By J .

D A N S O N S M I T H
am with you!" Statement so blest! Full of such wonderful comfort and rest! Balm for the sorrowing: cheer for the sad; Light for the desolate-light that makes glad; Food for the famishing, jaded and spent: Strength for the stricken, the broken, the bent; Calm for the dying when life nears the end; "Lo, I am with you, thy Saviour and Friend." "Lo, I am with youl" Sentence of bliss1 Where can the heart 6nd an equal to this? Staff for all valleys, and stay for all days; His ponised Presence for all of life's ways: Pillow to rest upon; soft couch as well; Words whose full wondrousness lips cannot tell. "Lo, I am with you" words all sublime; Great words which change not, unfaded by time.

0, I

H e who all made, "Lo, I am with you!" Who by His blood, sin's great debt fully paid'Tis H e who said it: His word abides true; >* "Lo, I am with youl" "Lo, 1 am with you. "Lo, I am with you," am with you today; "Lo, I a m with you" through all of life's way; "Lo, 1am with you." Stay, think, 'tis His word; "Lo, I am with you," thy Saviour and Lord. Ours to believe what H e doth declare, Ours to receive it and feed on its fare; Ours to enjoy His dear company blest; Ours to experience wonderful rest. His to unfold both through thing old and new, "Lo, I am with you" really is true; His just to show us, as riseth each need, is blest food indeed! "Lo, I am with

%A

THE A L L I A N C E WEEKLY

EDITORIAL
Shortaighted Builders
"The stone which the builders refused is hecame thc head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is ma~vcllous our in eyes" (Psalm 118: 22, 2 3 ) .

EWISH tradition identified this stone with the coming Messiah, but seems to have given little thought to the suggestion that He was to he refused. Other rabbinical expositors, in order to explain the reference, applied it to David, who was a t first rejected by the rulers of Israel, but afterwards set in the most prominent place by the hand of Jehovah as King and Shepherd of the nation. But our Lord, on t h e day of His great conflict with the varied classes of Jewish leaders and teachers-priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians (Mat. 21, 2 2 ) -settled the argument by taking the prophetic allusion as wholly to Himself, and basing upon i t a most solemn warning that His rejection would bring about the overthrow and dispersion of the people of the Jews, and the substitution in their place of a spiritual nation who should bring forth the fruits which had been lacking in Israel. Christ is necessary to the structure of humanity, both as foundation and as headstone. Yet men persist in attempting to build without Him, and have so sought to do throughout the ages. A strange fallacy i t is that man is self-sufficient, yet since in the garden of Eden Satan's lie-"Ye shall be as God1-was believed by our first parents, each succeeding generation has ignored their Creator, and endeavored to perform the government of themselves and the work of the universe by human reasoning and the application of t h e knowledge gained by experience and tradition. The result has been, to their own eyes, successful, for mankind judges by material welfare and achievement. Great federations have been organized, great cities built, great accumulations of knowledge gathered, and great advancements made towards physical comfort. But, a t the time of the greatest attainment, the lack of the rule of the inner life is manifested; in jealous rage men pit their

material powers against one another, and bring to bear the fullest developments of their scientific knowledge, that their cities may be destroyed and their comfort and abundance turned into suffering and loss. The foundation npon which the race has sought to establish its mental and material developments has been its own natural and inherent goodness; the cornerstone which it has aimed to place npon the finished edifice is its own glory. And as the centuries have passed by, it has, because of its spiritual blindness, failed to discern,the reason for or the reality of its failure, and has repeated again and again the same errors and indulged in the same follies. Today, as the end of the age hastens toward us, the teachers to whom i t gives ear a r e comforting i t with smooth sayings, are repeating the Edenic lie that man has in him all the divinity he needs, and are assuring him that just ahead lies the golden age when the genius of the race shall have matured, when wars shall be no more, and when the future shall present a never-ending vista of peace and prosperity. Religious teachers have added their voices to the chorus, and mankind, weary of struggle, listens to these charmers and is soothed once more from restlessness into a false security. I s there a possibility that these leaders are right, and that the end of earth's troubles is near? The answer is simple, but positive. Unrighteousness is the root of mankind's trouble, and righteousness which satisfies the divine idcal cannot be achieved by the most strenaous human effort. Nor will men of self-will submit themselves to the righteousness provided by God. Upon the prepared Foundation-Christ Jesus-a multitude that no man can number is grounded and settled, but constitutes only a little band in comparison with the hosts of the disobedient. These believing souls, by the wisdom and grace of the Most High, are being builded together into an holy temple in the Lord, and when the structure is complete, there will be set in place the great Headstone to perfect for ever the design

and the working of the Father. It may be that in our own day the triumphant cry will go forth, echoed by redeemed men and by sinless angels: "Grace, grace unto it!"

Labor Day

H E three years just past have been for labor in the United States an unparalleled opportunity for the advancement of its principles. Employment for all who will work, a t a remuneration unequalled at any previous period of the nation's history, is unusual. It becomes a test of the attitude of the individual worker and of the organization in which he is enrolled. What has been the outcome ? The answer is not easy to state in few words. Many individuals have attempted to take advantage of the situation to gain for themselves more than they were rightly entitled to. Some have endeavored to hold two positions and to draw the wages for both when they were rendering only the service sufficient for one. They have sought to make hay while the sun shone, an attitude which is commendable when the circumstances warrant i t and ethical principles a r e observed. The great majority, however, have sought rightly and patriotically to render service to their country, and to return a f a i r proportion into the national treasury in the payment of lawful taxes and the purchase of w a r bonds. Of the unions i t may be said that the majority of their leaders' have conperated faithfully and well with the Government and with t h e great manufacturing concerns. In a few cases, which have stood out promincntly because of the pressure of the times, there has been the effort for self-aggrandisement a n d personal profit, but this has been frowned upon and denounced by their fellows. As one looks over the land the impression is clear that, with some notable exceptions, the leaders of labor have sought in honorable and open ways t o do their part and guide the bodies of workers over whom their influence extends. Serious problems, however, face the country as the war draws to its close. Perhaps the first of these is the provision of remunerative employment

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Already dissatisfaction has appeared, the French delegation consenting to the principles, but objecting to certain features. Later in the stress of competition we shall see whether t h e elastic safeguards will stretch sufficiently to continue to confine in their bounds recalcitrant members. We remember nations breaking their relations with the League in past years when self-interest ran counter to selfinterest.
0

for the millions of soldiers who will itable supplies of grace. God is be discharged from the armies a t a searching for souls so thirsty for time when production of munitions Himself that they desire nothing else, a n d armaments h a s practically and is placing such souls as His irriceased, and the resumption of the gation c e n t e r s here and there needs for peacetime consumption has throughout the Church. But while He been but partially started. These first of all is seeking the thirsty, He men must be provided for, and to this 'is not forgetful of the multitudes of end capital, labor, and government the careless. The "floods upon the dry agencies must unite. I t will involve ground" are the overflow from the the breaking down of some cherished Spirit-filled. Men a r e blessed that they may be a blessing. When the traditions on both sides. The tremendous problems of pro- channels of supply are open, and the duction and distribution in a world floods from on high are outpouring, whose industrial and commercial or- the world's field is in readiness for ganization has been so interfered revival. Up from the Spirit-enriched with a r e now being considered by soil springs the abundant fruitage of able minds. Whether the mistakes of righteousness, and God is glorified previous postwar periods can be and man blessed. avoided and national and world dee pression averted will appear soon. It is not for the Christian to be pessi- Bretton Woods and Afterwards mistic or dogmatic because he holds ECRETARY MORGENTHAU has certain theories as t o the evils of the broadcast his satisfaction a t the coming days. Such conditions may results achieved by the monetary parcome about through quite different ley held a t Rretton Woods, New causes than those which he has en- Hampshire. Financial experts from visioned. I t is ours as followers of forty-four nations cooperated and the Lord to do our utmost to cooper- exhaustively discussed every phase of ate in every way possible with those the subject. Mr. Morgenthau said in who a r e seeking to straighten out the p a r t : tangled skeins of national business "The representatives of the forty-four naand world commerce. tions stated WTerences of opinion frankly, and ].cached a n agreement which is rooted in genuine understanding. None of the naSpiritual Irrigation tions represented here has had altogether HAT the desert shall blossom like its own way. We have had to yield to one not in respect principles or esthe rose is a prediction which con- another, but in respect t to methods and prosentials, o cerns millennia1 times, yet i t is being cedural details. The fact that we have done fulfilled in our own day. The trav- so and t h a t w e have done it in a sgirit of eler in the southern parts of this good will and mutual trust, is, I believe, one country is often intrigued as he sees of the hopeful and heartening portents of from the train window, or from his our time. Here is a sign . . . that the peoples of the carth are learning how to car, the endless rows of what seem join hands and work in unity." like sewer pipes set on end projecting Every human heart that is interfrom t h e earth a t set distances. Posested in the welfare of the race fersibly he has the opportunity of passing a t a time when from every such vently desires t h e - success of this outlet there pours a continuous flow earnest effort f o r economic stabilizaof water, spreading out to connect tion with its tremendous possibilities with the supply from its neighbors, for the averting of the financial crisis until the whole area is d e e p 1 y which is the almost inevitable afterdrenched with the life-giving fluid. math of a great war. The Eretton Wherever the water comes, land ap- Woods Plan will be tried in a hotter parently previously barren becomes fire than any previous postwar era has experienced. Then the merits fertile and productive. and demerits will be brought out. Such is God's method of revival. "I will pour water," H e promises, It is not hard to sit a t a council "upon him that is thirsty." Thirst is table and agree on set courses of acthe condition of such blessing. The tion to be followed in foreseen emerlonging soul will never fail of satis- gencies. It is the unforeseen ones faction as i t opens itself to the illim- that will bring out the weak points.

Indian Independence
T WOULD appear as if progress were being made toward the settlement of this difficult and long-debated question. It was two years ago that Sir Stafford Cripps made his visit to India in the expectation that the offers carried by him might be acceptable to the Indian leaders. But he failed in his mission, largely because of the distrust existing between the Moslem and Hindu parties. The latter being f a r more numerous, i t was feared by the Moslems that their own interests would be unsafe if independence of the whole country were granted. They therefore insisted upon a division into separate states, or spheres of influence, Moslems and Hindus ruling their own areas without interference from one another. Gandhi and his party opposed this suggestion, and Sir Stafford finally was obliged to return to Britain without making any appreciable progress. In the early part of July, of the present year, however, Gandhi withdrew his opposition, and agreed to accept the plan proposed by the Moslem League. The details of his propositions have not been fully disclosed, and there are certain reservations. But the Moslems seem to be willing to coiiperate, and it would seem as if a real step has been taken in the direction of independence. Those from without India, whose hearts a r e interested in the progress of the gospel among the multitudes of Hindus and Moslems, have now a greater responsibility for prayer than ever before. The passing of the ruling power into the hands. of Indian leaders, whether Hindu or Moslem, may have the effect of greatly curtailing the liberty of evangelism. Gandhi (Concluded o n page 368.)

