THE GOSPEL HERALD.
Wake Forest College, however, an attempt
has been made. The last session of the
legislatirre granted a charter to the North
Carolina Student's Aid Fund. The Trustees
compose some of the leading men of the
Baptist denomination. Their purpose is to
raise a fund from which young men may
borrow, from time to time, at a small per
cent., sufficient money to prosecute their
studies. It is hoped that this Fund may
grow to such an extent in the future, from
voluntary contributions, that every boy with
good body and good brain who may apply
shall be aided in his struggles for an educa
tion.”
CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FOR
STATE MISSIONS
From Dec. 1st, 1887, to March 31sf, 1888.
Alexander Association.—Churches 16,
members 1.839;
Anson.—Churches 17, members 1,570 ;
Norwood, $2.35.
Ashe and Alleghany.—Churches 9. mem
bers 500 ; Mission Field. $3.00 ; Cool Spring,
$3.75; Pleasant Home, $3.00. Total, $8.76.
Atlantic.—Churches 33, members 1,648 ;
Antioch, $4.50.
Beulah.—Churches 18, members 1,464;
Beulah, $3.15 ; Yancevville, $13,63. Total,
$15.68.
Brier Creek.—Churches 35, members 3.-
315;
Brushy Mountain.—Churches 37, mem
bers 1,143 ;
Caldwell County.—Churches 20, mem
bers 1,333;
Cape Fear.—Churches 48, members 3,-
737 ; Brunswick Union, $4.44.
Catawba Eiybr.—Churches 36. members
1,538;
Cedar Creek.—Churches 27, members 3.-
679 ;.
Central.—Churches 31, members 3,731;
Brassfield, $3.76; Franklinton, 69 cents ;
Hopkins Chapel, $3.68; New Hope. $3.48;
Raleigh 1st church, $35.46 ; Stony Hill, $3.00;
Wake Forest, $9.63; J. W. Holloway, 50
cents ; S. C. Vann, $5.00. Total, $53.09.
Chowan.—Churches 41, members 5.983 ;
Ariel, $3.00: Berea, $11.00; Bethel, $5.75;
Beulah, $3.00; Chapel Hill* $1.60; Cool
Spring, $8.87: Ebeuezer, $7.78; Eureka,
$4.79 ; Great Hojie, $4.50 ; Hertfoi-d, $1.25 ;
Jacob’s Pillar, $1.63; Macedonia, $1.63;
Middle Swamp, $5.60; Eomoth Gilead, $5.60;
Eehoboth, $4.00 ; Reynoldson, $6.00 ; Rocky
Hock, $2.50; Salem” $3.50; Sandy Cross,
$5.00 : 'Sawyers Creek, $10.50 ; Whiteville
Grove, $3.00; Yeopim. $16.40. Total, $114.80.
Eastern.—Churches 50, members 5,489 ;
S. Union, $3.40; E. Union, $4.47 ; Baptist
Union, $3.50. Total, $10.37.
Elkin.—Churches 18, members 929 ;
Flat Eiver.—Churches 30, members 3,-
097 ; Henderson, $9.44.
Green Eiver.—Churches 37, members 4,-
648 ; Chimney Rock, 60 cents ; Coopers Gap,
$1.00 ; Big Level, $3.00 ; Bills Creek, $1.60 ;
Rock Spring, $5.00 ; Rutherfordton, $8.70.
Total, $18.90.
Kings Mountain.—Churches 40, members
6,343; Boiling Spring, $5.00 ; High Shoal,
$7.18; New Bethel, $3.30; Pleasant Grove,
$3.00; Sandy Plains, $4.00; Sandy Run,
$1.65. Total. $34.03.
Liberty.—Churches 31, members 1,854;
Lexington, $6.93 ; Reed’s X Roads, $3.67 ;
Rich Fork. $1.36. Total, $10.86.
Little River.—Churches 30, members 1,-
664; Bethel, $1.35; Holly Springs, $3.00;
Juniper Springs, $3.00. Total, $5.25.
