A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

TO THE LAMBS OF THE FLOCK (continued)

III. Jesus cares for lambs. “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom. “ Every careful shepherd deals gently with the lambs of the flock. When the flocks are travelling, the lambs are not able to go far; they often grow weary and lie down. Now, a kind shepherd stoops down and puts his gentle arm beneath them, and lays them in his bosom. Such a shepherd is the Lord Jesus, and saved children are His lambs. He gathers them with His arm, and carries them in His bosom. Many a guilty lamb He has gathered and carried to His Father ‘s house. Some He has gathered out of this place whom you and I once knew well.

Before He came into the world, Jesus cared for lambs. Samuel was a very little child, no bigger than the least of you, when he was converted. He was girded with a linen ephod, and his mother made him a little coat and brought it to him every year. One night as he slept in the holy place, near where the Ark of God was kept, he heard a voice cry, “Samuel! “ He started up and ran to old Eli, whose eyes were dim, and said, “Here am I; for thou calledst me. “ And Eli said, “I called not; lie down again. “ He went and lay down, but a second time the voice cried, “Samuel! “ He rose and went to Eli, saying, “Here am I; for thou didst call me. “ And Eli said, “I called not, my son; lie down again. “ A third time the holy voice cried, “Samuel! “ And he arose and went to Eli with the same words. Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child; therefore Eli said, “Go, lie down; and it shall be if He call thee, thou shalt say, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth! “ So he went and lay down. A fourth time (how often Christ will call on little children!) the voice cried, “Samuel! Samuel! “ Then Samuel answered, “Speak, for Thy servant heareth! “ Thus did Jesus gather this lamb with His arm and carried him in His bosom. For “Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him; and the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh “ (I Samuel 3).

Little children, of whom I travail in birth till Christ be formed in you, pray that the same Lord would reveal Himself to you. Some people say, you are too young to be converted and saved. But Samuel was not too young. Christ can open the eyes of a child as easily as of an old man. Yea, youth is the best time to be saved in. You are not too young to die, not too young to be judged, and therefore not too young to be brought to Christ. Do not be contented to hear about Christ from your teachers; pray that He would reveal Himselfto you. God grant that there may be many little Samuels amongst you.

Jesus cares for lambs still. The late Duke of Hamilton had two sons. The eldest fell into consumption when a boy, which ended in his death. Two ministers went to see him at the family home, near Glasgow, where he lay. After prayer, the youth took his Bible from under his pillow, and turned to II Timothy 4:7 - “1 have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness; “ and added, “This, sirs, is all my comfort! “ When his death approached, he called his younger brother to his bed, and spoke to him with great affection. He ended with these remarkable words: “And now, Douglas, in a little time you will be a duke, but I shall be a king. “

Let me tell you a word of another gentle lamb, whom Jesus gathered, and whom I saw on her way from grace to glory. She was early brought to Christ, and early taken to be with Him where He is. She told her companions that she generally fell asleep on these words, “His left hand is under my head, and His right hand doth embrace me; “ and sometimes on these, “Underneath are the everlasting arms. “ She said she did not know how it was, but somehow she felt that Christ was always near her. Another time she said, “I think it ‘s the best way to make myself as loathsome as I can before Him, and then to look to Jesus. “ When seized with her last illness, and told that the doctors thought she would not live long, she looked quite composed, and said, “I am very happy at that. “ She said she could not love Jesus enough here; that she would like to be with Him, and then she would love Him as she ought. To her tender, watchful relative she said, “I wonder at your often looking so grave. I ‘m surprised at it, for I think I am the happiest person in the house. I have every temporal comfort, and then I am going to Jesus. “ After a companion had been with her, she said, “Margaret quite entered into my happiness; she did not look grave, but smiled; that showed how much she loves me. “ When sitting one evening, her head resting on a pillow, she was asked, “Is there anything the matter, my darling? “ “Oh, “ she said, “I am only weak. I am quite happy. Jesus has said, ‘Thou art mine ‘. “ Another day when near her last, one said to her, “Have you been praying much today? “ “Yes, “ she replied, “and I have been trying to praise too. “ “And what have you been praising for? “ “I praise God, “ she said, “for all the comforts I have. I praise Him for many kind friends, — you know He is the foundation of all; and I praise Him for taking a sinner to glory. “

These are a few of the many golden sayings of this lamb of Christ, now, I trust, safe in the fold above. Would you wish to be gathered thus? Go now to some lonely place — kneel down, and call upon the Lord Jesus. Do not leave your knees until you find Him. Pray to be gathered with His arm, and carried in His bosom. Take hold of the hem of His garment, and say, “I must - I dare not - I will not let Thee go

except Thou bless me. “

O seek Him in earnest, and seek Him in time,

For they that seek early shall find;

While they that neglect Him are hardened in crime,

And never can come to this pure blessed clime — They perish in anguish of mind.