R5fi

THE ALLIANCE

WEEKLY

The Christian and the Communist

By

REV. J. A . MacMILLAN, New York~

velopment of that future we may await with foreboding, but we must wait, for no modern prophet can outline its details. One great objection to Marxian Communism is that it deliberately chooses strife to forward its objectives. To i t all outside of its ranks a r e enemies to be destroyed. Whether this attitude will be continued after the war remains to be seen. But we cannot be wholly trustful until time indicates a definite change. Another objection of equal importance is that i t is atheistic in conception and working. Just now the attitude of godlessness seems less blatant. But such ideologies die hard, and with them there can be no compromise. If the days near to come should witness a genuine opening of the Russian republics to the entrance of the Bible and of the gospel, i t would manifest a most acceptable reversal of the conditions which have prevailed for years. T h e Technical Meaning of Communism In its simplest definition Communism is a social system in which there is community of goods. Theoretically every member in such an organization is equal in rank and in his right to share what belongs to the group. But this ideal has never proved successful in its working because of the many problems which arise regarding labor and supervision and distribution. Communism calls for the complete abolition of all private property of every description, and the absolute control by the community of all matters pertaining to labor, religion, social relations, and whatever affects the community. Thus property and the instruments of production are held as a common trust, and the OfFcial Organ of the Chris& and fifissionary Alliance
Assr. Editor J. A. MaeMILLAN

ISSATISFACTION with the soclal and economic systems under which they have been brought up has been inherent in men since the earliest times. There has been much to justify the attitude. The strong have lorded i t over the weak; the wealthy have used the power of their riches to grind the faces of the poor; the clever have despised and exploited the dull and the ignorant. As a result the less fortunate classes have hated their masters. The history of humanity through t h e ages has been a record of selfishness, with a few voices in the wilderness raised to rebuke it, and a few altruistic souls striving against the tendency with intermittent and temporary success. The prophets of Israel were social reformers in that they constantly and forcefully urged righteousness between man and man and fearlessly rebuked the oppressors of their fellows. T h e nation of Israel was planned to be a Kingdom of God on earth, and the prophets sought unsuccessfully t o hold i t to the ideals for which it had been organized. But sin had separated the people from the love to Jehovah which was the very heart of the Law which H e had given them, and idolatry a t last so rotted out their morality and destroyed their godly fcar that they were cast out of their land and the divine experiment was broken off. The religion of Israel and its fuller development - Christianity - have supplied the root from which all efforts for social justice have sprung. And in spite of the bitter aspersions of Karl Marx, Christianity has been the real source of the social conscience which influenced himself, and stirred in him the desire and research out of which the doctrines of modern Communism have emerged. Behind everv movement that has aimed at
A Journal of

D.

the betterment of society there has lain, in most cases quite unrecognized, the spirit of sacrifice which Calvary brought into being. F o r the influence of the cross reaches both backward and forward; wherever the grace of God sought to lift man, there the Spirit of Christ wrought in the heart to bring forth the f r u i t of love and helpfulness. Every altruistic impulse in the mind of the social philosopher is a by-product of that new life which the Son of God revealed as the basis and the ideal for human living. But only as a new spiritual life is entered through the gateway of regeneration can there be realized the deliverance from that innate selfishness which has sabotaged in the past and will render imperfect in the future every human plan for improvement of the social conditions of the nation or the race. The Communism of Russia Russia, during the past quarter century, has become a proving ground for Communism. Many exponents of the merits and demerits of the system have expressed their views, and there have been recently a number of books which have given thoughtful stlldies of its working. As in the case of the French Revolution, the inception of the Socialist Republics was accompanied with fierce passion and bloodshed. Now apparently the experiment is taking shape, and a national spirit is growing throughout the vast territories. There is much that seems commendable, and much that rouses question. But that the movement is meeting with unexpected success seems unquestioned. The people of the Soviets are enthusiastic and believe in their destiny and the method which has been adopted. What the future mag bring is dimly foreshadowed in the Word of God. The de-

Christian Lqe and Missions

Editor: H. M. SHUMAN
Mailing

The A l liance Weekly Founder: A. B. SIXPSON

Subscription Price: 1 3 l t r d States, $1.00: Canada. $1.10; Foreign. $1.75. Address corrrspnud*nee on edltoilal matters t o H + w l ~ a n r t e r s ,200 w. 11th S t . . New i-ork 1 8 , N. Ti.; regarding subrarfDtione, i n Christian Pi~hlieatiaas,I n e , 3rd and Reily Strcets Harrisburg. P a . In sending C h a n ~ eof Address g i v l both "Id m d new nddross.

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Thr iollowing offleers of the Chrlstian and Mix-ionnry Alli;lnct are nsi;ocIates on the editorial staff of THE A ~ I I I N C S : WEIIKLY: H M. S h ~ ~ m r n .r m d r n l . V ~ l l i a m rhristlr, Vlre-PrrsiP dent and Treamner; H. E. Nelson, Home Scrretar)-: A. r. S n m d Pareign Secretary; and n. J. F x n t , rublirafion Secretary.
Associates:
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p p p p p ~ ~ -

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for the time being seemed exhaustless, because "as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down a t the apostles' feet." All personal property was disposed of for the benefit of the community. But in the very supply lay a cause of dissatisfaction. "Distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." Only needful things were considered, and there are few persons who will be long content to live upon such a comparatively meager supply. Thousands of men and women and children were thus being cared for by the church; among them were the enterprising and ambitious and the careless and lazy. Some h o m e s needed more than others, and to bring each family down to a dead level was an impossible thing.
The Causes o f the Failure

profits arising from all labor devoted to the common good.

Communism in the Early Church Is there such a conception of social relationships taught in the Word of God? The answer is quite clearthere is none. Spontaneously the experiment arose after Pentecost when love of the brethren had so flooded the hearts of the new Christian community that emotion prevailed over reason and balanced judgment. But troubles which rose both within and without the church tried with fire the new condition, and i t was found unworkable and abandoned. Attempts made a t intervals since that time to institute communities on a similar basis have been uniformly unsuccessful. Idealistic conceptions, such as Plato's "Republic" and Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" have never been seriously put into practice. The study of the community of goods in the early church is interesting and instructive. It was made possible for a brief period by a remarkable unity: "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." A deep love of the brethren prevailed and a spiritual enthusiasm kept that love a t a white heat. Unnatural conditions w e r e overlooked in the abounding fellowship and mutual kindness that prevailed. Selfishness was for the time being excluded: "neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." Rut the innate evil, which lies a t the root of all division, was bound to manifest itself sooner or later, and we find i t doing so in Acts, chapters five and six. The ministry of the Word was in the fullest exercise and helped to keep alive t h e spiritual graces which might otherwise have rapidly waned. "With great power gave the apostles witness of the rewrrection of the Lord Jesus." The presence of the risen Lord was most real in the assembly, and believers sought to show forth His mind and spirit. "Great grace was upon them all," and the Spirit wrought freely in every life. There was no poverty existent: "neither was there any among them that lacked." The needs of all were met out of a common treasury that

I t must never be lost sight of that the Scriptural unit among human beings is not the state, nor yet the church, but the family. This was God's arrangement from the very first, and no social theory or political

legislation can alter the divine plan. The head of the family is responsible to "provide . . . for his own" (1 Tim. 5: 8) first of all, and this is specially true in the case of the believer. No communal scheme can relieve him of this responsibility, nor does the t r u e father wish i t to be otherwise. To him love makes light the task of caring for those who a r e dependent on his labor. Moreover t h e Christian householder must have also a sense of spiritual duty to the needy and to the body of Christ. "As God bath prospered him" he is to contribute of his substance for the help of poor saints, the maintenance of the church, and the extension of the kingdom of God. Individualism in the matter of such support, and not Communism, is the teaching of the Spirit of God. Where such forms of Communism p r e v a i I , individual initiative is checked. Men become part of a system, and move in accordance with its dictates. Progress is limited by the conceptions of a common mind. There are great differences in the capacities of various classes of men, and (Concluded on page 368.)

Mrs. F. H. Senft
erlc R. Senft removed one whose life was marked by spiritual activity and fruitfulness. Not merely as the wife of a former president of The Christian and Missionary Alliance was she known throughout our constituency, but even more because of her own ministry by voice and pen. Her nature was one of friendliness.

T.

HE recent passing of Mrs. Fred-

Mrs. F. H. Senft

and she was gifted as an organizer in Christian work. Her life was a full one until its closing years, during which she suffered greatly a t times. She had almost completed her eighty-fifth year when God called her. Ruth Annie Reynolds was born July 7, 1859, on a f a r m near Bolivar, Pennsylvania. Her childhood and school years were spent in that neighborhood. In young womanhood she endured much physical suffering, and for four years was under treatment by different doctors. Finally, when all that wan possible had been done for her and there was no longer hope of recovery, she was marvelously healed by the Lord. She had never heard of divine healing previously; but as she and her father, who was sympathetic with her, read in the Scriptures of the healing by the Lord of cases that were naturally incurable, she was given faith t o believe that the Saviour could and would heal her.

