understanding. We can unfasten the shutters, or draw back the curtains,
and let in the light. Alas! unless the grace of God has reached us in
its almighty power, we do not _want_ the light. Our deeds are evil, and
the light that makes them manifest is hateful (see John iii. 18, 19).
The thief, the murderer, the coiner of bad money, and all who are
knowingly guilty of wrong-doing, love darkness, secresy, and concealment
"rather than light"; and this is our "condemnation," as fallen
creatures--we love the darkness, and we shun God's holy light. "Having
the understanding darkened, being alienated [or estranged] from the life
of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of
their heart" (Eph. iv. 18). Such was _our_ state by nature. What are our
feelings now?
Saul of Tarsus, as a Pharisee, was learned, intelligent, and moral; but
how dark, how blind, he was in those days! Jesus, God's beloved Son, was
the Object of his hatred. The altogether Lovely One had no beauty at all
for him, and the children of God he viewed as enemies whom he felt bound
to conquer and destroy. How great his darkness was--the darkness of
prejudice and pride!
Chiniquy, the Romish priest, of whom some of us have heard so much, was
blinded by _superstition_ for many a year, and even the light of the
Bible, as he read and studied it, could not remove that darkness till
God Himself said, "Let there be light," and made the night of
superstitious error flee away.
Then minds are blinded as was Balaam's of old, and the Pharisees, to
whom Christ said, "If ye were blind"--that is, if they had not heard His
words, and seen His works (see John xv. 22, 24)--"ye had not had
sin"--you would have been _comparatively_ free from blame--"but now ye
say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."
They hated the light they had, and closed their eyes against it. As the
proverb says, "None are so blind as those who will not see."
But "God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness [at the world's
creation], hath shined in our hearts," wrote the Apostle Paul (2 Cor.
iv. 6), "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ."
The once blinded Pharisee could see now, and how different were all his
feelings! His own righteousness was cast away. Jesus was precious to his
heart, and Christians were his "own company," his beloved friends.
No darkness is too dense, no barrier too strong, for almighty grace to
remove. Has the Sun of Righteousness arisen in our hearts? How may we
know? Jesus tells us (John iii. 21)--"He that doeth truth cometh to the
light." God is Light, and His Word is a light that makes all things
manifest. It shows sin, how black it is. It reveals the hollowness of
the world, the glory of Christ. It points out our dangers, our disease,
our wants, and our foes; while it sets forth the remedy of all our ills,
the great Refuge and Deliverer who can save unto the uttermost all who
confide in Him.
Do we try ourselves by the Scriptures? Abraham compared himself to "dust
and ashes"--worthless. Job said, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of
the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor myself, and
repent in dust and ashes" (Job xlii. 5, 6). David, king of Israel, said,
"I am poor, and needy." Are we anything like these saints of God? God
says, He "will give strength to those who have no might," will "fill the
hungry with good things," and for His own name's sake will bless those
who feel themselves unworthy of His favour. Do these promises suit us?
Are we glad that God's mercy is so free? And do we, like the Psalmist,
"esteem _all_ His precepts concerning all things to be right, and hate
every false way"? (Psa. cxix. 128.) If so, we are children of the light,
and, while we examine ourselves, we shall pray God to search and try us,
and lead us in His everlasting way.
Jesus said, "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness" (John
viii. 12), yet they who fear the Lord, and obey His beloved Servant,
may, for a time, have no bright shinings on their pathway (Isa. l. 10),
just as sometimes a change of wind, or some other cause, may make a
sudden darkness overspread the sky. But day-darkness generally passes
off again before long. So "light is sown for the righteous," and the
glad harvest shall certainly be reaped, for "the path of the just is as
the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day"
(Prov. iv. 18). The morning twilight in nature may be dim and clouded,
but when once the sun has risen, the light grows clearer and brighter
till noon is reached; but then it begins to decline, and evening
gradually comes on. But the spiritual day _ends_ in noontide glory, the
_everlasting ending_ of all sorrow, sin, and fear; and to His people the
Saviour says, "Thy sun shall no more go down, for the Lord shall be thy
everlasting Light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended" (Isa.
lx. 20).
