out that it was a small boat, so the ship sailed up to it, and then they saw a little boy fast asleep clasping a Bible! They lifted him out and he awoke, but fainted away directly through weakness from want of food. However, kind care soon restored him, and then he told his story, and what a comfort his loved Bible had been to him in those lonely hours on the water, until he had become too weak to read.

Do you know the precious Saviour of whom this Word speaks, and can you say, “Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart"? Jeremiah 15:16.

ML-11/04/1979

The Hitching Post

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

In Ohio years ago there was a young Christian man who had an earnest desire to spread far and wide the glory of the Saviour he sought to serve. He was highly educated, a gentleman in tastes and character, and aglow with love for Christ and souls.

One day when he and another Christian were walking down the street, they came upon a pitiful figure of a young fellow, scarcely more than a teen-ager, who was drunk. Dirty and ragged, he was a typical human derelict.

Startled, the young Christian exclaimed, “Who is that?”

“Oh,” said his companion, “he is only a ‘hitching post'—the town bum.”

Instantly there was born in that young Christian man’s heart a great desire to see that young man saved and become a respectable citizen. Laying his hand on the derelict’s shoulder he said, “My friend, come home and have dinner with me today.”

Too intoxicated to refuse and attracted by the kindness in the young Christian’s voice, the youth consented. Taking his arm the Christian led him home. His other Christian companion, somewhat disgusted, went off in another direction.

“Helen, I have brought a guest for dinner,” said the young Christian as he introduced the poor degraded youth to his wife. While she was setting an extra place at the table, her husband helped the young derelict clean up and change into some of his own clothes.

The experience had an electrifying effect on the young fellow. It was a new experience to sit down to a clean white linen and to look into the face of a beautiful Christ-like young woman.

After a good meal while Helen cleared the table, the two retired to a quiet corner to talk. Drawing his chair up to his guest who was now sober, the Christian poured out his heart saying, “I am going to introduce you to a precious Friend of mine—One who has helped me over life’s rough roads and who will help you. He will take away all your sin and guilt, and fill your life with new desires and new hopes. He will give you the power to live a clean and useful life.”

As he talked on, the young fellow’s eyes filled with tears. Never before had he been treated so kindly. He knew he had never wanted, and so had never met, this Friend—Jesus Christ as his Saviour.

Twenty-five years passed. One day the Christian man was called to the same Ohio town to a Christian conference. He accepted an invitation to dinner and found himself guest in the home of a business man who introduced his lovely wife and three beautiful daughters.

Then his host said, “Do you remember your experience with a young prodigal whom they called ‘the hitching post’ when you were in this town years ago?”

“Oh yes,” returned the guest, “and I have often wondered what became of him.”

His host’s eyes filled with tears as he said, “I am the ‘hitching post,’ and he went on to tell of what the grace of God had done for him, how the Lord had saved him and lifted him out of the awful life he was leading. Old things had passed away, and all things had become new in Christ Jesus.

“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory.” 1 Samuel 2:8.

ML-11/11/1979

How Little Quack Was Saved

Shirley splashed her feet in the clear cool waters of Portage Lake. Then she glanced up quickly at the excited quack of a duck. A few feet away Mother Duck was swimming rapidly through the water with her five little ducklings close behind. However, one little fellow started to drop behind, and Shirley smiled as the mother quacked a sound, scolding at him.

Shirley watched as Little Quack fell even farther behind. Mother Duck continued to scold excitedly. Little Quack bobbed under the water and popped up again. He seemed barely able to keep his head above water.

“Look, Ruth,” exclaimed Shirley, “that poor little duck is going to drown. I wonder what’s wrong with him. Let’s see if we can help.”

Jumping quickly into a canoe by the dock, they were soon paddling out to where Little Quack was struggling to stay afloat. Reaching over the side of the canoe, Shirley gently tried to lift the little fellow out of the water, but he seemed so heavy. Then as she raised him above the surface, she discovered what was wrong. A good-sized turtle had a firm grip on Little Quack’s leg and was trying to pull him under water. They lifted both little duck and turtle into the canoe, and then the turtle let go.

“That terrible turtle!" exclaimed Ruth. And with that they seized it by the leg and threw it as far as they could across the lake. With a loud plop and splash it hit the water, and disappeared below.

“There!” Shirley exclaimed. “He’s not likely to bother those little ducks any more.”

She hugged Little Quack tenderly as they paddled over to where Mother Duck and her brood were swimming about. Gently she placed the little fellow as close to his mother as she could get. Thankful and happy after his dreadful experience, Little Quack was soon swimming with great glee back to his mother and brothers and sisters.

The two girls sat for a while and enjoyed watching the little duck family swimming about together, and then they saw a motor boat rapidly approaching. The driver cut the motor and the craft slowed down and floated in to where they sat.

“Why are you girls bothering those ducks?” came a gruff voice. “Why can’t you just let nature alone?”

“But a turtle had the little duck by its foot!” explained Shirley.

The man grunted impolitely. “Well, just leave the ducks alone,” he said; “they’ll be all right.” Then starting his motor, with a scowl he roared off down the lake.

Both girls were taken aback at the man’s coarse ingratitude, and there were tears in Shirley’s eyes.

“They’ll be all right, huh!” repeated Ruth. “If we had left them alone, there would have been one dead little duck!”

It was love in the heart of those girls to want to save Little Quack, and it was love in the heart of God that moved Him to send Jesus into this world to save sinners like you and me. Just as bad old Turtle had a firm grip of Little Quack and was dragging him down to death, so Satan has a hold on poor sinners that no power can break but God Himself. Jesus the Son of God came into this world to destroy the power of the devil, and this He did when on the cross. He went into death and rose again, the mighty Victor over death and Satan. All who believe on Him by faith are now set free from Satan’s power. Their sins are gone, too, and they “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

The man who severely scolded the girls for interfering with nature reminds us of those who do not want the kindness of God themselves, and they do not like to see others saved by grace. They do not want to be saved, but prefer to go on in their sins, and it disturbs them when they see or hear of someone being saved and turning to God. May we each know what it is to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” and rejoice to see others prove what a wonderful Saviour Jesus is.

ML-11/11/1979

Blind Marie and Her Bible

Poor, blind Marie! The preacher who had recently come to their town spoke of the Lord Jesus who had opened the eyes of the blind people He met. What longings rose in her heart! How she wished that she might see, not just for the joy of looking at the lovely blue sky or the faces of her dear family, but because she longed to be able to read about Him, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marie’s great desire stirred Mr. Cameron’s heart. He hoped that he could help her. After making inquiries he found a Christian man who had a class for a few blind people. He taught them to read Braille and to do handiwork by which they could earn a little money.

Mr. Cameron arranged that Marie should attend the class for an hour or so each day. He also gave her a Bible in Braille, the letters of which are raised high so that the blind can feel them with their fingertips.

What joy filled Marie’s heart as she set out for her first lesson! With her precious Bible under her arm and her hand in her younger brother’s, she walked the few blocks to the gentleman’s house.

But great was her disappointment! Marie’s family was poor. In order to help earn a little money, Marie had been taught basket weaving which many blind people can do quite cleverly. She had worked several years at this. The skin on her finger tips had become so hard that she could not feel the raised letters in the Braille Bible.

However, one day as she sat working, cutting the ends off the straw she was using, she had an idea.

“Why not cut the hard skin off my fingers,” she thought, “then new soft skin would grow in its place.”

She really did this in spite of the pain it gave her. But it did not help. There was still not enough feeling in her fingers, and anyway she had to keep on weaving baskets. Day after day she wept as she worked. Then came a new thought.

“Though I cannot see, God has opened the eyes of my soul,” she whispered. “Should I not praise and thank Him for this?”

Feeling more cheerful now, she began to think about her Bible.

“Since I cannot use it, ought I not let someone else have it. Perhaps there is another blind person with softer fingers who will be able then to learn to read.”

Holding the Book close to her she knelt and prayed.

“Oh, precious Lord Jesus, Thou who lovest the poor and openeth the eyes of the blind, I thank Thee that Thou hast not hid Thyself from a poor blind girl. As I cannot read Thy heavenly words, I ask that Thou wilt whisper them in my heart continually, so that my mind may not be as dark as my eyes. I can hear Thy blessed Word and Thou knowest that I love Thee.”