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T H E A L L I A N C E WEEKLY

After her physical deliverance she entered Northfield Seminary. During her junior year there she was informed by a friend that there was living in New York City a man who taught divine healing and would understand her case. She was greatly interested in this statement, and on her way home from Northfield she called upon Dr. A . B. Simpson, and had a long conversation with him. As he talked with her about the consecration of her life to God for service, she was led to enter the New York Missionary Training College where she became associated with Dr. Simpson's work, not returning to Northfield for her senior year. Her first and definite Christian work was in a city mission of the Methodist Church. Later on she received a call to assist in the work of Miss Morehead in Pittsburgh, in which Mr. Whiteside, Mr. Conley, and others who later became associated with The Christian and Missionary Alliance were also interested. It was here that Miss Reynolds met her future husband, Rev. Frederic H. Senft, then a young man in the Baptist ministry, who came to Miss Morehead, seeking clear guidance as to God's will for his life. He was not sure whether he was to continue in the Raptist Church. Finally, after much thought and prayer, he identified himself with the Alliance. Later on Miss Reynolds and he were married and returned to the work in Pittsburgh. This, however, was but

temporary. A Christian woman who had been healed by the Lord invited them to come to Altoona, Pennsylvania, and here they opened up a ministry. Later on, Dr. A. B. Simpson requested them to start an Alliance branch in Philadelphia, where they continued for some years. At the General Council of The Christian and Missionary Alliance held in Toronto, Canada, in 1924, Mr. Senft was elected President, succeeding Rev. Paul Rader. At the Council held the following year in St. Paul, Minnesota, he was again elected, but died later that same year, 1925. After the passinn of her husband, Mrs. Senft's life was quiet and in a sense uneventful. Her earnest and purposeful personality kept her busy in the Lord's work, and a t intervals she contributed brief articles to THE ALLIANCE WEEKLY. During the last few years she made her home in the Mission Colony in Glendale, California. She suffered greatly for some time before her homegoing, and pawed away on June 16, 1944. The funeral services, on June 19, were held in Glendale with Rev. C. H. Chrisman in charge. Others taking part included Rev. William P. Nicholson, the Irish evangelist; Rev. Dr. Charles Fuller, of the OldFashioned Revival Hour; Rev. Raymond L. Cramrr, of the Glendale Alliance Church; and Dr. J. T. Zamrazil, Superintendent of the South Pacific District. The interment was in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Five Plagues
By

REV. C. DONALD McKAIG, Nrack. New York

tion closed with a picture of the temple of God in heaven filled with smoke, suggesting the wrath of the Almighty One; and i t is said that no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues had been poured out. Though no one could enter, yet a voice is heard coming forth from the temple (Rev. 16: 1 ) . This voice is addressed to the angels. They a r e told to pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. The first five of these plagues we shall now consider; the last two we shall note in our next article. I. The First Vial (v. 2 ) . When

e THEina rthethree series of judgments book of Revelation:

$RE

The seven seal judgments, the seven trumpet judgments, and now we have come to the seven vial judgments. We have said before that these might be illustrated by an aerial bomb; when i t bursts, stars shoot forth which in turn burst into pieces; these pieces then break up into many sparks. Thus the seven trumpet judgments burst out from the breaking of the seventh seal, and the seven vial judgments come as a result of the blowing of the seventh trumpet. The fifteenth chapter of Revela-

we come to these various plagues, we a t o n c e think of the Egyptian plagues; and this one seems to be very similar to the sixth plague of that time. (Read Ex. 9 : 5-12.) And in Deuteronomy 28: 15, 27, and 35 we find listed the chastisements God promised Israel if disobedient. So f a r as we know this particular punishment was never meted out to God's chosen people, but the plague predicted in Revelation 1 6 : 2 most certainly will come to pass! Now what is this "sore"? We can not be. certain, buz many believe that i t may he a venereal disease; in any event this period of time will probably be one of extreme immorality. Of these diseases thousands in our nation die annually. Some years ago the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company made the following statement: "The fifteen nations which fought in the World War before the United States entered i t sustained from the two venereal diseases, syphilis and gonorrhea, a heavier death toll than any did from bullets, shells, gas, airbombs, and all the diabolical mechanics of modern warfare." This was spoken of the last w a r ; conditions today are probably pretty much the same. 11. The Second Vial (v. 3 ) . When t h e second trumpet sounded, onethird of the sea was turned into blood, and one-third of life died (Rev. 8: 8, 9) ; now the whole of the sea is so afflicted, and all life dies. Some would limit this to the Mediterranean Sea, but, judging from the universal character of the other plagues, may we not conclude that this might include all seas? Imagine these mighty bodies of water being turned into clotted putrefying blood, for notice t h a t this says "blood of a dead man." The stench will he unimaginable and unbearable! I t is doubtful if one anywhere close to an ocean will be able to breathe a breath of sweet-smelling a i r ; all will be foul! 111. The Third Vial (v. 4 ) . Thisgoes a bit further; even the sources from which drinking water is secured a r e now affected. This happened to Egypt in the time of its first plague. (Read Ex. 7: 19-21.) But what happened with one river and one country now occurs in all waters in all coun-

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his own boat went down on t h a t very rock, and all lost their lives! IV. T h e Fourth Vial (vs. 8 , 9). Here is a judgment f o r which there is no Egyptian precedent, h u t this was clearly prophesied nevertheless in the Word of God. God made t h e sun, and H e can control its temperature. If H e wants to increase its heat, H e can do it a s easily a s we can turn the dial and increase the volume on our radio. An estimate of the surface temperature of the sun places it a t 10,000" F., and with such a tremendous temperature the sun could be moved just a little toward the earth, or the earth a little toward the sun, and this devastating effect would be produced. In any event men a r e scorched with the heat and flames of the sun. According to mythology Apollo was the god of the sun, and h e drove t h e sun chariot across the sky daily. One day his son was given pcrmission to drive the chariot, and he did g r e a t damage because he drove too close to the & r t h in some places and scorched the crops and the peoples. So will it be in the hour of this plague. We should think t h a t if anything would t u r n men to God, this would; b u t instead of repenting they blaspheme! Some believe t h a t the sufferings of a man's last illness will cause a man t o t u r n to Christ to be saved, but don't you believe it! Sin, like a cancer, if let g o too long may not be cured! V. T h e F i f t h Vial (vs. 10, 11). This is just the opposite of the previous torment; i t i s a n affliction of darkness, and the consequent misery is so intense t h a t men g n a w their tongues in pain. This is similar to the ninth Egyptian plague. (Read Ex. 10: 21, 2 2 ; also note Nahum 1 : 6, 8 : Joel 2 : 1, 2, 31a.) All the heat from the sun is not gone; else then all life would cease, hut g r e a t darkness comes to reign. Men ought t o be then using their tongues to pray, b u t they will rather be cursing the God of heaven because of their pains a n d sores. They do not repent of their deeds! This word "repent" is found in both verse 9 a n d 11. Men will not be able to repent, o r t o "about-face" and forsake sin t h e n ; b u t they can do i t now. I have read t h a t one day (Concluded on page $68.)

tries. Under the third trumpet (Rev. 8 : 10, 11) one-third p a r t had been so affected, b u t now all a r e ! What distress this will cause! We can get along without food f o r a long time, but we cannot long get along without water. It is impossible! Coulthard, early explorer in Australia, perished f r o m thirst. On the empty water bottle beside his body were scratched these words: "My eye dazzles, my tongue burns, I a m lost f o r want of water." But now all will be facing disaster! The composition of blood is interesting-plasma and corpuscles. One of tho chief elements of the plasma is water. So i t may be that when this calamity befalls, t h e g r e a t chemists of our land will go into action to get the water out of the blood. They must do something of the sort, or else all life would immediately die; and f r o m f u r t h e r reading on in the book we know that all do not die. All die in the sea, b u t not on the earth though many thousands may die f r o m lack of water. Do you recall the first g a s attack in World W a r I ? It was on April 22, 1915, at Ypres that the Germans sent their chlorine g a s against the Allies. Of course, the Allies had made no preparation for this, but within 24 hours t h e British division had been supplied with rude pads, formed of several thicknesses of cotton cloth, impregnated with hyposulphite of soda. L a t e r came the more complete g a s masks. Perhaps something will be devised in this emergency to care f o r t h e w a t e r situation. And in this connection note the angelic commendation found in verses 5 to 7. They shed blood; now let them d r i n k blood! It is one of t h e g r e a t underlying truths of the Bible t h a t men reap what they sow. (Note Gal. 6: 7 and Judg. 1 : 6, 7.) T h e Inchcape Rock, twelve miles o u t f r o m land in the North Sea, was the doom of many vessels. Finally a good man, the Abbot of Aberbrothock, chained a buoy to this rock with a bell on i t to warn approaching ships of t h e danger. One day, by way of a prank, a pirate, Ralph the Rover, cut the chain and the fastenings of the bell a n d i t sank. "Let's play a trick on the old abbot," he said-but the trick w a s on him! Some months later

HERE are two illusions against which we Christians must guard, one is of distance and the other of too close proximity. The human eye is focused to see properly only within a certain varying distance from itself. When the object is too close or too far away, the eye is confused and fails to report accurately what is hefore it. One of the greatest hindrances to spiritual poise and balanced living is the tendency to accept as correct images seen out of focus. What looks to a tired eye like a strange monster walking across the brow of a distant hill may be in reality only a beetle walking across the windowpane close at hand (as every reader of Poe will remember). If ever we needed ro maintain correct perspective, it is now. This mad battle of the giants which is raging with such frightful destructiveness over the face of the world, like Milton's fallen angels, uprooting mountains in its fury, is too close to us for correct appraisal now. We are like men in a small summer cottage with a mighty storm raging about us. The very landscape appears to be enraged; our senses stagger before the wild terror of the world and nature gone mad. Soon-how soon I do not claim to know, hut it will he hut a moment in the long sweep of the a g e s t h i s war will end, and peace will come again. Then the blood-sick and weary nations will set about the job of reconstruction, once more to try to build peace into the structure of the world. In the meantime we Christians must stand back in spirit from the spinning maelstrom. We must refuse to be panicstricken by the sound and the fury. We must keep our heads and our faith; the world will need us when this war is over. We cannot escape the responsibilities our life in the world entails, but we can escape the false philosophy by which the world appraises such times as these. We can insist upon seeing things with the eyes of God; we can let the light of the Word in upon these scenes of terror; we can take the long view and he at rest in our spirits.