May He "open our eyes, that we may behold wondrous things out of His
law." May the "Sun of Righteousness arise upon us, with healing in His
wings," that "in His light we may see light," and follow Him who has
"redeemed us from all evil" to the realms of endless day.
Our next subject will be, _God's Independence of All, and His Declared
Need of Some of His Creatures_. Compare Psalm l. 12, with Matthew xxi.
3, and other passages.
Yours affectionately,
H. S. L.
THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.
The Word of God records a potent test
By which a true possessor may be known--
The _Pharisee_ will smite his fellow's breast;
The grace-taught _publican_ will smite his own.
PRIZE ESSAY.
WHO ARE THEY THAT WILL STAND PERFECT IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT?
Those who will stand perfect in the day of judgment are those who, by
the grace of God, have been enabled to trust in, and wait on, the Lord
for salvation from sin and its consequences; for, by the Holy Spirit
working in them, they see their sin, and feel the anger of God.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who
can know it?" (Jer. xvii. 9); and, when we see and feel a little of our
wickedness, we despair, and Satan begins to torment us, and say, "You
are too wicked to go to heaven." But Jesus says, "Him that cometh to Me
I will in no wise cast out" (John vi. 37); "Come unto Me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. xi. 28).
Jesus says "heavy laden," showing that, no matter how wicked, how laden,
His word to all those who are weary of sin, and "heavy laden" with
sorrow for sin, is, "Come, and I will give you rest"--rest from Satan
and his temptations, rest from the world and all its busy cares.
His rest is so different from all other, for He says, in John xiv. 27,
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid."
Those who will stand perfect are those who have been chosen by God as
vessels of mercy, for Peter says, "Elect according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."
Then, when sprinkled by the blood of Jesus Christ, they are perfectly
free from sin; as the hymn says--
"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains."
And this is how God's people stand before Him--
"Dear, dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more."
And when the final judgment is pronounced, those whose names are not
recorded in the book of life will hear those awful words, "Depart from
Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels" (Matt. xxv. 41). But if our names are written in God's book of
life, how sweet to hear, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. xxv.
34).
Oh, that we may be found at God's right hand, perfect in Christ's
righteousness, singing and praising God through all eternity! "Unto Him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath
made us kings and priests unto God and His Father: to Him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. i. 5, 6).
"But can I bear the piercing thought--
'What if my name should be left out
When Thou for them shalt call?'
"Let me among thy saints be found
Whene'er the archangel's trump shall sound,
To see Thy smiling face:
Then loudest of the crowd I'll sing,
While heaven's resounding mansions ring
With shouts of sovereign grace."
GRACE ANNIE OSMOTHERLY
(Aged 12 years).
_45, Cutmore Street,
Gravesend, Kent._
[We have received many tolerably good Essays for this month, among which
the following claim special notice--E. B. Knocker; Lilly Rush; Margaret
Creasey; J. E. Wright; P. Rackham; Jane Bell; Florrie Rush; Claude Rush
(aged 10 years); Laura Creasey; E. Wightman; E. B. West; D. Newbury; B.
M. Dennis; A. M. Cray; W. E. Cray, &c.]
[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Life of John
Newton."
The subject for June will be, "What Marks do the Lambs of Jesus Christ
Bear?" and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a
copy of "The Dairyman's Daughter." All competitors must give a guarantee
that they are under fifteen years of age, and that the Essay is their
own composition, or the papers will be passed over, as the Editor cannot
undertake to write for this necessary information. Papers must be sent
direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117, High Street, Hastings, by the
first of May.]
KINDNESS TO ANIMALS.
The following lines are printed on a board over a watering-trough in
Holloway, Bath:--
A man of kindness to his beast is kind,
But brutish actions show a brutish mind.
Remember, He who made thee made the brute;
Who gave thee speech and reason, made him mute.
He can't complain, but God's all-seeing eye
Beholds thy cruelty and hears his cry.
He was designed thy servant--not thy drudge.
Remember his Creator is thy Judge.
HE acts but a fool's part who aims at heaven, but lives at random.
Interesting Items.
THE DEEPEST RUNNING STREAM.--The deepest running stream that is known is
the Niagara river, just under the suspension bridge, where it is seven
hundred feet deep by actual measurement.
