Christ the Pledge of the Eternal Inheritance — The “Tower of the Flock” Wins Back the Lost Dominion — No Blind, nor Lame, nor Sick, in that Happy Home of Eternity
THE “Holy Spirit of promise” is said to be the “earnest,” or pledge, of our eternal inheritance, until the redemption of the “purchased possession.” Eph. 1:13, 14. This being true, the only surety, for the time being, of a future inheritance is reliance on the Holy Spirit of promise. This promise, however, is guaranteed by both the word and the oath of God to Abraham, when he and his seed were decreed to be heirs of the world. Heb. 6:13-18; Rom. 4:13.
The identity of Abraham's seed, on whom the appointment centered, was clearly established by the apostle, when he said that God did not speak of that seed as though it referred to a multitude, but it rather was confined to a single being, and that one to be revealed in Christ. Gal. 3:16. Through Christ alone, therefore, must come the fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, whose wonderfully strong faith in the arrangement constituted him father of all who believe. Rom. 4:11. Then to establish Christ as the legitimate and royal Seed of the compact between God and Abraham, is to confirm Him as the dispenser of every heavenly bounty.
THE HEIRS OF THE GREAT INHERITANCE
In that capacity, He must assume the place of “everlasting Father” and “Prince of peace.” Isa. 9:6. By Him must every candidate for eternal honors be born again (John 3:3), and thus through this miraculous Seed of promise, be accounted as a child of Abraham, the father of the faithful. At least this is the deduction of the inspired Word, which affirms that if one is Christ's, he is by that relationship Abraham's seed, and an heir according to the promise. Gal. 3:29.
But suppose for a moment that during His earthly sojourn the Lord Jesus could not have traced His human lineage in a direct line to Abraham, according to the Hebrew law of derivation. In that case the Jews would not have been so culpable for their attitude toward one calling himself the “Son of man”—an expression apparently understood by the Jews as applying to the promised Seed of Abraham. Such a possible crisis was, however, well provided against, so that when Matthew introduced to the world the birth of the Lord Christ, he prefaced that presentation with His complete genealogy as a direct descendant of Abraham through forty-two generations. See Matthew 1.
THE INHERITED THRONE AND PROMISES
Not only was Christ's descent traced back to that patriarch through whom was secured to believers in Christ the world's estate as an eternal inheritance, but that promise of God was made also to lodge in every one to whom it had been specifically renewed—Isaac (Gen. 26:3, 4), Jacob (Gen. 28:13, 14), and David (Ps. 89:3, 4, 27), then on down through the kings of Judah, thus establishing the manger Babe King, by right of earthly royal birth, of the country of Abraham, in which He was born. So His favorite name, “Son of man,” was carried by the royal Heir throughout His earthly pilgrimage.
At the announcement of Christ's fleshly conception, the tidings messenger declared to Mary that God would give to her mysterious27Son the throne of His father David, so that He might reign over the family of Jacob forever. Luke 1:31-33. Thus by Heaven's decree, the throne of David was identified as the “heritage of Jacob,” so long claimed by the literal seed of Abraham. This announcement of the angel was therefore simply a notice of the fulfilment of an old-time prophecy, which seemingly had lain dormant in the minds of those composing the Jewish commonwealth. Its provision, however, reaches even back of the word given to Mary concerning her prospective God-child. It speaks thus: “Thou, O Tower of the flock [Thou higher than earthly kings. Ps. 89:27], the Stronghold of the daughter [Hebrew, heir, descendant] of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8.
THE RETURN OF THE LOST DOMINION
The “first dominion” here promised to the daughter, or heir, of Zion, was that given to Adam, as recorded in Gen. 1:28, but which was lost to his heirs through disobedience to God's word. Gen. 3:22-24. Yet lest God's eternal purpose in Christ be forever thwarted, the Lord Jesus came from heaven to earth as the second Adam, to restore the lost fortune of the first man, and thus uphold the everlasting covenant made before the world's beginning. 1 Cor. 15:45-47. It was during this hallowed interval that the positive words were uttered, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5.