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THE ALLIANCE

WEEKLY

Preaching and Providing*

By

REV. C. C. FOWLER, Poseh, South China

en a r e in charge of most of our outstations, and therefore the believers, for the most part, a r e women and girls. We feel the lack of men workers very much. Please pray for workers. Just recently we began special work among young people. We a r e having success, but pray also for this work, that i t will be entirely for the glory of God. Several days ago we used $10,000 (national currency), sent by the International Relief Committee, to buy 590 pounds of rice for distribution to the poor. Before the w a r such a sum would have purchased a t least 200,000 pounds of rice. Such a r e the effects of inflation! On a set date 300 aged, decrepit beggars and poor crowded in, and we gave them a pot of rice and then a sermon. It was quite an affair. I wish you could have seen it. We need greatly a spiritual quickening of our members, and also of our missionaries. P r a y t h a t we may be strengthened physically and be a greater blessing to the church.

a of the AFTER.ournumberthat years onmake mlss~on field, one fails to see . much in work would interesting reading; but we covet, need, and depend upon your prayers, therefore we write anyway. A little over a month ago I returned from an outstation where we held special services for a week. It was a district conference, the first for several years. The missionary who formerly lived in Poseh left here nine years ago. The services are held in a Chinese house which was given to the Lord by one of the members. He had torn down a partition between that building and his own home, thus making room for over a hundred t o attend the meetings. Though few in number, they are earnest. P r a y for them. They hope soon t o erect a regular church building. Mr. Desterhaft baptized six new converts; and a s a group had just recently been added to the Lord, the meetings generally were given over to the strengthening of believers. When returning from this outstation to Poseh-a distance of about fifty miles-I decided to take the bus to reach home sooner. But perhaps I could have made better time walking. I did have to walk fifteen miles, and pushed the bus for six hours to try to s t a r t it. That t r i p took from early Tuesday morning until one o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Twice recently crews of United States planes have come through here. I borrowed a truck from the Bank of China and took them to a point where they could get a transport back to their base. I thus had opportunity to visit with them and also to help in a small way. I met a Technical Sergeant who was formerly from my own home town-Erie, Pennsylvania. What a surprise! We are greatly in need of men workers in our district. I am the only man worker in the t h r e e churches in this district. Bible wom-

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National Assembly in Quito, Ecuador

BY REV. CARL T. CARLSON, Otovalo, Ecuador HE National Assemblies a r e al- number of splendid suggestions were ways accompanied with blessings. given which were helpful to all. It is good and pleasant for brethren Preaching services were held every to dwell together in unity. The Na- night, and every evening a number of tional Assembly which took place in people passed from death unto life. Quito, April 4 to 9, was one of the One of these was the sister of the best. The joy of the Lord and love of young man who teaches the Indian the brethren pervaded the very at- children a t the Agato Mission. This mosphere. We were conscious of this young lady attends all the services. the moment we entered the building. It did me good to see the spiritual Surely such reunions a r e an earnest hunger manifested by her. of heaven itself. Easter Sunday was the crowning This year saw the greatest number day of the Assembly. At 9 a. m. an of delegates that ever attended the opportunity was given to the deleNational Assembly in Quito. Dele- gates to testify in t h e street meeting. gates came from the coast and the For more than a n hour the brethren most northern provinces of Carchi with the anointing of the Spirit witand Esmeraldas. nessed to a big crowd of people. DurThe reports a r e very helpful be- ing the morning service seven believcause the brethren learn that others ers followed the Lord in baptism. have the same problems and trials as One of these was a Jew to whom Mr. they themselves. It gives them a new D. S. Clark had ministered when he outlook of the field as a whole, and was injured by an auto a few years increases their vision. Many helpful ago. A t night we partook of the lessons a r e learned through these re- Lord's Supper, after which a number ports. A believer from the coast said of young people dedicated their lives she discovered from Malachi 3: 3-10 to serve the Lord as He shall direct. that she had been robbing God by not It is hard to realize what a deep paying her tithes, and that she asked impression an assembly of this kind the pastor why he had not told her leaves with the believers who attend about this. You can imagine how for the first time. They sense that such a testimony would affect the love which is impartial and without hypocrisy, something they have never people. Besides the help received from lis- experienced before. A girl who is a tening to the reports, sessions were believer is already saving her money held to discuss problems concerning in order to attend the National Asthe Lord's work in Ecuador; how t o sembly again next year, the Lord promote church attendance, etc. A willing.

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26,

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361

A. Bible Student Evangelist

BY FLORENTINO MORENO, Colombia, South America
IKE many of my countrymen, I was baptized when a baby, and, according to Catholic beliefs, by virtue of this rite I became a Christian. As soon as I was old enough I attended doctrine classes for children in the church. I was confirmed in my early teens when the bishop laid his hands on my head, and thus I was taught to believe that I had received the Holy Ghost. My family was devoted to the Roman Catholic Church although the real motive was fear. We had pictures of a number of the saints, the Virgin, and of Christ on the walls of our home. Candles were kept burning before these saints almost every day, but especially before the Virgin for we were taught that even Christ would not listen to us except through her motherly intercession. When I was about fourteen, my parents learned that land could be secured in the Department of Caldas, which produced very high-paying coffee. My father sold all he had, and we moved to TolrB in the Department of Caldas, to take up coffee farming on the mountainsides there. It was not long till I learned to go out, with my basket strapped over my shoulder like a school bag, to pick the bright red coffee berries. Later I put them through the machine to take off the thick juicy pulp, and then spread the seeds on great trays, to dry in the sun. Many a time in the rainy season I have helped Father to carry these t r a y s into the verandah, to save them from getting wet and ruined. I shall never forget the long, weary hours we spent in going over the coffee by hand, picking out all the inferior grains so that we could come up to the exporter's standard and provide the world with A-1 coffee. We had not lived very long in ToIra until some relatives who were living there spoke to us about their new religion. When my parents discovered it was the Protestant religion, they were scandalized, for had not our padres (priests) in the church told us that it came from the devil, and t h a t Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, was a deAt this meeting the Lord opened our hearts, and after the service, Father, Mother, and I remained to pray and to ask t h e Lord to save our souls. It was all so new and contrary to our past teaching and customs, we found i t very difficult to pray. We had always prayed according to the rosary and printed prayers, so praying from the heart direct to the Father, in the name of the Son, was foreign to us. However, with the help of others, we did offer up stumbling but sincere prayers. Never shall-I forget the strange peace that came to my heart that night. Immediately after this we gave up all Roman Catholic practices which included, on the part of my parents, the drinking of liquor on feast days. All our pictures and images of saints and crucifixes were taken out and burned. When I gave my heart to the Lord, I scarcely knew how to read or write, but through the kind interest of a Christian worker, Ram6n L6pez, I learned considerably more of these elementary subjects. Oddly enough, however, my parents took a strange aversion to my further education because I had to stay up late a t night to study, and their opposition became very strong while the thirst in my heart for further learning grew. Fithe Truth. Since there was no doubt nallv. one day 1 left home. I shall that their lives were now upright, and never forget the feeling of loneliness after having left off certain Roman that first night as I went to sleep on Catholic practices, i t could be clearly my little straw mat laid on the boards seen that they were pious people, my of a bunk in the home of a neighbor for whom I worked as a coffee harparents began to listen to them. One evening, on being pressed to vester. accompany them, we went to hear a About this time Don Ram6n spoke man, Efraim Mantilla, preach the to me about the Bible Institute in gospel in the humble home of a coffee Armenia and suggested that I go plantation owner. I cannot tell you there to prepare for the Lord's servhow our hearts trembled and how ice. This I did after much prayer, Mother's face went white, for we entering the Institute when Miss were going to a meeting we had been Rupp, now Mrs. Baumann, was in persuaded was of the devil. How- charge of the school. I cannot tell ever, the joyous note of the hymns you what a delight it was to find myand the Word of God finally dispelled self with other Christian young men our fears and awakened in our hearts and women in a Christian school, a desire to hear more. Therefore, studying the Word of God and other when we were invited another time subjects that would better enable me to go to hear the gospel preached by to present the message of life. I am sorry to say t h a t apparently a Christian worker, Josias Suarez, (Concluded on page 368.) we were quite glad. mon-possessed man? We were pained beyond measure to think that some of our own relatives could have been so foolish as to have been misled by such heresy. However, our relatives informed us that they had felt the same way about this thing, called the gospel, a t first; but after comparing the so-called Protestant Scriptures with the Roman Catholic Scriptures, they claimed to have discovered that they were just the same. Then, upon further inquiry, they said they found

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THE A L L I A N C E W E E K L Y

REQUESTS FOR PRAYER

INDIA Pray t h a t the missionaries planning t o proceed to India a t tliis time may be able to obtain passage by direct steamer instead of by way of Lisbon and South Africa as hitherto. Pray t h a t the Indian pastors, evangelists, Bible women, and student evangelists may be quickened in spirit a s they gather topether f o r their courscs of study. FRENCH WEST AFRICA P r a y for the missionaries returning t o African fields and new candidates under appointment to those fields t h a t they may be enabled to obtain the necessary passports and visas without undue delay, and t h a t transportation by a more direct route will soon become available. Hitherto i t has been necessary to travel t o Lisbon and transship there, and it also has been impossible to obtain passports for mothers with young children. CONGO Pray for the students who have recently graduated from the Teachers' Training and Bible Schools t h a t they shall he assignod to the work in accordance to thc will of God f o r their individual lives and become fruitful in ministry. P r a y for the way to open up for much nccded reinforcements t o he sent f ~ t to h Congo. GABON Pray for Mark Divingau, who was to have takcn over the work in Yileka b u t had to go to the hospital instead. Latest word reports t h a t Mark fecls his end is near. This devout servant of the Lard is mnch needed in the work. Pray t h a t he may be restored to health and service. FRENCH INDO-CHINA Play for MI. Huycn, Dean of the Annamese Bible School a t Tourane, and his staff. Pray for Mr. Wai, the earnest and devoted pastor of a large thriving Chinese Christian church in Cholon. These Chinese membeis contribute generously toward the work among the tribes. EAST T l r a r u . ~ ~ P r a y earnestly that when the w a r is ovcr, official authorization in writing mag be granted for the preaching of t h e gospel. P r a y for t h e Shan people of Pailin where Mr. Sy is the preacher. These people a r e engaged i n mining precious stones. Cor,o~sm P r a y for the new missionaries who a r e taking on responsibilities in the work and language as older missionaries are coming on fu1'1ough. P r a y f o r Josias and Carlin Suarez in Manizalez where the Lord is blessing in spite of mnch persecution. ECUADOR P r a y for Rev. and Mrs. George Dockter who are expeetcd to proceed to t h e field rarly in September, t h a t they may be granted journeying mercies and speedily acqnirc the l a n m a g r . PERU P r a y for the conference of native workers of the Pe1.uvia.n Evangelical Church t h a t this time of fellowship may be the means of deepening their spiritual life, filling them with new ardor and zeal. P r a y f o r special anointing to rest upon the missionaries who minister to them during this gathering. c I rx Er . : P ~ , a y the health of Mr. and Mrs. Eck. for P r a y for divine guidance and solution of the difficulties in the printing shop of the Alliance Press, especially thost. problems involving labor. ARGE~-TINA P r a y fox. the city of Cordoba, seven hundred kilometers northwest of Buenos Airus a m o n ~ hills, t h a t a n Alliance work may the he established t h e m Recently our missiona r y and the president of the Argentine Alliance visited Cordoba and found a group of more than fifty earnest Christians for whom they promised to conduct a strong t e n t campnirn them next summe? (our winter).