Mecklenburg and Cabarrus.—Churches
13, members 1,133 ;
Mt. Zion.—Churches 81, members 3,670 ;
Burlington, $5.00 ; Cane Creek. $3.50 ; Chapel
Hill. $4.28 ; Durham, $14,33. Total, $37,11.
Pee Dee.—Churches 23, members, 1,513 ;
Laui’inburg, $4.00 ; Spring Hill, $3.89. Total,
Pilot Mountain.—Churches 31, members
1,630; Louisville, $3.33: Providence, $1.35.
Total, $8,47.
Raleigh.—Churches 45, members 4,497 ;
Apex, |3.63; Bethany, §1.00 ; Collins Grove,
§1.30 ; Good Hope, $3.75 ; Inwood, $3.00 ;
Hepzebah, $1.25 ; Holly Spring, $10.31 ; Lil-
lington, $1.50; Salem, 90cents; Smithfield,
$3.00 ; White Stone, $19.50 ; Western Union,
$1.40 ; Eastern Union, $3.70. Total, $50.13.
Robeson.—Churches 84, members 4,076;
Lumberton, $0.15.
Sandy Creek.—Churches 41, members
8,030; Jonesboro, $3.51; J. C. Rogers, 50
cents. Total, $3.01.
South Fork.—Churches 26, members 3,-
333; Hickory, $11.43; Kidd’s Chapel, $1.45;
Lebanon, $1.00 ; Mt. Ruhama, $1.00. Total,
$14.87.
South River.—Churches 28. members 3,-
555 ; South River, $1.00.
South Yadkin.—Churches 31, members
1,589 ; Farmington, $5.00 ; Mocksville, $1.15;
Society, $1.00; Statesville, $5.00. Total,
$13.15.
Stanley.—Churches 12, members 845 ;
"Tar River.—Churches 63, members 5,-
359 ; Williamston, $3.61.
Three Forks.—Churches 35, members
3,017;
Union.—Churches 25, members 3,443 ;
Ebenezer. $3.00; Grove Springs, $3.00; Hope-
well, $5.00 ; Meadow Branch, $3.50. Total,
-$12 50.
West Chowan.—Churches 42, members
7,811; Aulanda, $7.10; Ahaskie, $6.50;
Buckliorn, $5.00 ; Cashie, $6j60 ; Canarista,
$5.40 ; Elam, $3.83 ; Harrellsyille, $7.16 ;
Lawrence X Roads, $5.75 ; Lewiston, $1.00 ;
Mars’ Hill, $6.00; Mt. Carmel, $10.00; Mt.
Tabor, $1.00 ; Pleasant Grove, $3.70 ; Roan
oke, $3.30; Roberts Chapel, $4.65; Sandy
Run, $4.10; St. John's, $5.00; U. M. at
Mars’ Hill, $9.46 ; Bertie Union, $9.53 ; Mrs.
A. C. Parker, $5.00; Mrs. Rosa Warren,
fl.OO. Total, $107.37.
Yadkin.—Churches 33, members 3,475 ;
Total amount received, $535.87.
One way to make a good preacher is to
be a good hearer. To expect good thoughts
from the pulpit is all right, and to hear wuth
both ears and hearts attent when good
thoughts are uttered, is a means of increas
ing the frequency of good and effective ser-
“A DIVINE CALL TO THE MINIS
TRY—-WHAT ARE THE TEACH
INGS OF THE SCRIPTURES.?”
There appear to be at least two questions
embraced in this theme : First, what do the
Scriptures teach in regard to a call to the
ministry being divine, and, secondly, what
do they teach about this divine call to the
ministry. The first—which we propose in
this article to notice—may be stated thus :
Do tlie Scriptures teach that a call to the
work of the ministry is from God ?
To simplify the matter, we shall define the
term “call” as here used. Evidently, it is
not a literal, vocal call that is meant, as in
the case of Samuel, Paul and perhaps others.
