Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

Mar. 15,1893 | A FAMILY PAPER. 6.The preceding history of Job, as found inchapter 1, mus^^^ be brought oub either by questionsor by uarative, that the story may becomplete. In the verses for today we have :I The Cause of -Job's Affliction Vs.l 6.The meeting of Satan with God ; his chargeagainst Job ; and God's allowing him to havehis own way concerning Job, mnst arouse- questioningsin our minds. However we have thisassurance : Satan has power over meu only sofar as it is giyen him by God, We know thatGod loves us and thae is enough. The later.history of Job brings out more clearly God'sdesign in thus giving Satan power over him.II. The Extent of Job's Affliction. Hiswealth had been swept away ; his chilareu hadbeen taken : Job had endured all without amurmur. Now God delivers him oyer into thehand of Satau with but one restriction, " Savehis life." When wo think of what hatred Satanmust have had for Job on account of his uprightlite, aud theu recall tbe fact that he hadbeen baffled in his firstattempt to cause Jobto sin, and must be feeling chagrined over hisfailuae, we tremble for Job left in the power ofthe enraged demon. The oue restriction laidupon him seems but mockery. Job's heart iswrung with sorrow over the loss of his children; his mind is distracted by the loss ofhis property ; now his body is racked withpain " from the sole of his foot unto his crown."The depth of his misery is portrayed in verseeight, " And he took him a potsherd to scrapehimself withal; and he sat down among theashes." To complete his agony his wife'swords fall like burning coals upon his woundedspirit: "Dost thou still retain thine integrity?Curse God, and die."It appears unnatural that she, who shouldhave been his comfort, turns thus from himin his trouble. The picture would seem overdrawnhad we not been behind the scenes, andlearned the cause of it all. Satan had powerto briug this woman to his aid in torturing theservant of the Lord. We may notice how thesame affliction produces different effects. Joband his wife may have appeared much alike inthe time of prosperity. Trouble brought tolight the good in the one and the evil in theother. Not the least of Job's afflictions wouldbe this development of his wife's character.III. Job's Conduct Undee Affliction. V.10. He answered his wife's chiding with akindly rebuke: "Thou speakest as one of thefoolish women speaketh." Then he reasonswith her. "What! shall we receive good atthe hand of the Lord and shall we not receiveevil?" Job had learned to trust God in prosperity: he accepted the good which came tohim as from the Lord. Then when evil camehe could leave all in his hands knowing thathe doeth all things well.This is the lesson for us. Many of us knowlittle of trouble. All is joy and brightness.We must learn to know God now, that we mayknow where to turn when trouble comes. Itis everything to have God for your friend whenthe dark days come. Then we can trust as Jobdid and say, the Lord gave, and the Lord hathtaken away . blessed be the name of the Lord.PRAYERMEETING TOPIC.Eev. T. H. Aoheson.Prayer Meeting topic for Wednesday, March22,1893. Subject: Excuses, "And they allwith one consent began to make excuse." Luke14:18.1. Why do men present excuses?2, Some of the excuses they present,3. No excuse stands with God.4. The danger of delay.Parallel Passages: Rom. 1:20, Luke 16:31.John 5:lO. .Daut, 30:11-14, John 3:19. Ps.95:7 11 Heb. 3:15. John 10:26. Luke 9:59-62. Jer. 6:17. Mat. 22:5. Acts 13:45. Acts28:25-27.Suitab'e Psalms: 145: (L. M.) 19-2L 106:-21-25. 95:7.1L 81:13.16 50: (S. M.) 1-4. 1:-1-4,The evasion and rt-jection of the gospel invitationby the Jews s-ems principally referredto here; but lessons cau be learned from thisverse for all ages when men on different pretextsdecline to accept^offers of salvation.Men present excuses at times because theyare more or less honest in presenting them.No doubt s>me thiuk their objections havemuch force. It may be that some objectorsto Christianity really think their positions tenableand impregnaoie. Yet if such personswere sincerely aud humbly desirous to findthetruth, they would see their excuses vanish.There are other and less honest reasons whymen decline to become Christians. They donot want to believe. They do not wish to leaveoff sin. They do not wish to face the oppositionof the world.There are numerous excuses which objectorspresent, or which we may imagine have influencewith them. " Christianity is not reasonable.I do not believe the Bible," says one.If you are truly sincere in your efforts to knowthe right, and go to God for light, such an excusewill not remain with you. " I have nottime at present to consider the claims of thegospel." A man must take time to prepare foreternity. Nothing