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HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIUJlI11

VOL. 29.

No.

I.

AUCKLAND,

N.Z., JANUARY,

1900.

TWOPENCE .

..- ..... "~II II~

~
swift is the passage of the years! Hardly have wc tim: to beeo~lle ae~usi~I' tomed to the New Year and its claims , i upon us, than it grows old, and is mal!ng ,- ----..I way for its successor. But each year ~ contains the record of its own work. In -~our case what has that record to say? We look over the numbers of our journal for the past year, and note the efforts made to call attention to the events which mark the true progress of the world, and the attempts made by devoted writers to put before our readers helpful Biblical expositions, and, reviewing what has been ~be Swiftl)1 O)assing ))1ears. done, we are asking, What is the harvest? And we are unable to find an. answer. Occasionally we are gratified by thc receipt of a letter from a correspondent desirous of saying a word of thanks for help received, but the general attitude towards the work is one of passive reception, and no word of appreciation, Even a word of faultfinding might be useful, if it pointed to a possible mending of our ways. Let us be fair, however, We do get more blame than praise, but let us hasten to add that we are not grumbling, If anything appears in our family paper which is deemed to be out of harmony with the Word of God, then by all means let us know about it. Still it would be a little help to us if our friends, finding that we are seeking to present truth, would commend the effort. The readiness to find fault, with thc accompanying unreadiness to give encouragement, allows us to lay the flattering unction to our souls that, in the main, our readers are satisfied with the paper and its management, and their occasional letters of protest are to be viewed as so many evidences of their earnest desire to keep the paper up to the high-water mark of excollency. ,.~" 11

r-== -:-~OW

To what? Each year, as it passes, records some apparently significant forward movements which cause jubilation to those who believe in the evolutionary advancc of humanity. Progress! Advancement! These are the modern watchwords, Of \!be 1Imbole late years these have received creanon tmO\?es. greater significance from the rapid adoption of the view that man has ascended by gradations from a low animal origin, through many changes, to his present position, and that as the years pass the evolutionary forces now at work will carry him to the highest pinnacle of attainment. This comforting view ignores as "old wives' fables" the possibility of catastrophe brought about by an offended God, or any dispensational changes which He may see fit to introduce for the carrying out of His purposes. The whole Creation moves, Certainly, but towards what? Patriarchs, prophets, seers, psalmists, and apost~es believed that, but they had a grasp of principles, promIses, and facts which enabled them to show the links in the chain of progression, and to point with unfailing certainty and harmony to the end. Before the details of the magnificent purpose which they outlined, and which was wrought unmistakably into human history as it progressed, the modern ideas of progress fade into insignificance, They are not worthy of the breath expended in uttering them. Yes, Creation moves. As this .i ew Year dawns upon us, let us once more record our conviction that the end to be reached is "nearer than when we first believed." It moves, and the evidences which lie about us are bearing their unshakable testimony to the nearness of that great event towards which all creation moves. the Daily News published an interview held with Mr. G. W. E. Russell, M.P. the talk the usual round of things polireligious had been discussed, and then the talk drifted to the end which present developments pointed to. a 1egtslator's The testimony of the member of IDtew. Parliament is worth recording. He. said: "The whole Creation is moving towards a great and final event, I am one who accepts and welcomes the certainty of a Second Advent. To that overwhelmQuite recently its representative In the course of tical, social, and

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

JANUARY,

1908.

ing collision with the spiritual we are drawing nearer and nearer." Yes, that is the "end," and these modern prophets who are loudly vaunting the present progress would do well to view their chosen evidences in the light of the Second Advent of the Lord. Commenting on this, the Christian says: "This hope 'makes all the difference.' Without it we may be attracted by evolutionary and other conceits that leave unsolved more mysteries than they attempt to explain. The return of Christ, however, introduces another element-that of catastrophe; and from that 'end' there comes a new beginning-the dawn of the 'Age to Come,' the 'Years of the Right Hand of the Most High.' It is not the instructed believer that asks, 'Where is the promise of His coming, for, since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning?' On the contrary, with an upward Iook, he prays, 'Lord J eSlls,'come quickly!' "

It is important to observe that in these days of the prevalence of the Higher Criticism, which is doing so much to weaken faith in the Bible, there should be testimonies bcing given which convincingly prove the emptiness of the claims made by WinNcations of the Critics. For long Biblical tbe 1rolor~. scholars have shown that the portion of Genesis which deals with the history of J oseph could only be written by one who had a knowledgc of the history, customs, and general circumstances of the times, impossible to a writer who came centuries later. The growing acquaintance with the rule of the Shepherd Kings has helped to strengthen the belief in the historical accuracy of the writer. The discovery of the record of Baba, a Governor who exercised office under the king Ra-Sekenen, a native monarch who ruled contemporaneously with Joseph's Pharaoh, who speaks of his own endeavours to supply corn to the people in the time of many years of famine, gave an added value to the book as an historical compilation. Now, Brugsch Bey, one of the greatest of living Egyptologists, has discovered a hieroglyphic record of the failure of the Nile to rise for seven consecutive years, and of a consequent terrible famine that resulted. "This discovery would, in any case, have been of great importance in regard to critical objections to the historic value 01: the Book of Genesis; but its value is greatly enhanced by the fact that the date of the failures, 1,700 years before Christ, corresponds exactly with that which has been recognised by the ablest Bible chronologists as that of the seven grievous years of widespread famine referred to in Genesis xli. and the following chapters. Thus (lay by day evidence of the strict accuracy of the sacred narratives is accumulating."

tion, which lasted for four months, composed of delegates representing forty-five countries, was called together for the IDrospects of purpose of lessening the evils of lDeace. war. Before its decisions were made public there were hasty preparations made by several nations for building large battleships. England ordered a fifth Dreadnought, constructed with all possible despatch. Germany hastily prepared to build three new cruisers and two turbine battleships. Italy and Japan had war vessels of modern type under way or arranged for. , Russia planned the expenditure of millions on a new navy. 'I'he United States executed final contracts for the construction of two battleships. Brazil contracted in England for three battleships and two cruisers. Turkey and the Argentine Republic gave orders for new cruisers and gunboats. At the Conference itself the question of the reduction of military or naval armaments hardly received serious attention. As thc World Crisis remarks: "It is well nigh certain that the Conference will not stop a wheel in the great concerns where the equipments of war are being manufactured. Arsenals and navy yards will still be active, and ships and guns, and all that belongs to the modern equipment for war, will be in evidence as ever, and the great preparation for possible international conflict will still go on." "It is a striking lesson, showing the jealousy of nations and the strenuous endeavour of each to safeguard its selfish and sometimes hidden interests, that this august assembly of representatives adopted, as a rule of procedure, that the passing of any measure,must be by a unaniStrtRing mous expression, This made it jLessoll. possible for a single Power-and that might be an unimportant one - to hinder the adoption of any measures, however much desired and weighty. This one rule, which may have been necessary as a working basis for the watchful delegates of jealous Powers, was a rule which could not often be applied in any great business adjustment of contending interests, and in this instance points the practical failure of the much-lauded but-to most people--disappointing Peace Conference." The Conference unanimously agreed to a number of points which will have the effect of mitigating the horrors of war, but it has not pronounced against war itself. And even on these latter points the right to sign these conventions is open until June 30th, 1908. There is ample time for a serious war to break out, and for these matters to be treated as non-existent. Peace! How futile is the cry, Men talk of it as a desirable thing, and almost every reform advocated is believed to have in it a virtue which will operate to bring in peace. But the practical application is wanting. Every attempt at the introduction of peace principles comes up against a barrier that is, as things now are, insuperable. Yet it is believed that that which

Are we any nearer to an international adoption of peace principles than we were a vear ago? That question can be readily answered thus: The Hague Conven-

JANUARY,

1908.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

acts as the barrier is the very thing which greatly desires peace. Strange infatuation! 'Tis the heart of man that stands out against it, and till that has undergone a radical change there is no hope of true and abiding peace. There will be no advent of peace until it is heralded and introduced by the Prince of Peace. An eminent physician was asked, "Have you ever grown familiar with death?" "No," was the answer. "I saw a man die to-day, and the mystery and the horror were as great to me as in the first death I saw in my childhood." "In all the thousands you have seen die," the questioner Ube fm}1ster}1 said, "did you ever see one afraid of IDeatb. to go?" After a moment's reflection. he replied, "Never but once. Rarely is there any shrinking; but there is always an agonised looking back on some work left undone. In almost every instance when I have told a patient that his end is near, he said, 'If I could only'-do something he had neglected while in health." The fact is solemn and the lesson obvious. Rev. Elvet Lewis, in dealing with the present situation regarding Biblical Criticism as it affects the public preaching of the Word, rightly pleads that the most urgent task of the day is for preachers "to recover possession of the Bible." In this Mr. Lewis speaks a seasonable word. It :!Eating tbe is painfully evident that a large moll. number of the younger men, who have fallen under the influence of "Criticism," have practically lost their Bibles. They have become anatomists-carefully examining details of texts under an artificial light, with the result that, for many of them, the sense of proportion-if not the soul of the Bible itself-has disappeared. Dr. Parker once said that a man might be such a keen critic of a rose, pulling it to pieces and carefully examining its every part, as to lose the very flower he had in his hands. It is equally so with the Bible. There is no royal road, however, "to recover possession of the Bible," save the old way, recounted by the prophet Ezekiel: "Eat that thou find est and go, speak:" Not by cool, critical examination (although that has its place) of the Divine Word do we become strong and prophetic, but by personal assimilation, through long meditation of its contents. Then people shall know that a prophet hath been amongst

J ehovah and the Ark of the Covenant, the assumptions involved are very serious; and he presents the question whether the modern savage is really primitive.
Sir William goes on to state the Scriptural position in these words: "Paul would have said that the savage represents the last stage of degeneration, that he is the end and not the beginning, that he has lost almost everything that is really primitive, that he has fallen so completely from IDaul or tbe the ancient harmony with the fIDoberns? order of nature and sympathy with the Divine as to be on the verge of death and an outrage on the world and human nature." The question is then asked: "Who is right, Paul or the moderns?" Many who are unable to prosecute such study on their own account will read with pleasure the answer of one concerning whose erudition no question can be raised. "For my own part, I confess that my experience and reading show nothing to confirm the modern assumptions, and a great deal to confirm Paul." -Christian.

