The dedication of this building is set for April 15, 16; this paper goes to press too early to give a report of the exercises
By Editor
"It Shall Be a Kindness."—So the leader read in our season of prayer this morning. What shall be a kindness?—The smiting of the righteous, the just reproof of him who sees me going out of the way. "Let the righteous smite me,
it shall be a kindness;
And let him reprove me, it
shall be as oil upon the head;
Let not my head refuse." So sings David, "the man after God's own heart." One of the characteristics of a true Christian is a willingness to take reproof; even tho it seems a smiting in the giving. He looks at the wrong, and feels that it merits correction, and better the separation of the gangrene of sin from the character, even tho by the painful knife of reproof, than to permit the virus to destroy the whole character. Thus saith the wise man: "He that refuseth reproof erreth," "he that hateth reproof is brutish," "he that hateth reproof shall die;" while, on the other hand, "he that regardeth reproof is prudent," "shall be honored," "getteth understanding," and "abideth among the wise." Happy is he who always stands where the Spirit of God can reach the ear of his heart in reproof; but frequently this is not the case; then blessed is he also who has a faithful friend, a friend who will not neglect his duty. Acknowledging Reproof.—Whether the reproof will benefit us, depends less on how it is given than how it is received. It may come as sharp and keen as the thrust of a stiletto; it may fall with the brutal force of a bludgeon; it may be given in words as soft as oil, and sweet as honey; but it is not for us, the wrong-doer, to become offended over the manner of the reproof, or to stop to analyze the motive in giving it. If we do, we lose the blessing. Are we guilty of the fault reproved? let us treat that fault as the enemy, and let the blow fall upon that. Sometimes we do this sullenly, resentfully, and lose the blessing. Better to school the heart and mind, for one's own soul's sake, and for others' good, to acknowledge reproof promptly, and crush out any enmity which might arise by failing to place ourselves on the right side. It is ever a promising characteristic in a young man or woman to take reproof, and acknowledge its justice. By so much is the heart brought into tune with all righteousness. Read our Outlook department. Never was there a time when that element which is working for a union of church and state, was so active in America. We have not space to print more than one-third of the matter we receive. Just now comes a report from our European correspondent, which we have not had time to read, on "The Sunday-law movement in France." When the climax is reached, the Sunday-law régime will be a world movement; for all the world shall worship the beast and receive his mark. And the time draweth speedily on. Now is the time to work. The same sun which develops and ripens the wheat develops and ripens the tares. It is even so with God's truth. It develops the wicked as well as the just. Those who reject it grow more and more hardened, and thus reveal more and more of their true character; while those who yield to its claims, dwell upon its beauties, open their hearts to its principles, become changed by the truth to true men and women. Do you want to know what the prophecies of the seven churches and the seven seals in Revelation 2 to 8 mean? You can get much help by sending for No. 184, Bible Students' Library, entitled "The Seven Churches and the Seven Seals." Illustrated with colored diagrams. Price only 10 cents. Address, this office. The dedication of this building is set for April 15, 16; this paper goes to press too early to give a report of the exercises