ADMONITIONS TO the Church to faithfulness as to stewardship, exhortations to watchfulness as to the Lord's leadings and providences, and urgent appeals to sobri­ety as to holiness and righteousness of life and conduct are many from both Christ and the Apostles; and particularly in connection with reference to the closing days of the Age. There were to be extremely perilous conditions in the last days; but as an offset to crucial trials and testings, the last days were to be the days of the Master's presence, there would be signs and manifestations of the return of the Bridegroom. As indicated in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, when the Second Presence of the Master would be an accomplished fact, a proclamation would go forth, "Behold the Bridegroom." This knowledge of His presence was to have a most wholesome and sanctifying effect upon the hearts of the consecrated and would tend to stabilize the feet of the saints.

True to the Divine intention the days in which we live are fraught with signs that to many of the watchers for years past mark the Second Presence of our dear Redeemer and indicate that prepara­tions are under way for the coming in of the blessed reign of righteousness. In fact the announcement, "Behold the Bridegroom," that has been going forth now for more than fifty years, may be regard­ed as expressive of the entire message of Present Truth that has come to the Lord's people in connec­tion with the revealment of Christ's Second Pres­ence.

The Church's Blessed Hope soon to be Realized

Brother Russell, as he was enabled to sense the significance of many prophecies in connection with present developments in the world, summed up the matter in a way to inspire fresh courage and zeal amongst the watchers. He said: "Such is the present situation: the great judge_. has come-not as at the First Advent, in a body of humiliation, for sacrifice, but in the plenitude of His power as a spirit being, clothed with the. glory of Divine authority, as the representative of Jehovah, com­pletely and forever to put down evil and all unrighteousness, and to restore all who will of the redeemed race to harmony with God, perfection of being and lasting life. The Plan of God is now made manifest: we are made to understand it now as never before. The opening of the books of the Divine revelation will soon be completed. The judgment of the world- is already commencing upon the institutions of nominal Christendom, and the great work thus begun in a manner unsuspected by the world will progress to the grand consummation foretold ^,by the Lord and the Apostles and Prophets, until all the world shall be led to look upon the pierced One as the Redeemer and Deliverer sent of God, even as the saints have long been 'looking unto Jesus' as the author and finisher of their faith. The reckoning or judgment which begins with the Church will quickly spread to and include all the living nations; and in due time and order all the mighty hosts of the dead shall be brought upon the scene. . . .

"Blessed was the promise to the early members of the Church, that He whom they saw go away should indeed come again; and blessed has been the hope of His appearing all through the Age to the tried and persecuted, faithful ones, who anxious­ly looked for His coming until they fell asleep with the prospect of awaking in His likeness but still more blessed are your eyes, O ye saints of today; for your eyes see and your ears hear the signs of the presence of the long-looked-for hope of Israel."

First Duty and Mission of Church

There is no true disciple of Christ who has come under the Divine anointing that can treat with in­difference the sacred admonitions set forth in the Scriptures as to what should be the effect of the truths now revealed and as' to what should be the attitude of the Lord's people toward the great privileges of light and knowledge that they now enjoy. It is recalled that St. Peter made mention of these very conditions as a basis for the solemn reflection: "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming -of the day of God." (2 Peter 3:11, 12.) Similarly St. Paul wisely issued the warning, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as -the man­ner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin."-Hebrews 10:24-26.

Surely the solemn import of the united testimony of the Lord's Word is that the first duty and mis­sion of the members of the Christ is that of mu­tual helpfulness, of deep and brotherly concern for one another in this time when there is a tendency to grow cold and lukewarm and to admit of a slackening of zeal and fervency in spiritual things.

Much Wisdom Necessary in these Last Days

In connection with the foregoing thought we are here quoting five paragraphs from an article that appeared in the "Herald'"' of April 15, 1931, under the caption "About our Father's Business"

"From time to time we are receiving inquiries from brethren in various parts, asking what more or further method may be employed to assist more of the brethren, to help them out of confusion, and to unite them in the bonds of love and in the Lord's service. On the part of some who write us regard­ing these matters there is manifest much of the commendable zeal of the missionary type we have just referred to, and they offer suggestions that would encourage a concerted action on the part of those generally sympathetic toward the min­istry of the Institute. Wee have endeavored to point out to such that we are using every means at our disposal and pursuing those methods of ministry and helpfulness toward the brethren everywhere that we have thought would minister to their spiritual upbuilding and edification.

"For very special and proper reasons we have desired to leave the brethren, individually and col­lectively, free to undertake such work as they might believe worthy of their effort, and to avoid anything that might appear to be a desire to as­sume leadership in directing such general activ­ity. The passing years seem to have shown that this attitude has been the wisest and best. In every way we have sought- to guard against the idea of building up another human system or organiza­tion, and against the encouraging of any one join­ing anything that could have the slightest semblance of abridging the liberties of the brethren or of bringing them into any kind of bondage; and we shall continue to exercise the same cautious­ness with regard to future proceedings and under­takings. As we have time and again stated our position, we do not find in the Scriptures that any brother or board of directors or committee of breth­ren are authorized to consider themselves consti­tuted as any kind of a ruling or governing body or authority or channel in the Church, and we would admonish the brethren everywhere to be very cour­ageous and heroic in resenting the intrusion or encroachment of any such influence or disposition on the part: of any one. It is in keeping with this thought and principle that the brethren of this association have carefully avoided intruding them­selves or any of their suggestions into any Class or Ecclesia of brethren by, way of meddling in its af­fairs, and we have to the contrary urged the breth­ren and Classes of friends everywhere to maintain their own independence and identity and freedom of thought by deciding all questions and issues for themselves and looking after their own affairs apart from the interference of any outside company or body of brethren."

Considering One Another unto Edification

The ministry among the Lord's people that is being carried on by the association of the Pastoral Bible Institute is such as the friends themselves desire and have authorized. As for the traveling 'brethren who go from place to place and serve the Classes with Bible studies and lectures, the ministry of these is very much needed and urgently in demand. "They are brethren who are already well known to be sound in the faith, men of deep religious fervency and con­viction, as well as of some measure of the development of Christian character, and at the same time have also the abilities and qualifications of teach­ing and imparting spiritual truth to fellow-members of the Body. The services of these brethren are not imposed upon any, but are offered freely to those Classes who request or express a desire for their ministry as they are passing through the country.

"In the capacity in which we are associated to­gether in this arrangement, we are always pleased to give information to any of the Classes of breth­ren regarding capable brethren, able to minister in holy things, who may not be located far distant, and who would be pleased to offer their services to minister to nearby Classes over week-ends. These suggestions we make merely and solely in the spirit and desire to encourage loving consideration and helpfulness everywhere in this time' of general stress and sore need.

"We are doubtful if God has revealed to anyone the full significance of the present conditions in the Church, and it is quite unnecessary for any of us to concern ourselves about how He will finally gather His Elect out of the diversified groups. It is suffi­cient for us to realize that every member of the Body has need of the sympathy and helpful co­operation of fellow-members. And if we are to comfort the brethren and preach the Glad Tidings to the world, we must recognize that the real test of our zeal and love centers in the singleness of mind with which we grasp the exceptional opportu­nities of the present hour. So let us remember that it is the active, watchful, faithful servant, found diligently occupied when the Master comes, who will receive His sweet 'well done.' Love cannot rest while there are lonely hearts to cheer, discouraged souls to comfort, and fellow-pilgrims looking' for a faithful Barnabas to lend a helping hand."