IDetlne lQour Uerms.
LEARNEDignorance has "a mouth speaking great swelling words." The man who says in plain English, "I do not know," stands no sort of a chance beside another man who is just as ignorant as he, but who can state the fact in four or five dead languages. The man who can say, "I do not understand," in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Sanscrit, Chinese and Choctaw, is a marvel of wisdom; while the man who can only say it in English is an ignoramus. Hence the first requisite for the discussion of high and mighty themes, is a huge stock of words which common people do not understand. One of the great lights of that doctrine of evolution which teaches that philosophers like him are descended from monkeys, is represented as follows: "Evolution is a change from an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity, to a definite, coherent heterogeneity, through continuous differentiations and integrations." An eminent mathematician translated this into plain English thus: "Evolution is a change from a nohowish, untalkaboutable allalikeness, to a somehowish and in-general-talkaboutable not all-alikeness, by continuous somethingelsifications and sticktogetherations." A sensible man at the commencement of all controversies used to say, "Gentlemen, define your terms.',' This often saves half the argument, or perhaps decides the case in advance. Those young students and ministers who discuss "evolution" and "development" will do well to carefully note the above definitions; and so know what they are talking about !-H.L.H.

them."-The

Christian.

Those who have been carried away by evolutionary teaching will find in a recent number of the ConiemporM'YReview that which will give them good reason to pause. Sir William 1\1[. Ramsay has contributed a notable article on "St. Paul's Philosophy of History." The distin16\?olutton or guished scholar points out that; IDegeneratton ? while it may be easy to arrange religions in a series rising from the fetish or totem to

While Zion's harp is hung on the willows, some have taken the Babylonian fiddle and are playing to suit their captors.

4 Jl)apal 3-ntalltbilttl?

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

JANUARY,

1908.

FROM the castle of St. Angelo a roar of artillery announces the opening of the Vatican Council. Each church in Rome peals its bell. The streets are thronged, and the wide piazza and the noble colonnades of the grand cathedral become filled. Beneath its sublime dome Cardinal Patrizi celebrates mass. Above the altar on the throne, Bishop Fessler places the Gospels. Glorious in this magnificent pageant, the Holy Father appears in the utmost gorgeousness of pontifical splendour. The Councils opens, and all its ability and learning are for months occupied in its discussions. Nothing could be more deliberate than their final decision. On July 18, 1870, amid blazing lightnings and pealing thunders, while earth shook and heaven grew dark, the Bishop of Fabriano announced the Decree:"If then any shall say that the Roman Pontiff has the office merely of inspection and direction, and not full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the whole Church-let him be anathema! "vVe teach and divine that it is a dogma divinely revealed that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cailiedra, by the divine assistance promised the blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer willed the Church to be endued-and if anyone, which God forbid, presume to contradict this definition-let him be anathema!" For time and eternity, by this Vatiean malediction, Papal Rome curses the Czar of Russia, and the Greek Church; the German Kaiser, and the Lutheran Church; the King of England, and the Anglican Church; the President of the United States, and each Protestant Church over an entire world. Literally, outside the Latin Communion, it places humanity under its ana" thema! But it is said: "The Vatican Council declared only a theory; practical application was never intended." What! Years of preparation; prelates assembled from all regions of the earth; vast expense incurred; months of solemn deliberation; a world anxious for the result; a decision preceded and accompanied and' attained and announced amid most impressive religious services-and all to manufacture mimic ecclesiastical thunder to scare slaves and infants into submission ! No! Pio N ono was in earnest! Witness his procedure in reference to Dr. Dollinger ! He was the most illustrious scholar and historian of Papal Rome, stern in his integrity and saintly in his life-a theological professor eminent and venerated. N or did the Pope wish to sacrifice a man so admirable in character and exalted in reputation and position. Thunder muttered long, but no lightning struck. At last the bolt fell. On the 17th of April, 1871, Dr. J oseph von Prandt, Vicar-General and Cathedral Provost, pronounced sentence of excommunication on Dr. Dollinger because he rejected the Vatican Decree of Pio N ono; and Lord Acton-e-the most learned and brilliant and magnanimous Catholic since the days of More-Lord Aeton, who charzed Cardinal Manning with

approval of Cardinal Borromeo's letter urging Protestant murders, and who said of Cardinal Newman that he was a sophist, not a servant, but a manipulator of truthLord Acton expected expulsion, with anathema, from the Church of his fathers, but as a layman escaped the pontifical curse! The Vatican Council impresses our whole American life. In our country we are too often shocked to see the colour line red with blood. Death ends our race strife. Resurrection trump will transfigure white and black into the image of the glory of our Divine Redeemer. Not so this Vatican line! It passes through the grave into eternal separation. Standing at the marriage altar, the Catholic priest commands the heretic lover from wedlock in his flock. Standing at the door of the public school, the Catholic priest waves away. the children, and between our youth builds a barrier high as heaven and long as eternity. Standing at the portals of the grave, the Catholic priest forbids our saints his cemetery, and his Vatican anathema in one hand, with the other he points to the everlasting fire and worm. Mistake not! On the 18th of July, 1870, Pio Jono drew the line through our humanity, and over the world; its future mental and moral battle will be around his pontifical banner, inscribed with his creed, "Believe in the Pope or be damned."-DT. Leavitt in "Bible Student."

1boe:=1ban~le Jl)biloSOpbl?
TIm suburban back-yard farmer, who sometimes cultivates the soil for pleasure(?) but never for profit, waited in a backward season for his vegetables to emerge from mother earth and attain sufficient size to be hoed without again being buried; but the grass and weeds did not wait-they never do-but kept on growing until his vegetables were "lost to sight," if not to "memory dear." One morning at five o'clock he started on a mission of discovery with the hoe, rake and spading-fork; and as he worked away, while the household and neighbourhood sweetly slept, with nobody to keep him company but the worms he brought to light and the birds who were watching for their breakfast of them, he soliloquised and philosophised to some extent, as he leaned on his hoe-handle to rest, like this:The things grow best that you do not want to grow where the ground is broken and the state of fertilisation and cultivation is the highest. Now this is the reason why right here in New England the isms and schisms grow so well, where the early and devout Christian fathers worked so hard, in season and out of season, planting the Divine seed in this fertile soil, and watering and cultivating it with much patience and perseverance. This is good soil for such weeds as Christian Science, Theosophy, Spiritualism, infidelity, etc., to grow in, and their roots have so intertwined with the things of Divine planting that it seems almost impossible to root them up without also rooting up the things that we want to grow and prosper.

JA

'UAllY,

1908.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

Well, we will keep at it the best we can until harvest time, and then One will come who knows how to separate the wheat from the tares. But why do not some of these isms and schisms get together and choose their missionaries, and send them out to the dark corners of the earth and break new ground and start in with a crop of their own? For the very good reason that they would not thrive there. 'What do the benighted heathen care for such things? They are for the daylight heathen of New England, and thrive best where for more than a century evangelical Christianity has been assiduously cultivating the soil; and they will stick there, too, and.you can depend on it, like the grub worm in your garden, feeding on the things you have planted and watered. Is it worth while to combat error as weeds in the garden? Is the crop likely to be worth the efforts put forth? We may think it is none of our business; we are to sow (and to hoe) beside all waters, not knowing what shall prosper, this or that. . The fact is, no plant will prosper that is not hoedit will not be seen long, for the weeds will hide it and take the nourishment from the ground which it should recei vc. So bend your back and go at it, and not be afraid of soiling your fingers or your clothes-or reputation. Do not be afraid of ostracism or persecution. If it is a hot ti.me, it is the best time in the world to hoe, for things wilt and die quickest when dug out then. As onc farms it on a small or large scale he cannot but think, if his eyes have had the Divine anointing, of the curse pronounced on mother earth after man's sin at the beginning-"thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee," and "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou cat bread till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. iii. 18, 19). This is a condition of things that man cannot escape, and he ought not to escape it if he would; it is the best thing for him to work, and to work hard in his fallen estate, to keep him subdued as well as the weeds, and keep him down where he ought to be and out of mischief. So put up with it and make the best of it while you watch and pray for "a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." If you are so fortunate by the grace of God as to get there, you will say it has been cheap enough at any cost; and then you can sit under your own vine and fig tree, and one shall not build and another inhabit, and one plant and another root up or reap, but the earth shall spontaneously bring forth, and the redeemed shall walk there and for ever enjoy the work of their hands. Lawrence, Mass. C. E. Corp.

~orre5pon~ence.
SOCIALISM.

(To the Ed-itor.)