Nor is it, on the other hand, a decision to
preach, at which we have arrived by look
ing at capacity to speak about Bible-truth,
or by consulting taste or interest or even
recognized duty to work for God. These
are not, any or all of them, what distinguish
the minister and preacher from other in
telligent, pure, and conscientious Christians.
But it is the deep consciousness of an earn
est and irrepressible desire to see men saved
and God glorified in their salvation, accom
panied by certain indispensable ‘ ‘ gifts ”
and “graces.” Among these may be men
tioned the following : Aptness to learn and
to teach, unselfishness, power to endure
“ hardness,” opposition and “ contradiction
of sinners,” gi'avity, humility, patience, ag
gressiveness, boldness, power to exhort and
urge and plead, and a life controlled by
loyalty to Christ and his ti-uth. Besides
these there is a nameless spirit, not to be
analyzed—a tone, bearing, manner, not
saintly, nor even distinguishing him from
his brethren in any marked way—the spirit
and look of one who holds close and frequent
communion with God, and pleads with God
for man—subdued, yet elevated—diffusing
sobriety yet cheerfulness through the atmos
phere ; a spirit not of earth, but of heaven.
No voice is heard, it is true, but there is
something perhaps better, viz : the inwork
ing by the spirit acting upon the heart and
mind, of convictions, impressions, desires,
impulses, yea longings, which become, when
repressed, so clamorous, that the “ wo is me
if I preach not the gospel ” becomes an ex
perience. Then, too, the “separation” to
the work of the ministry—as this work in
volves certain endowments of mind and
heart—is provided for “from the begin
ning”—birth. God raises the man up for
the ivork, and selects the man suited to the
work, and makes the man qualified for it.
In one sense, every man is ‘ ‘ called of
God ” to that work which he, of all works,
loves most, does best, and is most useful in.
It is strange that any one who believes in
God, his Providence, his constant care for
his creatures, and especially for man, should
stumble at a call to the ministry as coming
from God. (Read 1 Cor., 7 chap., 17. 20 and
31 verses). When any man anywhere is
doing what he ought to do, is qualified best
to do, and loves to do, God has had much to
do also in his case and with him.
Perhaps the view of Andrew Fuller is the
true one, viz : “ that whoever has the quali
fications for the work of the ministry is
called to that work.” At any rate it may
be assumed that he is not called who has
not the leading qualifications laid down in
the Scriptures.
Now, let us hear more directly from the
Bible. And of the many passages bearing
upon this point we select the five following;
1st. “Our sufficiency is of God, who also
hath made us able ministers of the New
Testament.” 2 Cor., 3rd chap., 6th verse.
Not only do qualifications (sufficiency) come
from God, but he also “ makes” us ministers.
3d. “Chi'ist our Lord, who hath enabled
me, for that he counted me faithful, putting
me into the ministry.” 1st Tim., 1st chap.,
13th verse. God endures with power and
puts into the ministry.
3d. “ God hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation.” 2nd Cor., 5th chap., 18th
verse. The ministry is God-given.
4th. “We are ambassadors for Christ.”
3 Cor., 6th chap., 20th verse. An ambassa
dor has no authority which he does not de
rive from his sovereign. Without appoint
ment, he could not act. ^
5th. “ How shall they preach except they
be sent?” Rom., 10th chap., 15th verse. The
sending here is, first, of God. There would
be no point in the question otherwise. Men
can speak on sacred themes who are not
preachers. Some seem to have preached
even when unconverted. But do men in
deed qyreach unless God sends—commissions
them? The church is said to “send” too;
but only as they “ separate men to me for
the work whereunto I have” already ‘ ‘called
them.” Acts, 13th chap., 2d verse.
W. R.
FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.
“ And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of these is
charity.”
Our friend, Mr. Hale, in rendering these
Greek expressions into modern English, has
preserved the order in which they are named
by the apostle : “ Look up, and not down ;
look forward, and not back ; look out, and
not in, and lend a hand.”
Is there not a significance in this order ?
Do we not sometimes overlook it? To us
they seem to stand in the relation of the root,
the flower, and the fruit. The root must be
first, and the fruit last, in the order of na
ture, which is the divine order.