Underneath are the Everlasting Arms

"The Eternal God is thy refuge; and underneath are the everlasting arms and He shall thrust out
the enemy from before thee."-Deut. 33:27.

WHAT wonderful. consolations for the saints  of God are to be found in the. Bible, that "Boon most sacred from the Lord." And how very appropriate and beautiful is the Apostle's reference to our God and Father, as "The God of all comfort, who comfort eth us in all our tribulation.". (2 Corinthians 1:3-4.) To that "great cloud of witnesses," tested and approved in former ages, God was faithful in giving all needed comfort and consolation, to the end that they should not be discouraged in their desire to merit His favor. The stern requirements of the law, with its inevitable condemnation, did not make up the sum of Divine revelation even in those days before grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." To Patriarchs and Prophets, and to all who were "Israelites indeed,"' this word of comforting assur­ance was spoken. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, and with him also that is of a-contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57:15.) The warmth of His. love, His comforting considera­tions, therefore, could not be hidden entirely from­view behind the inflexible demand of a law which said, "This do and thou shalt live." His character is such that He must and would remember that even those who delighted in His law, and trembled at His unalterable, word, were but dust, incapable of perfect goodness, because evil was so painfully present with them. As we are privileged to know Him today revealed in Christ; so He has always been in character, the same unchangeable God.

The fuller revelation that came with the light of the Gospel, wherein Jesus revealed that "God is love," was marvelously anticipated in those oft­repeated assurances of that fact given to those men and women of other ages "of whom the world was not worthy," and who, notwithstanding the- utter impossibility of gaining life through the law, "had this testimony, that they pleased God. Thus it is that we find, scattered like guiding stars above their pathway, constant reiterations of this love given to faithful ancient worthies long before the Gospel's "exceeding great and precious promises" shed their rays of light upon the path of the Church. To those humble and contrite ones God gave ample assurance that in all their trials and difficulties He was near with His grace to sustain and His com­fort to cheer. They too learned to trust Him even where they could not trace Him, and in faith were strong to believe, that underneath were "the Ever­lasting Arms" of His power.

To His Sons "Some Better Thing"

When servants of God's household enjoyed such assurances of His abiding presence and protection as was given to this "great cloud of witnesses," how very near then should He seem to the sons of His family now. If to servants He would say, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you," what tender consolations He must speak to His own Spirit-begotten children. If to obedient, loyal servants encouragement was given in the knowledge that "The Eternal God is thy refuge; and underneath are the Everlasting Arms," what measures of protection and grace will be the pres­ent portion of the dear children of His love. Of these it is written, "that the least . will be greater" (in relationship and station) than the very greatest and most honored of all the Prophets. For these, His sons, some better thing" has been re­served in all God's appointments, embracing pres­ent privileges and' future rewards. Surely. .then such favored children must be encouraged as they hear this "voice behind" them speaking in tones of amplified assurance, testifying to the faithful­ness of God toward all who love Him. Plainly this voice must give strength as they hear it directing them in the way that they should walk, and addi­tionally, establishing their faith in the promised grace sufficient for every time of need; yea, that God is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20.) Well indeed has the poet drawn attention to the foundation of our confidence in God

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said?
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled."

Who Shall Separate Us?

And what more can He say than to us He has said? Could He say more than He has said in giving us so many "exceeding great and precious promises, that by-.these we might be made par takers of the Divine nature"? -- promises which meet our every experience and need, and prom­ises which can never be broken, for they are the promises of One who cannot lie. These precious pledges of God, how dependable they 'are ! Behind us lie long centuries of His care over His people, and the testimony of all such who have preceded us comes floating down with the faith-inspiring assurance that "There hath not failed one word of all His good promises,." (1 Kings 8:56.) Six thousand years of unfailing faithfulness through every possible emergency that could serve to test it-and He has been all this to His people though none of them have been wholly perfect in their faithfulness to Him-no, not one of them. What more indeed can He say to us then, than we have in these promises "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." (Hebrews 6:17, 18.) Who then, or what power, "shall sep­arate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or naked­ness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all, these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:35, 37.) "The Eternal God is our refuge; and underneath are the Everlasting Arms."

He holds Me in His Own Right Hand

It may well thrill our hearts to recall the love of Christ for His Church. collectively, and to re­member that all the saints composing that Body are His peculiar charge, for we love to share this joy with all who join with us in love for Him. But He wants us to realize a more intimate and person­al place in that special care He exercises over. His own. "He calleth His own sheep by name." This is the picture Jesus gives us of the shepherd's in­timacy which He has established with the sheep who are all His own. What can He mean by this illustration if it be not to teach us that each one of us may enjoy so close and personal a relation­ship as this? Beyond question He is "a good shepherd," and by God's appointment He is the "great Shepherd of the sheep"; but more precious still, and best of all, is the fact that each one of the true sheep may say "The Lord- is my Shep­herd." "He is mine, and I am His forever." His love is an individualizing love, and His attentions are blessedly individual and personal too. The at­tention I individually need is in no danger of being overlooked in His care for all. By His rod and staff I personally, am both comforted and corrected. He is my very faithful Shepherd when He leads me beside the quiet waters and into the green pas­tures, and He is just as faithful and loving when He lays the rod to my back when my feet wander out of the way, or when I follow other voices than His. O how short would have been my enjoyment of those quiet waters and verdant pastures if He had not been a Shepherd of whom I could say, "He restoreth my soul," or as a better rendering gives it, "He restores me when wandering." Prone as we are to wander, none but He could be a. shep­herd equal to our needs.

Despise not Thou the Chastening

Thus again we are reminded of those Everlast­ing Arms of God's provision for us; they are al­ways underneath-underneath our need of a "faith­ful and merciful High Priest," faithful to commend when we have done well, and faithful to chastise; and to scourge, if need be,, "every son whom the Father receiveth." Acknowledging, then, our need of discipline lest we run to wood-making rather than fruit-bearing, and confessing our repeated failures to be wholly obedient to Him, we cannot but-love Him for giving us the corrections we so, much need,,and especially so when we know that all the while, those Everlasting Arms are under­neath us. We could not be otherwise than grate­ful, for "We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather 'be in subjection unto the Fa­ther of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness." - (Hebrews 12:9, 10.) Underneath all our. weaknesses, strong to bear us up, loving and wise to chastise and scourge us, constant and un­wearied to keep us from being castaways, are the Everlasting Arms. Therefore "Despise not thou the chastening" of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him."-Hebrews 12:5.

"Faithful, O Lord, Thy mercies are,
A Rock that cannot move;
A thousand promises declare
Thy constancy of love;" 

And how great is His mercy and compassion! What pains He has taken to make it clear that He is "touched with a feeling of our infirmities." If in contrition of heart we are constantly humiliated by our failure and chagrined by the fact that we might well confess ourselves "the chief of sinners," what then? O to grace what a debtor we are made! Just when it would seem that there is ground for assured defeat and failure, we discover anew that "The eternal God is thy refuge; and underneath are the Everlasting Arms." He has anticipated our well-nigh abandoned hope of being continued in His love. He therefore does not come to us and add to our - discouragement by saying, What man of you having an hundred sheep, if one of the best and most faithful of them wanders away, will he, not go out and search for it until he find it? Ah no, our need is to have One "who can have compassion on the ignorant, and them that are out of the way," and such He has assured us He is. No matter how weak and frail we are, if the heart be true, He abideth faithful, and for us He tells it-thus : "What man of you, having, an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, [any one of them] doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilder­ness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. . . Likewise joy shall. be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:4, 5, 7.) Truly "'The goodness of God leadeth to repentance" and the knowledge of those Ever­lasting Arms underneath constrains our hearts to more watchful diligence, lest we grieve-the patient love of God.