It is good to look at this promise as one that will free the receiver from every result of the curse earlier visited upon the world because of sin. Gen. 3:17-19. We are told in corroboration of this conclusion that when “the day of the Lord” arrives, the earth and its wicked works will be destroyed. “Nevertheless,” said the apostle who made the statement, “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:10-13.
THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
This cherished promise was given through a gospel prophet in these words: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. This “new” earth, we are assured, as well as its inhabitants, will be permanent, never to be removed. Thus the prophet again speaks: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.” Isa. 66:22.
This, then, is eternal life upon an ever-continuing earth. But the interesting question is, Will that existence be free from present ills? — Most assuredly, for we are told by the same authority that “then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.” Isa. 35:5, 6. This, the prophet goes on to say, is the place where the “redeemed shall walk.” More than this, all these will come to their Zion with songs and everlasting ecstasy on their heads. All these will then partake of heavenly transport of happiness, amid which sorrow and sighing will disappear. Best of all, we shall know each other there. 1 Cor. 13:12. This is the ultimate triumph of all saints. Praise the Lord!
J. O. C.
R. C. P
By R. C. P.
because he was not falling into the path which was occupied by those who maintain that all organized beings have been derived from a few original progenitors. Other supporters of the transmutation doctrine assume that they can demonstrate the changes to have taken place by showing certain degrees of resemblance; but what they never touch is the quality and condition of those few first progenitors from which they are evolved. They assume that they contained all that is necessary to evolve what exists now. That is begging the question at the outset; for if these first prototypes contained the principle of evolution, we should know something about them from observation, and it should be shown that there are such organized beings as are capable of evolution.
"I ask, Whence came properties? If this power and capacity of change is not inherent to the first progenitors, then I ask, Whence came the impulses by which those progenitors which have not this power of change in themselves acquire them? What is the power by which they are started in directions which are not determined by their primitive nature? From the total silence of the supporters of the transmutation theory on these and other points, he did not think it worth his while to take the slightest notice of this doctrine of evolution in his scientific considerations."
Here again, by a most lucid analysis from the standpoint of a demand for demonstrable facts, the evolution "transmutation of species" theory stands dumb in the presence of true science. Not a fact in support of such a theory has been produced. Weighed and wanting, is the verdict of science after a considerate review of the claims of this most unscientific fraud, that has been foisted upon the world under the name of science for the purpose of unseating God as Creator of the universe. In the record of His creative work in the first chapter of Genesis it is seven times repeated that herbs, grass, fruit-trees, water creatures, winged fowls, creeping things, beasts, and cattle, each produce "after his kind." The law "after his kind" is written in every species of natural history in support of that statement of the Creator.
R. C. P
THE DISSOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS FAITH
By Editor
Faith in Science or Faith in the Bible, Which Shall It Be? — A Prediction from the Book
THE survey of the world happenings by the New York Independent is excellent, and its comments are often fearless and direct. But flies sometimes get into the ointment. Under the title of "Forty-Five Years at the Editorial Desk," an announcement is made that the senior editor of the Independent, Dr. Ward, will shortly give a series of articles on "What I Believe, and Why." We find that this series of articles "will have a bearing on the breaking down, or at least the weakening, of the familiar argument from design." It is said that "the aim of the articles will be to present the results of recent scientific investigation and historical research in such plain language that the layman may understand their bearing upon religious belief."
"DESIGN" AND EVOLUTIONARY SKEPTICISM
Any argument which tends to break down or weaken the argument of "design" is but following the great trend of evolutionary skepticism, and is founded upon false premises, and bolstered up by false arguments. We can only look upon such discussions with suspicion. And the fact that they will come from a Christian minister, one ripe in experience and supposed to be sound in the faith, will only give strength and force to their influence.
