diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 17:12:25 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 17:12:25 -0800 |
| commit | 03352d57d206368547b99cc1ab6ddf1a2796e09e (patch) | |
| tree | 567d4d68280111ff960029cbccdb0abe3c863d35 | |
| parent | 9d81c8f856aad5bd901458834bd1bfa6638f3c4d (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55743-0.txt | 3387 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55743-0.zip | bin | 63978 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55743-h.zip | bin | 104305 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55743-h/55743-h.htm | 4682 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55743-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 32470 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55743-h/images/fhr.jpg | bin | 6201 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 8069 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b189eb9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55743 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55743) diff --git a/old/55743-0.txt b/old/55743-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 89b53a4..0000000 --- a/old/55743-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3387 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Succeed in The Christian Life, by -Reuben Archer Torrey - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: How to Succeed in The Christian Life - -Author: Reuben Archer Torrey - -Release Date: October 13, 2017 [EBook #55743] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO SUCCEED *** - - - - -Produced by Heiko Evermann and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from scanned images of public domain material -from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - - - - - -HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - - - - -WORKS BY R. A. TORREY - -_Superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago_ - - - =How to Succeed in the Christian Life.= 12mo, cloth, 50 cents, - net: paper, 25 cents, net. - - =The Bible and Its Christ.= Being noon day talks with Business - Men on faith and unbelief. 12mo, cloth, 75 cents, net; paper, 25 - cents, net. - - =Revival Addresses.= 12mo, cloth, net $1.00. - - =Real Salvation and Whole-Hearted Service.= Being a Second Volume - of Revival Addresses. 12mo, cloth, net $1.00. - - =What the Bible Teaches.= A thorough and comprehensive study on - what the Bible has to say concerning the great doctrines of which - it treats. Large 8vo, 560 pages, $2.50. - - =How to Work for Christ.= A compendium of effective methods. - Uniform with “What the Bible Teaches,” 8vo, cloth, $2.50. - - =How to Promote and Conduct a Successful Revival.= Edited by Mr. - Torrey. 12mo, cloth, 353 pages, gilt top, $1.00, net. - - =How to Bring Men to Christ.= 12mo, cloth, 75 cents; paper, 25 - cents, net. - - =How to Study the Bible for Greatest Profit.= The methods and - fundamental conditions of Bible study that yield the largest - results. 12mo, cloth, 75 cents. - - =How to Pray.= The need of prayer and the need of revival; their - relation and effect. 12mo, cloth, 50 cents; paper, 15 cents. - - =How to Obtain Fullness of Power in Christian Life and Service.= - 12mo, cloth, 50 cents. - - =The Divine Origin of the Bible.= Its authority and power - demonstrated and difficulties solved. 12mo, cloth, 50 cents. - - =The Gist of the Lesson (Annually.)= A vest-pocket exposition of - the Sunday-school lessons. Leather, net, 25 cents. - - =The Baptism with the Holy Spirit.= 12mo, cloth, 50 cents. - - =A Vest-Pocket Companion for Christian Workers.= Long 18mo, - flexible leather, net, 25 cents; interleaved, gilt edges, net, 50 - cents. - - =Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is Word of God.= 16mo, - paper, 15 cents. - - =Ought Christians to Keep the Sabbath?= Paper, net, 10 cents. - - - - - How to Succeed in - The Christian Life - - By R. A. TORREY - - _Author of “How to Bring Men to Christ,” “What - the Bible Teaches,” “Talks to Men,” etc., etc._ - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK CHICAGO TORONTO - Fleming H. Revell Company - LONDON AND EDINBURGH - - Copyright, 1906, by - FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY - - New York: 158 Fifth Avenue - Chicago: 80 Wabash Avenue - Toronto: 27 Richmond Street, W. - London: 21 Paternoster Square - Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street - - - - -_Dedicated to the many thousands in many lands who have professed Christ -in our meetings_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - I. BEGINNING RIGHT 11 - - II. THE OPEN CONFESSION OF CHRIST 19 - - III. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION 22 - - IV. RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT 29 - - V. LOOKING UNTO JESUS 35 - - VI. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 41 - - VII. BIBLE STUDY 46 - - VIII. DIFFICULTIES IN THE BIBLE 64 - - IX. PRAYER 74 - - X. WORKING FOR CHRIST 82 - - XI. FOREIGN MISSIONS 90 - - XII. COMPANIONS 98 - - XIII. AMUSEMENTS 103 - - XIV. PERSECUTION 108 - - XV. GUIDANCE 113 - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -I have for years felt the need of a book to put in the hands of those -beginning the Christian life that would tell them just how to make a -complete success of this new life upon which they were entering. I could -find no such book, so I have been driven to write one. This book aims -to tell the young convert just what he most needs to know. I hope that -pastors and evangelists and other Christian workers may find it a good -book to put in the hands of young converts. I hope that it may also prove -a helpful book to many who have long been Christians but have not made -that headway in the Christian life that they long for. - - - - -How to Succeed in the Christian Life - - - - -I - -BEGINNING RIGHT - - -There is nothing more important in the Christian life than beginning -right. If we begin right we can go on right. If we begin wrong the whole -life that follows is likely to be wrong. If any one who reads these pages -has begun wrong, it is a very simple matter to begin over again and begin -right. What the right beginning in the Christian life is we are told in -John 1: 12, “But as many as RECEIVED HIM, to them gave He power to become -the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” The right way -to begin the Christian life is by receiving Jesus Christ. To any one who -receives Him, He at once gives power to become a child of God. If the -reader of this book should be the wickedest man on earth and should at -this moment receive Jesus Christ, that very instant he would become a -child of God. God says so in the most unqualified way in the verse quoted -above. No one can become a child of God in any other way. No man, no -matter how carefully he has been reared, no matter how well he has been -sheltered from the vices and evils of this world, is a child of God until -he receives Jesus Christ. We are “sons of God through faith in Christ -Jesus” (Gal. 3: 26, R. V.), and in no other way. - -What does it mean to receive Jesus Christ? It means to take Christ -to be to yourself all that God offers Him to be to everybody. Jesus -Christ is God’s gift. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only -begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have -everlasting life” (John 3: 16). Some accept this wondrous gift of God. -Every one who does accept this gift becomes a child of God. Many others -refuse this wondrous gift of God, and every one who refuses this gift of -God perishes. He is condemned already. “He that believeth on the Son is -not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already because he -hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3: -18). - -What does God offer His Son to be to us? - -1. First of all, _God offers Jesus to us to be our sin-bearer_. We have -all sinned. There is not a man or woman or a boy or a girl who has not -sinned (Romans 3: 22, 23). If any of us say that we have not sinned we -are deceiving ourselves and giving the lie to God (1 John 1: 8, 10). -Now we must each of us bear our own sin or some one else must bear it -in our place. If we were to bear our own sins, it would mean we must -be banished forever from the presence of God, for God is holy. “God is -light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). But God Himself has -provided another to bear our sins in our place so that we should not need -to bear them ourselves. This sin-bearer is God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, -“For He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be -made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). When Jesus Christ -died upon the cross of Calvary He redeemed us from the curse of the law -by being made a curse in our stead (Gal. 3:13). To receive Christ then -is to believe this testimony of God about His Son, to believe that Jesus -Christ did bear our sins in His own body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24), and -to trust God to forgive all our sins because Jesus Christ has borne them -in our place. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every -one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” -(Is. 53:6). Our own good works, past, present or future have nothing to -do with the forgiveness of our sins. Our sins are forgiven, not because -of any good works that we do, they are forgiven because of the atoning -work of Christ upon the cross of Calvary in our place. If we rest in -this atoning work we shall do good works, but our good works will be the -outcome of our being saved and the outcome of our believing on Christ as -our sin-bearer. Our good works will not be the ground of our salvation, -but the result of our salvation, and the proof of it. We must be very -careful not to mix in our good works at all as the ground of salvation. -We are not forgiven because of Christ’s death _and our good works_, we -are forgiven solely and entirely because of Christ’s death. To see this -clearly is the right beginning of the true Christian life. - -2. _God offers Jesus to us as our deliverer from the power of sin._ -Jesus not only died, He rose again. To-day He is a living Saviour. He -has all power in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28: 18). He has power to -keep the weakest sinner from falling (Jude 24). He is able to save not -only from the uttermost but “to the uttermost” all that come unto the -Father through Him. (Wherefore He is able to save to the uttermost them -that draw near unto God through Him, seeing that He ever liveth to make -intercession for them.—Heb. 7: 25, R. V.) “If the Son therefore shall -make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8: 36). To receive Jesus is -to believe this that God tells us in His Word about Him, to believe that -He did rise from the dead, to believe that He does now live, to believe -that He has power to keep us from falling, to believe that He has power -to keep us from the power of sin day by day, and just trust Him to do it. - -This is the secret of daily victory over sin. If we try to fight sin in -our own strength, we are bound to fail. If we just look up to the risen -Christ to keep us every day and every hour, He will keep us. Through the -crucified Christ we get deliverance from the guilt of sin, our sins are -all blotted out, we are free from all condemnation; but it is through -the risen Christ that we get daily victory over the power of sin. Some -receive Christ as a sin-bearer and thus find pardon, but do not get -beyond that, and so their life is one of daily failure. Others receive -Him as their risen Saviour also, and thus enter into an experience -of victory over sin. To begin right we must take Him not only as our -sin-bearer, and thus find pardon; but we must also take Him as our risen -Saviour, our Deliverer from the power of sin, our Keeper, and thus find -daily victory over sin. - -3. But _God offers Jesus to us, not only as our sin-bearer and our -Deliverer from the power of sin, but He also offers Him to us as our Lord -and King_. We read in Acts 2: 36, “Let all the house of Israel know -assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, -both Lord and Christ.” Lord means Divine Master, and Christ means -anointed King. To receive Jesus is to take Him as our Divine Master, -as the One to whom we yield the absolute confidence of our intellects, -the One whose word we believe absolutely, the One whom we will believe -though many of the wisest of men may question or deny the truth of His -teachings; and as our King to whom we gladly yield the absolute control -of our lives, so that the question from this time on is never going to -be, what would I like to do or what do others tell me to do, or what do -others do, but the whole question is WHAT WOULD MY KING JESUS HAVE ME DO? -A right beginning involves an unconditional surrender to the Lordship and -Kingship of Jesus. - -The failure to realize that Jesus is Lord and King, as well as Saviour, -has led to many a false start in the Christian life. We begin with Him -as our Saviour, as our sin-bearer and our Deliverer from the power of -sin, but we must not end with Him merely as Saviour, we must know Him as -Lord and King. There is nothing more important in a right beginning of -the Christian life than an unconditional surrender, both of the thoughts -and the conduct to Jesus. Say from your heart and say it again and again, -“_All_ for Jesus.” Many fail because they shrink back from this entire -surrender. They wish to serve Jesus with half their heart, and part of -themselves and part of their possessions. To hold back anything from -Jesus means a wretched life of stumbling and failure. - -The life of entire surrender is a joyous life all along the way. If you -have never done it before, go alone with God to-day, get down on your -knees and say, “All for Jesus,” and mean it. Say it very earnestly; say -it from the bottom of your heart. Stay there until you realize what it -means and what you are doing. It is a wondrous step forward when one -really takes it. If you have taken it already, take it again, take it -often. It always has fresh meaning and brings fresh blessedness. In -this absolute surrender is found the key to the truth. Doubts rapidly -disappear for one who surrenders all (John 7: 17). In this absolute -surrender is found the secret of power in prayer (1 John 3: 22). In this -absolute surrender is found the supreme condition of receiving the Holy -Ghost (Acts 5: 32). - -Taking Christ as your Lord and King involves obedience to His will as far -as you know it in each smallest detail of life. There are those who tell -us that they have taken Christ as their Lord and King who at the same -time are disobeying Him daily in business, in domestic life, in social -life and in personal conduct Such persons are deceiving themselves. You -have not taken Jesus as your Lord and King if you are not striving to -obey Him in everything each day. He Himself says, “Why call ye Me ‘Lord, -Lord!’ and do not the things that I say?” (Luke 6: 46). - -To sum it all up, the right way to begin the Christian life is to accept -Jesus Christ as your sin-bearer and to trust God to forgive your sins -because Jesus Christ died in your place; to accept Him as your risen -Saviour who ever lives to make intercession for you, and who has all -power to keep you, and to trust Him to keep you from day to day; and -to accept Him as your Lord and King to whom you surrender the absolute -control of your thoughts and of your life. This is the right beginning, -the only right beginning of the Christian life. If you have made this -beginning, all that follows will be comparatively easy. If you have not -made this beginning, make it now. - - - - -II - -THE OPEN CONFESSION OF CHRIST - - -Having begun the Christian life right by taking the proper attitude -towards Christ in a private transaction between Himself and yourself, -the next step is an open confession of the relationship that now exists -between yourself and Jesus Christ. Jesus says in Matt. 10: 32, “Whosoever -therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My -Father which is in heaven.” He demands a public confession. He demands -it for your own sake. This is the path of blessing. Many attempt to -be disciples of Jesus and not let the world know it. No one has ever -succeeded in that attempt. To be a secret disciple means to be no -disciple at all. If one really has received Christ he cannot keep it -to himself. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” -(Matt. 12: 34). So important is the public confession of Christ that Paul -puts it first in his statement of the conditions of salvation. He says, -“If thou shalt _confess with thy mouth_ the Lord Jesus and shalt believe -in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be -saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the -mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10: 9, 10). The life of -confession is the life of full salvation. Indeed, the life of confession -is the life of the only real salvation. When we confess Christ before men -down here, He confesses us before the Father in heaven and the Father -gives us the Holy Spirit as the seal of our salvation. - -It is not enough that we confess Christ just once, as, for example, when -we are confirmed, or when we unite with the church, or when we come -forward in a revival meeting. We should confess Christ constantly. We -should not be ashamed of our Lord and King. We should let people know -that we are on His side. In the home, in the church, at our work, and at -our play, we should let others know where we stand. Of course, we should -not parade our Christianity or our piety, but we should leave no one in -doubt whether we belong to Christ. We should let it be seen that we glory -in Him as our Lord and King. - -The failure to confess Christ is one of the most frequent causes of -backsliding. Christians get into new relationships where they are not -known as Christians and where they are tempted to conceal the fact; they -yield to the temptation and they soon find themselves drifting. The more -you make of Jesus Christ, the more He will make of you. It will save you -from many a temptation if the fact is clearly known that you are one who -acknowledges Christ as Lord in all things. - - - - -III - -ASSURANCE OF SALVATION - - -If one is to have the fullest measure of joy and power in Christian -service, he must know that his sins are forgiven, that he is a child -of God, and that he has eternal life. It is the believer’s privilege -to _know_ that he has eternal life. John says in 1 John 5: 13, R. V., -“These things have I written unto you, _that ye may know_ that ye have -eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.” -John wrote this first epistle for the express purpose that any one who -believes on the name of the Son of God _might know_ that he has eternal -life. - -There are those who tell us that no one can know that he has eternal -life until he is dead and has been before the judgment seat of God, but -God Himself tells us that we may know. To deny the possibility of the -believer’s knowing that he has eternal life is to say that the First -Epistle of John was written in vain, and it is to insult the Holy Spirit -who is its real author. Again Paul tells us in Acts 13: 39, R. V., “By -Him (that is by Christ) every one that believeth _is justified_ from -all things.” So every one that believeth in Jesus may know that he is -justified from all things. He may know it because the Word of God says -so. Again John tells us in John 1: 12, R. V., “But _as many as received -Him_ (that is Jesus Christ) to them gave He the right to become children -of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Here is a definite and -unmistakable declaration that every one who receives Jesus becomes a -child of God. Therefore every believer in Jesus may know that he is a -child of God. He may know it on the surest of all grounds, _i. e._, -because the Word of God asserts that he is a child of God. - -But how may any individual know that he has eternal life? He may know -it on the very best ground of knowledge, that is through the testimony -of God Himself as given in the Bible. The testimony of Scripture is the -testimony of God. What the Scriptures say is absolutely sure. What the -Scriptures say God says. Now in John 3: 36 the Scriptures say, “He that -believeth on the Son _hath_ everlasting life.” Any one of us may know -whether we believe on the Son or not. Whether we have that real faith -in Christ that leads us to receive Him. If we have this faith in Christ -we have God’s own written testimony that we have eternal life, that our -sins are forgiven, that we are the children of God. We may feel forgiven, -or we may not feel forgiven, but that does not matter. It is not a -question of what we feel but of what God says. God’s Word is always to -be believed. Our own feelings are oftentimes to be doubted. There are -many who are led to doubt their sins are forgiven, to doubt that they -have everlasting life, to doubt that they are saved, because they do not -feel forgiven, or do not feel that they have everlasting life, or do not -feel that they are saved. Because you do not feel it is no reason why you -should doubt it. - -Suppose that you were sentenced to imprisonment and that your friends -secured a pardon for you. The legal document announcing your pardon is -brought to you. You read it and know you are pardoned because the legal -document says so, but the news is so good and so sudden that you are -dazed by it. You do not realize that you are pardoned. Some one comes to -you and says, “Are you pardoned?” What would you reply? You would say, -“Yes, I am pardoned.” Then he asks, “Do you feel pardoned?” You reply, -“No, I do not feel pardoned. It is so sudden, it is so wonderful, I -cannot realize it.” Then he says to you, “But how can you know that you -are pardoned if you do not feel it?” You would hold out the document and -you would say, “This says so.” The time would come, after you had read -the document over and over again and believed it, when you would not -only know you were pardoned because the document said so but you would -feel it. Now the Bible is God’s authoritative document declaring that -every one that believeth in Jesus is justified; declaring that every one -that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; declaring that every one -who receives Jesus is a child of God. If any one asks you if your sins -are all forgiven, reply, “Yes, I know they are because God says so.” If -they ask you if you know that you are a child of God, reply, “Yes, I know -I am a child of God because God says so.” If they ask you if you have -everlasting life, reply, “Yes, I know I have everlasting life because -God says so. God says, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting -life.’ I know I believe on the Son, and therefore I know I have eternal -life—because God says so.” You may not feel it yet but if you will keep -meditating upon God’s statement and believing what God says, the time -will come when you will feel it. - -For one who believes on the Son of God to doubt that he has eternal -life is for him to make God a liar. “He that believeth on the Son of -God hath the witness in him. He that believeth not God, hath made Him a -liar because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne -concerning His Son and the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal -life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath the life: he -that hath not the Son of God hath not the life” (1 John 5: 10-12, R. V.). -Any one who does not believe God’s testimony that He has given unto us -eternal life and that this life is in His Son and that he that hath the -Son hath the life, makes God a liar. - -It is sometimes said “it is presumption for any one to say that he knows -he is saved, or to say that he knows that he has eternal life.” But is it -presumption to believe God? Is it not rather presumption not to believe -God, to make God a liar? When you who believe on the Son of God and yet -doubt that you have eternal life, you make God a liar. When Jesus said -to the woman who was a sinner, “Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke 7: 48), -was it presumption for her to go out and say, “I know my sins are all -forgiven”? Would it not have been presumption for her to have doubted for -a moment that her sins were all forgiven? Jesus had said that they were -forgiven. For her to doubt it would have been for her to give the lie to -Jesus. Is it then any more presumption for the believer to-day to say, -“My sins are all forgiven, I have eternal life,” when God says in His -written testimony to every one that believeth, “You are justified from -all things” (Acts 13: 39), “You have eternal life” (John 3: 36; 1 John -5: 13)? - -Be very sure first of all that you really do believe on the name of the -Son of God; that you really have received Jesus. If you are sure of this -then never doubt for a moment that your sins are all forgiven, never -doubt for a moment that you are a child of God, never doubt for a moment -that you have everlasting life. If Satan comes and whispers, “Your sins -are not forgiven,” point Satan to the Word of God and say, “God says my -sins are forgiven and I know they are.” If Satan whispers, “Well perhaps -you don’t believe on Him,” then say, “Well if I never did before I will -now.” And then go out rejoicing, knowing that your sins are forgiven, -knowing that you are a child of God, knowing that you have everlasting -life. - -There are doubtless many who say they know they have eternal life who -really do not believe on the name of the Son of God, who have not really -received Jesus. This is not true assurance. It has no sure foundation in -the Word of God who cannot lie. If we wish to get assurance of salvation -we must first get saved. The reason why many have not the assurance that -they are saved is because they are not saved. They ought not to have -assurance. What they need first is salvation. But if you have received -Jesus in the way described in the first chapter, YOU ARE SAVED, you are -a child of God, your sins are forgiven. Believe it, know it. Rejoice in -it. - -Having settled it, let it remain settled. Never doubt it. You may make -mistakes, you may stumble, you may fall, but even if you do, if you have -really received Jesus, know that your sins are forgiven and rise from -your fall and go forward in the glad assurance that there is nothing -between you and God. - - - - -IV - -RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT - - -When the Apostle Paul came to Ephesus, he found a little group of twelve -disciples of Christ. There was something about these twelve disciples -that struck Paul unfavourably. We are not told what it was. It may be -that he did not find in them that overflowing joyfulness that one learns -to expect in all Christians who have really entered into the fullness -of blessing that there is for them in Christ. It may be that Paul was -troubled at the fact that there were only twelve of them, thinking that -if these twelve were what they ought to be, there would certainly have -been more than twelve of them by this time. Whatever it may have been -that impressed Paul unfavourably, he went right to the root of the -difficulty at once by putting to them the question, “Did ye receive the -Holy Ghost when ye believed?” (Acts 19: 2, R. V.). It came out at once -that they had not received the Holy Ghost, that in fact they did not -know that the Holy Ghost had been given. Then Paul told them that the -Holy Ghost had been given, and also showed them just what they must do -to receive the Holy Ghost then and there, and before that gathering -was over the Holy Ghost came upon them. From that day on there was a -different state of affairs in Ephesus. A great revival sprang up at once -so that the whole city was shaken, “So mightily grew the Word of God and -prevailed” (Acts 19: 20). Paul’s question to these young disciples in -Ephesus should be put to young disciples everywhere, “Have ye received -the Holy Ghost?” In _receiving the Holy Spirit_ is the great secret of -joyfulness in our own hearts, of victory over sin, of power in prayer, -and of effective service. - -Every one who has truly received Jesus must have the Holy Spirit dwelling -in him in some sense; but in many believers, though the Holy Spirit -dwells in them, He dwells way back in some hidden sanctuary of their -being, back of consciousness. It is something quite different, something -far better than this, to receive the Holy Spirit in the sense that Paul -meant in his question. To receive the Holy Spirit in such a sense that -one knows experimentally that he has received the Holy Spirit, to receive -the Holy Spirit in such a sense that we are conscious of the joy with -which He fills our hearts different from any joy that we have ever known -in the world; to receive the Holy Spirit in such a sense that He rules -our life and produces within us in ever increasing measure the fruit -of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, -faith, meekness, temperance; to receive the Holy Spirit in such a sense -that we are conscious of His drawing our hearts out in prayer in a way -that is not of ourselves; to receive the Holy Spirit in such a sense that -we are conscious of His help when we witness for Christ, when we speak -to others individually and try to lead them to accept Christ, or when we -teach a Sunday-school class, or speak in public, or do any other work for -the Master. Have you received the Holy Spirit? If you have not, let me -tell you how you may. - -1. First of all in order to receive the Holy Spirit, one must be resting -in the death of Christ on the cross for us as the sole and all-sufficient -ground upon which God pardons all our sins and forgives us. - -2. In order to receive the Holy Spirit we must put away every known sin. -We should go to our heavenly Father and ask Him to search us through and -through and bring to light anything in our life, our outward life or our -inward life, that is wrong in His sight, and if He does bring anything to -light that is displeasing to Him, we should put it away, no matter how -dear it is to us. There must be a complete renunciation of all sin in -order to receive the Holy Spirit. - -3. In the third place, in order to receive the Holy Spirit, there must -be an open confession of Christ before the world. The Holy Spirit is not -given to those who are trying to be disciples in secret, but to those who -obey Christ and publicly confess Him before the world. - -4. In the fourth place, in order to receive the Holy Spirit, there must -be an absolute surrender of our lives to God. You must go to Him and say, -“Heavenly Father, here I am. Thou hast bought me with a price. I am Thy -property. I renounce all claim to do my own will, all claim to govern my -own life, all claim to have my own way. I give myself up unreservedly to -Thee—all I am and all I have. Send me where Thou wilt, use me as Thou -wilt, do with me what Thou wilt—I am Thine.” If we hold anything back -from God, no matter how small it may seem, that spoils it all. But if we -surrender all to God, then God will give all that He has to us. There -are some who shrink from this absolute surrender to God, but absolute -surrender to God is simply absolute surrender to infinite love. Surrender -to the Father, to the Father whose love is not only wiser than any -earthly father’s, but more tender than any earthly mother’s. - -5. In order to receive the Holy Spirit there should be definite asking -for the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus says in Luke 11: 13, “If ye then, -being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more -shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” -Just ask God to give you the Holy Spirit and expect Him to do it, because -He says He will. - -6. Last of all, in order to receive the Holy Spirit, there must be faith, -simply taking God at His Word. No matter how positive any promise of -God’s Word may be, we enjoy it personally only when we believe. Our Lord -Jesus says, “All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye -have received them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11: 24, R. V.). When -you pray for the Holy Spirit you have prayed for something according -to God’s will and therefore you may know that your prayer is heard and -that you have what you asked of Him (1 John 5: 14, 15). You may feel no -different, but do not look at your feelings but at God’s promise. Believe -the prayer is heard, believe that God has given you the Holy Spirit and -you will afterwards have in actual experience what you have received in -simple faith on the bare promise of God’s Word. - -It is well to go often alone and kneel down and look up to the Holy -Spirit and put into His hands anew the entire control of your life. -Ask Him to take the control of your thoughts, the control of your -imagination, the control of your affections, the control of your desires, -the control of your ambitions, the control of your choices, the control -of your purposes, the control of your words, the control of your actions, -the control of everything, and just expect Him to do it. The whole secret -of victory in the Christian life is letting the Holy Spirit who dwells -within you, have undisputed right of way in the entire conduct of your -life. - - - - -V - -LOOKING UNTO JESUS - - -If we are to run with patience the race that is set before us, we must -always keep looking unto Jesus (Heb. 12: 1-3). One of the simplest and -yet one of the mightiest secrets of abiding joy and victory is to _never -lose sight of Jesus_. - -1. First of all _we must keep looking at Jesus as the ground of our -acceptance before God_. Over and over again Satan will make an attempt -to discourage us by bringing up our sins and failures and thus try to -convince us that we are not children of God, or not saved. If he succeeds -in getting us to keep looking at and brooding over our sins, he will soon -get us discouraged, and discouragement means failure. But if we will keep -looking at what God looks at, the death of Jesus Christ in our place that -completely atones for every sin that we ever committed, we will never be -discouraged because of the greatness of our sins. We shall see that while -our sins are great, very great, that they have all been atoned for. Every -time Satan brings up one of our sins, we shall see that Jesus Christ has -redeemed us from its curse by being made a curse in our place (Gal. 3: -13). We shall see that while in ourselves we are full of unrighteousness, -nevertheless in Christ we are made the righteousness of God, because -Christ was made to be sin in our place (2 Cor. 5: 21). We will see that -every sin that Satan taunts us about has been borne and settled forever -(1 Pet. 2: 24; Is. 53: 6). We shall always be able to sing, - - “Jesus paid my debt, - All the debt I owe; - Sin had left a crimson stain, - He washed it white as snow.” - -If you are this moment troubled about any sin that you have ever -committed, either in the past or in the present, just look at Jesus on -the cross; believe what God tells you about Him, that this sin which -troubles you was laid upon Him (Is. 53: 6). Thank God that the sin is -all settled; be full of gratitude to Jesus who bore it in your place and -trouble about it no more. It is an act of base ingratitude to God to -brood over sins that He in His infinite love has cancelled. Keep looking -at Christ on the cross and walk always in the sunlight of God’s favour. -This favour of God has been purchased for you at great cost. Gratitude -demands that you should always believe in it and walk in the light of it. - -2. In the second place, _we must keep looking at Jesus as our risen -Saviour, who has all power in heaven and on earth and is able to keep -us every day and every hour_. Are you tempted to do some wrong at this -moment? If you are, remember that Jesus rose from the dead, remember -that at this moment He is living at the right hand of God in the glory; -remember that He has all power in heaven and on earth, and that, -therefore, He can give you victory right now. Believe what God tells -you in His Word that Jesus has power to save you this moment “to the -uttermost” (Heb. 7: 25). Believe that He has power to give you victory -over this sin that now besets you. Ask Him to give you victory, expect -Him to do it. In this way by looking unto the risen Christ for victory -you may have victory over sin every day, every hour, every moment. -“Remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead” (2 Tim. 2: 8, R. V.). - -God has called every one of us to a victorious life, and the secret of -this victorious life is always looking to the risen Christ for victory. -Through looking to Christ crucified we obtain pardon and enjoy peace. -Through looking to the risen Christ we obtain present victory over the -power of sin. If you have lost sight of the risen Christ and have yielded -to temptation, confess your sin and know that it is forgiven because God -says so (1 John 1: 9) and look to Jesus, the risen One, again to give -you victory now and keep looking to Him. - -3. In the third place, _we must keep looking to Jesus as the One whom -we should follow in our daily conduct_. Our Lord Jesus says to us, His -disciples to-day, as He said to His early disciples, “Follow Me.” The -whole secret of true Christian conduct can be summed up in these two -words “Follow Me.” “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself so to -walk _even as He walked_” (1 John 2: 6). One of the commonest causes of -failure in Christian life is found in the attempt to follow some good -man, whom we greatly admire. No man and no woman, no matter how good, -can be safely followed. If we follow any man or woman, we are bound to -go astray. There never has been but one absolutely perfect Man upon this -earth—the Man Christ Jesus. If we try to follow any other man we are more -sure to imitate his faults than his excellencies. Look at Jesus and Jesus -only as your Guide. - -If at any time you are in any perplexity as to what to do, simply ask -the question, What would Jesus do? Ask God by His Holy Spirit to show -you what Jesus would do. Study your Bible to find out what Jesus did -do and follow Jesus. Even though no one else seems to be following -Jesus, be sure that you follow Him. Do not spend your time or thought in -criticising others because they do not follow Jesus. See that you follow -Him yourself. When you are wasting your time criticising others for not -following Jesus, Jesus is always saying to you, “What is that to thee; -follow THOU Me” (John 21: 22). The question for you is not what following -Jesus may involve for other people. The question is what does following -Jesus mean for you? - -This is the really simple life, the life of simply following Jesus. Many -perplexing questions will come to you, but the most perplexing question -will soon become as clear as day if you determine with all your heart to -follow Jesus in everything. Satan will always be ready to whisper to you, -“Such and such a good man does it,” but all you need to do is to answer, -“It matters not to me what this or that man may do or not do. The only -question to me is, What would Jesus do?” There is wonderful freedom in -this life of simply following Jesus. This path is straight and plain. -But the path of the one who tries to shape his conduct by observing the -conduct of others is full of twists and turns and pitfalls. Keep looking -at Jesus. Follow on trustingly where He leads. This is the path of the -just which shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Prov. 4: 18). He -is the Light of the World, any one who follows Him shall not walk in -darkness, but shall have the light of life all along the way (John 8: -12). - - - - -VI - -CHURCH MEMBERSHIP - - -No young Christian and no old Christian can have real success in the -Christian life without the fellowship of other believers. The church -is a divine institution, built by Jesus Christ Himself. It is the one -institution that abides. Other institutions come and go; they do their -work for their day and disappear, but the church will continue to the -end. “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16: 18). -The church is made up of men and women, imperfect men and women, and -consequently is an imperfect institution, but none the less it is of -divine origin and God loves it, and every believer should realize that -he belongs to it and should openly take his place in it and bear his -responsibilities regarding it. - -The true church consists of all true believers, all who are united to -Jesus Christ by a living faith in Himself. In its outward organization -at the present time, it is divided into numberless sects and local -congregations, but in spite of these divisions the true church is one. It -has one Lord, Jesus Christ. It has one faith, faith in Him as Saviour, -Divine Lord and only King; one baptism, the baptism in the one Spirit -into the one body (Eph. 4: 4, 5; 1 Cor. 12: 13). But each individual -Christian needs the fellowship of individual fellow believers. The -outward expression of this fellowship is in membership in some organized -body of believers. If we hold aloof from all organized churches, hoping -thus to have a broader fellowship with all believers belonging to all -the churches, we deceive ourselves. We