Thou Knowest that I Love Thee

But even if we have not wandered as far afield as this, but seem' to have remained within the fold, heeding not the voice of strangers, and zealously intent on obeying the Shepherd's voice, even then how constantly we are made to realize with increas­ing clearness the debt of love 'we owe. Dwelling here where faith may rest in the completeness of His provision for us, what joy there is in remem­bering that though knowing us as we really are, He loves us just the same. Ah yes, He sees and knows us as we really want to be. No one knows better than He that "In attempting to live, we are often spoiling our own work by incongruous temper, or incongruous conduct. We misrepresent ourselves oftener than others misrepresent us. It is our foibles, our own blemishes of temper, our own false steps, which help to make our lives an enigma to others. It is with our own foolish hand the inter­rogation point is often dashed in after life's most earnest utterance. These are tremendous discouragements, silencing discouragements. They some­times shake courage to its foundations ; they fill the heart with •bitterness and agitation; they scat­ter the tender uprisings of holy purpose, and throw us back in confusion and sorrow. We feel that others doubt us, look askance at us, point at us behind our backs, or smile with skepticism over our confession of faith in Jesus Christ and our vows of discipleship. And the sting of this bitterness is in the thought that we are discrediting a deeper selfhood which, beneath these variabilities of tem­per, these inconsistencies, of speech and conduct, these futile attempts at self-expression, is after all the greatest and the truest part of us. We know that we are sound at the core; we know that when, through all the shadows of fault and deficiency, Christ's great question, 'Lovest thou Me?' searches down into our depths,,, here is that which gives back the unfaltering answer, 'Yes.' But can we demonstrate this love so that it will be believed? Can we find anywhere a basis for a new beginning in which our confidence, shaken by failure and misunderstanding, can once more lift itself up; into joy? Blessed is he who realizes in such an hour that he still has left love's last and greatest refuge, Christ's knowledge of our sincerity : 'Thou knowest that I love Thee.' Whatever my own poor, faulty words and ways may say to others, awakening in their minds doubts of my sincerity; whatever the verdict of others may be concerning me; whatever my own memory holds up before me of incon­sistency and error. "Thou knowest that I love Thee.'

"And in every new experience, in every new temptation, in hours of strength, in hours of con­trition, still we say to Him those same words of the deeper, holier fellowship, 'Thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love Thee.'

"'Thou knowest, not alone as Lord,
All knowing; As man, our mortal weakness
Thou hast proved; On earth, with purest sympathies o'erflowing,
O Savior, Thou hast wept and Thou hast loved;
And love and sorrow still to Thee may come,
And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home.'

"'Thou knowest that I love Thee." It speaks to us of Christ's knowledge of our better selves. Day by day we struggle to explain ourselves, to live in­telligibly, to utter the best that is in us. In vain! short successes alternate with swift failures. The very words and deeds by which we would explain ourselves become in our faulty hands like masks and disguises. The unreality of living grows insup­portable. Sometimes it seems as if lives were simply stumbling against' one another, in the dark, so few understand us, so few do we understand. We ap­pear at our worst in perverse hours when we would have shown our best; we talk commonplaces when we would have spoken the very secrets of God; we grieve the life we sought to cheer. We weep with vexation over days that are mere comedies of errors, or deserts of dullness. The eternal, the glo­rious relief from all this is Christ's knowledge of our better self. Jesus knows. He sees the glorious purpose which by some flash of temper or by some maladroit words we nullified this very morning. He realizes and accepts the heaven-soaring prayer which potentially filled our spirit when, under the drowning surge of weariness, we could pant forth but one ejaculation. He measures the celestial ideal of living, which like a city of gold, flashes contin­ually before our ambition, and fails continually be-, fore our blundering life. He knows us not only as we are, but as we mean to be.

"'All I could never be,
All men ignored in me,­ --
This I was worth to God, whose hand the pitcher shaped: "

My beloved Master, "Thou knowest all, things." All power in heaven and in earth has been given to Thee. Thou knowest the great secrets of the Father's purposes. To Thee it has been given to know all the-contents of the scroll within and without. "But of all Thy boundless knowledge this only gives me courage to come to Thee, and offer Thee this day my faulty life: -- O blessed Savior, 'Thou knowest that I love Thee.' " Here then is the saint's rest, for here our faith may drop its anchor in the calm sure haven of the comforting assurance that "The Eternal God is thy refuge; and underneath are the Everlasting Arms."

If God be for Us

With such immutable promises to cheer us on our way, how earnestly we should seek to emulate the spirit of David, and vow with him that "Now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord." (Psalms 27:6.) This, we remember, was to be the result of having those Everlasting Arms underneath us. "He shall thrust out the enemy from before Thee." Truly the Lord has "compassed us about with songs of deliverance" (Psalms 32:7), and these should be heard from our lips, filling His courts with praise. "Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving, glorifieth Me, and prepareth a way that I may show him the salva­tion of God." (Psalms 50:23, R. V., margin.) , This was the experience of Paul and Silas when their songs of deliverance were sung while as yet their feet were fast in the stocks. Their songs made possible a defeat of the enemy that could never have been accomplished for them if they had failed in their faith in the power of God. This also was the experience of Israel in one of their memorable battles with the enemy, as recorded in 2 Chronicles, chapter 20. King Jehoshaphat had received word of an invasion that at first looked like sure and terrible destruction, a great multitude from beyond the sea. But on going to the Lord in prayer, and confessing, "We have no might against this great company . . but our eyes are upon Thee," con­fidence was quickly established. On the morrow they went forth to battle, but how? "He [Jehosha­phat] appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah. . And they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much." They had more than victory over an enemy driven out before them, they had riches and jewels "more than they could carry away."

There are two songs connected with this battle, one of praise inspired by faith in the presence and power of God when face to face with seeming de­feat, the other a song of thanksgiving after the victory had been gained, in acknowledgment of the faithfulness of the One in whom they had trusted. Both of these songs should be in our experience also. Songs in the night are' gloriously possible to faithful saints-songs of praise and thanksgiving. Confidence, singing its assurance of victory through Christ, will drive away the enemies of doubt and fear. We, too, will have our triumphant song by and by in the valley of Berachah (blessing), glori­fying God for His faithfulness to us; but it is more precious just now, to know that we are singing the first song-praising God, yes, and seeing Him set His ambushments against the enemy, and driving him out. Shall we not have both songs in our completed experience? We will indeed if we con­stantly remember in the house of our present pil­grimage, that "The Eternal God is thy refuge; and underneath are the Everlasting Arms."

A Profitable Convention at Seattle

Too late for insertion in the last. issue of the "Herald," the following interesting report was received of the re­cent gathering of brethren on the Pacific Coast. Believ­ing that a review of such spiritual feasts is of encourage­ment to others, we take pleasure in publishing this report sent in by one of the brethren present:

"Thinking that you will be interested in knowing some­thing about the Convention held in Seattle, September 5, 6, and 7, I am very happy to report that we had a rich time, of blessing together as we sat at the Master's feet and partook of the good things He served us. It was a season and feast that will long be remembered by all who were privileged to be. present, and it is surely to be expected that the results will. not be merely of a brief, temporary character, but that they will be lasting and permanent influences in the lives of all who were there. Judging by the many expressions heard at the close of these three days of fellowship, a work of grace had been accomplished in many hearts. A desire was created for strength and wisdom to live more holy, humble, trustful, and happy lives.

