By the Editor
Notice
I am very sorry to tell my readers that, owing to the great increase in the price of paper and other expenses caused by the War, the Publisher has been obliged to raise the price of “A Message from God” to one penny a month. I am sure my’ friends will see the reason of this, and will not let their interest in the Magazine be any the less. ―Editor.
A Challenge for 1918
“What think ye of Christ?” (Matt. 22:4242Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. (Matthew 22:42).) This is a question, my reader, that you will have to answer before God one day. You will not be asked in eternity what you think of “creeds” or “isms,” or “man-conceived theology,” but what do you think of Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world? What do you think of His life, His death, His resurrection and ascension into heaven? What do you think of His atoning sacrifice? and have the words “It is finished” any significance to you? When Jesus was on earth in the country of Cæsarea Philippi, with His disciples, He asked them a question, “Whom say ye that I am?” Simon Peter answered: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The answer of Jesus to this confession of faith was: “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 16:15-1715He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15‑17).)
And a like blessing falls on those today who own the Divinity of Christ, and who trust in His finished work, But never was there such blasphemy against the person of Christ as there is today. Blasphemy at home, and blasphemy at the battle front.
Blasphemy on the Somme
It was on the Somme, the scene of some of those terrible struggles that cost us the loss of thousands of brave lives. Another attack had been planned, the details had all been outlined, and each officer and man had been assigned his duties. One of the brigades that had been resting was returning for the attack, and the various battalions, before taking the place allotted to them, were drawn up and addressed by the Padre. He reminded them of their duty; pointed out that they had been told their objective, and urged the men to put forth every effort to reach it. “But men,” said he, “some of you may fail; may fall in the attempt; yet remember if tomorrow you die in the effort to accomplish the task that has been set before you, everlasting bliss will be your portion, for he that dies in seeking to defend his country’s righteous cause will surely die a righteous death.”
A few hours later these brave fellows took their places in the trenches, and awaited the time for the attack to be made. This proved to be one of the hottest battles of the Somme, and very many of the lads who had listened to the deceiver’s words were ushered into eternity.
Does your indignation rise at the thought of such a message being delivered on such an occasion? Yet it is well that we remember that thousands of so-called preachers of the Gospel in this country and on the various battle fronts have no better message for our gallant troops who are face to face with death than this masterpiece of the devil. Surely it is high time that we awoke out of sleep. Let us be up and doing. Thank God, there are true heralds of the Cross laboring among these men who have a better message to tell, of One Who is mighty to save and able to keep. May “We be their fellow-helpers in prayer, and plead with God that He may bless their message, and that hundreds of our young men may be saved.
H. G. H.
These are brave, outspoken words, such as are needed today. Our hearts bleed for those dear lads at the Front, who oftentimes at the point of death, have to listen to a Christ-less Gospel, and the lies of the devil, instead of the truth, of God. The Men who preach these doctrines are worse than the fiends of the bottomless pit. We are told, “the devils ... . believe and tremble,” but these men do not believe, and preach their unbelief to Others. God forgive them for seeking to lead brave and earnest men to destruction.