PALESTINE P r a y for the evangelistic work being conductcd among British and American soldiers in Jelvsalem and Beirut. Continue t o pray t h a t transportation may soon become available for the return of those missionaries now preparing and under appointment t o go back. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS As the enemy invaders a r e being driven out of island after island i n the Pacific, pray t h a t the rclease of the Philippines from Japanese domination may he speedily accomplished and our interned missionaries released and ~ e p a t r i a t e d . Prny also t h a t wc shall he able to send to (Conrlrrded on page 563.)

Nights of Prayer
SEPTEMBER-1
944

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WESTCHINA
The Christians of the Kansu churches established by the China Inland Mission, the Scandinavian Alliance and The Christian and Missionary Alliance recently organized a federation for coiiperation and evangelistic advance. Pray t h a t this new movement will bring blessing and spiritual powcr to all the churches. Ka~lcrrow-SZECHUAN P r a y t h a t in spite of thc almost insurmountable difficulties i t still will be possible t o obtain passports and t,ransportation for Rev. R. J. Birkey and Malion Allen t o procced soon t o the field and relieve Rev. W. C. Chapman t o return home for much needed attention to his eyes, a s well a s to reinforce the pitifully small staff remaining on the field. Pitma", N. J. i'lainfirid, N.

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CENTRAL CHINA
Pray for Miss Ethel Marsh, the sole remaining missionary of our Alliance Missions i n China who is interned, t h a t shc soon may be released and repatriated. Prny for the Chinese leaders a n d Christians who have suffered so twribly during the Japanese invasion of Hunan, and for those in Hupeh and Anhwei to whom it has been difficult to send funds. SOUTHCHINA P r a y for journeying mercies for all missionaries traveling t o and from China these days by way of India. P r a y for those missionaries and native workers who a r e assisting in the relief of famine sufferers, t h a t they may he kept in health and find many hearts receptive t o the gospel message.

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AUGUST 26,
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1944

363
vision into groups according to the department taught: The Child and His Teacher. Methods of Presenting the Lesson, Characteristics of the Pupil, Presenting Missions, and demonstration classes. Other themes presented to the whole conference have been: Music in the Sunday School, Story Telling, Memory Work, the Worship Service, Helps in Froparing the Lesson, Weekday Work for the Youth of the Church, the Blackboard as a n Aid. A section of the church should be set a p a r t for a display room, where may be shown samples of work done, books most highly prized by the speakers, charts, posters, literature, and other materials f o r the actual Sunday School program. Many frequent this corner and appreciate its helpfulness. The Sunday School Institute is always a Lime of stimulating fellowship. The interchange of ideas and united prayers with others who sense the opportunities i n this whitest ~ n v t the whitened harvest field of make f o r quickened effort. Concrete results a r e noted i n more thorough preparation hy the tcaehers, improved planning for hetter Sunday School quarters, and young people recognizing a place wmthy of their best service, a s they catch a vi,ion of how to reach the "lost generation." One of the theme posters scen a t the conference quotes Paul's timely counsel: "Thou therefare which teachest another, teschest thou not. thyself?"

The Sunday SC~OOZ Training Institute

By MAUD E. MacPHEE, Jerse.v Citv. New Jersey
FROM Rom!n prison Paul passed on the g u ~ d ~ n g n c ~ p l e sf a r the successful pn building of the Church through the ages. One of these, still a potent factor f o r progress, he urged on Timothy, to insure full growth in the new branches: "The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able t o teach others also." Thoughtful ministers and laymen have not needed a w a r to awaken them to the far-reaching force f o r good t h a t can come through the Sunday School. But they and worldly ohsemers, watching the ordinary Sunday School teachers and superintendents i n action, a r e reminded of these or similar wards: "Serving the Lord in my poor weak way." As a n outstanding Amkrican, when asked whether hc believed in the Sunday School as a n influence for the bettering of youth, replied: "Certainly, hut not a s i t works now!" The answer to this challenge is not primarily better equipment, nhr better literature, hut an inspired personnel "who shall be able t o teach others also." There has been in the past few pears a fresh awakening among many workers in the Sunday School to the need of training for their mission. Where there have been no training classes for a prolonged scries of studies, the Institutes have provided new inspiration and same instruction, Earnest workers havc received impetus to attack their difficulties and become acquainted with sources of further help and material. T the Alliance circles around New York n City, for a number of years these Institutes a t first were held for one evening thrce times a year, usually with two speakers. The interest grew so t h a t now the conferences generally bcgin on Friday night and continue through Saturday eveniny. At the last two conferences t h e registration was over one hundred and forty. After a short period of general assembly on Friday, two periods are carried through. On Saturday morning the1.e a r e also two teachinc periods. In the afternoon, besides two teaching periods, there is a discussion period o r a demonstration hour. The evening servicc is a rich inspirational service, a time of fresh dedication in the light of the better understandinp whieh the new vision h a s brought. Sometimes on Friday evening and during one period on Saturday m o r n i n z a n d afternoon, several classes are held a t the same time, each discussing the same topic but considering its application - a t diffel.ent ngr levels. During the other period the people come together for a n addwss o r discussion l on i more pencral topic. The larger number of speakers entails more rxpense, but there has heen no difficulty over money matters since the Sunday Schools of the region served have been subscribing a dollar a month toward Institute expenses. Guests who come f m m a distance are invited to stay overnight a t the homes of the members of the church entertaining t h e Institute. Although in some places this has not seemed possible a t f i r t thought, i t works out that there a r e always more homes opened than there a r e folk who wish to stay. In preparing for a n Institute of this kind, after the first business meeting of superintendents, ministers, and others invitrtl, a t which the date, place, speakers, and themes a r e decided, announcements a r e sent tu cvcry pastor and superintendent of our own constituency and to others who might he glad to attend. This is followed, or accompanied, hy a good-sized poster. Later the awaited programs a r e supplied. Past programs show some of the following subjects t h a t have been discussed by di-

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Glimpses at the Greek

Sitomctrion-portion of meat (Luke 1 2 : 42). Literally, a measure of food (corn) nnd, henrr, a measured allowance of food. Used once in the New Testament, i t indicates the responsibility t h a t i s upon the steward whom God has placed over His household. His duty is to provide for each and all just the nieasurc of food allotted. I t is not a matter of rationing spiritual food hut of measuring out the amount according to the individual need. An adult is not satisfied with the portion given to a child, nor i s a child capable of assimilating the amount necessary for a full-grown adult. Milk is for babes and meat for the mature. There may hc a n implied word of rebuke for the long-winded preacher who feeds his flock with unmeasured words and measureless time, a s well a s for him who unwisely loads the table down with more food than a n y heart and mind can digest a t a given time. Jesus took the measure of His disciples, as one has stated it, a n d "spoke the word unto them a s they were able to hear it" (Mark 4 : 53), refusing (John 16: 1 2 ) to give them more than they could "take up" and "carry off." Then there is the matter of a balanced dict-a proper and wise provision t h a t will mean steady a d sturdy growth in grace, enabling all to stand perfect and "made full" (Col. 4: 1 2 ) in all the will of God. Paul could testify to the Ephesians t h a t he had declared unto them the whole counsel of God, and then he laid upon them the responsibility of f e ~ d i n p Church which He the hath purchased with His own blood. "Blessed is t h a t servant whom His Lord, when he cnmeth, shall find" him measuring out to young and old, immature and advanced, the portion of food which, from the standmint of amount, quality and variety, is best suited t o each and all. His reward will not he measure for measure (Antimetreo, as i n Luke 6: 38) hut, having been faithful in little, he will he made ruler over much.-Rev. G. Edumrd Roffe.

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the Islands a s soon as possible after their release expcrieneed missionaries who can immediately engage in rehabilitation of our mission work, and give to the native churches the assistance and comfort of which they must be so greatly i n need. NETHERLANDS EASTINDIES To date no word has been received from our missionaries of the Netherlands E a s t Indies, who must be interned either i n J a v a or near Makassar where they were last heard from. Since direct word has now been received from our missionaries interned in the Philippine Islands and they are known t o be safe and well although interned, pray t h a t similar word shall soon be rocdved concerning our workers in the Netherlands E a s t Indies and t h a t they may be preservrd in health and strength.

A Deserved Rebuke
The skeptic Boilingbrake met a lax clergyman a t a seaside place. The clergyman talkrd skcptirally, sncercd a t the miracles of Scripture. Bollinc.hroke retorted: "Let me tell you swiously that the grcatest miracle in thc world is the continued existence of Christianity when it is preached by such Zenunchristian wretchcs as you."-Nazri land Baptist.

I:

2fi4

THE A L L I A N C E WEEKLY

WORK AND WORKERS*

Engagements
Rev. H. M. Shzonan will speak a t the Faculty Retreat, Missionary Training Institute, Nyack, N. Y., on September 6. He will address the Western Canada Dist1,iet Prayer Conference, Saskatoon, Sask., Septemher 11-15; and will preach a t Edmonton, Alta., Canada, September 17. H e will also speak a t the South.Pacific District Prayer Conference, E a s t Oakland, Calif., September
25-28.

Financial Receipts for July

MISSIONS 'General Fund ................ $92.688.39 Special Fund ................. Annuity Fund ................ ALLOWANCES J a n u a r y ................... February . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March .................... April ...................... May ....................... dune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July .......................

Arrivals
Rev. and M m . Carl Vnlsted and three children from Chile arrived in California July 30 on furlough. Mr. Vulstad has been Superintendent of the Alliancc field in Chile, and in that position has been very active in administration duties, i n faithful visitation of thc churches, and in attending. t o the extensive publicat,ian wo1.k of tlie Mission. After spending a few weeks with Mrs. Volstad's relatives in California, they will go to MY. Volstad's home in Minnesota. Misv Maly Bucher, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. G. A. Rucher of our Chile Mission, accompanied M r . and Mrs. Volstad to this eountt.y. She plans t o enter The Missiona r y Training Institute a t Nyack to prepare for full time Christian service. Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Clark and two chilren have left their field in Peru on furloneb, and a r e now spending some time with Mr. Clark's parents in Mandeville, Jamaica, H. W. I. Thev rxnect to romp to tho Stater " . late in the summel., and will make their home during furlough in Archbold, Ohio. MI.. clark has been in charge of the ~ i b l r Institute a t Lima. On August 4, Rev. and Mrs. E. E. Crist and Rev. and Mrs. J . M. Loucks and son arrived on furlough from Congo. Mr. and M r s . Chl.ist a r e vctrrans of forty years' service in the Congo field, while Mr. and Mrs. 1.oucks have just completed theiv first term. M r . Crist has been in r h a r r e of the Bible Training School a t Kinkonzi. He will be g~.eatly missed on the field as the staff of missionaries there a t present is very small. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks have also been stationed a t Kinkonzi and have been helpful in the work throughout t h e district. They

Rev. William Christie will preach a t the Grace Baptist Church, Passaie, N. J., September 3, and will address the Faculty Retreat a t Nyaek on September 6 . Hc is also scheduled t o speak a t the Central District Prayer Conference, Dayton, Ohio, September 11-15; the Western Pennsylvania District Prayer Conference, Beaver Falls, Pa., September 18-22; and the Eastern District Prayer Conference, Lancaster, Pa., Septemher 25-29.
Rev. H. E. Nelson will address t h e Lime Lake Conference, New York, September 2-4: the Northeastern District Prayer Conference, Utica, N. Y., September 11-14. H e is scheduled to preach a t Oklahoma City, Okln., September 17-24. H o will address the Southwestern District Prayer Conference, McAllen, Tea., September 25-28; and will preach a t St. Louis, Mo., Septemher 30.