"As in the days of old our Lord invited His toiling fol­lowers to 'come and dine,' after weary hours of labor . and in the face of much discouragement, so it seemed that once again He had made ready a special feast, but this time in Seattle. To this gathering He had sent out the same gracious invitation, and brethren from Cali­fornia, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia heard the call and responded thereto. They came, and found the Master present according to His promise, and His hands were full of the food needed for their com­fort and upbuilding in spiritual life. Thirteen addresses were given by the different speakers, all of which were of a most helpful^-and inspiring -nature, leading to an examination of the heart in order that there might be an assurance that the higher principles and motives were in control of the life. There seemed to have been a Divine supervision in the matter of the choice of themes used by the different brethren, for all were in accord with the same great purpose. All seemed burdened with the desire to help the hearers to draw nearer to God, and to build them up in faith and character.

The testimony meetings were particularly good. The keynote of most of these were, as our song should more often be, 'Hear what the Lords hath done for me.' Tes­timony was borne to the fact that the Lord had been as good as all His exceeding great and precious promises, ,,and the faces and voices of many manifested very clear­ly that there is in these days of special trial, a loving submission to the sweet will of God that can and will trust Him day by day, come what may. Confident they are, that­

" 'Our Father God is at the helm,

No rock, nor storm can us o'erwhelm."

The Visit to Great Britain

By BROTHER I. F. HOSKINS

IT WAS at the London Convention at East­er er time that we met Brother Luttichau of Denmark. Some thirty years ago Brother Russell appointed this brother to have charge of the Danish branch, and he con­tinued in that trust until about _ two years ago. Finding himself unable to conscientiously continue the cooperation any further, he resigned his position as manager of the work in that country and has taken no further part in the work and ac­tivities of the Watch Tower Society. Many of the friends in this country will remember meeting Brother Luttichau on the occasion of his visit here in the summer of 1910. He traveled and ministered to some of the Classes at that time.

While at the London Convention, Brother Lutti­chau expressed the desire that we include Denmark in the itinerary of the European countries. We as­sured the brother that it would be a delight to do so if the Lord's providence permitted. Then short­ly after his return to Denmark other brethren in Copenhagen, Brothers Larsen and Rasmussen, communicated to us the desire of the friends that we arrange a Pilgrim trip to Denmark. As it seemed plainly to be of the Lord's leading, our plans be­gan to form accordingly. The time came to make this trip to Denmark about the middle of June, after we had completed the travel through Great Britain. On the evening of June 17th we set sail for Denmark, and after about twenty-four hours' voyage on the North Sea, we reached the Danish shores at Esbjerg, our first appointment. We were warmly greeted at the landing by Brother Lutti­chau and one of the brethren of the Class. The fol­lowing day, Friday, two meetings were held, which proved to be occasions of spiritual refreshment, as we were assured by the brethren; Brother Lutti­chau serving admirably as interpreter, having had many years experience in translating for various of the English brethren during the time of his association in the work.

The Convention in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has been the principal and largest center for activities in - the spread of the Truth in that_, country. We reached this place on Sat­urday morning and after resting during the day, were driven to the home of Brother and Sister Larsen where the evening meeting was to be held.

When on the occasion of our visit to the Scandi­navian countries five years ago we stopped in Copenhagen, there were only two or three friends with whom we could have sympathetic discussion. The situation has greatly changed since that time. A ^-large number of the friends in that section of the country have recognized their responsibility and privilege of withdrawing from the Watch Tower Society and taking a stand in Christian freedom and liberty. At this time a convention was planned over Saturday evening and Sunday; and at this first meeting, Saturday evening, there were some sixty friends gathered in the home of ^-Brother and Sister Larsen. The alertness of these friends to hear the Word of the Lord discussed, and their brightly shining countenances, were truly an in­spiration, and spoke more eloquently than words of how these dear ones have found new joy and consolation in turning away from the counsel and leadership of men and in looking unto the Lord alone as their guide and instructor. Deep interest was indicated in the discussion and review presented at this service of some of the outstanding lessons associated with the ministry of Christ and their practical application to the days in which we live; for indeed those matters were recorded for the admonition and instruction of faithful disciples of Christ all through the Age. This meeting- ap­peared to ^-be of much encouragement to all.

The Sunday following was a full day ; three dis­courses in all, besides a Prayer and Testimony meeting. The attendance for the three sessions was approximately 250. Being in the nature of a one-day convention, a considerable number came from distant points. As it was only recently that many of these dear friends had realized their freedom in the Lord and come to recognize the events and developments of recent years in the true light, this gathering was one of unusual interest. The attention paid to the discourses of the day was most pleasing, and gave evidence that the friends in that country were keenly intent on obtaining a clearer understanding of the ' Lord's will as it re­lated to the brethren individually tinder the pres­ent circumstances of severe stress and trial.

Brethren Well Established in the Truth

Again during the discourses of this day, effort was made to consider and review those features of the Truth and those great spiritual lessons that are of prime importance to the Lord's people, and that have a vital bearing upon their duties and responsi­bilities in connection with the present trying cir­cumstances through which they are passing.. It was encouraging to find that these brethren^- in Copenhagen were not giving heed to any of the un­certain and unsound doctrines or 'speculative teach­ings so prevalent amongst the brethren in all coun­tries today;' but to the contrary were showing ex­cellent discernment in being able to recognize the mischief of the Adversary, even as the Apostle suggests, "we are not ignorant of his devices." Ac­cordingly these friends to whom we were endeav­oring to minister, gave evidence that it was their own personal standing and relationship to Christ that most concerned them, even as earnest conse­crated brethren everywhere today are recognizing increasingly that it is not the theory of the Truth, and not the head knowledge nor the theoretical knowledge that really counts for value with the Lord; but rather from the Divine standpoint the question of signal and vital importance is, to what end or object has the knowledge and the under­standing of the Truth 'been put, and what have been the real consequences as to an actual trans­formation in the life and a sanctification of the spirit such as would more and more reveal the like­ness and image of God's dear Son?

These dear brethren in Denmark as in other countries today are realizing that the matter of utmost importance is their personal touch with Christ and their acquaintance with Him, so that daily and hourly they are manifesting to those around them the fact that they are living exponents of the life and character of Him who knew no sin. and who did only those things pleasing in the sight of His Father. Surely it is in order to the attain­ment of this happy condition of heart that the various features of spiritual truth are imparted to disciples of Christ, and failure to realize these blessed results cannot signify anything else but the receiving of the grace of God in vain.

Answered Prayers

As we thus reviewed together the spiritual hopes and joys that constitute the heritage of God's children, the hearts of the friends assembled in Copenhagen seemed deeply moved and were warm­ly appreciative of this day of fellowship. Not being familiar with the Danish language we were not able to understand the various communications passing between the friends, but it was most evident from their countenances, that their hearts were filled with, joy and thanksgiving. We were told at the conclusion of the day that for several days prior to our coming, a number of the friends had met daily at a certain hour to unite their prayers and petitions to the Lord that He might pour out a special blessing in connection with the convention that was being arranged. We were assured by these dear ones that their prayers were abundantly answered. The friends gathered in this convention, received with heartiest appreciation the greetings and love which we bore to them from the friends in America and elsewhere, and desired that we take their fervent Christian love back with us to all that we should meet in the way.