SIR,-lt was extremely refreshing to read the comments on the above subject in the editorial columns of the BIBLB S'l'ANDAIWfor November, which, in my opinion, is the best contribution we have on the subject so far. You go beneath the surface, and bring up arguments which are unanswerable. Particularly pointed was your reference to the drinking habit, which completely disposes of the impudent assertion made by Socialists, that drunkenness is caused by poverty. The causes of poverty, and many other human ills, are probably as diverse as human character itself. The whole subject is like a great river that is both wide and deep, and there is every evidence to show that Socialists, and many other so-called "reformers," have dipped into its abysmal waters with the very shortest of sounding lines. There is one important matter that all these reformers leave out of their calculation when urging their theories, and that is human nature. I well remember over twenty years ago reading. the celebrated treatise by Ialthus, entitled "The Principle of Population," in which he endeavoured to show that poverty is caused by population increasing faster than the means of subsistence. At the time I read it I really thought he had upset all other theories and established his own. But although Malthus was a clergyman, even he left out the all-important principles of human nature and passions, and your reference to the drink question completely establishes the fact, that, let a man's environment be never so favourable, he can compass his own destruction by a course of vice. There is, perhaps, no portion of the earth's surface where these problems can be so clearly studied at the present time as in New Zealand. We have none of the Old World traditions and prejudices to obstruct our view. ,Vc have no aristocracy, no debasing poverty. We have had many years of unexamplcd prosperity. Our laws are most essentially of our own making. Yet with all these advantages, we have a very large portion of the .people most discontented and unhappy, which would seem to prove that it is not poverty that is the specific banc of our civilisation, but discontent and unhappiness. A largc section are destroying themselves with vice in one form or another, and, as you point out, our prosperity only accentuates the evil. If every person in the world were to be placed at once in the most favourable position it is in the power of man to conceive, human selfishness and tyranny, and the evil passions generally, would immediately appear in some of the many protean forms which they arc perpetually assuming. We may struggle against human evils as much as we can, but although our efforts may relieve, and even palliate, some of the evils for a time, to remove them altogether by human agency is a task absolutely hopeless. This is not yery gratifying to human pride, and has something of a fatalistic ring about it, but we arc forced to the conclusion that we must wait as meekly as we may for the fulfilment of that majestic promise, "Behold, I make all things new." BIBLE STANDARD READEr"

CLOSE.

AT 'fHE YEAR'S

If fault of mine, or pride, or fea r, Has cost onc soul, or far or near, Onc little pang, one burning tear, May the hurt die with thee, Old Year.

-OongTegationalist.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

JANUAIW,

1908.

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THE MORNING COMETH. (Isa. xxi. 11, 12.) daily papers frequently refer with pride to the remarkable prosperity which this land has experienced (luring the past few years. As citizens of this Dominion, we are grateful that such long-continued prosperous times have been, and are still, with us.. Many of us can recall the days when matters were otherwise, and when few were hopeful that good times would return. There has been a wonderful recovery, and all classes are benefitting by it. Yet we have by no means reached to the ideal state. Perfect satisfaction cannot come, for the reason, if for no other, that we do not continue. The factories, warehouses, and shops of this city may abide, and business in them be pressing, but we shall pass away, and other hands and minds will attend to the pressure of affairs. There will surely come a time, if this dispensation continues, when our powers will cease, and we shall be laid aside, and the busy world will pass by us. There will be a few condolences, and a few tears. and then the ceaseless cares of daily life will call for all the attention of those nearest and dearest, and we shall be forgotten. Material prosperity does not, and cannot, meet the needs arising from our mortal nature, nor can it give us abiding satisfaction. Whilst, therefore, we should be thankful for this tide of prosperity, it is both right and reasonable that we should look for something that is more comprehensive and farther-reaching. I am not talking thus that I may find a reason for the remarks that I have to make; I am appealing to stern. and practical fact, and I need not confine myself to the Christian religion as warrant for what I have to say. It is enough to point to the efforts made on every hand to satisfy that feeling after something better; to the many phases of philosophy and religion, each claiming to be the only sure and certain method by which man may attain unto that perfect felicity which the present cannot give. Amongst these many voices, the appeal of the Bible has a right to be heard, and its reasons for a "good time coming" should have place when we are in quest of a greater good. The passage cited as my text is introduced as the oracle of Dumah. It sketches an easily-understood piehue. Out of Seir one calls to the watchman who stands upon his lofty place of observation-a hillock or tower whence he has a general view of the surrounding district. and whence he can see the motion of the stars, and glimpse the first streaks of the dawn. Perhaps the caller is one who, as the night wears on, cannot sleep because of some feared invasion, and, because of inability to sleep, he cries, "Watchman, what of the

o un

night?" i.e., What time is it? The watchman replies to the anxious question, and adds a word that goes beyond it: "The morning cometh, and also the night; if ye will enquire, inquire ye : turn ye, come." The Scripture is strikingly insistent upon this figure of the future. It views this present time as the time of darkness, and the hour when God's provision for man's redemption shall be attained as "the morning." Peter, when commending the "more sure word of prophecy," says it is "a lamp shining in a squalid place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise." Paul also certifies "the night is far spent, and the day is at hand." These are figures of speech, you will say. Well, but there is a great fact to which they point. Every earnest student of the Word knows that it declares a coming period of blessing and of judgment, and that this period is called the Day of the Lord. It is the time when God shall take to Himself His great power, and assert His rights over man and his habitation. It is this fact of the coming Day of the Lord which gives special force and beauty to this expression, "The Morning Cometh." Writers, separated by centuries, use this term, and associate it with the realisation of the greatest human hopes. 'I'he future period of blessing is to be introduced by the Advent of the Lord. 'I'his doctrine has been presented from this platform for many years as aNew Year topic, and to-night I must again call attention to it, not because it is the customary thing to do, but because it is amongst the absolutely necessary things that this great truth should be kept before the mind. Is the morning coming? Yes, but it depends upon the Luminary of Heaven to usher in the day. He who is the Bright and Morning Star, and the Sun of Righteousness, will open that Day. The sweet psalmist of Israel said of the coming righteous Ruler: "He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds." Night disappears when this Sun of unclouded morning shall appear. 'I'he Day-star from on high hath already visited His people, but He is again to come, and then "His going forth is prepared as the morning." As already pointed out, it is at the point of our own mortality that our need presses. If now there is darkness about us, is it not largely because we see and feel the years piling' upon us, and bringing with them the burdens of old age and infirmity, to be laid down only in the grave? But the Word of God associates with that: coming morning the removal of these disabilities. Resurrection and the dominion of saints is connected with that morning. Thus we read of men who live for self, and in neglect of God, that "they are appointed at; a flock for Sheol; death shall bc their shepherd." But of the upright it is said, they "shall have dominion over them in the morning." In these days it has become a common thing for men to appeal to spiritism for light upon the future, but the Lord has this to say, "Should not a people seek unto their God? On behalf of the living, should they seek unto the dead? To the law and to the testimony! If they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them."


JANUARY,

1908.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

It is the time of deliverance and salvation for Israel. Of the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High it is said, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her at the dawn of the morning." This coming morning is identified with the beginning of the rule of the Messiah, and the glorification of the saints, when His "people shall offer themselves willingly in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning." It is also the time when the Lord will remove the evildoers from life, for "Behold, the day corneth, it burneth as a furnace, and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts." This is at the time when "the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings." After describing the overthrow of the wicked by the power of God, the psalmist adds: "But I will sing of Thy strength; yea, I will sing aloud of 'I'hy mercy in the morning." In putting these matters before you as aNew Year study, I have the intention to oppose the popular spiritistic conception of heaven at death. These passages, with their connections, and their insistence upon a coming period in which active means shall be employed to destroy the evil and evil-doers, and to bless the righteous, put aside as irrelevant the ideas about the saints' entry upon felicity immediately at death. We must protest against this view of human destiny which so completely sets aside the truth of the Word of God. Why all this insistence upon the coming time of happiness associated with the earth in that epoch called the Day of the Lord if saints pass into immediate felicity at the moment of death? Why should the Scripture so persistently; ignore this if it is true, and so frequently, and so strongly, speak of the future period of blessing? I do not wish to speak of the popular idea as false, unless I can turn you to the Bible and present a better one. But this is an easy thing to do, for a little study will show how fittingly this purpose of God harmonises with man's need, and with every step hitherto taken to bring about a perfect redemption. The present hope cherished by men, and founded upon the erroneous belief of their native Immortality, has no word of comfort or of hope for the earth, and no provision for the removal of the present disabilities from the race. The narrow view of one's personal salvation is allowed to wholly absorb attention. Not so the Word of God. It certainly asserts eternal life, and unending felicity for the faithful and obedient to its precepts, but that happiness is closely, indissolubly linked with the glorious plan of salvation which is designed to affect the race, and to bring in the period when God's kingdom shall come, and His will shall be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Certainly the world is now in darkness, but about the believer the light of divine truth is shining. The darkness is the clearer seen, but therewith is the knowledge that it shall be banished, and by His Word God reveals to His servants the manner in which it shall be accomplished.

It seems fitting that I should urge this upon your considcration as we enter this new year. No theme is worthier for present satisfaction and as a means of attaining to certainty of hope for the future. 1 some who now listen to me are strangers to this theme, and to the felicity of which it speaks, may I now urge upon you in the language of my text to inquire. If you are sincerely desirous of finding the way from the world's darkness to the light of God, from danger to safety, then let me affectionately urge you to a consideration of God's claims and of His provision for your salvation. And, may I also commend to you this rich and full purpose of God, which means so much to this sad earth and its condition. Turn ye ! Come! Here is the word of invitation. His word invites to a close fellowship with Himsclf, to a position of safety in Christ, and to the good hope that shall soon pass into the realm of realisation. 'I'he morning of that coming "Day will soon break upon the earth, and whether or not it will bring to us eternal satisfaction, or will put us into the silence of an eternal sleep, is a matter which may be decided by each and all as we enter this New Year. God's time and agencies are ready; what is lacking is your personal decision to accept His provision. Accept it now, that this may be to you the happiest of all New Years yet experienced. [Notes of New Year address by the Ed'itor.]

lRicb lPrh'ilege.
IF ever life seems rich in privilege, it is when we stancl
beside the cold form of our beloveds, mourning for the opportunities that will never be ours again in this world. Let 11S be more watchful, more heedful ere the "terrible silence" comes again. This is the lesson of death to the living. Do not delay to speak the loving words that tremble on the lips, but so often fail of utterance. Do not hesitate to lift the veil from off the heart ere it be too late, and to enshrine in tender testimony the appreciation that is scattered with such a lavish hand over unresponsive graves. Hungry hearts are plenty in this world of care and burdens. Let us learn the art of detecting and feeding them. They may be those of our own houeohold.c=I/ nion Signal. -~

...