Contributions to our missionary work, except those remitted through church treasurers, should he addressed to The Christian and Missionary Alliance, 260 West 44th Street, New York 18, New York, or 83 Christie Street, Toronto 4, Ontario, Canada. NYACKBUILDINGSFUND Previously Reported . . . . . . . . . . . $58,233.03 2,239.22 July 1-21 ..................... Total .................. $60,472.25 Unpaid Pledges, J u l y 31, 1944 . $85,732.71 For this purpose, gifts should be sent to Rev. William Christie, Treasurer, 260 West 44th Street, New York 18, New York, and designated f o r the Nyaek Buildings Fund.

auditors, ~ e k r s Lambrides & Bohman, 415 . Fifth Avenue. New York, New York.

Births
Kowles-On April 26, a t Tsingsi, Kwangai, China, to Rev. and M1.a. A. G. Kowles, a son. .John Raymond.
Whitney--On July XI, in Downsville, N. Y., t o Mr. and MIX. William Whitney

Treasurer.

(nee Catherine Taylor), a son, Donald William.

Radio Programs
Alliance Church o j the Air. The churches pastors of The Christian and Missiona r y Alliance i n the Greater New York area a r e sponsoring the Alliance Church of the Air in a broadcast each Saturday, 3: 00 to a: 30 p.m., over Station WRNX, 1:180 kiloescles, New York City.
and

proceeded t o their respective homes in Pennsylvania and California. All of the above missionaries a r e much in need of rest and several are in special need of the Lord's healing touch. We commend them for prayer t h a t they may receive spiritual and physical blessing and he used of God i n the homeland.

Anniversary Services
Laconia, N . H. Anniversary services, commemorating the fifth year since the building of The Gospel Tabernacle of The Christian and Missionary Alliance of Lacania, N. H., were held J u l y 5-9. Four former pastors with their wives and the District Superintendent, Rev. F. W. Smalley, were present throughout. Thc pastors were Rev. James T. Jones, of Stratford, Conn.; Rev. H. L. Kennedy, of Houlton, Me.: Rev. Stanley B. Harding, of Portland, Me., and Rev. Frederick Hayes, of Attlrboro, Mass. The presence of the Lord was manifest a t every service, and the climax w a s reached on Sunday evcning when, in the presence of a larae canarepation. the morteaee was . . .burned a s the ~ o x o l & w a s sung. Thr honor of burning the mortgage was g.iven to Mr. Kennedy, during whose minist1.y the Tabernacle was built.

W e s t Palm Beach, Fla. "The Young People's Gospel C ~ s a d e r s , " over Station W.JNO, Sunday 2: 30-2: 45 p.m., sponsored by the Young People's Soeiety of West Palm Beach.
9 : :30-10: 00.

"The King's Business," Saturday night, Station WBYN, Brooklyn, N. Y., Rev. Eugene McGee, director.

Marriage
Fvederkk-Galbmith. On J u n e 16, a t Wilkes-Barre, Pa., William Frederick and Miss Florence Galbraith were married. Both are 1944 graduates of Nyaek, and will take charge of the work in Phoenix, Ariz.
p~~~~

mailea to

. A I I manuecrlnts ana n e v ~ i t ~ r n a & n u ~ e b~ The EdltoT, Z G O Wri;t 44th Str..ot, NBP. YOIR IR. N. Y.

Back row, l e f t to right; Revs. Stanley B. Harding, W . F. Smalley, and H . L. Kennedy' In frmzt, Revs' Frederzck James T. Jones, at anniver=w in L w n % N. H.

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AUGUST 2 6 .
1944

365
Chaplains
Rev. Edward Gustajson, formerly pastor of the Gospel Tabernacle, Titusville, Pa., has been commissioned a s First Lieutenant in the Chaplains' Carps, and is stationed a t Fort Bliss, Tex., 148th AAA Bn. He i s a praduate of Nyack, class of 1941.

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A year ago a very commodious residence was purchased for a parsonage, and the congregation with the pastor elect a r e looking to the Lord for a future of blessing and prosperity in the things t h a t are eternal until Jesus comes.

Biweekly Calendar
Local Missionary Conventions
Conoming September 1-17. 1944

Dedication
Sidney, N. Y. The Alliance Church a t Sidney, N. Y., was dedicated on June 18, 1944. The pastor, Andrew V. Berkner, and the people welcome the first Young People's Rally to be held in the new church on July 4.

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Your local missionary wnvention is a channel of information and inspiration. By all means attend the convention in your locality. Baonville, N. Y. . .September 7-10 Watertown, N. Y. .September 1-10 Ilion, N. Y. ....... September 14-17
Eastern District Northeastern District

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Obituary
Rev. A. G. Owrey, who retired from ac-

.. tive .. .~.

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:

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service in the ministry two years ago, died a t Clearfield, Pa., on July 15, a t the age of 64. His first pastorate was The People's Mission, which he built, in Newcastle, Pa., where he served for nearly twenty years, from 1906-1925. His other pastorates were a t Barnesboro, Pa., Hornell, N. Y., Springtown, Lewistown and Clymer, Pa. While a t Clymer he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and the family moved to MahatFey, Pa. Besides his wife, Mrs. Bertha Ranck Owrey, their two sons survive, also a daughter, Violet, by a former marriage, of Toronto, Ohio. Rev. G. Verner Brown officiated a t the funeral service held in Mahaffey, July 17, assisted by Revs. J . E. Stebbins, C. Van Arsdale, C. Price and E. C. Anderson. The body was interred a t Newcastle on July 18, following a service in The People's Mission, Revs. F. R. Schillinger, Martin Walker, J. H. Boon and E. D. Finney participatin~.

Halethorpe, Md. . .September Baltimore, Md. . ..September Middle River, Md. .September Mt. Union, Pa. ....September Black L o g Valley, Pa. ........... .September

6-10 10-13 13-17 13-17 13-17

South Atlantic District

Memphis, Tenn. ..September 10-17

Chaplain Edward Gustafson

Rev. David N. Clark, formerly pastor of the Alliance churches in Sandusky, Ohio, and Highland Park, Mich., has also been commissioned a s First Lieutenant and Chapplain, entering active duty on July 16. His present address is Chaplain David N. Clark. First Lieutenant, 0554387, See. 7-57, Perkins Hall, Chaplains' School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Western District

Burlington, Iowa . .August 31-September 1 Ottumwa, Iowa .. .September 1- 3 Des Moines Iowa .September 3-10 Boone, Iowa ..... .September 6-10 Emporia, Ran. ... .September 10-13 .September 13-17 Denver, Colo.

....

Emtsrn and Central Canada District

&+

F o r t E r i e , Ont., Canada ........ .September 10-17 Niagara Falls, Ont. .September 10-17 Canada

........

Y o u n g People's Rallies
OKLAHOMA
Okla.
AND

NORTHTEXASDISTRICT

On Monday, Septemher 4, a t Ardmore, WILLIAMSPORT, PA., DISTRICT On Monday, September 4, at The Christian and Missionary Alliance Chapel, East Eighth Street, Dloomslurg, Pa., a t 10: 30 a.m., 2: 00 and 7: 00 p.m. Speakers: Rev, D. C. Kopp, of McKeesport, Pa., and Rev. Kmneth Troutmen, of Bellefonte, Fa. DISTRICT WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA The Christian and Philipsburg, Pa., a t Spraker: Missionary Alliance Church.
Mrs. Ray Possiel.

NEW YORKSOUTHERN TIERDISTRICT Sidney, N. Y., a t The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, a t 10: 30 a . m . , 2: 30 and 6: 30 p. rn. Speakers: Mr. Clair Bixler, of Walton, N. Y . , and Rev. Rann Browne.

Chnplain David N. Clark

Northwestern District Convention

Toun No. 4 This tour, with Rev. David W. Ellison, nf Cambodia, a s missionary, concluded with conventions in Minnesota: Ada. Hn'wley. OHIO NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT Battle Lake, Burns and Renville. The pastor a t A&,, not discouraged with Warren, Ohio, a t The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, a t 10: 30 a . m . , lack of interest locally, is branching ou't in 2: 00 and 7: 30 p.m. Speakers: Rev. G. A. Spring Creek and Fertile. A t the former Jacobson, of Shanghai, China, and Rev. T. place, where the attendance and interest werc good, several children raised their C. Henderson, of Shiloh, Ohio.

hands for salvation. They had been attending the Summer Bible School which had just concluded its sessions. A t Fertile the meetings were held in a closed Congregational Church, and built up from twentyfive to eighty on the third and last night. Several new pledaes were made in these places, and the prospects a r e enconraging. A t Hawley there i s a beautiful church and parsonage, but there was no pastor a t the time of the convention. A t first, there was a feeling of apathy, but the pastor from A d a , who came to help, and the missionary gave themselves to prayer, with the result t h a t by the final meeting there was definite blessing, several coming to the a l t a r for prayer. The pledge offering increased from $403 to $500. At both Battle Lake and B u m the inter, est was ~ o o d and a number indicated their determination to fully follow the Lord. At the latter place, several skood a t the altar in consecration to the Lord's service, ineluding a fine young man training in the Naval Air Corps. Offerings in these two places exceeded the one. thousand dollar mark. The tour came to an end at Renville and Clara City, two unorganized groups, the former meeting in a converted store huilding, and the latter in a farm house. At the last meeting of the tour, every seat was occupied in the little chapel, and the interest was well sustained. The total pledge offel.ing amounted to $214.