The Brethren Colaboring Together

It is a matter of interest in this connection that two of the brethren, Brothers Rasmussen and Larsen, some two years ago undertook to publish a paper in the Danish language, naming it "Zion's Watch Tower." Their paper has been carrying articles similar to those in the "Herald of Christ's Kingdom," some of them being translations from the "Herald" and of a character best suited to the spiritual needs of the friends in these peculiar times. The Lord has prospered this project amongst the brethren and added His blessing, inasmuch as the paper is being received and read by a consider­able number in Denmark. In this connection, Brother Luttichau 'has been cooperating to good advantage in the Pilgrim work amongst the Classes."

Not only have many withdrawn from the ranks of the Watch Tower Society in the vicinity of Copenhagen, but there are several other centers in Denmark where a goodly number of the friends' have gathered and formed their independent asso­ciation.

Here they enjoy in its fulness the liberty where­with Christ makes free, and are being prospered and blessed in the clearer and better conception of the Lord's providences and His will.

During the week following the Convention at Copenhagen,^, accompanied by Brother Luttichau, we visited four other centers in Denmark, and in each of them there were very good representative gatherings, some coming from quite remote dis­tricts. We ,will not go into the details of these visits, as the routine of service and experience was much the same. There were generally two meetings each ^,day of nearly "two hours at each meeting. We were truly impressed by the earnestness and sincer­ity and the deep consecration to the Lord the friends in these various places indicated. Accord­ingly their hearts and countenances quickly re­sponded as those vital truths. were dealt with that pertain to our relationship to the Lord, our spirit­ual interests, our fellowship in the sufferings of, Christ, and the hope of glory to follow. During these visits also we had numerous opportunities to reply to various questions that had given more or less perplexity and distress during these times. We felt- deep thankfulness for the wisdom and grace of the Lord by which these seasons of com­munion were blessed.

Gathering Homeward from Every Clime

The itinerary being now completed in Denmark,, we bade Brother Luttichau and the friends in that country farewell and "God be with you till we meet again." Once more we could not but be re­minded of the blessedness of the union which we have in Christ our Lord, a bond that brings to­gether in such sympathy and heart relationship, brethren of all nationalities and tongues, whose natural lives have been lived far apart, and whose general environment and rearing have been under altogether different and varied circumstances. But the one Spirit of our Divine Master and the truth which it conveys to the heart is that power that produces a oneness and communion in Him that is not to be found in any other direction or in any other circumstance amongst mankind. In leaving these dear friends in Denmark we are sure that their thoughts as did ours turned to the exceeding great and. precious promises that bid us look for-­ward to the future, when the present scenes and experiences of God's children in suffering and trial shall all be overpast and when there shall be one grand reuniting where partings are never known.

Our return to London was to be by way of Ger­many and Holland; the friends at Hamburg having learned that we would have about one hour be­tween trains in that city at 9.30 p. m., ten of the Class were gathered at the station for a few words of greeting, and we had the privilege of renewing the fellowship and acquaintance that had 'begun a few weeks previous on the pilgrimage through Ger­many. Brother J. H. Reicke, well beloved of the friends in Hamburg, and who for many years lived in Great Britain, is well versed in the English language and acted as interpreter; and we were enabled to carry on conversation with this little group of friends at the train to our mutual joy. The faces of these dear ones told of their heart yearnings and desire-s to be fully acceptable to the Lord and to have the great privilege finally of being admitted with all the faithful to the glorious marriage feast of the Lamb.

With Brethren in Amsterdam

Not having had the privilege on the former occa­sion of our tour through Holland to visit Amster­dam, the opportunity was taken advantage of at this time on-the return to England, and one, day was set apart 'for this visit. Here in this City we found a little' group of earnest ones who had experienced their share of tribulation and distressing circum­stances in coming apart from the former association of the Watch Tower. Two brethren in particular in Amsterdam, Brothers Donk and Brilleslyper, who were formerly active in the work of the Watch Tower Society, have been instrumental in assisting a number to gain their bearings and to recognize the wisdom of taking a position with those who stand free in Christ and who find their headship in Him alone. The meeting with this little company of friends was richly blessed of the Lord to the refreshment and edification of all.

The dear friends of the Class in Amsterdam made provision for our passage from that city over to London by airplane, a distance of some 250 miles. This was done in order to enable us to remain over for the meeting Friday evening. As we had an en­gagement, to fill in London on Saturday evening, the flight was made Saturday morning. This very kind consideration on the part of the brethren in Amsterdam was greatly appreciated; for aside from the great convenience and satisfaction of making the trip quickly (in about two and one quarter hours) it was a very interesting experience. Though we had traveled by air before, yet this trip from Amsterdam to London had its features that were both novel and of absorbing interest. The plane that was used for the greater part of the distance was a twenty-passenger airplane, though there were but three other passengers besides ourself. The day was reasonably clear, and as we followed the coast of Holland and Belgium far around to near the English Channel, there was a grand and inspir­ing view of both land and sea all the. way, including the final trip over English soil to the Croydon Air­drome, near London.

With Loved Ones again in London

At the home of Brother and Sister Lardent on Saturday evening there was a gathering of some twenty of the friends who had come from various parts, some of them from quite a distance. The gathering was of informal character 'at which there was opportunity for general discussion and ex­change of remarks along various lines of the Truth in .which all had a common interest. Reviewing the goodness of the Lord and the various marks of His providential care during the recent past, a number of testimonies were offered expressive of heartfelt appreciation for the Divine blessing that had resulted in a closer and deeper fellowship in the things of the Spirit.

The following "day, Sunday, June 28th, had been decided upon 'by the brethren in London at the Easter Convention, as the time when there should be another general united meeting of various Classes in London and adjacent thereto; and this to be in the nature of a farewell meeting, as it was expected that our pilgrimage in Great Britain would be completed by that time and we would be embarking for America. Accordingly the breth­ren from various parts assembled once more at Conway Hall, the place where the convention had been held at Easter. Two services were planned, one that should be devoted principally to hearing the report of our travels in Great Britain and Europe, and the concluding service in the evening to be our farewell message. Rehearsing our experi­ences and travels of the past three months before the brethren at this London gathering, and reflect­ing upon the impressions received, , we felt that without doubt in all the countries visited we had truly seen The Christ," the manifestation of The Christ, represented in those earnest, faithful souls, concerning whose consecration no one could have a reasonable doubt--faithful indeed in Christ and giving evidence of sharing in His sufferings. We were reminded that the mystical, suffering Christ has thus existed all along through the Age. They are known to the Lord not by their identity with any human organization, not as a system or body of persons, but only as individuals, each one related to the Lord by personal faith and obedience unto full consecration. And with this relationship no human system or threat or anathema of men can possibly interfere.