New Year, teach us faith! . The road of life is hard; When our feet bleec1 and scourging winds us scathc, Point thou to Hint whose visage was more marred Than any man's, who saith, "Make straight paths for your feet"-and to the opprest"Come :ye to Me, and I will give you rest." -Selected. "Waste not thy time in grief for work unclone, N or let regret thy passing days engage; 'I'hou eans't not bring again the year that's gone, But God hath given thee another page.".

8
TABLE
THE MONTH YOUR .. TERMS PHILOSOI'HY V'-EST NOTES 1908 . QU,"S'I' DJ" NF:W~ . TRUTH "-A
STREET""

THE
OF CONTENTS.

BIBLE
PAG.I-1:

STANDARD.

JANUAIW,

1908.

1-3

DEF'INE PAPAL

:l
4 J-5

INFALi,IllILITY

Ho.,HANDLE }(CHOES FHOM ASSOCIATION AN"O DOMINI

CORHI~Sl'ONDENC~

5 6-7 8 9
9-11 UIVIEW

A 13RlIt.:F' EXPU~l'l'Io1\ THE I~O"E CIHCL'" -"IN

LE'I'T"'RS CHURCH
'1'0

A YOUNG [cRIE!'!) BAND

ON THE STUI1\: OF 1'IWI'HECY

11 12 13-11
14

AND MISSION

CHRISTIAN

MISCELLANEOUS

14-15 15--16

~ lb~ 6ibl~ Standard. ~

"
~>y
MONTHTLY
0,. Tt4[

ORGAN

ntW Ztaland E"angtllstlc anll Publication R$$()clatlon.

.EDITED ASSISTED BY GEORGE BY SPECIAL ALDHIOGE. CON'rRlBUTlONS.

The Editor wishes it to be understood that, while Ire exercises tI. gtll't":ral anperetelon over the articles and Correspondence .1 ppear irur in the S'.fANDA.RlI, reaponsibi.lity for aenttmente exp reaecd reate upon the individual writer.

aeeoctanou 1I~otes.
A Happy New Year to all our readers. correspondent contains the evidence that the old spirit which cast out of the synagogues still acts potently wherever it has the opportunity. Our correspondent says: "My sister and I ha vc been turned out of the Church of England Sunday School at ---. A new minister came along last June, one who 'knew not J oseph' evidently, for your papers on the 'Rich Man and Lazarus,' and the assertion that the article which says that Christ reconciled God to us is not according to the Bible, were too much for him. My sister feels it very much, as she has been the chief worker in that Sunday School for eight years. I am glad to know that here, as in everything, 'tis God, not men, who counts the cost, and pays." Many years ago, when we first accepted tbe doctrine of Conditional Immortality, there was onc little matter upon which we were in doubt. Tested byappeal to the Word, there could be no doubt as to the truth of the doctrine; and tested by every-day experience we found it to be a good thing. It gaye a peace and satisfaction never before possessed regarding the ways of Goel to men. His character was seen to be in harmony with His declarations concerning His mercy and love to the sons of men. But we had been brought up amid home influences, and in the Sunday School, in which the view that believers went immediately to heaven at death were to the fore. We had heard so m u ch of th e comfort and certainty that such a belief afforded the believer when immediately facing death that in adopting the new

A letter from an Australian

thoughts and ideas born by the acceptance of Conditional Immortality we found it difficult to understand how they would stand when tested by the presence and the power of invading death. Our orthodox friends were not slow in affirming that these views would be found a-wanting in that dread hour. Where could a believer find comfort if the hope of immediate entrance to glory were denied him? We 'were confident of the truth of the Word, but we lacked the experience, which, however, soon came. In connection with the little church identified with the Life views was an elderly man) whose life bore testimony to the reality of his faith. Whilst he was able he rendered SL1chservice as he could to the small community. When his last illness seized him, and it was known that life would soon end, we often visited him. In his case we found the opportunity of te-iting the efficacy of the new form' of faith. Day by .hy we found him in the same attitude of trust in the Lord, rejoicing in his Saviour, and resting wholly 011 the Word. As the end drew near there was no lack of hope <11<1omfort available. c Then did we learn the true: signiiicance of a whole-hearted trust in the Word, as C0L1lpared with a trust in the vain and visionary doctrines of men. What was his hope? Why, the hope of the Lord's return. The grave was to him only a restingplace. The hope was the coming of the Lord and the resurrection from the dead; and the time between death <nd the Master's advent a time of perfect sleep. The faith then exhibited and the comfort derived were sufficient to banish any latent doubts held as to tile p<')wer of this great truth in the hour of death, as well as in Efe. Sinee that time, nearly 30 years ago, we have had many opportunities of observing the power of the truth, and in no single ease have we known it to fail. Just recently a clear young brother died in Dunedin (Bro. Art. Lawrence). When he knew that the end was near, and his relatives were almost heart-broken with the knowledge, he calmly asked that his friends and acquaintances should be summoned, that he might have a farewell word with them, and might bear his testimony to the sustaining power of the truth he had accepted. In the blush of young manhood, with the possibility of life opening out before him and yielding its rewards to him as a successful worker, he was quite prepared to leave everything, and to pass into the deathstate to await the Lord's return. 'I'hose who gathered to his bedside listened with full hearts to his dying testimony. He testified that the faith in Jesus was a good thing to live by, and that as he lay awaiting the coming of the last enemy it was a good thing to die by. Il c urged upon those who believed to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering, and to those yet unsaved he urged an acceptance of the Divine mercy. His message to the Church was affecting in its tenderness and its strong desire, and we trust it will be long remembered by those to whom it was sent. His last words to his parents, "Don't worry, we will meet again

rANUAHY,

11:108.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

.t the Resurrection, it will not be long," testify to the source of his support in that last conflict. Yes, let us say again this hope of life in the Coming Lord is a good thing for thc everyday wear and tear of life; and it will bear all the strain which the last hours of life can put upon it. Trusting thus in Him, the believer may have a triumphant life, and a no less triumphant death.
We arc looking forward to a good ti me at the Conference. The Picnic on the Ist affords opportunity for brethren to talk over experiences and hopes. The Conference papers promise to be interesting, and the business of the Association requires our attention. Let punctuality, fraternity and spirituality characterise all our doings.

has given Him THE name which is above every name (Phil. ii. 9)? But it is not a. dead man whose memory is thus kept green, but One who is alive, who has been rescued from the grave, and has these nineteen centuries been seated in heaven at God's right hand, waiting (Ps. ex. 1). Waiting for what? Till the appointed hour arrives when, after His prolonged absence and continued si lence, LIe shall once again commence active proceedings in connection with terrestrial affairs. Duing His absence from the earth - the Jews rejecLed and scattered and the nations left to their own dev ices-have the inhabitants thereof been entirely forgotten and forsaken by Him? Not at all. During these lJlany centuries a marvellous work has been proceeding among each successive generation, t.e., the conversion and sanctification of many who arc hereafter to form a great and powerful corporation which will be eternally connected in the closest relationship with the Lord Jesus when He takes to Himself His almighty power and enters upon His universal reign. Among that company-which is called "the Church"-may reader and writer humbly hope by undeserved grace to be numbered. But during these nineteen centuries of the Lord's absence, what is supposed to be the attitude of the Church? Luke xii. 36 gives us the answer, "Like unto men that 'wad for their Lord." Wc, in the end of these days, are waiting still, or at least, we profess to be waiting, looking for, and hasting unto that moment of untol d glory and blessing when it will be wondrously true, "W c sec Jesus" -not as now, through a glass darkly, but face to face. \Ve profess to believe that these are the last days, that the time is short, very short, that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh," and yet are we living with tongues guarded, and words and looks and tempers such as if we 1cally believe that the Master is at the very door? Such high doctrine as this should surcl y be accompanied with a corresponding high and holy life. When wc talk of living in heavenly places with Christ J esus, and lose our tempers, and tall: of the resurrection Iife and yet fail to manifest ordinary transparency and integrity which characterises even men of the world, is it allY marvel if the world laughs, call: us hypocrites, and says, "There's nothing in their belief?" Are we hying "as men who wait for their Lord?" Alas! we must confess that it is a superficial and false statement that Christians-generally speakingarc living in view of Christ's return. If pressed, how many could and would truthfully say that they really hope that it may be during this year 1908? They are living in view of their soul's departure to be with Him through the death of the body, which departure they will delay as long as possible. 'l'hey are not in any state of expectation or preparation for His return. They would be taken greatly by surprise if such an event occurred during the next few months. When the season of "Advent" comes round, many thousands of preachers all over the world exhort their congregations to be waiting and watching for that second coming of Christ "as a