First, faith in God. Without it, there is
no rational basis for hope. Then hope, with
out which effort for the relief and elevation
of mankind is impossible. But with faith
and hope in the heart, love for others must
follow, as night gives place to day. Not
merely love as a sentiment, but love in ac
tion ; the love which finds expression in self-
denial for the sake of helping, the love
which bestows one’s self on the beloved ob
ject, and which counts no soul unworthy of
human affection which is not beneath the
notice and care of the Father of us all.
So Mr. Hale expresses it. There are three
looks—the look upward, to God ; the look
forward, to the future ; the look outward,
which looks not merely at one’s own, but
also on the things of others. These three
constitute perfect vision, the true beatific
vision, which affords delight to the seer, a
joy which is not of earth. The light of
heaven is in this open eye, and it shines into
many a dark place and darkened soul, bring
ing peace and happiness wherever its glance
can penetrate.
But, while we recognize that true love
springs from unquenchable faith, and the
love which has not this secret spring is a
dead and deadly thing, let us not forget that
to “lend a hand”, is the test of love, and
therefore, in the last analysis,, the test of
faith also.
“And when he saw a fig-tree in the way,
he came to it, and found notliing mereon.
PREPARING THE HEART.
Suppose you were in a dark room in the
morning, the shutters closed and fastened,
and only as much light coming through the
chinks as made you aware it was day out
side. And suppose you could say to a com
panion with you, ‘ ‘ Let us open the windows,
and let in the light.” What would you think
if he replied, “ No, no. You must first put
the darkness out, or the light will not enter.”
You would laugh at his absurdity. Just so,
we cannot put sin out of our hearts to pre
pare for Christ’s entering; we must open
and take him in, and sin will flee ; fling the
window open at once, and let Christ shine
in.—Dr. Edmond.
WHAT IS DARWINISM?
We would much prefer some other ques
tion. But how will this do ?
1. Nothing, by its own inherent power,
comes together and forms something; that
something re-arranges itself, and something
higher is the result; and that something
higher has made, in turn, out of itself,
whatever is, and, in the same way, will
make whatever shall be.
3. Again : Something that was not brought
itself into existence, and has, ever since,
lived in, of, and on itself, and improved all
the time.
Fifty copies of The Gospel Herald in
every Baptist church in North Carolina is
not an impossibility.
but leaves only, and said unto it: ‘ Let no
fruit grow on thee henceforth forever !’ And
presently the fig-tree withered away.” This
is the picture of the faith which does not
find expression in deeds of charity, perform
ed in the spirit of the Master himself, who
sought neither recognition nor reward. His
curse rests upon it forevermore. Without
charity, I am—nothing !—International Re
corder.
VERBAL INSPIRATION.
COMFORT.
THE VIEWS OF A GEORGIA PASTOR.
Editor Religious Herald:—The verbal in
spiration of the Scriptures seems to be losing
its hold on many religious thinkers. Others
who still adhere to the doctrine are chary in
avowing it. A few are outspoken in its ad
vocacy. I^et us not give it up. One of the
arguments in support of this old doctrine is
drawn from the fact that men think in words.
The inspired thoughts of the “holy men”
who wrote the Scriptures were in words, and
these words must have been given with their
thoughts. There is a view of verbal inspi
ration. kindred to this, which I do not re
member to have seen presented. I submit
it for what it is worth. There can be no
communication between one mind and an
other without some intervening medium.
There is no direct, immediate communica
tion of mind with mind. We cannot, as yet,
“see face to face.” void lies between
mind and mind impassable till bridged with
language. Is it not equally true tliat there
can be no communication between God and
man without some /orm of thought ? The
Holy Spirit moved “holy men” to speak
and vrite the Scriptures. The Spirit is Di
vine, Almighty, Fetterless; but he is deal
ing with men—with human minds—and can
he convey to them the Divine message with
out bridging the intervening chasm? Did
the Spirit operate upon the minds of “ holy
men,” in inspiration, independently of lan
guage? This were impossible. Language
must intervene. And this necessity uf lan
guage in inspiration holds, whetftr the
“ holy men ” be moved to receive and \vrite
new truth, or to “ rememberand record
old. Then it may be assumed that there
could have been no Divine communication
made to “ holy men” without the essential
intervening vehicle of thought—ivords; and
as the Communicator, not the recipients,
supplied the language, therefore the words
in ivhich the Divine Thought was written
are the words of God.