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month you are back in school again, where, among other things, you will have lots of reading and writing. And that is what our quiz is about this time. The answers do not spell out any words, but the questions are about things which were written and about people who were reading.

In lsat month ‘s issue Rev. Lamain had an article about school. The school which he wrote about was the school taught by the Lord and by the Spirit of God, where all God ‘s people are students. What a blessing if the Lord brings us to that school where we may learn to know Him as God above all, but also to know ourselves as most sinful creatures. Perhaps the older boys and girls can read these articles for themselves.

Some of you have probably heard of Sukey Harley, who could not read or write, and lived without God in the world. But a time came in her life when she had a great desire to read God ‘s Word. Her daughter taught her a few words, but then she said, “I would take my book and go down on my knees, and look up to my heavenly Father, and beg of Him to teach me. I used to spell out the words, and then look up to know how to call them. Oh how I felt at these times! I can give no description of my feelings, but I had this confidence given me that He would teach me to read His blessed Word; and He did teach me. “ That we also be given such a desire to read our Bibles and to learn the way of salvation. May our daily prayer be, “Unto me, O Lord Jehovah, show Thy way and teach Thou me. “

To whom did the Lord say, “I will give thee tables of stone and a law, and commandments which I have written. “

Who wrote letters in Ahab ‘s name unto the elders and the nobles of the city where Naboth lived?

To whom did the Lord say, “What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia. “?

Who wrote to Joab in a letter: “Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. “?

Who “stooped down, and with his fingers wrote on the ground “?

Who asked for a writing table, and wrote: “His name is John “?

In what city was there an altar on which was written: “To the unknown God “?

What king wrote a song of thanksgiving after he had recovered from his sickness?

From what book of the Bible was the eunuch reading when Philip joined him in his chariot?

What king received a message from God which was written on the wall of the palace by fingers of a man ‘s hand?

Whose rod, with his name written thereon, budded and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds?

Who wrote the title which was put upon the cross of the Lord Jesus?

Before what king was the book of records of the chronicles read when he could not sleep during the night?

Who “wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which He had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book “?

The king of what country sent a letter to the king of Israel, saying, “I have sent Naaman my servant to thee that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy “?

Who wrote a letter to Felix telling him about Paul?

What book of the Bible (having only one chapter) is a letter written by Paul and requests forgiveness for a servant named Onesimus?

Who was the keeper of the king ‘s forest, to whom Nehemiah was given a letter from the king?

(Send your answers to Garret J.

Moerdyk, 1104 Roseland Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001)

The answers to the Bible quiz in the August issue are as follows:

“Beware of False Prophets “

Matthew 7:15

Barjesus Acts 13:6

Elymas Acts 13:8

Wonders Matthew 24:24

Apostles II Corinthians 11:13

Rams Numbers 23:1

Earth Numbers 16:1-33

Oration Acts 12:21-22

Fool Psalm 14:1

Foolish Job 2:9-10

Ahab , I Kings 18:17-20

Light II Corinthians 11:14

Serpent Genesis 3:4

Eyes Genesis 3:5

Presence Genesis 3:8

Rehoboam I Kings 12:6-14

Opinions I Kings 18:21

Prophets I Kings 18:3840

Hananiah Jeremiah 28:15

Earth Jeremiah 28:15-16

Teachers II Peter 2:1

Sheep ‘s Matthew 7:15

Answers to the quiz have been received from the following boys and girls —

Ralph Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

George Van Strien, Jr.