Bnno JDomtni 1908

"IN nIB YEAR OF oun lJoHD, 1908." How time flies! More than nineteen centuries have passed since our Divine Lord came to this earth, entering it as a babe from the womb of the Virgin Mar)'. How different would have been the history of the past nineteen centuries had the Jewish and Roman worlds joined togcther in acknowledging the authority and acclaiming the rights of the young Hebrew who, as "Son of David," was heir to the Israelitish throne, and, as "Son of God," was the appointed Ruler of the Gentile nations. ] t is interesting to note that the birth of our Lord stands just midway between now and the time of Abraham, to whom it was promised that his descendant (Gal. iii. 1GID) "should be heir of the world"-1908 years from Abraham to Christ, 1908 years from Christ till to-day. Alas ' Jew and Gentile unitedly refused to "have this man to reign over them," His person was despised, IJ i~ authority rejected, and IJ o Hi III self hounded to an earh and ignominious death. For lhe brief space of three and a-half vcars Jesus of Bethlehem made Himself known, and then with a haste most indecent was He seized, thrice tried, and without any respite executed as a common criminal, hanged to a cross of wood. And yet, notwithstanding this total denial of His cla ims on the part of the then rulers of the earth, we have the singular fact that to-day, throughout the larger portion of the world, the years are numbered reckoning from the date of B is birth. This is a unique fact that the haters of Christ cannot away with. The Carpenter of ~ azareth is thus imprcsscd upon ever}' letter we write and every calendar that stanch exposed to our gaze. And, meanwhile-what? Is this indelible mark of Mary's Son a mere historical freak, and without any serious import? 'Why is II is na rne thus perpetuated bvgenerally peaking-an unwilling or unwitting world? ,rhere is this Jesus? To the world He is a dead Christ. Tf, then-as the rest of His fellows-He has been lying in the grave these many centuries, why this daily remembrance of His name? May we not regard this as ordered in the Providence of God, and as a foreshadowing and part fulfilment of the great prophecy that God

10

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

JANUARY,

1908.

thief in the night." But neither preachers nor congregations w i]l do anything of thc sort. 'I'he Sccond Coming of L'hrist will remain (as it has been for centuries) too utterly divorced from considerations of time to have any practical awakening effect. As one writer (a clergyman ) candidly says, "An active expectation of the Second Advent was possible and was useful to the early Christians : it is impossible, and it will be mischievous la 116. \\. e arc not expecting the Bridegroom; it would he hvpocrisy to say that we are. Consciously, or unconsciously, wc think, we act, we speculate, we forecast, we Iivc as citizens of this world on the tacit assumption that the world is going on, and will go on. He has tarried so long, so much longer than there was any reasou to expect, and we cannot keep our minds on the strain, our expectation on thc stretch. J t is quite easy to expect that thc world will continue to develop as at present th rough ages of: ages, perhaps beyond the ari thnu-tic of man, and at the same time to believe that Christ wi ll at last certainly come again to judge the world, 1 really doubt whether there is a single person who is really watching for it day by day. By fall the greater number of ordinarily good people never seri- ouslv think of it at all. The subject is removed from practical contemplation. With human nature constituted as it is, it could not possibly be otherwise. The mind 0 f man cannot be kept upon the strain of expectation for more than a very li mitcd time." Y ow, this is very shocking reading. vVe do not dispute the correctness of the statement that there is an almost universal abandonment of the commanded attitude to be "waiting for the return of the Lord." But we do ay that it is outrageous for a minister to assert that a distinct command of his Lord and Master is to be treated as impracticable, impossible, and one that can have no connection with our everyday life. Think a moment. ITow long has any Christian individual had to wait for the Second Advent? We have not waited nineteen centur:ies! A very few years is all that an,')' man has been called upon to exercise a waiting and expectant attitude. A man who dies at thirty years of age who II'aH converted at twenty-five has only hacl five years of expectant waiting. And how comparatively few lire to be over fifty years of age! But be that as it may, our Lord hade His disciples watch for His advent -and whv ? Because death will bring them nothing but unconsciousness, corruption, and a grave, and they cannot be rescued from the power of that grave until He personally comes to call them forth. So that, alive or dead, there is absolutely no hope of any joyful future apart from the return of Christ. Therefore, living, I would he ever ready for the glad summons to ascend to the heavenly places, and when dying this shall be my consolation, that He who promised when He comes in His kingdom to remember the thief who died on the cross will not forget me, that I, too, "shall hear His voice and come forth from the grave unto the resurrection of life" (Tohn Y. 29). 'I'hcrc is noth ing ill;~;ossjble or impracticable in our Lord's command. It does not for a moment interfere

with any rightful worldly interest or legitimate occupation or restful recreation. The same book that says, "\ratch: for ye know not on what day your Lord corneth," also bids us "be diligent in business" and "gil"en to hospitality." Second Advent truth has no necessary connection with monastery or convent. It is in the world we are to play our part as men, and put to use the talents entrusted to us. To say that this truth requires LlS to be severed from the business, the fashion, the pleasure, the society of daily life, is to say what is not true: From all the wickedness connected therewith we are to stand severely aloof, otherwise all is lawful to us. Our Lord came eating and drinking, and graced with His presence a marriage festival. Waiting for the Lord's return does not mean retirement into a desert and a continued gazing into heaven. It means earnest, faithful labour in our varied callings, but with a heart loyal and true to the Son of God and a great desire for the time when we shall sec His face and stand in His august presence. This is not the clream of a visionary. These are words of truth ancl soberness. 'I'herc arrmany who have thus "waited" for twenty, forty, sixty years. But these are comparatively short periods. And Christ may well say to many who have ignored as too burdensome His command to watch, "What, could ye not watch for Me one hour" (Matt. xxvi. 40) i' IV e talk glibly about centuries; but, after all, we only live one day at a time, and our personal concern is with the present fleeting moment. As the poet well says:
.rI .

"A man's life is a tower, with a staircase of many steps, That, as he toileth upward, crumble successively behind him: No going back; the past is an abyss; no stopping, for the present perisheth; But ever hasting on, precarious on the foothold of Today. Our cares are all To-day; our joys are all To-clay; And in one little word, our life, what is it but-Today?" Just so, our whole life is one continued "to-day." And so each "to-day," as the wife waits for her absent husband, as the boy at boarding-school, away from home, awaits the visit of his expected father, as the maiden looks for the return of her lover from the field of war, even so am I to wait for, and expect, and earnestly desire, the return of the Lord from heaven. It is no long strain, no unnatural tension to which I am called, but a daily exercise-a twelve-hours glad response to Him "who loved me and gave Himself for me," a response to Him who, far more eagerly than is possible with us, is looking forward to the time when "He shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied." "Behold, there was a man at Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel. And there was one Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years, and she spake of Him to all them that were looking for the deliverance

JANUARY,

Ifl08.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

11

of Jerusalem" (Luke ii. 25-38). This aged pair were "waiting" for the advent of the long-promised (about 1900 years) Son of Abraham. And their waiting was not in vain. With their bodily eyes they saw the Lord's Christ-the child Jesus. Let us imitate the faith and cherish the hope that animated the venerable Simeon and the long-widowed Anna. As with them, so with us, 1900 years have elapsed. since the promise we rely on was made. But the promise still stands good. He who promised is He W110 cannot lie. Maybe that during the coming year 1908 our Lord shall arise from His throne, where He i" seated at God's right hand, and, dcscending to the heavenlyplaces, summon His waiting and expectant ones into the royal presence. What joy if at so early a date we might see His face! But if not, if He shall still tarry, let us not be carried away with doubts and foolish talk, as if His promise is of too uncertain a character for the wear and rear of everyday life. Daily cultiva Le the gracc 01 patient expectancy. "For thcre is an appointed time, and we hasten toward the end. Our Lord has not lied, though He tarry; wait for Him, because He will surely come and will not delay" (Heb. ii. 2-4). Rotorua, C. CRISP BROWN.

mrtef JCJ;posittoll.

"He that believeth on Me, though he die, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth on Me shall never die."-JoHN xi. 25, 26, RV. 'rI-m meaning of these gracious words of our Lord and Saviour has often been the subject of devout inquiry and friendly difference of opinion among believers in the doctrine of Life in Christ. Not that their general scope is difficult to understand. They plainly teach that a triumph over death and the grave is promised to all who believe in Him. And the "life" and "death" spoken of are no figures of speech. These words, as used by our Lord in His comforting assurance to Martha, are to be understood in no secondary or "spiritual" sense. 'I'hey refer to that literal death with which we are all so painfully familiar, which robs us of our dearest friends, and whose reversal the Lord of Life alone can accomplish. Any difficulty in our grasping the full sense of His words is found rather in adjusting the second half of the saying quoted to the meaning of the first half. The words of the first portion hardly need explanation. "He that believeth on Me, though he die, yet shall he live." They tell us that the believer in Christ is liable to death, but will live again by resurrection from the dead, even should he die. But when our Lord adds: "Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die," what is the precise meaning of His words? Some have suggested that the closing words should be translated "shall not die for ever." They can certainly be so rendered. But if this translation is intended to mean anything different from "shall never die," it can only be by repeating in another way the promise of the first clause. That is to say, the first clause means that

death, to the believer, only lasts till broken by resurrection; and the second clause would say the same thing: his death will not last for ever. But 1 cannot think our Lord was only repeating the same idea, while seeming to announce a fresh one. Others have found in these words of our Lord a statement of the destinies of the sleeping saints and those "who are alive and remain" at His coming, as more plainly announced by His apostle afterwards. 'I'he former shall be raised ("though they die, yet shall they live") ; the latter shall be changed without dying (1 Cor. xv. 51, 52,; 1 'I'hcss, iv. 15-17). There is no doubt our Lord's words might be read as an announcement of this distinction between the two classes. But is it likely that He would be so understood by Martha? His purpose no doubt was to give simple and direct comfort to His weeping disciple and friend; not to anticipate the mysteries or secrets afterwards to be disclosed by His apostles. And so when He asks Martha, "Belie vest thou this?" something surely was meant which she could easily grasp and believe, especially at such a time. This consideration leads me to set aside the explanation of His words just referred to as somewhat far-fetched and unlikely. In my opinion, the clue to the second clause is to be found in the proper idea which we attach to the word "live" in the first clause. It is there equivalent to "live aqoin;" as in many other passages; e.g., Mark xvi. 11; Acts xss, 19; Rom, vi. 10; xiv. 9. In this last passage the word is actually rendered "revived." Now, let us read it so in the passage under consideration, and carry it forward in the same sense to the second clause. Then we shall have: "He that believeth in Me, though he should die, yet shall he live again: and everyone that (so) lives again, and believes in Me, shall never die." So read, the second clause is a declaration that the believers' resurrection, spoken of in the first clause, is to be a resurrection to die no more. The whole saying, so understood, is a simple two-fold assurance of the blessed destiny ultimately awaiting all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; and as such it would be easily assented to, and greatly valued, by the mourning Martha. M. W. STRANG.