J. H. H.
Newman, Oa.
BAPTIST LITERATURE.
A colporteur writes as follows: “The
value of Baptist litei’ature has been singu
larly manifested in the awakening of an
entire community on the subject of New
Testament baptism. While Baptists have
experienced no difficulty in giving every
man a scriptural reason for their faith and
practice, Pedobaptists have been driven to
their wits’ end for a single scriptural reason
to sustain their unwarranted practice of
sprinkling and pouring.
“ In the community above alluded to, as
the result of a sermon on New Testament
baptism, by the local pastor, and denomi
national tracts scattered in a radius of
twenty miles, members of Pedobaptist
churches have demanded immersion at the
hands of thair pastors, who have publicly
declared Baptists in error, but have not been
able to convince the people of the truth of
their stateinents.
“The pastor of the Baptist church says
that one bundle of denominational tracts is
worth more than a dozen of large volumes,
in placing the truth before the people con
cerning New Testament baptism; for the
people will read the tracts.”
THE SUPPLY STORE.
The business of the Supply Store for March,
1888, is an increase of fifty per cent, over the
business of the store for March, 1887.
We ought to comfort them that are in any
affliction through the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God. Sorrow is
a gift of God as truly as intellect, riches, or
any other gift, and it can be made as useful
as any other, if used aright. A sojourn,
however brief, in the furnace of affliction,
imparts an experience which we may use for
the good of others as truly as any other ex
periences we may have had.—Religious
Herald.
Patient holding on makes the man.
The Missionary Review of the World for
April is not only early in its appearance, but
conies to us freighted” with the richest treas
ures of missionaiy thought and life and
information, gleaned by patient labor from
all parts of the universal mission field, sifted,
arranged and presented with remarable skill
and wisdom, so as to be made available for
family reading, monthly concert, and Chris
tian work in every field and department of
life. The Literature department contains
ten articles on such important topics as
Paul’s Missionary Principles, David Brain-
erd’s Character, The Bible in India, The
Miracles of Missions, Mission Work in Papal
Europe, The Great World Council, Condi
tion of Females in India, and others, by the
editors. Dr. Chamberlain, of India, Dr.
Clark, of Italy, and other writers. The
Correspondence section is full of interest,
and so of the International, conducted by
Dr. Gracey. Dr. Pierson makes the Monthly
Concert part indispensable to pastors and
churches. The Monthly Bulletin and In
telligence departments show the on-goings
of the entire missionary world. The “Sta
tistics” are maiwels. The ‘‘ Notes on recent
Missionary Books ” and “ Editorial Notes on
Current Topics” are numerous, trenchant
and valuable. It is no marvel that this
“new departure in missionary literature” is
producing quite a sensation in religious cir
cles at home and abroad, and that the first
numbers liave had to be reprinted several
times.
We will be glad to order this Revieiv to
any address. We know of no publication
equal to it.
Published by Funk & Wagnalls, 18 and
30 Astor Place, New York. $3.00 per year ;
35 cents for single numbers. In clubs of
ten, $1.60.
BAPTIST STATE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
CONVENTION.
A RELIGIOUS paper in every family ought
to be the rule in every church. What better
can you do than The Gospel Herald ?
The Sunday-school Board made the fol
lowing recommendation to the last session
of the Baptist State Convention (See min
utes, page 14):* “ We ask the Convention to
come to our aid by recommending that the
Sunday-school workers in the State have a
great Sunday-school Convention on the first
Sunday in July next, at some central point
in the State, and that the Corresponding
Secretary of the Baptist State Convention,
use his best efforts to secure a large attend
ance at said Convention.”