here can equal the importanceof preparing for the future. " I shall settlethe question by and by; not just to-day."We have no promise of to-morrow. " Thereare so many inconsistent members in thechurch." True, but that is no argument againstthe Church itselt; its principles and aims. "Iam not good enough to be a Christian." Noone is; so we need to be a follower of Christ toget his help. " I could not walk properly onthe Christian pathway. I should soon fall, and itwould be all the worse then for me." We allwill be helped by Christ. He lives in us. Heasks none to walk in his own strength alone.If we fall, he will raise us up.No excuse will stand with God. Nothingcan justify our rejection of the gospel offer.No earthly gain, no threatened earthly loss,will be considered sufficient to excuse us whenwe shall stand before his Judgment bar. Isitnot unwise to delay? Do you know of any promisefor the future either in this world or thenext? Make no excuse, rest on none, if youwould be safe. Accept Christ now, while youare here with the offer fully, fairly, freely beforeyou.MrF, Gibson, a well known member of Dr.Sproull's ohurch, Allegheny, Pa., has passed on tothe heavenly rest.Elder James Patterson, of the Brooklyn, N. T.,congregation, who fought a good fightin defendingthe denomination's interests during the troubles nowhappily ended, is, all will regret to learn, in very feeblehealth.r^'L."^WISHES TO HEAR FROM OTHER SOCIETIES.Dbnison, Kan., Feb. 27, 1893.Dear Editor: That you may realize we still appreciateyour kind offer to the Y. P. S. 0. E., weseize this opportunity of writing a few words. It igceven months since our organization. Our enrollmentis twenty-six aotive members. Their interest in thework is manifested by the number of me'etings wehave Uad, (one eaoh week since the organization) althoughoutward circumstances were often unfavorable.We are using the International topics, substitutingfor our special meeting*. It may be of some interestto know tbat at our special meetings we have freewillofferings, which are to be used in various mis»ionwork. Our " Good Literature Oommittee " is doinggood work distributing various leaflets and papers.The literature used in our Sabbath School each weekis returned, and sent to misaions oonducted by Y. P.8. 0. E, Our encouragements overbalimce our hindrances.Our last meeting was graced by the presenceof [Bev. Wm. Littlejohn, who gave us a very interestingaddress. Can we not hear of work done inother societies?Yours in 0. E. work,Jennib Tobbbnob, Sec'y.—The Oolden'lRule, Boston, has issued an elegantsouvenir, .being a large group picture of the thirtytwoofficers and trustees of the United Sooiety ofChristian Endeavor, a copy of which is given to everynew bubscriber. ,RESTED HIM.The old man, sitting by the way,Was weary on that summer day.A little girl smiled to him thereAnd shyly came to stroke his hair." You are so tired," crooned the child," I was," he whispered, " till you smiled."— W. J. Lampion in Godey's.THE CITY OF GOD.Four square it lies, with walls of gleaming pearlAnd gates that are not shut at all by day ;There evermore their wings the storm winds furl.And night falls not upon the shining way.Up which by twos and threes, and in great throngs.The happy people tread, whose mortal roadLed straight to that fair home of endless songs.The oity, beautiful and vast, of God.Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, the joy.The light, the bloom of tbat sweet dwelling place.Where praiae is aye the rapturous employOf those who there behold God's loving face.Here, fretted by so many a tedious care,And bowed by burdens on the weary road,We can not dream of all the glory there,In that bright oity, beautiful, of God.There some have waited for our coming long.Blown thither on the mystic tide of death,They catch some fragments of our broken song.The while the eternal years are as a breath.There we shall go one gladsome day of days.And drop forever every cumbering load.And we shall view, undimmed by earth's low haze.The city, beautiJEul and vast, uf God.In that great oity we shall see the King,And lell Him how He took uh by the handAnd let us, in our weakness, diag and cling,As children when they do not understand.Yet with the rnother walk as night comes on.And wish that bome was on some shorter road.O, with what pleasure ahall we look uponOur Saviour in the city of our God !—Margaret E. Sangster, in CongregationalistEev. D. McKee, who has been taking medicaltreatment in Denver, is, according to last reports, almostwell, .ind we expect him home in a short time.We miss him and Mrs. McKee very much, and hopehe will be able to come home soon. We have beenfavored with grand preaching during his absence, byEev J A. Thompson, which seems to grow betterevery day.'—W. J. Bahjhs.