Any attempt to mold Christian belief after the pattern of recent scientific investigation and historical research is but to turn away from the word of God as the infallibly inspired Book.
In the announcement of these articles from the pen of Dr. Ward, we are reminded that there is "an extraordinary fluidity of faith in these days," "materialistic attacks upon" the faith, and that there is at present a "happy search after the essential and the true, irrespective of authority." The fact that faith is "fluid," and the fact that men turn away from "authority" to follow "the essential and the true," are but two forms of the same thing, and that is a disregard of inspiration as an infallible rule of faith.
Thus higher criticism, we see, has invaded the editorial rooms of the Independent, and a man who has done much in literary fields is about to give, in this concrete form, an account of his modified faith. It will be interesting as a sign of the times, and a warning to all those who believe implicitly in the authority of the old Book.
THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY RUN AFTER FABLES
Paul told Timothy that he should "preach the Word," for the time was coming when men would not endure sound doctrine, but
L. A. R
By L. A. R.
would “heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” They would be turned away from the truth, and be turned to fables. A man is just as truly turned to fables when he follows the latest form of scientific investigation in preference to the Word, as he would be if he followed some old fairy story; for scientific research, while it has dug out many facts that are facts, has put a glamour of false teaching over all of them in its philosophy of evolution. And its philosophies to-day are just as false, just as misleading, just as surely counter-current to the Word, as have been scientific teachings for the last hundred years.
But the old Book will outlive all these false philosophies, and demonstrate the falsity of every wrong theory and philosophy.
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matt. 24:12. “When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8.
L. A. R
LIMITED IN HIS KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE
By Editor
ON an editorial page in what is supposed to be one of the greatest dailies of our nation, there recently appeared some paragraphs on the subject of keeping the great nations well armed in order to insure peace. One of these paragraphs reads:
"We are assured by the Scripture that men will beat their spears into plowshares when the lion and the young lamb lie down in peace together. At present lions still exhibit a fondness for young lamb as a dietary tidbit. And until the prophesied change in leonine table manners has taken place, it is just as well for a prudent people to forge their agricultural implements from old horseshoes and other scrap and keep their spears handy to use in sudden emergency."
There is a doctor of divinity on the editorial staff of the paper from which this quotation is taken. Some kind of arrangement should be made by which that talented minister should examine the editorials dealing with Scripture, that go into that paper. Possibly the writer of the paragraph thought that there was Scripture proof for his assertion, or that there was some such Scripture text. But all believers in the Bible should be very thankful that the many absurdities which are charged up to the Scriptures do not exist. There is no scripture which says that the time will ever come in this wicked world when swords will be beaten into plowshares, or spears into pruning-hooks, much less that that time will come when the lion and the lamb lie down together.
There is a scripture, however, which says that in the last days many people will say that the swords should be beaten into plowshares, and the spears into pruning-hooks, but these people are not authorized by the divine prophecy to make any such utterances, and people who are making those statements are fulfilling prophecy.
A leading cause of the absurd notions that people have in regard to the Bible is that so many undertake to quote Scripture who do not know the Bible. They have heard certain things said about it, and take for granted that these are so, and then they glibly quote them. The foregoing quotation from the editorial of the great daily is a splendid illustration of what may not be found in the Bible. Yet why should an editorial writer in a paper of national repute say such erroneous things?
A Church for Every Religion
A CHURCH in New York City was recently opened, in which the followers of every religion, including Buddhists, Confucianists, Mohammedans, and Christians, are to join in the services. It is true that it is only a very small church, yet it is characteristic of the sentiment that many people have, that Christianity is no higher than these superstitious religions of the Orient.