_ The Convention adopted this recommenda
tion. The 1st Baptist Church of Wilmington,
and its Sunday-school, ask that said Con
vention be held with them.
At the last meeting of the Board of Mis
sions and Sunday-schools, a committee was
appointed on time and place of holding this
great gathering of the Baptist Sunday-
school workers of our State. Brother W.
N. Jones, Raleigh, N. C., was made chair
man of that committee. If you have an
opinion on this subject, and wish to help the
Board by making it known, write to Bro.
J ones and tell him what you think about it.
Please do so at once. Now is the time to
help with this arrangement.
WATCH-CARE.
The church meeting should consider these
questions: How can we buildup our members?
How can we lift up the community ? When
this spirit comes into a church, there will be
no time for contention. Every member of
the church should have this idea of the
church—its helpfulness. Every member
should feel, “It is part of my business to
help the man needing my help”.”
The church will do better work outside of
itself, if it does better work inside. If it
build up itself in righteousness, it will be
fitted for building up the community. Build
ing up the membership multiplies its power.
We need in every church, not espionage, but
watch-care ; not fault-finding, but counsel.
In every Chinese Baptist church a new-
year question is put to each member : Have
you paid your debts? That is a practical
oversight in the matter of honesty and well
doing. Two duties the church has—filling
the church full of men, and filling the men
full of Christ.—O. P. Eaches, D. D.
5,000 COPIES.
We publish this month 5,000 copies. We
hope our circulation will be run up to 10,000
before the Convention in November next.
This can be done. Let all help, and help
now, and it will be done. Secure and for
ward large clubs. What church or Union
Meeting will send us the largest club? Now
is the time to make these clubs. The Spring
is on us, and the people will wish to know
about the mission, educational, Sunday-
school and colportage work.
“THE LITTLE FOLKS PAPER.”
The only child’s paper in the United States
printed in colors. It is for little children—
nothing equal to it for the infant-class. We
will mail free to any infant-class teacher,
sending us his or her name and address and
the number of scholars in their class, enough
papers to supply the class for one Sunday.
Single paper to any address, for one year,
60 cents ; five or more copies to one address,
85 cents each per year. Send trial order for
three months at yearly rates.
Address,
C. Durham,
Raleigh, N. C.
The Dying Hour.—Said one man, as his
spirit was about to leave the body : “I would
gladly give $100,000 to have it proved to my
satisfaction that there is no such place as
hell.”
SCRAPS PICKED UP.
The overflow of the Yellow River in the
province of Honan, China, has resulted in
great loss of life and property. The over
flowed region is said to be now a lake from
ten to thirty feet deep.-—Many people did
not believe the China Inland Mission would
new workers asked for in
1887. But prayer was diligently made to
God. and on October 36th announcement
was made that all but six of the hundred
were under appointment. More prayer and
consecration on the part of Southern Bap
tists would multiply our workers. A few
years ago the mention of the Fiji Islands
lirouglit up a vision of naked savages, eat
ing each other, and strangers falling into
their hands. Now the Wesleyan stations
1 church members gathered into
900 churches, while 43,000 children are gatli-
ered into 1,500 schools. Prayer ascends
night and morning from Christian homes,
and the Sabbath is strictly observed. The
newspapers of India are noting the fact of a
great falling off in the crowds that once at
tended the Hindoo festivals of that land,
s car is often drawn now by
hired coolies. Soon his shrines will be de
bited. From Kischeneff, Russia, comes
the. report of 50,000 Jews having become
Christians. Delitzch’s Hebrew New Testa
ment is accomplishing great things among
this.people. Y oung Men’s Christian Asso
ciations at Jerusalem, Damascus, Jaffa, (old
Joppah) and Nazarethl——“The very lan
guage of China is leprous—40,000 words
for vices and passions; none for spiritual
graces.” An early missionary in India,
in a moment of discouragement said : “If
I ever see one of these natives converted to
Jesus Christ, I shall see something more
nearly approaching the resurrection of a
d.6acl body tliaii anything' I havo over seen.”