366

THE ALLIANCE WEEKLY

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

September 3. I944

11. S a m u e l D , i r e c t e d t o t h e F a m i l y of
Jesse. A t Brthlehem the elders were aroused and fearful. Doubtless Samucl a s iudge had visited many places t o invesfigate~crikeor neglected civic duties. Thiscawillaccount f a r the question of the elders: Comest tliau peaceablv?" I 1 Sam. 16: 4 ,. Samuel n u i.t . dtheir ) >~~~ f . .~ . ~ fears. called uoon them for ceremonial cleansing, 'and then gave s,pecial attention t o the cleansing of Jesse and his family.

Saul Rejected
1 .Samuel 15: 10-23 B Y R w . I u E. DAVID,PII.D.
Devotional Reading: Psalm 15. Golden T e x t : "Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lard, he hath also rejected thee from being king" (1 Sam. 15: 23). Introduction. While Saul was little in h i s own eyes, God greatly blessed and used him. After he was established as king and the commanding general for all Israel, he became conceited and self-willed. H e was determined t o have his own. way. This led him t o ignore God's way, and to dirobcy God's messages given throu~ah God's prophet, Samuel. Chapters 13. 15 and 31 of Fiist Samucl should be carefully studied. They make plain the reasons why God had to reject Saul from being king. God's agents must learn H i s will, and do it. 1 Samuel 13: 8-14. The Israelites were encamped with Saul a t Michmash. Many Philistines were gathering against tlicm. Samuel under God's orders had directed Saul t o linger with his little army sevcn days until Sarnud came t o him with God's plan of campaign. Samufl was delaycd, Saul grew impatient; and, contrary t o the Mosaic law, he did what only priests were authorized to do: "He offered tlie burnt offering" ( 1 Sam. 13: 9). Then Samuel arrived and said: "What hast thou done? Thou i i s i done foolishly: thou hart not kept thc cammanilment of the Lord thy God which he But iiorv thy klngdom commanded thee. hall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him t o be captain over his people. because thou hast not kept that which thc Lord commundcd thee" (1 Sam. 13: 13, 14).

ceive divine life. Samuel and Saul, two great characters, arc ' M o r e us. If we receive grace as a mattrr of daily habit, then wc shall live and trinmph, a s did Samuel. If we neglect gracc, wc shall fall into disobcdienre and dereat : and our carthlv lives may end in ruin as tcrrible as that of Saul.

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I. S a u l I n t r u d e s i n t o t h e P r i e s t ' s Office,

111. The D e a t h of Saul, 1 Samuel 31: 3-6. Aiter Saul had consulted the spiritist medium, which was contrarv to God's commandments, he went with his;onr and an army into battle with the Philistines. He was defeated. his army wa;: scattered. and his three sons were slain. He was sore wounded of the archers" (1 Sam. 31: 3 ) . H i s dcath was different from any other nc have ever read about. Dr. Scofield speaking of it says: "The order is: (1) Saul is "hit-wounricd mortally, potentially 'slain' by Philistines; (2) either to r s c a o e aeonv. or inwlt hv the memv. he falls . ~ - ~ "~., upon his sword, and iris armor-bearcr, supposing him to be dead, slow himself; (3) but S i d was not dead; raising himself upon his spear, he besought the Amalekite to put him to dcath." Thus ended thc liic oi the man of self-will. Me is a iearful warning to all of us to beware of srlf-will. We learn mare about the end of Saul's life in the lirst chapter of 2 Samucl. There an Amalekite reported that after Saul had fallen wounded, he had slain him at Saul's own request.
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111. G o d C h o s e N o t by A p p e a r a n c e s B u t by t h e C o n d i t i o n of t h e H e a r t .

On this occasion there was first the sacrifice; and then several hours later, when the meat had been cooked, there war a feast. I n the interim Samucl sought God's choice for a king. Then Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, came be-

..

ieeth not as man seeth: f o r man l ~ k e t h n o the outward appearance; but the Lord looketh an the 'heart" ( 1 Sam. 1 6 : 7 ) . Other sons came before Samuel until seven had passed his scrutiny. Then Samuel said to Jesse: "The Lord hath not choscn thesc." For the rnornmt Samuel was perplexed. He had come to anoint a son of Jesse. T h e seven sans. who were in evidence, had all been refused for such a position by the Lord. Then he askcd Jcsse: "Are here all thy children?" There was yet another, a ruddy lad, keeping sheep. Jesse had not thought it worth whllr t o call this youth; but he was the one with the shepherd's heart whom God had chosen.

September 10, 1944

David Anointed King

1 Samuel 1 6 : 1-5, 11-18 BY REV. IRA DAVID, E. F'H.D.
Devotional Reading: Psalm

IV. D a v i d C a l l e d a n d A n o i n t e d .
\Vhen Sarnucl learned of David, he refused to sit down tn the feast until rhe lad was callerl. As David came in. Samuel beheld a yailtl~ with a ruddy, beautiful countenance, goodly t o look upon. This was unusual, because the ~ e o ~ of e that countrv were eenerl ally dark. -"The Lord said. A&, a n o i n f h i m : i a r this is he" (1 Sam. 16: 12). This Samuel , - ~~~did, but & the' account of the anointing no mentiall is made of the word "kina." Just how much the i a m l y of Jesse understood of this act is not clear. Certainly if word had gone out that this lad was made king o i Israel, the family of Jcsre would have heen plunged into great trouble. T h c mast sianificant line concerning the event is this: "The Suirit of the Lord came upon David from tliat d i y forward." T h e anointing with oil was accompanied by a mighty enduement of ?he Spirit. T h i s fitted David f o r his great tasks and care him cournre and victorv whcre o t h e r wrrcdefeated. In these virt&iEs God demon: strated H i s approval of the choice.
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72: 12-19.

Golden T c x t : "Mau louketh on the outward apgcarancc, hut the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Sam. 16: 7). Introduction. Saul had been rejected because of self-will of thc afiairs of the nation and still known to the people as their king. A t the same time he was no longer recognized o r sustained by the Almighty as king. Whcn Gad removes H i s sustaining gracc, a man may go to almost any extremity of folly. Saul came under demon powci, and a t times was mentally unbalanced. "The Spirit of the Lord dcparted from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him" (1 Sam. 1 6 : 14). Saul had been choscn with his handsome and mishty physique in iiccv. These ma& him especially acceptable to the Israelites. They wanted a ruler who \ia. k i n ~ l y in anpearancr. In our presmt lesson God chore from a different standpoint. H e selected a mediun-sized man with a great
t,rar,.

11. Saul's E x c u s e s f a r M o r a l F a i l u r e , 1 Samuel 15: 17-23.

Samuel, directed by the Lord, commanded Saul t o f?ke an army and go against the Amal+kites Now ao and smite Amalek, and ut-... -. . t d y destroy all that they have and spare them not" (1 Sam. 1 5 : 3 ) . This nation had become utterly corrupt. God long previous to this had ordered their extermination. "When the Lord thv~ ~ , eiven thee rest from thine ene- God hath mies round ab&t thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. thou shalt mot forget it" (Deut. 25: 19). We see from these Scriptures that whole tribes of people may become so corrupt tliat there is no hope of salvation for any o i them. Only God knows when that point is reached. I n this rase God ordered the execution. Saul obeyed in part, but a partial ohcdience ;s r d r di3obedience. Saul saved the best o t h animals f ~ and brought back alive Agag, the ktng. This a in life. T h e directions had been so plain that they could not be mistaken. Saul deliberately ignored them a t the very time he claimed t o be obedient. From this point on there was a continual retrogression in the life of Saul. H e went down to the place where he consulted a mcdium, and he finally died the miserable ?eat11 of a suicide. I n this chapter we a r e m e n through Samuel that wonderful word on obedience: "Behold t o obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15. 22). H ~ a r i n eGod and ohevine God should fill the time and absorb the-atrention of every believer. I n order to d o this and delight in it, we must really become believers through faith in the atonement of Christ, we must first re-

and disubcdicnce to God, but war still in charbe

...

V. D a v i d C h o s e n t o Q u i e t S a u l .
Saul bccame afflicted with melancholia. H i s dlicial s e r m n t r supgeited the securing of a buoyant musician who might bring some spiritual uplift to the dejected king. Then one pare this astonishinp recommendation of D n bid: "Behold, I h a w sccn a son of Jesse, the I3eth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mi~hty valiant man, and a man of war. and lirudcnt in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is wilh him" (1 Sam 1 6 : 18). This serirs of statements could not be made of anyone who had not been endurd with the IIoly Snirit. T h r unnamed man who made this recommciidation has given us clear thought of what a Spirit-possessed life should be. Suoh statements should make the Spirit-filled Me cxccedingly attractive to us. Because of the qualifications revealed in David, h e was taken to Saul's headquarters, and f a r a time became a member of his official family. T h i s Rave him knowledae of court life and some practical training for future leadership of the nation.
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w i t h a New K i n g . Samuel was deliberate in responding to the Lord in seeking a king. First, because he mourned far Saul. Possibly he hoped that Saul would receive the grace of God and again become a humhle, worthy ruler. In the second place, he ieared Saul. He had good reason t o fear him, as there were times when he was violent and bccame n murderer. I n the chapter before us the Lord assured Samuel that Saul war permanently rejected a s k i n a ; and directcd also that he take a heifer with him and go to Bethlehem t o sacrifice. Doubtless Samuel had often conducted sacrifices in various towns of Israel: therefore such a sacritic? would not arouse suspicions.