Similarity of Trials and Tests

The friends throughout all of those countries too have had to meet the same problems that the breth­ren in Great Britain and America have had to con­tend with: ambitious leaders, evidently of the kind described by St. Paul, desiring to lead away disciples after themselves, have arisen everywhere, some claiming one line of teaching, new light, etc., and some another, but each one claiming a special call and anointing from God. In some instances it was a case of some laying the stress altogether upon the technique of our faith, the theoretical or intellectual phase; some of these have the truth drawn to a fine art, to the ignoring of the heart ap­preciation, the love of Christ, and the importance of spirituality in general. On this point St. Paul aptly remarked, "Knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up." In other instances it was the- case of an individual professing himself 'to be represented in a certain type, figure, or Old Testament person­age, as specially chosen of God to give the light and to lead the flock at this time. As a result of these self-styled and self-anointed teachers there are to be heard some of the most ^-foolish and fanatical teach­ings. But the friends who are soberly following, the one Master are hearkening to His solemn warn­ing given specially for this time: "Take heed that no man deceive you."

Much warm interest was expressed in the account of the visits, not only in Great Britain but in the various European countries. We felt that to the dear brethren in London, and to the Bible Students Committee who had assisted in the arrangement of our itinerary amongst the Classes, we were much indebted for the privilege of so extensive a pilgrim­age, and of course it could not have been reason­ably possible had we not first of all received from the brethren in London the invitation to Great Britain.

The Farewell Meeting

As a number of the brethren living in the outly­ing districts of London were advised of the plan for the meeting on this last Sunday, many of these were present, and the attendance as a whole was most pleasing. The evening. service being the fare­well, was attended by upwards of 450. We confess to ,some sadness of heart at the thought that the time was drawing near when we must be parted from many of the Lord's dear family whom we had learned to love so warmly.' During these last moments together, our thoughts most logically turned to those themes that concern all of God's dear people in a most vital way-our present call to saintship, to the attainment of Christ-likeness, to the work of character-building, the Divine providential leading, trials, disciplines associated with fellowship in the sufferings of Christ, that we may be permitted to ultimately enter the realm of the holy and the blessed, to whom is given the wondrous promise that they shall share in the First Resurrection. We en­deavored at this time to once more express to the brethren -our heartfelt thankfulness for all the lov­ing consideration that had made possible the va­rious privileges of the ministry that were ours in their midst and for the manner in which the spirit of cooperation was shown in assisting and making the entire experience as -free from worry to ourself as possible. Our heart was much refreshed and blessed in, not only hearing the earnest "God be with you, but in observing from the countenances of the friends that deep and sincere love in Christ by which the "fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above."

But there was awaiting us another experience that had not been originally contemplated in mak­ing the trip to Great Britain, a feature that de­veloped just as we were completing the travels that had been arranged. At the conclusion of the Farewell^- Meeting, the Chairman announced that in-, stead of our embarking at once for America, a tour had been planned for us to the Holy Land, the ar­rangement having been made by some of the breth­ren who were then present in the audience. We shall not in this connection attempt to express how deeply our heart was touched at this manifest­ation of brotherly consideration on the part-of those who were thus moved to make possible such a rare joy and privilege that we scarcely dared to ever hope would be ours to experience in this life. With deep thankfulness to God we lifted our heart, acknowledging Him as the Giver, and praising Him for His Spirit operating in His children, causing them to love one another even as the Master has loved us. Following the service many of the friends expressed their deep joy and pleasure that we were to have this inestimable privilege of walking upon the soil that was trod by the Son of God long ago. The account of these travels through the Land of Palestine will appear next in order in this Journal.

The Knowledge of God

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord."-2 Peter 1:2.

SUCH IS the sweet benediction with which "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ" opens his second letter "to them that have obtained like precious faith" with him. "Grace and peace be mul­tiplied unto you." To us who are familiar with the Old Testament writings, it sounds as an echo of those comforting words with which Aaron had been instructed to bless Israel: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee ; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26.) Only now the music of those old-time words has mellowed; the awful majesty on high has been revealed, by Jesus, to be none other than our Father, from whose bosom the Only-begotten One came forth, and He has re­vealed that grace and peace will be multiplied unto us, yea, eternal life itself, as by faith we become ever better acquainted with the Father and Him­self. May grace, the active, redeeming, love of God in Christ towards us, and peace, the sense of "profound calm and inward quiet which is communicated to the heart by the possession of reconcilia­tion," be our blessed portion, as we seek to stay our minds upon Him. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee."-Isaiah 26:3.

Intimate Acquaintance

It is not through the knowledge possessed by God that grace and peace will be multiplied unto us, but through the knowledge we may possess con­cerning God. Moreover, there is a vast difference between knowing about God, and possessing an in­timate acquaintance with Him. It is really only by living with people, that we get to know them in any complete sense. And this holds true in respect to our knowledge of God. It is good and profitable to learn certain facts concerning Him, and we cannot get to know too much concerning our Lord, but it is only as we personally draw near to Him in prayer, and He draws near to us, and we commune together, that we get the knowledge through which grace and peace will be multiplied unto us.

In this respect know ledge concerning God is like food. Much of it "is laid up in granaries, for future use." And it is important to observe the difference between eating knowledge and hoarding it; just as there is a difference between eating and hoard­ing food. Much of the knowledge we may have concerning God "is at any given moment dormant, not fed upon or enjoyed, but in store." And we should all remember that "knowledge in this form may be kept without air till it rots, just as food may, "or in such unthreshed disorder that it is of no use; and that however good or orderly, it is still only in being tasted, [and eaten] that it becomes of use; and that men may easily starve in their own granaries."

Perhaps those who have enjoyed the light of "Present Truth" are in as much danger as others, or more, of seeking an "accumulation of their store, rather than nourishment from it." Let none misunderstand us here. We are far from thinking or suggesting that we should not add all we can to our store of knowledge. Only let us remember that this is not to be our whole life. "We are not intended to be all keepers of granaries," nor are we each to be appreciated by how full our own storehouse happens to be. "Many, nay, most of us, are to receive day by day our daily bread, and shall be as well nourished, and as fit" for our life of consecration "in feeding from the barrel of meal that does not waste, and from the cruse of oil that does not fail, as if our barns were filled with plenty, and our presses bursting out with new wine." When St. Paul wrote: "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8), he had something very different in mind from an encyclopedia of authentic facts and figures concerning our Lord. By faith and con­secration he had been crucified with Christ; never­theless he continued to live, but the life he lived in the flesh was one in which Christ controlled. It was as though Christ lived with and in him. So much was this so, that: in writing a letter to Tim­othy, he was :able to say: "I know whom 'I have be­lieved," not merely what I believe about Him. Through such knowledge only will grace and peace he multiplied unto us.