will miss the helpfulness that -comes from intimate union with some local congregation. I have known many -well-meaning persons who have held aloof from membership in any specific -organization, and I have never known a person who has done this, whose -own spiritual life has not suffered by it. On the day of Pentecost the -three thousand who were converted were at once baptized and were added -to the church (Acts 2: 41, 47), and “They continued steadfastly in the -apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in -prayers.” Their example is the one to follow. If you have really received -Jesus Christ, hunt up as soon as possible some company of others who have -received Jesus Christ and unite yourself with them. - -In many communities there may be no choice of churches, for there is only -one. In other communities one will be faced with the question, “With -what body of believers shall I unite?” Do not waste your time looking for -a perfect church. There is no perfect church. If you wait until you find -a perfect church before you unite with any, you will unite with none, -and thus you will belong to a church in which you are the only member -and that is the most imperfect church of all. I would rather belong to -the most imperfect Christian church I ever knew than not to belong to -any church at all. The local churches in Paul’s day were very imperfect -institutions. Let one read the epistles to the Corinthians and see how -imperfect was the church in Corinth, see how much there was that was evil -in it, and yet Paul never thought of advising any believer in Corinth -to get out of this imperfect church. He did tell them to come out of -heathenism, to come out from fellowship with infidels (2 Cor. 6: 14-18), -but not a word on coming out of the imperfect church in Corinth. He did -tell the church in Corinth to separate from their membership certain -persons whose lives were wrong (1 Cor. 5: 11, 12), but he did not tell -the individual members of the church in Corinth to get out of the church -because these persons had not yet been separated from their fellowship. - -As you cannot find a perfect church, find the best church you can. Unite -with a church where they believe in the Bible and where they preach -the Bible. Avoid the churches where words are spoken open or veiled -that have a tendency to undermine your faith in the Bible as a reliable -revelation from God Himself, the all-sufficient rule of faith and -practice. Unite with a church where there is a spirit of prayer, where -the prayer-meetings are well kept up. Unite with a church that has a real -active interest in the salvation of the lost, where young Christians are -looked after and helped, where minister and people have a love for the -poor and outcast, a church that regards its mission in this world to -be the same as the mission of Christ, “to seek and to save the lost.” -As to denominational differences, other things being equal, unite with -that denomination whose ideas of doctrine and of government and of the -ordinances are most closely akin to your own. But it is better to unite -with a live church of some other denomination than to unite with a dead -church of your own. We live in a day when denominational differences are -becoming ever less and less, and oftentimes they are of no practical -consequence whatever; and one will often feel more at home in a church -of some other denomination than in any accessible church of his own -denomination. The things that divide the denominations are insignificant -compared with the great fundamental truths and purposes and faith that -unite them. - -If you cannot find the church that agrees with the pattern set forth -above, find the church that comes nearest to it. Go into that church -and by prayer and by work try to bring that church as nearly as you can -to the pattern of what you think a church of Christ ought to be. But do -not waste your strength in criticism against either church or minister. -Seek for what is good in the church and in the minister and do your best -to strengthen it. Hold aloof firmly, though unobtrusively, from what is -wrong and seek to correct it. Do not be discouraged if you cannot correct -it in a day or a week or a month or a year. Patient love and prayer -and effort will tell in time. Drawing off by yourself and snarling and -grumbling will do no good. They will simply make you and the truths for -which you stand repulsive. - - - - -VII - -BIBLE STUDY - - -There is nothing more important for the development of the spiritual life -of the Christian than regular, systematic Bible study. It is as true in -the spiritual life as it is in the physical life that health depends upon -what we eat and how much we eat. The soul’s proper food is found in one -book, the Bible. Of course, a true minister of the gospel will feed us on -the Word of God, but that is not enough. He feeds us but one or two days -in the week and we need to be fed every day. Furthermore, it will not -do to depend upon being fed by others. We must learn to feed ourselves. -If we study the Bible for ourselves as we ought to study it, we shall -be in a large measure independent of human teachers. Even if we are so -unfortunate as to have for our minister a man who is himself ignorant of -the truth of God we shall still be safe from harm. - -We live in a day in which false doctrine abounds on every hand and the -only Christian who is safe from being led into error is the one who -studies his Bible for himself daily. The Apostle Paul warned the elders -of the church in Ephesus that the time was soon coming when grievous -wolves should enter in among them not sparing the flock and when of -their own selves men should arise speaking perverse things to draw away -the disciples after them, but he told them how to be safe even in such -perilous times as these. He said, “I commend you to God and to the -Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an -inheritance among them which are sanctified.” Through meditation on the -Word of God’s grace they would be safe even in the midst of abounding -error on the part of the leaders in the church (Acts 20: 29-32). Writing -later to the Bishop of the church in Ephesus Paul said, “But evil men and -impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 -Tim. 3: 13, R. V.) but he goes on to tell Bishop Timothy how he and his -fellow believers could be safe even in such times of increasing peril as -were coming. That way was through the study of the Holy Scriptures, which -are able to make wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3: 14, 15). “All Scripture,” -he adds, “is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, -for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the -man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” -That is to say, through the study of the Bible one will be sound in -doctrine, will be led to see his sins and put them away, will find -discipline in the righteous life and attain unto complete equipment for -all good works. Our spiritual health, our growth, our strength, our -victory over sin, our soundness in doctrine, our joy and peace in Christ, -our cleansing from inward and outward sin, our fitness for service, all -depend upon the study of the Word of God. The one who neglects his Bible -is bound to make a failure of the Christian life. The one who studies his -Bible in the right spirit and by a true method is bound to make a success -of the Christian life. - -This brings us face to face with the question, “What is the right way to -study the Bible?” - -1. First of all, we should _study it daily_ (Acts 17: 11). This is of -prime importance. No matter how good the methods of Bible study that one -follows may be, no matter how much time one may put into Bible study now -and then, the best results can only be secured when one makes it a matter -of principle never to let a single day go by without earnest Bible study. -This is the only safe course. Any day that is allowed to pass without -faithful Bible study is a day thrown open to the advent into our hearts -and lives of error or of sin. The writer has been a Christian for more -than a quarter of a century and yet to-day he would not dare to allow -even a single day to pass over his head without listening to the voice -of God as it speaks to him through the pages of His Book. It is at this -point that many fall away. They grow careless and let a day pass, or even -several days pass, without going alone with God and letting Him speak to -them through His Word. Mr. Moody once wisely said, “In prayer we talk to -God. In Bible study, God talks to us, and we had better let God do most -of the talking.” - -A regular time should be set apart each day for the study of the Bible. -I do not think it is well as a rule to say that we shall study so many -chapters in a day, for that leads to undue haste and skimming and -thoughtlessness, but it is well to set apart a certain length of time -each day for Bible study. Some can give more time to Bible study than -others, but no one ought to give less than fifteen minutes a day. I set -the time so low in order that no one may be discouraged at the outset. -If a young Christian should set out to give an hour or two hours a day -to Bible study, there is a strong probability that he would not keep -to the resolution and he might become discouraged. Yet I know of many -very busy people who have given the first hour of every day for years to -Bible study and some who have given even two hours a day. The late Earl -Cairns, Lord Chancellor of England, was one of the busiest men of his -day, but Lady Cairns told me a few months ago that no matter how late he -reached home at night he always arose at the same early hour for prayer -and Bible study. She said, “We would sometimes get home from Parliament -at two o’clock in the morning, but Lord Cairns would always arise at the -same early hour to pray and study the Bible.” Lord Cairns is reported as -saying, “If I have had any success in life, I attribute it to the habit -of giving the first two hours of each day to Bible study and prayer.” - -It is important that one choose the right time for this study. Wherever -it is possible, the best time for this study is immediately after arising -in the morning. The worst time of all is the last thing at night. Of -course, it is well to give a little while just before we retire to Bible -reading, in order that God’s voice may be the last to which we listen, -but the bulk of our Bible study should be done at an hour when our minds -are clearest and strongest. Whatever time is set apart for Bible study -should be kept sacredly for that purpose. - -2. We should _study the Bible systematically_. Much time is frittered -away in random study of the Bible. The same amount of time put into -systematic study would yield far larger results. Have a definite place -where you are studying and have a definite plan of study. A good way for -a young Christian to begin the study of the Bible is to read the Gospel -of John. When you have read it through once, begin and read it again -until you have gone over the Gospel five times. Then read the Gospel of -Luke five times in the same way; then read the Acts of the Apostles five -times, then 1 Thessalonians five times, then 1 John five times, then -Romans five times, then Ephesians five times. - -By this time you will be ready to take up a more thorough method of Bible -study. A good method is to begin at Genesis and read the Bible through -chapter by chapter. Read each chapter through several times and then -answer the following questions on the chapter: - -(1) What is the principal subject of the chapter? (State the principal -contents of the chapter in a single phrase or sentence.) - -(2) What is the truth most clearly taught and most emphasized in the -chapter? - -(3) What is the best lesson? - -(4) What is the best verse? - -(5) Who are the principal people mentioned? - -(6) What does the chapter teach about Jesus Christ? Go through the entire -Bible in this way. - -Another and more thorough method of Bible chapter study, which cannot -be applied to every chapter in the Bible, but which will yield excellent -results when applied to some of the more important chapters of the Bible, -is as follows: - -(1) Read the chapter for to-day’s study five times, reading it aloud at -least once. Each new reading will bring out some new point. - -(2) Divide the chapter into its natural divisions and find headings -for each division that describes in the most striking way the contents -of that division. For example, suppose the chapter studied is 1 John -5. You might divide it in this way: First division, verses 1-3, The -Believer’s Noble Parentage. Second division, verses 4, 5, The Believer’s -Glorious Victory. Third division, verses 6-10, The Believer’s Sure Ground -of Faith. Fourth division, verses 11, 12, The Believer’s Priceless -Possession. Fifth division, verse 13, The Believer’s Blessed Assurance. -Sixth division, verses 14, 15, The Believer’s Unquestioning Confidence. -Seventh division, verses 16, 17, The Believer’s Great Power and -Responsibility. Eighth division, verses 18, 19, The Believer’s Perfect -Security. Ninth division, verse 20, The Believer’s Precious Knowledge. -Tenth division, verse 21, The Believer’s Constant Duty. - -(3) Note the important differences between the Authorized Version and the -Revised. - -(4) Write down the leading facts of the chapter in their proper order. - -(5) Make a note of the persons mentioned in the chapter and of any light -thrown upon their character. - -(6) Note the principal lessons of the chapter. It would be well to -classify these. For instance lessons about God; lessons about Christ, -lessons about the Holy Spirit, etc. - -(7) Find the central truth of the chapter. - -(8) The key verse of the chapter, if there is one. - -(9) The best verse in the chapter. Mark it and memorize it. - -(10) Write down what new truth you have learned from the chapter. - -(11) Write down what truth already known has come to you with new power. - -(12) What definite thing have you resolved to do as a result of studying -this chapter. It would be well to study in this way, all the chapters in -Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts; the first eight chapters of Romans; 1 -Cor. 12, 13 and 15; first six chapters of 2 Corinthians; all the chapters -in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, First Thessalonians and First -Epistle of John. It would be well at times to vary this by taking up -other methods of study for a time. - -Another profitable method of Bible study is the topical method. This was -Mr. Moody’s favourite method of study. Take up the great topics of which -the Bible teaches such as, the Holy Spirit, Prayer, the Blood of Christ, -Sin, Judgment, Grace, Justification, the New Birth, Sanctification, -Faith, Repentance, the Character of Christ, the Resurrection of Christ, -the Ascension of Christ, the Second Coming of Christ, Assurance, Love of -God, Love (to God, to Christ, to Christians, to all men), Heaven, Hell. -Get a Bible text-book and go through the Bible on each one of these -topics. (Other methods of Bible study, and more thorough methods for the -advanced student, will be found in the author’s book “HOW TO STUDY THE -BIBLE FOR GREATEST PROFIT.”) - -3. We should _study the Bible comprehensively_—the whole Bible. Many who -read their Bibles make the great mistake of confining all their reading -to certain portions of the Bible that they enjoy, and in this way they -get no knowledge of the Bible as a whole. They miss altogether many of -the most important phases of Bible truth. Begin and go through the Bible -again and again—a certain portion each day from the Old Testament and a -portion from the New Testament. Read carefully at least one Psalm every -day. - -It is well oftentimes to read a whole book of the Bible through at a -single sitting. Of course, with a few books of the Bible this would take -one or two hours, but with most of the books of the Bible it can be done -in a few minutes. With the shorter books of the Bible they should be read -through again and again at a single sitting. - -4. _Study the Bible attentively._ Do not hurry. One of the worst faults -in Bible study is haste and heedlessness. The Bible only does good by the -truth that it contains. It has no magic power. It is better to read one -verse attentively than to read a dozen chapters thoughtlessly. Sometimes -you will read a verse that takes hold of you. Don’t hurry on. Linger and -ponder that verse. As you read, mark in your Bible what impresses you -most. One does not need an elaborate system of Bible marking, simply -mark what impresses you. Meditate upon what you mark. God pronounces -that man blessed who “meditates” in God’s law day and night (Ps. 1: 2). -It is wonderful how a verse of Scripture will open if one reads it over -and over again and again, paying attention to each word as he reads -it, trying to get its exact meaning and its full meaning. Memorize the -passages that impress you most (Ps. 119: 11, R. V.). When you memorize -a passage of Scripture, memorize its location as well as its words. Fix -in your mind chapter and verse where the words are found. A busy but -spiritually-minded man who was hurrying to catch a train once said to -me, “Tell me in a word how to study my Bible.” I replied, “Thoughtfully.” - -5. _Study your Bible comparatively._ That is compare Scripture with -Scripture. The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. Wherever -you find a difficult passage in the Bible, there is always some passage -elsewhere that explains its meaning. The best book to use in this -comparison of Scripture with Scripture is “The Treasury of Scripture -Knowledge.” On every verse in the Bible this book gives a large number -of references. It is well to take up some book of the Bible and go -through that book verse by verse, looking up carefully and studying every -reference given in “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.” This is a very -fruitful method of Bible study. It is also well in studying the Bible by -chapters to look up the references on the more important verses in the -chapter. One will get more light on passages of Scripture by looking up -the references given in “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge,” than in -any other way I know. - -6. _Study your Bible believingly._ The Apostle Paul in writing to the -Christians in Thessalonica says, “For this cause also thank we God -without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard -of us, ye received it not as the Word of men, but as it is in truth, -the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 -Thess. 2: 13). Happy is the one who receives the Word of God as these -believers in Thessalonica received it, who receives it as what it really -is, the Word of God. In such a one it “works effectually.” The Bible is -the Word of God and we get the most out of any book by studying it as -what it really is. It is often said that we should study the Bible just -as we study any other book. That principle contains a truth, but it also -contains a great error. The Bible, it is true, is a book as other books -are books, the same laws of grammatical and literary construction hold -here as in other books, but the Bible is a unique book. It is what no -other book is, the Word of God. This can be easily proven to any candid -man.[1] The Bible ought then to be studied as no other book is. It should -be studied as the Word of God. This involves five things: - -(1) A greater eagerness and more careful and candid study to find out -just what it teaches than is bestowed upon all other books. It is -important to know the mind of man. It is absolutely essential to know the -mind of God. The place to discover the mind of God is the Bible. This is -the book in which God reveals His mind. - -(2) A prompt and unquestioning acceptance of, and submission to its -teachings when definitely ascertained. These teachings may appear to us -unreasonable or impossible, nevertheless we should accept them. If this -book is the Word of God, how foolish it is to submit its teachings to -the criticism of our finite reasoning. A little boy who discredits his -wise father’s statements simply because to his infant mind they appear -unreasonable, is not a philosopher, but a fool. But the greatest of -human thinkers is only an infant compared with the infinite God. And -to discredit God’s statements found in His Word because they appear -unreasonable to our infantile minds is not to act the part of the -philosopher, but the part of a fool. When we are once satisfied that the -Bible is the Word of God, its clear teachings must be for us the end of -all controversy and discussion. - -(3) Absolute reliance upon all its promises in all their length and -breadth and depth and height. The one who studies the Bible as the Word -of God will say of any promise, no matter how vast and beyond belief it -appears, “God who cannot lie has promised this, so I will claim it for -myself.” Mark the promise you thus claim. Look each day for some new -promise from your infinite Father. He has put “His riches in glory” -at your disposal (Phil. 4: 19). I know of no better way to grow rich -spiritually than to search daily for promises, and when you find them -appropriate them to yourself. - -(4) Obedience. Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only deceiving -your own soul (James 1: 22). Nothing goes farther to help one understand -the Bible than the purpose to obey it. Jesus said, “If any man willeth -to do His will, he shall know of the teaching” (John 7: 17 R. V.). The -surrendered will means the clear eye. If our eye is single (that is, our -will is absolutely surrendered to God) our whole body shall be full of -light. But if our eye be evil (that is, if we are trying to serve two -masters and are not absolutely surrendered to one Master, God) our whole -body shall be full of darkness (Matt. 6: 22-24). Many a passage that -looks obscure to you now would become as clear as day if you were willing -to obey in all things what the Bible teaches. Each commandment discovered -in the Bible that is really intended as a commandment to us should be -obeyed instantly. It is remarkable how soon one loses his relish for -the Bible and how soon the mind becomes obscured to its teachings when -we disobey the Bible at any point. Many a time I have known persons who -have loved their Bibles and have been useful in God’s service and clear -in their views of the truth who have come to something in the Bible that -they were unwilling to obey, some sacrifice was demanded that they were -unwilling to make, and their love for the Bible has rapidly waned, their -faith in the Bible began to weaken, and soon they were drifting farther -and farther away from clear views of the truth. Nothing clears the mind -like obedience; nothing darkens the mind like disobedience. To obey a -truth you see prepares you to see other truths. To disobey a truth you -see darkens your mind to all truths. - -Cultivate prompt, exact, unquestioning, joyous obedience to every command -that it is evident from its context applies to you. Be on the lookout for -new orders from your King. Blessing lies in the direction of obedience to -them. God’s commands are but sign-boards that mark the road to present -success and blessedness and to eternal glory. - -(5) Studying the Bible as the Word of God involves studying it as His own -voice speaking directly to you. When you open the Bible to study realize -that you have come into the very presence of God and that now He is going -to speak to you. Realize that it is God who is talking to you as much as -if you saw Him standing there. Say to yourself, “God is now going to -speak to me.” Nothing goes farther to give a freshness and gladness to -Bible study than the realization that as you read God is actually talking -to you. In this way Bible study becomes personal companionship with God -Himself. That was a wonderful privilege that Mary had one day, of sitting -at the feet of Jesus and listening to His voice, but if we will study the -Bible as the Word of God and as if we were in God’s very presence, then -we shall enjoy the privilege of sitting at the feet of God and having Him -talk to us every day. How often what would otherwise be a mere mechanical -performance of a duty would become a wonderfully joyous privilege if one -would say as he opens the Bible, “Now God, my Father, is going to speak -to me.” Oftentimes it helps us to a realization of the presence of God to -read the Bible on our knees. The Bible became in some measure a new book -to me when I took to reading it on my knees. - -7. _Study the Bible prayerfully._ God, who is the author of the Bible, -is willing to act as interpreter of it. He does so when you ask Him to. -The one who prays with earnestness and faith the Psalmist’s prayer, “Open -Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Ps. -119: 18) will get his eyes opened to see new beauties and wonders in the -Word of God that he never dreamed of before. Be very definite about -this. Each time you open the Bible to study it, even though it is but for -a few minutes, ask God to give you an open and discerning eye, and expect -Him to do it. Every time you come to a difficulty in the Bible, lay it -before God and ask an explanation and expect it. How often we think as we -puzzle over hard passages, “Oh, if I only had some great Bible teacher -here to explain this to me!” God is always present. He understands the -Bible better than any human teacher. Take your difficulty to Him and ask -Him to explain it. Jesus said, “When He the Spirit of Truth is come, -He shall guide you into all the truth” (John 16: 13, R. V.). It is the -privilege of the humblest believer in Christ to have the Holy Spirit for -his guide in his study of the Word. I have known many very humble people, -people with almost no education, who got more out of their Bible study -than most of the great theological teachers that I have known; simply -because they had learned that it was their privilege to have the Holy -Spirit for their teacher as they studied the Bible. Commentaries on the -Bible are oftentimes of great value, but one will learn more of real -value from the Bible by having the Holy Spirit for his teacher when he -studies his Bible than he will from all the commentaries that were ever -published. - -8. _Improve spare moments for Bible study._ In almost every man’s life -many minutes each day are lost, while waiting for meals, riding on -trains, going from place to place in street-cars and so forth. Carry -a pocket Bible or Testament with you and save these golden moments by -putting them to the very best use, listening to the voice of God. - -9. _Store away the Scripture in your mind and heart._ It will keep you -from sin (Ps. 119: 11, R. V.); from false doctrine (Acts 20: 29, 30, 32; -2 Tim. 3: 13-15). It will fill your heart with joy (Jer. 15: 16); and -peace (Ps. 85: 8). It will give you victory over the evil one (1 John -2: 14); it will give you power in prayer (John 15: 7); it will make you -wiser than the aged and your enemies (Ps. 119: 98, 100, 130); it will -make you “complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Tim. 3: -16, 17, R. V.). Try it. Do not memorize at random but memorize Scripture -in a connected way; memorize texts bearing on various subjects in proper -order; memorize by chapter and verse that you may know where to put -your finger on the text if any one disputes it. You should have a good -Bible for your study. One of the best is “The Oxford Two Version Bible, -Workers’ Edition.” - - - - -VIII - -DIFFICULTIES IN THE BIBLE - - -Sooner or later every young Christian comes across passages in the -Bible which are hard to understand and difficult to believe. To many -a young Christian, these difficulties become a serious hindrance in -the development of their Christian life. For days and weeks and months -oftentimes faith suffers partial or total eclipse. At just this point -wise counsel is needed. We have no desire to conceal the fact that these -difficulties exist. We rather desire to frankly face and consider them. -What shall we do concerning these difficulties that every thoughtful -student of the Bible will sooner or later encounter. - -1. _The first thing we have to say about these difficulties is that from -the very nature of the case difficulties are to be expected._ Some people -are surprised and staggered because there are difficulties in the Bible. -I would be more surprised and more staggered if there were not. What is -the Bible? It is a revelation of the mind and will and character and -being of the infinitely great, perfectly wise, and absolutely holy God. -But to whom is this revelation made? To men and women like you and me, to -finite beings. To men who are imperfect in intellectual development and -consequently in knowledge, and in character and consequently in spiritual -discernment. - -There must, from the very necessities of the case, be difficulties -in such a revelation made to such persons. When the finite tries to -understand the infinite there is bound to be difficulty. When the -ignorant contemplate the utterances of one perfect in knowledge there -must be many things hard to be understood and some things which to their -immature and inaccurate minds appear absurd. When sinful beings listen to -the demands of an absolutely holy being they are bound to be staggered at -some of His demands, and when they consider His dealings they are bound -to be staggered at some of His dealings. These dealings will necessarily -appear too severe, stern, harsh, terrific. It is plain that there must be -difficulties for us in such a revelation as the Bible is proven to be. If -some one should hand me a book that was as simple as the multiplication -table and say, “This is the Word of God, in which He has revealed His -whole will and wisdom,” I would shake my head and say, “I cannot believe -it. That is too easy to be a perfect revelation of infinite wisdom.” -There must be in any complete revelation of God’s mind and will and -character and being, things hard for a beginner to understand, and the -wisest and best of us are but beginners. - -2. _The second thing to be said about these difficulties is that a -difficulty in a doctrine, or a grave objection to a doctrine, does not -in any wise prove the doctrine to be untrue._ Many thoughtless people -fancy that it does. If they come across some difficulty in the way of -believing in the divine origin and absolute inerrancy and infallibility -of the Bible, they at once conclude that the doctrine is exploded. That -is very illogical. Stop a moment and think and learn to be reasonable and -fair. There is scarcely a doctrine in science commonly believed to-day -that has not had some great difficulty in the way of its acceptance. When -the Copernican theory, now so universally accepted, was first proclaimed, -it encountered a very grave difficulty. If this theory were true the -planet Venus should have phases as the moon has. But no phases could be -discovered by the best glass then in existence. But the positive argument -for the theory was so strong that it was accepted in spite of this -apparently unanswerable objection. When a more powerful glass was made, -it was discovered that Venus had phases after all. The whole difficulty -arose, as all those in the Bible arise, from man’s ignorance of some of -the facts in the case. According to the common sense logic recognized -in every department of science, if the positive proof of a theory is -conclusive, it is believed by rational men, in spite of any number of -difficulties in minor details. Now the positive proof that the Bible is -the Word of God, that it is an absolutely trustworthy revelation from God -Himself of Himself, His purposes and His will, of man’s duty and destiny, -of spiritual and eternal realities, is absolutely conclusive. Therefore -every rational man and woman must believe it in spite of any number of -difficulties in minor details. He is a shallow thinker who gives up a -well-attested truth because of some facts which he cannot reconcile with -that truth. And he is a very shallow Bible scholar who gives up the -divine origin and inerrancy of the Bible because there are some supposed -facts that he cannot reconcile with that doctrine. - -3. _The third thing to be said about the difficulties in the Bible is -that there are many more and much greater difficulties in the way of a -doctrine that holds the Bible to be of human origin, and hence fallible, -than are in the way of the doctrine that holds the Bible to be of divine -origin and hence altogether trustworthy._ A man may bring you some -difficulty and say, “How do you explain that if the Bible is the Word -of God?” and perhaps you may not be able to answer him satisfactorily. -Then he thinks he has you, but not at all. Turn on him and ask him how do -you account for the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible if it is of human -origin? How do you account for the marvellous unity of the Book? How -do you account for its inexhaustible depth? How do you account for its -unique power in lifting men up to God? How do you account for the history -of the Book, its victory over all men’s attacks, etc., etc., etc. For -every insignificant objection he can bring to your view, you can bring -many deeply significant objections to his view, and no candid man will -have any difficulty in deciding between the two views. The difficulties -that confront one who denies that the Bible is of divine origin and -authority are far more numerous and weighty than those that confront the -ones who believes it is of divine origin and authority. - -4. _The fourth thing to be said about the difficulties in the Bible -is the fact that you cannot solve a difficulty does not prove that it -cannot be solved, and the fact that you cannot answer an objection does -not prove at all that it cannot be answered._ It is passing strange how -often we overlook this very evident fact. There are many who, when they -meet a difficulty in the Bible and give it a little thought and can see -no possible solution, at once jump at the conclusion that a solution is -impossible by any one, and so throw up their faith in the reliability of -the Bible and in its divine origin. A little more of that modesty that -is becoming in beings so limited in knowledge as we all are would have -led them to say, “Though I see no possible solution to this difficulty, -some one a little wiser than I might easily find one.” Oh! if we would -only bear in mind that we do not know everything, and that there are a -great many things that we cannot solve now that we could easily solve -if we only knew a little more. Above all, we ought never to forget that -there may be a very easy solution to infinite wisdom of that which to -our finite wisdom—or ignorance—appears absolutely insoluble. What would -we think of a beginner in algebra who, having tried in vain for half an -hour to solve a difficult problem, declared that there was no possible -solution to the problem because he could find none? A man of much -experience and ability once left his work and came a long distance to see -me in great perturbation of spirit because he had discovered what seemed -to him a flat contradiction in the Bible. It had defied all his attempts -at reconciliation, but in a few moments he was shown a very simple and -satisfactory solution of the difficulty. - -5. _The fifth thing to be said about the difficulties in the Bible is -that the seeming defects in the book are exceedingly insignificant -when put in comparison with its many and marvellous excellencies._ It -certainly reveals great perversity of both mind and heart that men spend -so much time expatiating on the insignificant points that they consider -defects in the Bible, and pass by absolutely unnoticed the incomparable -beauties and wonders that adorn and glorify almost every page. What -would we think of any man, who in studying some great masterpiece of -art, concentrated his entire attention upon what looked to him like -a fly-speck in the corner. A large proportion of what is vaunted as -“critical study of the Bible” is a laborious and scholarly investigation -of supposed fly-specks and an entire neglect of the countless glories of -the book. - -6. _The sixth thing to be said about the difficulties in the Bible is -that the difficulties in the Bible have far more weight with superficial -readers of it than with profound students._ Take a man who is totally -ignorant of the real contents and meaning of the Bible and devotes his -whole strength to discovering apparent inconsistencies in it, to such -superficial students of the Bible these difficulties seem of immense -importance; but to the one who has learned to meditate on the Word of God -day and night they have scarce any weight at all. That mighty man of -God, George Müller, who had carefully studied the Bible from beginning to -end more than a hundred times, was not disturbed by any difficulties he -encountered. But to the one who is reading it through carefully for the -first or second time there are many things that perplex and stagger. - -7. _The seventh thing to be said about the difficulties in the Bible is -that they rapidly disappear upon careful and prayerful study._ How many -things there are in the Bible that once puzzled us and staggered us that -have been perfectly cleared up, and no longer present any difficulty at -all! Is it not reasonable to suppose that the difficulties that still -remain will also disappear upon further study? - -How shall we deal with the difficulties which we do find in the Bible? - -1. First of all, _honestly_. Whenever you find a difficulty in the Bible, -frankly acknowledge it. If you cannot give a good honest explanation, do -not attempt as yet to give any at all. - -2. _Humbly._ Recognize the limitations of your own mind and knowledge, -and do not imagine there is no solution just because you have found none. -There is in all probability a very simple solution. You will find it some -day, though at present you can find no solution at all. - -3. _Determinedly._ Make up your mind that you will find the solution if -you can by any amount of study and hard thinking. The difficulties in the -Bible are your heavenly Father’s challenge to you to set your brains to -work. - -4. _Fearlessly._ Do not be frightened when you find a difficulty, no -matter how unanswerable it appears upon first glance. Thousands have -found such before you. They were seen hundreds of years ago and still the -Old Book stands. You are not likely to discover any difficulty that was -not discovered and probably settled long before you were born, though -you do not know just where to lay your hand upon the solution. The Bible -which has stood eighteen centuries of rigid examination and incessant and -awful assault, is not going under before any discoveries that you make -or any attacks of modern infidels. All modern infidel attacks upon the -Bible are simply a revamping of old objections that have been disposed -of a hundred times in the past. These old objections will prove no more -effective in their new clothes than they did in the cast-off garments of -the past. - -5. _Patiently._ Do not be discouraged because you do not solve every -problem in a day. If some difficulty defies your best effort, lay it -aside for awhile. Very likely when you come back to it, it will have -disappeared and you will wonder how you were ever perplexed by it. -The writer often has to smile to-day when he thinks how sorely he was -perplexed in the past over questions which are now as clear as day. - -6. _Scripturally._ If you find a difficulty in one part of the Bible, -look for other Scripture to throw light upon it and dissolve it. Nothing -explains Scripture like Scripture. Never let apparently obscure passages -of Scripture darken the light that comes from clear passages, rather let -the light that comes from the clear passage illuminate the darkness that -seems to surround the obscure passage. - -7. _Prayerfully._ It is wonderful how difficulties dissolve when one -looks at them on his knees. One great reason why some modern scholars -have learned to be destructive critics is because they have forgotten how -to pray. - - - - -IX - -PRAYER - - -The one who would succeed in the Christian life must lead a life of -prayer. Very much of the failure in Christian living to-day, and in -Christian work, results from neglect of prayer. Very few Christians spend -as much time in prayer as they ought. The Apostle James told believers in -his day that the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of their lives -and service was neglect of prayer. “Ye have not,” says God through the -Apostle James, “because ye ask not.” So it is to-day. Why is it, many a -Christian is asking, that I make such poor headway in my Christian life? -Why do I have so little victory over sin? Why do I accomplish so little -by my effort? and God answers, “You have not because you ask not.” - -It is easy enough to lead a life of prayer if one only sets about it. -Set apart some time each day for prayer. The rule of David and of Daniel -is a good one; three times a day. “Evening and morning and at noon,” -says David, “will I pray and cry aloud and He shall hear my voice” (Ps. -55: 17). Of Daniel we read, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing -was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his -chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, -and prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime” (Dan. 6: -10). Of course, one can pray while walking the street, or riding in the -car, or sitting at his desk, and one should learn to lift his heart to -God right in the busiest moments of his life, but we need set times of -prayer, times when we go alone with God, shut to the door and talk to our -Father in the secret place (Matt. 6: 6). God is in the secret place and -will meet with us there and listen to our petitions. - -Prayer is a wonderful privilege. It is an audience with the King. It -is talking to our Father. How strange it is that people should ask the -question, “How much time ought I to spend in prayer?” When a subject is -summoned to an audience with his king, he never asks, “How much time must -I spend with the king?” His question is rather, “How much time will the -king give me?” And with any true child of God who realizes what prayer -really is, that it is an audience with the King of Kings, the question -will never be, “How much time must I spend in prayer,” but “How much time -may I spend in prayer with a due regard to other duties and privileges?” - -Begin the day with thanksgiving and prayer. Thanksgiving for the definite -mercies of the past, prayer for the definite needs of the present day. -Think of the temptations that you are likely to meet during the day; ask -God to show you the temptations that you are likely to meet and get from -God strength for victory over these temptations before the temptations -come. The reason why many fail in the battle is because they wait until -the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have -gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Jesus -conquered in the awful battles of Pilate’s judgment hall and of the -cross because He had the night before in prayer anticipated the battle -and gained the victory before the struggle really came. He had told His -disciples to do the same. He had bidden them “Pray that ye enter not -into temptation” (Luke 22: 40), but they had slept when they ought to -have prayed, and when the hour of temptation came they fell. Anticipate -your battles, fight them on your knees before temptation comes and you -will always have victory. At the very outset of the day, get counsel and -strength from God Himself for the duties of the day. - -Never let the rush of business crowd out prayer. The more work that any -day has to do, the more time must be spent in prayer in preparation for -that work. You will not lose time by it, you will save time by it. Prayer -is the greatest time saver known to man. The more the work crowds you the -more time take for prayer. - -Stop in the midst of the bustle and hurry and temptation of the day for -thanksgiving and prayer. A few minutes spent alone with God at midday -will go far to keep you calm in the midst of the worries and anxieties of -modern life. - -Close the day with thanksgiving and prayer. Review all the blessings -of the day and thank God in detail for them. Nothing goes farther to -increase faith in God and in His Word than a calm review at the close -of each day of what God has done for you that day. Nothing goes further -towards bringing new and larger blessings from God than intelligent -thanksgiving for blessings already granted. - -The last thing you do each day ask God to show you if there has been -anything in the day that has been displeasing in His sight. Then wait -quietly before God and give God an opportunity to speak to you. Listen. -Do not be in a hurry. If God shows you anything in the day that has been -displeasing in His sight, confess it fully and frankly as to a holy and -loving Father. Believe that God forgives it all, for He says He does -(1 John 1: 9). Thus at the close of each day all your accounts with -God will be straightened out. You can lie down and sleep in the glad -consciousness that there is not a cloud between you and God. You can -arise the next day to begin life anew with a clean balance sheet. Do this -and you can never backslide for more than twenty-four hours. Indeed, you -will not backslide at all. It is very hard to straighten out accounts -in business that have been allowed to get crooked through a prolonged -period. No bank ever closes its business day until its balance is found -to be absolutely correct. And no Christian should close a single day -until his accounts with God for that day have been perfectly adjusted -alone with Him. - -There should be special prayer in special temptation—that is when we -see the temptation approaching. If you possibly can, get at once alone -somewhere with God and fight your battle out. Keep looking to God. “Pray -without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5: 17). It is not needful to be on your knees -all the time but the heart should be on its knees all the time. We should -be often on our knees or on our faces literally. This is a joyous life, -free from worry and care. “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by -prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known -unto God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall -guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4: 6, 7, R. V.). - -There are three things for which one who would succeed in the Christian -life must especially pray. 1. For wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom (and -we all do) let him ask of God” (James 1: 5). 