Margot Mast

Mike Van Bemden

Kathy Van Bemden

Carol Van Bemden

Steve Boluyt

Tim Westrate

Lynn Kamp

Joan Lugthart

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Betty Van Der Weile

Kristine Rieder

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

Lisa Carlson

Richard Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Wendy Grisnich

Janet Van Zweden

John Van Zweden

Tonia Willekes

Ellen Polderman

Karl Boonzaayer

Maria Boonzaayer

Sonja Boonzaayer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Lori Rus

Kristine Rieder

Ray Rieder

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Jimmy Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Mark Meeuwse

Dan Meeuwse

Nancy Hoogmoed

Joanne Hoogmoed

Bill Van Wingerden

Ken Van Wingerden

Marilyn Kamp

Tom Kamp

Bill Kamp

Debbie Kamp

John Rosendall

Richard Rosendall

Mark Bleeker (2)

Laurie Bleeker

Elizabeth Koppert

Nelly Koppert

Christine Koppert

Julie Ann De Bruine

David Kwekel

Nancy Kwekel

Kim Schoonbeck

Alison Van Ingen

John Blok

Carrie Blok

Mary Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Gary Van Giessen

Gary Blok

Amy Mieras

Wayne Vande Waerdt (2)

Landa Vande Waerdt (2)

Robert Southway

Elizabeth Sisco

Gary Veldhuizen

Robbie Van Veldhuizen

Ruth Bouma

Albert Bouma

Tammy Troff

Barb Kamp

Rich Kamp

Robert Kamp

Jonathon Kamp

JoAnn Giebink

Mamie Giebink

Marilyn De Maagd

Stanley Vander Waal

Herman Vander Meulen

Bobby Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Neal Boerkoel

Mary Kamp

Linda Kamp

Henry Kamp

Rhonda Van Voorst

Denise Zaremba

Donna Zaremba

Lisa Markus

Rebecca Markus

Tammy Koedam

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Esther Van Ravenswaay

LaRae Hoogendoorn (2)

Gywen Hoogendoorn (2)

Elwyn Hoogendoorn

Helen Hendricks

Barb Hendricks

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

Audrey Kievit

Leah Moore

Mary Kievit

Trudy Vlietstra

John Verhey

Billy Greendyk

David Greendyk

Paul Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Bob Greendyk

Patricia Hoogmoed

Hank Verhoef

Paul Verhoef

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Susan Blaak (2)

Bill Blaak

Gladys Van Bochove

Rhonda Van Bochove

Alane Van Ravenswaay

Minda Van Ravenswaay

Joel Van Ravenswaay

Melanie Van Brugge

Bill Kroesbergen

Hendrika Kroesbergen

Lori Olivier

Teresa Vander Meulen

Frances Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Richard De Bat

Jane De Bat

Julie Van Gemert

Ray Vander Kooi

John Vander Boon

Tammy Kaat

Jeff Kaat

Craig Hoogerheide

John Martin Vander Wiele

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

Judy Lynn Vander Wiele

Joanne Kroesbergen

Maruerite Kroesbergen

Cindy Hoogendoorn (2)

Andy Van Stelle

Tim Van Stelle

Linda Bazen

Glenn Rozeboom (2)

Marie Rozeboom (2)

Nicholas John Bush

Adrian Bush

Albert Van Grouw

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Judy Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Laurie Sweetman

Daniel John Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Julie Frens

Mary Frens

Sharon Frens

Leonard Frens

June Sisco

Nancy Sisco

Elizabeth Sisco

Norrine Bouma

Jane Korevaar

Andy Korevaar

John Korevaar

John Goeman

Karen Goeman

David M. Groeman

Roger Van Beek

David Van Beek

Jon Van Beek

Ed Menger

Susan Van Ess

Richard Van Ess

Arthur Denbok

Ken Kroesbergen

Janie Kroesbergen

Lenny van Heek

Irene van Heek

Edward van Heek

Mike Fintelman

Mark Fintelman

Kaye VandeBerg

Jim Neels

Joe Neels

Mike Neels

Lisa Neels

Daniel Ymker

Mineva Ymker

Marianne Van Hoepen

Janie Den Hartog

Paul Vanden Berg

Henry Vanden Berg

John Vanden Berg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Tod Vande Stouwe

Richard Kamp

Barbara Kamp

Robert Kamp

Jonathan Kamp

Amy Kaat

Liz Van Giessen

Arline Kieboom

Ella Kieboom

David Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Arlen Klarenbeek

Joleen den Hoed

Kathleen den Hoed

Arthur den Hoed

Maryjean den Hoed

Margaret Den Boer

Barbara Southway

Robert Southway

Alan Greendyk

Bob Greendyk

Willem Den Boer

Bill Tanis

And now we shall answer the letters which we have received during the past month -

ARTHUR DENBOK - We are also having rather warm weather at the present time, Arthur. But cooler weather isn ‘t far away anymore when the first of September arrives. I had some swimming classes when I was in high school, but that was quite a few years ago.