Ube jLessons.
THERE are those who look back upon the year that is gone with chastened spirits, and yet they are not without hope. 'I'hey have suffered, but they are not east down. They, with others, have seen, perhaps wealth, perhaps friends, perhaps comfort, perhaps health, depart as the clays of the year have gone, and yet their joy and peace remain, because they held the foundations of their hopes and the springs of their happiness in their own souls. Mere worldly wisdom always tells us that the safest investments arc those in which we have ourselves an influence and control.-The Watchman.

'I'he honey of peace is extracted from the Passion flower (Christ's atonement) by the bee of faith.

JANUARY,

1908.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

13
of all mankind. But it does not include every individual in the race, though it includes every nation, sex and condition. In Genesis vi. 13 we read that God declared "the end of all flesh is come," yet Noah and his family were exempt. In Isaiah lxvi. 16 we read what God would do with "all flesh," which, in verse 17, is described as "l1lCLny slain." In like manner the words "all flesh" in Jerem iah xxv. 31 and xlv. 5 have a limited application. I lay stress upon this, because this "all flesh" is one of the phrases upon which is founded the doctrine of 1]niyersnl Sa lva tion. But contemporaneously with this marvcllous outpouring of the Spirit comes that awful period called "the great and terrible day of the Lord" (ii. 31). Portents in the sky and terrors on the earth will paralyse mankind. Joel deals with this tremendous event as it concerns Israel only. Gathered ugain in their own land, the H rm ies of the nations come against them to destroy them. Zech. xiv. and Matt. xxv. 31-46 and Rev. xix. 11-21 give additional light on the subject. It is the closing of this age, the time when Christ descends with His mighty angels (Joel iii. 11). This day when Christ comes with His saints is not to be confused with the day (some years before) when Christ comes [or His saints. The one is a day of terror, but there is no terror in the day of the translation of the Church. That will be as when Enoch or Elijah departed from this earth-an event private, unseen, and generally unknown. The day of the Lord spoken of by Joel will to the inhabitants of the earth be as it was with the hosts of Pharaoh at the Red Sea, or the Assyrian army encamped around Jerusalem (Isaiah xxxvi i.. 36). There is no question of resurrection here. It is the living generation of mankind that is being dealt with previous to the establishment of the millennial age. All who fall under the judgments of this chapter die and return to the dust and are not ra ised till the time of the 'second resurrection, when the millennial age is ended (Rev. xx, 5). For a further exposition of this third chapter of Joel I would refer you to the able paper that appeared last September on paoe 133 of this publication. ' " Joel knew nothing of our Chr-istian dispensation. His inspired words are confined to the final scene connected with Israel's restitution and the over throw of all her enemies. His closinz words (iii. 16-21) refer to the earthly"Jerusalem, not the heavenly. It is the time of "the restoration of all things" (Acts iii. 21), the inauguration of the millennial age, not the time of the destruction of a ll temporal things in order to make way for the establishment of the eternal. The curse is to be removed. spir itual and natural blessings are to abound. The day of toil and sorrow is past, and Divine mercy shall bless as long as the earth endures. It is not the Church, either militant or triumphant, but the permanent vindication and blessing of God's earthly people, when He makes good His pledge to them. and "Jerusalem shall abide from generation to generation." and the whole earth shall know "that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain:

Letters to a Young Friend on the Study of Prophecy.

LETTER THE PROPHECIES XI. OF JOEL.

?]y DEAR FRIEND,

We know nothing respecting the personality of Joel, except that he was the son of Pethuel. That he was a native of the southern kingdom-the Kingdom of Judah-is certain, for he evidently lives in the centre of the public worship of God, and boldly exhorts the priests of the Temple (i. 3; ii. 17). His prophecy is confined to the children of Judah and the city of Jerusa lem. Of the ten-tribed northern Kingdom of Israel he takes no notice-he ignores their very existence. The word "Israel" is used only three times (ii. 27; iii. 2 and 16), and it is plain (as the context shows) that tile prophet is referring to the whole twelve-tribed nation as a complete unitIsrael and Judah reunited as the one people of God-whom he calls by the gencric term "Israel." As to the time when Joel prophesied, there is division of opinion. The only internal clue as to the date is that the opening words of the following book of Arnos are the almost closing words of Joel's book, "The Lord shall roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem." Bince Arnos prophesied during the latter years of the reign of Uzziah, King of Judah (Amos i. 1), and Joel wrote before him, we may with great probability fix upon the earlier years of King Uzziah as the time when Joel spake "the word of the Lord" (ver. 1). Joel. then, we may consider as the earliest writer among the prophets of the Kingdom of Judah, a contemporary of Hosea in the northern kingdom, and was quickly followed by Isaiah, who -it is interesting to note-quotes from his writings (Is. xi ii. 6, cf. Joel i. 15). Attention may also be called to the fact that Babylon is not mentioned, from which we gather that that power had not vet risen above the political horizon. It is upon Egypt and Edom, Greece and Philistia, Tyre and Zidon, and upon Assvria (which probably is indicated under the name of "the northern army"-ii. 20) that judgments are declared. This is additional evidence pointing to a date much earlier than King Hezekiah, to whom Babylon first sent an embassage (2 Kings xx. 12-19). The great subject of the prophet is "the day of Jehovah," and this in reference to "all nations" (iii. 2), but with special application to the .Iews and Jerusalem. At the same time, .Ioal shares the habit of all the prophets in taking a present fact as a groundwork to set forth that which was to happen in the far future. Divine wisdom is here displayed. Had the prophecy to do on!! with the then distant "latter days" (11. 28; iii. 1), it would not nave had any very practice I import for the generation tha't then was. On the other hand, if the prophecy had no reference beyond the dnvs of Uzziah and his successors. then to 'us who are living in the "latter days" it would have no great value otherwise

than as a moral lesson. The plague of locusts which was "a day of the Lord" (i. 15) was very real and alarming to the people in Joel's day, but from this our thoughts are led forward to another and future "day of the Lord," more terrible still, which has not yet arrived. Nearly half the short prophecy of Joel contains a wonderfully fine and vigorous description of a flight of locusts and the devastation wrought by them. Locusts may be "mere insects," but for all that the seriousness of the calamity they cause to a whole country cannot be overrated. An African traveller writes of a swarm of locusts ten miles in width and eighty to ninety miles in length, "an area of 1,800 square miles was literally covered with them." That God hn d alreadv used locusts as an instrument of punjshment, we know by the Egyptian plague (Ex. x. 12). Solomon, in his prayer to God, referred to this dreaded scourge (1 Kings viii. 37), while Moses had foretold this form of chastisement if the people sinned (Deut. xxvi ii. 38). Amos describes a real locust plague as having just occurred (iv. 6-0), which, indeed, may be the same which .Ioel declared to be "near at hand" (ii. 1). Joel calls these locusts "a nation" (i. 6). The like term is used of the ants and the conies (Prov. xxx, 25, 26), and they are so called because of the wisdom with which God teaches them to act. There is but one way of escape from the threatened judgments of God, i.e., true repentance. What untold misery, what centuries of suffering would Israel have escaped had they answered to the call of their prophets and nationally "turned unto Jehovah with all their heart" (ii. 12). Long ago would the millennial day have dawned and earthly blessing been the heritage of the children of Zion, "the floors full of wheat and the vats overflowing with wine and oil" (ii. 24) . But God is no mere tribal Deity. He is not God of the Hebrews only. He is God of the whole earth. True. He has chosen Israel to be His "peculiar people, high above all the nations" (Deut. xxvi. 18, 19), but it is equally true that all nations belong to Him, and the day is fast approaching when "all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord and all the nations shall worship'befo;'e Him" (Ps. xxi i. 27. 28). And in connection with this great event God, through Joel, has. declared. "I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh" (ii. 28,29) -Gentile as well as Hebrew. and, moreover, upon male and female slaves (serva nts and handmaids) as w(>11as upon sons and daughters. Some say this was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. But the apostle Peter does not affirm so. He says (Acts ii. 16), "This is that which ha'th been spoken by the prophet Joel." and so it was, i.e., the giving of the Holy Spi rit. But it was not the f ul fi l menf of this world-embracing prophecy. Three thousand souls only were influenced by the Spirit that day. This is not "all flesh." Let us keep quite close to the very irords of Scripture. not go far in advance, nor, on the other hand, lag behind. There is an exactness in the very phraseology of Scripture which is remarkable to those who have eyes to see. All fiesie! This is the name

THE
then shall Jerusalem be consecrated, and there shall no strangers oppress her any more." Happy for lsrael-and the world -when, "the day of the Lord" being ended God shall establish His Kingdom on ea~th.-Your friend, CARPUS.

BIBLE

STANDARD.

JANUARY, 1908. to eat and drink whilst the ark, Israel, and Judah abide in tents? In the open fields at our posts let us remain till victory is wOT).-Yo~lrs in love, V\'ILLIAM EDGEHILL.