Then Marie opened the Bible and put it to her lips to kiss the page. And what a joyous surprise! Her tender lips could plainly feel the high printed letters. With a cry of delight she followed the lines down the whole page. It was all easy and plain. Her lips could read.

A year later Mr. Cameron visited Marie again. The little home was just the same, but Marie’s face shone with heavenly joy. She sat on an old chair with a basket at her feet, reading her dear Bible. For her darkness was gone.

“Is it not nice to kiss the lovely words while I am reading them?” she said in a voice full of happiness. How good the Lord had been to her! He had heard her prayer and filled her heart with gladness.

Oh that we all would value the Scriptures as she did! You have your natural eyesight. You can read these words easily. But have the eyes of your soul been opened, for we are all born spiritually blind? Through His Word and by His Spirit, God would open our eyes to see that we are sinners and that the only way to have those sins forgiven is through trusting in the Lord Jesus as Saviour. Satan, the god of this world, has blinded the minds of them that don’t believe, and he tries to keep them that way until it is too late—when they die and wake up in eternal darkness—lost forever. “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25.

ML-11/11/1979

Eric's Dream

Memory Verse: “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.” Matthew 7:13

Eric was on the ferry traveling from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. His bed rocked back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Slowly he dropped off to sleep. Then he began to dream, and this is what he dreamed.

There was a man there, and oh, he could talk so nicely! He talked so nicely that you just loved to listen to him. My, what a nice man!

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“To Ontario,” Eric answered.

“Why that is just where I am going! What way are you going back?”

“I’m taking Highway— to Highway— over to Highway—.”

“Oh, I know a better way than that. You follow me and I’ll show you a really good way to go!”

So, in Eric’s dream, the ferry filly arrived at Sydney, Nova Scotia.

“Now come on along with me,” said the man. And Eric happily drove off behind him to take the “better way” home.

Soon Eric found himself on a “broad road,” a superhighway with cars whizzing past him. He seemed to be drawn along by some unseen force in the same direction with the other cars. It was a strange feeling, and he looked around at the faces of the drivers in the other cars around him. Each face had that same strange look as if they, too, were being drawn helplessly along by some unseen power.

Eric began to get frightened. Then a verse of Scripture came into his mind: “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matthew 7:13.

Just then Eric saw his brother and another old Christian off to one side of the highway. They were scrambling along a narrow little dirt path and up a rugged little hill.

“That’s what I want!” thought Eric. “Wait!” he cried. “Wait!” And he tried to turn off the “broad road.” But it was a limited access highway and he could not get off even if he wanted to. How frightened he was! What could he do?

Slowly Eric turned around and he worked his way back to where he had first gotten onto the “broad road.” It was a long way back, and it was a difficult way this time, but it was the only way. But there he found the entrance to the narrow little path where he had seen his brother and the old Christian.

He got onto the narrow path and began to climb a long hill. It was a difficult climb and it took him a long time, but finally he reached the top.

Then Eric woke up. His dream had ended.

This was a true story of a man’s dream. But Eric had a deeper sense of the solemn position of those who travel the “broad road” and at the same time the blessedness of those who choose the “narrow way” which leads to life everlasting.

Dear reader, which road are you traveling? The Lord Jesus, the perfect Man, walked “the narrow way” down here, and He says to you today as He did of old, “Follow Me.”

When Eric woke up at the end of his dream, how glad he was to know that he was on the “narrow way,” a possessor of eternal life through having the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. If at the end of life’s road you wake up in eternity, which will it be for you—eternal life or eternal woe?

“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-11/18/1979

Won By Love

I remember a family of boys in Chicago who used to hoot at me and my Sunday school class as we passed their house sometimes.

One day one of those boys came into the Sunday school and made fun of everything. As he went away, I told him I was glad to see him there and hoped he would come again. He did come again and made noise, but I urged him to come the next time.

Finally one day he came, and after sitting quietly he said: “I wish you would pray for me, boys.” Not long after that that boy came to Christ and was happily saved.

ML-11/18/1979

A Korean Christian

Sung Lee was a Christian and taught in a Christian school in Korea. When the Japanese invaded the country, the authorities said: “Pupils and teachers must, at stated times, bow and worship at the shrine of Shinto and acknowledge the emperor of the land of the rising sun.”

For a while Sung Lee did this, but he was unhappy. His Christian mother and other Christians were also very unhappy and disappointed in Sung Lee for bowing to any one but the Lord Jesus Christ.

However, in a short time Sung Lee repented of what he had done, and the Lord freely forgave Him, for “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. Sung Lee was happy again.

“I would rather die than be so unfaithful again,” he declared.

Then the Communists came, and during the Korean War Sung Lee would not yield to their wicked atheistic demands. They put him in prison. They made him work like a slave in a mine. They beat him every Sunday because he refused to work on the Lord’s day. The Lord sustained him and gave him courage to stand for Him.

After the war Sun Lee was released and went about spreading the glad tidings of the grace of God and salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter 2:21-23.

ML-11/18/1979

"Bad Jim's" Rescue

Jim was the bad boy of the village. The boys and girls shunned him, and not without cause. His language was generally very bad and his actions were little better. He worked for a farmer and looked after his cattle. As the village children went to and from school, Jim was in the habit of teasing and insulting them as they walked along.

Poor Jim! He had no kind parents to look after him and train him, or to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. His father was a drunkard, and his poor mother, after enduring much neglect and want, had died in grief and despair. Jim had been taken in hand by the farmer to keep him out of prison.

One afternoon as the children were returning from school, Jim sat swinging on a branch of a tree that overhung the river. He seemed to be enjoying himself, and when the boys and girls came in sight, he shouted to attract their attention. They stopped to gaze in astonishment at his bravery as he swung merrily above the river which at that point was very deep. Flattered on seeing the children watching his performances, he increased his speed; but alas, the branch broke carrying Jim with it into the water below.

There was a loud cry from the children on the road when they saw Jim plunge into the stream. A few of them made a rush down the slope where Jim was seen struggling to keep his head above water, and still clinging to the broken branch of the tree.

“Help! Help!” cried the drowning boy; but there was no help near, save the school children, most of whom were too frightened to go near the water.

However, two girls and a boy, older than the rest, got hold of a long board lying near the gate and, carrying it down to the riverside, stretched it toward Jim, still struggling in the deep water. He caught hold of the end of it, and they pulled him to the water’s edge, where several other children had gathered. All pulling together, they landed Jim safely on the bank, soaking wet and quite exhausted. By this time the farmer arrived, attracted by the cries of the children, and Jim was taken to the farm and attended to.

That incident changed Jim’s attitude to the school children. He molested them no more. Ever after, he was most considerate and kind. He could see from their efforts that day that they cared for him, and this changed his feelings toward them.

In the same way, when sinners, hitherto at enmity with God, believe that Jesus loves them and gave Himself for them to die, that they might be saved from sin and hell, they love Him in return. They seek to please Him, not to merit or earn His love, or in order to be saved, but just because He has loved them, and has saved them already.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

I am glad to tell you that Jim is now a Christian, saved by the grace of God, and on his way to heaven. Now he loves to seek out the friendless and destitute boys and tries to lead them to the Saviour.

In a recent tragedy in Mexico, a church building collapsed and caved in upon those who were inside. Among the many dead was found a mother, her body broken and crushed by the falling rock, but when they lifted her up, they found under her two of her children, unconscious from the weight upon them, but alive. The mother had protected them with her own body. She gave her life to save them; she died that they might live.

The Bible tells us the most wonderful story of One who gave His life to save others, even His enemies. The Lord Jesus gave His life to save us from the just judgment of God against our sins. He died that we might live. But death could not hold Him, for He rose again, and lives at God’s right hand in heaven. Now He offers salvation free to all through faith in Him, and eternal life.

Those who put their trust in Him are saved eternally. But those who refuse Him and His mercy, must bear their own eternal judgment.

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

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11,12.

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

ML-11/18/1979

How the Mayor Was Changed

Mrs. Wang, an old Chinese wan came to the mission hospital and asked to see the doctor.

“A few months ago,” she told the missionary, “the mayor of our town visited here. He used to be a very bad man. He was mean to his children. He gambled and wasted his money. Much of the time his mouth was filled with angry words. But since his visit here he is changed. He is no longer a tiger, but a lamb! His poor wife is very happy now.”