Love (not Ignorance) builds up

In 1 Corinthians 8:1 the Apostle tells us that knowledge puffs up, but that love builds up. This contrast which lie makes between love and knowledge, the one building up and the other puffing up, has been misunderstood by some. As a result they seek to develop the grace of love without seeking at the same time to grow in knowledge. But the Apostle does not say that knowledge puffeth up, while lack of knowledge or ignorance buildeth up. Ignorance or lack of knowledge does- not build up, and is no safeguard against being puffed up either. Indeed some of those who are most puffed up and proud in heart give every evidence that they lack in knowledge as well as in love, and they are certainly de­void of the true wisdom. In Philippians 1:9 the same Apostle writes : "And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment." That climax to his prayer does seem rather striking, and unexpected, doesn't it? "That the love of Christians _\should abound is a frequent exhortation and petition of the Apostle. But we should expect to see the direction of that love to be differently defined. 'In fervor and in all charity, in zeal and in all self-sacrifice,' would per­haps be the terms which we should have chosen to indicate its course. But instead of this the di­rection is . from the heart to the head-'that your love may abound . . in all knowledge and in all judgment,' or discrimination, as the word means more exactly. This is the course in which the affections must flow, in order that they may deepen and widen and strengthen. And a little reflection will doubtless show us that it is neces­sarily so; that love can abound most fully only through knowledge. . . There are those who would cover a criminal ignorance of His Word by a 'parade of fondling phrases and trite endear­ments of His person. There are those who, letting all the channels of Biblical knowledge run dry in their souls, are seeking to irrigate the parched and thirsty heart, by revolving the wheel of an endlessly repeated religious experience. But such make­shifts will soon exhaust themselves. There is no^-.way in which the current of love can be strengthened, except by deepening the channels of knowledge.'-' When we accepted Jesus as our Savior He became to us a life-long subject of study and contempla­tion and worship. "And such study is the only thing which can furnish an inexhaustible stimu­lant to our affections. Hence the love of ease is a dangerous neighbor to the love of Christ.' It will borrow from it more and more till all its store is exhausted, and will pay back nothing. In other words, it is impossible for one to maintain a love for the Savior, except he maintains a patient and pains­taking search of the Scriptures, which reveal the heights and depths of His love to us. 'Continue ye in My love,' says the Master. And when we ask, 'How shall we, Lord?' His answer comes, 'If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed.' It is right that we should long for de­vout feelings and warm spiritual exercises. . We want a heart religion, but we must have an in­tellectual religion too. And if anybody, in his zeal for a religion of the heart, thinks to make a short cut of it, by closing the gates of the understanding, and carrying on all his communications with God through the affections," he will find very little of Divine grace and peace in his experience. "Both mind and heart must be called into fullest exercise in order that the grace of God may abound in us. And the Word of God has this rare attribute of ministering" to both, "giving nutriment to the mind and incitement to the affections. . . As Christ, while on earth, rounded out the largest intellectual sphere, and yet filled that sphere to its utmost limit with moral life and love, so Christ in us, if we re­ceive Him in His fulness, will quicken our highest intelligence, and sound our deepest love; and He will so blend and harmonize the offices of affection that our love of God will be but knowledge of God kindled into a flame of adoration, and our knowl­edge of God will be but the love of God clarified and transfigured in His perfect light."

How full the life of the Church has been of testi­monies to the contrary. "Ye do err," said our Lord to those Sadducees who questioned Him concern­ing the resurrection, "not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." "My, people is destroyed for lack of knowledge" said the Prophet. "Neglect­ing the diligent study of the Scriptures, they have no nutriment for their love and it starves. They sigh after their 'first love,' strangely forgetting that God's love is the first love; that 'we love because He first loved us': and that our spiritual affections can be kept ardent and glowing only by a daily finding out from the Bible how immeasurably and persistently God has loved us."

They that know Thy Name

What is the one thing above all others by which the Millennial Age will be distinguished from the present Age? We answer: By the knowledge of God. Men do not know Him now. In that glad day "the knowledge of God will fill the earth as the waters cover the mighty deep." "Enmity to the Lord comes of ignorance of Him, for ignorance is the mother of suspicion as well as of superstition. It sees just enough of God to be perplexed and estranged, but not enough to have its perplexities relieved; it encounters His austere attributes as they are displayed in providence, without knowing His gracious attributes as they are hidden in His heart. It is this half acquaintance which often proves the most fatal ignorance." "The world by its wisdom knew not God." Why? We answer: "The open eye without the open heart, the busy thoughts without the active affections. That is why. These are the conditions of the most danger­ous estrangement. "'When I knew nothing of God, I was indifferent to Him; when I knew a little of God, I mistrusted Him and complained of Him; when I knew much of God, I trusted Him and loved Him'--would be the honest confession of many who have traversed the field from utter ignorance to largest: knowledge. How suggestive upon this point are those words of Jesus in His last prayer, 'O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee!' This is His plaintive lament, and this is too plainly the secret of men's hatred of the Father, of which He so often speaks. But hear what He adds concerning His disciples : 'And I have de­clared unto them Thy name and will declare it that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them and I in them.' The doors of the heart, which ignorance has barred against the Father, knowledge opens, 'and affections flow out through the avenues by which light has come in. Such is the effect of Divine knowledge upon those who have also Divine faith." "They that know Thy name will put their trust in 'Thee" said the Psalmist. (Pslams 9:10.) "The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits" said. Daniel (Daniel 11:32), disclosing in these words not only the secret of His own faithfulness, but of all those who overcome.

What have We that We have not Received?

In order to be effectually safeguarded from being puffed up as we grow in knowledge, we need only to remember that knowledge is something that is bestowed upon us. What have we that we did not receive? asks the Apostle, in 1 Corinthians 4:7 "and if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou didst not receive' it?" For almost everything we possess today we are indebted in some measure to others. This is especially true in regard to our knowledge of God. There is scarcely a thought of Him that passes through our minds that has not^, been taught us by some one else, either through personal contact; or through the written page. Even the great Head of the Church, Jesus our Lord, was content to take the position of a scholar, a learner. Hear Him' in John 8:28: "As My Father hath taught Me I speak these things." Elsewhere He says : "I can of mine own self do nothing." (John 5:30.) No.! Jehovah is the only Originator, and if we will remember this, and in our privilege of pass­ing on the grains of life-giving seed to others, con­fess it, we need not fear that growth in knowledge will have the disastrous effect of puffing us up.

Sun of My Soul

The Lord God is a sun, says the Psalmist. (Psalms 84:11.) Jehovah alone is called the sun in the Scriptures, but it is most significant that our risen Lord is spoken of as the brightness or the raying forth of the Father's glory. "How profound is this saying, as well as how apt in its imagery : 'The Lord is a sun.' The sun is the source of all life as well as of all light. The food which sustains the body, the colors which delight the eye, the flavors which re­gale the senses are all woven with the same shuttles -the sunbeams. , The pattern is different, the warp is various, but the filling is the same-the sunlight; woven and wrought together into all the countless fabrics which the body needs for food and clothing and pleasure. The thousand trades by which a man gains a livelihood the sun is carry­ing on all the time. lie is the great farmer, who grows and ripens the grain for the millions of earth ; He is the great mechanic, who by means of steam and vapor lifts the water-floods to the sky, and so feeds the rivers, and showers the plains and turns the wheels; he is the great architect who builds the trees which the carpenter only hews and polishes; and he is the great artist who tints the flowers, and colors the landscape, and paints the sunset with a beauty which the highest human skill can only imperfectly copy. It is the most potent object in nature which the spirit [that was upon David] has here selected as the image of the, in­visible. God." And we have thus sketched his of­fices that we may be reminded of the fact that the sun is the fountain of life as well as the fountain of light.

Relationship of Knowledge to Life

Let us turn now to consider Him who is the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (or will in due time). "His is exact­ly this two-fold office of life-giving through light­giving. The two functions are simply interchange­able. We are told that: Christ was the light of life (John 8:12) and again, that the life was the light of men. Is it not one of the most fatal errors of unbelief that it has separated what God hath joined together and presumed to feed man's moral and spiritual nature without the light of God's Word or the light of His only begotten Son? For years many have been teaching that the knowledge of a personal God is not necessary in order that one should be virtuous; that the light of conscience is not dependent on the light of Christ' to keep it burn­ing; that goodness is entirely possible without God; that in a word, the inward moral life is indepen­dent of any outward Divine illumination. Now it is possible, no doubt for righteousness to exist in the heart of an atheist. There are dead virtues just as there are dead works. There are consciences whose action is simply the unexpended momentum of Divine influences long since rejected; there are virtuous instincts which are simply the reminis­cences of a lost and forgotten state of innocence. There are exhibitions of truth and justice and hon­or which are simply the old coins of righteousness still passing current after God's image and super­scription have been worn off from them so that they who trade in them know not whence they are.