2. For strength. “For they -that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Is. 40: 31). 3. For -the Holy Spirit. “Your heavenly Father shall give the Holy Spirit to them -that ask Him” (Luke 11: 13). Even if you have received the Holy Spirit, -you should constantly pray for a new filling with the Holy Spirit and -definitely expect to receive it. We need a new filling with the Spirit -for every new emergency of Christian life and Christian service. The -Apostle Peter was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of -Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4) but he was filled anew in Acts 4: 8 and Acts 4: -31. There are many Christians in the world who once had a very definite -baptism with the Holy Spirit and had great joy and were wonderfully -used, but who have tried to go ever since in the power of that baptism -received years ago, and to-day their lives are comparatively joyless and -powerless. We need constantly to get new supplies of oil for our lamps. -We get these new supplies of oil by asking for them. - -It is not enough that we have our times of secret prayer to God alone -with Him, we also need fellowship with others in prayer. If they -have a prayer-meeting in your church attend it regularly. Attend it -for your own sake; attend it for the sake of the church. If it is a -prayer-meeting only in name and not in fact, use your influence quietly -and constantly (not obtrusively) to make it a real prayer-meeting. Keep -the prayer-meeting night sacredly for that purpose. Refuse all social -engagements for that night. A major-general in the United States army -once took command of the forces in a new district. A reception was -arranged for him for a certain night in the week. When he was informed -of this public reception he replied that that was prayer-meeting night -and everything else had to give way for prayer-meeting, that he could not -attend the reception on that night. That general had proved himself a -man that can be depended upon. The Church of Christ in America owes more -to him than to almost any other officer in the American army. Ministers -learn to depend upon their prayer-meeting members. The prayer-meeting -is the most important meeting in the church. If your church has no -prayer-meeting, use your influence to have one. It does not take many -members to make a good prayer-meeting. You can start with two but work -for many. - -It is well to have a little company of Christian friends with whom you -are in real sympathy and with whom you meet regularly every week simply -for prayer. There has been nothing of more importance in the development -of my own spiritual life of recent years than a little prayer-meeting of -less than a dozen friends who have met every Saturday night for years. -We met and together we waited upon God. If my life has been of any use -to the Master, I attribute it largely to that prayer-meeting. Happy is -the young Christian that has a little band of friends like that that meet -together regularly for prayer.[2] - - - - -X - -WORKING FOR CHRIST - - -One of the important conditions of growth and strength in the Christian -life is work. No man can keep up his physical strength without exercise -and no man can keep up his spiritual strength without spiritual exercise, -_i. e._, without working for his Master. The working Christian is the -happy Christian. The working Christian is the strong Christian. Some -Christians never backslide because they are too busy about their Master’s -business to backslide. Many professed Christians do backslide because -they are too idle to do anything but backslide. Jesus said to the first -disciples, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4: 19). -Any one who is not a fisher of men is not following Christ. Bearing fruit -in bringing others to the Saviour is the purpose for which Jesus has -chosen us and is one of the most important conditions of power in prayer. -Jesus says in John 15: 16, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you -and ordained you _that ye should go and bring forth fruit_, and that -your fruit should remain, _that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in -My name He may give it you_.” These words of Jesus are very plain. They -tell us that the one who is bearing fruit is the one who can pray in the -name of Christ and get what he asks in that name. In the same chapter -Jesus tells us that bearing fruit in His strength is the condition of -fullness of joy. He says, “These things have I spoken unto you (that is, -the things about abiding in Him and bearing fruit in His strength) that -My joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full” (John 15: -11). Experience abundantly proves the truth of these words of our Master. -Those who are full of activity in winning others to Christ are those who -are full of joy in Christ Himself. - -If you wish to be a happy Christian; if you wish to be a strong -Christian, if you wish to be a Christian who is mighty in prayer, begin -at once to work for the Master and never let a day pass without doing -some definite work for Him. But how can a young Christian work for Him? -How can a young Christian bear fruit? The answer is very simple and very -easy to follow. You can bear fruit for your Master by going to others and -telling them what your Saviour has done for you, and by urging them to -accept this same Saviour and showing them how to do it. There is no other -work in the world that is so easy to do, so joyous, and so abundant in -its fruitfulness, as personal hand to hand work. The youngest Christian -can do personal work. Of course, he cannot do it so well as he will do -it later, after he has had more practice. But the way to learn how to do -it is by doing it. I have known thousands of Christians all around the -world who have begun to work for Christ, and to bring others to Christ, -the very day that they were converted. How often young men and young -women, yes, and old men and old women too, have come to me and said, “I -accepted Jesus Christ last night as my Saviour, my Lord and my King, and -to-night I have led a friend to Christ.” Then the next day they would -come and tell me of some one else they had led to Christ. When we were -in Sheffield, a young man working in a warehouse accepted Christ. Before -the month’s mission in Sheffield was over he had led thirty others to -Christ, many of them in the same warehouse where he himself worked. This -is but one instance among many. There are many books that tell how to do -personal work.[3] - -But one does not need to wait until they have read some book on the -subject before they begin. One of the commonest and greatest mistakes -that is made is that of frittering one’s life away in getting ready to -get ready to get ready. Some never do get ready. The way to get ready is -to begin at once. Make up your mind that you will speak about accepting -Christ to at least one person every day. Early in his Christian life Mr. -Moody made this resolution that he would never let a day pass over his -head without speaking to at least one person about Christ. One night he -was returning late from his work. As he got near home it occurred to him -that he had not spoken to any one that day. He said to himself, “It is -too late now. I will not get an opportunity. Here will be one day gone -without my speaking to any one about Christ.” But a little ways ahead of -him he saw a man standing under a lamp-post. He said, “Here is my last -opportunity.” The man was a stranger to him, though he knew who Mr. Moody -was. Mr. Moody hurried up to him and asked him, “Are you a Christian?” -The man replied, “That is none of your business. If you were not a sort -of a preacher I would knock you into the gutter.” But Mr. Moody spoke a -few faithful words to him and passed on. The next day this man called on -one of Mr. Moody’s business friends in Chicago in great indignation. He -said, “That man Moody of yours over on the Northside is doing more harm -than he is good. He has zeal without knowledge. He came up to me last -night, a perfect stranger, and asked me if I was a Christian. He insulted -me. I told him if he had not been a sort of preacher I would have knocked -him into the gutter.” Mr. Moody’s friend called him in and said to -him, “Moody, you are doing more harm than good. You have zeal without -knowledge. You insulted a friend of mine on the street last night.” Mr. -Moody went out somewhat crestfallen, feeling that perhaps he was doing -more harm than good, that perhaps he did have zeal without knowledge. -But some weeks after, late at night, there was a great pounding on his -door. Mr. Moody got out of bed and rushed to the door supposing that the -house was on fire. That same man stood at the door. He said, “Mr. Moody, -I have not had a night’s rest since you spoke to me that night under the -lamp-post and I have come around for you to tell me what to do to be -saved.” Mr. Moody had the joy that night of leading that man to Christ. -It is better to have zeal without knowledge than to have knowledge -without zeal, but it is better yet to have zeal with knowledge, and any -one may have this. The way to get knowledge is by experience, and the -way to get experience is by doing the work. The man who is so afraid of -making blunders that he never does anything, never learns anything. -The man who goes ahead and does his best and is willing to risk the -blunders, is the man who learns to avoid the blunders in the future. Some -of the most gifted men I have ever known have never really accomplished -anything, they were so fearful of making blunders. Some of the most -useful men I have ever known were men who at the outset were the least -promising, but who had a real love for souls and went on, at first in a -blundering way, but they blundered on until they learned by experience -to do things well. Do not be discouraged by your blunders. Pitch in and -keep pegging away. Every honest mistake is but a stepping-stone to future -success. Try every day to lead some one else to Christ. Of course, you -will not succeed every day, but the work will do you good any way, and -years after you will often find that where you thought you have made the -greatest blunders, you have accomplished the best results. The man who -gets angriest at you, will often turn out in the end the man who is most -grateful to you. Be patient and hope on. Never be discouraged. - -Make a prayer list. Go alone with God. Write down at the top of a -sheet of paper, “God helping me, I promise to pray daily and to work -persistently for the conversion of the following persons.” Then kneel -down and ask God to show you who to put on that list. Do not make the -list so long that your prayer and work become mechanical and superficial. -After you have made the list keep your covenant, really pray for them -every day. Watch for opportunities to speak to them—improve these -opportunities. You may have to watch long for your opportunities with -some of them, and you may have to speak often, but never give up. I -prayed about fifteen years for one man, one of the most discouraging -men I ever met, but I saw that man converted at last, and I saw him -a preacher of the gospel, and many others were converted through his -preaching, and now he is in the Glory. - -Learn to use tracts. Get a few good tracts that are fitted to meet the -needs of different kinds of people. Then hand these tracts out to the -people whose needs they are adapted to meet. Follow your tracts up with -prayer and with personal effort. - -Go to your pastor and ask him if there is some work he would like to have -you do for him in the church. Be a person that your pastor can depend -upon. We live in a day in which there are many kinds of work going on -outside the church, and many of these kinds of work are good and you -should take part in them as you are able, but never forget that your -first duty is to the church of which you are a member. Be a person that -your pastor can count on. It may be that your pastor may not want to use -you, but at least give him the chance of refusing you. If he does refuse -you, don’t be discouraged, but find work somewhere else. There is plenty -to do and few to do it. It is as true to-day as it was in the days of -our Saviour, “The harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few” -(Matt. 9: 37), “Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send -forth labourers into His harvest,” and pray that He will send you (Matt. -9: 38). The right kind of men are needed in the ministry. The right kind -of men and women are needed for foreign mission work, but you may not be -the right kind of a man or woman for foreign missionary work, but none -the less there is work for you to do just as important in its place as -the work of the minister or the missionary is. See that you fill your -place and fill it well.[4] - - - - -XI - -FOREIGN MISSIONS - - -In order to have the largest success in the Christian life one must be -interested in foreign missions. The last command of our Lord before -leaving this earth was, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the -nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son and -of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have -commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the -world” (Matt. 28: 19, 20, R. V.). Here is a command and a promise. It -is one of the sweetest promises in the Bible. But the enjoyment of the -promise is conditioned upon obedience to the command. Our Lord commands -every one of His disciples to go and “make disciples” of all the nations. -This command was not given to the apostles alone, but to every member of -Christ’s church in all ages. If we go, then Christ will be with us even -unto the end of the age; but, if we do not go, we have no right to count -upon His companionship. Are you going? How can we go? There are three -ways in which we can go, and in at least two of these ways we must go if -we are to enjoy the wonderful privilege of the personal companionship of -Jesus Christ every day unto the end of the age. - -1. First, _many of us can go in our own persons_. Many of us ought to -go. God does not call every one of us to go as foreign missionaries, -but He does call many of us to go who are not responding to the call. -Every Christian should offer himself for the foreign field and leave the -responsibility of choosing him or refusing him to the all-wise One, God -Himself. No Christian has a right to stay at home until he has gone and -offered himself definitely to God for the foreign field. If you have -not done it before, do it to-day. Go alone with God and say, “Heavenly -Father, here I am, Thy property, purchased by the precious blood of -Christ. I belong to Thee. If Thou dost wish me in the foreign field, make -it clear to me and I will go.” Then keep watching for the leading of God. -God’s leading is clear leading. He is light and in Him is no darkness at -all (1 John 1: 5). If you are really willing to be led, He will make it -clear as day. Until He does make it clear as day, you need have no morbid -anxiety that perhaps you are staying at home when you ought to go to the -foreign field. If He wants you, He will make it clear as day in His own -way and time. If He does make it clear, then prepare to go step by step -as He leads you. And when His hour comes, go, no matter what it costs. If -He does not make it clear that you ought to go in your own person, stay -at home and do your duty at home and go in the other ways that will now -be told. - -2. _We all can go, and all ought to go to the foreign field by our -gifts._ There are many who would like to go to the foreign field in -their own person, but whom God providentially prevents, but who are -still going in the missionaries they support or help to support. It is -possible for you to preach the Gospel in the remotest corners of the -earth by supporting or helping to support a foreign missionary or a -native worker in that place. Many who read this book are able financially -to support a foreign missionary out of their own pocket. If you are able -to do it, do it. If you are not able to support a foreign missionary, -you may be able to support a native helper—do it. You may be able to -support one missionary in Japan and another in China, and another in -India and another in Africa and another somewhere else—do it. Oh! the -joy of preaching the Gospel in lands that we shall never see with our -own eyes. How few in the church of Christ to-day realize their privilege -of preaching the Gospel and saving men and women and children in distant -lands by sending substitute missionaries to them, that is, by sending -some one that goes for you where you cannot go yourself. They could -not go but for your gifts by which they are supported and you could -not go but for them, by their going in your place. You may be able to -give but very little to foreign missions, but every little counts. Many -insignificant streams together make a mighty river. If you cannot be a -river, at least be a stream. - -Learn to give largely. The large giver is the happy Christian. “The -liberal soul shall be made fat” (Prov. 11: 25). “He which soweth -sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully -shall reap also bountifully,” and “God is able to make all grace abound -towards you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may -abound to every good work” (2 Cor. 9: 8, 9). Success and growth in the -Christian life depend upon few things more than upon liberal giving. -The stingy Christian cannot be a growing Christian. It is wonderful how -a Christian man begins to grow when he begins to give. Power in prayer -depends on liberality in giving. One of the most wonderful statements -about prayer and its answers is 1 John 3: 22. John says there that, -whatsoever he asked of God he received; and he tells us why, because he -on his part, kept God’s commandments and did those things which were -pleasing in His sight, and the immediate context shows that the special -commandments he was keeping were the commandments about giving. He tells -us in the twenty-first verse that when our heart condemns us not in the -matter of giving then have we confidence in our prayers to God. God’s -answers to our prayers come in through the same door that our gifts go -out to others, and some of us open the door such a little ways by our -small giving that God is not able to pass in to us any large answers to -our prayers. One of the most remarkable promises in the Bible is that -found in Phil. 4: 19, “My God shall supply (R. V., fulfill, that is fill -full) all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” -but this promise was made to believers who had distinguished themselves -above their fellows by the largeness and the frequency of their giving -(Cf. vs. 14-18). Of course, we should not confine our giving to foreign -missions. We should give to the work of the home church: we should give -to rescue work in our large cities. We should do good to all men as we -have opportunity, especially to those who are of the household of faith -(Gal. 6: 10). But foreign missions should have a large part in our gifts. - -Give systematically. Set aside for Christ a fixed proportion of all the -money or goods you get. Be exact and honest about it. Don’t use that -part of your income for yourself under any circumstances. The Christian -is not under law, and there is no law binding on the Christian that he -should give a tenth of his income, but as a matter of free choice and -glad gratitude a tenth is a good proportion to begin with. Don’t let it -be less than a tenth. God required that of the Jews and the Christian -ought not to be more selfish than a Jew. After you have given your tenth, -you will soon learn the joy of giving free will offerings in addition to -the tenth. - -3. But there is another way in which we can go to the foreign field, -that is by our prayers. We can all go in this way. Any hour of the day -or night you can reach any corner of the earth by your prayers. I go to -Japan, to China and to Australia and to Tasmania and to New Zealand and -to India and to Africa and to other parts of the earth every day, by my -prayers. And prayer really brings things to pass where you go. Do not -make prayer an excuse for not going in your own person if God wishes you, -and do not make prayer an excuse for small giving. There is no power in -that kind of prayer. If you are ready to go yourself if God wishes you, -and if you are actually going by your gifts as God gives you ability, -then you can go effectually by your prayers also. The greatest need of -the work of Jesus Christ to-day is prayer. The greatest need of foreign -missions to-day is prayer. Foreign missions are a success, but they -are no such success as they ought to be and might be. They are no such -success as they would be if Christians at home, as well as abroad, were -living up to the full measure of their opportunity in prayer. - -Be definite in your prayers for foreign missions. Pray first of all -that God will send forth labourers into His harvest, the right sort of -labourers. There are many men and women in the foreign field that ought -never to have gone there. There was not enough prayer about it. More -foreign missionaries are greatly needed, but only more of the right -kind of missionaries. Pray to God daily and believingly to send forth -labourers into the harvest. - -Pray for the labourers who are already on the field. No class of men and -women need our prayers more than foreign missionaries. No class of men -and women are objects of more bitter hatred from Satan than they. Satan -delights to attack the reputation and the character of the brave men and -women who have gone to the front in the battle for Christ and the Truth. -No persons are subjected to so numerous and to such subtle and awful -temptations as foreign missionaries. We owe it to them to support them by -our prayers. Do not merely pray for foreign missionaries in general. Have -a few special missionaries of whose work you make a study that you may -pray intelligently for them. - -Pray for the native converts. We Christians at home think we have -difficulties and trials and temptations and persecutions, but the burdens -that we have to bear are nothing to what the converts in heathen lands -have to bear. The obstacles oftentimes are enormous and discouragements -crushing. Christ alone can make them stand, but He works in answer to the -prayers of His people. Pray often, pray earnestly, pray intensely and -pray believingly for native converts. How wonderfully God has answered -prayer for native converts we are beginning to learn from missionary -literature. It is well to be definite here again and to have some -definite field about whose needs you keep yourself informed and pray -for the converts of that field. Do not have so many that you become -confused and mechanical. Pray for conversions in the foreign field. Pray -for revivals in definite fields. The last few years have been years of -special prayer for special revival in foreign fields and from every -corner of the earth tidings have come of how amazingly God is answering -these prayers. But the great things that God is beginning to do are small -indeed in comparison with what He will do if there is more prayer. - - - - -XII - -COMPANIONS - - -Our companions have a great deal to do with determining our character. -The companionships that we form create an intellectual, moral and -spiritual atmosphere that we are constantly breathing, and our spiritual -health is helped or hindered by it. Every young Christian should have -a few wisely chosen friends, intimate friends, with whom he can talk -freely. Search out for yourself a few persons of about your own age -with whom you can associate intimately. Be sure that they are spiritual -persons in the best sense. Persons who love to study the Bible, persons -who love to converse on spiritual themes, persons who know how to pray -and do pray, persons who are really working to bring others to Christ. - -Do not be at all uneasy about the fact that some Christian people are -more agreeable to you than others. God has made us in that way. Some -are attracted to some persons and some to others, and it proves nothing -against the others and nothing against yourself that you are not -attracted to them as you are to some people. Cultivate the friendship of -those whose friendship you find helpful to your own spiritual life. - -On the other hand avoid the companionships that you find spiritually and -morally hurtful. Of course, we are not to withdraw ourselves utterly -from unconverted people, or even of very bad people. We are to cultivate -oftentimes the acquaintance of unspiritual people, and even of very bad -people, in order that we may win them for Christ; but we must always be -on our guard in such companionships to bear always in mind to seek to -lift them up or else they will be sure to drag us down. If you find in -spite of all your best effort that any companionship is doing harm to -your own spiritual life, then give it up. Some people are surrounded with -such an atmosphere of unbelief or cynicism or censoriousness or impurity -or greed or some other evil thing that it is impossible to associate with -them to any large extent without being contaminated. In such a case, the -path of wisdom is plain; stop associating with them to any large extent. -Stop associating with them at all except in so far as there is some -prospect of helping them. - -But there are other companionships that mould our lives besides the -companionships of living persons. The books that we read are our -companions. They exert a tremendous influence for good or for evil. There -is nothing that will help us more than a good book, and there is nothing -that will hurt us more than a bad book. Among the most helpful books are -the biographies of good men. Read again and again the lives of such good -and truly great men as Wesley and Finney and Moody. We live in a day in -which good biographies abound. Read them. Well written histories are good -companions. No study is more practical and instructive than the study -of history, and it is not only instructive but spiritually helpful if -we only watch to see the hand of God in history, to see the inevitable -triumph of right and the inevitable punishment of wrong in individuals -and in nations. - -Some few books of fiction are helpful, but here one needs to be very much -on his guard. A large portion of modern fiction is positively pernicious -morally. Books of fiction that are not positively bad, at least give -false views of life and unfit one for life as it really is. Much reading -of fiction is mentally injurious. The inveterate novel reader ruins his -powers of close and clear thinking. Fiction is so fascinating that it -always tends to drive out other reading that is more helpful mentally -and morally. We should be on our guard in even reading good literature, -that the good does not crowd out the best; that is that the best of man’s -literature does not crowd out the very best of all—God’s Book. God’s -Book, the Bible, must always have the first place. - -Then there is another kind of companionship that has a tremendous -influence over our lives, that is the companionship of pictures. The -pictures that we see every day of our lives, and the pictures that we see -only occasionally, have a tremendous power in the shaping of our lives. -A mother had two dearly loved sons. It was her dream and ambition that -these sons should enter the ministry, but both of them went to sea. She -could not understand it until a friend one day called her attention to -the picture of a magnificent ship in full sail careening through the -ocean that hung above the mantel in the dining-room. Every day of their -lives her boys had gazed upon that picture, had been thrilled by it, -and an unconquerable love for the sea and longing for it had thus been -created and this had determined their lives. How many a picture that -is a masterpiece of art, but in which there is an evil suggestion, has -sent some young men on the road to ruin. Many of our art collections -are so polluted with improper pictures that it is not safe for a young -man or a young woman to visit them. The evil thought that they suggest -may be but for a moment, and yet Satan will know how to bring that -picture back again and again and work injury by it. Don’t look for a -moment at any picture, no matter how praised by art critics, that taints -your imagination with evil suggestion. Avoid as you would poison every -painting, or engraving, every etching, every photograph that leaves a -spot of impurity on your mind, but feast your soul upon the pictures that -make you holier, kinder, more sympathetic and more tender. - - - - -XIII - -AMUSEMENTS - - -Young people need recreation. Our Saviour does not frown upon wholesome -recreation. He was interested in the games of the children when He was -here upon earth. He watched the children at their play (Matt. 12: 16-19), -and He watches the children at their play to-day, and delights in their -play when it is wholesome and elevating. In the stress and strain of -modern life older people too need recreation if they are to do their very -best work. But there are recreations that are wholesome, and there are -amusements that are pernicious. It is impossible to take up amusements -one by one, and it is unnecessary. A few principles can be laid down. - -1. _Do not indulge in any form of amusement about whose propriety you -have any doubts._ Whenever you are in doubt, always give God the benefit -of the doubt. There are plenty of recreations about which there can be no -question. “He that doubteth is condemned: for whatsoever is not of faith -is sin” (Rom. 14: 32, R. V.). Many a young Christian will say, “I am not -sure that this amusement is wrong.” Are you sure it is right? If not, -leave it alone. - -2. _Do not indulge in any amusement that you cannot engage in to the -glory of God._ “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, -do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10: 31). Whenever you are in doubt as -to whether you should engage in any amusement ask yourself, Can I do this -at this time to the glory of God? - -3. _Do not engage in any amusement that will hurt your influence -with anybody._ There are amusements, which perhaps are all right in -themselves, but which we cannot engage in without losing our influence -with some one. Now every true Christian wishes his life to tell with -everybody to the utmost. There is so much to be done and so few to do -it that every Christian desires every last ounce of power for good that -he can have with everybody, and, if any amusement will injure your -influence for good with any one, the price is too great. Do not engage -in it. A Christian young lady had a great desire to lead others to -Christ. She made up her mind that she would speak to a young friend of -hers about coming to Christ, and while resting between the figures of -a dance she said to the young man who was her companion in the dance, -“George, are you a Christian?” “No,” he said, “I am not, are you?” -“Yes,” she replied, “I am.” “Then,” he said, “what are you doing here?” -Whether justly or unjustly the world discounts the professions of those -Christians who indulge in certain forms of the world’s own amusements. We -cannot afford to have our professions thus discounted. - -4. _Do not engage in any amusement that you cannot make a matter of -prayer_, that you cannot ask God’s blessing upon. Pray before your play -just as much as you would pray before your work. - -5. _Do not go to any place of amusement where you cannot take Christ with -you, and where you do not think Christ would feel at home._ Christ went -to places of mirth when He was here upon earth. He went to the marriage -feast in Cana (John 2), and contributed to the joy of the occasion, but -there are many modern places of amusement where Christ would not be at -home. Would the atmosphere of the modern stage be congenial to that holy -One whom we call “Lord”? If it would not, don’t you go. - -6. _Don’t engage in any amusement that you would not like to be found -enjoying if the Lord should come._ He may come at any moment. Blessed is -that one whom when He cometh, He shall find watching and ready, and glad -to open to Him immediately (Luke 12: 36, 40). I have a friend who was one -day walking down the street thinking upon the return of his Lord. As he -thought he was smoking a cigar. The thought came to him, “Would you like -to meet Christ now with that cigar in your mouth?” He answered honestly, -“No, I would not.” He threw that cigar away and never lighted another. - -7. _Do not engage in any amusement, no matter how harmless it would be -for yourself, that might harm some one else._ Take for example card -playing. It is probable that thousands have played cards moderately all -their lives and never suffered any direct moral injury from it, but -every one who has studied the matter knows that cards are the gamblers’ -chosen tools. He also knows that most, if not all, gamblers took their -first lessons in card playing at the quiet family card table. He knows -that if a young man goes out into the world knowing how to play cards -and indulging at all in this amusement that before long he is going to -be put into a place where he is going to be asked to play cards for -money, and if he does not consent he will get into serious trouble. -Card playing is a dangerous amusement for the average young man. It is -pretty sure to lead to gambling on a larger or a smaller scale, and one -of the most crying social evils of our time is the evil of gambling. -Some young man may be encouraged to play cards by your playing who will -afterwards become a gambler and part of the responsibility will lie at -your door. If I could repeat all the stories that have come to me from -broken-hearted men whose lives have been shipwrecked at the gaming table; -if I could tell of all the broken-hearted mothers who have come to me, -some of them in high position, whose sons have committed suicide at Monte -Carlo and other places, ruined by the cards, I think that all thoughtful -and true Christians would give them up forever. - -For most of us the recreations that are most helpful are those that -demand a considerable outlay of physical energy. Recreations that take -us into the open air, recreations that leave us refreshed in body and -invigorated in mind. Physical exercises of the strenuous kind, but not -over-exercise, is one of the great safeguards of the moral conduct of -boys and young men. There is very little recreation in watching others -play the most vigorous game of football but there is real health for the -body and for the soul in a due amount of physical exercise for yourself. - - - - -XIV - -PERSECUTION - - -One of the discouragements that meets every true Christian before he -has gone very far in the Christian life is persecution. God tells us in -His Word that “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer -persecution” (2 Tim. 3: 12). Sooner or later every one who surrenders -absolutely to God and seeks to follow Jesus Christ in everything will -find that this verse is true. We live in a God-hating world and in a -compromising age. The world’s hatred of God in our day is veiled. It does -not express itself in our land in the same way that it expressed itself -in Palestine in the days of Jesus Christ, but the world hates God to-day -as much as it ever did, and it hates the one who is loyal to Christ. -It may not imprison him or kill him but in some way it will persecute -him. Persecution is inevitable for a loyal follower of Jesus Christ. -Many a young Christian when he meets with persecution is surprised and -discouraged and not a few fall away. Many a one seems to run well for -a few days but like those of whom Jesus spoke, “They have no root in -themselves, but endure for a while; then when tribulation or persecution -ariseth because of the Word straightway they stumble” (Mark 4: 17). I -have seen many an apparently promising Christian life brought to an end -in this way. But if persecution is rightly received, it is no longer a -hindrance to the Christian life but a help to it. - -Do not be discouraged when you are persecuted. No matter how fierce and -hard the persecution may be, be thankful for it. Jesus says, “Blessed -are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is -the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and -persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, -for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward -in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” -(Matt. 5: 10-12). It is a great privilege to be persecuted for Christ -and for the truth. Peter found this out and wrote to the Christians -of his day: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial -which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But -rejoice, inasmuch, as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that, when -His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If -ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit -of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken -of, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4: 12-14). Be very sure -that the persecution is really for Christ’s sake and not because of some -eccentricity of your own, or because of your stubbornness. There are -many who bring upon themselves the displeasure of others because they -are stubborn and cranky and then flatter themselves that they are being -persecuted for Christ’s sake and for righteousness’ sake. Be considerate -of the opinions of others and be considerate of the conduct of others. Be -sure that you do not push your opinions upon others in an unwarrantable -way, or make your conscience a rule of life for other people. But never -yield a jot of principle. Stand for what you believe to be the truth. -Do it in love, but do it at any cost. And if when you are standing for -conviction and principle you are disliked for it and slandered for it -and treated with all manner of unkindness because of it, do not be sad -but rejoice. Do not speak evil of those who speak evil of you, “because -Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow -His steps: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered, -He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” -(1 Peter 2: 21, 23). - -At this point many a Christian makes a mistake. He stands loyally for the -truth, but he receives the persecution that comes for the truth with -harshness, he grows bitter, he gets to condemning every one but himself. -There is no blessing in bearing persecution in that way. Persecution -should be borne meekly, lovingly, serenely. Don’t talk about your own -persecutions. Rejoice in them. Thank God for them, and go on obeying God. -And don’t forget to love and pray for them who persecute you (Matt. 5: -44). - -If at any time the persecution seems harder than you can bear, remember -how abundant the reward is, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. -If we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Tim. 2: 12). Every one must -enter into the kingdom of God through much tribulation (Acts 14: 22), -but do not go back on that account. Remember always however fiercely the -fire of persecution may burn, “That the sufferings of this present time -are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in -us” (Rom. 8: 18). Remember too that your light affliction is but for the -moment, and that it worketh out for you “a far more exceeding and eternal -weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4: 17). Keep looking, not at the things which -are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which -are seen are but for a time, but the things which are not seen are for -eternity (2 Cor. 4: 18). When the apostles were persecuted, even unto -imprisonment and stripes, they departed from the presence of the council -that had ordered their terrible punishment, rejoicing that they were -counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, and they continued -daily in the temple and every house teaching and preaching Jesus Christ -(Acts 5: 40-42). - -The time may come when you think that you are being persecuted more than -others, but you do not know what others may have to endure. Even if it -were true,—that you were being persecuted more than any one else, you -ought not to complain but to humbly thank God that He has bestowed upon -you such an honour. Keep your eyes fixed upon “Jesus, the Author and -Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured -the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of -the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of -sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind” (Heb. -12: 2, 3). I was once talking with an old coloured man who in the slave -days had found his Saviour. The cruel master had him flogged again and -again for his loyalty to Christ but he said to me, “I simply thought -of my Saviour dying on the cross in my place, and I rejoiced to suffer -persecution for Him.” - - - - -XV - -GUIDANCE - - -I have met a great many who are trying to lead a Christian life who are -much troubled over the question of guidance. They wish to do the will of -God in all things, but what puzzles them is to tell what the will of God -may be in every case. When any one starts out with the determination to -obey God in everything and to be led by the Holy Spirit, Satan seeks to -trouble him by perplexing him as to what the will of God is. Satan comes -and suggests that something is the will of God that is probably not the -will of God at all, and then when he does not do it, Satan says, “There -you disobeyed God.” In this way, many a conscientious young Christian -gets into a very morbid and unhappy state of mind, fearing that he has -disobeyed God and has lost His favour. This is one of the most frequent -devices of the devil to keep Christians from being cheerful. - -How may we know the will of God? - -First of all let me say that a true Christian life is not a life governed -by a whole lot of rules about what one shall eat, and what one shall -drink, and what one shall do, and what one shall not do. A life governed -by a lot of rules is a life of bondage. One is sure sooner or later to -break some of these man-made rules and to get into condemnation. Paul -tells us in Rom. 8: 15, “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage -again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption (placing us a -son), whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The true Christian life is the life -of a trusting, glad, fear-free child; not led by rules, but led by the -personal guidance of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. “As many as -are led by the Spirit of God these are sons of God” (Rom. 8: 14, R. V.). -If you have received the Holy Spirit, He dwells within you and is ready -to lead you at every turn of life. A life governed by a multitude of -rules is a life of bondage and anxiety. A life surrendered to the control -of the Holy Spirit is a life of joy and peace and freedom. There is no -anxiety in such a life, there is no fear in the presence of God. We trust -God and rejoice in His presence just as a true child trusts his earthly -father and rejoices in his presence. If we make a mistake at any point, -even if we disobey God, we go and tell Him all about it as trustfully as -a child and know that He forgives us and that we are restored at once to -His full favour (1 John 1: 9). - -But how can we tell the Holy Spirit’s guidance that we may obey Him and -thus have God’s favour at every turn of life? This question is answered -in James 1: 5-7, R. V., “But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask -of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall -be given him, but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that -doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For -let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.” This -is very simple. It includes five points. - -(1) That you recognize your own ignorance and your own inability to guide -your own life—that you lack wisdom. - -(2) The surrender of your will to God, and a real desire to be led by Him. - -(3) Definite prayer to Him for guidance. - -(4) Confident expectation that God will guide you. You “ask in faith, -nothing doubting.” - -(5) That you follow step by step as He guides. God may only show you a -step at a time. That is enough. All you need to know is the next step. It -is here that many make a mistake. They wish God to show them the whole -way before they take the first step. A university student once came to -me over the question of guidance. He said, “I cannot find out the will -of God. I have been praying but God does not show me His will.” This was -in the month of July. I said, “About what is it that you are seeking to -know the will of God?” “About what I should do next summer.” I said, “Do -you know what you ought to do to-morrow?” “Yes.” “Do you not know what -you ought to do next autumn?” “Yes, finish my course. But what I want to -know is what I ought to do when my university course is over.” He was -soon led to see that all he needed to know for the present was what God -had already shown him. That when he did that, God would show him the next -step. Do not worry about what you ought to do next week. Do what God -shows you you ought to do to-day. Next week will take care of itself. -Indeed, to-morrow will take care of itself. Obey the Spirit of God for -to-day. “Be not therefore anxious for the morrow; for the morrow will be -anxious for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil -thereof” (Matt. 6: 34, R. V.). It is enough to live a day at a time, if -we do our very best for that day. - -God’s guidance is clear guidance, “God is light and in Him is no darkness -at all” (1 John 1: 5). Do not be anxious over obscure leadings. Do not -let your soul be ruffled by the thought, “Perhaps this obscure leading -is what God wants me to do.” Obscure leadings are not divine leadings. -God’s path is as clear as day. Satan’s path is full of obscurity and -uncertainty and anxiety and questioning. If there comes some leading -of which you are not quite sure whether it is the will of God or not, -simply go to your Heavenly Father and say, “Heavenly Father, I desire to -know Thy will. I will do Thy will if Thou wilt make it clear. But Thou -art light and in Thee is no darkness at all. If this is Thy will make it -clear as day and I will do it.” Then wait quietly upon God and do not act -until God makes it clear, but the moment it is made clear, act at once. - -The whole secret of guidance is an absolutely surrendered will, a will -that is given up to God and ready to obey Him at any cost. Many of our -uncertainties about God’s guidance are simply because we are not really -willing to do what God is really guiding us to do. We are tempted to say, -“I cannot find out what God’s will is,” when the real trouble is we have -found out His will and it is something we do not wish to do and we are -trying to make ourselves think that God wants us to do something else. - -All supposed leadings of God should be tested by the Word of God. The -Bible is God’s revealed will. Any leading that contradicts the plain -teaching of the Bible is certainly not the leading of the Holy Spirit. -The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself. A man once came to me -and said that God was leading him to marry a certain woman. He said -that she was a very devoted Christian woman and they had been greatly -drawn towards one another and they felt that God was leading them to be -married. But I said to the man, “You already have a wife.” “Yes,” he -said, “but we have never lived happily and we have not lived together for -years.” “But,” I replied, “that does not alter the case. God in His Word -has told us distinctly the duty of the husband to the wife and how wrong -it is in His sight for a husband to divorce his wife and marry another.” -“Yes,” said the man, “but the Holy Spirit is leading us to one another.” -I indignantly replied that “Whatever spirit is leading you to marry one -another, it is certainly not the Holy Spirit but the spirit of the evil -one. The Holy Spirit never leads any one to disobey the Word of God.” - -In seeking to know the guidance of the Spirit always search the -Scriptures, study them prayerfully. Do not make a book of magic out of -the Bible. Do not ask God to show you His will and then open your Bible -at random and put your finger upon some text and take it out of its -connection without any relation to its real meaning and decide the will -of God in that way. This is an irreverent and improper use of Scripture. -You may open your Bible at just the right place to find right guidance, -but if you do, it will not be by some fanciful interpretation of the -passage you find. It will be by taking the passage in its context and -interpreting it to mean just what it says as seen in its context. All -sorts of mischief has arisen from using the Bible in this perverse -way. I knew an earnest Christian woman once who was somewhat concerned -about the predictions made by a false prophetess that Chicago was to be -destroyed on a certain day. She opened her Bible at random. It opened to -the twelfth chapter of Ezekiel, “Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, -and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness.… And the cities -that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate” -(Ezek. 12: 18, 20). Now this seemed to exactly fit the case and the woman -was considerably impressed, but if the verses had been studied in their -connection, it would have been evident at once that God was not speaking -about Chicago and that they were not applicable to Chicago. It was not -an intelligent study of the Word of God and therefore led to a false -conclusion. - -To sum up, lead a life not led by rules but by the personal guidance of -the Holy Spirit. Surrender your will absolutely to God. Whenever you -are in doubt as to His guidance, go to Him and ask Him to show you His -will, expect Him to do it, follow step by step as He leads. Test all the -leadings by the plain and simple teachings of the Bible. Live free from -anxiety and worry lest in some unguarded moment you have not done the -right thing. - -After you have done what you think God led you to do, do not be always -going back and wondering whether you did the right thing. You will get -into a morbid state if you do. If you really wished to do God’s will and -sought His guidance, and did what you thought He guided you to do, you -may rest assured you did the right thing, no matter what the outcome has -been. Satan is bound that we shall not be happy, cheerful Christians -if he can prevent it, but God wishes us to be happy, cheerful, bright -Christians every day and every hour. He does not wish us to brood but -to rejoice (Phil. 4: 4). A most excellent Christian man came to me one -Monday morning in great gloom over the failures of the work of the -preceding day. He said to me, “I made wretched work of teaching my -Sunday-school class yesterday.” I said, “Did you honestly seek wisdom -from God before you went to your class?” He said, “I did.” I said, “Did -you expect to receive it?” He said, “I did.” “Then,” I said, “in the -face of God’s promise what right have you to doubt that God did give -you wisdom?” (James 1: 5-7). His gloom disappeared and he looked up with -a smile and said, “I had no right to doubt.” Let us learn to trust God. -Let us remember that if our wills are surrendered to Him He is ever more -willing to guide us than we are to be guided. Let us trust that He does -guide us at every step and even though what we do does not turn out as we -expected, let us never brood over it but trust God. Let us walk in the -light of simple trust in God. In this way we shall be glad and peaceful -and strong and useful at every turn of life. - - - - -FOOTNOTES - - -[1] The author has given some of the proofs that the Bible is the Word of -God in his book, “Talks to Men.” - -[2] If any reader desires more full and definite instruction on the -subject of prayer he is referred to the author’s book, “How to Pray.” - -[3] The author has written a little book on this line named “How to Bring -Men to Christ” that has proved helpful to many. - -[4] The author’s book, “How to Work for Christ,” is a large work -describing at length many ways of working for our Master. - - - - -EVANGELISTIC. - - -The Evangelistic Note - -A study of needs and methods, together with a series of direct appeals. - -3rd Edition. 12mo, Cloth, net $1.25. - -=W. J. DAWSON= - -“One of the most remarkable and stirring of recent books. It is really -the story of a great crisis in the life of a great preacher. Mr. Dawson’s -experience in his own church has justified his faith, and his book is -a most stimulating treatise on homiletics and pastoral theology. It is -epoch-making in character.”—_The Watchman._ - - -Torrey and Alexander - -The Story of a World-Wide Revival - -A record and study of the work and personality of the Evangelists DR. R. -A. TORREY, D. D., and CHARLES M. ALEXANDER. - -Illustrated, 12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=GEORGE T. B. DAVIS= - -The multitudes who have followed the marvellous progress of the religious -awakening in Australasia, India, and Great Britain, accompanying -the efforts of these evangelists will eagerly welcome this glimpse -from the inside of their career, personality and work. Mr. Davis has -been associated in a confidential capacity with the work of the two -evangelists, and writes with keen appreciation of the interesting facts -in stirring language. - - -Real Salvation and Whole-Hearted Service - -A second volume of Revival Addresses. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=R. A. TORREY= - -The multitudes led to decision in connection with the preaching of these -sermons, gives assurance that their influence will be extended far beyond -the reach of the speaker’s voice. Positive conviction and a loving plea -as from a God-sent messenger, are the marked features of this new volume. - - -Talks to Men - -About the Bible and the Christ of the Bible. - -12mo, Cloth, net 75c. - -=R. A. TORREY= - -“The directness, simplicity, with wide scholarship and literary charm -of these talks, and unhesitating claim for the highest and fullest -inspiration, inerrancy and authority for the Bible, make them trumpet -calls to faith.”—_N. Y. Observer._ - - -The Passion for Souls - -16mo, Cloth, net 50c. - -=J. H. JOWETT= - -Seven sermons on tenderness, watchfulness, companionship, rest and vision -of the apostle Paul’s passion for human souls. This little volume shows -his keen, reverent insight at its best and is made rich with abundant and -well chosen illustrations. - - -The Worker’s Weapon - -Its Perfection, Authority and Use. - -16mo, Cloth, net 25 cents. - -=JOHN H. ELLIOTT= - -“A fine presentation of the unquestionable authority of God’s Word and -pointed and clear directions and illustrations of how to study and use -the Bible.” - - - - -BIOGRAPHICAL AND EVANGELISTIC. - - -Maltbie Davenport Babcock - -A biographical sketch and memorial. With portrait. _2d edition_ - -12mo, Cloth, $1.00. - -=CHARLES E. ROBINSON= - -“It was indeed hard to give any true presentment of a man like Babcock, -so vivid, so dazzling at times, so lovable always; but the writer’s -success is quite wonderful.”—_Henry Van-Dyke._ - - -John Henry Barrows - -A Memoir by his daughter, with 3 hitherto unpublished portraits. - -8vo, gilt top, net $1.50. - -=MARY ELEANOR BARROWS= - -“The whole story from beginning to end, at home and abroad, is nobly -fascinating, and wherever read will do much to waken into fresh power -the higher ideals of life. Were it fact or fiction, a more absorbingly -interesting story has not appeared for a long time.”—_Chicago Tribune._ - - -What Frances Willard Said - -12mo, Cloth, net 75c. - -Edited by =ANNA A. GORDON=, World’s Vice President of the W. C. T. U. - -Selections of most striking statements on a great variety of topics, and -representing the many really remarkable qualities of America’s “uncrowned -queen” of women. - - -The Soul-Winning Church - -2nd Edition. 12mo, Cloth, net 50c. - -=LEN G. BROUGHTON= - -“Dr. Broughton, of Atlanta, is a well-known revivalist. Some of his most -effective addresses in this country and in England are comprised in -this volume. They are plain, pungent, and spiritually quickening.”—_The -Outlook._ - - -The Awakening in Wales - -And Some of the Hidden Springs. - -12mo, Paper, net 25c. - -=MRS. JESSIE PENN-LEWIS= - -Mrs. Penn-Lewis writes from first-hand information of the great revival -movement and the events that led up to it. It is doubtless the most -powerful and inspiring record yet written of the great revival. - - -The Story of the Welsh Revival - -4th Edition. 16mo, Paper, net 15c. - -=ARTHUR GOODRICH, B.A.= - -As told by eye witnesses, together with a sketch of Evan Roberts and his -message to the world. With added chapters by G. Campbell Morgan, D. D., -W. T. Stead, Rev. W. W. Moore, Rev. Evan Hopkins and others. - - -The Open Church for the Unchurched, or How to Reach the Masses. - -12mo, Cloth, $1.00. - -=J. E. McCULLOCH= - -The remarkable movement in British cities organized by the Wesleyan -church for reaching the masses has here been described and its lessons -studied as applied to the needs of this country. - - - - -IDEALS OF LIFE AND CONDUCT. - - -The Choice of the Highest - -City Temple Talks to Young Men. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=REGINALD J. CAMPBELL, M.A.= - -“These messages to the great audiences of men of business are of a high -level of thought and expression. They are especially directed to young -men, and present ideals of life and conduct in winning appeals. Mr. -Campbell is a virile thinker with a fineness of feeling, which makes him -a power in the pulpit which he holds.”—_Christian Intelligencer._ - - -Christianity as Taught by Christ - -A series of discourses on the teachings of Jesus. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.25. - -=HENRY STILES BRADLEY= - -“Because he knows the present conditions of New Testament lore and is -alert with the spirits of modern life, Dr. Bradley’s discourses possess -a value both unique and practical.… Stirring, instructive, simple, easy -to read and easy to understand, appealing to faith and inciting to -practice.”—_Atlanta Constitution._ - - -Christ and Men - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.20. - -=DAVID J. BURRELL= - -Dr. Burrell’s sermons have a standard quality that marks all of his -writing. This series of sermons is intended to set out the human side -of Jesus’ character as shown in his interviews with men, his tact, his -discernment, his delicate handling of people. - - -The Apostle Peter - -Outline Studies in his Life, Character and Writings. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.25. - -=W. H. GRIFFITH THOMAS= - -“An excellent example of what Biblical analysis should be and should -lead to. It is scholarly, logical, perspicuous, and sets forth the main -truths of each passage treated in a particularly exact and luminous -way.”—_Advance._ - - -The Culture of Simplicity - -By the author of “Heavenly Harmonies.” - -2nd Edition. 12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=MALCOLM J. McLEOD= - -“The first suspicion of imitation is quickly dispelled. The book stands -on its own merits. More vivacious, more practical for the American reader -than Charles Wagner’s ‘The Simple Life.’ It explains more clearly how -the life may be lived, and reaches the root of things in the Gospel of -Christ.”—_Congregationalist._ - - -Elims of Life - -And other sermons. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=J. D. JONES= - -“Mr. Jones is of the general type of thought with which Mr. Dawson of -London has made so many American audiences familiar. In these discourses -the form is plain and lucid, the aim is practical.”—_The Outlook._ - - -Young Men Who Overcame - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=ROBERT E. SPEER= - -“These fifteen condensed biographies exhibit the power and beauty of -Christian principle in strong and active natures, who made their mark -in whatever they undertook—athletics, scholarship, business, Christian -missions.”—_The Outlook._ - - - - -STUDIES ON BIBLICAL THEMES. - - -The Witness of Sin - -A Theodicy - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=NATHAN ROBINSON WOOD= - -A splendidly thought-out presentation of the problem presented by the -presence of sin in a world dominated by God. Some sort of a theodicy, -some conception of the solution of this question is necessary to any -religious thinking. Mr. Wood’s work is a marked addition to present-day -theology. - - -The Walk, Conversation and Character of Jesus Christ Our Lord - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.50. - -=ALEXANDER WHYTE= - -“Rich and glowing meditations on the life of our Lord. A genuine -contribution to Christology. What distinguishes it most is the author’s -singularly clear perception of Christ alone without sin. While always -in touch with real life, Dr. Whyte has that power of separating himself -from the stream of things which is essential to a great religious -teacher.”—_British Weekly_ (_Robertson Nicoll, Editor._) - - -Jesus of Nazareth, the Anointed of God - -Or, The Inner History of a Consecrated Life. - -12mo, Cloth, net 75c. - -=P. COOK, M.A.= - -“As a brief and concise summary, a bird’s-eye view of the life of Jesus -this volume will be of value.”—_Reformed Church Messenger._ - - -The Divine Tragedy - -A Drama of the Christ - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=PEYTON H. HOGE= - -The author’s ambition is “to tell in the most vivid and practical form -for men living in the world to-day the story of Jesus of Nazareth in -its culminating scenes.” One could exhaust adjectives in praise of the -author’s management of the dramatic form and his blank verse. It is a -wonderful work. The dedicatory poem alone is of such surpassing beauty -that one will never forget it. - - -The Directory of the Devout Life - -A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=F. B. MEYER, M.A.= - -“In many respects the best writings Mr. Meyer has issued. They are -eminently practical, and the pointed and piercing ideas of the Master -are explained and brought home to personal character and life in an -illuminating and stimulating way.”—_Watchman._ - - -With the Sorrowing - -A Pastor’s Handbook. - -16mo, Cloth flex., net 75 cts. - -Edited by =F. W. PALMER= - -Presented with confidence to pastors, missionaries and other visitors -in the homes of sorrow, as likely to prove a most valuable aid in their -trying experiences. Although primarily a service book for funerals, -it is vastly more than this. With Scripture selections of exceptional -suggestive values and a collection of poems of comfort both rare and -striking the little volume will be greatly prized. - - - - -DEVOTIONAL STUDIES. - - -The Christ of To-Day - -What? Whence? Whither? - -16mo, Boards, net 50c. - -=G. CAMPBELL MORGAN= - -A study originally presented from the platform of the Northfield -Conferences, awakening exceptional interest at the time. No more -suggestive work has appeared from Dr. Morgan’s pen. - - -The Redeemed Life After Death - -16mo, Boards, net 50c. - -=CHARLES CUTHBERT HALL= - -Not a new theory of Immortality or a review of old theories, but a -presentation with rare literary charm and with the comprehension of wide -scholarship, of the grip of the Christian heart upon the life to come. It -will comfort and assure the sorrowing, guide and convince the inquiring. - - -Moments of Silence - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.25. - -=ALEXANDER SMELLIE, M.A.= - -A book of daily meditations for a year. - - -Yet Another Day - -32mo, Cloth, net 25c. Leather, net 35c. - -=J. H. JOWETT, M.A.= - -A brief prayer for every day of the year, and it is not too much to say -that, although scarcely any one of them contains one hundred words and -most of them far less, they will drive straight to the heart as nothing -that ever came from Mr. Jowett’s pen. It is an extraordinary little book, -the flower of the sweetest, open eyed love of Christ. The impression of a -single page is indelible. - - -The Inner Chamber of the Inner Life - -12mo, Cloth, net 75c. - -=ANDREW MURRAY= - -Suggests thoughts of the utmost importance as to the daily need of -retirement, the true spirit of prayer, the fellowship with God, and -kindred topics. - - -Inter-Communion With God - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=MARSHALL P. TALLING, PH.D.= - -“Follows the theme of ‘Extempore prayer,’ along wider and higher lines. -In the present book, true prayer is shown to be an approach from both the -human and the divine sides.”—_The Westminster._ - - -Bible Etchings of Immortality - -12mo, Cloth, decorated, net 50c. - -=CAMDEN M. COBERN= - -“The consolatory character of this little book makes it a suitable gift -to a bereaved friend.”—_Outlook._ - - -Scripture Selections to Memorize - -With hanger, net $1.00. - -=HELEN MILLER GOULD= - -A Wall Roll of passages emphasizing the power and love of God, the -dignity of man, Christ as teacher, Redeemer, King. The life of the -Christian, his duties, his final reward; prayer; worship; love. -Selections from the Old and New Testaments, most helpful in strengthening -faith, and deepening personal devotion. - - - - -BIBLICAL STUDIES. - - -Studies in the Life of the Christian - -His Faith and His Service. - -16mo, Cloth, net 50c.; paper, net 25c. - -=H. T. SELL= - -This work, prepared especially for the use of Bible Classes and study -circles, forms the seventh of the series of most popular manuals by Dr. -Sell, and well completes the whole. Every phase of the Christian life and -its relations is dealt with. - - -Outline Studies in the New Testament - -Philippians to Hebrews. - -12mo, Cloth, net $1.20. - -=PROF. WILLIAM G. MOOREHEAD= - -“It is a book for thoughtful students of the Bible and will be found very -helpful and satisfactory by preachers in preparation of sermons and by -Bible class teachers.”—_The Watchman._ - - -Students Chronological New Testament - -With historical notes and brief outline on each Book, by - -8vo, Cloth, net $1.00. - -=PROF. A. T. ROBERTSON= - -“The text used is taken from the American Standard edition of the revised -version, and the books are considered in accordance with the generally -accepted theory of their chronology. Each book is preceded by a brief -synopsis and outline. The volume is designed for all readers and students -of the New Testament.”—_Epworth Herald._ - - -The Biblical Illustrator - -New vols. in Old Testament Series. - -Large 8vo, Cloth, $2.00 each vol. Edited by =JOSEPH S. EXELL= - - Psalms, vol. 1 [Psa. i. to xxvi.]. - Isaiah, vol. 1 [Chapter i. to xxx.]. - Deuteronomy—in one volume. - Jeremiah, vol. 1. - Minor Prophets, vol. 1. - Minor Prophets, vol. 2. - - -The Men of the Bible by the Men of the Century - -In Seventeen Handsome Cloth Volumes - -Formerly $17.00, now $6.00 net, per set. - -Edited by =JOSEPH S. EXELL, M. A.= - -Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and Judges, Kings of -Israel and Judah, David, Solomon, Samuel, and Saul, Daniel, Elijah, -Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezra and Nehemiah, Minor Prophets, St. Paul, Jesus -Christ. _Send for circular of our special terms._ - - - - -BOOKLETS. - - -Waxwing - -The Story of a College Girl’s Awakening. - -Boards, 30c. - -=CAROLINE ATWATER MASON= - -The story of a healthy-minded college girl whose views of life are -transformed by the accidental meeting with a returned missionary. - - -Breaking the Record. - -The Swan Creek Blizzard. - -Two booklets by the author of The Sky Pilot, The Prospector, etc. - -Art boards, each 30c. - -=RALPH CONNOR= - -Sure to receive a large welcome among many admirers. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Succeed in The Christian Life, by -Reuben Archer Torrey - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO SUCCEED *** - -***** This file should be named 55743-0.txt or 55743-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/7/4/55743/ - -Produced by Heiko Evermann and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from scanned images of public domain material -from the Google Books project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/55743-0.zip b/old/55743-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d18437d..0000000 --- a/old/55743-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55743-h.zip b/old/55743-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d9b524e..0000000 --- a/old/55743-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55743-h/55743-h.htm b/old/55743-h/55743-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 52982e9..0000000 --- a/old/55743-h/55743-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4682 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of How to Succeed in The Christian Life, by R. A. Torrey. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - -<style type="text/css"> - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -h4 { - text-align: left; - clear: both; -} - -hr { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -ul { - list-style-type: none; -} - -li { - margin-top: .5em; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -table { - margin: 1em auto 1em auto; - max-width: 40em; - border-collapse: collapse; -} - -td { - padding-left: 2.25em; - padding-right: 0.25em; - vertical-align: top; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.blockquote { - margin: 1.5em 10%; - border: thin solid black; -} - -.blockquote p { - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.blockquote-box { - border: thin solid black; - padding: 0.5em; -} - -.center { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.faux - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.footnotes { - margin-top: 1em; - border: dashed 1px; -} - -.footnote { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - font-size: 0.9em; -} - -.footnote .label { - position: absolute; - right: 84%; - text-align: right; -} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: none; -} - -.larger { - font-size: 150%; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.poetry-container { - text-align: center; - margin: 1em; -} - -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} - -.poetry .verse { - text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent1 { - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.right { - text-align: right; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.smcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; -} - -.smcapuc { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; - text-transform: lowercase; -} - -.spacer { - margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-right: 1.5em; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.up { - margin-top: -1.75em; -} - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} - -.blockquote { - margin: 1.5em 5%; -} -} - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Succeed in The Christian Life, by -Reuben Archer Torrey - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: How to Succeed in The Christian Life - -Author: Reuben Archer Torrey - -Release Date: October 13, 2017 [EBook #55743] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO SUCCEED *** - - - - -Produced by Heiko Evermann and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from scanned images of public domain material -from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center larger">HOW TO SUCCEED IN -THE CHRISTIAN LIFE</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<div class="blockquote-box"> - -<p class="center larger">WORKS BY R. A. TORREY</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago</i></p> - -</div> - -<div class="blockquote-box"> - -<p><b>How to Succeed in the Christian Life.</b> -12mo, cloth, 50 cents, net: paper, 25 cents, net.</p> - -<p><b>The Bible and Its Christ.</b> Being noon day -talks with Business Men on faith and unbelief. -12mo, cloth, 75 cents, net; paper, 25 cents, net.</p> - -<p><b>Revival Addresses.</b> 12mo, cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p><b>Real Salvation and Whole-Hearted -Service.</b> Being a Second Volume of Revival Addresses. -12mo, cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p><b>What the Bible Teaches.</b> A thorough and comprehensive -study on what the Bible has to say concerning -the great doctrines of which it treats. Large -8vo, 560 pages, $2.50.</p> - -<p><b>How to Work for Christ.</b> A compendium of effective -methods. Uniform with “What the Bible -Teaches,” 8vo, cloth, $2.50.</p> - -<p><b>How to Promote and Conduct a Successful -Revival.</b> Edited by Mr. Torrey. 12mo, cloth, 353 -pages, gilt top, $1.00, net.</p> - -<p><b>How to Bring Men to Christ.</b> 12mo, cloth, 75 -cents; paper, 25 cents, net.</p> - -<p><b>How to Study the Bible for Greatest Profit.</b> -The methods and fundamental conditions of Bible -study that yield the largest results. 12mo, cloth, -75 cents.</p> - -<p><b>How to Pray.</b> The need of prayer and the need of -revival; their relation and effect. 12mo, cloth, 50 -cents; paper, 15 cents.</p> - -<p><b>How to Obtain Fullness of Power in -Christian Life and Service.</b> 12mo, cloth, -50 cents.</p> - -<p><b>The Divine Origin of the Bible.</b> Its authority -and power demonstrated and difficulties solved. -12mo, cloth, 50 cents.</p> - -<p><b>The Gist of the Lesson (Annually.)</b> A -vest-pocket exposition of the Sunday-school lessons. -Leather, net, 25 cents.</p> - -<p><b>The Baptism with the Holy Spirit.</b> 12mo, -cloth, 50 cents.</p> - -<p><b>A Vest-Pocket Companion for Christian -Workers.</b> Long 18mo, flexible leather, net, 25 -cents; interleaved, gilt edges, net, 50 cents.</p> - -<p><b>Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is -Word of God.</b> 16mo, paper, 15 cents.</p> - -<p><b>Ought Christians to Keep the Sabbath?</b> -Paper, net, 10 cents.</p> - -</div> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage larger">How to Succeed in<br /> -The Christian Life</p> - -<p class="titlepage">By R. A. TORREY</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Author of “How to Bring Men to Christ,” “What -the Bible Teaches,” “Talks to Men,” etc., etc.</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter titlepage" style="width: 120px;"> -<img src="images/fhr.jpg" width="120" height="85" alt="Logo of Fleming H. Revell Company" /> -</div> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smcap">New York</span> <span class="smcap spacer">Chicago</span> <span class="smcap">Toronto</span><br /> -Fleming H. Revell Company<br /> -<span class="smcap">London and Edinburgh</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage">Copyright, 1906, by<br /> -FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY</p> - -<p class="titlepage">New York: 158 Fifth Avenue<br /> -Chicago: 80 Wabash Avenue<br /> -Toronto: 27 Richmond Street, W.<br /> -London: 21 Paternoster Square<br /> -Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>Dedicated to -the many thousands in many -lands who have professed -Christ in our meetings</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#I">I.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Beginning Right</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#II">II.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">The Open Confession of Christ</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#III">III.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Assurance of Salvation</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#IV">IV.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Receiving the Holy Spirit</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#V">V.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Looking Unto Jesus</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#VI">VI.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Church Membership</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#VII">VII.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Bible Study</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#VIII">VIII.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Difficulties in the Bible</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#IX">IX.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Prayer</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#X">X.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Working for Christ</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#XI">XI.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Foreign Missions</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#XII">XII.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Companions</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#XIII">XIII.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Amusements</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#XIV">XIV.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Persecution</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="right"><a href="#XV">XV.