“That is good news indeed,” said the missionary doctor. “But what can I do for you?”

“Well,” she replied, “I don’t want you to tell anybody, but I am a bad person, too. My mouth is often filled with angry words, and I am afraid my family finds it hard to live with me. I have come to ask you to please give me some of the same medicine that cured our mayor.”

How happy the doctor was to tell the poor Chinese woman about Jesus the Saviour, who loves and died for sinners to cleanse away their sins, and to give them a new life and nature like Himself—a nature which delights only in pleasing Him and loving others.

“And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” 1 John 3:23.

ML-11/18/1979

Guilty But Pardoned

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

Earlier this year three teenagers, John and his two friends, Dick and Tom, were caught red-handed at shop-lifting by the store detective. They had thought they were too slick to get caught, but they didn’t feel so cocky now. They were booked at the police station for shop-lifting and released only on bail.

The boys were ordered to get a lawyer to defend themselves in court. John’s father took the three to a Christian lawyer who lived in the area. When the lawyer realized that the boys were truly guilty, he told them that the right thing to do was to plead “guilty” and throw themselves on the mercy of the judge. All three pondered the attorney’s counsel, but only John decided to accept his advice and do the right thing.

That same afternoon the lawyer obtained a hearing for John in court. John pleaded “guilty.” He told the judge the whole story without trying to hide anything. The judge himself was moved by the boy’s frank, open testimony.

But John had done wrong and deserved to be sentenced. The judge sentenced him, for he was guilty. Then he immediately pardoned him, for that was his prerogative as judge. But more than that, the judge expunged the evidence against John from the record; he completely erased it. This was mercy.

How happy John was! The merciful judge had forgiven and pardoned him, and cleared his record of all guilt. And not only that; after the court session was over, the judge stepped down from his chair, and sitting down beside John he spent twenty minutes trying to encourage him to “go straight” and to live an honest and upright life.

As sinners we were all guilty, too, before God, for His Word declares, “All have sinned!” Romans 3:23. But “God who is rich in mercy” sent Jesus, His beloved Son, to die in our stead. Now He will grant a pardon full and free to anyone who casts himself upon His mercy and trusts in Jesus as Saviour. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9) and He clears the record of all our guilt. “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24); “justied"—just as if I had never sinned.

Furthermore God gives us His Spirit—the power to overcome temptations and to walk the straight and narrow way through this world to the heavenly mansions above.

But what happened to the other two boys? Poor Dick and Tom felt that the evidence against them was not sufficient to convict them, so they got a different lawyer to defend them in court. However, the judge righteously found them guilty and both were given stiff sentences.

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

“Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17.

ML-11/25/1979

"Little Li"

Li was a little girl in China, years ago. Through some missionaries, she heard about Jesus and came to trust Him as her Saviour. How happy she was!

But, through no fault of hers, when still a child she had been married to a man who was not a Christian and who was very cruel. Li had to help his mother who also was not a Christian and who made Li work very hard.

The old mother was vexed when she learned that Li was a Christian and beat her when she would not bow down to idols.

Li liked to go to the Sunday morning services at the mission, for which she was given a beating by the cruel mother. Nevertheless, Li still went. Then one Sunday morning the mother hid Li’s shoes, hoping this would keep her from going. But Li went regardless, in her bare feet. The boys laughed at her as she walked along the street, and before she got home her feet were bleeding. But to Li the joy of being with kind friends who cared for her, and of praising the Lord Jesus together, was worth all the suffering and shame.

When she got home, she expected the mother to beat her again. But no, the mother thought, “If Jesus means that much to Li, so that she is willing to suffer for Him, He must be worth knowing. Perhaps He really is the Saviour.”

So she asked Li to tell her about the Lord Jesus, which Li was only too glad to do. From then on, things began to change in that home. The Lord worked in the heart of the mother who listened to the stories of Jesus that Li told, and the time came when she trusted Him as her Saviour. Later on, the husband, too, became a Christian, and now all were a happy Christian family.

ML-11/25/1979

The Robber's Den

In a little village in India was a den of robbers, thieves and thugs. People were afraid to pass that way. At length the government decided to raze the village and scatter the inhabitants.

A group of Christians hearing of the government’s intention pleaded for a chance to save the village from destruction. They went to the village, and boldly preached the gospel on the streets and in the rice fields.

Much prayer went up for those poor villagers, and the Spirit of God worked mightily in hearts long hardened in sin. The saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ found its way into consciences hitherto unmoved by crime. Conviction and confession followed, and a change began to take place in many lives.

First, the robber chief himself was converted, and then one by one, almost all confessed Christ and were baptized.

The stealing stopped. Not a complaint was made to the government against these villagers. But the police thought this was too good to last.

A short time later one of the former robbers moved to the next village. The police sent a man to spy on him. Late one evening the spy saw the man following a trail with a package under his arm. It was wrapped in newspaper.

“Ah, he has been at it again!” thought the spy. He followed the man to his home and watched him through the window.

The man closed the door, gathered his family around him, and unwrapped the package. The spy expected to see some stolen goods tumble out. Instead it was a Bible! He had borrowed it from a Christian neighbor. Then he began to read aloud from it to his family. The man listening outside heard these words among others read: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

“Let him that stole steal no more.” Ephesians 4:28.

ML-11/25/1979

"He Wants Me!"

A preacher chose for his text one night that wonderful verse, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

He was a true, warm-hearted man, and as he drew near the close of his address, his heart was so full of Christ that he could not express what he felt and wanted to say.

All he could say was, " ‘Come unto Me'—what does it mean? ‘Come unto Me'—what does it mean?” Again and again at a loss to know what else to say, he repeated it: “What does it mean? What does it mean?”

All at once a little girl, sitting on a front seat, timidly rose and child-like held up her hand.

“Well,” asked the preacher kindly, “what does it mean, Dear?”

“Please, sir, it means that He wants me,” was the touching reply.

The preacher sat down; but he and his audience felt no more need be said. Hearts became tender, eyes became wet with tears, and afterward one and another said, “The wisest and most able among us could not have given him a truer and sweeter exposition of the text— ‘Come unto Me': He wants me.”

ML-11/25/1979

"Make Baby Sister Well!"

Little Sandra had a tiny baby sister who was very sick. Sandra was only three years old herself, when she heard the doctor and her mother talking together.

“Your little one is very sick, and I’m afraid she’s not going to get better,” said the doctor.

Without a word little Sandra went quietly over to the telephone, climbed up on a chair and lifted the receiver. Then in her own sweet childish voice she quietly spoke these words into the phone: “Dear Jesus, make baby sister well.” She thought this was a good way to talk to Jesus.

The operator heard Sandra. But best of all the Lord Jesus heard her sweet, simple prayer of faith and answered it in His own wonderful way. Her baby sister was soon on the way to recovery.

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

“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

ML-11/25/1979

Songs of Praise

In the military hospital in Cairo, Egypt, a Christian lady who was visiting the patients, came to the bedside of a young Scotch soldier. The doctor said he could not live until morning. When she stopped and asked him if there was anything she could do for him, he said, “Mother, mother.”

She bathed his fevered brow with cold water. Thanking her he said, “That reminds me of Mother.” Then she asked him if she could write a letter to his mother.

“No,” he replied, “the doctor has promised to do that. But, lady, will you sing to me?”

Softly she sang, “Shall we gather at the river?” The weak voices of the other wounded men joined in the chorus,

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river,

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

The lady remarked, “When all God’s children are gathered home, there will be songs of praise and thanksgiving. I am going to be there. Will you?”

A smile came over the face of the young Highlander as he said, “Yes, I will be there because of what Jesus Christ has done for me. I, too, will sing His praise.”

ML-11/25/1979

The Captain's Sword

Memory Verse: “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11

Johnnie Ring was a young boy who served as an orderly under a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War. Johnnie shared the captain’s tent, sleeping on a low couch just across from the officer. One of his duties was to polish the captain’s gold sheathed sword, on which was engraved the motto: “True friendship is eternal.”

On their first night together Johnnie took his little Bible out of his pocket to read in the dim light of a lantern. To his surprise the captain took one look at him and roared, “We don’t believe in the Bible around here, and neither will you after you get into the War. You can’t read the Bible in my tent. I couldn’t have anyone see you reading it here.”