"When we appeal to the Word of God how strik­ing is the relation which we find everywhere indi­cated there between light and life, between the knowledge of God and the life of God. This is life eternal that they might know Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent; as though spiritual life were simply the light of God transmuted and wrought into holiness of heart and righteousness of conduct. It seems a very fine material from which to weave such a solid fabric. Men cannot credit it that by simply studying the Bible, and absorbing the rays of Divine revelation which fall there, all the sturdy virtues, purity, and truthfulness, . . . [and self-control], and justice can be developed and -brought into exercise in hu­man characters. But such is beyond all question, the fact." And even more wonderful than the cu­rious skill of nature, which transmutes sunbeams into beams of wood, is the transformation wrought by the Spirit of God and Jesus "which builds char­acter out of faith, human conduct out of Divine truth, strong virtues out of spiritual knowledge. ... God is light, and He leads men in the paths of righteousness not simply by lighting up the way for them, but most of all by strengthening them to walk in that way through building them up in inward holiness,. . 'I am the way,' says Christ, but-how little of hope there would be in . . . [His words] had He not also added, 'and the truth and the life.' It is life that the lamed and 'bruised and far-off wanderers from God need, in order that they may get home. And blessed be God who 'hath shined into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' It is not merely the illumination which shows us the path of duty which He gives us, but life with which 'to walk that path."--Christ the life, to lead us to and in Christ the way.

God is a Great Provider

It is helpful to remember that our Heavenly Father is a great provider. "Thou openest Thine hand, and ' satisfieth the desire of every living thing," says David in a psalm of praise and thanks­giving. (Psalms 145:16.) How true are His words! "Con­sider the ravens," says our Lord (Luke 12:20-24),. "for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" Yes! echoes St. Paul, "My God shall supply all your need." (Philippians 4:19.) "Casting all your care upon Him," says St. Peter, "for He careth for you."

We hope that every consecrated child of God has learned to trust the Lord in respect to temporal things. In that Scripture from the Psalms that we were considering a little while back, David not only says that God is a sun-the whole verse reads: "The Lord is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psalms 84:11.) "Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure," says the Prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 33:16.) While this passage in its application to the Church of the Gospel Age would seem to refer rather to the spiritual bread and water than to the temporal, yet the temporal things needful are necessarily implied in the promise, for it would be impossible to give spiritual bread and water to a human being who was not also supplied with temporal food.

But in thinking of God as a Great Provider we are especially interested in realizing his provision in regard to the truth. The care which He has exercised over it in the past should leave us no anxiety with regard to its future. We , may rest assured 'that no real truth-seeker will be left unsullied with nourishment no real 'truth-servant will be denied the opportunity of serving. it. Glance for a moment at Acts 8:29-39 for illustration of this. There we read the' account of a truth-seeker, the Ethiopian eunuch; there we read also the account of a truth-servant; Philip. 'In the Lord's providence the two were brought together. But note: The one was a real truth-seeker, the other a genuine truth-servant.

Then also note the Lord's general supervision of His truth in the journeys of St. Paul. In Acts 16:6-9 we read "Now when they had gone through­out Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Lord to preach the word in Asia," they did what? Did they go home fully persuaded that "the door was shut?" Does the record so read? No, indeed! We read: "They were come to Mysia, and assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not." What! again hindered? Yes the great Apostle Paul in perplexity! But surely he knew what the Lord's will was? Yes, in a general way, he did. He knew one thing for certain; he had been commissioned to preach the everlasting Gospel and to. do so until he died. In regard to the details' he walked 'as we' walk, dear brethren,' by faith and not. by sight. Twice-'hindered, and ' that not by the Adversary, but, by the_. Holy Spirit! Is he dismayed? No. Is he discouraged from further attempts at ministering the Gospel? How reads the record? "And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared, to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And after he had seen the vision,. St. Luke writes, "we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had d called us for to preach the Gospel unto them."

Many lessons this account has for us. It teaches us that having watched over His truth down through the centurie_ God will not suffer it, to per­ish -now. It teaches us also that any who have been 'saved by Jesus will not rest until He says, "It is enough, Come home."

The Lord is My Helper

"My help cometh from the Lord." Dwell a little on that word help. It has much significance. In substance which we call inanimate as of clouds or stones, their atoms may cohere to each other, or consist with each other, but they do not help each other. The removal of one part does not injure the rest. But in a plant the taking away of any one part does injure the rest. Hurt or remove any portion of the sap or bark or pith, the rest is injured. If any part enters into a state in which it no more assists the rest, and has thus become helpless, we call it also dead. The power which causes the several portions of the plant to help each other, we call life: Much more is this so in an animal. We may take away the branch of a tree without much harm to it; but not the animal's limb. Thus, intensity of life is also intensity of helpfulness. The ceasing of this help we call corruption and in proportion to the perfectness of the help is the dreadfulness of the loss. The more intense the life has been, the more terrible is its corruption.

"Though atoms of inanimate, substance could not help each other, they could consist with each other. Consistence is their virtue. Thus the parts of a crystal are consistent, but of dust, inconsist­ent. Orderly adherence; the best help its atoms can give, constitutes the nobleness of such substance.

"Life and consistency, then, both expressing one character, (namely, helpfulness of a higher or lower order), the Maker of all creatures and things, 'by whom all creatures live and in whom all, things consist,' is essentially and for ever the Helpful One or in softer Saxon the Holy One. The word has no other ultimate meaning: Helpful, harmless, undefiled, living, or Lord of life.

The idea is clear and mighty in the cherubim's cry: Helpful, helpful, helpful, Lord God of Hosts. . . A pure or holy state of anything, therefore, is that in which all its parts are helpful or consistent. . . . The highest and first law of the universe and the other name of life, is therefore Help."

Now as we remember that our help cometh from the Lord our Heavenly Father, and as we remember that He has laid help on One that is mighty, our blessed Lord Jesus, let us remember also that God hath set in the Church not only some apostles; prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healing, govern­ments, diversities of tongues, but He hath also set therein helps. Some of us have felt perhaps that to be one of the helps in the Church was to fill a very small office compared with some of the other offices mentioned. Perhaps, it is, but perhaps it is not. Certain it is that if every member of the Church helps, the whole Body of Christ fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working of 'every 'part maketh increase of the Body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Let us then as the Apostle Peter exhorts, "giv­ing all diligence, add to or furnish in our faith nobleness of character, and along with or in nobleness of character knowledge; along. with knowledge self­control; along with self-control 'power of endur ance; along with power of endurance godliness; along with godliness brotherly-kindness; along with brotherly-kindness, love, for if these things be in us and abound they make us' that we shall neither be idle nor; unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Yes, if these things be in, us, and not merely external to us, we shall be like the Apostle Paul who exclaimed:  "Now thanks be to God who, always leads us to triumph, with the Anointed One, and who diffuses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of Himself in every place." - 2 Corinthians 2:14.

1931 Index