</a></td> - <td><span class="smcap">Guidance</span></td> - <td class="right"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> - -<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> - -<p>I have for years felt the need of a book to put -in the hands of those beginning the Christian -life that would tell them just how to make a -complete success of this new life upon which -they were entering. I could find no such book, -so I have been driven to write one. This book -aims to tell the young convert just what he most -needs to know. I hope that pastors and evangelists -and other Christian workers may find it a -good book to put in the hands of young converts. -I hope that it may also prove a helpful -book to many who have long been Christians -but have not made that headway in the Christian -life that they long for.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> - -<h1>How to Succeed in the Christian Life</h1> - -<h2 id="I">I<br /> -<span class="smaller">BEGINNING RIGHT</span></h2> - -<p>There is nothing more important in the Christian -life than beginning right. If we begin right -we can go on right. If we begin wrong the -whole life that follows is likely to be wrong. If -any one who reads these pages has begun wrong, -it is a very simple matter to begin over again -and begin right. What the right beginning in -the Christian life is we are told in John 1: 12, -“But as many as <span class="smcap">received Him</span>, to them gave -He power to become the sons of God, even to -them that believe on His name.” The right -way to begin the Christian life is by receiving -Jesus Christ. To any one who receives Him, -He at once gives power to become a child of -God. If the reader of this book should be the -wickedest man on earth and should at this moment -receive Jesus Christ, that very instant he -would become a child of God. God says so in -the most unqualified way in the verse quoted -above. No one can become a child of God in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -any other way. No man, no matter how carefully -he has been reared, no matter how well he has been -sheltered from the vices and evils of this world, -is a child of God until he receives Jesus Christ. -We are “sons of God through faith in Christ -Jesus” (Gal. 3: 26, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>), and in no other way.</p> - -<p>What does it mean to receive Jesus Christ? -It means to take Christ to be to yourself all -that God offers Him to be to everybody. Jesus -Christ is God’s gift. “For God so loved the -world that He gave His only begotten Son that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish -but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16). Some -accept this wondrous gift of God. Every one -who does accept this gift becomes a child of -God. Many others refuse this wondrous gift of -God, and every one who refuses this gift of God -perishes. He is condemned already. “He that -believeth on the Son is not condemned, but he -that believeth not is condemned already because -he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten -Son of God” (John 3: 18).</p> - -<p>What does God offer His Son to be to us?</p> - -<p>1. First of all, <i>God offers Jesus to us to be our -sin-bearer</i>. We have all sinned. There is not a -man or woman or a boy or a girl who has not -sinned (Romans 3: 22, 23). If any of us say -that we have not sinned we are deceiving ourselves -and giving the lie to God (1 John 1: 8, 10).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -Now we must each of us bear our own sin or -some one else must bear it in our place. If we -were to bear our own sins, it would mean we -must be banished forever from the presence of -God, for God is holy. “God is light and in Him -is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). But God -Himself has provided another to bear our sins -in our place so that we should not need to bear -them ourselves. This sin-bearer is God’s own -Son, Jesus Christ, “For He hath made Him to -be sin for us who knew no sin that we might -be made the righteousness of God in Him” -(2 Cor. 5:21). When Jesus Christ died upon -the cross of Calvary He redeemed us from the -curse of the law by being made a curse in our -stead (Gal. 3:13). To receive Christ then is to -believe this testimony of God about His Son, to -believe that Jesus Christ did bear our sins in His -own body on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24), and to -trust God to forgive all our sins because Jesus -Christ has borne them in our place. “All we -like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -every one to his own way; and the Lord hath -laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6). -Our own good works, past, present or future have -nothing to do with the forgiveness of our sins. -Our sins are forgiven, not because of any good -works that we do, they are forgiven because of -the atoning work of Christ upon the cross of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -Calvary in our place. If we rest in this atoning -work we shall do good works, but our good -works will be the outcome of our being -saved and the outcome of our believing on -Christ as our sin-bearer. Our good works will -not be the ground of our salvation, but the result -of our salvation, and the proof of it. We -must be very careful not to mix in our good -works at all as the ground of salvation. We -are not forgiven because of Christ’s death <i>and -our good works</i>, we are forgiven solely and entirely -because of Christ’s death. To see this -clearly is the right beginning of the true Christian -life.</p> - -<p>2. <i>God offers Jesus to us as our deliverer from -the power of sin.</i> Jesus not only died, He rose -again. To-day He is a living Saviour. He has -all power in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28: 18). -He has power to keep the weakest sinner from -falling (Jude 24). He is able to save not only -from the uttermost but “to the uttermost” all -that come unto the Father through Him. -(Wherefore He is able to save to the uttermost -them that draw near unto God through -Him, seeing that He ever liveth to make intercession -for them.—Heb. 7: 25, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>) “If the -Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be -free indeed” (John 8: 36). To receive Jesus is -to believe this that God tells us in His Word<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -about Him, to believe that He did rise from the -dead, to believe that He does now live, to believe -that He has power to keep us from falling, -to believe that He has power to keep us from -the power of sin day by day, and just trust Him -to do it.</p> - -<p>This is the secret of daily victory over sin. -If we try to fight sin in our own strength, -we are bound to fail. If we just look up to the -risen Christ to keep us every day and every hour, -He will keep us. Through the crucified Christ -we get deliverance from the guilt of sin, our -sins are all blotted out, we are free from all condemnation; -but it is through the risen Christ -that we get daily victory over the power of sin. -Some receive Christ as a sin-bearer and thus find -pardon, but do not get beyond that, and so their -life is one of daily failure. Others receive Him -as their risen Saviour also, and thus enter into -an experience of victory over sin. To begin -right we must take Him not only as our sin-bearer, -and thus find pardon; but we must also -take Him as our risen Saviour, our Deliverer -from the power of sin, our Keeper, and thus find -daily victory over sin.</p> - -<p>3. But <i>God offers Jesus to us, not only as our -sin-bearer and our Deliverer from the power of sin, -but He also offers Him to us as our Lord and -King</i>. We read in Acts 2: 36, “Let all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath -made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, -both Lord and Christ.” Lord means Divine -Master, and Christ means anointed King. To -receive Jesus is to take Him as our Divine -Master, as the One to whom we yield the absolute -confidence of our intellects, the One whose word -we believe absolutely, the One whom we will -believe though many of the wisest of men may -question or deny the truth of His teachings; and -as our King to whom we gladly yield the absolute -control of our lives, so that the question -from this time on is never going to be, what -would I like to do or what do others tell me to -do, or what do others do, but the whole question -is <span class="smcap">what would my King Jesus have me do</span>? A -right beginning involves an unconditional surrender -to the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus.</p> - -<p>The failure to realize that Jesus is Lord and -King, as well as Saviour, has led to many a false -start in the Christian life. We begin with Him -as our Saviour, as our sin-bearer and our Deliverer -from the power of sin, but we must not -end with Him merely as Saviour, we must know -Him as Lord and King. There is nothing more -important in a right beginning of the Christian -life than an unconditional surrender, both of the -thoughts and the conduct to Jesus. Say from -your heart and say it again and again, “<i>All</i> for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -Jesus.” Many fail because they shrink back -from this entire surrender. They wish to serve -Jesus with half their heart, and part of themselves -and part of their possessions. To hold -back anything from Jesus means a wretched life -of stumbling and failure.</p> - -<p>The life of entire surrender is a joyous life all -along the way. If you have never done it before, -go alone with God to-day, get down on your -knees and say, “All for Jesus,” and mean it. -Say it very earnestly; say it from the bottom of -your heart. Stay there until you realize what it -means and what you are doing. It is a wondrous -step forward when one really takes it. If you -have taken it already, take it again, take it often. -It always has fresh meaning and brings fresh -blessedness. In this absolute surrender is found -the key to the truth. Doubts rapidly disappear -for one who surrenders all (John 7: 17). In this -absolute surrender is found the secret of power -in prayer (1 John 3: 22). In this absolute surrender -is found the supreme condition of receiving -the Holy Ghost (Acts 5: 32).</p> - -<p>Taking Christ as your Lord and King involves -obedience to His will as far as you know it in -each smallest detail of life. There are those who -tell us that they have taken Christ as their Lord -and King who at the same time are disobeying -Him daily in business, in domestic life, in social<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -life and in personal conduct Such persons are -deceiving themselves. You have not taken Jesus -as your Lord and King if you are not striving to -obey Him in everything each day. He Himself -says, “Why call ye Me ‘Lord, Lord!’ and do -not the things that I say?” (Luke 6: 46).</p> - -<p>To sum it all up, the right way to begin the -Christian life is to accept Jesus Christ as your -sin-bearer and to trust God to forgive your sins -because Jesus Christ died in your place; to -accept Him as your risen Saviour who ever lives -to make intercession for you, and who has all -power to keep you, and to trust Him to keep -you from day to day; and to accept Him as your -Lord and King to whom you surrender the -absolute control of your thoughts and of your -life. This is the right beginning, the only right -beginning of the Christian life. If you have -made this beginning, all that follows will be comparatively -easy. If you have not made this -beginning, make it now.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="II">II<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE OPEN CONFESSION OF CHRIST</span></h2> - -<p>Having begun the Christian life right by -taking the proper attitude towards Christ in a -private transaction between Himself and yourself, -the next step is an open confession of the -relationship that now exists between yourself -and Jesus Christ. Jesus says in Matt. 10: 32, -“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before -men, him will I confess also before My Father -which is in heaven.” He demands a public confession. -He demands it for your own sake. -This is the path of blessing. Many attempt to -be disciples of Jesus and not let the world know -it. No one has ever succeeded in that attempt. -To be a secret disciple means to be no disciple -at all. If one really has received Christ he cannot -keep it to himself. “For out of the abundance -of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. -12: 34). So important is the public confession -of Christ that Paul puts it first in his statement -of the conditions of salvation. He says, “If thou -shalt <i>confess with thy mouth</i> the Lord Jesus and -shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised -Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; -and with the mouth confession is made unto -salvation” (Rom. 10: 9, 10). The life of confession -is the life of full salvation. Indeed, the -life of confession is the life of the only real -salvation. When we confess Christ before men -down here, He confesses us before the Father in -heaven and the Father gives us the Holy Spirit -as the seal of our salvation.</p> - -<p>It is not enough that we confess Christ just -once, as, for example, when we are confirmed, or -when we unite with the church, or when we -come forward in a revival meeting. We should -confess Christ constantly. We should not be -ashamed of our Lord and King. We should let -people know that we are on His side. In the -home, in the church, at our work, and at our -play, we should let others know where we stand. -Of course, we should not parade our Christianity -or our piety, but we should leave no one in -doubt whether we belong to Christ. We should -let it be seen that we glory in Him as our Lord -and King.</p> - -<p>The failure to confess Christ is one of the most -frequent causes of backsliding. Christians get -into new relationships where they are not known -as Christians and where they are tempted to conceal -the fact; they yield to the temptation and -they soon find themselves drifting. The more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -you make of Jesus Christ, the more He will -make of you. It will save you from many a -temptation if the fact is clearly known that you -are one who acknowledges Christ as Lord in all -things.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="III">III<br /> -<span class="smaller">ASSURANCE OF SALVATION</span></h2> - -<p>If one is to have the fullest measure of joy and -power in Christian service, he must know that his -sins are forgiven, that he is a child of God, and -that he has eternal life. It is the believer’s -privilege to <i>know</i> that he has eternal life. John -says in 1 John 5: 13, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>, “These things have -I written unto you, <i>that ye may know</i> that ye -have eternal life, even unto you that believe on -the name of the Son of God.” John wrote this -first epistle for the express purpose that any one -who believes on the name of the Son of God -<i>might know</i> that he has eternal life.</p> - -<p>There are those who tell us that no one can -know that he has eternal life until he is dead and -has been before the judgment seat of God, but God -Himself tells us that we may know. To deny the -possibility of the believer’s knowing that he has -eternal life is to say that the First Epistle of John -was written in vain, and it is to insult the Holy -Spirit who is its real author. Again Paul tells -us in Acts 13: 39, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>, “By Him (that is by -Christ) every one that believeth <i>is justified</i> from -all things.” So every one that believeth in Jesus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -may know that he is justified from all things. -He may know it because the Word of God says -so. Again John tells us in John 1: 12, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>, -“But <i>as many as received Him</i> (that is Jesus -Christ) to them gave He the right to become -children of God, even to them that believe on -His name.” Here is a definite and unmistakable -declaration that every one who receives Jesus -becomes a child of God. Therefore every believer -in Jesus may know that he is a child of -God. He may know it on the surest of all -grounds, <i>i. e.</i>, because the Word of God asserts -that he is a child of God.</p> - -<p>But how may any individual know that he has -eternal life? He may know it on the very best -ground of knowledge, that is through the testimony -of God Himself as given in the Bible. -The testimony of Scripture is the testimony of -God. What the Scriptures say is absolutely -sure. What the Scriptures say God says. Now -in John 3: 36 the Scriptures say, “He that believeth -on the Son <i>hath</i> everlasting life.” Any -one of us may know whether we believe on the -Son or not. Whether we have that real faith in -Christ that leads us to receive Him. If we have -this faith in Christ we have God’s own written -testimony that we have eternal life, that our sins -are forgiven, that we are the children of God. -We may feel forgiven, or we may not feel forgiven,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -but that does not matter. It is not a question -of what we feel but of what God says. God’s -Word is always to be believed. Our own feelings -are oftentimes to be doubted. There are -many who are led to doubt their sins are forgiven, -to doubt that they have everlasting life, to -doubt that they are saved, because they do not -feel forgiven, or do not feel that they have everlasting -life, or do not feel that they are saved. -Because you do not feel it is no reason why you -should doubt it.</p> - -<p>Suppose that you were sentenced to imprisonment -and that your friends secured a pardon -for you. The legal document announcing -your pardon is brought to you. You read it -and know you are pardoned because the legal -document says so, but the news is so good -and so sudden that you are dazed by it. You -do not realize that you are pardoned. Some one -comes to you and says, “Are you pardoned?” -What would you reply? You would say, “Yes, -I am pardoned.” Then he asks, “Do you feel -pardoned?” You reply, “No, I do not feel -pardoned. It is so sudden, it is so wonderful, I -cannot realize it.” Then he says to you, “But -how can you know that you are pardoned if you -do not feel it?” You would hold out the document -and you would say, “This says so.” The -time would come, after you had read the document<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -over and over again and believed it, when -you would not only know you were pardoned -because the document said so but you would -feel it. Now the Bible is God’s authoritative -document declaring that every one that believeth -in Jesus is justified; declaring that every one -that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; -declaring that every one who receives Jesus is a -child of God. If any one asks you if your sins -are all forgiven, reply, “Yes, I know they are -because God says so.” If they ask you if you -know that you are a child of God, reply, “Yes, -I know I am a child of God because God says -so.” If they ask you if you have everlasting -life, reply, “Yes, I know I have everlasting life -because God says so. God says, ‘He that believeth -on the Son hath everlasting life.’ I know -I believe on the Son, and therefore I know I -have eternal life—because God says so.” You -may not feel it yet but if you will keep meditating -upon God’s statement and believing what -God says, the time will come when you will -feel it.</p> - -<p>For one who believes on the Son of God to -doubt that he has eternal life is for him to make -God a liar. “He that believeth on the Son of -God hath the witness in him. He that believeth -not God, hath made Him a liar because he hath -not believed in the witness that God hath borne<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -concerning His Son and the witness is this, that -God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in -His Son. He that hath the Son hath the life: -he that hath not the Son of God hath not the -life” (1 John 5: 10-12, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). Any one who -does not believe God’s testimony that He has -given unto us eternal life and that this life is in -His Son and that he that hath the Son hath the -life, makes God a liar.</p> - -<p>It is sometimes said “it is presumption for any -one to say that he knows he is saved, or to say -that he knows that he has eternal life.” But is it -presumption to believe God? Is it not rather -presumption not to believe God, to make God a -liar? When you who believe on the Son of God -and yet doubt that you have eternal life, you make -God a liar. When Jesus said to the woman who -was a sinner, “Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke -7: 48), was it presumption for her to go out and -say, “I know my sins are all forgiven”? Would -it not have been presumption for her to have -doubted for a moment that her sins were all forgiven? -Jesus had said that they were forgiven. -For her to doubt it would have been for her to give -the lie to Jesus. Is it then any more presumption -for the believer to-day to say, “My sins are -all forgiven, I have eternal life,” when God says -in His written testimony to every one that believeth, -“You are justified from all things” (Acts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -13: 39), “You have eternal life” (John 3: 36; -1 John 5: 13)?</p> - -<p>Be very sure first of all that you really do believe -on the name of the Son of God; that you really -have received Jesus. If you are sure of this -then never doubt for a moment that your sins -are all forgiven, never doubt for a moment that -you are a child of God, never doubt for a moment -that you have everlasting life. If Satan -comes and whispers, “Your sins are not forgiven,” -point Satan to the Word of God and say, -“God says my sins are forgiven and I know -they are.” If Satan whispers, “Well perhaps -you don’t believe on Him,” then say, “Well if I -never did before I will now.” And then go out -rejoicing, knowing that your sins are forgiven, -knowing that you are a child of God, knowing -that you have everlasting life.</p> - -<p>There are doubtless many who say they know -they have eternal life who really do not believe -on the name of the Son of God, who have not -really received Jesus. This is not true assurance. -It has no sure foundation in the Word of God -who cannot lie. If we wish to get assurance of -salvation we must first get saved. The reason -why many have not the assurance that they are -saved is because they are not saved. They -ought not to have assurance. What they need -first is salvation. But if you have received Jesus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -in the way described in the first chapter, <span class="smcapuc">YOU ARE -SAVED</span>, you are a child of God, your sins are -forgiven. Believe it, know it. Rejoice in it.</p> - -<p>Having settled it, let it remain settled. Never -doubt it. You may make mistakes, you may -stumble, you may fall, but even if you do, if you -have really received Jesus, know that your sins -are forgiven and rise from your fall and go forward -in the glad assurance that there is nothing -between you and God.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="IV">IV<br /> -<span class="smaller">RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT</span></h2> - -<p>When the Apostle Paul came to Ephesus, he -found a little group of twelve disciples of Christ. -There was something about these twelve disciples -that struck Paul unfavourably. We are not -told what it was. It may be that he did not find -in them that overflowing joyfulness that one learns -to expect in all Christians who have really entered -into the fullness of blessing that there is for -them in Christ. It may be that Paul was troubled -at the fact that there were only twelve of -them, thinking that if these twelve were what -they ought to be, there would certainly have been -more than twelve of them by this time. Whatever -it may have been that impressed Paul unfavourably, -he went right to the root of the difficulty -at once by putting to them the question, -“Did ye receive the Holy Ghost when ye believed?” -(Acts 19: 2, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). It came out at once -that they had not received the Holy Ghost, that -in fact they did not know that the Holy Ghost -had been given. Then Paul told them that the -Holy Ghost had been given, and also showed -them just what they must do to receive the Holy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -Ghost then and there, and before that gathering -was over the Holy Ghost came upon them. -From that day on there was a different state of -affairs in Ephesus. A great revival sprang up at -once so that the whole city was shaken, “So -mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed” -(Acts 19: 20). Paul’s question to these young -disciples in Ephesus should be put to young -disciples everywhere, “Have ye received the -Holy Ghost?” In <i>receiving the Holy Spirit</i> is -the great secret of joyfulness in our own hearts, -of victory over sin, of power in prayer, and of -effective service.</p> - -<p>Every one who has truly received Jesus must -have the Holy Spirit dwelling in him in some -sense; but in many believers, though the Holy -Spirit dwells in them, He dwells way back in -some hidden sanctuary of their being, back of -consciousness. It is something quite different, -something far better than this, to receive the -Holy Spirit in the sense that Paul meant in his -question. To receive the Holy Spirit in such a -sense that one knows experimentally that he has -received the Holy Spirit, to receive the Holy -Spirit in such a sense that we are conscious of -the joy with which He fills our hearts different -from any joy that we have ever known in the -world; to receive the Holy Spirit in such a sense -that He rules our life and produces within us in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -ever increasing measure the fruit of the Spirit, -love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, -faith, meekness, temperance; to receive the -Holy Spirit in such a sense that we are conscious -of His drawing our hearts out in prayer in a way -that is not of ourselves; to receive the Holy -Spirit in such a sense that we are conscious of -His help when we witness for Christ, when we -speak to others individually and try to lead them -to accept Christ, or when we teach a Sunday-school -class, or speak in public, or do any other -work for the Master. Have you received the -Holy Spirit? If you have not, let me tell you -how you may.</p> - -<p>1. First of all in order to receive the Holy -Spirit, one must be resting in the death of Christ -on the cross for us as the sole and all-sufficient -ground upon which God pardons all our sins and -forgives us.</p> - -<p>2. In order to receive the Holy Spirit we -must put away every known sin. We should go -to our heavenly Father and ask Him to search us -through and through and bring to light anything -in our life, our outward life or our inward life, -that is wrong in His sight, and if He does bring -anything to light that is displeasing to Him, we -should put it away, no matter how dear it is to -us. There must be a complete renunciation of -all sin in order to receive the Holy Spirit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> - -<p>3. In the third place, in order to receive the -Holy Spirit, there must be an open confession of -Christ before the world. The Holy Spirit is not -given to those who are trying to be disciples in -secret, but to those who obey Christ and publicly -confess Him before the world.</p> - -<p>4. In the fourth place, in order to receive the -Holy Spirit, there must be an absolute surrender -of our lives to God. You must go to Him and -say, “Heavenly Father, here I am. Thou hast -bought me with a price. I am Thy property. I -renounce all claim to do my own will, all -claim to govern my own life, all claim to have -my own way. I give myself up unreservedly -to Thee—all I am and all I have. Send -me where Thou wilt, use me as Thou wilt, do -with me what Thou wilt—I am Thine.” If we -hold anything back from God, no matter how -small it may seem, that spoils it all. But if we -surrender all to God, then God will give all that -He has to us. There are some who shrink from -this absolute surrender to God, but absolute surrender -to God is simply absolute surrender to infinite -love. Surrender to the Father, to the -Father whose love is not only wiser than any -earthly father’s, but more tender than any earthly -mother’s.</p> - -<p>5. In order to receive the Holy Spirit there -should be definite asking for the Holy Spirit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -Our Lord Jesus says in Luke 11: 13, “If ye -then, being evil, know how to give good gifts -unto your children: how much more shall your -heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them -that ask Him?” Just ask God to give you the -Holy Spirit and expect Him to do it, because He -says He will.</p> - -<p>6. Last of all, in order to receive the Holy -Spirit, there must be faith, simply taking God at -His Word. No matter how positive any promise -of God’s Word may be, we enjoy it personally -only when we believe. Our Lord Jesus says, -“All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, -believe that ye have received them, and ye shall -have them” (Mark 11: 24, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). When you -pray for the Holy Spirit you have prayed for -something according to God’s will and therefore -you may know that your prayer is heard and -that you have what you asked of Him (1 John -5: 14, 15). You may feel no different, but do not -look at your feelings but at God’s promise. -Believe the prayer is heard, believe that God has -given you the Holy Spirit and you will afterwards -have in actual experience what you have -received in simple faith on the bare promise of -God’s Word.</p> - -<p>It is well to go often alone and kneel down -and look up to the Holy Spirit and put into His -hands anew the entire control of your life. Ask<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -Him to take the control of your thoughts, the -control of your imagination, the control of your -affections, the control of your desires, the control -of your ambitions, the control of your choices, -the control of your purposes, the control of your -words, the control of your actions, the control of -everything, and just expect Him to do it. The -whole secret of victory in the Christian life is -letting the Holy Spirit who dwells within you, -have undisputed right of way in the entire conduct -of your life.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="V">V<br /> -<span class="smaller">LOOKING UNTO JESUS</span></h2> - -<p>If we are to run with patience the race that is -set before us, we must always keep looking unto -Jesus (Heb. 12: 1-3). One of the simplest and -yet one of the mightiest secrets of abiding joy -and victory is to <i>never lose sight of Jesus</i>.</p> - -<p>1. First of all <i>we must keep looking at Jesus -as the ground of our acceptance before God</i>. -Over and over again Satan will make an attempt -to discourage us by bringing up our sins and -failures and thus try to convince us that we are -not children of God, or not saved. If he succeeds -in getting us to keep looking at and brooding -over our sins, he will soon get us discouraged, -and discouragement means failure. But if we -will keep looking at what God looks at, the death -of Jesus Christ in our place that completely -atones for every sin that we ever committed, we -will never be discouraged because of the greatness -of our sins. We shall see that while our -sins are great, very great, that they have all been -atoned for. Every time Satan brings up one of -our sins, we shall see that Jesus Christ has redeemed -us from its curse by being made a curse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -in our place (Gal. 3: 13). We shall see that -while in ourselves we are full of unrighteousness, -nevertheless in Christ we are made the righteousness -of God, because Christ was made to be sin -in our place (2 Cor. 5: 21). We will see that -every sin that Satan taunts us about has been -borne and settled forever (1 Pet. 2: 24; Is. -53: 6). We shall always be able to sing,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse">“Jesus paid my debt,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">All the debt I owe;</div> -<div class="verse">Sin had left a crimson stain,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">He washed it white as snow.”</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>If you are this moment troubled about any sin -that you have ever committed, either in the past -or in the present, just look at Jesus on the cross; -believe what God tells you about Him, that this -sin which troubles you was laid upon Him -(Is. 53: 6). Thank God that the sin is all -settled; be full of gratitude to Jesus who bore -it in your place and trouble about it no more. -It is an act of base ingratitude to God to brood -over sins that He in His infinite love has cancelled. -Keep looking at Christ on the cross and -walk always in the sunlight of God’s favour. -This favour of God has been purchased for you -at great cost. Gratitude demands that you -should always believe in it and walk in the light -of it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - -<p>2. In the second place, <i>we must keep looking -at Jesus as our risen Saviour, who has all -power in heaven and on earth and is able to keep -us every day and every hour</i>. Are you tempted -to do some wrong at this moment? If you are, -remember that Jesus rose from the dead, remember -that at this moment He is living at the -right hand of God in the glory; remember that -He has all power in heaven and on earth, and -that, therefore, He can give you victory right -now. Believe what God tells you in His Word -that Jesus has power to save you this moment -“to the uttermost” (Heb. 7: 25). Believe that He -has power to give you victory over this sin that -now besets you. Ask Him to give you victory, -expect Him to do it. In this way by looking -unto the risen Christ for victory you may have -victory over sin every day, every hour, every -moment. “Remember Jesus Christ risen from -the dead” (2 Tim. 2: 8, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>).</p> - -<p>God has called every one of us to a victorious -life, and the secret of this victorious life is always -looking to the risen Christ for victory. Through -looking to Christ crucified we obtain pardon and -enjoy peace. Through looking to the risen -Christ we obtain present victory over the power -of sin. If you have lost sight of the risen Christ -and have yielded to temptation, confess your sin -and know that it is forgiven because God says so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -(1 John 1: 9) and look to Jesus, the risen One, -again to give you victory now and keep looking -to Him.</p> - -<p>3. In the third place, <i>we must keep looking -to Jesus as the One whom we should follow in -our daily conduct</i>. Our Lord Jesus says to us, -His disciples to-day, as He said to His early disciples, -“Follow Me.” The whole secret of true -Christian conduct can be summed up in these two -words “Follow Me.” “He that saith he abideth -in Him ought himself so to walk <i>even as He -walked</i>” (1 John 2: 6). One of the commonest -causes of failure in Christian life is found in the -attempt to follow some good man, whom we -greatly admire. No man and no woman, no -matter how good, can be safely followed. If we -follow any man or woman, we are bound to go -astray. There never has been but one absolutely -perfect Man upon this earth—the Man -Christ Jesus. If we try to follow any other man -we are more sure to imitate his faults than his -excellencies. Look at Jesus and Jesus only as -your Guide.</p> - -<p>If at any time you are in any perplexity as to -what to do, simply ask the question, What would -Jesus do? Ask God by His Holy Spirit to show -you what Jesus would do. Study your Bible to -find out what Jesus did do and follow Jesus. -Even though no one else seems to be following<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -Jesus, be sure that you follow Him. Do not -spend your time or thought in criticising others -because they do not follow Jesus. See that you -follow Him yourself. When you are wasting -your time criticising others for not following -Jesus, Jesus is always saying to you, “What is -that to thee; follow <span class="smcapuc">THOU</span> Me” (John 21: 22). -The question for you is not what following Jesus -may involve for other people. The question is -what does following Jesus mean for you?</p> - -<p>This is the really simple life, the life of simply -following Jesus. Many perplexing questions will -come to you, but the most perplexing question -will soon become as clear as day if you determine -with all your heart to follow Jesus in everything. -Satan will always be ready to whisper to you, -“Such and such a good man does it,” but all -you need to do is to answer, “It matters not to -me what this or that man may do or not do. -The only question to me is, What would Jesus -do?” There is wonderful freedom in this life -of simply following Jesus. This path is straight -and plain. But the path of the one who tries to -shape his conduct by observing the conduct of -others is full of twists and turns and pitfalls. -Keep looking at Jesus. Follow on trustingly -where He leads. This is the path of the just -which shineth more and more unto the perfect -day (Prov. 4: 18). He is the Light of the World,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -any one who follows Him shall not walk in darkness, -but shall have the light of life all along the -way (John 8: 12).</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="VI">VI<br /> -<span class="smaller">CHURCH MEMBERSHIP</span></h2> - -<p>No young Christian and no old Christian can -have real success in the Christian life without the -fellowship of other believers. The church is a -divine institution, built by Jesus Christ Himself. -It is the one institution that abides. Other -institutions come and go; they do their work for -their day and disappear, but the church will continue -to the end. “The gates of hell shall not -prevail against it” (Matt. 16: 18). The church -is made up of men and women, imperfect men -and women, and consequently is an imperfect -institution, but none the less it is of divine origin -and God loves it, and every believer should -realize that he belongs to it and should openly -take his place in it and bear his responsibilities -regarding it.</p> - -<p>The true church consists of all true believers, -all who are united to Jesus Christ by a living -faith in Himself. In its outward organization -at the present time, it is divided into numberless -sects and local congregations, but in spite of -these divisions the true church is one. It has -one Lord, Jesus Christ. It has one faith, faith<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -in Him as Saviour, Divine Lord and only King; -one baptism, the baptism in the one Spirit into -the one body (Eph. 4: 4, 5; 1 Cor. 12: 13). -But each individual Christian needs the fellowship -of individual fellow believers. The outward -expression of this fellowship is in membership in -some organized body of believers. If we hold -aloof from all organized churches, hoping thus -to have a broader fellowship with all believers -belonging to all the churches, we deceive ourselves. -We will miss the helpfulness that comes -from intimate union with some local congregation. -I have known many well-meaning persons -who have held aloof from membership in -any specific organization, and I have never known -a person who has done this, whose own spiritual -life has not suffered by it. On the day of Pentecost -the three thousand who were converted were -at once baptized and were added to the church -(Acts 2: 41, 47), and “They continued steadfastly -in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, -and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” Their -example is the one to follow. If you have really -received Jesus Christ, hunt up as soon as possible -some company of others who have received -Jesus Christ and unite yourself with them.</p> - -<p>In many communities there may be no choice -of churches, for there is only one. In other communities -one will be faced with the question,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -“With what body of believers shall I unite?” -Do not waste your time looking for a perfect -church. There is no perfect church. If you -wait until you find a perfect church before you -unite with any, you will unite with none, and -thus you will belong to a church in which you -are the only member and that is the most imperfect -church of all. I would rather belong to -the most imperfect Christian church I ever knew -than not to belong to any church at all. The -local churches in Paul’s day were very imperfect -institutions. Let one read the epistles to the -Corinthians and see how imperfect was the -church in Corinth, see how much there was -that was evil in it, and yet Paul never thought -of advising any believer in Corinth to get out of -this imperfect church. He did tell them to come -out of heathenism, to come out from fellowship -with infidels (2 Cor. 6: 14-18), but not a word -on coming out of the imperfect church in Corinth. -He did tell the church in Corinth to separate -from their membership certain persons whose -lives were wrong (1 Cor. 5: 11, 12), but he did -not tell the individual members of the church in -Corinth to get out of the church because these -persons had not yet been separated from their -fellowship.