Greatly surprised and pained, poor Johnnie explained that he had promised his mother before she died that he would read his Testament regularly every night.

The captain snapped, “If you wish to read that Testament, get out of this tent and away from me. I respect your love for your mother, but I don’t believe in the Bible. It will do you no good anyhow!”

Johnnie was unable to read his Testament outside in the dimming twilight, so each day after that he tried waiting for the captain to go out and then snatching a few minutes to read. However, the captain came in unexpectedly one evening and caught him at it.

“Johnnie, didn’t I tell you not to read that Bible?” said the captain. “Now do what your superior officer commands! Stop it now, and don’t ever read that Bible in my tent again!”

Sadly the boy closed his Bible and started to leave the tent. Then with tears in his eyes he said, “Captain, I love you; but you are a very wicked man.” This was the last said about the Bible, but it left the captain strangely disturbed.

Shortly after, while the regiment was guarding a railroad in North Carolina, one dark night the Captain was inspecting some sentries. Suddenly a bullet whistled out of the dark forest and knocked him down. Miraculously enough he was scarcely wounded, for the bullet had struck and smashed the watch in his pocket.

Sometime later while the captain was in New Berne on business, the enemy captured and destroyed his encampments. As the troops retreated across the burning bridge, Johnnie discovered that the captain’s sword had been left hanging in their quarters. Back he raced across the bridge and rescued it from the blazing tent. Then again dashing through the smoke and flames on the bridge he fell at the end insensible with his uniform on fire.

Brave Johnnie was badly burned. Later when he regained consciousness, he asked after his captain. Word was at once sent to the offer, but before he could come Johnnie had gone to be with Jesus his Saviour whom he loved and served faithfully. When the captain received back his sword again and read the motto: “True friendship is eternal!” he said, “Eternal! Will I ever see Johnnie again? Is there any eternity?” He never forgot the brave boy who had died serving his captain.

At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain sometime later, the officer who was now Lieutenant Colonel, was severely wounded and left for dead. While lying there he thought: “Oh! is there another life? If there My Best Text is, I want to find Johnnie. If only I could have that boy here to pray for me! I feel an awful desire to know about eternal life—if there is such a thing.”

God was gracious to the wounded officer, and eventually he recovered. But best of all he learned that there was a God, that He was a God of love who delights in mercy. With cords of love He drew the former atheist to the feet of the Saviour. He accepted Johnnie’s Saviour as his Saviour, and from then on it was his joy to tell others of Him who had saved him and given him eternal life. He became a faithful and well-known preacher of the gospel.

Dear reader, there is an eternity. Where will you spend it?

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8, 6:23.

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

ML-12/02/1979

My Best Text

“Mother,” said little Sally on coming home from the Sunday school, “I want to ask you something.”

“Well, dear, what is it?”

“Do you know which is my best text?”

“Tell me, my dear,” replied Mother.

“Well, Mother, you know that I’m just seven years old, and my little text has seven words in it, and this is it: " ‘It is time to seek the Lord.’ "

ML-12/02/1979

A Little Boy's Word

The Saviour had just taken Home a little fellow in his tender years. A workman came into the room and asked to look at the lovely face of the child.

“You wonder that I care so much,” he said to the sorrowing parents, “but your boy was a messenger of God to me. One day I was coming down a long ladder from a very high roof, and when I reached the ground, I found your little boy close beside me. He looked up into my face with childish wonder, and asked frankly, ‘Weren’t you afraid of falling when you were up so high?’

“Before I had time to answer, he said, ‘Oh, I know why you weren’t afraid—you had prayed this morning before you began your work.’

“I had not prayed; but I have done so since, because I discovered that I was a poor guilty sinner and therefore needed a Saviour. I found Christ after that.”

These few words from this dear little boy had awakened that man to a sense of his need.

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” Matthew 21:16.

“A little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6.

“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-12/02/1979

Gospel Tracts

Children who love the Lord Jesus can distribute tracts and so help spread His fame as the Saviour of sinners.

Someone offered a gospel tract to an old man in a country village. He accepted it readily and said, “You don’t know how much good you may do, in giving away tracts and books.”

“For years I led a bad, sad life. One morning while I was dirty, ragged and miserable, I leaned against a wall. I put my hand behind me and found a loose stone in the wall. Looking around I saw a little book thrust into the wall and held by the stone. I took it and found it was a little gospel booklet. Through God’s mercy, that little book was the means of my coming to Jesus, and trusting Him as my Lord and Saviour. That was years ago, but He has never failed nor forsaken me.”

ML-12/02/1979

Tomorrow-Too Late!

Those who go down to perdition from gospel lands have almost all been ruined by the word “tomorrow.” They did not intend to make their bed in hell. They intended to embrace the Saviour, and prepare for heaven. But they were never quite able to attend to this matter; they were always going to do it tomorrow, or at some not very distant day. So they deferred, till death came. A fatal tomorrow! O cruel murderer of souls! How many by thee have been robbed of heaven, and forever lost?

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML-12/02/1979

"You Didn't Look up!"

There was a man once who was in the habit of stealing from his neighbors. One day he took his little boy with him into a cornfield to steal some of the corn. He first looked all around carefully to make sure no one was looking. He was about to start filling his bag when the little fellow spoke up. “Daddy,” he said, “you didn’t look everywhere.”

“Yes, I did,” his father said. “Where didn’t I look?”

“You didn’t look up!” was the little boy’s reply.

Like an arrow from God, those words went to the father’s heart. He dropped the corn, and without a word he hastily left the cornfield.

Dear boys and girls, when tempted to do evil, just remember that God is looking down. He sees all that we do and He hears all that we say; and not only that, but he knows all that we think, too.

“Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13.

ML-12/02/1979

Who Taught You to Swear?

An aged preacher was once riding in a cab. The driver, a fine looking young man, frequently swore. For some time the minister was silent. At length he asked, in a kind voice; “Will you tell me, my friend, who taught you to swear? Was it your mother?”

A tender point was touched. “My mother? No, sir! Why, my mother is a praying woman! It would break her heart if she heard me swearing,” he replied.

In loving words, the aged Christian pleaded with the driver, to honor, not only his mother’s teachings, but also the commands of his mother’s God.

“Thank you, sir,” said the young man; and during the remainder of the journey not another oath was heard.

How many of God’s people are as faithful as this aged preacher was?

ML-12/02/1979

The Prodigal Son

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, 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. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20-24

ML-12/02/1979

The Man in the Moon

Memory Verse: “Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13

I was traveling on horseback in Brazil, says a missionary, between two mountains, on the way to a meeting. I had with me a Brazilian guide, who also was an active gospel preacher. I asked him to tell me how he was converted, and he told me this interesting story.

His name was Prudenciano. He and another man had once arranged to do away with an enemy, and they had agreed on the time and place to do the dark deed. The hour was to be late at night, and Prenciano accordingly set out alone for the meeting place in the moonlight.

It was a clear night and full moon. When one is going to do a dark deed, too much light is a great inconvenience, so thought Prudeiano, and the moon overhead troubled him. He had to pass over open ground, and heartily wished that the moon would not shine so brightly. Looking up at it from time to time, there was the “man in the moon,” as it appeared to be, watching with his two great eyes, and Prudenciano began to feel very uncomfortable. The watcher, hover, kept up the stare, and showed no signs of hiding his face behind a cloud. Prudenciano began to think, and to waver. If the “man in the moon” made him feel so uncomfortable, what about God? The idea of God looking on, and taking note, had not before occurred to him.

Soon he felt he could go no further, and slowly went back home. There he got out of sight of the “man in the moon,” but the thought that God was ever watching him in all his movements began to haunt him. He thought of other misdeeds he had committed, and these began now to trouble him. He had in his house a book of prayers, and these he began to read and repeat, but he got no relief for his soul from these exercises. He also possessed a New Testament which he now began to study closely. He read on until he came to the verse Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Prudenciano believed, he saw himself to be a great sinner, but he also saw Jesus as a Saviour who was greater than all his sins, and this brought peace to his troubled soul.

Soon after this Prudenciano heard of gospel meetings where the Book was explained, and to these he went with great eagerness. God blessed him and he became a faithful preacher of the gospel, traveling for miles around that part of the country, taking the message of redeeming love to many who sat in darkness, like he himself once was in.