I. S a m u e l C a l l e d to P r o v i d e t h e N a t i o n

A U G U S T 26,

1944

367
upon us! that we have love lying rusting beside us, or, which i s worse, wasting upon some loathsome objects, and t h a t Christ should lie His lone. Woc, woe is me! t h a t sin hath made so many madmen, seeking the fool's paradise, fire under ice, and some good and desirable things, without and a p a r t from Christ. Christ, Christ, nothing but Christ, can cool our love's burning languor. 0 thirsty lave! wilt thou sct Christ, the well of life, to thy head, and drink thy fill? Drink, and spare not; drink love; and he drunken with Christ! Nay, alas! the distance betwixt us and Christ is a death. Oh, if we were clasped in other's arm! W e should never twin again, except heaven twinned and sundered us: and t h a t eannot he.-Samuel Rutherford, 1637. BIBLE R E A D I N ~ ~ P S ~ I ~ 115. TEXT-"OUI- God i s i n the heavens" (verse
3).
"I thank Him for the friends who f s i l r d To fill m y heart's deep need; They drove m e t o the Saviour's feet, T l ~ o nIris love to feed.
"I'm gmfcful, too. i n d l m y way

MEDITATIONS IN THE WORD

By MISS EDITH M. BEYERLE BIBLE READING-Exodus 14: 1-14. TEXT-"FE~Y ye not, stand still, and nee the salvation o j the Lord" (verse 13). H a r d placcs help u s to know the respurces cireumof God. I t is only under d~ffieult a t a n w a thnt we know IIis all-sufficiencv. ~. Israel must first stand still, and next, hkhold the salvation of the Lord. When they ceascd from their activity, God revealed His power. So He tells them t h a t the reason He led them through the wilderness, and exposed them to a situation where there were no natural supplics of any kind, was to teach them t h a t FIe was adequate for every need, and that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word t h a t proceedcth out of the mouth of God." God can hccome real to u s only up to the measure of our actual needs, and evely difficult situation is just a vessel f o r Him to fill, and a n oeeasion f o r Him to show Himself in His infinite wisdom, power, and grace. The Apostle Paul tells u s t h a t he was cxposed to every sort of difficulty in order t h a t the power of Christ might rest upon him ace0rdinr to his needs. Therefore he weleomcducach new situation as another vessol f o r God to fill and another occasion for Him to say, "My grace is sufficient f o r thee." Bcloved, are we t h u s proving and finding Him equal to all thc conditions of our lives, a n d glorying in being able t o tell t h e world t h a t our God shall supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus?-A. B. Simpson.
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was after. the death and the resurrection that He ascended on high; and i t will he by yielding to cross after cross t h a t you will rise to higher, purer living. Every time you let the death of the cross work, you will rise to a place of greater vision and deeper experiences. You may not be conscious of all t h a t was done in the testing and the victory t h a t madc each upward flight passihle. Rut if you yield to the working of the cross, you may be assured that you have reached a higher spiritual realm, even though a t first you may he conscious of little change. rn

They cannot shell His Temple, N o r dynamitc His Throne. They cannot homh His city Nor rob Him of His own. They cannot take Rim captivc, Nor strike Him deaf and blind, Nor starve Him t o surrender, ~ ~ Nor make Him changr His mind ~ d . They cannot cause Him panic, Nor cut off His supplies, Thev cannot take His k i n d o m ~ b hru i t Him with their lies

And

so one eor,id satisfy:

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Dly rich, m y f l l l l SIII>PIY."

I've found in God a i m ?

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BIRLE R G A D I N G P I ~ V ~ 17-27. 27: ~ ~ ~ TExT-"Zron sharpenrth i r o n ; s o a man sharueneth the comtennnce of hzs friend"

BIBLE READINC-Exodus 7 : 1-14 TFxT-".>lorcs lvn8 foui-seo?.e uears old, and Aaron fourscove and three yeavs old, when they spnlic unto Pharaoh" (verse 7 ) . Moses was eighty years old when he s t a ~ t e dthis g r e a t w w k under God of delivering Israel from Epyptian bondage. There is no age limit with God. In fact, God is too wise t o cast aside some of His best material because of white hair! He knows t h a t if t h a t white head has bent heneath His discipline, i t h a s learned many valuable lessons which are f a r hevond youth. Expericnce has been a good teaiherj and its pupils have learned their lrssans well and are now fitted peruliarly for the xreat tasks of lifc. God h a s His place for youth in all of its freshness of enthusiasm a n d life, before time has furrowed its brow and whitened its locks, when the spirit of courage and adventure is a t its height. But He has His placc-His very own place-for the man and woman of maturc age and experience, with slackened pace and drooping shoulders. Time and circumstances, under His direction, h a w leveled their heads, granted them wisdom, mellowed and subdued their spirits, and disciplined their natures. Moses, i n his fiery youth, was unfitted for the task which is nnw his. He tried i t and made a misrrable failure of it. Now. after fortv vears of walkinrr with God a n d learning m'iny valuahle less&~son the backside of a n Arabian desert, he is prepared for the stupendous work t h a t God has ordained 01. him. Oh., lel u s he trnn t.~ Gnd ~~~~- o ~~. and fulfil OUT mission regardless of age, f o r God has a task for m c h of us t o do.~~ ~~

Though we face war and struggle, And feel their goad and rod, We know above confusion, There always will be God. -Albert L. M u r a y , D.D. BIBLER ~ ~ D ~ ~ ~ - G a l a t 5: 1-15, ians TEXT-"Ye did vzrn wcll: who did hinder you that y e should n o t obey the truth?" (verse 7 ) . An undertow is a n undercurrent flowing in a different direction from the water at the surface. I t is the undercurrent t h a t drowns. A swimmer will never plunpe into a n undrveurrent; a fool will. Thc spiritual undertow that switched away the Galatians was Judaism, formalism. It was not dominant, hut hidden; i t r a n in exactly the opposite direction t o the current of liberty into which they were being hrought by Christ. Instead of going out to sea, out into the rlorious liberty of thc children of God, they were being switched away. "Ye did run well . . ." They had been heading straight for the ocean, hut the undercurrent uf ritualism hcwitehcd them, hindered them from obeying the truth. After a big transaction with God, the current of your life heads you stmight out t o sea, right over the harbor bar, every sail set. Now he alert f o r the spiritual undertow t h a t would suck you hack. Thc underrurrcnt is always most dangerous just where the river merges with the sea. The undercurrent is of the same natu1.c us the river and will take you back into its swirling currcnt; not out into the main stream, h u t back t o the shipwrecks on the bank. Thc most pitiable of all wrecks nre those inside the harbor.-Selected. Daniel Webster, when some one asked if he could explain how Christ was both God and man, replied: "No, sir! Such is the sense of my sin and my consciousness of my inability to save myself, t h a t I need a superhuman Saviour, one so great and plorious t h a t I cannot comprehend Him."

BIBLE READ~NC-Romans 8 : 28-39.

love of Chvkt?" (verse 35).

T E X T - " ~xholl spliarnte us ~~

from

the

when we repudiate every hateful suggestiori and substitute in its place, purity and beneficcnce, t h a t white-winged angel erases these old lines of invisible wickedness, and the eountonanee becomes sercne and heavenly (1 COT.16: 49).-E. E. Shclhamer.

'

RIBLE R E A ~ ~ ~ ~ G a l a t2: a15-21. i ns TEXT-"I am crucified w i t h Christ: nevertheless I live" (Gal. 2: 20). Only by yielding your flesh t o the death of the cross can you n s c and live i n the heavenlies. Even with our dear Lord, i t

I think His sweetness, since I was a prisoner, hsth swelled upon me to the greatness of two heavens. Oh, f o r a soul as wide as the utmost circle of the highest heaven t h a t containcth all, to contain His lave! And yet I could hold little of it. O world's won: der! Oh, if my soul might lie within the smell of His love, suppose I could get no more h u t the smell of it! Oh, h u t it is long to that day when I shall have a free world of Christ's love! Oh, what a sight to be up in heaven, in t h a t f a i r orchard of t h e new paradise; and to see, and smell, and touch, and kiss t h a t f a i r field-flower, t h a t evergreen Tree of Life! . His hare shadow were enough f a r me; a slght of Hlm would he the earnest of heaven to me. Fie, fie

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THE A L L I A N C E W E E K L Y

The Christian and the Communist

(Concluded from page 357.) these are ordained by God in order that there may be room for the exercise of helpful and kindly ministries by the more gifted to the less fortunate. In this we may observe the meaning of the great principle laid down by the Master to His disciples as one of the foundations of the kingdom which He was to establish: "He that is great among you (endowed with unusual powers of leadership or organization or business management or state administration) shall be servant of all (shall count his gifts as a divine stewardship given to him in order that he may serve his generation with unselfish endeavor for the benefit of those less favored) ." Lastly, as already mentioned, selfinterest is bound to assert itself even in the most favored communities and situations. This was soon visible in the early church. Hypocrisy (as shown in Ananias and Sapphira) and favoritism in the distribution of the supplies (revealed by the murmuring of the friends of the Grecian widows) were the first symptoms of disintegration to appear. The persecution under Saul, which scattered the Christians f a r and wide, probably broke up the arrangement of a common treasury, and that it was not renewed we find from the collections made in the Gentile churches for the relief of t h e poor saints in Judra.

Five Plagues
(Concluded from page 958.) C z s a r was handed a letter; on its cover was written the word "urgent." I t warned of a plot to kill him, but he was too occupied to open i t ; he simply 'stuck i t into his belt. And there it was found following his assassination! He might have been spared, but he did not heed the warning. If you a r e not saved, heed the warnings of this book and come to Christ this very moment!

teaching adults. Several times I have served Indian schools located high up in the mountains of Cauca where i t is very cold. Many a time I have slept in my woolen blanket beside a fire on the hearth of a mud wall Indian home. I am very happy that i t has been the Lord's good pleasure to send me hack to the Indian work this vacation time for my heart is really there, where, besides teaching school, I shall serve in a limited eapacity as evangelist.
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PERMANENT

Indian Independence
(Concluded from page 355.) is strongly opposed to Christian proselytism, and Mohammedanism is never friendly to Christianity. There are many problems to be discussed and settled, and i t may be a considerable time before British authority is yielded into Indian hands. Now and in the coming days there is opportunity to cry mightily to God for His overruling providence on behalf of the teeming millions there who a r e without the gospel of Christ.

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A Bible Student Evangelist

(Concluded f r o m page 361.) when my own dear parents opposed me, they were already growing cold. Since then they have gone back to the world; and while not openly renouncing the gospel, they lean to a worldly way of living: One thing, however, is certain, the awful hold of the priests on them has been broken, and I am looking to the Lord to bring them back to the fold. I have continued in the Institute ever since I entered it, and every vacation time have gone out into the Lord's work. I have generally served as a teacher in little country schools, but always on Sunday I am occupied in Sunday School work and at times through the week in holding prayer meetings. Once I served in this capacity in Campohermoso, a village situated away up on a mountain ridge in the Department ! Huila, where I o had twenty-five children in school and was occupied five nights a week

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Pastor's Individual Communion

The Value of Democracy Democracy, with its recognitiun of the social equality of all men, and the opportunity i t affords for individual effort and reward, stands opposed to every system which shackles personal freedom, even though a t times such a system may seem to present special advantages f o r organization and production. Christian liberty is the basis of democracy, demanding for every man the opportunity to develop his own life without interference, save that respect for law and order which his relationship to the state of which he is a memher enjoins, and which the rights of his fellows must receive.

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