SABBATH-BREAKING.--On Sunday afternoon, March 4th, at Sheffield, a
little boy, whose name was Thomas Haigh, was drowned in a dam, caused by
the breaking of the ice. He was sent to the Sunday School by his
parents. Instead of going there, however, he and another boy went to
what is known as the Little London dam. The ice was not safe, but they
ventured on it, and ultimately both fell in. Haigh was drowned, and his
body has not yet been discovered; the other escaped. Children, beware of
disobedience and Sabbath-breaking.
GREAT SNOWSTORM IN NEW YORK.--Every one declares it to be the worst
storm they have ever known. Saturday, March 10th, was a balmy, spring
day. On Sunday evening some cold rain fell, changing at midnight into a
freezing sleet. On Monday there was a veritable Dakota blizzard. The air
was filled with snow flying before the wind at the rate of sixty miles
an hour. It was impossible in the street to keep the eyes open, and
almost impossible to walk. Those who did venture out of doors were to be
seen clinging to trees for support against the gale, or turning breezy
corners upon their hands and knees. Vehicular traffic was totally
suspended. Huge snow-ploughs, drawn along the tramways by a score of
horses, had to be abandoned in the streets. The tram-car drivers
unhitched their teams of three horses, and left the cars wherever they
happened to be. Unbroken drifts, as high as the hips, or even in some
cases up to the shoulders, filled nine-tenths of the shop doors along
Broadway. The storm is believed to be without a parallel. It extended
all along the Hudson River and around New York.
DEATH OF THE EMPEROR WILLIAM OF GERMANY.--Berlin has been a city of
mourning, and Germany a nation of grief, in consequence of the death of
the Emperor William, who closed his long, eventful, and successful life
in his palace there, Unter den Linden, about half-past eight a.m., March
9th. Just before he died, when Dr. Kogel, the Court chaplain, repeated
to the Emperor the words of the Psalmist--"Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art
with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me," the Emperor observed,
"That is beautiful." His last words are said to have been those with
which he replied to a question from his daughter, the Grand Duchess of
Baden, as to whether he was tired, and would like to rest. "I have no
time at present to be tired," responded His Majesty. Sometimes, when his
thoughts were wandering, the dying monarch would think of his afflicted
son and successor far away on the Mediterranean shore, and murmur,
"Fritz, lieber Fritz." The Emperor was a man who acknowledged God, and
God prospered his work, as in the case of the Franco-Prussian war, for
instance, although many of his enemies sneered at that acknowledgment. A
special funeral service was held on Saturday, the 10th ult., in the
mortuary chamber of the late Emperor, at which the Dowager Empress, the
Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden, the Crown Prince and Princess of
Sweden, and other Royal personages were present. The deceased monarch
lay in the same position as that in which he expired, having a crucifix
on the breast, and holding an ivory cross in the right hand. [What
Popery!]
THE BERLIN TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--Friday, March 9th, will long be remembered
as the busiest day on record at the Central Telegraph Office of Berlin.
The pressure was great on Thursday, when 29,878 telegrams, aggregating
799,926 words, had to be sent off. But this record, was eclipsed by the
following day, no fewer than 36,615 telegrams, containing together
1,115,551 words, being despatched to all parts of the globe, and in
different languages. All the Government telegraphists fit for duty had
to be called in to meet the pressure, and all the available instruments
were worked. It was a fortunate circumstance that the Berlin Bourse was
closed, as this enabled the authorities to make use of the instruments
there for the work. During the busiest hours of the day, no less than
346 telegraphists were at work at the same time in the great instrument
room of the Central Telegraph Office, and 230 instruments were operated.
EPPING BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.--On Wednesday, February 1st, a lecture was
delivered by Mr. William Hazelton, of College Park, Lewisham, entitled,
"Wit and its Uses." The lecture was listened to with great interest.
Pieces were sung by the teachers and scholars, conducted by Mr. G.
Nokes. The chair was taken by Mr. C. Cottis. There was a good
attendance, and collections amounted to over two pounds. On Tuesday,
February 14th, the children, with their teachers and friends, had their
annual tea, after which short addresses were given by the teachers, and
recitations and singing by the children. The prizes, consisting of
books, were then distributed by the Superintendent, Mr. William Cottis;
and singing the Doxology and prayer brought a very pleasant meeting to a
close.