The conversion of Prudenciano shows that still God chooses “things which are not” (1 Cor. 1:28) to fulfill His blest purposes of love to lost sinners.

“Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML-12/09/1979

"I'm Not Too Young"

Mr. Hawkins, the gypsy evangelist, while holding meetings at Leamington, had an experience that impressed on him the importance of taking children seriously.

He had given a rather lengthy Bible lecture and decided not to have an after meeting. However, he invited any anxious souls to wait behind after the meeting if they wished. The large congregation filed out, and no one appeared to be waiting. He put his Bible away and prepared to leave. Then he noticed two little girls and a boy who obviously desired to be spoken to.

“Hello!” he said. “What do you want?”

“We want to give our hearts to Jesus,” was their reply.

Mr. Hawkins pulled out his watch and said: “It is very late. You had better go home. We have a special children’s meeting on Fray. Come back then, and we’ll have a talk about the matter.”

At this the boy began to cry. “Oh,” he said, “I deliver papers on Friday and can’t come to the meeting. I would like to be saved tonight.”

Instantly Gypsy Hawkins saw his mistake and said to the little fellow, “You’re right, and I’m wrong.”

They had a little talk together in which Mr. Hawkins made the way of salvation clear and simple for these dear children to understand. Then they all knelt down in the aisle, and there on their knees each of the three accepted the Lord and confessed Him as their Saviour. That young boy became an earnest Christian, grew up to be a preacher of the gospel, and a well-known and respected servant of Christ.

“I’m not too young to come to Jesus,

For He loves a little child.”

The Lord Jesus tells us in the gospels, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones.” Matthew 18:10.

“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.

ML-12/09/1979

Sowing the Good Seed

A Chinese girl, just fourteen years old, helped in the dispensary of a clinic in inland China. She, like Dr. Fish and the others who worked there, loved the Lord Jesus and wanted others to love Him, too.

She sometimes gave gospels to the patients she met, and one was given to a man who had come twenty-five miles to see the doctor. Some time later Dr. Fish was called to go and see him, as he was now too ill to travel himself. When Dr. Fish reached the town, he heard the sad news that the Chinaman had died, even while they were on the way to ask him to come.

But there was good news, too, for he had left a message. “Please tell that young school girl who works for Dr. Fish that I read the book she gave me, and, believing the One of whom it tells, I am trusting Him for salvation, and will meet her in heaven.”

How happy they were at the dispensary to hear that, especially little Miss Fang, who thanked the Lord that another patient had found the Saviour. From that time she was very careful to see that every patient received a gospel before leaving. Let us, too, try to scatter the good seed of God’s Word.

“In the morning, sow thy seed and in the evening withhold not thy hand.” Ecclesiastes 11:6.

The day is coming when the Lord shall gather in His harvest. All those who are the fruit of His grace, that is, all those who have trusted the Saviour, will be gathered home to heaven. Will it not be wonderful to have some one say to you in that day, “I read and believed the message you gave me, and through it I was saved"?

ML-12/09/1979

Rich Though Poor

A poor railway laborer was dying, and told out his joy thus: “I see Him now; He is with me. He will never let me go. How could I ever doubt Him?

“He is the Saviour of sinners; He is my Saviour.

“Jesus is mine, and I am His.

“Oh, tell all to come to Him, to come now! Christ for every man! Jesus Christ for every man!”

The Christian’s joys cannot be robbed from him by death. It can only carry him where those joys will be known to the full.

“Come now, and let us reason tether, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML-12/09/1979

"Look and Live"

How sad was my condition

Till Jesus made me whole,

There is but one Physician,

Can cure a sin-sick soul.

’Twas He that sought and found me,

And snatched me from the grave,

To tell to all around me,

His wondrous power to save.

A dying, risen Jesus,

Seen by the eye of faith,

At once from danger frees us,

And saves the soul from death.

Come, then, to this Physician,

His help He’ll freely give;

He makes no hard condition,

Tis only—look and live.

ML-12/09/1979

Caught in a Bear Trap

A Christian man by the name of Murphy came from New England and bought land in Ohio.

Mr. Murphy had a corncrib, and one winter day he saw a hole in the crib and some of his corn was gone. Day after day he observed that his corn was disappearing. Thinking it might be a bear which was stealing his corn, he got up a big bear trap which he set by the hole, hoping to catch the thief.

When he got up the next morning, Mr. Murphy went out to the corncrib, and sure enough he saw caught in the trap, not a bear, but one of his poor neighbors, with an empty sack lying near. At first, Mr. Murphy let on that he didn’t see the man and proceeded to chop some wood. Then, as he turned around, pretending that he had only just seen the man for the first time, he said, “Good morning, neighbor.”

The poor man said not a word. Mr. Murphy went on chopping wood, and as he did so, he remarked, “It was cold last night, wasn’t it?” Still no word from the man in the bear trap. “I say, neighbor,” he said, “How is Tom’s new barn coming along?”

Then the neighbor in the trap groaned and appealed to Mr. Murphy, “Would you please let me out of this trap?”

Then Mr. Murphy exclaimed, “Oh, you poor fellow! You must be nearly frozen. I’ll get you out of the trap. Then you come into the house and have breakfast with me.”

He freed the poor man from the trap, then took him into the house and set him on a chair by the stove, where Mrs. Murphy had a good fire going. Farmer Murphy told his wife to give the neighbor a good breakfast, and she fed him pancakes with ham and eggs and coffee. The man downed the good breakfast as though he were hungry as a wolf. Mr. Murphy knew that the poor man was almost starved, and then he thought about his poor wife and children back home.

After breakfast he took the poor man out to the corncrib and filled his empty sack with corn. As he sent him home, he said: “Dear neighbor, take this with you. I know your wife and children need it!”

Then as the man took off down the road, he called to him, “Neighbor, next time you come, come in through the front door, and not through the fence.”

Mr. Murphy showed kindness to the man who had robbed him. And so he displayed the spirit of Christ, who has told us: “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20.

And is not this like the Lord Jesus and the sinner? As sinners, we had dishonored and robbed God, but instead of punishing us as we deserve, God has shown kindness to us. He sent His beloved Son down into this world, who has taken up our case, and has answered to God for all that was against us. On the cross He bore all the punishment that our sins deserve. Now all those who trust in Jesus as their Saviour are set free from guilt and shame forever. And not only so, but God blesses and cares for those who once wronged Him but now believe in Jesus.

“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.

ML-12/09/1979

Joe Conlee

Memory Verse: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him: and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7

Joe Conlee was the son of a prosperous Christian farmer in Iowa. While Joe was still young his father hoped that his boy would become a preacher of the gospel.

Joe was a brilliant student and soon earned a college degree. Then he went to another college where he came under the influence of an infidel professor who encouraged him to read the writings of Darwin, Huxley and other infidels—men who did not believe in God and treated with contempt the Holy Scriptures. On coming out of that school Joe found a battle in his soul of reason against faith. He became a “free thinker” and was soon denying the teachings of the Bible. However, instead of being free, as he thought, he was really bound tighter in the chains of Satan.

Joe was also a gifted writer and in a short time he became editor and owner of a large newspaper. This he sold for a fortune and bought another. But, alas, he lost all through drink. He gambled and went from bad to worse, going from one city to another and spending much of his time in taverns. To get a few dimes for drink he would entertain visitors by giving lectures against God. So hard a master is Satan that the once promising fellow was now reduced to a poor, wasted, ragged despised drunkard.

One day he met a kind doctor who helped him join in the gold strike up in Alaska. But before her daddy left home, Joe’s little daughter had put a Bible in his bag, quite unknown to him.

Up in Alaska Joe, with two other friends, Wally and Jimmie, stayed in a little log hut on the "40 Mile,” spending most of their time drinking. Then one day one of his chums took sick, and while searching for some medicine in his bag, Joe discovered the small Bible his little daughter had given him.

It was Christmas day and the three drunkards began reading the Bible in turns. They kept it up sang “it would pass the time.” After a few days one of the three remarked, “Haven’t you noticed a kind of change coming over us?” They had actually stopped swearing and drinking.

January came, and they started reading the Gospel of John. Then arrived the eventful day, February 14, when Wally read: “Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. 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 14:1,2.

Joe’s hand brushed across his eyes. “What’s the matter, Joe? Are you crying?” asked Wally.