Systematic Bible Study
By Editor
SYSTEMATIC Bible study can not be made strong and of the highest value without persistent, systematic Bible reading. We need to read the Bible day by day until we become familiar with its pages. And the more familiar we become with its teaching, the deeper the interest and the profounder the joy and the satisfaction in this continued reading and study. And it is only through thus familiarizing ourselves with the sacred Word that we may find its gems of promise, that we may know its gospel of salvation, that we may understand its depth and its breadth of doctrine, and its warnings against the intrigues and deceptions of the great adversary.
There is no doctrine in the Bible that is more clearly taught than the second coming of Christ; but we need to know all the teaching of the Bible upon this point in order to understand what His coming means, and the events and the issues that center in that great day. There are many people who believe that Christ may come any day, or that His coming may not be for thousands of years hence. If we are systematically and continually reading the Bible, we will find such texts upon that subject as the following:
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thess. 2:1-3.
In this text the apostle warns against being shaken in mind, either by spirit, or by word, or even by a letter from the great apostle himself, in regard to the day of Christ being at hand. Then he tells us that that day will not come until after the falling away and the revealing of the man of sin, the "son of perdition." This scripture wakens inquiry as to what the falling away means, and who is the "son of perdition" that is to be revealed. Other scriptures testify as to the meaning of these things, and they need to be studied.
It is of the highest importance that there should be continued, persistent, and systematic Bible study day by day, for it is only in this way that we familiarize ourselves with the texts that give us the true, balanced teaching of the great Book.
As suggested last week, if we will read three chapters a day during the week, and five chapters on the Sabbath, we will finish the entire Bible within the year. You can make up your own plan of study if you prefer; but for the beginning of the year, it has been suggested that you read a chapter a day in Genesis during the week and two on the Sabbath, read one of the psalms each day, and read a chapter in Matthew each week day and two on the Sabbath. If you have been following this plan, at the end of this week you will have read thirty-two chapters in Genesis, twenty-four of the psalms, and thirty-two chapters in Matthew. If you are behind in the schedule, read a few chapters extra each day until you catch up.
Once the habit of persistency in this work is formed, you will find it one of your chiefest pleasures. We know of no better help in understanding the first part of the Bible than that great book "Patriarchs and Prophets," and for the study of the Gospels "The Desire of Ages" is one of the greatest masterpieces of helpfulness; and we would suggest again as a help in the study of the Bible record of creation, "The Fundamentals of Geology," by Price.
Success in Giving the Great Message in East China
By F. E. Stafford
ON Sunday, October 5, a special series of evangelistic meetings was opened in a hall at No. 4 Kiangsi Road. The attendance from the start has naturally been a representative one. The first few nights standing-room was at a premium, and many had to be turned away from the door. And even after the excitement of the opening had subsided, the attendance continued to hold up well.
What is of special encouragement is the interested way the people listen, and ask for instruction after the meetings. The first week's subjects started with the one true God, creation, and the fall of man, and finished with the plan of salvation and conversion. On the first Friday night, the invitation was given for all who wished to start on the new life to rise, and over fifty stood at once. Cards were then distributed for the people to sign their names and addresses, and their manifest desire to seek for truth had such an effect on the audience that the ushers were kept busy handing out the cards. At the close of the meeting over a hundred names had been listed. Since then we have taken almost another hundred. We have made efforts to get out and visit these people; but as they are scattered all over the city, and our workers are few, we can not get around to them as we should.
Friday night has been set apart for an inquirers' meeting, and only those who have handed in their names are admitted. Last week instruction was given on how to come to Christ, special emphasis being placed on repentance and confession. When opportunity was given for those present to speak, a number gave excellent testimonies, afterward joining in a season of prayer.
It was a blessed occasion for all, and nothing so rejoices the heart of God's workers as to hear men open their lips in prayer for the first time. A series of Bible lessons for beginners has been prepared and sent out to the inquirers each week. There is one verse to memorize each day, and all is arranged in such a way that it is a progressive study of the message for this time.
An after-meeting is held each night in the guest-room, when every one present is exhorted to study the Bible and learn to pray. In these meetings we are reading the Gospel of John by course, a few verses being read and explained each night and then opportunity given for questions.