AUCKLAND.-There is nothing out of the ordinary to record this month. Sunday, December 1, 1907: Bro. C. B. King presided till the time to give an address, when Bro. Wild occupied the chair, and spoke from 2 Thess. ii. 1-12. With us in fellowship this morning was Sister Cropp, of Sydney. We had the joy of witnessing two sisters put on Christ in the water of baptism-Sisters Elsie Olive Dixon and Ernestine Crossley. In the evening Bro. Wilcock gave an excellent discourse, the subject being, "Three Definite Conditions of Salvation." Sunday, December 8, 1907: Bro. C. B. King presided. Bro, Page gave an address on "Growth in Spirituality." J mmersed this morning was Theodora Grace Redfern. With us in fellowship was Bro. George Penman, of Wellington, who, we are pleased to know, is to remain in Auckland. In thc evening an evangelistic service was conducted by Bros. E. Aldridge and C. F. Garratt. Sunday, December 15, 1907: Bro. Dixon presided. Bro. L. Falkner gave an exhortation and a testimony to the sustaining grace and comfort received through faith in God and accepting Jesus as Saviour, and invited other young men to testify. Several responded to the invitation. Sunday, December 22, 1907: Bro. C. B. King presided, basing his remarks on Luke ii. 8-40. Sister Lily Hamon and Bro. Albert Edward Le Roy were immersed, Sister Wood, of the Thames, received the right hand of fellowship. 'Ve were pleased to see Sister Gussie Rogers with 11S again. We had also in fellowship Sister Powell, of Albertland. In the evening we had a splendid address entitled "His Name Immanuel" (Matt. i. 23). Wednesday, December 4, 1907: Annual Church Meeting. Wednesday, December 11, 1907: Bro. C. B. King presided, his subject being, "Collateral Aids to Popularise the Gospel." ViTednesday, December 18, 1907: Bro. Aldridge conducted the Bible Class, his subject being "The Psalms and the Hope." W.G. DUNEDIN.-Owing to the death of Bro. Arthur Lawrence, the editor visited this city and took the Sunday services for two Sundays (December 1st and 'Sth ) . There were encouraging attendances at these meetings, and close inter-

est was shown in the topics discussed. On the first Sunday evening the preacher presented "The Blessed Hope," and enforced the lessons of his text by citing the testimony given by the deal' youth whose loss we mourn. On the second Sunday the preacher drew attention to the Coming Day of the Lord. The funeral of OUI' young brother took place at the North Dunedi n Cemetery, and both at the house and by the graveside Bro. Aldridge addressed the attendants, at the latter place making special reference to the Hope of Resurrection. Two week evenings were devoted to Bible Class work, at the house of Bro. Geo. Lawrence, the present position and future privileges of the Church being the topics under discussion. These meetings were intensely interesting. and we felt that wc could greatly enjoy still more instruction upon the same high themes. When our brother left us on his homeward journey a goodly number of the Church members assembled at the station to bid him farewell, and to express the hope that a further visi t is not far distant. 'Ve are very grateful to the Auckland Church that so ready a consent was giyen to our request for our brother to help us in our time of need. TIMAHU.-On his way hoiuewa rd from the South Bro, Aldridge stayed here one night, and met with some of the Church members at the house of Bro. King. Topics of interest were discussed during tile pleasurable time we spent together. \Ve were very pleased that our brother arranged to stay, and we feel that we profited by the visit. GEORGETOWN, BRITISH GUIANA.Greeting to all the beloved in Christ. I am still proclaiming the old glad tidings, not being able to toe the line with the heralds of the new gospel. Life in Christ is still held up to a perishing world as that only which can bring pe,we to the troubled mind and remove all doubts. We are still setting forth Christ as Creation's Lord, and that those who trust in Him are in perfect safety. I have read with interest the paper on the Image of Dan. ii., seen by King ebuchadnezza r. Thnt paper has caused much controversy here amongst those who teach that Rome is the fourth empire. How incredible it seems, that not the ignorant only, but able scholars, have been duped into believing that Rome fills out the prophecy. The reason is not far to seek. They accept the word of men, rather than the Word of God. Many of our teachers try to hold to Daniel, and yet make him say what is certainly not found in his writings. Prophecy fulfilled must me our guide in the reading of prophecy unfulfilled, and following this guide we shall speedily cast aside the current theories of men who are more intent upon putting forward their ideas than upon opening out the Word of God. Another year will soon be gone, and there is much work yet to be done. The darkest hour of the night is closing upon us, but we can almost bear the ehn riot wheels which announce the Lord's approach. Let us be on the alert. Shall we go to our houses