“Yes, go ahead,” returned Joe. “I’m thinking about my little girl. I’m not crying because of the Bible.”

Then Wally said, “For the last five days I’ve been wanting to pray and I was scared you fellows would laugh at me.”

“Well,” Joe continued, “my heart has been broken for the last week. I can hear my dear mother back in Iowa praying—though she is now in Heaven.”

“If you fellows want to pray,” joined in Jimmie, “I’ll pray with you.”

And there those three men in their lonely cabin got down on their knees to pray. Suddenly Wally Flett jumped to his feet crying, “Praise the Lord! Jesus heard me.” While he was shouting, up jumped Jimmie and Joe in similar sincere happiness. As sinners they had cried to God for mercy and He had heard their cries. They had trusted Christ for forgiveness and found salvation.

It was two o’clock in the morning when into that lonely cabin came the Son of God, the blessed Man of Calvary, and those three men were “born again” by the Spirit of God. Not long after Joe returned with his two friends from Alaska. What a day of rejoicing it was when he was reunited with his wife and daughter. Later he became the well known and honored Dr. Joseph Conlee, dean of a college.

As he told me his story of God’s saving grace, he wept and prayed. Not too long after this, he went to be with his Lord in the glory, and his last words were praise to that blessed One who had found him in that lonely cabin on the "40 Mile.”

God had done a permanent work in the hearts of all those three men, and while this was being written, Jimmie and Wally were out preaching the gospel.

Dear young reader, God can do the same for you, if you will only let Him. Do not go into sin as Joe did. How gracious God was to him, yet think of those wasted years, the lonely hours, the sorrows and heartaches he brought not only upon himself, but also to his dear wife and little daughter.

God has provided for your salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross to put away your sins and mine. “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-12/16/1979

"I'se so Happy!"

Little Harry was playing with his toys one day, when he stopped and looking toward his mother, with his face all lighted up, he said, “I’se so happy! I’se so happy!”

“And what is it that makes my little boy feel so happy?” asked Mother.

“I’se been thinking that Jesus up in heaven loves me. I love Jesus, and Jesus loves Harry.”

Harry was such a little fellow, yet he seemed to be enjoying the sunshine of Jesus’ love. We hope he continued to walk in that love as he grew older, and that he really knew the Lord Jesus as His Saviour.

“To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” Ephesians 3:19. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21.

ML-12/16/1979

Enter! Enter!

A little girl, only eight years old, coming home with her mother from a gospel meeting, said, “Oh Mother, I don’t think that hymn ends right, because you see, it leaves the Saviour out at the close.” She was speaking of the hymn the last verse of which runs:

“Knocking, knocking,—what, still there?

Knocking, knocking, grand and fair.

Yes, the pierced hand still knocketh,

And beneath the crowned hair

Beam the patient eyes, so tender,

Of the Saviour waiting there.”

“I don’t think it ought to end like that,” said the child. So, with her mind and heart filled with this thought, she remained for a while shut up in her room. At last she came out and slipped a little bit of paper into her mother’s hand. “There, Mother!” she exclaimed; “I think it ought to have something at the end like that.”

Her mother opened the paper and read:

“Enter! Enter! Heavenly Guest!

Welcome! welcome to my breast.

I have long withstood Thy knocking.

For my heart was full of sin;

But Thy love has overcome me,

Blessed Saviour!—oh, come in!”

Now, you who read this are not too young to let the Lord Jesus enter into your hearts. He is willing to do so. More than that, He is “knocking, knocking,” and sang, “Let Me in.”

“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-12/16/1979

Wasted, Not Stopped

I read not long ago, engraved on a sundial, these words: “You can waste me, but you cannot stop me.”

Time is swiftly hurrying us all to eternity. Those that have believed the gospel, who have trusted the Saviour for their soul’s salvation, are soon to be gathered home to the Father’s house of many mansions, to dwell with Jesus forever.

But Satan, “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel... should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. O the awful doom of the lost—to be cast into the lake of fire forever.

O sinner! ere it be too late,

Flee thou to mercy’s open gate,

And join Christ’s waiting band.

Decide for Christ today,

And God’s salvation see;

Yield soul and body, heart and will

To Him, who died for thee!

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

ML-12/16/1979

A Little Boy King

There once lived a little boy who was hidden away in the temple to save his life.

His name was Joash. He was only one year old when all his brothers were killed by a wicked old queen named Athaliah. But his aunt Jehoshabeath found means to save him, and she hid him with his nurse until he was seven years old. Was not that a long time for a little boy to be in hiding? There would be no nice walks in the country for him, no going fishing, no fun among the hay of the sweet-smelling fields, no gathering of wild flowers on the hills or in the valleys.

Only a few knew that the little boy had been saved; but they knew that he was the true king, and they looked for the day to come when he could be brought forth from the temple, where he was kept, and be crowned. And so six years went by. At last his friends made known that his life had been saved when his brothers were killed; they brought him out and crowned him and cried, “God save the King!”

We believe that Joash is a picture of the Lord Jesus, and Athaliah a type of Satan. While Satan reigns over this world, the Lord Jesus is hidden in heaven, yet the rightful heir and Lord of all. Soon He will come forth out of heaven as King of kings and Lord of lords. Once He died for sinners on the cross. Because He loved us and wanted to save us from our sins He laid down His life. But now He is alive again, and has gone back to heaven where He lives forevermore. Those He loves He never forgets, though we often forget Him. We cannot see Him with the natural eye, but He sees us. But soon those who believe on Him shall see Him when He comes again. He shall call them to meet Him in the air and shall be with Him in heaven forever. When He comes back to reign over this earth, they shall be with Him and reign with Him. What a wonderful future for the believer!

When the wicked old Athaliah heard the noise and the shouting, “God save the King!” she came out to see what was going on. When she saw little Joash dressed in royal robes and crowned as king, she cried, “Treason! Treason!” But the servants of the king quickly drove her out and she was slain. Thus shall all the enemies of the Lord Jesus perish in that day when He comes back to reign.

ML-12/16/1979

"Take Me as I Am"

A friend of mine told me of a poor Scotch girl who was very anxious about her soul. He told her to read Isaiah, chapter 53. She replied: “I canna read, and I canna pray. Jesus, take me as I am!” The Lord Jesus took her as she was, for she trusted her all to Him, and found life and happiness.

Dear young friends, let Him take you today, just as you are, and He will receive you to His arms; for “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML-12/16/1979

Drummer Jack

Memory Verse: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15

A fierce battle had been fought, and on the plain the slain and wounded lay. Moving amid the scene of suffering and death, there were those who searched the field and bore to the rear the helpless in whom life still lingered.

So it happened that when Cyril Duncan awoke to consciousness, he found himself lying on a narrow hospital bed, badly wounded.

The hospital was very quiet, save for the soft footfall of the nurses, and an occasional sigh or groan from some sufferer. The lamps burned dimly. The night was still. Suddenly a voice, low and intensely thrilling, sounded in his ear: “He loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Cyril Duncan started, and turned on his pillow. Oh, how his head ached when he moved it! His temples throbbed, his tongue was fevered, and his wounds pained him greatly. Presently he heard the voice again, this time singing softly:

“Jehovah lifted up His rod;

O Christ, it fell on Thee!

Thou wast forsaken of Thy God;

No distance now for me:

Thy blood beneath that rod has flowed:

Thy bruising healeth me.”

These words came from the lips of a young boy who lay on the bed next to his own. “Drummer Jack,” as all the regiment affectionately called him, was a gentle, fair-haired boy, about fourteen, with a sweet lovable disposition. He was a great favorite with all, partly owing to the almost heroic bravery he had shown on the field on more than one occasion.

The last line of the verse rang in Cyril’s ears. “What did the words mean?” he asked himself. “Had the Son of God really taken the terrible load of sin on His shoulders, and borne the punishment instead of the sinner?”

His heart grew strangely heavy as the past years rose in review before his fevered vision. Why, oh, why did they come like birds foreshadowing evil to disturb him now? Perhaps he was going to die? Well, he had stood face to face with death many a time, and he would meet it now—if it should come—like a man. But this feeling that somehow or other had crept over him was strangely similar to fear.