Brother K. H. Wood has conducted meetings for English-speaking Chinese each Sunday afternoon on the signs of the times. These meetings have been well attended, as there are among our inquirers a large number of the student class, who are glad for the opportunity to hear English spoken. This is followed in the evening by a stereopticon lecture in Chinese on the same subject, with views of the present-day world conditions. It is needless to say that we have a full house these nights. No admission is charged, but an intermission is given when half through the program, and an opportunity is given to every one to buy a copy of our paper. Many have been sold.
We earnestly solicit the prayers of all, that these meetings may result in a great harvest of souls, and that many honest in heart may be converted, keep the commandments of God, and be saved at our Saviour's soon appearing.
F. E. STAFFORD.
Earnestness and Progress in the Chinese Field
By J. J. Westrup
OUR general meeting in Honan closed this noon, and Brethren Porter and Cottrell left for the Hunan meeting on the morning train. We had a good meeting, with about 160 in attendance. There were 31 baptized, and 120 partook of the communion.
We have some 60 that want to attend school; and as we can not accommodate them all at one time, we shall have a school term for half now, and after about three months, a term for the others.
Brother Porter was very much pleased with the work here. He mentioned it several times. He was rather surprised that we had been able to build so many substantial houses, with tile roofs, and the two large schools of brick—thirteen houses—for about $1,450 Mexican ($725 gold), and the two foreign houses besides, which cost less than $2,000 gold. And then the great opening up north! Five preachers and two well-educated teachers and two other young men were here; and there were many others who could not come, as it was too expensive on the train. The work all over the province is in a healthy condition—that is, for this heathen field. I was really surprised to see so many here, considering the many robber bands that overflow the country everywhere. Six persons, one a child of eleven years, had walked 166 miles through a country that is thickly infested with robbers. Another brother had come sixty miles on Friday, and on Sabbath he fasted all day, and on Sunday he came to say good-by, as he had no money to pay for his food. Think! He walked sixty miles just to attend the Sabbath service, and that day he fasted. My heart melted completely, and I said, "Here is money; stay longer."
Our brother who leads the singing had his cheek swelled up so much that he could not open his mouth, and hence could not lead the singing. This happened as the meeting was beginning, and I had no time to spare; but the Chinese brethren had prayer for him, and the swelling went down, and he could lead the singing, and also preached once.
Thus we have very clear evidence that the Lord is near to us, and He is leading us into a closer and closer communion with Himself. I have never before seen the Lord's blessing so clearly as this year upon everything that we have done. The greatest lesson to learn in this world is to rest completely in the Lord's love and leading.
J. J. WESTRUP.
Honan, China.
Mohammedism, Buddhism, and Hinduism Yield to the Message
By F. A. Detamore
WE are now in the midst of the first tent effort ever held in Singapore. We began about a month ago, and have had six meetings each week from the first. A goodly number have come quite regularly, and some have shown real interest. We feel convinced that the tent can be used here as well as at home to call the attention of people to the truth, as there are many who will come who would not attend church services.29
It is encouraging to report that several here have recently begun to keep the Sabbath, and that there are many Chinese, who do not understand English, interested in the truths we as a people teach. Chan Teck Sung is giving Bible studies every day, and some come to the mission for lessons through an interpreter. Others are doing what they can to spread the light of the message. One young Chinese man is selling tracts. He meets some with whom he converses about the Bible, and often brings them to the mission for instruction. One business man whom he has interested comes regularly for studies. He is not a Christian, but has decided that the Bible is God's word, and is now learning the Ten Commandments.
Many Tamils attend our meetings and seem to enjoy them. They like to ask questions, some of which are not easily answered. Mohammedanism, Buddhism, and Hinduism have had their influence on the minds of the people until it is hard for them to have faith in God. A few, however, are willing to learn, and we believe that the Lord will help us gather out the honest from among them.