SIDDAL, HALIFAX.--On Shrove Tuesday, the annual tea in connection with
the Strict Baptist Sunday School took place, when about 160 sat down to
tea. The meeting was presided over by the respected minister, Mr. D.
Smith, who gave a short address on "Stealing." A few suitable
recitations by the young children followed. Mr. H. E. Greenwood gave a
short address on "Prizes," and said how necessary it was for young
people to have something to aim at, and also on the value of a good
name. Mr. James Moss, Superintendent of Hebden Bridge Sunday School,
exhorted the children to obedience to their parents, and related
instances where disobedience had been punished in a remarkable way. Mr.
Thos. Smith, Mr. Jos. Smith, and Mr. M. H. Robinson also gave short
addresses. Mr. John Smith presented the certificates for attendance and
good conduct, and gave excellent counsel to the recipients. After the
singing of the Doxology, a very encouraging meeting was brought to a
close.
SOUTHSEA.--SALEM STREET SUNDAY SCHOOL.--The annual distribution of
prizes took place on Sunday, February 12th, 1888. After the opening
services, Mr. Lowe spoke to the scholars respecting regularity and
punctuality, trying to impress on their minds that these things would be
a good recommendation for their future life. He also gave a hint that
teachers should set the example. He then spoke of love as being the
mainspring to win the affections of the scholars, for if love will not,
the reverse will not do so. He also spoke affectionately to the young
men present. He felt surprised that they came so regularly to school. He
was brought up to the Sunday School, but as he grew older, he left and
sought worldly amusements; but, as he remarked, being a vessel of mercy,
God sought him out in His own time. He felt there was nothing in the
school to attract young men, but if they were seeking the one thing
needful, they would not desire such amusements as those by which many
congregations seek to draw the minds of youth. Mr. Hitchens, the
Superintendent, then remarked that it was twenty years since he first
became connected with the school, and that he had seen many changes
during that period; but still he could say, "having obtained help of
God, he had continued until the present day." Then came the distribution
of prizes. One received a book about the sagacity of animals, and his
teacher also gave him a Bible for his good attendance and punctuality,
as he did not remember him being away once through the year. The service
was ended by singing and prayer.
E. A. HITCHENS.
CIRENCESTER.--PARK STREET CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL.--Dear Mr. Editor,--I am
one of the readers of the LITTLE GLEANER. We take a lot of them in our
Sunday School, and the girls and boys like them very much. I have been
pleased to read about the treats which have been given at other Sunday
Schools, and thinking other children like reading about such things too,
I send you an account of our Christmas treat, held on January 26th. If
you think it worth putting in the LITTLE GLEANER, I shall be very
pleased to see it there. Ours is not a very large school, there being
only about fifty; but I think it is very nice to go there. Mr. Barnard
tells us that some of the ministers who give us an address tell him that
ours is a very nice school, for they go to some schools where the
children are not so nicely behaved and attentive as we are; but I expect
we are not any better than we should be. But I must tell you about our
winter treat. We have a summer outing as well. About last October, some
of the lady teachers and friends who attend our chapel, knowing that the
poorer children of our school would be glad of some warm clothes for the
winter, got some money together and bought flannel, serge, and
stockings, and had a sewing meeting every week, and made shirts,
dresses, flannel petticoats, and skirts; and by Christmas time they had
a big box full of all these sorts of things, which were brought and
given away at our treat. The children began tea at four o'clock, after
singing grace. We had a beautiful tea, and we each had an orange given
us; and then, after the visitors (and we had a chapel full) had had
their tea, we sang a hymn, and then our minister, Mr. Barnard, gave a
nice, interesting address. Several of us recited pieces, and after some
more singing and one or two other friends had spoken to us, the best
part of the evening came for us children, for Mr. Barnard gave us our
prizes--some beautiful books. Mine was a lovely one. Then the big box
was opened, and the garments were distributed; and after a vote of
thanks to the ladies, and to Mr. Barnard for presiding, the meeting was
closed with prayer. I enjoyed myself very much, and I think every one
else did. I have not had much practice in writing letters, as I am only
a little girl, ten years old, but I have sent you the best account I
can of our treat. I remain, your young friend, MERCY RISELY.