Fear of what? Could it be of God? Surely not, when all his life he had prided himself that he could do without God; had boasted that his own strength and manhood were sufficient for him; and now—now that very strength was gone, and he felt so helpless, so weak, as if his very life—aye, and something more than life, his soul, that must live forever—was drifting away into a dark and awful unknown. But his own hands had forged the chain of sin that bound him—a chain that no human hand could break.

A deep groan burst from his parched lips as he realized this, a groan that reached the ear of the boy who had so innocently aroused the unwelcome train of thought and memory.

“Are you in much pain?” asked the boy, looking round.

“Yes, Jack; but I could bear any amount of pain if only my heart and conscience were at rest. Tell me, were those words really true you sang just now?”

“Yes, Cyril, they’re true,” responded the boy, a wonderful light lighting up his countenance. “Soon, very soon now,” he continued, “I shall answer to my name in the ‘roll-call’ of Heaven, and I shouldn’t be there at all, if Jesus had not died for me. But there’s room for you, too. I hope you’ll come, old chum!”

Cyril turned on his pillow, and looked long and sadly into the fair, open face, so thin and white, yet so peaceful and bright.

“I can’t come, Jack,” he cried in despair. “I’m not one of the right sort. It will be the Devil’s ‘roll-call’ I shall have to answer, no other. How can I meet God when I’ve denied Him all my life? How can I stand before Him and face His righteous judgment all alone? My boy, tell me what to do!”

With an earnest inward prayer that he might have strength sufficient, “Drummer Jack” told his unhappy comrade the old, old story of that wonderful life, triumphant death, and glorious resurrection of the Saviour of sinners. And like a little child Cyril Duncan listened, received and believed his words.

The redeeming love of Christ laid its powerful grasp on his soul. Often did the voice of the brave little “message-bearer” falter and stop, for the sands of life were running low. But he made one great effort to finish his message of divine love and mercy toward him who had wandered so far into sin and unbelief. His voice was very faint and low as he whispered: " ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Call, Cyril, call! Jesus will hear you. Answer to the roll call, ‘Here!’ "

And the Saviour of sinners heard Cyril Duncan, and as the morning light broke over the distant hills, there came to him the bright, glad dawn of eternal life.

But ere the day again faded to the darkness of night, “Drummer Jack,” the brave young soldier of the Cross, had gone to answer to his name in the roll call of Heaven.

ML-12/23/1979

"Come Along, Little One"

When I was in Ireland one Sunday afternoon, I was invited to speak to the children. Such a crowd of children came that we had difficulty in finding seats for them all.

After the service began, I noticed the door open and two tiny little girls dressed in white walked in, holding each other by the hand. They came slowly up the middle aisle, looking into each row, but the people only shook their heads which meant “no room!” “no room!”

At last they had walked right up to the front and could not find a seat, so I paused for a minute and asked for some hassocks. Then the dear little sisters sat down just at my feet.

At the close of the service a Christian lady talked to these little ones in the after meeting. Presently one of the two, who was only four years old, looked up brightly and said to her, “I know what Jesus will say if I come to Him!”

“Well, dear, what will He say?” asked the lady.

“He will say, ‘Come along, little one; I am so glad to see you,’ " she replied.

Yes, that is what Jesus will say to any poor sinner, whether a little boy or girl, or a grown up, who comes to Him. When the Lord Jesus was on earth He said: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14. And He is still the Same.

ML-12/23/1979

"No Friends"

“There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.

A preacher was visiting in a crowded ward in a city hospital. A busy nurse asked, “Will you speak to that young fellow over by the door?”

“With pleasure, nurse,” he replied, “but he is sleeping.”

“No,” she said, “he is dying.”

The evangelist read the name of the card at the head of the bed—“Robert Browning, Age 17, No Friends.” “What does this mean, nurse, ‘No Friends'?” he asked.

“Just what it says, sir. If he dies tonight,” she answered, “we do not know anyone who knows him.”

Bending over the boy, the preacher quietly said: “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear.” In a moment the closed eyes opened slowly and a joyous whisper was heard, “Yes, Jesus is my Saviour, my Friend.”

The card read “No Friends,” but this boy had the greatest of friends.

My Friend is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is well described as the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Indeed, He is this and much more. I have known Him for over twenty-five years. How I wish I had known Him sooner. I wouldn’t give anything in exchange for His friendship. I fail Him many times, but He never fails me. “The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12.

ML-12/23/1979

What Is Eternity?

ETERNITY—a clock with a pendulum so vast that, as it swung, it said “tick” in one century and “tock” in the next. Imagine what such a clock ticks out! Eternal happiness for the saved, but everlasting misery for the lost.

Weigh, then, the two possibilities carefully. Put into one scale earthly suffering—though it lead even to martyrdom—but, with the suffering, put the certainty of an eternity of joy. Into the other scale cast the handful of pleasures to be gathered in time and to be followed by an eternity of woe. Which scale is the heavier?

Surely it is wise to turn to the Lord Jesus for salvation, to avail yourself of His atoning death, and obtain the forgiveness of your sins, and “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”

Oh, reader, let this simple appeal speak to you. Enroll yourself under Christ’s banner and fear not the storm of persecution that may rage against you. CHRIST Himself will support you amid the tempest, and will soon take you into His presence, where there is fullness of joy, and where there are pleasures for evermore.

ML-12/23/1979

A Mother's Love

At the time of the California gold rush a man went to the mining country and left his wife to follow him some time afterward. While on her voyage with her little boy, the vessel caught fire. There was a powder-magazine on board and the captain knew that when the flames reached it the ship would be blown up. The fire could not be gotten under control, so all took to the lifeboats; but there was not room for everyone.

As the last boat pushed off, the mother and boy stood on the deck. One of the soldiers said there was room for one more. What did the mother do? She decided to perish herself in order to save her boy. She dropped him into the boat, and with a mother’s last look, said: “If you should live to see your father, tell him that I died in your place.” Do you think when that boy grew up he could ever forget the love of his mother who died to save him?

This is only a faint shadow of what Christ has done for you and me. He took our place. He died for our sins. He left heaven for that purpose. Will you go away saying, “I see no beauty in Him.” God forbid that when you come to leave this world, you will be found without Christ, and without God, and without hope!

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

ML-12/23/1979

One Tract in Argentina

Memory Verse: “Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11

“Buenos tardes, que calor hace!” (Good afternoon! How hot it is!")

The speaker was Fidel Rojas, the national census taker, and the words were addressed to Pablo Broda, an Italian farmer. Distances from farm to farm in Argentina were great, and as the census takers were paid by the job and not by the day, they were careful to lose as little time as possible on their rounds.

As soon as Rojas had listed the names, ages, etc., of the family, he bade them “Good-bye” and drove rapidly to the next farm. This would have been only an unimportant interruption in the humdrum life of the farm folk and not worthy of mention had it not been for one little incident which occurred just as Rojas was leaving. One of Broda’s sons handed him a tract and said simply, “Here is something you might like to read when you have the time.” He took it without giving it a thought and put it in his pocket.

Days and weeks passed and Rojas kept busy at his work. Soon he found himself far from where he had received the tract, and had even forgotten that he had it.

One rainy day, being unable to continue his work, and longing for some way to pass away his time, he hit on the forgotten tract, and for lack of something better to do, set himself to read it. It was a simple gospel tract, but it was indeed good news to him. As he read and thought, he longed to know more and determined to visit the home again where he had received the tract and see if they had the Book (the Bible) of which the tract spoke. He could not rid himself of the impression made on him and soon made an excuse to revisit the Brodas.

On the occasion of this visit the writer was there and had the joy of preaching to about 80 farm folk in the large dining room of the farmhouse. Rojas listened with intense interest, and at the close of the message stood up and said: “This is all new to me, and I really do not know what you are talking about. But I do know there has come into my heart something new, something I have never experienced before.”

We talked to him, prayed with him, read God’s Word to him, and had the joy of seeing him happily converted to Christ the Lord.

We remained here several days, preaching almost continually, and explaining difficult passages to the new believers, and teaching them gospel hymns. Rojas remained throughout the whole time and drank in eagerly all that was said. He slept in the barn on the hay, as that was the lot of many, and received the hospitality of this noble servant of God, who willingly gave of his substance that these poor hungry souls might be fed with the Bread of Life.