Brother and Sister Sharp and Brother Van de Groep have been connected with the tent effort from the start, and have rendered excellent service. All are kept busy following up the interest and doing the other work connected with the mission. Sister Sharp has had some very interesting Bible studies with the women.
We are greatly in need of more help for the other portions of the field. Without doubt Brother Van de Groep will soon go to another place. We need at least six men to fill the calls for directors and school work. We ought to have a training-school here now, but can not start it until we can get a man to put in charge.
We have recently published a Malay paper, the first of its kind to be offered to that people. An edition of 2,500 was printed and is being sold in Java and Sumatra. We look for good results from this work.
Our faith and hope are strong in God, and we are glad for a small part in His great finishing work which is to close the long struggle between truth and error.
F. A. DETAMORE.
Courageous Though Surrounded by Perils and Difficulties
By Editor
BROTHER JOHN OSBORNE writes something of his experiences in the work in Ecuador, where he has been laboring for about three years and a half. We extract the following items from his letter:
“I thought I would send you a letter up out of the obscurities of South America, which I believe must be darker than Africa, from a gospel standpoint. There are just two distinct classes here, the Catholics and those who do not believe anything. They are at issues in politics; and they are not content to wait for an election, but will bring a revolution at any time, if they are not under guard by the soldiers. There are reports of revolutions springing up in some part of the country all the time, and we have to have a passport almost always to go from one place to another. Every time we leave home, we have apprehensions that we will be cut off by a revolution among this merciless people.”
Brother Osborne is working practically alone in this difficult field, Elder Mangold, the superintendent, having broken in health, and being obliged to go to a more salubrious climate. Elder Mangold recently lost his wife from yellow fever, and is left with four small children. There were two or three other workers associated with him, but all were compelled to leave on account of their health or that of members of their families. In spite of these conditions, Brother Osborne is of good courage. He hopes to see some natives put into the work soon, and has confidence that the work will grow more substantially. He closes by saying: “I do hope we will have the privilege of staying right here until the Lord comes. Pray for our work here.”
"WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA"
FOR 1912-1913
EDITED by Albert Nelson Marquis. A. N. Marquis & Co.; 440 Dearborn St. So., Chicago, Ill. 2,664 pages, bound in cloth.
Price $5.00
This is probably the most authoritative biographical reference book in America. It is a work containing brief life sketches of most of the men and women of note in the United States, their occupation, and their address, giving facts in regard to 18,794 of the foremost Americans who are alive at the present time. These facts are given in a condensed but comprehensive style. The sketches contain no editorial comment or criticism of any sort. This work is invaluable as a reference book and also as a directory, especially to literary and educational workers.
Desire of Ages Edition
The "Desire of Ages"
This masterpiece on the life of our Saviour, published in several large forms and circulated widely, in the limp leather style weighs 26 ounces, and is 8 3-4 inches long, 5 3-4 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
Although it was issued in response to an urgent call from ministers and workers, all classes of people are appreciating this edition of "Desire of Ages." It is furnished at the same price; namely, in the limp leather binding, $2.00; in durable cloth, $1.50.
Strength for Christian Workers
The "Acts of the Apostles"
This book furnishes spiritual strength for the Christian in the home, strength to live more godly among daily associates, and help in reaching others with the truth.
It breathes forth energy and spirit and instruction for all classes of Christian workers, speaking definitely of the great unwarned cities, and the millions in heathen lands who must hear the gospel.
THERE are constantly coming to this office requests for this paper for (1) those who are poor and unable to take the paper; (2) for mission work among prisoners and others otherwise confined or secluded; (3) for public reading-rooms; (4) for general missionary work in foreign fields by our missionaries; (5) for general missionary work in various phases. Sometimes there are calls for tracts in foreign languages as well as English. It is not possible for the publishing house to meet all these requests. Publications are sometimes published at a loss to the house. We feel sure that many more of our readers would be glad to help us in this work. Thus may we bring together those who have no time or opportunity to do missionary work, but who are able to help others who have the time and opportunity, but not the means. Who will contribute to our Cooperation Fund?
