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mere profession of truth which does not act on the conscience, and come out in the life, is one of the special dangers of the day in which our lot is cast. Better, by far, only know a little in reality and power, than profess a quantity of truth that lies powerless in the region of the understanding, exerting no formative influence upon the life. I would much rather be honestly in Romans vii., than fictitiously in chapter viii. In the former case I am sure to come right, but in the latter there is no telling what I may come to.

As to the question of making use of human writings to help us in the study of scripture, great caution is needed. No doubt the Lord may, and does, make use of the writings of His servants, just as He uses their oral ministry, for our instruction and edification. Indeed, in the present broken and divided state of the church, it is wonderful to mark the Lord's rich grace and tender care in feeding His beloved people with the writings of His servants.

But, we repeat, great caution is needed, earnest waiting on the Lord, that we may not abuse so precious a gift, that it may not lead us to trade on borrowed capital. If we are really dependent upon God, He will give us the right thing; He will put the right book into our hands; He will feed us with food convenient for us. Thus we receive it from Himself, and hold it in communion with Himself. It is fresh, living, powerful, formative; it tells on the heart, and shines in the life; and we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Precious growth! would there were more of it!

Finally, we have to remember that holy scripture is

the voice of God, and the written word is the transcript of the living word. It is only by the Holy Spirit's teaching we can really understand scripture, and He reveals its living depths to faith and need. Let us never forget this.

"JESUS ONLY."

On my way home one evening, I noticed that a building -called in this country a church-was brilliantly lighted up.

Before I came to it a gentleman touched my arm, and said, "Will you come in to our service at the church ?"

"No, thank you," I said.

"I can get you a seat close to the pulpit, if you will come in," said the gentleman.

"No, not to-night."

"You had better come to-night," said he: "You may never have another opportunity."

"No, thank you," I said; and I looked up to the Lord to have a word to say to this zealous one.

By this time we had arrived opposite the doors of the church, and I noticed over the porch these words, "JESUS ONLY."

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I looked at the gentleman and said, "I see you have Jesus only' outside your church, but have you 'Jesus only' inside ?"

"Oh, come in," he repeated.

"But tell me, What is the way to be saved from the wrath to come ?"

"You must believe in Jesus, enter the church, and lead an upright life."

"Oh then," I said, "it is not 'Jesus only.' I must enter the church and lead an upright life besides. You see it is not Jesus only.

"No, no! not exactly," he replied; and we parted. This passage came to my mind: "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts iv. 12.) How sad it is, I thought, that they teach in that church that three things are necessary to salvation. We read nothing in the scripture about "entering the church,' or 'leading an upright life,' as a means of salvation.

Every believer is a part of the true church, and should seek light from above, as to what Christians he should unite himself with; but this is not that he may be saved, but because he is saved; and surely too he should lead an upright life. But for salvation Jesus said, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life."

How is it with you, my reader? are you trying to be saved by three things, and two of them your own doing-or will you let it be "Jesus only ?"

"MY SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD."

I WAIT for Thee, O Lord!

Thou art the Bridegroom dear,
Who all my wayward heart hast won,

Whose step I long to hear.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

Thy glorious face to see,

That holy face that once was marr'd

Was marr'd, O Lord, for me.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

Before Thy feet to fall! Lowly to worship and adore Thee Lord, my All in All.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

Thy wondrous voice to hear, Louder than many waters' noise, As silver trumpet clear.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

Thy tender touch to feel,

That tender touch which even here

The broken heart can heal.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

Thy glory to behold—

The Father's gift, because of love

He had for Thee of old.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

And Thou dost wait for me:
Thy faithful heart longs for the hour
When I with Thee shall be.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

The rapture deep to know, Of living evermore with Thee, Love cannot more bestow.

I wait for Thee, O Lord!

But for a little while:

This night, O Lord, mine eyes may meet

Thy joyful tender smile.

E. B.

CORRESPONDENCE.

49. "D. D.," Wells, Norfolk. Hebrews i. 14 teaches very plainly the ministry of angels-a most precious truth. How blessedly we are provided for! Christ ministers for us on high. The Holy Ghost ministers in us; and angels minister to us. We thank you, most heartily, for your kind and cheering letter. May showers of blessing descend upon you all, and upon your work!

50. "F. J. S.," Lincoln. It is entirely a matter between your own soul and the Lord. If the infirmity of which you speak hinders you in the Lord's work, it might be right to have it removed. But if it be merely a matter of personal appearance, you could hardly look for God's blessing on the operation, or have it performed to His glory.

51. "C. A. D.," Ottawa. Thanks for your letter and the accompanying lines.

52. "L. M. R.," Woolwich. It is very important that the Christian should be thoroughly clear and above-board in all his ways. There should be nothing questionable in any of his transactions-nothing hidden. We should not put our hand to a single thing which would not bear the very strictest scrutiny. Hence, if this person, "who works for a large Firm in London” is doing anything which she would not wish the Firm to know; if she is receiving anything which she wishes to hide from their knowledge, it is perfectly evident she is not acting uprightly. If she is perfectly clear in what she is doing, why send this question to us? Can she with a good conscience take the discount from the person who supplies her with the things? Should it be termed "discount" or "brokerage ?" "If thine eye

be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." And again, "If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." If it is an understood thing on the part of the Firm, that discount is given, it is all plain and right; but anything underhand is utterly

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