JOLEEN DEN HOED - We are all quite well, Joleen. It was very nice to receive a letter from you. I had never heard of Bend, Oregon, but I found it on the map. It looks as if it would be in the mountains. Am I correct? How long were you there?

TRUDY VLIETSTRA - There were more boys and girls who noticed that we had spelled “shepherd “ wrong, Trudy. I guess we should have caught that one ourselves. But I hope that all of the boys and girls can tell what a shepherd does, and who the Good Shepherd is?

CHRISTINE KOPPERT - Who is to be blamed for spoiling Jimmy, Christine? I think everyone pays lots of attention to babies. Did you find that the questions were also quite easy this time? We don ‘t want them to be too easy, as then they won ‘t cause you to do any searching.

KRISTINE RIEDER - We were glad to hear that your grandmother was doing better, Kristine. Is she able to go to church now? How glad also boys and girls should be that they can go to church. Do you know in which Psalm David said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord “? I see there are two letters from you this time. SUSAN BLAAK - How nice that your grandparents were able to pay you a visit, Susan. Do you speak Dutch quite well? Did they travel to Sunnyside by automobile? In the Bible we also reaid of young people and their grand-parents. Can you name any of them?

ARLINE KIEBOOM - We were glad. to hear that you had arrived home safely, Arline, and that you had a nice time in the Netherlands. Travelling wasn ‘t quite so easy in Bible times. We read of quite a few who made trips in those days, but can you tell me the different ways they travelled?

ED MENGER — You have given us a good subject for an article, Ed, and we will see what we can do. We like to have suggestions from our readers, but we don ‘t get them very often. Are you getting anxious to start back to school again?

AUDREY KIEVIT - There must have. been a lot of visitors in Holland Audrey. How is your grandmother feeling now? We hope somewhat better. I am sure she was happy to see you again. Does Leah live near you? It was nice that you could do the quiz; together.

KATHLEEN DEN HOED - Did your

sheep win any prizes, Kathleen? Since you have a sheep, you should know much about how they act, and how they must be cared for. When do you harvest the grape crop in Washington? Do you have a large vineyard?

ELIZABETH KOPPERT - It sounds as if there is always something to do on the farm, Elizabeth. Soon you will be busy, D.V., with school books again. Today we read much in the paper about the island Cyprus. Do you know where in the Bible we also read about this island?

AMY KAAT - Yes, Amy, the summer is gone before we realize it. It seems like quite a while when vacation time starts, but it is soon passed by. We have one catechism class on Saturday morning, but the rest are held on Sunday. Say Hello to your parents and grandparents and also Tim.

JANIE DEN HERTOG - What is the name of the river near you, Janie? Is it a big river? In the Bible we also read about several well known rivers. Can you name some of them? Sometimes they begin as such a small stream, but grow to be large rivers.

KEN KROESBERGEN - We are happy to hear from you and Janie, Ken, and to receive your answers every month. To have God ‘s Word in our hand and in our mind is a very great blessing, but to have it in our heart is a much greater blessing.

IRENE VAN HEEK - How do you like school this year, Irene. Each year brings new subjects, new teachers, new schoolmates, so there are usually lots of changes. Is Sproat Lake quite near to Port Alberni? We probably don ‘t realize how big Vancouver Island is.

MARGARET DEN BOER - Do you

do some fishing with your boat, Margaret? Or don ‘t you like to fish? In the Bible we read that the disciples who were fishermen used nets. Do you read that any of them fished with a line with a hook on it?

HERMAN JOHN VANDER MEULEN — Maybe the mail service has improved, Herman. We hope that it wasn ‘t just for one time that it came early. I can imagine your family would like another sister. But if it is a brother, I am sure you will be happy too.

EDWARD VAN HEEK - And your letter is the last one this time, Edward. We hope you didn ‘t have too much trouble with the quiz this month. Each month they should get to be a little easier, since each month you learn something new that you can remember for the next time.

Again, boys and girls, we appreciate your replies to the Bible quiz each month, and hope that these studies in God ‘s Word may be a blessing for you. Let us pray much for God ‘s help in understanding His Word, for He only can bring it to our hearts.