</p> - -<p>As you cannot find a perfect church, find the -best church you can. Unite with a church where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -they believe in the Bible and where they preach -the Bible. Avoid the churches where words are -spoken open or veiled that have a tendency to -undermine your faith in the Bible as a reliable -revelation from God Himself, the all-sufficient -rule of faith and practice. Unite with a church -where there is a spirit of prayer, where the prayer-meetings -are well kept up. Unite with a church -that has a real active interest in the salvation of -the lost, where young Christians are looked after -and helped, where minister and people have a -love for the poor and outcast, a church that -regards its mission in this world to be the same -as the mission of Christ, “to seek and to save -the lost.” As to denominational differences, -other things being equal, unite with that denomination -whose ideas of doctrine and of government -and of the ordinances are most closely -akin to your own. But it is better to unite -with a live church of some other denomination -than to unite with a dead church of your own. -We live in a day when denominational differences -are becoming ever less and less, and oftentimes -they are of no practical consequence whatever; -and one will often feel more at home in a church -of some other denomination than in any accessible -church of his own denomination. The -things that divide the denominations are insignificant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -compared with the great fundamental -truths and purposes and faith that unite them.</p> - -<p>If you cannot find the church that agrees -with the pattern set forth above, find the church -that comes nearest to it. Go into that church -and by prayer and by work try to bring that -church as nearly as you can to the pattern of -what you think a church of Christ ought to be. -But do not waste your strength in criticism -against either church or minister. Seek for what -is good in the church and in the minister and do -your best to strengthen it. Hold aloof firmly, -though unobtrusively, from what is wrong and -seek to correct it. Do not be discouraged if -you cannot correct it in a day or a week or a -month or a year. Patient love and prayer and -effort will tell in time. Drawing off by yourself -and snarling and grumbling will do no good. -They will simply make you and the truths for -which you stand repulsive.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="VII">VII<br /> -<span class="smaller">BIBLE STUDY</span></h2> - -<p>There is nothing more important for the development -of the spiritual life of the Christian -than regular, systematic Bible study. It is as -true in the spiritual life as it is in the physical -life that health depends upon what we eat and -how much we eat. The soul’s proper food is -found in one book, the Bible. Of course, a -true minister of the gospel will feed us on the -Word of God, but that is not enough. He feeds -us but one or two days in the week and we need -to be fed every day. Furthermore, it will not -do to depend upon being fed by others. We -must learn to feed ourselves. If we study the -Bible for ourselves as we ought to study it, we -shall be in a large measure independent of -human teachers. Even if we are so unfortunate -as to have for our minister a man who is himself -ignorant of the truth of God we shall still be -safe from harm.</p> - -<p>We live in a day in which false doctrine -abounds on every hand and the only Christian -who is safe from being led into error is the one -who studies his Bible for himself daily. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -Apostle Paul warned the elders of the church in -Ephesus that the time was soon coming when -grievous wolves should enter in among them not -sparing the flock and when of their own selves -men should arise speaking perverse things to -draw away the disciples after them, but he told -them how to be safe even in such perilous times -as these. He said, “I commend you to God and -to the Word of His grace, which is able to build -you up and to give you an inheritance among -them which are sanctified.” Through meditation -on the Word of God’s grace they would be -safe even in the midst of abounding error on the -part of the leaders in the church (Acts 20: -29-32). Writing later to the Bishop of the -church in Ephesus Paul said, “But evil men and -impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving -and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3: 13, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>) but he -goes on to tell Bishop Timothy how he and his -fellow believers could be safe even in such times of -increasing peril as were coming. That way was -through the study of the Holy Scriptures, which -are able to make wise unto salvation (2 Tim. -3: 14, 15). “All Scripture,” he adds, “is -given by inspiration of God and is profitable for -doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction -in righteousness that the man of God may -be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good -works.” That is to say, through the study of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -the Bible one will be sound in doctrine, will be -led to see his sins and put them away, will find -discipline in the righteous life and attain unto -complete equipment for all good works. Our -spiritual health, our growth, our strength, our -victory over sin, our soundness in doctrine, our -joy and peace in Christ, our cleansing from -inward and outward sin, our fitness for service, -all depend upon the study of the Word of God. -The one who neglects his Bible is bound to -make a failure of the Christian life. The one -who studies his Bible in the right spirit and by a -true method is bound to make a success of the -Christian life.</p> - -<p>This brings us face to face with the question, -“What is the right way to study the Bible?”</p> - -<p>1. First of all, we should <i>study it daily</i> -(Acts 17: 11). This is of prime importance. -No matter how good the methods of Bible study -that one follows may be, no matter how much -time one may put into Bible study now and then, -the best results can only be secured when one -makes it a matter of principle never to let a -single day go by without earnest Bible study. -This is the only safe course. Any day that is -allowed to pass without faithful Bible study is a -day thrown open to the advent into our hearts -and lives of error or of sin. The writer has -been a Christian for more than a quarter of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -century and yet to-day he would not dare to -allow even a single day to pass over his head -without listening to the voice of God as it speaks -to him through the pages of His Book. It is at -this point that many fall away. They grow -careless and let a day pass, or even several days -pass, without going alone with God and letting -Him speak to them through His Word. Mr. -Moody once wisely said, “In prayer we talk to -God. In Bible study, God talks to us, and we -had better let God do most of the talking.”</p> - -<p>A regular time should be set apart each day -for the study of the Bible. I do not think it is -well as a rule to say that we shall study so many -chapters in a day, for that leads to undue haste -and skimming and thoughtlessness, but it is well -to set apart a certain length of time each day for -Bible study. Some can give more time to Bible -study than others, but no one ought to give less -than fifteen minutes a day. I set the time so low -in order that no one may be discouraged at the -outset. If a young Christian should set out to -give an hour or two hours a day to Bible study, -there is a strong probability that he would not -keep to the resolution and he might become discouraged. -Yet I know of many very busy people -who have given the first hour of every day for -years to Bible study and some who have given -even two hours a day. The late Earl Cairns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -Lord Chancellor of England, was one of the -busiest men of his day, but Lady Cairns told -me a few months ago that no matter how late -he reached home at night he always arose -at the same early hour for prayer and Bible -study. She said, “We would sometimes get -home from Parliament at two o’clock in the -morning, but Lord Cairns would always arise -at the same early hour to pray and study the -Bible.” Lord Cairns is reported as saying, -“If I have had any success in life, I attribute -it to the habit of giving the first two hours of -each day to Bible study and prayer.”</p> - -<p>It is important that one choose the right time -for this study. Wherever it is possible, the best -time for this study is immediately after arising in -the morning. The worst time of all is the last -thing at night. Of course, it is well to give a -little while just before we retire to Bible reading, -in order that God’s voice may be the last to -which we listen, but the bulk of our Bible study -should be done at an hour when our minds are -clearest and strongest. Whatever time is set -apart for Bible study should be kept sacredly for -that purpose.</p> - -<p>2. We should <i>study the Bible systematically</i>. -Much time is frittered away in random study of -the Bible. The same amount of time put into -systematic study would yield far larger results.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -Have a definite place where you are studying -and have a definite plan of study. A good way -for a young Christian to begin the study of the -Bible is to read the Gospel of John. When you -have read it through once, begin and read it again -until you have gone over the Gospel five times. -Then read the Gospel of Luke five times in the -same way; then read the Acts of the Apostles -five times, then 1 Thessalonians five times, then -1 John five times, then Romans five times, then -Ephesians five times.</p> - -<p>By this time you will be ready to take up a -more thorough method of Bible study. A good -method is to begin at Genesis and read the Bible -through chapter by chapter. Read each chapter -through several times and then answer the following -questions on the chapter:</p> - -<p>(1) What is the principal subject of the chapter? -(State the principal contents of the chapter -in a single phrase or sentence.)</p> - -<p>(2) What is the truth most clearly taught and -most emphasized in the chapter?</p> - -<p>(3) What is the best lesson?</p> - -<p>(4) What is the best verse?</p> - -<p>(5) Who are the principal people mentioned?</p> - -<p>(6) What does the chapter teach about Jesus -Christ? Go through the entire Bible in this -way.</p> - -<p>Another and more thorough method of Bible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -chapter study, which cannot be applied to every -chapter in the Bible, but which will yield excellent -results when applied to some of the more -important chapters of the Bible, is as follows:</p> - -<p>(1) Read the chapter for to-day’s study five -times, reading it aloud at least once. Each new -reading will bring out some new point.</p> - -<p>(2) Divide the chapter into its natural divisions -and find headings for each division that -describes in the most striking way the contents -of that division. For example, suppose the chapter -studied is 1 John 5. You might divide it in -this way: First division, verses 1-3, The Believer’s -Noble Parentage. Second division, verses -4, 5, The Believer’s Glorious Victory. Third -division, verses 6-10, The Believer’s Sure Ground -of Faith. Fourth division, verses 11, 12, The -Believer’s Priceless Possession. Fifth division, -verse 13, The Believer’s Blessed Assurance. -Sixth division, verses 14, 15, The Believer’s Unquestioning -Confidence. Seventh division, verses -16, 17, The Believer’s Great Power and Responsibility. -Eighth division, verses 18, 19, The Believer’s -Perfect Security. Ninth division, verse -20, The Believer’s Precious Knowledge. Tenth -division, verse 21, The Believer’s Constant -Duty.</p> - -<p>(3) Note the important differences between the -Authorized Version and the Revised.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<p>(4) Write down the leading facts of the chapter -in their proper order.</p> - -<p>(5) Make a note of the persons mentioned in -the chapter and of any light thrown upon their -character.</p> - -<p>(6) Note the principal lessons of the chapter. -It would be well to classify these. For instance -lessons about God; lessons about Christ, lessons -about the Holy Spirit, etc.</p> - -<p>(7) Find the central truth of the chapter.</p> - -<p>(8) The key verse of the chapter, if there is -one.</p> - -<p>(9) The best verse in the chapter. Mark it -and memorize it.</p> - -<p>(10) Write down what new truth you have -learned from the chapter.</p> - -<p>(11) Write down what truth already known -has come to you with new power.</p> - -<p>(12) What definite thing have you resolved to -do as a result of studying this chapter. It would -be well to study in this way, all the chapters in -Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts; the first -eight chapters of Romans; 1 Cor. 12, 13 and 15; -first six chapters of 2 Corinthians; all the chapters -in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, First -Thessalonians and First Epistle of John. It -would be well at times to vary this by taking up -other methods of study for a time.</p> - -<p>Another profitable method of Bible study is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -topical method. This was Mr. Moody’s favourite -method of study. Take up the great topics -of which the Bible teaches such as, the Holy -Spirit, Prayer, the Blood of Christ, Sin, Judgment, -Grace, Justification, the New Birth, Sanctification, -Faith, Repentance, the Character of -Christ, the Resurrection of Christ, the Ascension -of Christ, the Second Coming of Christ, Assurance, -Love of God, Love (to God, to Christ, to -Christians, to all men), Heaven, Hell. Get a Bible -text-book and go through the Bible on each one -of these topics. (Other methods of Bible study, -and more thorough methods for the advanced -student, will be found in the author’s book “<span class="smcap">How -to Study the Bible for Greatest Profit</span>.”)</p> - -<p>3. We should <i>study the Bible comprehensively</i>—the -whole Bible. Many who read their -Bibles make the great mistake of confining all -their reading to certain portions of the Bible that -they enjoy, and in this way they get no knowledge -of the Bible as a whole. They miss altogether -many of the most important phases of -Bible truth. Begin and go through the Bible -again and again—a certain portion each day from -the Old Testament and a portion from the New -Testament. Read carefully at least one Psalm -every day.</p> - -<p>It is well oftentimes to read a whole book of -the Bible through at a single sitting. Of course,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -with a few books of the Bible this would take -one or two hours, but with most of the books of -the Bible it can be done in a few minutes. With -the shorter books of the Bible they should be -read through again and again at a single sitting.</p> - -<p>4. <i>Study the Bible attentively.</i> Do not hurry. -One of the worst faults in Bible study is haste -and heedlessness. The Bible only does good by -the truth that it contains. It has no magic -power. It is better to read one verse attentively -than to read a dozen chapters thoughtlessly. -Sometimes you will read a verse that takes hold -of you. Don’t hurry on. Linger and ponder -that verse. As you read, mark in your Bible -what impresses you most. One does not need -an elaborate system of Bible marking, simply -mark what impresses you. Meditate upon what -you mark. God pronounces that man blessed -who “meditates” in God’s law day and night -(Ps. 1: 2). It is wonderful how a verse of -Scripture will open if one reads it over and over -again and again, paying attention to each word -as he reads it, trying to get its exact meaning -and its full meaning. Memorize the passages -that impress you most (Ps. 119: 11, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). -When you memorize a passage of Scripture, -memorize its location as well as its words. Fix -in your mind chapter and verse where the words -are found. A busy but spiritually-minded man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -who was hurrying to catch a train once said to -me, “Tell me in a word how to study my -Bible.” I replied, “Thoughtfully.”</p> - -<p>5. <i>Study your Bible comparatively.</i> That is -compare Scripture with Scripture. The best -commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. -Wherever you find a difficult passage in the -Bible, there is always some passage elsewhere -that explains its meaning. The best book to -use in this comparison of Scripture with Scripture -is “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.” -On every verse in the Bible this book gives a -large number of references. It is well to take -up some book of the Bible and go through that -book verse by verse, looking up carefully and -studying every reference given in “The Treasury -of Scripture Knowledge.” This is a very fruitful -method of Bible study. It is also well in studying -the Bible by chapters to look up the references -on the more important verses in the chapter. -One will get more light on passages of Scripture -by looking up the references given in “The -Treasury of Scripture Knowledge,” than in any -other way I know.</p> - -<p>6. <i>Study your Bible believingly.</i> The Apostle -Paul in writing to the Christians in Thessalonica -says, “For this cause also thank we God without -ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of -God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -the Word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word -of God, which effectually worketh also in you that -believe” (1 Thess. 2: 13). Happy is the one -who receives the Word of God as these believers -in Thessalonica received it, who receives it as -what it really is, the Word of God. In such a -one it “works effectually.” The Bible is the -Word of God and we get the most out of any -book by studying it as what it really is. It is -often said that we should study the Bible just as -we study any other book. That principle contains -a truth, but it also contains a great error. -The Bible, it is true, is a book as other books are -books, the same laws of grammatical and literary -construction hold here as in other books, but the -Bible is a unique book. It is what no other -book is, the Word of God. This can be easily -proven to any candid man.<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> The Bible ought then -to be studied as no other book is. It should be -studied as the Word of God. This involves five -things:</p> - -<p>(1) A greater eagerness and more careful and -candid study to find out just what it teaches than -is bestowed upon all other books. It is important -to know the mind of man. It is absolutely -essential to know the mind of God. The place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -to discover the mind of God is the Bible. This -is the book in which God reveals His mind.</p> - -<p>(2) A prompt and unquestioning acceptance -of, and submission to its teachings when definitely -ascertained. These teachings may appear to us -unreasonable or impossible, nevertheless we should -accept them. If this book is the Word of God, -how foolish it is to submit its teachings to the -criticism of our finite reasoning. A little boy -who discredits his wise father’s statements simply -because to his infant mind they appear unreasonable, -is not a philosopher, but a fool. But the -greatest of human thinkers is only an infant compared -with the infinite God. And to discredit -God’s statements found in His Word because -they appear unreasonable to our infantile minds -is not to act the part of the philosopher, but the -part of a fool. When we are once satisfied that -the Bible is the Word of God, its clear teachings -must be for us the end of all controversy and -discussion.</p> - -<p>(3) Absolute reliance upon all its promises in -all their length and breadth and depth and height. -The one who studies the Bible as the Word of -God will say of any promise, no matter how vast -and beyond belief it appears, “God who cannot -lie has promised this, so I will claim it for myself.” -Mark the promise you thus claim. Look -each day for some new promise from your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -infinite Father. He has put “His riches in -glory” at your disposal (Phil. 4: 19). I know -of no better way to grow rich spiritually than to -search daily for promises, and when you find -them appropriate them to yourself.</p> - -<p>(4) Obedience. Be a doer of the Word and -not a hearer only deceiving your own soul -(James 1: 22). Nothing goes farther to help -one understand the Bible than the purpose to -obey it. Jesus said, “If any man willeth to do -His will, he shall know of the teaching” (John -7: 17 <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). The surrendered will means the clear -eye. If our eye is single (that is, our will is absolutely -surrendered to God) our whole body shall -be full of light. But if our eye be evil (that is, -if we are trying to serve two masters and are not -absolutely surrendered to one Master, God) our -whole body shall be full of darkness (Matt. -6: 22-24). Many a passage that looks obscure -to you now would become as clear as day if you -were willing to obey in all things what the Bible -teaches. Each commandment discovered in the -Bible that is really intended as a commandment -to us should be obeyed instantly. It is remarkable -how soon one loses his relish for the Bible -and how soon the mind becomes obscured to its -teachings when we disobey the Bible at any -point. Many a time I have known persons who -have loved their Bibles and have been useful in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -God’s service and clear in their views of the -truth who have come to something in the Bible -that they were unwilling to obey, some sacrifice -was demanded that they were unwilling to make, -and their love for the Bible has rapidly waned, -their faith in the Bible began to weaken, and -soon they were drifting farther and farther away -from clear views of the truth. Nothing clears -the mind like obedience; nothing darkens the -mind like disobedience. To obey a truth you -see prepares you to see other truths. To disobey -a truth you see darkens your mind to all -truths.</p> - -<p>Cultivate prompt, exact, unquestioning, joyous -obedience to every command that it is evident -from its context applies to you. Be on the lookout -for new orders from your King. Blessing -lies in the direction of obedience to them. God’s -commands are but sign-boards that mark the road -to present success and blessedness and to eternal -glory.</p> - -<p>(5) Studying the Bible as the Word of God -involves studying it as His own voice speaking -directly to you. When you open the Bible to -study realize that you have come into the very -presence of God and that now He is going to -speak to you. Realize that it is God who is -talking to you as much as if you saw Him standing -there. Say to yourself, “God is now going<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -to speak to me.” Nothing goes farther to give -a freshness and gladness to Bible study than the -realization that as you read God is actually talking -to you. In this way Bible study becomes -personal companionship with God Himself. That -was a wonderful privilege that Mary had one day, -of sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His -voice, but if we will study the Bible as the Word -of God and as if we were in God’s very presence, -then we shall enjoy the privilege of sitting -at the feet of God and having Him talk to us -every day. How often what would otherwise be -a mere mechanical performance of a duty would -become a wonderfully joyous privilege if one -would say as he opens the Bible, “Now God, -my Father, is going to speak to me.” Oftentimes -it helps us to a realization of the presence -of God to read the Bible on our knees. The -Bible became in some measure a new book to -me when I took to reading it on my knees.</p> - -<p>7. <i>Study the Bible prayerfully.</i> God, who is -the author of the Bible, is willing to act as interpreter -of it. He does so when you ask Him to. -The one who prays with earnestness and faith -the Psalmist’s prayer, “Open Thou mine eyes -that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy -law” (Ps. 119: 18) will get his eyes opened to -see new beauties and wonders in the Word of -God that he never dreamed of before. Be very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -definite about this. Each time you open the -Bible to study it, even though it is but for a few -minutes, ask God to give you an open and discerning -eye, and expect Him to do it. Every -time you come to a difficulty in the Bible, lay it -before God and ask an explanation and expect -it. How often we think as we puzzle over hard -passages, “Oh, if I only had some great Bible -teacher here to explain this to me!” God is -always present. He understands the Bible better -than any human teacher. Take your difficulty -to Him and ask Him to explain it. Jesus said, -“When He the Spirit of Truth is come, He shall -guide you into all the truth” (John 16: 13, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). -It is the privilege of the humblest believer in -Christ to have the Holy Spirit for his guide in -his study of the Word. I have known many -very humble people, people with almost no education, -who got more out of their Bible study -than most of the great theological teachers that -I have known; simply because they had learned -that it was their privilege to have the Holy Spirit -for their teacher as they studied the Bible. Commentaries -on the Bible are oftentimes of great -value, but one will learn more of real value from -the Bible by having the Holy Spirit for his -teacher when he studies his Bible than he will -from all the commentaries that were ever published.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> - -<p>8. <i>Improve spare moments for Bible study.</i> -In almost every man’s life many minutes each -day are lost, while waiting for meals, riding on -trains, going from place to place in street-cars -and so forth. Carry a pocket Bible or Testament -with you and save these golden moments -by putting them to the very best use, listening -to the voice of God.</p> - -<p>9. <i>Store away the Scripture in your mind and -heart.</i> It will keep you from sin (Ps. 119: 11, -<span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>); from false doctrine (Acts 20: 29, 30, 32; -2 Tim. 3: 13-15). It will fill your heart with joy -(Jer. 15: 16); and peace (Ps. 85: 8). It will give -you victory over the evil one (1 John 2: 14); it -will give you power in prayer (John 15: 7); it -will make you wiser than the aged and your -enemies (Ps. 119: 98, 100, 130); it will make you -“complete, furnished completely unto every good -work” (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). Try it. Do -not memorize at random but memorize Scripture -in a connected way; memorize texts bearing on -various subjects in proper order; memorize by -chapter and verse that you may know where to -put your finger on the text if any one disputes it. -You should have a good Bible for your study. -One of the best is “The Oxford Two Version -Bible, Workers’ Edition.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="VIII">VIII<br /> -<span class="smaller">DIFFICULTIES IN THE BIBLE</span></h2> - -<p>Sooner or later every young Christian comes -across passages in the Bible which are hard to -understand and difficult to believe. To many a -young Christian, these difficulties become a -serious hindrance in the development of their -Christian life. For days and weeks and months -oftentimes faith suffers partial or total eclipse. -At just this point wise counsel is needed. We -have no desire to conceal the fact that these -difficulties exist. We rather desire to frankly -face and consider them. What shall we do concerning -these difficulties that every thoughtful -student of the Bible will sooner or later encounter.</p> - -<p>1. <i>The first thing we have to say about these -difficulties is that from the very nature of the case -difficulties are to be expected.</i> Some people are -surprised and staggered because there are difficulties -in the Bible. I would be more surprised -and more staggered if there were not. What is -the Bible? It is a revelation of the mind and -will and character and being of the infinitely -great, perfectly wise, and absolutely holy God.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -But to whom is this revelation made? To men -and women like you and me, to finite beings. -To men who are imperfect in intellectual development -and consequently in knowledge, and -in character and consequently in spiritual discernment.</p> - -<p>There must, from the very necessities of the -case, be difficulties in such a revelation made to -such persons. When the finite tries to understand -the infinite there is bound to be difficulty. -When the ignorant contemplate the utterances -of one perfect in knowledge there must be many -things hard to be understood and some things -which to their immature and inaccurate minds -appear absurd. When sinful beings listen to the -demands of an absolutely holy being they are -bound to be staggered at some of His demands, -and when they consider His dealings they are -bound to be staggered at some of His dealings. -These dealings will necessarily appear too severe, -stern, harsh, terrific. It is plain that there must -be difficulties for us in such a revelation as the -Bible is proven to be. If some one should hand -me a book that was as simple as the multiplication -table and say, “This is the Word of God, in -which He has revealed His whole will and wisdom,” -I would shake my head and say, “I cannot -believe it. That is too easy to be a perfect -revelation of infinite wisdom.” There must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -in any complete revelation of God’s mind and -will and character and being, things hard for a -beginner to understand, and the wisest and best -of us are but beginners.</p> - -<p>2. <i>The second thing to be said about these -difficulties is that a difficulty in a doctrine, -or a grave objection to a doctrine, does not in -any wise prove the doctrine to be untrue.</i> Many -thoughtless people fancy that it does. If they -come across some difficulty in the way of -believing in the divine origin and absolute -inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible, they at -once conclude that the doctrine is exploded. -That is very illogical. Stop a moment and -think and learn to be reasonable and fair. -There is scarcely a doctrine in science commonly -believed to-day that has not had some great -difficulty in the way of its acceptance. When -the Copernican theory, now so universally accepted, -was first proclaimed, it encountered a -very grave difficulty. If this theory were true -the planet Venus should have phases as the -moon has. But no phases could be discovered -by the best glass then in existence. But the -positive argument for the theory was so strong -that it was accepted in spite of this apparently -unanswerable objection. When a more powerful -glass was made, it was discovered that Venus had -phases after all. The whole difficulty arose, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -all those in the Bible arise, from man’s ignorance -of some of the facts in the case. According to -the common sense logic recognized in every department -of science, if the positive proof of a -theory is conclusive, it is believed by rational -men, in spite of any number of difficulties in -minor details. Now the positive proof that the -Bible is the Word of God, that it is an absolutely -trustworthy revelation from God Himself of -Himself, His purposes and His will, of man’s -duty and destiny, of spiritual and eternal realities, -is absolutely conclusive. Therefore every -rational man and woman must believe it in spite -of any number of difficulties in minor details. -He is a shallow thinker who gives up a well-attested -truth because of some facts which he -cannot reconcile with that truth. And he is a -very shallow Bible scholar who gives up the -divine origin and inerrancy of the Bible because -there are some supposed facts that he cannot -reconcile with that doctrine.</p> - -<p>3. <i>The third thing to be said about the difficulties -in the Bible is that there are many more -and much greater difficulties in the way of a -doctrine that holds the Bible to be of human -origin, and hence fallible, than are in the way of -the doctrine that holds the Bible to be of divine -origin and hence altogether trustworthy.</i> A man -may bring you some difficulty and say, “How<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -do you explain that if the Bible is the Word of -God?” and perhaps you may not be able to answer -him satisfactorily. Then he thinks he has -you, but not at all. Turn on him and ask him -how do you account for the fulfilled prophecies -of the Bible if it is of human origin? How do -you account for the marvellous unity of the -Book? How do you account for its inexhaustible -depth? How do you account for its unique -power in lifting men up to God? How do you -account for the history of the Book, its victory -over all men’s attacks, etc., etc., etc. For every -insignificant objection he can bring to your view, -you can bring many deeply significant objections -to his view, and no candid man will have any -difficulty in deciding between the two views. -The difficulties that confront one who denies -that the Bible is of divine origin and authority -are far more numerous and weighty than those -that confront the ones who believes it is of -divine origin and authority.</p> - -<p>4. <i>The fourth thing to be said about the difficulties -in the Bible is the fact that you cannot -solve a difficulty does not prove that it cannot be -solved, and the fact that you cannot answer an -objection does not prove at all that it cannot be -answered.</i> It is passing strange how often we -overlook this very evident fact. There are many -who, when they meet a difficulty in the Bible and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -give it a little thought and can see no possible -solution, at once jump at the conclusion that a -solution is impossible by any one, and so throw -up their faith in the reliability of the Bible and in -its divine origin. A little more of that modesty -that is becoming in beings so limited in knowledge -as we all are would have led them to say, -“Though I see no possible solution to this difficulty, -some one a little wiser than I might easily -find one.” Oh! if we would only bear in mind -that we do not know everything, and that there -are a great many things that we cannot solve now -that we could easily solve if we only knew a little -more. Above all, we ought never to forget that -there may be a very easy solution to infinite -wisdom of that which to our finite wisdom—or -ignorance—appears absolutely insoluble. What -would we think of a beginner in algebra who, -having tried in vain for half an hour to solve a -difficult problem, declared that there was no possible -solution to the problem because he could -find none? A man of much experience and -ability once left his work and came a long distance -to see me in great perturbation of spirit -because he had discovered what seemed to him a -flat contradiction in the Bible. It had defied all -his attempts at reconciliation, but in a few moments -he was shown a very simple and satisfactory -solution of the difficulty.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> - -<p>5. <i>The fifth thing to be said about the difficulties -in the Bible is that the seeming defects in the -book are exceedingly insignificant when put in -comparison with its many and marvellous excellencies.</i> -It certainly reveals great perversity -of both mind and heart that men spend so much -time expatiating on the insignificant points that -they consider defects in the Bible, and pass by -absolutely unnoticed the incomparable beauties -and wonders that adorn and glorify almost every -page. What would we think of any man, who -in studying some great masterpiece of art, concentrated -his entire attention upon what looked -to him like a fly-speck in the corner. A large -proportion of what is vaunted as “critical study -of the Bible” is a laborious and scholarly investigation -of supposed fly-specks and an entire neglect -of the countless glories of the book.</p> - -<p>6. <i>The sixth thing to be said about the difficulties -in the Bible is that the difficulties in the -Bible have far more weight with superficial readers -of it than with profound students.</i> Take a -man who is totally ignorant of the real contents -and meaning of the Bible and devotes his whole -strength to discovering apparent inconsistencies -in it, to such superficial students of the Bible -these difficulties seem of immense importance; -but to the one who has learned to meditate on -the Word of God day and night they have scarce<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -any weight at all. That mighty man of God, -George Müller, who had carefully studied the -Bible from beginning to end more than a hundred -times, was not disturbed by any difficulties -he encountered. But to the one who is reading -it through carefully for the first or second time -there are many things that perplex and stagger.</p> - -<p>7. <i>The seventh thing to be said about the difficulties -in the Bible is that they rapidly disappear -upon careful and prayerful study.</i> How many -things there are in the Bible that once puzzled -us and staggered us that have been perfectly -cleared up, and no longer present any difficulty -at all! Is it not reasonable to suppose that the -difficulties that still remain will also disappear -upon further study?</p> - -<p>How shall we deal with the difficulties which -we do find in the Bible?</p> - -<p>1. First of all, <i>honestly</i>. Whenever you find -a difficulty in the Bible, frankly acknowledge it. -If you cannot give a good honest explanation, -do not attempt as yet to give any at all.</p> - -<p>2. <i>Humbly.</i> Recognize the limitations of -your own mind and knowledge, and do not -imagine there is no solution just because you -have found none. There is in all probability a -very simple solution. You will find it some -day, though at present you can find no solution -at all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> - -<p>3. <i>Determinedly.</i> Make up your mind that -you will find the solution if you can by any -amount of study and hard thinking. The difficulties -in the Bible are your heavenly Father’s -challenge to you to set your brains to work.</p> - -<p>4. <i>Fearlessly.</i> Do not be frightened when -you find a difficulty, no matter how unanswerable -it appears upon first glance. Thousands have -found such before you. They were seen hundreds -of years ago and still the Old Book stands. -You are not likely to discover any difficulty that -was not discovered and probably settled long before -you were born, though you do not know -just where to lay your hand upon the solution. -The Bible which has stood eighteen centuries of -rigid examination and incessant and awful assault, -is not going under before any discoveries that -you make or any attacks of modern infidels. -All modern infidel attacks upon the Bible are -simply a revamping of old objections that have -been disposed of a hundred times in the past. -These old objections will prove no more effective -in their new clothes than they did in the cast-off -garments of the past.</p> - -<p>5. <i>Patiently.</i> Do not be discouraged because -you do not solve every problem in a day. If -some difficulty defies your best effort, lay it aside -for awhile. Very likely when you come back to -it, it will have disappeared and you will wonder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -how you were ever perplexed by it. The writer -often has to smile to-day when he thinks how -sorely he was perplexed in the past over questions -which are now as clear as day.</p> - -<p>6. <i>Scripturally.</i> If you find a difficulty in -one part of the Bible, look for other Scripture to -throw light upon it and dissolve it. Nothing -explains Scripture like Scripture. Never let -apparently obscure passages of Scripture darken -the light that comes from clear passages, rather -let the light that comes from the clear passage -illuminate the darkness that seems to surround -the obscure passage.</p> - -<p>7. <i>Prayerfully.</i> It is wonderful how difficulties -dissolve when one looks at them on his -knees. One great reason why some modern -scholars have learned to be destructive critics is -because they have forgotten how to pray.