CHRISTIAN BAND. ~
~~~~

AUCKLAND.-On November 18th the half-yearly business meeting was held, when the officers and committees were elected for the ensuing six months:President, Bro, F. Firth; Vice-Presidents, Bros. J. Green and E. L. Wilcock; Secretary, Bro. J. Woodward; Treasurer, Sis. Eva Brewster; Oorrcspending Secretary, Bro. A. Skea.tes : Reporter, Bro. C. Cates. Meetings Committee, Look-out Committee, BmLE STANDARD Committee, and Sunshine Committee were chosen, after which considerable discussion took place regarding the desirability of the Band holding open-air meetings this session. .Novemher 25th: The officers and committees met to arrange their working plans for the coming session. December 2nd: Address by the President, showing the object and working of the Band, that we work for a common cause, so that we all may obtain the spiritual help and benefits which come through associating with each other and become built up in the most holy faith. that we speak oft one to another as those who love the Lord should do, and be able to give a reason for the hope which is within us. We should also be regular and punctual in our attendance at the meetings, and testify for our Lord, not in word only, but in actions, trying to help one another in the Christian walk; being bonded together in love, and so in God's strength press forward to the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus. The Band then decided to conduct open-air meetings for three months, to be held at the top of West Street on Sundays at 6.15 p.m., instead of on Monday nights as heretofore. December 9th: Bro. Le Roy gave us a talk on "Practical Christianity," basing his remarks on Romans xii., exhorting that we let our light shine before men, telling us to be prayerful, and so obtain divine guidance and help in time of need; that Christ may direct our thoughts unto Himself, so that our desires may be pure and unselfish, to the glory of God; that we bring our bodies into subjection to His will, and so be renewed in our minds; not to be discouraged in the fight, for we belong to Christ, who is strong and ever ready to help the faithful; looking to Him, we shall not be overcome of evil. for so our hearts are guarded against the enemy; not to think too highly of ourselves, but to love one another; bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. December 16th: Bro, Jas. Green presided, and Bro. Wild gave a short address, choosing tIle first part of Philippians iv., from which he drew some very practical and helpful guidance for the Christian walk. "These things observe and do." Some seek for peace in worldly pleasure, which only

JANUARY, 1908. gives n, surface happiness, and then passeth away; but the peace which comes from God is lasting. Garrison your hearts with the love of God, then peace and happiness .will be your daily experience; let us not be overburdened with the affairs of this life, lest we nezlect the things which belong to God, but let us trust God and stand on His Word, for He is faithful that promised, and the trial of our Ia ith is more pre cious than gold; in nothing be anxious. God's 'Word tells us just what to do. By prayer and supplication make your request known to God, casting your care upon Him, for He careth for you. The Band held an open-air meeting on Sunday evening, 15th. Bro. C. B. Kino gave an invitation to come to a knO\~'ledge of the truth by .T osus Christ. C.C. CHRISTMAS GREETING

THE
HOW

BIBLE
JOHNNY

STANDARD.
WAS brag. CURED. A brag is a of

IS

======================
JOIINNY was a great boaster. If he heard "Pooh! they are not half so thrifty as those I used to raise. Why, I hat! rlowers all winter long, and you have only had a few blossoms in the whole winter," said grandma, contemptuously. "What is the matter with everybody?" thought Johnny. He had never known them to be in such a humour as they were that evening. When papa remarked presently that he had stepped into the grocer's and been weighed that afternoon, and that he "tipped the beam" at 168 pounds, and tuat was doing "pretty well" for him, mamma said, crossly: "Pooh! you call that doing pretty well? Old }lr. Benson weighs 225 pounds, and no one ever heard him bragging of it." Everybody laughed. Papa shouted. It was such a surprise, and grandma got up and left the room to keep from choking with laughter. Johnny saw them all look at him, and after a minute or two began to "smell a mouse," as the .aying goes. "Papa," said he, "what are you all laughing about? Is it at me?" "Well, we are not exactly laughing at you. We thought we would try your way of boasting of our accomplishments, and see how you thought it sounded; out mamma spoiled our game before we had finished it." Johnny looked rather sheepish the rest of the evening. He wondered ir he was as disagreeable as the older folk that evening when he boasted of what he could do, or had done. He was forced to admit that boasting sounded very unpleasant, and he resolved to break himself of the habit.-Our Morning Globe. IF I WERE YOU.

a playmate

tell

sometn ing he had done, no matter what it was, Johnny would give a snort, and exclaim: "Pooh! That's nothing! Who couldn t do that?" One evening the family sat around the fire in the sitting-room. Papa was reading, grandma and marnrna were sewing, Alice and Joe were studying their lessons, when .Iohnny came strutting in. He took a chair by the table and began reading "Robinson Crusoe." Presently Joe, who was younger than Johnny, went up to his brother, saying: "Look at my drawing. T did it to-day in school. Isn't it good?" "Pooh! Call that good! You ought to see the one I drew! It beats yours all hollow!" Joe was rather crestfallen, and little Alice, who had a sympathetic heart, pitied her brother, and, going to Joe, asked him to let her see his drawing. "I wish I could do as well as you do, .Ioe," she said, hoping to revive her brotuer's drooping spirits. "Pooh!" sneered Johnny; "you need not try to draw; for girls can't make even it straight line." It was not long before Mr. Boaster left the room for a few moments. When he came back everyth ing seemed to be going on as when he left. Papa was reading, grandma and mamma were sewing, and Joe and Alice were busy with their lessons. "At last I have finished my hem," remarked grandma, and she folded the napkin she had been hemming so industriously. "Pooh!" said mamma, contemptuously, "that is nothing. I have done two wlu le you were doing on e! " The children looked up quickly; for who would have believed she would nave spoken so? It was not like her to do so. Grandma picked up another napkin and began hemming it, but said nothing. "Papa, look at my examples, please. I have done everv one of them and haven't made a ~ingle mistake," said Alice, crossing the room to where her father was sitting before the open grate fire. "Pooh I that's nothing," replied her father, not even taking her paper to look at it. "You ought to see the way I used to do examples when I was your age!" Poor little Alice was greatly astonished to hear such a discouraging and boastful remark from her generally kind father, and she was about turn away when he drew her near to him il;nd whispered something in her ear WhICh brouzh t the smiles to her face. Fo~' a few minutes no one said anythin" and work went on as before. .JOhl~;y was deeply engrossed in the histOI'Y of Crusoe's adventures, and the oth'er children continued their studies. ":\11' flowers look well! I believe the genw'illms are going to bloom again," remarked mamma.

AN ACROSTIC. Unto us a Child is born, T oticed from creation's dawn; Telling of the woman's Seedo Wring for the sinner's need. Unto us a Son is given, S on of man, the Lord from A ngels heralded His birth, heaven.

Chanting songs of peace on e.arth. Hearken to those joyous st.ra ins, I n the solitude that reigns. L 0, the Day-Star .from on high, Decks the glory-gilded sky. I n the highest heav'n the choir S wells the song with sacred fire. Bethlehem enshrine. her King, ff'rings now the Magi bring; Round the holy Child they bend, Newborn prayers and praises blend.

Unto us a Son is N ow is made our Truth and mercy, o pen on us from

given, peace with heaven; grace and love, above. grief.

If I were you, and had a friend, hour to spend, I'd be polite enough to say: "Ned, you may choose what games we'll play." That's what I'd do.

Who called a pleasant

17 nto us He brings
Surely

relief, He ha th borne our

A 11 our sins on Him

are laid;

S in for us, the Sinless made. o f our sinful flesh He takes, N ow for us atonement makes. I n His name wc sonsh ip prove, Saved by faith which works by love. Glory in the highest heaven, I n the earth by all be given: V ict'ry over death He gains, Everlasting life attains, N ow for us a Priest rema ins. His Name is known, n His father David's throne; N ow to reign in righteousness, Dealing judgment, justice, peace, Everlasting Father, He. Reformation full and free, Former things have ceased to be, Unto Him be glory given, Lord of earth, and Light of heaven. C. M. HAN'DLEY.

If I were you, and went to school, I'd never break the smallest rule; And it should be my teacher's joy To say she had no better boy. And "twould be true, If I were you. If I were you, I'd always tell The truth, no matter what befell: For two things only I despiseA coward heart and telling lies; And you would, too, If I were you. If I were you, I'd try my best To do the things I here suggest; Though, since I am no one but me, I cannot very well, you see, Know what I'd do If I were you.

vV onderful

-Independent.
How oft we find the word of men Misleading and unwise; The Bible statement I believe, The soul that sinneth dies. C.G.

16
A SHEET OF PAPER.

THE

BIBLE

STANDARD.

JANUARY, 1908.

\tbe :n3ible Stanbarb.

The Bible Standard can be ordered direct from the 'I'reasurer MR. ALEX. PA.GI, Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland. s, d. .. 2 6 Price per annum, post free o 2 Single copies BOOK STEW A.RD-E. H. FALKNER, Queen Street. AGENTS FOR THE BIBLE S1'ANJ)ARD: NEW ZEALAND. Auckland-Mr. Hancock, Bookseller, Queen Street. Wellington-H. J. Barraclough, Myrtle Crescent. Dunedin-Mr. Lawrence, Hope Street. Kaiapoi-Mr. James Holland. Rang iora=-Mr. Wm. Smith, South BrOOk. New Plymouth-Mr. Fred Goodacre, Courtney Road. East Oxtord-Mr. A. England. Thames-Mr. C. Sanders, Macky Street. 'I'Imar-u-cMr. H. H. King, Stafford Strect. 'I'In wnld, Ashburton-Mr. Shearer. Wltihi-Mr .. Joseph Foster. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide-Mr. C. Gamble, Magill !load, Stepney. NEW SOUTH W AL]<~S. Sydney-Mr. H. Cropp, Mitchell Street, Kogarah, Oomm unicat ions to the Editor to be Brent.wood Avenue, Mount Eden. Nook." All communications to the Association to be addressed to the Secretary and Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn. Auckland. addressed : GEO. ALDRIDGE Telegraphie Address Rocky and orders for Bible Stamdurd Treltsnrer MR. ALEX. PAGE.

(BY LINDEN J. CARTER.) "'YITAT is vour profession?" asked some one of a young man in i:>cotland~ "I have none in particular," was the reply. "My mind is like a sheet of white paper." "Then take care," said the other, "that the devil does not write his name upon it." The young man was Dugald Buchanan, and this remark led him to think more seriously of life than he hitherto had done. Would that many another young man could be brought to r alise that the devil would make a scribbling book of his mind and of his life if he could. A clean white sheet of paper may go through a press and come out in the immoral garb of the sensational newspaper, or that same white shect may go through another press and come out in the beautiful apparel of Christian literature.

"Conscience is the voice of the sOIlI, the passions are the voice of the body." Some people are like the cnctus-e-full of thorns which pierce the hand that touches them. "The man who has begun to live more seriously within begins to live more simply without." "Letting your light shine does not mean turning a searchlight on your neighbour's weak spots." "God frequently takes away our supports-not that we may fall to the ground, but that He may Himself become our rod and our staff'." There are no ~ongs comparable to the songs of Zion no orations equal to those of thc prophets, and no politics 'like those which the Scriptures tcach.-M1LTON. At a school examination in Scotland a little girl was asked, "vVhy did the Israelites make a golden calf?" She answered "Because they hadna as muckle si l ler as wad mak' a coo." , , They that govern most make the least noise. You see when they row in a barge, that they that do drudgery work,' slash, and puff', and sweat; but he that governs sits quietly at the stern and scarce is seen to stir.-SELDOK. A professor asked a student, in a class of which the writer was a member, to make a simple statement of a fact, and she replied, "The soul is immortal." The confident student was not a little surprised when Dr. C. shook his head and said, "That is a debatable question."-Ow Hope, Ill. No persons can be so utterly isolated or shut in that they cannot hold communion with the Father of spirits, and no help is more effective in the various departments of the work of GO(I than the help of prayer, poured forth from men who lift up holy hands without wrath or doubting. A lot of restless Christians seem to think that God does not know the best place for His people nor the work He can best accomplish through them, and so they are ever complaining. Perfect confidence in the loving management of our Redeemer would be so much better, and save us from a lot of fretfulness. "Gossip has made a home a hell on earth. Gossip has parted husbands and wives. Gossip has blackened and sullied the characters of many poor girls. Gossip has parted lovers who would have been very happy if it had not been for gossip. One little mis-step, or one little indiscretion, causes gossip to arise with new strength and start on its mission. A gossiper is about the lowest and meanest thing on earth." The Lord gave the whole land of Canaan to the cbildren of Israel while they were yet on the other side of Jordan; but only those parts upon which "the sole of their foot" should tread became actually theirs. All things are ours in the purpose and gift of God, but they do not come into our actual possession until we step the foot of faith upon them and claim them definitely as our own.-HA.NNAH WHITALL SMITH. "Is it not a helpful thought that just here, right where we find ourselves, we can for the present best serve the Master? How it illuminates the most unattractive duties when we remember that by properly performing our humble, every-day tasks, we are serving Him just as surely as is the man who is doing great and noble things for Him."

CHURCH
lcIuld servtcea
all

OF CHRIST

under:

aUCKLAND-We8t

Street. Sunday, at 11 o'~lock a. m . Fellowship M~etln~ RA5 p.m., Preaching Service. Sunday School at 2.4". Wednesday evening, Bible CIIIss 7.4r>. ~::"l1.ngelist'" address-Geo. Aldl'idge, Brentwnorl Avenue Mount l<~den. Secretary=W. Gibson, Ponsonby Road.

H'

ROSKILT,

HALLSunday

at 11 a.m., Fellowship

Meeting.

n UNF}D1 N -Oddtellows'
Secretary's

Hall. Stuar-t i:ltreet. Sunday at 11 a.m .. Fellowship and Meeting. EvenIng Preaching Service. 6.30. AddressS. Laurence, Hope Street, Dnnedin.

HELENSVILLE-Church. Sunday, Fellowship Meeting, Sunday School, at 2.30 Sunday Evening. Preaching, Church Secretary, R. M. Cameron. I'HAMJr.R-Pollen

Itt 11 a.m. 7.

Street Lecture Hall. gHnday at 11 a.m .. l1'ellowshlp Meetlnll:. Evening Service at 6.30. Sunday School at 2.30. Blbl Class every Wednesday evening at ll:vangelist-K H. Taylor, Bow en Street. Par-a.wai. Secretary-Chas. Sanders. Mackay Street, Thames. Miners' Union Hall. Sunday 11 a.m. Fellowship Meet inu ; ,. 2.30 p.m. Sunday School. Sunday Evening. at 7. A Public Hible Add ress. Church Recretary-D. Donatdson , F}vltngelist-Joseph Foster, WA.ihi. Street HIlII. Sunda y, at 11 a.m .. Fellowship Meeting. Address-H. H. King. Stan'orrl Street.

7.Xf,

\,VAl HI-The

l'nH.RU-Sophla Secretory's

Tlmnrn

ADF}LAIDE. S.A.-Druids' Hall. Beullth Road. Norwood. Secretarv's Addresa=Georee G. Gamble, Mag ill Road, Stepney, . Adelaide. S.A.

Printed by THE BRE'I'"l'PRI:-<""J'lNG ANO PUBLISHING COMP..NY. ShortI land Street, for the New Zealand Evange,list,ic and Publication Association. and published hv W. A. SMI1'H. Selwyn Road, Mt. Albert, JANUARY. 1908.