With love and best wishes,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret “

SILLY BILLY

A poor retarded lad, known in the village of Kent as Silly Billy, was dependent for his living on human sympathy for scraps of food and occasional odd jobs of employment. He took a liking to attend a chapel in the village where the gospel was preached. Since his shabby attire was such as not likely to gain companionship, he was but little noticed by the congregation and commonly went in and out as one despised.

A rich lady was also in the habit of attending the same chapel. She, in the eyes of the people, was naturally held in far greater esteem than the poor half-clad youth. The minister was not excepted in this, which he later admitted after a plan he had conceived in his heart was frustrated by God ‘s grace.

The idea in the mind of the minister was how he should like the Lord to call the rich lady by His grace. He thought she would be an ornament to the church; perhaps he also had some other thought deeper than that in his heart, which he afterwards had to confess before God - if not before men. Man ‘s heart having devised his way, the minister prepared a sermon, and labored in his preaching to make the word drop into the heart of her whom he was anxious to see converted to God. But as God would have it, the word he barbed and feathered for the lady, flew beyond her silks and her feathers into the heart of poor Silly Billy. Instead of faith coming by hearing in the heart of the rich, it came into the heart of the poor. “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence. “ (I Corinthians 1:26-29).

Silly Billy, soon after his call by grace, became known in the village as a converted lad, and was exposed to the scoffings and ridicule of the outside world. No doubt some attributed his changed condition to the weakness of his intellect. One who considered his knowledge far in advance of Silly Billy, met him one day and said, “I hear you are converted, Billy. I suppose you think you are going to heaven. “ “Yes, “ replied the simple youth, with all meekness, “I believe I shall go to heaven. “ “Why, “ said the scorner, “you will never get there. It is 95 million miles to the sun; and I am sure you will never be able to walk to heaven. “ “O, indeed, “ replied Silly, Billy, “I believe it only takes three steps to reach heaven. “ “How do you make that out? “ asked his antagonist. “Why, thus, “ replied the youthful convert; “the first step to heaven is out of self; the second step is into Jesus Christ; and third step will be into glory. “

What the defeated scorner thought of his well-taught opponent we do not know; but it was clear enough that however weak-minded the lad was naturally, he had in his heart true wis- dom to confound the wisdom of this world. God having called the poor lad by His grace, it improved him morally and mentally; and he who was set at naught by both good people and bad people, was exalted by God ‘s grace to be one of the jewels who shall adorn the crown of Him Who, when on earth, made Himself of no reputation, Who received sinners and ate with them, Who blessed the poor and inclined His merciful ear to the sufferings of humanity, and Who, when one was anxious to follow Him wheresoever He went, replied concerning Himself, “The foxes have holes, the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head. “ (Submitted)

THE PLAGUE OF NOVELS

According to an authority, nine-tenths of the reading done at the present time is of fiction. This witness we believe to be true; “wherefore, “ says the apostle in such a case, “rebuke them sharply. “ Let the reading public note that one of themselves has testified that all novel reading is akin to lying. A public feeding on lies is not much better off than a public dosed with drugs. Instances of good resulting from the reading of certain select novels may be adduced, but the abandonment of a whole generation of men and women to a species of mental drunkenness cannot be atoned for by that.

Wholesale novel reading is not one of the things that make for success in life, to speak nothing of the loftier business of the soul; nor are the victims of the habit without reminders of this. “Strive, “ saith Christ, “to enter in at the strait gate, “ but the novel reading habit is palpably at war with the disposition of mind implied in that command. Nero fiddled while Rome was burning, a frivolous, wicked proceeding, but the idle play of the emotions induced by the sensational turns of the novelists ‘ play is just a species of fiddling as pernicious and ill-timed as the other. It is too much to expect that the popular leisure should be spent in devout reading, seeing that the mass of young and old people are unconverted, but parents and all who have any influence should strive by every means to confine the reading to the domain of fact and reality. This will not cure the radical depravity of human nature, but it at least tends to conserve virtues which are useful in civil society. (Rev. J.S. Sinclair -1897)