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="IX">IX<br /> -<span class="smaller">PRAYER</span></h2> - -<p>The one who would succeed in the Christian -life must lead a life of prayer. Very much of -the failure in Christian living to-day, and in -Christian work, results from neglect of prayer. -Very few Christians spend as much time in -prayer as they ought. The Apostle James told -believers in his day that the secret of the poverty -and powerlessness of their lives and service was -neglect of prayer. “Ye have not,” says God -through the Apostle James, “because ye ask -not.” So it is to-day. Why is it, many a Christian -is asking, that I make such poor headway in -my Christian life? Why do I have so little victory -over sin? Why do I accomplish so little by -my effort? and God answers, “You have not because -you ask not.”</p> - -<p>It is easy enough to lead a life of prayer if one -only sets about it. Set apart some time each day -for prayer. The rule of David and of Daniel is -a good one; three times a day. “Evening and -morning and at noon,” says David, “will I pray -and cry aloud and He shall hear my voice” -(Ps. 55: 17). Of Daniel we read, “Now when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he -went into his house; and his windows being -open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he -kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and -prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did -aforetime” (Dan. 6: 10). Of course, one can -pray while walking the street, or riding in the -car, or sitting at his desk, and one should learn -to lift his heart to God right in the busiest moments -of his life, but we need set times of prayer, -times when we go alone with God, shut to the -door and talk to our Father in the secret place -(Matt. 6: 6). God is in the secret place and will -meet with us there and listen to our petitions.</p> - -<p>Prayer is a wonderful privilege. It is an audience -with the King. It is talking to our Father. -How strange it is that people should ask the -question, “How much time ought I to spend in -prayer?” When a subject is summoned to an -audience with his king, he never asks, “How -much time must I spend with the king?” His -question is rather, “How much time will the king -give me?” And with any true child of God -who realizes what prayer really is, that it is an -audience with the King of Kings, the question -will never be, “How much time must I spend in -prayer,” but “How much time may I spend in -prayer with a due regard to other duties and -privileges?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> - -<p>Begin the day with thanksgiving and prayer. -Thanksgiving for the definite mercies of the past, -prayer for the definite needs of the present day. -Think of the temptations that you are likely to -meet during the day; ask God to show you the -temptations that you are likely to meet and get -from God strength for victory over these temptations -before the temptations come. The reason -why many fail in the battle is because they wait -until the hour of battle. The reason why others -succeed is because they have gained their victory -on their knees long before the battle came. Jesus -conquered in the awful battles of Pilate’s judgment -hall and of the cross because He had the -night before in prayer anticipated the battle and -gained the victory before the struggle really -came. He had told His disciples to do the same. -He had bidden them “Pray that ye enter not -into temptation” (Luke 22: 40), but they had -slept when they ought to have prayed, and when -the hour of temptation came they fell. Anticipate -your battles, fight them on your knees before -temptation comes and you will always have -victory. At the very outset of the day, get -counsel and strength from God Himself for the -duties of the day.</p> - -<p>Never let the rush of business crowd out -prayer. The more work that any day has to do, -the more time must be spent in prayer in <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>preparation -for that work. You will not lose time by -it, you will save time by it. Prayer is the greatest -time saver known to man. The more the -work crowds you the more time take for -prayer.</p> - -<p>Stop in the midst of the bustle and hurry and -temptation of the day for thanksgiving and -prayer. A few minutes spent alone with God at -midday will go far to keep you calm in the midst -of the worries and anxieties of modern life.</p> - -<p>Close the day with thanksgiving and prayer. -Review all the blessings of the day and thank -God in detail for them. Nothing goes farther to -increase faith in God and in His Word than a -calm review at the close of each day of what God -has done for you that day. Nothing goes further -towards bringing new and larger blessings from -God than intelligent thanksgiving for blessings -already granted.</p> - -<p>The last thing you do each day ask God to -show you if there has been anything in the day -that has been displeasing in His sight. Then -wait quietly before God and give God an opportunity -to speak to you. Listen. Do not be in -a hurry. If God shows you anything in the day -that has been displeasing in His sight, confess it -fully and frankly as to a holy and loving Father. -Believe that God forgives it all, for He says He -does (1 John 1: 9). Thus at the close of each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -day all your accounts with God will be straightened -out. You can lie down and sleep in the -glad consciousness that there is not a cloud between -you and God. You can arise the next -day to begin life anew with a clean balance sheet. -Do this and you can never backslide for more -than twenty-four hours. Indeed, you will not -backslide at all. It is very hard to straighten out -accounts in business that have been allowed to -get crooked through a prolonged period. No -bank ever closes its business day until its balance -is found to be absolutely correct. And no Christian -should close a single day until his accounts -with God for that day have been perfectly adjusted -alone with Him.</p> - -<p>There should be special prayer in special -temptation—that is when we see the temptation -approaching. If you possibly can, get at once -alone somewhere with God and fight your battle -out. Keep looking to God. “Pray without ceasing” -(1 Thess. 5: 17). It is not needful to be -on your knees all the time but the heart should -be on its knees all the time. We should be -often on our knees or on our faces literally. This -is a joyous life, free from worry and care. “In -nothing be anxious; but in everything by -prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let -your request be made known unto God, and the -peace of God which passeth all understanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -shall guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ -Jesus” (Phil. 4: 6, 7, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>).</p> - -<p>There are three things for which one who -would succeed in the Christian life must especially -pray. 1. For wisdom. “If any of you -lack wisdom (and we all do) let him ask of God” -(James 1: 5). 2. For strength. “For they -that wait upon the Lord shall renew their -strength” (Is. 40: 31). 3. For the Holy Spirit. -“Your heavenly Father shall give the Holy -Spirit to them that ask Him” (Luke 11: 13). -Even if you have received the Holy Spirit, -you should constantly pray for a new filling -with the Holy Spirit and definitely expect to -receive it. We need a new filling with the -Spirit for every new emergency of Christian life -and Christian service. The Apostle Peter was -baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit on the -Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4) but he was filled -anew in Acts 4: 8 and Acts 4: 31. There are -many Christians in the world who once had a -very definite baptism with the Holy Spirit and -had great joy and were wonderfully used, but -who have tried to go ever since in the power of -that baptism received years ago, and to-day their -lives are comparatively joyless and powerless. -We need constantly to get new supplies of oil -for our lamps. We get these new supplies of -oil by asking for them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is not enough that we have our times of -secret prayer to God alone with Him, we also -need fellowship with others in prayer. If they -have a prayer-meeting in your church attend it -regularly. Attend it for your own sake; attend -it for the sake of the church. If it is a prayer-meeting -only in name and not in fact, use your -influence quietly and constantly (not obtrusively) -to make it a real prayer-meeting. Keep the -prayer-meeting night sacredly for that purpose. -Refuse all social engagements for that night. A -major-general in the United States army once -took command of the forces in a new district. -A reception was arranged for him for a certain -night in the week. When he was informed of -this public reception he replied that that was -prayer-meeting night and everything else had to -give way for prayer-meeting, that he could not -attend the reception on that night. That general -had proved himself a man that can be depended -upon. The Church of Christ in America -owes more to him than to almost any other -officer in the American army. Ministers learn -to depend upon their prayer-meeting members. -The prayer-meeting is the most important meeting -in the church. If your church has no -prayer-meeting, use your influence to have one. -It does not take many members to make a good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -prayer-meeting. You can start with two but -work for many.</p> - -<p>It is well to have a little company of Christian -friends with whom you are in real sympathy and -with whom you meet regularly every week -simply for prayer. There has been nothing of -more importance in the development of my own -spiritual life of recent years than a little prayer-meeting -of less than a dozen friends who have -met every Saturday night for years. We met -and together we waited upon God. If my life -has been of any use to the Master, I attribute it -largely to that prayer-meeting. Happy is the -young Christian that has a little band of friends -like that that meet together regularly for prayer.<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="X">X<br /> -<span class="smaller">WORKING FOR CHRIST</span></h2> - -<p>One of the important conditions of growth -and strength in the Christian life is work. No -man can keep up his physical strength without -exercise and no man can keep up his spiritual -strength without spiritual exercise, <i>i. e.</i>, without -working for his Master. The working Christian is -the happy Christian. The working Christian is -the strong Christian. Some Christians never -backslide because they are too busy about their -Master’s business to backslide. Many professed -Christians do backslide because they are too idle -to do anything but backslide. Jesus said to the -first disciples, “Follow Me and I will make you -fishers of men” (Matt. 4: 19). Any one who is -not a fisher of men is not following Christ. -Bearing fruit in bringing others to the Saviour -is the purpose for which Jesus has chosen us and -is one of the most important conditions of power -in prayer. Jesus says in John 15: 16, “Ye have -not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained -you <i>that ye should go and bring forth -fruit</i>, and that your fruit should remain, <i>that -whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -name He may give it you</i>.” These words of -Jesus are very plain. They tell us that the one -who is bearing fruit is the one who can pray in -the name of Christ and get what he asks in that -name. In the same chapter Jesus tells us that -bearing fruit in His strength is the condition of -fullness of joy. He says, “These things have I -spoken unto you (that is, the things about abiding -in Him and bearing fruit in His strength) -that My joy might remain in you and that your -joy might be full” (John 15: 11). Experience -abundantly proves the truth of these words of -our Master. Those who are full of activity in -winning others to Christ are those who are full -of joy in Christ Himself.</p> - -<p>If you wish to be a happy Christian; if you -wish to be a strong Christian, if you wish to be -a Christian who is mighty in prayer, begin at -once to work for the Master and never let a day -pass without doing some definite work for Him. -But how can a young Christian work for Him? -How can a young Christian bear fruit? The -answer is very simple and very easy to follow. -You can bear fruit for your Master by going to -others and telling them what your Saviour has -done for you, and by urging them to accept this -same Saviour and showing them how to do it. -There is no other work in the world that is so -easy to do, so joyous, and so abundant in its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -fruitfulness, as personal hand to hand work. The -youngest Christian can do personal work. Of -course, he cannot do it so well as he will do it -later, after he has had more practice. But the -way to learn how to do it is by doing it. I have -known thousands of Christians all around the -world who have begun to work for Christ, and -to bring others to Christ, the very day that they -were converted. How often young men and -young women, yes, and old men and old women -too, have come to me and said, “I accepted Jesus -Christ last night as my Saviour, my Lord and -my King, and to-night I have led a friend to -Christ.” Then the next day they would come -and tell me of some one else they had led to -Christ. When we were in Sheffield, a young -man working in a warehouse accepted Christ. -Before the month’s mission in Sheffield was over -he had led thirty others to Christ, many of them -in the same warehouse where he himself worked. -This is but one instance among many. There -are many books that tell how to do personal -work.<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> - -<p>But one does not need to wait until they have -read some book on the subject before they begin. -One of the commonest and greatest mistakes that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -is made is that of frittering one’s life away in -getting ready to get ready to get ready. Some -never do get ready. The way to get ready is to -begin at once. Make up your mind that you -will speak about accepting Christ to at least one -person every day. Early in his Christian life -Mr. Moody made this resolution that he would -never let a day pass over his head without speaking -to at least one person about Christ. One -night he was returning late from his work. As -he got near home it occurred to him that he had -not spoken to any one that day. He said to -himself, “It is too late now. I will not get an -opportunity. Here will be one day gone without -my speaking to any one about Christ.” But -a little ways ahead of him he saw a man standing -under a lamp-post. He said, “Here is my last -opportunity.” The man was a stranger to him, -though he knew who Mr. Moody was. Mr. -Moody hurried up to him and asked him, “Are -you a Christian?” The man replied, “That is -none of your business. If you were not a sort -of a preacher I would knock you into the gutter.” -But Mr. Moody spoke a few faithful words to -him and passed on. The next day this man -called on one of Mr. Moody’s business friends in -Chicago in great indignation. He said, “That -man Moody of yours over on the Northside is -doing more harm than he is good. He has zeal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -without knowledge. He came up to me last -night, a perfect stranger, and asked me if I was -a Christian. He insulted me. I told him if -he had not been a sort of preacher I would have -knocked him into the gutter.” Mr. Moody’s -friend called him in and said to him, “Moody, -you are doing more harm than good. You have -zeal without knowledge. You insulted a friend -of mine on the street last night.” Mr. Moody -went out somewhat crestfallen, feeling that perhaps -he was doing more harm than good, that -perhaps he did have zeal without knowledge. -But some weeks after, late at night, there was a -great pounding on his door. Mr. Moody got -out of bed and rushed to the door supposing -that the house was on fire. That same man -stood at the door. He said, “Mr. Moody, I -have not had a night’s rest since you spoke to -me that night under the lamp-post and I have -come around for you to tell me what to do to be -saved.” Mr. Moody had the joy that night of -leading that man to Christ. It is better to have -zeal without knowledge than to have knowledge -without zeal, but it is better yet to have zeal -with knowledge, and any one may have this. -The way to get knowledge is by experience, and -the way to get experience is by doing the work. -The man who is so afraid of making blunders -that he never does anything, never learns anything.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -The man who goes ahead and does his -best and is willing to risk the blunders, is the -man who learns to avoid the blunders in the -future. Some of the most gifted men I have -ever known have never really accomplished anything, -they were so fearful of making blunders. -Some of the most useful men I have ever known -were men who at the outset were the least promising, -but who had a real love for souls and went -on, at first in a blundering way, but they blundered -on until they learned by experience to do -things well. Do not be discouraged by your -blunders. Pitch in and keep pegging away. -Every honest mistake is but a stepping-stone to -future success. Try every day to lead some one -else to Christ. Of course, you will not succeed -every day, but the work will do you good any -way, and years after you will often find that -where you thought you have made the greatest -blunders, you have accomplished the best results. -The man who gets angriest at you, will often -turn out in the end the man who is most grateful -to you. Be patient and hope on. Never be -discouraged.</p> - -<p>Make a prayer list. Go alone with God. -Write down at the top of a sheet of paper, -“God helping me, I promise to pray daily and -to work persistently for the conversion of the following -persons.” Then kneel down and ask<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -God to show you who to put on that list. Do -not make the list so long that your prayer and -work become mechanical and superficial. After -you have made the list keep your covenant, -really pray for them every day. Watch for opportunities -to speak to them—improve these -opportunities. You may have to watch long for -your opportunities with some of them, and you -may have to speak often, but never give up. I -prayed about fifteen years for one man, one of -the most discouraging men I ever met, but I saw -that man converted at last, and I saw him a -preacher of the gospel, and many others were -converted through his preaching, and now he is -in the Glory.</p> - -<p>Learn to use tracts. Get a few good tracts -that are fitted to meet the needs of different -kinds of people. Then hand these tracts out to -the people whose needs they are adapted to meet. -Follow your tracts up with prayer and with personal -effort.</p> - -<p>Go to your pastor and ask him if there is some -work he would like to have you do for him in -the church. Be a person that your pastor can -depend upon. We live in a day in which there -are many kinds of work going on outside the -church, and many of these kinds of work are -good and you should take part in them as you -are able, but never forget that your first duty is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -to the church of which you are a member. Be a -person that your pastor can count on. It may -be that your pastor may not want to use you, -but at least give him the chance of refusing you. -If he does refuse you, don’t be discouraged, but -find work somewhere else. There is plenty to -do and few to do it. It is as true to-day as it was -in the days of our Saviour, “The harvest truly is -plenteous but the labourers are few” (Matt. 9: 37), -“Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that He -will send forth labourers into His harvest,” and -pray that He will send you (Matt. 9: 38). The -right kind of men are needed in the ministry. The -right kind of men and women are needed for foreign -mission work, but you may not be the right kind -of a man or woman for foreign missionary work, -but none the less there is work for you to do just -as important in its place as the work of the minister -or the missionary is. See that you fill your -place and fill it well.<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="XI">XI<br /> -<span class="smaller">FOREIGN MISSIONS</span></h2> - -<p>In order to have the largest success in the -Christian life one must be interested in foreign -missions. The last command of our Lord before -leaving this earth was, “Go ye therefore, and -make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them -into the name of the Father, and of the Son and -of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all -things whatsoever I have commanded you: and -lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the -world” (Matt. 28: 19, 20, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). Here is a command -and a promise. It is one of the sweetest -promises in the Bible. But the enjoyment of the -promise is conditioned upon obedience to the -command. Our Lord commands every one of -His disciples to go and “make disciples” of all -the nations. This command was not given to the -apostles alone, but to every member of Christ’s -church in all ages. If we go, then Christ will be -with us even unto the end of the age; but, if we -do not go, we have no right to count upon His -companionship. Are you going? How can we -go? There are three ways in which we can go, -and in at least two of these ways we must go if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -we are to enjoy the wonderful privilege of the -personal companionship of Jesus Christ every -day unto the end of the age.</p> - -<p>1. First, <i>many of us can go in our own persons</i>. -Many of us ought to go. God does not -call every one of us to go as foreign missionaries, -but He does call many of us to go who are not -responding to the call. Every Christian should -offer himself for the foreign field and leave the -responsibility of choosing him or refusing him -to the all-wise One, God Himself. No Christian -has a right to stay at home until he has gone and -offered himself definitely to God for the foreign -field. If you have not done it before, do it to-day. -Go alone with God and say, “Heavenly -Father, here I am, Thy property, purchased by -the precious blood of Christ. I belong to Thee. -If Thou dost wish me in the foreign field, make -it clear to me and I will go.” Then keep watching -for the leading of God. God’s leading is -clear leading. He is light and in Him is no -darkness at all (1 John 1: 5). If you are really -willing to be led, He will make it clear as day. -Until He does make it clear as day, you need -have no morbid anxiety that perhaps you are -staying at home when you ought to go to the -foreign field. If He wants you, He will make it -clear as day in His own way and time. If He -does make it clear, then prepare to go step by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -step as He leads you. And when His hour -comes, go, no matter what it costs. If He does -not make it clear that you ought to go in your -own person, stay at home and do your duty at -home and go in the other ways that will now be -told.</p> - -<p>2. <i>We all can go, and all ought to go to the -foreign field by our gifts.</i> There are many who -would like to go to the foreign field in their own -person, but whom God providentially prevents, -but who are still going in the missionaries they -support or help to support. It is possible for -you to preach the Gospel in the remotest corners -of the earth by supporting or helping to support -a foreign missionary or a native worker in that -place. Many who read this book are able financially -to support a foreign missionary out of their -own pocket. If you are able to do it, do it. If -you are not able to support a foreign missionary, -you may be able to support a native helper—do -it. You may be able to support one missionary -in Japan and another in China, and another in -India and another in Africa and another somewhere -else—do it. Oh! the joy of preaching the -Gospel in lands that we shall never see with our -own eyes. How few in the church of Christ to-day -realize their privilege of preaching the Gospel -and saving men and women and children in distant -lands by sending substitute missionaries to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -them, that is, by sending some one that goes -for you where you cannot go yourself. They -could not go but for your gifts by which they -are supported and you could not go but for them, -by their going in your place. You may be able -to give but very little to foreign missions, but -every little counts. Many insignificant streams -together make a mighty river. If you cannot be -a river, at least be a stream.</p> - -<p>Learn to give largely. The large giver is the -happy Christian. “The liberal soul shall be -made fat” (Prov. 11: 25). “He which soweth -sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which -soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully,” -and “God is able to make all grace abound towards -you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all -things may abound to every good work” (2 Cor. -9: 8, 9). Success and growth in the Christian life -depend upon few things more than upon liberal -giving. The stingy Christian cannot be a growing -Christian. It is wonderful how a Christian -man begins to grow when he begins to give. -Power in prayer depends on liberality in giving. -One of the most wonderful statements about -prayer and its answers is 1 John 3: 22. John -says there that, whatsoever he asked of God he -received; and he tells us why, because he on his -part, kept God’s commandments and did those -things which were pleasing in His sight, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -immediate context shows that the special commandments -he was keeping were the commandments -about giving. He tells us in the twenty-first -verse that when our heart condemns us not -in the matter of giving then have we confidence -in our prayers to God. God’s answers to our -prayers come in through the same door that our -gifts go out to others, and some of us open the -door such a little ways by our small giving that -God is not able to pass in to us any large answers -to our prayers. One of the most remarkable -promises in the Bible is that found in Phil. 4: 19, -“My God shall supply (<span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>, fulfill, that is fill -full) all your need according to His riches in glory -by Christ Jesus,” but this promise was made to -believers who had distinguished themselves above -their fellows by the largeness and the frequency -of their giving (Cf. vs. 14-18). Of course, we -should not confine our giving to foreign missions. -We should give to the work of the home church: -we should give to rescue work in our large cities. -We should do good to all men as we have opportunity, -especially to those who are of the household -of faith (Gal. 6: 10). But foreign missions -should have a large part in our gifts.</p> - -<p>Give systematically. Set aside for Christ a -fixed proportion of all the money or goods you -get. Be exact and honest about it. Don’t use -that part of your income for yourself under any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -circumstances. The Christian is not under law, -and there is no law binding on the Christian that -he should give a tenth of his income, but as a -matter of free choice and glad gratitude a tenth -is a good proportion to begin with. Don’t let -it be less than a tenth. God required that of the -Jews and the Christian ought not to be more -selfish than a Jew. After you have given your -tenth, you will soon learn the joy of giving free -will offerings in addition to the tenth.</p> - -<p>3. But there is another way in which we can -go to the foreign field, that is by our prayers. -We can all go in this way. Any hour of the day -or night you can reach any corner of the earth -by your prayers. I go to Japan, to China and -to Australia and to Tasmania and to New Zealand -and to India and to Africa and to other parts of -the earth every day, by my prayers. And prayer -really brings things to pass where you go. Do -not make prayer an excuse for not going in your -own person if God wishes you, and do not make -prayer an excuse for small giving. There is no -power in that kind of prayer. If you are ready -to go yourself if God wishes you, and if you are -actually going by your gifts as God gives you -ability, then you can go effectually by your -prayers also. The greatest need of the work of -Jesus Christ to-day is prayer. The greatest need -of foreign missions to-day is prayer. Foreign<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -missions are a success, but they are no such success -as they ought to be and might be. They -are no such success as they would be if Christians -at home, as well as abroad, were living up to the -full measure of their opportunity in prayer.</p> - -<p>Be definite in your prayers for foreign missions. -Pray first of all that God will send forth labourers -into His harvest, the right sort of labourers. -There are many men and women in the foreign -field that ought never to have gone there. There -was not enough prayer about it. More foreign -missionaries are greatly needed, but only more -of the right kind of missionaries. Pray to God -daily and believingly to send forth labourers into -the harvest.</p> - -<p>Pray for the labourers who are already on the -field. No class of men and women need our -prayers more than foreign missionaries. No -class of men and women are objects of more -bitter hatred from Satan than they. Satan delights -to attack the reputation and the character -of the brave men and women who have gone -to the front in the battle for Christ and the -Truth. No persons are subjected to so numerous -and to such subtle and awful temptations as -foreign missionaries. We owe it to them to -support them by our prayers. Do not merely -pray for foreign missionaries in general. Have -a few special missionaries of whose work you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -make a study that you may pray intelligently -for them.</p> - -<p>Pray for the native converts. We Christians -at home think we have difficulties and trials and -temptations and persecutions, but the burdens -that we have to bear are nothing to what the -converts in heathen lands have to bear. The -obstacles oftentimes are enormous and discouragements -crushing. Christ alone can make -them stand, but He works in answer to the -prayers of His people. Pray often, pray earnestly, -pray intensely and pray believingly for -native converts. How wonderfully God has -answered prayer for native converts we are -beginning to learn from missionary literature. -It is well to be definite here again and to have -some definite field about whose needs you keep -yourself informed and pray for the converts of -that field. Do not have so many that you become -confused and mechanical. Pray for conversions -in the foreign field. Pray for revivals -in definite fields. The last few years have been -years of special prayer for special revival in -foreign fields and from every corner of the earth -tidings have come of how amazingly God is answering -these prayers. But the great things that -God is beginning to do are small indeed in comparison -with what He will do if there is more -prayer.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="XII">XII<br /> -<span class="smaller">COMPANIONS</span></h2> - -<p>Our companions have a great deal to do with -determining our character. The companionships -that we form create an intellectual, moral and -spiritual atmosphere that we are constantly -breathing, and our spiritual health is helped or -hindered by it. Every young Christian should -have a few wisely chosen friends, intimate friends, -with whom he can talk freely. Search out for -yourself a few persons of about your own age -with whom you can associate intimately. Be -sure that they are spiritual persons in the best -sense. Persons who love to study the Bible, -persons who love to converse on spiritual themes, -persons who know how to pray and do pray, -persons who are really working to bring others -to Christ.</p> - -<p>Do not be at all uneasy about the fact that -some Christian people are more agreeable to you -than others. God has made us in that way. -Some are attracted to some persons and some -to others, and it proves nothing against the -others and nothing against yourself that you are -not attracted to them as you are to some people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -Cultivate the friendship of those whose friendship -you find helpful to your own spiritual life.</p> - -<p>On the other hand avoid the companionships -that you find spiritually and morally hurtful. Of -course, we are not to withdraw ourselves utterly -from unconverted people, or even of very bad -people. We are to cultivate oftentimes the -acquaintance of unspiritual people, and even of -very bad people, in order that we may win them -for Christ; but we must always be on our guard -in such companionships to bear always in mind -to seek to lift them up or else they will be sure -to drag us down. If you find in spite of all your -best effort that any companionship is doing harm -to your own spiritual life, then give it up. Some -people are surrounded with such an atmosphere -of unbelief or cynicism or censoriousness or impurity -or greed or some other evil thing that it -is impossible to associate with them to any large -extent without being contaminated. In such a -case, the path of wisdom is plain; stop associating -with them to any large extent. Stop associating -with them at all except in so far as there is -some prospect of helping them.</p> - -<p>But there are other companionships that -mould our lives besides the companionships of -living persons. The books that we read are our -companions. They exert a tremendous influence -for good or for evil. There is nothing that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -will help us more than a good book, and there is -nothing that will hurt us more than a bad book. -Among the most helpful books are the biographies -of good men. Read again and again -the lives of such good and truly great men as -Wesley and Finney and Moody. We live in a -day in which good biographies abound. Read -them. Well written histories are good companions. -No study is more practical and instructive -than the study of history, and it is not -only instructive but spiritually helpful if we only -watch to see the hand of God in history, to see -the inevitable triumph of right and the inevitable -punishment of wrong in individuals and in nations.</p> - -<p>Some few books of fiction are helpful, but here -one needs to be very much on his guard. A -large portion of modern fiction is positively pernicious -morally. Books of fiction that are not -positively bad, at least give false views of life and -unfit one for life as it really is. Much reading -of fiction is mentally injurious. The inveterate -novel reader ruins his powers of close and clear -thinking. Fiction is so fascinating that it always -tends to drive out other reading that is more -helpful mentally and morally. We should be on -our guard in even reading good literature, that -the good does not crowd out the best; that is -that the best of man’s literature does not crowd<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -out the very best of all—God’s Book. God’s -Book, the Bible, must always have the first place.</p> - -<p>Then there is another kind of companionship -that has a tremendous influence over our lives, -that is the companionship of pictures. The -pictures that we see every day of our lives, and -the pictures that we see only occasionally, have -a tremendous power in the shaping of our lives. -A mother had two dearly loved sons. It was -her dream and ambition that these sons should -enter the ministry, but both of them went to sea. -She could not understand it until a friend one -day called her attention to the picture of a magnificent -ship in full sail careening through the -ocean that hung above the mantel in the dining-room. -Every day of their lives her boys had -gazed upon that picture, had been thrilled by it, -and an unconquerable love for the sea and longing -for it had thus been created and this had -determined their lives. How many a picture -that is a masterpiece of art, but in which there is -an evil suggestion, has sent some young men on -the road to ruin. Many of our art collections -are so polluted with improper pictures that it is -not safe for a young man or a young woman to -visit them. The evil thought that they suggest -may be but for a moment, and yet Satan will -know how to bring that picture back again and -again and work injury by it. Don’t look for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -moment at any picture, no matter how praised by -art critics, that taints your imagination with evil -suggestion. Avoid as you would poison every -painting, or engraving, every etching, every -photograph that leaves a spot of impurity on -your mind, but feast your soul upon the pictures -that make you holier, kinder, more sympathetic -and more tender.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="XIII">XIII<br /> -<span class="smaller">AMUSEMENTS</span></h2> - -<p>Young people need recreation. Our Saviour -does not frown upon wholesome recreation. He -was interested in the games of the children when -He was here upon earth. He watched the -children at their play (Matt. 12: 16-19), and He -watches the children at their play to-day, and delights -in their play when it is wholesome and -elevating. In the stress and strain of modern life -older people too need recreation if they are to do -their very best work. But there are recreations -that are wholesome, and there are amusements -that are pernicious. It is impossible to take up -amusements one by one, and it is unnecessary. -A few principles can be laid down.</p> - -<p>1. <i>Do not indulge in any form of amusement -about whose propriety you have any doubts.</i> -Whenever you are in doubt, always give God -the benefit of the doubt. There are plenty of -recreations about which there can be no question. -“He that doubteth is condemned: for whatsoever -is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14: 32, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). Many -a young Christian will say, “I am not sure that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -this amusement is wrong.” Are you sure it is -right? If not, leave it alone.</p> - -<p>2. <i>Do not indulge in any amusement that you -cannot engage in to the glory of God.</i> “Whether -therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do -all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10: 31). Whenever -you are in doubt as to whether you should -engage in any amusement ask yourself, Can I do -this at this time to the glory of God?</p> - -<p>3. <i>Do not engage in any amusement that will -hurt your influence with anybody.</i> There are -amusements, which perhaps are all right in themselves, -but which we cannot engage in without -losing our influence with some one. Now every -true Christian wishes his life to tell with everybody -to the utmost. There is so much to be -done and so few to do it that every Christian -desires every last ounce of power for good that -he can have with everybody, and, if any amusement -will injure your influence for good with -any one, the price is too great. Do not engage -in it. A Christian young lady had a great -desire to lead others to Christ. She made up -her mind that she would speak to a young friend -of hers about coming to Christ, and while resting -between the figures of a dance she said to the -young man who was her companion in the -dance, “George, are you a Christian?” “No,” -he said, “I am not, are you?” “Yes,” she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -replied, “I am.” “Then,” he said, “what are -you doing here?” Whether justly or unjustly -the world discounts the professions of those -Christians who indulge in certain forms of the -world’s own amusements. We cannot afford to -have our professions thus discounted.</p> - -<p>4. <i>Do not engage in any amusement that you -cannot make a matter of prayer</i>, that you cannot -ask God’s blessing upon. Pray before your play -just as much as you would pray before your -work.</p> - -<p>5. <i>Do not go to any place of amusement -where you cannot take Christ with you, and -where you do not think Christ would feel at home.</i> -Christ went to places of mirth when He was here -upon earth. He went to the marriage feast in -Cana (John 2), and contributed to the joy of the -occasion, but there are many modern places of -amusement where Christ would not be at home. -Would the atmosphere of the modern stage be -congenial to that holy One whom we call -“Lord”? If it would not, don’t you go.</p> - -<p>6. <i>Don’t engage in any amusement that you -would not like to be found enjoying if the Lord -should come.