Hundreds of thousands of those dead ones
have been made alive since then. Kind
Words for February 19th was full of good
words for our Board and its work. Resi
dent foreigners in India give over tiiree hun
dred thousand dollars annuallv to missions.
Strange, if missions are a fa'ilure. The
intrigues of the Ultramontanists'in Italy
have stirred up the Liberals to greater ac
tivity. May this not lead to a more sweep
ing reformation in that land ? Four hun
dred and fifty conversions are reported in
the Church of Scotland mission in the Pun
jab, India, since October, 1887. Five hun
dred Christians in Peking, China. Did Paul
meet so many in the capital of the Roman
Empire?- Of the $73,101.49, received by
the Missionary Union in donations since
April, 1887, $3,085.45 came from the mission
fields in Japan, China, Assam, Burma and
IiidiU’ and $1,581.80 from the European
fields, where this body assists native pastors
md churches. The American United
Presbyterian Church in its seventy-nine sta
tions in Egypt has 53 schools entirely sup
ported by natives. £6,785 were given last
year by native churches for church and
school purposes. A good showing. The
First Presbyterian church of Wilmington,
N. C., pledges $1,000 to support a missionary
in China. Now let some Bajitist churches
follow this good example. It is estimated
that of every three millions of Chinese, two
millions live on not more than one dollar
and a half a month apiece. 13,441,600
Chinese go to Christless graves every year.
And Christ’s people give barest pittances to
send them the gospel. In one district of
Asiatic Turkey, it is estimated that 16,000
people are begging bread, so grievous is the
famine there.—Foreign Mission Journal.
FOUR STEPS TO JESUS.
Florence felt that she must be a Christian.
Her heart was heavy with the knowledge
that it was sinful. For many days she had
been carrying this burden alone. She did
not think she could speak to anybody about
it. She had been away in her bed room
alone, and prayed many times, still all was
hard and heavy in her little heart. “ Oh, if
I knew how to believe,” she would say to
ll6rS6lf. Ami Mr Morloffci oovro i4- I'n
And Mr. Marlette says it is easy.
If I could only ask him !” Mr. Marlette was
her dear, silver-haired pastor. At leiigtli a
thouglit sti-uck her : “ If I cannot talk with
him, I can write him a little note.”
When Mr. Marlette found an envelope
directed to him, which some one had quietly
laid on the large Bible in his study, he was
surprised to find a note from his little friend
Florence. When he read it he was very
glad too. “ The dear child ! what can I say
to her!” he tliought. Then he closed the
door, and asked, as if-it were a little child
going to a father, to be guided in answering
that note. And I think he was. He began
it with Florence’s own question, and this is
what he wrote :
“How' shall I come to Jesus?” “The de
sire to come now is the first step.
“Feeling my sinfulness and danger, and
need of his help, is the second step.
“Feeling that he is both able and willing
to help and save me is the third.
“ And then asking him to do for me what
I cannot probably do for myself is the fourth.
“Four steps to Jesus. That’s all. Per
haps I should say there is but one, and that
very short. Out of the heart gushes the
prayer, ‘ God be merciful to me a sinner ;’
and on the wings of the prayer the soul flies
to the Saviour, in a moment, saying :
“ ‘ Here, Lord, I give myself away ;
’Tis all that I can do.’
“ This seems to be short, simple, and the
only way to the Saviour. May my dear
Florence find it so !”
Florence read the note carefully.
“ I think it is the third step I need,” she
said. “ I have the first step, and second and
fourth, and will believe he is able, yes, and
willing to" save me.” So taking the third
step, and then trying the fourth, it was not
long before Florence felt in her heart she
had found the answer to her own earnest
question, “How shall I come to Jesus?”
And she said, with a glowing face, to her
pastor :
“ It is an easy way.”—Children’s Friend.
The pastor is the chosen leader of your
church. Stand by him ; sustain him in all
possible ways ; speak well of him ; pray for
him. A good people make a good pastor.