EAR GATE

Most of you have heard about the book, The Holy War, by John Bunyan, and perhaps quite a few have read it. A section of this book tells about the invasion of the city of Mansoul by Prince Emmanuel. You will find the history of the conquest in Chapters 7 to 11; and, my dear young friend, may the Lord grant you a meeting with the invincible Prince, and may you experience an invasion of His grace into your heart. For your safety and happiness this cannot happen one day too soon. While we shall not write of it at any length, there are two things about this invasion which in a special way deserve our closest attention, and I should like you to follow me prayerfully while we go over them together. The most violent battles took place at Eargate. There is a portion of truth which emphasizes the importance of giving good heed to the Word of God. Can you recall it? Yes, there you have it: “Take heed how you hear. “ And again, “Faith cometh by hearing. “ So it is very necessary that you should take note of all that happens at Ear-gate, for this is a gateway to your soul of which your enemies are not slow to use when seeking your ruin. One of the first things you must learn here is to distinguish between the voice of Diabolus (Satan) and that of our Prince, when their speech is heard at Eargate. If you pay good attention to these voices you will find that nothing spoken by the Prince will be welcomed by your rebellious nature, and in consequence Satan finds it easy to persuade you that the service of Prince Emmanuel is not desirable. He points out that Christ ‘s yoke is always grievous, His burden always heavy, and His law too exacting, and from this false picture he proceeds to prejudice your minds against the Prince Himself. It is Mansoul, blinded by this prejudice, that raises the cry at Eargate, “Away with him, Away with him, “ a cry so fearful that we might well start back lest we give our lips to it. One of the most favorable signs to find during this battle is a readiness in you to listen to those truths which make you uncomfortable and which are calculated to break down your defences. How often has our adorable Prince spoken in your ear, and you saw your carnal joys, comforts, and pleasures take flight before His words of truth? I should like to ask you: How did you react to these loving speeches? Did you then command a closure upon Eargate? If so, then you were guilty of great sin against your own soul; for, be sure of this, that day victory went to Diabolus, your great enemy.

I should like you to take notice of some of the officers employed by our Prince in his assault on Eargate. Think of these two especially: Captain Boanerges and Captain Conviction, men whose names stand for all that is strong, forceful and energetic. Sometimes you hear your minister speak of “law-work “ and “conviction of sin, “ and these are just experiences wrought in the consciences of those subdued by the Lord. The law speaks of such dreadful things as sin, agony, death, Hell, weeping, gnashing of teeth, fire, pain, darkness, separation, and a bottomless pit - truths which are calculated to awaken careless sinners and to induce them to leave the service of Satan. These truths are among the heavy weapons used by Captains Boanerges and Conviction, and I am sure that you dislike the assaults of these good men upon your refuges of lies. You would much rather hear your minister speak of such pleasant things as rest, light, comfort, Heaven, peace, love, and making use of other ease-producing terms. Yes, yes, our rebellious natures much prefer the lie of Diabolus to the truth of Emmanuel. Oh, as you would beware of Hell itself, beware of turning deaf ears to these faithful and good captains. Grieve these friendly and honest men by closing Eargate against their attack, and you may yet be guilty of grieving the Holy Spirit. May the Lord in His mercy give you to be very sensitive about all that happens at this important gateway into your soul. In their old age, many would give much to hear again the voices of these faithful and loving captains, but their voices are no longer heard. They have withdrawn because they have been grieved once too often. “There are no bands in their death, “ can be said of these people, and the reason is that Satan is left undisturbed to maintain his own particular kind of peace within this gate and within the soul itself. Is that not a solemn warning which, as you go forth to God ‘s house, should give rise to the prayer, “Cause me to hear Thy voice. “ (Young People ‘s Magazine)

THE SOLDIERS HISTORY

Henry was the only child of godly parents. From his infancy they prayed that their Heavenly Father would condescend to make him His child, and they used the means which they deemed best to “train him up in the way that he should go. “ They always took him to the house of God, and were often greatly delighted with the remarks made by him on their return home, proving as they did, not only that he had listened with attention, but had also thought much of what he heard. He was also very fond of learning hymns, especially those which related to the love of Christ; and he was sometimes affected, even to tears, when he repeated them to his loving mother. His parents, at those times, believed that the good seed had taken root in his heart. But alas! it was not so.

But they had to wait many years before their hopes were realized, for Henry ‘s “goodness was as the morning cloud and as the early dew that goeth away. “ He continued to go with them to the house of God, but, as he advanced to manhood, he became indifferent to religion, and longed to enjoy the pleasures of the world, which were more congenial with his carnal mind. Home, that was once so pleasant, seemed now like a gloomy prison, from which he was anxious to escape, that he might associate with the young and the gay, who were like-minded with himself.

