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HEREFORDSHIRE TEACHERS'I DISPUTE.

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DOUBT CANNOT EXIST.I

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ODDFELLOWSHIP. I

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SHOULD DYSPEPTICS -DIET? I

CANADIAN NEWS JOTTINGS. I

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[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] BIBLE…

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[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] BIBLE STUDIES CONDUCTED BY PASTOR RUSSELL. "HIS SERVANTS SHALL SERVE HIM." The Lesson:—Luke viii. 1-3: ix. 57-G2; I x. 38-42. The Text:—"Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these My brethren, even these least, ye did it unto Me."—Matthew xxv. 40 (R.V.). The opening verse of this Study furnishes us the key to all the preaching that Jesus did, so far as the record goes. His one mes- sage was the Good Tidings of the Kingdom of God. This is still the good tidings; and any of the Lord's people who have not yet learned that the Kingdom of God is the very centre and essence of the hope of the Church and the world, have not profitably read and believed the Bible. The Jews, not being ready for the Kingdom, were rejected as a nation from being Messiah's associates in that Kingdom. But not all were re- jected hence we read that to as many as re- ceived Jesus, to them gave he power to be- come sons of God—by the begetting and anointing of the Holy Spirit which firfct came at Pentecost. It is these sons of God who are, if faith- ful, to be with Jesus by and bvheirH of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord to this Heavenly Kingdom. Their honour and blessing shall be great; for they shall be like their Master, see him as be is and share his glory. But this will not be all. If they develop his spirit of love, they will thereby be qualified for association with the Master in his great work of blessing mankind, rolling away the curse and uplift- ing humanity out of sin and death condi- tions. Surely this is good tidirHf. as stated in the lesson; and the same good tidings were heralded by those angels who proclaimed the Master's birth, saying. "Behold, we bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people." Thus far it has been good tidings only to God's servants and handmaidens, the Church. But it shall be good tidings to ALL, when all the deaf ears shall be unstopped and all the blind eyes shall be opened, and they shall see the glories of Messiah's Kingdom. While Jesus was thus declaring the King- don, he was not begging his way. We have no suggestion that he ever took up a collec- tion or in any manner solicited money. Many think this a suggestion that the fol- lowers of Christ should likewise make no ap- peals for money, but merely use of their own substance and such other money as shall voluntarily be given into their posses- gion. However, this is for each to decide for himself. Amongst the hetiled ones was Mary of Magdabi, out of whom the Lord had east seven demons. In other words, the poor woman was in the condition in which many are who are now in. insane asylums. Her trouble was not organic, but caused by the harassing of the seven fallen angels who had taken possession of her. Whoever believes the Bible message must believe that there are fallen angels—spirit beings who have a malevolent influence upon humanity to the extent that they can gain control, and who must be resisted with the will. Mary, ap- parently. was a woman of wealth. Released from the power of the demons, she was so grateful to Jesus that she did her best to serve him on every occasion. Other honour- able women are mentioned as contributing to the Lord's support. I- THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP. some were attracted to Jesus, evidently. with the thought that one so gifted and so well supplied with the necessities of life must be wealthy. One such said to the Lord, "I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest" but apparently his ardour was cooled when Jesus informed him that he had no home of his own, iltlioiigh there were numerous homes to which he was welcome. Foxes have holes of their own. and birds have nests of their own, but the Son of Man had no home to call his own. one but the very sincere would likely be attracted to follow a leader under such circumstances. Wealth attracts many. poverty attracts few. Another said to Jesus in substance. Lord, you may count me in as one of your dis- ciples; but I have a father, and I fed as thou I must stay with him until his death. The reply of Jesus shows us the im- portance which he attaches to every service ve can render to the Father's cause. He said, "Let the dead bury their dead, and go thou and preach the Kingdom of God." The whole world is already dead from the Divine standpoint. The sentence of death that passed upon Adam involved all of his children. The only ones whom the. Scrip- tures rt-cognise as possessed of life at the present time are those who become related to the Life-giver, Jesus. The Master inti- mates that all such should take a different view of life from others. There are plenty in the world who can attend to the earthly things; few who can attend to the more im- portant work of proclaiming the Kingdtom and gathering the Kingdom class. Another came to Jesus, saying. T will follow thee; but I wish first to go and hid farewell to those who are at home. T will spend a little time with them; and before long I will he with thee in the work. It was not heartlessness on Jesus' part that sug- gested the answer: "No man, having- put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God." According to these searching words, who then. even amongst the Lord's consecrated people of to- day. are fit for the Kingdom? LOVE MANIFESTED BY ZEAL We arc not to judge others, hut each is to judge himself. Yet, in a general way. are [ we ant confident that many are not only looking back and making special provisions for the social anwniticH of life.. but addi- tionally are plunging into many of the luxuries, pleasures, and frivolities of the world? The question is a searching one. IIow many of us will the Lord consider fit tor a place with himself in the glorious Messianic Empire, which we- trust is nigh- at the door? There seems to be a principle involved. Those who are not absorbed with interest in the Kingdom, desiring its bless- ings and a share in conferring blessings upon others, would probably not be qualilied by the resurrection change to accomplish the work which God lias designed shall bo done for humanity. The story of Martha and Mary concludes the lesson." Both loved the Saviour, but they manifested their love differently. Jesus did not disapprove of Martha and her care- fulness in providing for his conifort; biit lie specially appreciated the spirit of Mary, which drew her to his feet to hear the won- deriul wcrds of life. llers was the letter part, Jeims said. So then in our service for the Master let us have this in mind, that he is specially pleased when we give earnest attention to his words and seek to be filled with his Holy Spirit. To-day's Study represents special services which were rendered at different times during our Lord's ministry. Acceptable ser- vice. like acceptable praise, must come as a fruitage of love to the Lord. He who loves much will serve much. Salaries cannot pur- chase this kind of service, and persecutions cannot hinder it. Whoever was privileged to serve the Lord Jesus personally was cer- tainly highly privileged; and yet we may be sure of the general principle laid down in our text, that whoever serves any whom the Lord classes as his brethren are really serv- ing him. He accepts the same as service to himself. How precious this thought! and how valu- able it is What wonder that all who truly believe the Lord's Word should be zealous in service for their brethren As the Apostle suggests, we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren, even as Christ died for all.

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