Devotional Column

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 3

Devotional Column

PRAYER. We thank Thee, O Lord, for the new song which Thou hast given to those whom Thou hast delivered from the pit, and whose feet Thou hast set upon a rock, establishing their goings. Our song would be of tho worthiness of Him, Who by His death brought us nigh to Thyself, and loosed us from our sins. Attune our hearts to sing even here the song of the redeemed, and we shall forever praise Thee, our God, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. Scripture: II Chron. 29 : 20-36; John 16 : 16 23. BROUGHT HOME. Out of the darkness, the cold, and storm, Away from the Father's home— Inside the comfort, the joy and rest, Inside is God Who will give His best To those who dwell in His Home. Out in the tempest the Saviour went; Yes, out from the Father’s home, Seeking for those who had lost their way, Seeking for those who had gone astray And yearning to bring them home. Out in the darkness and cold they met, So weary, and far from home— Glorious the light on the Saviour’s face; Lovingly, tenderly, in His grace He bore the poor wanderer home. Outside tho tempest still rages high, But we are so safe at home— What of the others so far away! Shall we not earnestly seek and pray That they may be brought safe I HAVE YOU A BEAUTIFUL SOUL. Emerson lost his memory before Longfellow died. There had always been a very great and beautiful friendship between the two men, but when the curtains slipped over the memory of the one writer, he no longer knew his old friend.

“Perhaps he will remember him when he looks at the body,” people said, so they took Emerson into the room where Longfellow’s body waa waiting for burial. The old man looked at Longfellow. But his eyes had no shining memory light. All the trails that he had followed with the poet were closed now. He was old and tired and waiting until he, too, should see a star at twilight and start on the glorious journey of which both men had written. So Emerson came up to the casket and looked into the face of his old friend. “I do not know who he is, but he must h&76 had a beautiful soul,” he said *ery sinttply.—From “Girlhood Today,” by Helen Welshimer. THE SOn CHURCH. Puritanism, says Professor Peabody, in his sermons to Harvard students gave the world what has sometimes been called a Hard Church; and that we do well to be delivered from its alleged narrowness and intolerance. But be says:— “Is it not time to face the perils ol the soft church? It is not promoting free thought, but free thoughtfulness; it stands not for liberty, but tor license. It is often very broad, bat it is always very thin.” THE END OP OUR TRIALS—GLORY OF GOD. Who can hart us if God is on our side Trials may come, but they are all good. I have not been so tried for many years. Every week, and almo3t every day, I am bespattered in the puoUe papers. Many are in tears on the occasion, many terribly frightened and crying out, “O what will the end be?” What will it be? Why, glory to God in the highest, and peace and goodwill among men.—. John Wesley in a letter to Adam Clarke, 1759.

The whole of Christian living hinges on the way in which Christian people read the Bible. All sermons and addresses, all Bible readings can never take the place of our owu quiet study V of God's precious Word. ♦ * * * A trader, passing a converted cannibal in Africa, asked what he was doing. “Oh, I am reading the Bible,*' was the reply. “The Book is out of date in my country,’' said the trader. “If it was out of date here,” replied the African, “you wo*ild have been eaten long ago.'*