Henry was much attached to a young man about his own age, and of a cheerful disposition. They were much together; and to Henry, especially, this formed such a relief from the habitual seriousness of his home, that he wished to be constantly with his friend. It was at the time when the American war of independence had broken out, and every inducement was held out by the Government to obtain young men for the army. It was a fine opportunity, as Henry and his friend imagined, to enjoy each other ‘s company, and, at the same time, to see a little of the world - and hence they both enlisted.

When Henry ‘s parents were made acquainted with the step he had taken, they were almost heart-broken. They employed every means in their power to procure his release; but young recruits were too valuable then, and all their efforts were unavailing.

It was a sad day when they parted on board the vessel that was to bear him to the seat of war. Henry tried to cheer them with hopes of a speedy return; but they refused to be comforted. And when they saw the ship sailing from the port, and followed it with their eyes until they could see it no longer, they wept as David did when his son Absalom was slain.

When the troops landed in America, they were hurried from place to place, marching and countermarching. They had many skirmishes with the enemy, but there were few hard-fought battles. Henry ‘s letters at this time were written at long intervals, and contained little information beyond the fact that he was still alive and well. God knew all his sins, but this did not cause him to blush; yet he would have been ashamed if his parents could have seen them for a single day, as he well knew that it would have distressed them more than the tidings of his death.

He had been placed as a sentinel on an exposed spot at a distance from the camp, and just within range of the enemy ‘s guns. Having remained the allotted time, he was returning with several others who, like himself, were relieved from duty. As he was passing under a tree, with his musket sloping on his shoulder, the bayonet was caught by one of the branches, and the musket fell to the ground. He stooped to pick it up, uttering, as he did it, a fearful curse against the tree. Just at that moment, a cannon-ball struck a tree a little before him, and shivering it in pieces, killed several of his comrades. His friend was one. Henry was filled with terror and remorse. There had been but a step between him and death; and had it not been for the branch of the tree that he cursed, he would have been like his friend, a mutilated corpse. He trembled like the jailer at Philippi, when the earthquake shook the foundation of the prison, and like him he cried, “What must I do to be saved? “

Henry returned to the camp a changed man; and it was a lasting change. The arrow directed by the eternal Spirit had pierced his heart. He thought of his indifference to religion while living with his parents, — of his vile conduct from that time until now; and he thought also of the forbearance of God in sparing such a vile cumberer of the ground as he had been. But Henry, though he was thus humbled before God, was not in despair. He knew that his parents had never forgotten him, and he looked upon his almost miraculous preservation as an answer to their prayers. He now said as the prodical did, “I will arise and go to my Father. “

When Henry separated from his companions in sin, he was unable to find one like-minded with himself. Perhaps his isolation was, just then, an advantage, as it led him more entirely to the Bible and to secret prayer for counsel and help.

And .now his early instruction became of great use to him, for he knew the theory of religion; and forgotten texts of Scripture, and hymns also, that he had repeated to his mother when a little boy, where brought to his recollection. One of the latter especially, made him shed many tears, but they were tears of joy. It begins thus:— “Hail! sovereign love, that first began

The scheme to rescue fallen man: Hail! matchless, free, eternal grace, That gave my soul a hiding place. “ He was also much affected by those words of Jude, “Preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. “ They seemed almost as if they were intended for him. “I was, “ he said, “so mercifully preserved in dangers seen and unseen, when I was living in rebellion against God; and when there was but a step between me and death, His eye was on me, and His arm was around me. Thus he kept me until, by the working of His almighty power, I was called from “darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. “

Henry ‘s altered conduct very soon attracted the notice of his officers; and, as he was a good soldier, he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and afterwards to that of a sergeant; and in both positions he was enabled to perform his duty.

Henry ‘s parents had been delighted when they learned from one of his letters the change God had wrought; but when he once more entered their dwelling, and with tears of joy they held him in their arms, they felt as the venerable patriarch Jacob, who said, as he embraced his son Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. “

How shall we describe their feelings when they went to the house of God together, and Henry once more looked into his mother ‘s hymn book, and sung with her the praises of God. As he heard the minister speak of the love of Christ to guilty men, he wondered that he had ever turned with indifference from such a joyful sound.

But his aged parents are no more. The fondest wish of their hearts had been gratified, and they died in peace; and Henry also is dead. A little before that event occurred, he said to his minister, “Sir, if you say anything about me, remember that the text must be: ‘Preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. “ Lay me low in the dust; but magnify the sovereign grace of my Lord. “

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