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Help Our Brother Confess
By C. L. Taylor
I WON'T.” The boy had done his mother a great wrong; and when his good father sought him and urged him to make apology, he gave this stubborn reply.
He was only a boy; so the father said, “Son, if you do not go to mother and make this matter right, you will have to go to bed and remain all day, or until you change your course.”
He imagined it would be only a short time ere the discipline would have the desired effect, and so went to his work. At night, however, upon returning home, inquiry only revealed the fact that the boy showed no sign of softening.
The evening lunch over, the father went to the son’s room, that again he might solicit his apology. But no response came. The little fellow only turned his face to the wall, resolutely refusing to reply.
It certainly did seem that the boy was going to conquer. The night was a heavy, sleepless one for both those dear parents, and earnestly they prayed that God would bring victory.
When the morning came, the father again pleaded with his child to do the right and ask mother’s forgiveness, but his appeal was firmly denied. Apparently the boy was farther away from the yielding point than at the first.
The father went to his work with a troubled heart. The mother, grief-stricken and perplexed, sought to perform the routine duties of the home; but the thought that her own dear boy had hardened himself against all entreaty, almost paralyzed her efforts.
The day dragged on. It was afternoon, and still there was no response. The mother could endure no longer. Breathing a prayer that God would in some way help her to find the dear child’s heart, she went to his room; threw herself in brokenness of heart upon the bed, and burying her face in the pillow beside that of her boy, said: “Darling, mama loves you. And now I want you to say something after me. Say ‘For.’” “For,” came in response. “Now say ‘give.’” “Give,” said the little fellow. “And now one more. Say ‘me.’” “Me,” he said. And then, without hesitation, he flung his arms about his mother’s neck, and cried out: “O, mama, I’ve said it, haven’t I? I wanted all the time to say it, but I couldn’t. Run and tell papa, quick. Tell him I’ve said it.”
This little incident, taken from life by one of our great evangelists, needs no comment. But how beautifully it illustrates the value of human aid in bringing victory to those who are under the power of sin!
May it not be that this thought was with Jesus when He said, “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift”? May it not be that Jesus would have us go and aid the dear brother or sister who wants to confess and be right, but who alone and single-handed can not do it?31
O, how many, many there are who are regarded as stubborn, unlovely, and unchristian, who are only waiting for the help of those whom they have wronged, to bring out the beautiful qualities of their lives!
Why are we not more solicitous for those out of the way? That father and mother could not rest until their child was willing to ask for the pardon which they longed to grant. Why should we not all seek from the Lord Jesus a measure of that same love,—the love that can not be satisfied until it has done all it possibly can to help those who are out of the way back to the paths of righteousness?
May the dear Lord help us to take the lesson to heart. Wonderful indeed is the privilege of uniting with the Master in proclaiming to the erring one, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Let us seek the opportunity of saying, “I forgive,” and thus save a soul from death.
C. L. TAYLOR.
IT LASTS ALL THE DAY THROUGH
By C. P. Bollman
By C. P. BOLLMAN
Suggested by an exquisitely beautiful sunrise and Ps. 92:2
O, THE beauty of the sky
In the morn!
It lifts our thoughts on high.
It makes our God seem nigh,
Though from sense of sin we sigh,
In the morn.
There is pink, and blue, and gold,
In the morn.
And the floating clouds unfold
Visions that can not be told,
Beauty richer far than gold,
In the morn.
And the tints — they come and go,
In the morn.
Thus our Father's love they show,
And His glory help us know,
All because He loves us so,
In the morn.
And His love — it lasts all day,
From the morn.
And it ceases not at night.
So our hope is always bright,
And we'll ever trust His might —
Night and morn.