P.S.--Perhaps you don't know me, but I have seen you ever so many times
at our chapel.
[Illustration: "THE CAPTAIN NEVER SAW ANY ONE LOOK HAPPIER." (_See page
98._)]
THE JESUIT AND THE BIBLE.
There were not many passengers on board the vessel in which I was going
to Belgium, which rendered our intercourse more intimate. While I was
conversing with two elderly persons from Holland, I saw a respectable
looking young man, passing backwards and forwards, who seemed to listen
to what I said. In the afternoon, as I was seated among some bales of
goods, the same young man placed himself beside me, and made some remark
as to the fineness of the weather.
"Yes," I answered, "it is a proof of the goodness of God to us; but to
be sensible of His goodness is a far greater blessing. Has not a
Christian double cause for happiness, since all he receives comes from
the hand of his Father?"
He answered, "The captain and I were just now speaking about you. The
captain said he never saw any one look happier, and he thought you must
have some especial cause for it. I wish, sir, I frankly confess, to be
told what your secret is; for, in truth, I am not free from anxiety."
He then proceeded to relate how he had gone from place to place, in
order to practise his profession as a painter, and yet all his
calculations had been disappointed. He was a native of Belgium, and a
Roman Catholic. "But," he added, with a sort of contempt, "all my
religion has given me no consolation. What do you think is the use of
all these rites and ceremonies? They are wearisome, and that is all."
"My secret," I answered, "which is not one in reality, is of a very
different character. The Bible, sir, by the mercy of God, has rendered
me happy, not only for this world, but, above all, for eternity. Perhaps
you never read it?"
"The Bible, sir? Do you not know it is denied, and even forbidden, to us
Catholics? I have heard, indeed, that some priests allow their
parishioners to read it, but they are very few; and the truth is that,
if any of us were to read the Bible, he would be forced to do penance,
and to give the Book up to our priest. I have never read it, I own."
"Here is a part of it," I said, producing my New Testament. "This is the
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
"The Gospel!" said the young man, with surprise. "Is it all contained in
that small Book? I should never have supposed it."
"This small Book," I said, "contains, in our language, all that God has
said to us by Jesus Christ, and costs only one franc" (tenpence).
"Only one franc! Is it possible? I will have one, and read it, you may
be sure. I promise you, as soon as we arrive at Brussels, the first
thing I do will be to get that Book."
"But, sir, you say that your priest will not allow you to read it?"
"No, sir; our Church does not permit us to do so. But if you wish to
know my own views, I must say I feel sure that we are prevented from
reading the Bible only because it is exactly the reverse of what our
priests tell us. They say that the Bible is obscure, and not easy to be
understood, and that, if they comprehend it, it is different with the
common people. But I do not believe this, especially after something
that happened to one of my friends, which I will tell you.
"You know, perhaps, that Belgium is full of Jesuits, and the people
dislike them. A certain abbe, who was only a Jesuit in disguise, was
confessor to a friend of mine, who, like many others, had been guilty of
some imprudence, and he confessed it to this same priest, who imposed
rather a heavy penance on him, particularly requiring him to make a rich
offering to Our Lady [the Virgin Mary]. Well, on his way home, my
friend met one of the colporteurs, who sell Bibles and other religious
books. He bought one, and began to read it, and the result was, that he
discovered, as he told me, that he must seek the forgiveness of his sins
from God, through the Saviour, and that to make an offering to the
Virgin for his faults was at once to lose his pains, his money, and his
soul.
"Three months had passed, when the priest met my friend, and asked if he
had done all he was directed, and especially, if he had made the
offering. My friend answered, 'I have got a Book which has shown me that
God alone forgives sin, and that to give money for a fault is to mock
the Holy Spirit.' 'That is the Bible,' exclaimed the Jesuit. 'Wretched
man, from whom did you get it? Unless you give it up to me this very
day, woe be unto you!' My friend refused, and there is no sort of
annoyance or vexation which the priest has not made him suffer. However,
he was firm. But hitherto, I confess, I cared very little about the
matter."
"Then," said I, "you remain in ignorance as to whether God loves you or
not?"
"I am not worse than others," he replied; "and since God is good, I do
not suppose He hates me."