After securing a Bible he went home rejoicing. As might be expected he could not keep his secret long. The gospel as taught in the Word of God was an unknown thing in the town where he lived, but before many months had gone by he had gathered a little group around him, and by telling them his own precious experience and reading God’s Word to them, they soon became deeply interested as he had. They wished that they, too, might hear the Word as preached to them by the servant of God as he had so often described it to them.

So the longing of their hearts took form in a letter which I received from him containing my traveling expenses and begging me to come to them at my earliest covenience. I went and spent a week visiting the people in their homes, reading and praying with them and teaching them gospel hymns. Seral manifested great interest.

Especially do I remember one little lady who seemed to take in the gospel message, and the joy on her face was sufficient reward for all our efforts.

A year later when I visited Rojas again, one of my first questions was “Where is the little lady who showed so much interest the last time?”

“She has passed away,” he replied.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” I said.

“Don’t say that,” replied Rojas. Her death has been a great blessing in this town! Then he told of how a church official had presented himself at her deathbed saying he had come to prepare her for death.

“I am already prepared,” she told him.

Then it seemed God gave her strength to raise herself on her pillow, and she said to all those sorrowing friends around her, “If that man who told us about the love of Jesus ever comes back here, you all go and hear him. That is what prepared me to go.” And with that she passed away to be with Christ.

As we went about among the people that day, I heard on every side the question, “Are you the man of whom Dona Dolores spoke when dying?”

As I answered, “Yes,” they all said, “Well, we are going to hear you.” And they did. The whole town came out. We could not find a hall big enough in the town to seat the people. I preached that night to from 250 to 300 people, some crowding around the doors and at the back standing as thick as they could. Today in that town there is a flourishing gospel work, and all began with a tract.

“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared.” Titus 2:11.

ML-12/30/1979

The Stolen Puppies

A family of boys who lived on the edge of our village were thrilled beyond words one day when some one presented them with a basket containing five fat roly-poly little puppies. What fun they had feeding their lively little pets and watching them roll and squirm as they played on the lawn.

But evil eyes were on those doggies as well as admiring ones, and one dark night three of them disappeared from their kennel.

The boys all felt sad, but Mother said, “Never mind, we will tell God about it, and He can, if He sees fit, let us know where to find them. Or if it is His way, He can send them back to us again.”

Three weeks later, on a fine summer morning, to their great surprise and joy the boys found the missing pups playing around their kennel, and they carried them to their mother. “God did it, my boys,” said Mother. “How I do not know, but I’m quite sure He had to do with their being returned. He is a great God, yet He is interested in our little things; He wants us to trust Him to leave them in His hands.”

The boys had confidence in their mother’s faith and were quite ready to believe that the return of the pups had not happened merely by chance.

Imagine their surprise when sometime later, Tom, a schoolmate, told one of the boys that he had been converted at a children’s tent meeting. He told them that he had bought the pups two weeks before from a tramp for only a few cents. Now that he was a Christian, and knowing what a Christian ought to be and how he should act, he felt he must bring back the pets which he knew to be theirs.

This incident was never forgotten by those boys. Their mother’s confidence in God, and the fact that conversion makes people want to be honest and to restore what is not their own, Tom’s fine testimony to what the grace of God had done for him, impressed them greatly. It was the means of their being led to the Saviour not long after.

So God turned it all about for blessing. And that is just what God is seeking to do for you, dear young reader. He wants to bless you, to make you happy in His love.

ML-12/30/1979

The Toy Sermon

“And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” Zechariah 8:5.

“They are like unto children singing in the market place, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.” Luke 7:32.

What does it mean? Why, these children had been trying to please their companions, but they could not! First they offered to have a game of piping and dancing, but that did not please them; then they suggested a mournful funeral, but it was no good. Nothing would please these unhappy playmates.

The children in the Bible played just as children do nowadays. Some were nice and gentle, and kind and considerate in their games. Some were otherwise.

A child who loves the Saviour will PLAY like a little Christian, as well as learn lessons so as to please Him.

A tiny boy once had a toy given to him, and he was so pleased with it that he almost raced around the room for joy, showing it to his friends. Presently he held it up and said, “Dear Jesus, look at my nice new toy!” I believe the blessed Lord was pleased to look at that little child’s toy and to enter into his joy in possessing it.

“Suffer the little children to come unto Me,... And He took them up in His arms,... and blessed them.” Mark 10:14,16.

ML-12/30/1979

The Advantage of Tract Distribution

1. It affords work for young Christians. “There is no simpler method with which young converts may begin to engage in Christian work. Before ever the young believer finds himself able for any other means of public testimony, he will find here an outlet for his energies.”

2. The aged and infirm may engage in it. It need never be departed from, no matter how old or infirm one may become. A servant of Christ once said: “It is a work in which an old convert may end his service for his Lord.”

3. It may be used to open the way for personal dealing with souls. Many Christians would like to do personal work if they knew how to begin. Here then is a method. After one has given a tract it often becomes comparatively easy to enter into a conversation.

To summarize the advantages of tract work we quote the following: “Tracts can go everywhere. Tracts know no fear. Tracts never tire. Tracts can be multiplied without end by the press. Tracts can travel at little expense. They run up and down like the angels of God, blessing all, giving to all, asking no gift in return.

They can talk to one as well as to a multitude, and to a multitude as well as to one. They require no public place to tell their story. They can tell it in the kitchen or the shop, the parlor or the closet, on the plain, in the train or in the bus, on the broad highway or in the footpath through the fields.

They take no notice of scoffs, jeers or taunts. No one can betray them into hasty or random expressions. Though they will not always answer questions, they will tell their stories two, or three, or four times if you wish. And they can be made to speak on every subject, and on every subject they may be made to speak wisely and well. They can, in short, be made the vehicle of truth, the teacher of all classes, the benefactor of all saints.”

“Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.” Ecclesiastes 11:1.

ML-12/30/1979

A Converted Farmer

A small group of children were on their way to Sunday school. One of them had a little packet of gospel tracts. They passed the farm of a neighbor who had long neglected going to the gospel meetings; in fact, he had gone downhill for some time.

One energetic little gospeler climbed over the fence and fastened a tract called “The Swearer’s Prayer” to the man’s plow, and then went on to Sunday school.

Monday morning the farmer returned to his plowing, found the tract, read it, took it home and read it again and again. His heart and conscience were stirred. In repentance he sought the Lord, who graciously received him, for He has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. The farmer found peace in the Saviour’s love. And all this through a gospel tract given out by a little child.

ML-12/30/1979

Messages of God's Love: 1979

Table of Contents

Cadman's Last Flight

Sharing Their Sorrows

Benjamin's Question

Something to Read

The Pail of Sand

Two Naughty Boys

The Gracious One

Little Daniel: Just Say, "Jesus"

The Big Storm

Jack's Conversion

"Lord Jesus, Come in"

The Father's Care

To God Be All the Praise

"Old John Is Dead. I Am New John!"

Lost and Found

Brothers in Christ

A Little Boy's Question

Dick's Conversion

"Would He Take Me?"

A Christian at Five

Do You Remember?

The Handwriting on the Wall

Dei Gratia: "By the Grace of God"

Joyce's Answer

"Thank You!"

Saved From a Mountain Lion

Do You Remember?

"This"

Lessons from a Snowflake

At the City Gate

Peace

On the Beach

The Best News

Can You Place This Man?

How the Clown Got Saved

The Gospel Through a Window

The Angel of the Lord

Saved Just In Time

Do You Remember This Scene?

He Would Not Miss The Prayer Meeting

Saved In Her Teens

Gone in an Hour

Mother's Prayers

The Best Bargain

Changed by the Book

Do You Remember?

"Things Above"

Bill Heard … Bill Followed

To the Rescue

A Singing Sailor

"I've Swallowed It!"

An Atheist Saved

A Prisoner Set Free

The Young Singer

Jonah and Nineveh

An Advocate

A Lion and Tiger Battle

Open the Door

Orphan Children of China

Who Is It?

White As Snow

John Harper's Last Convert

My Faithful Friend

"Gladdest" Most of All for Jesus

Tsali. Cherokee Brave

The Young Actress

Seeking

No Sorrow There

34 Lost-Only 3 Saved

Faithful Oscar

Pebbles

Arm Lost, But Life Received

A Japanese Christian

Not Home Yet

"Sir, I Salute You!"

A New Song

The Hen That Came to the Prayer Meeting

"Roll up Your Sleeping Bags"