</i> He may come at any moment. -Blessed is that one whom when He cometh, He -shall find watching and ready, and glad to open -to Him immediately (Luke 12: 36, 40). I have -a friend who was one day walking down the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -street thinking upon the return of his Lord. As -he thought he was smoking a cigar. The -thought came to him, “Would you like to meet -Christ now with that cigar in your mouth?” He -answered honestly, “No, I would not.” He -threw that cigar away and never lighted another.</p> - -<p>7. <i>Do not engage in any amusement, no matter -how harmless it would be for yourself, that -might harm some one else.</i> Take for example -card playing. It is probable that thousands have -played cards moderately all their lives and never -suffered any direct moral injury from it, but every -one who has studied the matter knows that cards -are the gamblers’ chosen tools. He also knows -that most, if not all, gamblers took their first -lessons in card playing at the quiet family card -table. He knows that if a young man goes out -into the world knowing how to play cards and -indulging at all in this amusement that before -long he is going to be put into a place where he -is going to be asked to play cards for money, -and if he does not consent he will get into serious -trouble. Card playing is a dangerous amusement -for the average young man. It is pretty -sure to lead to gambling on a larger or a smaller -scale, and one of the most crying social evils of -our time is the evil of gambling. Some young -man may be encouraged to play cards by your -playing who will afterwards become a gambler<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -and part of the responsibility will lie at your -door. If I could repeat all the stories that have -come to me from broken-hearted men whose -lives have been shipwrecked at the gaming table; -if I could tell of all the broken-hearted mothers -who have come to me, some of them in high -position, whose sons have committed suicide at -Monte Carlo and other places, ruined by the -cards, I think that all thoughtful and true Christians -would give them up forever.</p> - -<p>For most of us the recreations that are most -helpful are those that demand a considerable outlay -of physical energy. Recreations that take -us into the open air, recreations that leave us -refreshed in body and invigorated in mind. -Physical exercises of the strenuous kind, but -not over-exercise, is one of the great safeguards -of the moral conduct of boys and young men. -There is very little recreation in watching others -play the most vigorous game of football but -there is real health for the body and for the soul -in a due amount of physical exercise for yourself.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="XIV">XIV<br /> -<span class="smaller">PERSECUTION</span></h2> - -<p>One of the discouragements that meets every -true Christian before he has gone very far in the -Christian life is persecution. God tells us in His -Word that “All that will live godly in Christ -Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3: 12). -Sooner or later every one who surrenders absolutely -to God and seeks to follow Jesus Christ in -everything will find that this verse is true. We -live in a God-hating world and in a compromising -age. The world’s hatred of God in our -day is veiled. It does not express itself in our -land in the same way that it expressed itself in -Palestine in the days of Jesus Christ, but the -world hates God to-day as much as it ever did, -and it hates the one who is loyal to Christ. It -may not imprison him or kill him but in some -way it will persecute him. Persecution is inevitable -for a loyal follower of Jesus Christ. Many -a young Christian when he meets with persecution -is surprised and discouraged and not a few -fall away. Many a one seems to run well for a -few days but like those of whom Jesus spoke, -“They have no root in themselves, but endure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -for a while; then when tribulation or persecution -ariseth because of the Word straightway they -stumble” (Mark 4: 17). I have seen many an -apparently promising Christian life brought to -an end in this way. But if persecution is rightly -received, it is no longer a hindrance to the Christian -life but a help to it.</p> - -<p>Do not be discouraged when you are persecuted. -No matter how fierce and hard the persecution -may be, be thankful for it. Jesus says, -“Blessed are they which are persecuted for -righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of -heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile -you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner -of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, -and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward -in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets -which were before you” (Matt. 5: 10-12). It is -a great privilege to be persecuted for Christ and -for the truth. Peter found this out and wrote to -the Christians of his day: “Beloved, think it not -strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try -you, as though some strange thing happened -unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch, as ye are partakers -of Christ’s suffering; that, when His glory -shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding -joy. If ye be reproached for the name -of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory -and of God resteth upon you: on their part He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified” -(1 Peter 4: 12-14). Be very sure that the -persecution is really for Christ’s sake and not -because of some eccentricity of your own, or -because of your stubbornness. There are many -who bring upon themselves the displeasure of -others because they are stubborn and cranky -and then flatter themselves that they are being -persecuted for Christ’s sake and for righteousness’ -sake. Be considerate of the opinions of -others and be considerate of the conduct of -others. Be sure that you do not push your -opinions upon others in an unwarrantable way, -or make your conscience a rule of life for other -people. But never yield a jot of principle. Stand -for what you believe to be the truth. Do it in -love, but do it at any cost. And if when you -are standing for conviction and principle you are -disliked for it and slandered for it and treated -with all manner of unkindness because of it, do -not be sad but rejoice. Do not speak evil of -those who speak evil of you, “because Christ -also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that -ye should follow His steps: who, when He was -reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered, He -threatened not; but committed Himself to Him -that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2: 21, 23).</p> - -<p>At this point many a Christian makes a mistake. -He stands loyally for the truth, but he receives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -the persecution that comes for the truth -with harshness, he grows bitter, he gets to condemning -every one but himself. There is no -blessing in bearing persecution in that way. -Persecution should be borne meekly, lovingly, -serenely. Don’t talk about your own persecutions. -Rejoice in them. Thank God for them, -and go on obeying God. And don’t forget to -love and pray for them who persecute you -(Matt. 5: 44).</p> - -<p>If at any time the persecution seems harder -than you can bear, remember how abundant the -reward is, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with -Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us” -(2 Tim. 2: 12). Every one must enter into the -kingdom of God through much tribulation (Acts -14: 22), but do not go back on that account. -Remember always however fiercely the fire of -persecution may burn, “That the sufferings of -this present time are not worthy to be compared -with the glory which shall be revealed in us” -(Rom. 8: 18). Remember too that your light -affliction is but for the moment, and that it worketh -out for you “a far more exceeding and eternal -weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4: 17). Keep looking, -not at the things which are seen, but at the things -which are not seen, for the things which are seen -are but for a time, but the things which are not -seen are for eternity (2 Cor. 4: 18). When the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -apostles were persecuted, even unto imprisonment -and stripes, they departed from the presence -of the council that had ordered their terrible -punishment, rejoicing that they were counted -worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, and -they continued daily in the temple and every -house teaching and preaching Jesus Christ (Acts -5: 40-42).</p> - -<p>The time may come when you think that you -are being persecuted more than others, but you -do not know what others may have to endure. -Even if it were true,—that you were being persecuted -more than any one else, you ought not -to complain but to humbly thank God that He -has bestowed upon you such an honour. Keep -your eyes fixed upon “Jesus, the Author and Finisher -of our faith; who for the joy that was set -before Him endured the cross, despising the -shame, and is set down at the right hand of the -throne of God. For consider Him that endured -such contradiction of sinners against Himself, -lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind” -(Heb. 12: 2, 3). I was once talking with an old -coloured man who in the slave days had found -his Saviour. The cruel master had him flogged -again and again for his loyalty to Christ but he -said to me, “I simply thought of my Saviour -dying on the cross in my place, and I rejoiced to -suffer persecution for Him.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="XV">XV<br /> -<span class="smaller">GUIDANCE</span></h2> - -<p>I have met a great many who are trying to -lead a Christian life who are much troubled over -the question of guidance. They wish to do the -will of God in all things, but what puzzles them -is to tell what the will of God may be in every -case. When any one starts out with the determination -to obey God in everything and to be -led by the Holy Spirit, Satan seeks to trouble -him by perplexing him as to what the will of God -is. Satan comes and suggests that something is -the will of God that is probably not the will of -God at all, and then when he does not do it, Satan -says, “There you disobeyed God.” In this way, -many a conscientious young Christian gets into -a very morbid and unhappy state of mind, fearing -that he has disobeyed God and has lost His -favour. This is one of the most frequent devices -of the devil to keep Christians from being -cheerful.</p> - -<p>How may we know the will of God?</p> - -<p>First of all let me say that a true Christian life -is not a life governed by a whole lot of rules about -what one shall eat, and what one shall drink, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -what one shall do, and what one shall not do. -A life governed by a lot of rules is a life of bondage. -One is sure sooner or later to break some -of these man-made rules and to get into condemnation. -Paul tells us in Rom. 8: 15, “Ye -have not received the spirit of bondage again to -fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption -(placing us a son), whereby we cry, Abba, -Father.” The true Christian life is the life of a -trusting, glad, fear-free child; not led by rules, -but led by the personal guidance of the Holy -Spirit who dwells within us. “As many as are -led by the Spirit of God these are sons of God” -(Rom. 8: 14, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). If you have received the -Holy Spirit, He dwells within you and is ready -to lead you at every turn of life. A life governed -by a multitude of rules is a life of bondage -and anxiety. A life surrendered to the control -of the Holy Spirit is a life of joy and peace and -freedom. There is no anxiety in such a life, -there is no fear in the presence of God. We -trust God and rejoice in His presence just as a -true child trusts his earthly father and rejoices in -his presence. If we make a mistake at any point, -even if we disobey God, we go and tell Him all -about it as trustfully as a child and know that He -forgives us and that we are restored at once to -His full favour (1 John 1: 9).</p> - -<p>But how can we tell the Holy Spirit’s guidance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -that we may obey Him and thus have God’s -favour at every turn of life? This question is -answered in James 1: 5-7, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>, “But if any of -you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who -giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it -shall be given him, but let him ask in faith, nothing -doubting: for he that doubteth is like the -surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. -For let not that man think that he shall receive -anything of the Lord.” This is very simple. It -includes five points.</p> - -<p>(1) That you recognize your own ignorance -and your own inability to guide your own life—that -you lack wisdom.</p> - -<p>(2) The surrender of your will to God, and a -real desire to be led by Him.</p> - -<p>(3) Definite prayer to Him for guidance.</p> - -<p>(4) Confident expectation that God will guide -you. You “ask in faith, nothing doubting.”</p> - -<p>(5) That you follow step by step as He -guides. God may only show you a step at a -time. That is enough. All you need to know -is the next step. It is here that many make a -mistake. They wish God to show them the -whole way before they take the first step. A -university student once came to me over the -question of guidance. He said, “I cannot find -out the will of God. I have been praying but -God does not show me His will.” This was in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -the month of July. I said, “About what is it -that you are seeking to know the will of God?” -“About what I should do next summer.” I -said, “Do you know what you ought to do to-morrow?” -“Yes.” “Do you not know what -you ought to do next autumn?” “Yes, finish -my course. But what I want to know is what I -ought to do when my university course is over.” -He was soon led to see that all he needed to -know for the present was what God had already -shown him. That when he did that, God -would show him the next step. Do not worry -about what you ought to do next week. Do -what God shows you you ought to do to-day. -Next week will take care of itself. Indeed, to-morrow -will take care of itself. Obey the Spirit -of God for to-day. “Be not therefore anxious -for the morrow; for the morrow will be anxious -for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day -is the evil thereof” (Matt. 6: 34, <span class="smcapuc">R. V.</span>). It is -enough to live a day at a time, if we do our -very best for that day.</p> - -<p>God’s guidance is clear guidance, “God is light -and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1: 5). -Do not be anxious over obscure leadings. Do -not let your soul be ruffled by the thought, -“Perhaps this obscure leading is what God wants -me to do.” Obscure leadings are not divine -leadings. God’s path is as clear as day. Satan’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -path is full of obscurity and uncertainty and -anxiety and questioning. If there comes some -leading of which you are not quite sure whether -it is the will of God or not, simply go to your -Heavenly Father and say, “Heavenly Father, I -desire to know Thy will. I will do Thy will if -Thou wilt make it clear. But Thou art light -and in Thee is no darkness at all. If this is Thy -will make it clear as day and I will do it.” Then -wait quietly upon God and do not act until God -makes it clear, but the moment it is made clear, -act at once.</p> - -<p>The whole secret of guidance is an absolutely -surrendered will, a will that is given up to God -and ready to obey Him at any cost. Many of -our uncertainties about God’s guidance are -simply because we are not really willing to do -what God is really guiding us to do. We are -tempted to say, “I cannot find out what God’s -will is,” when the real trouble is we have found -out His will and it is something we do not wish -to do and we are trying to make ourselves think -that God wants us to do something else.</p> - -<p>All supposed leadings of God should be tested -by the Word of God. The Bible is God’s -revealed will. Any leading that contradicts the -plain teaching of the Bible is certainly not the -leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit -does not contradict Himself. A man once came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -to me and said that God was leading him to -marry a certain woman. He said that she was -a very devoted Christian woman and they had -been greatly drawn towards one another and they -felt that God was leading them to be married. -But I said to the man, “You already have a -wife.” “Yes,” he said, “but we have never -lived happily and we have not lived together for -years.” “But,” I replied, “that does not alter -the case. God in His Word has told us distinctly -the duty of the husband to the wife and -how wrong it is in His sight for a husband to -divorce his wife and marry another.” “Yes,” -said the man, “but the Holy Spirit is leading us -to one another.” I indignantly replied that -“Whatever spirit is leading you to marry one -another, it is certainly not the Holy Spirit but -the spirit of the evil one. The Holy Spirit -never leads any one to disobey the Word of -God.”</p> - -<p>In seeking to know the guidance of the Spirit -always search the Scriptures, study them prayerfully. -Do not make a book of magic out of the -Bible. Do not ask God to show you His will -and then open your Bible at random and put -your finger upon some text and take it out of -its connection without any relation to its real -meaning and decide the will of God in that way. -This is an irreverent and improper use of Scripture.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -You may open your Bible at just the -right place to find right guidance, but if you do, -it will not be by some fanciful interpretation of -the passage you find. It will be by taking the -passage in its context and interpreting it to mean -just what it says as seen in its context. All sorts -of mischief has arisen from using the Bible in -this perverse way. I knew an earnest Christian -woman once who was somewhat concerned -about the predictions made by a false prophetess -that Chicago was to be destroyed on a certain -day. She opened her Bible at random. It -opened to the twelfth chapter of Ezekiel, “Son -of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink -thy water with trembling and with carefulness.… -And the cities that are inhabited -shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate” -(Ezek. 12: 18, 20). Now this seemed to -exactly fit the case and the woman was considerably -impressed, but if the verses had been studied -in their connection, it would have been evident -at once that God was not speaking about Chicago -and that they were not applicable to Chicago. -It was not an intelligent study of the Word of -God and therefore led to a false conclusion.</p> - -<p>To sum up, lead a life not led by rules but by -the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit. Surrender -your will absolutely to God. Whenever -you are in doubt as to His guidance, go to Him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -and ask Him to show you His will, expect Him -to do it, follow step by step as He leads. Test -all the leadings by the plain and simple teachings -of the Bible. Live free from anxiety and worry -lest in some unguarded moment you have not -done the right thing.</p> - -<p>After you have done what you think God led -you to do, do not be always going back and -wondering whether you did the right thing. -You will get into a morbid state if you do. If -you really wished to do God’s will and sought -His guidance, and did what you thought He -guided you to do, you may rest assured you did -the right thing, no matter what the outcome has -been. Satan is bound that we shall not be -happy, cheerful Christians if he can prevent it, -but God wishes us to be happy, cheerful, bright -Christians every day and every hour. He does -not wish us to brood but to rejoice (Phil. 4: 4). -A most excellent Christian man came to me -one Monday morning in great gloom over the -failures of the work of the preceding day. He -said to me, “I made wretched work of teaching -my Sunday-school class yesterday.” I said, -“Did you honestly seek wisdom from God before -you went to your class?” He said, “I did.” I -said, “Did you expect to receive it?” He said, -“I did.” “Then,” I said, “in the face of God’s -promise what right have you to doubt that God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -did give you wisdom?” (James 1: 5-7). His -gloom disappeared and he looked up with a -smile and said, “I had no right to doubt.” Let -us learn to trust God. Let us remember that if -our wills are surrendered to Him He is ever -more willing to guide us than we are to be guided. -Let us trust that He does guide us at every step -and even though what we do does not turn out -as we expected, let us never brood over it but -trust God. Let us walk in the light of simple -trust in God. In this way we shall be glad and -peaceful and strong and useful at every turn of -life.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<h2>FOOTNOTES</h2> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The author has given some of the proofs that the Bible is -the Word of God in his book, “Talks to Men.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> If any reader desires more full and definite instruction on -the subject of prayer he is referred to the author’s book, “How -to Pray.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The author has written a little book on this line named -“How to Bring Men to Christ” that has proved helpful to -many.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The author’s book, “How to Work for Christ,” is a large -work describing at length many ways of working for our -Master.</p> - -</div> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<h2 class="faux">Book catalogue</h2> - -<h3>EVANGELISTIC.</h3> - -<h4>The Evangelistic Note</h4> - -<p>A study of needs and methods, -together with a series of direct appeals.</p> - -<p>3rd Edition. 12mo, Cloth, net $1.25.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>W. J. DAWSON</b></p> - -<p>“One of the most remarkable and stirring of recent books. It is -really the story of a great crisis in the life of a great preacher. Mr. -Dawson’s experience in his own church has justified his faith, and his -book is a most stimulating treatise on homiletics and pastoral theology. -It is epoch-making in character.”—<i>The Watchman.</i></p> - -<h4>Torrey and Alexander</h4> - -<p>The Story of a -World-Wide Revival</p> - -<p>A record and study of the work and personality of the Evangelists -DR. R. A. TORREY, D. D., and CHARLES M. ALEXANDER.</p> - -<p>Illustrated, 12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>GEORGE T. B. DAVIS</b></p> - -<p>The multitudes who have followed the marvellous progress of the -religious awakening in Australasia, India, and Great Britain, accompanying -the efforts of these evangelists will eagerly welcome this -glimpse from the inside of their career, personality and work. Mr. -Davis has been associated in a confidential capacity with the work -of the two evangelists, and writes with keen appreciation of the -interesting facts in stirring language.</p> - -<h4>Real Salvation and Whole-Hearted Service</h4> - -<p>A second volume of Revival Addresses.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>R. A. TORREY</b></p> - -<p>The multitudes led to decision in connection with the preaching -of these sermons, gives assurance that their influence will be extended -far beyond the reach of the speaker’s voice. Positive conviction and -a loving plea as from a God-sent messenger, are the marked features -of this new volume.</p> - -<h4>Talks to Men</h4> - -<p>About the Bible and the Christ of the Bible.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net 75c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>R. A. TORREY</b></p> - -<p>“The directness, simplicity, with wide scholarship and literary -charm of these talks, and unhesitating claim for the highest and -fullest inspiration, inerrancy and authority for the Bible, make them -trumpet calls to faith.”—<i>N. Y. Observer.</i></p> - -<h4>The Passion for Souls</h4> - -<p>16mo, Cloth, net 50c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>J. H. JOWETT</b></p> - -<p>Seven sermons on tenderness, watchfulness, companionship, rest -and vision of the apostle Paul’s passion for human souls. This little -volume shows his keen, reverent insight at its best and is made rich -with abundant and well chosen illustrations.</p> - -<h4>The Worker’s Weapon</h4> - -<p>Its Perfection, Authority -and Use.</p> - -<p>16mo, Cloth, net 25 cents.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>JOHN H. ELLIOTT</b></p> - -<p>“A fine presentation of the unquestionable authority of God’s -Word and pointed and clear directions and illustrations of how to -study and use the Bible.”</p> - -<h3>BIOGRAPHICAL AND EVANGELISTIC.</h3> - -<h4>Maltbie Davenport Babcock</h4> - -<p>A biographical sketch and memorial. With portrait. <i>2d edition</i></p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>CHARLES E. ROBINSON</b></p> - -<p>“It was indeed hard to give any true presentment of a man like -Babcock, so vivid, so dazzling at times, so lovable always; but the -writer’s success is quite wonderful.”—<i>Henry Van-Dyke.</i></p> - -<h4>John Henry Barrows</h4> - -<p>A Memoir by his daughter, with -3 hitherto unpublished portraits.</p> - -<p>8vo, gilt top, net $1.50.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>MARY ELEANOR BARROWS</b></p> - -<p>“The whole story from beginning to end, at home and abroad, is -nobly fascinating, and wherever read will do much to waken into fresh -power the higher ideals of life. Were it fact or fiction, a more absorbingly -interesting story has not appeared for a long time.”—<i>Chicago -Tribune.</i></p> - -<h4>What Frances Willard Said</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net 75c.</p> - -<p class="right up">Edited by <b>ANNA A. GORDON</b>, -World’s Vice President of the W. C. T. U.</p> - -<p>Selections of most striking statements on a great variety of topics, -and representing the many really remarkable qualities of America’s -“uncrowned queen” of women.</p> - -<h4>The Soul-Winning Church</h4> - -<p>2nd Edition. 12mo, Cloth, net 50c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>LEN G. BROUGHTON</b></p> - -<p>“Dr. Broughton, of Atlanta, is a well-known revivalist. Some of -his most effective addresses in this country and in England are comprised -in this volume. They are plain, pungent, and spiritually quickening.”—<i>The -Outlook.</i></p> - -<h4>The Awakening in Wales</h4> - -<p>And Some of the Hidden -Springs.</p> - -<p>12mo, Paper, net 25c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>MRS. JESSIE PENN-LEWIS</b></p> - -<p>Mrs. Penn-Lewis writes from first-hand information of the great -revival movement and the events that led up to it. It is doubtless the -most powerful and inspiring record yet written of the great revival.</p> - -<h4>The Story of the Welsh Revival</h4> - -<p>4th Edition. 16mo, Paper, net 15c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>ARTHUR GOODRICH, B.A.</b></p> - -<p>As told by eye witnesses, together with a sketch of Evan Roberts -and his message to the world. With added chapters by G. Campbell -Morgan, D. D., W. T. Stead, Rev. W. W. Moore, Rev. Evan Hopkins -and others.</p> - - -<p>The Open Church for the Unchurched, -or How to Reach the Masses.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>J. E. McCULLOCH</b></p> - -<p>The remarkable movement in British cities organized by the Wesleyan -church for reaching the masses has here been described and its -lessons studied as applied to the needs of this country.</p> - -<h3>IDEALS OF LIFE AND CONDUCT.</h3> - -<h4>The Choice of the Highest</h4> - -<p>City Temple Talks to -Young Men.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>REGINALD J. CAMPBELL, M.A.</b></p> - -<p>“These messages to the great audiences of men of business are of -a high level of thought and expression. They are especially directed -to young men, and present ideals of life and conduct in winning appeals. -Mr. Campbell is a virile thinker with a fineness of feeling, -which makes him a power in the pulpit which he holds.”—<i>Christian -Intelligencer.</i></p> - -<h4>Christianity as Taught by Christ</h4> - -<p>A series of discourses on the teachings of Jesus.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.25.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>HENRY STILES BRADLEY</b></p> - -<p>“Because he knows the present conditions of New Testament -lore and is alert with the spirits of modern life, Dr. Bradley’s discourses -possess a value both unique and practical.… Stirring, instructive, -simple, easy to read and easy to understand, appealing to -faith and inciting to practice.”—<i>Atlanta Constitution.</i></p> - -<h4>Christ and Men</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.20.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>DAVID J. BURRELL</b></p> - -<p>Dr. Burrell’s sermons have a standard quality that marks all of his -writing. This series of sermons is intended to set out the human side -of Jesus’ character as shown in his interviews with men, his tact, his -discernment, his delicate handling of people.</p> - -<h4>The Apostle Peter</h4> - -<p>Outline Studies in his Life, -Character and Writings.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.25.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>W. H. GRIFFITH THOMAS</b></p> - -<p>“An excellent example of what Biblical analysis should be and -should lead to. It is scholarly, logical, perspicuous, and sets forth the -main truths of each passage treated in a particularly exact and luminous -way.”—<i>Advance.</i></p> - -<h4>The Culture of Simplicity</h4> - -<p>By the author of “Heavenly -Harmonies.”</p> - -<p>2nd Edition. 12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>MALCOLM J. McLEOD</b></p> - -<p>“The first suspicion of imitation is quickly dispelled. The book -stands on its own merits. More vivacious, more practical for the -American reader than Charles Wagner’s ‘The Simple Life.’ It explains -more clearly how the life may be lived, and reaches the root of -things in the Gospel of Christ.”—<i>Congregationalist.</i></p> - -<h4>Elims of Life</h4> - -<p>And other sermons.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>J. D. JONES</b></p> - -<p>“Mr. Jones is of the general type of thought with which Mr. -Dawson of London has made so many American audiences familiar. -In these discourses the form is plain and lucid, the aim is practical.”—<i>The -Outlook.</i></p> - -<h4>Young Men Who Overcame</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>ROBERT E. SPEER</b></p> - -<p>“These fifteen condensed biographies exhibit the power and -beauty of Christian principle in strong and active natures, who made -their mark in whatever they undertook—athletics, scholarship, business, -Christian missions.”—<i>The Outlook.</i></p> - -<h3>STUDIES ON BIBLICAL THEMES.</h3> - -<h4>The Witness of Sin</h4> - -<p>A Theodicy</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>NATHAN ROBINSON WOOD</b></p> - -<p>A splendidly thought-out presentation of the problem presented -by the presence of sin in a world dominated by God. Some sort of a -theodicy, some conception of the solution of this question is necessary -to any religious thinking. Mr. Wood’s work is a marked addition to -present-day theology.</p> - -<h4>The Walk, Conversation and Character -of Jesus Christ Our Lord</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.50.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>ALEXANDER WHYTE</b></p> - -<p>“Rich and glowing meditations on the life of our Lord. A genuine -contribution to Christology. What distinguishes it most is the author’s -singularly clear perception of Christ alone without sin. While always -in touch with real life, Dr. Whyte has that power of separating himself -from the stream of things which is essential to a great religious -teacher.”—<i>British Weekly</i> (<i>Robertson Nicoll, Editor.</i>)</p> - -<h4>Jesus of Nazareth, the Anointed of God</h4> - -<p>Or, The Inner History of a Consecrated Life.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net 75c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>P. COOK, M.A.</b></p> - -<p>“As a brief and concise summary, a bird’s-eye view of the life of -Jesus this volume will be of value.”—<i>Reformed Church Messenger.</i></p> - -<h4>The Divine Tragedy</h4> - -<p>A Drama of the Christ</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>PEYTON H. HOGE</b></p> - -<p>The author’s ambition is “to tell in the most vivid and practical -form for men living in the world to-day the story of Jesus of Nazareth -in its culminating scenes.” One could exhaust adjectives in praise of -the author’s management of the dramatic form and his blank verse. -It is a wonderful work. The dedicatory poem alone is of such surpassing -beauty that one will never forget it.</p> - -<h4>The Directory of the Devout Life</h4> - -<p>A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>F. B. MEYER, M.A.</b></p> - -<p>“In many respects the best writings Mr. Meyer has issued. They -are eminently practical, and the pointed and piercing ideas of the -Master are explained and brought home to personal character and life -in an illuminating and stimulating way.”—<i>Watchman.</i></p> - -<h4>With the Sorrowing</h4> - -<p>A Pastor’s Handbook.</p> - -<p>16mo, Cloth flex., net 75 cts.</p> - -<p class="right up">Edited by <b>F. W. PALMER</b></p> - -<p>Presented with confidence to pastors, missionaries and other visitors -in the homes of sorrow, as likely to prove a most valuable aid in -their trying experiences. Although primarily a service book for -funerals, it is vastly more than this. With Scripture selections of exceptional -suggestive values and a collection of poems of comfort both -rare and striking the little volume will be greatly prized.</p> - -<h3>DEVOTIONAL STUDIES.</h3> - -<h4>The Christ of To-Day</h4> - -<p>What? Whence? Whither?</p> - -<p>16mo, Boards, net 50c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>G. CAMPBELL MORGAN</b></p> - -<p>A study originally presented from the platform of the Northfield -Conferences, awakening exceptional interest at the time. No more -suggestive work has appeared from Dr. Morgan’s pen.</p> - -<h4>The Redeemed Life After Death</h4> - -<p>16mo, Boards, net 50c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>CHARLES CUTHBERT HALL</b></p> - -<p>Not a new theory of Immortality or a review of old theories, but a -presentation with rare literary charm and with the comprehension of -wide scholarship, of the grip of the Christian heart upon the life to -come. It will comfort and assure the sorrowing, guide and convince -the inquiring.</p> - -<h4>Moments of Silence</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.25.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>ALEXANDER SMELLIE, M.A.</b></p> - -<p>A book of daily meditations for a year.</p> - -<h4>Yet Another Day</h4> - -<p>32mo, Cloth, net 25c. Leather, net 35c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>J. H. JOWETT, M.A.</b></p> - -<p>A brief prayer for every day of the year, and it is not too much to -say that, although scarcely any one of them contains one hundred -words and most of them far less, they will drive straight to the heart -as nothing that ever came from Mr. Jowett’s pen. It is an extraordinary -little book, the flower of the sweetest, open eyed love of Christ. -The impression of a single page is indelible.</p> - -<h4>The Inner Chamber of the Inner Life</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net 75c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>ANDREW MURRAY</b></p> - -<p>Suggests thoughts of the utmost importance as to the daily need of -retirement, the true spirit of prayer, the fellowship with God, and -kindred topics.</p> - -<h4>Inter-Communion With God</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>MARSHALL P. TALLING, PH.D.</b></p> - -<p>“Follows the theme of ‘Extempore prayer,’ along wider and -higher lines. In the present book, true prayer is shown to be an -approach from both the human and the divine sides.”—<i>The Westminster.</i></p> - -<h4>Bible Etchings of Immortality</h4> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, decorated, net 50c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>CAMDEN M. COBERN</b></p> - -<p>“The consolatory character of this little book makes it a suitable -gift to a bereaved friend.”—<i>Outlook.</i></p> - -<h4>Scripture Selections to Memorize</h4> - -<p>With hanger, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>HELEN MILLER GOULD</b></p> - -<p>A Wall Roll of passages emphasizing the power and love of God, -the dignity of man, Christ as teacher, Redeemer, King. The life of -the Christian, his duties, his final reward; prayer; worship; love. -Selections from the Old and New Testaments, most helpful in strengthening -faith, and deepening personal devotion.</p> - -<h3>BIBLICAL STUDIES.</h3> - -<h4>Studies in the Life of the Christian</h4> - -<p>His Faith and His Service.</p> - -<p>16mo, Cloth, net 50c.; paper, net 25c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>H. T. SELL</b></p> - -<p>This work, prepared especially for the use of Bible Classes and -study circles, forms the seventh of the series of most popular manuals -by Dr. Sell, and well completes the whole. Every phase of the Christian -life and its relations is dealt with.</p> - -<h4>Outline Studies in the New Testament</h4> - -<p>Philippians to Hebrews.</p> - -<p>12mo, Cloth, net $1.20.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>PROF. WILLIAM G. MOOREHEAD</b></p> - -<p>“It is a book for thoughtful students of the Bible and will be found -very helpful and satisfactory by preachers in preparation of sermons -and by Bible class teachers.”—<i>The Watchman.</i></p> - -<h4>Students Chronological New Testament</h4> - -<p>With historical notes and brief outline on each Book, by</p> - -<p>8vo, Cloth, net $1.00.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>PROF. A. T. ROBERTSON</b></p> - -<p>“The text used is taken from the American Standard edition of -the revised version, and the books are considered in accordance with -the generally accepted theory of their chronology. Each book is preceded -by a brief synopsis and outline. The volume is designed for all -readers and students of the New Testament.”—<i>Epworth Herald.</i></p> - -<h4>The Biblical Illustrator</h4> - -<p>New vols. in Old Testament -Series.</p> - -<p>Large 8vo, Cloth, $2.00 each vol.</p> - -<p class="right up">Edited by <b>JOSEPH S. EXELL</b></p> - -<ul> -<li>Psalms, vol. 1 [Psa. i. to xxvi.].</li> -<li>Isaiah, vol. 1 [Chapter i. to xxx.].</li> -<li>Deuteronomy—in one volume.</li> -<li>Jeremiah, vol. 1.</li> -<li>Minor Prophets, vol. 1.</li> -<li>Minor Prophets, vol. 2.</li> -</ul> - -<h4>The Men of the Bible by the Men of the -Century</h4> - -<p>In Seventeen Handsome Cloth Volumes</p> - -<p>Formerly $17.00, now $6.00 net, per set.</p> - -<p class="right up">Edited by <b>JOSEPH S. EXELL, M. A.</b></p> - -<p>Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and Judges, -Kings of Israel and Judah, David, Solomon, Samuel, and Saul, Daniel, -Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezra and Nehemiah, Minor Prophets, St. -Paul, Jesus Christ. <i>Send for circular of our special terms.</i></p> - -<h3>BOOKLETS.</h3> - -<h4>Waxwing</h4> - -<p>The Story of a College Girl’s Awakening.</p> - -<p>Boards, 30c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>CAROLINE ATWATER MASON</b></p> - -<p>The story of a healthy-minded college girl whose views of life are -transformed by the accidental meeting with a returned missionary.</p> - -<h4>Breaking the Record.</h4> - -<h4>The Swan Creek Blizzard.</h4> - -<p>Two booklets by the author of -The Sky Pilot, The Prospector, -etc.</p> - -<p>Art boards, each 30c.</p> - -<p class="right up"><b>RALPH CONNOR</b></p> - -<p>Sure to receive a large welcome among many admirers.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of How to Succeed in The Christian Life, by -Reuben Archer Torrey - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO SUCCEED *** - -***** This file should be named 55743-h.htm or 55743-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/7/4/55743/ - -Produced by Heiko Evermann and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from scanned images of public domain material -from the Google Books project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/55743-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/55743-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 139c95c..0000000 --- a/old/55743-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55743-h/images/fhr.jpg b/old/55743-h/images/fhr.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5303489..0000000 --- a/old/55743-h/images/fhr.jpg +++ /dev/null |
