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toward the heathen. The corn of wheat fell into the ground, and died, and brought forth much fruit.—W . R. H utton . III. D ay - by -D ay S urrender to C hrist No Christian can be fruit-bearing unless he sacrifices himself. We shall not quicken our fellows unless we “ die” either literally or by the not less real martyrdom of rigid crucifixon and suppression of self. But that necessity is not only for apostles or mission aries of great causes; it is the condition of all true noble life, and prescribes the path not only for those who would live for others, but for all who would truly live their own lives. The world’s war cries today are two: “ Get!” “ Enjoy!” Christ’s command is “Re nounce!” And in renouncing we shall real ize both of these other aims, which they who pursue them alone never attain. — A lexander M aclaren . It is one thing to read a book which glows with romance and adventure, and in the reading to be able to enter imaginatively into the vivid scenes of which the author writes. It is a vastly different thing to read an acfcount which leads the reader actually into glorious new experiences, into a satis fying love-life unattainable apart from the revelation in the book. The Word of God accomplishes both these purposes, and through reading no other volume in all the world can this double achievement be wrought. The Word of God abounds in human in terest, for it contains stories of the highest heroism, such as that of Esther, Caleb, Joshua, Joseph, Daniel and his three friends; tales of the tenderest love, as the love of Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Ruth and Boaz; and records of the most touching sacrifice, like that of Jona than, David, Mary of Bethany, and the Apostle Paul. The Bible also presents the deepest philosophy, the highest ethics, and the most compelling oratory. The distinguishing characteristic of the Bible, however, is its peculiar power to transform a human life into something far surpassing its natural possibilities. Through out the centuries, intellectual and spiritual giants have been produced by the effect which this miraculous Book has wrought in changing their purpose and character. ,A notable example of combined human interest and divine power is seen in the story of Philip and the eunuch. The setting is colorful and dramatic. Philip, an out standing and Spirit-filled apostle who had been holding a very successful revival cam paign in the city of Samaria, was asked by the Lord to abandon this work and to “go . . . unto Gaza, which is desert." Philip, obeying, found himself traveling along a hot, glaring, sandy road, when in the dis tance he saw a richly ornamented chariot which was pointed toward the south. JUNE 13, 1937 FINDING ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE IN GOOD READING A cts 8:26-35 Meditation on the Lesson
NO TE S on Christian Endeavor
By M ARY G. G OODN ER
their soul’s welfare. Those who are obliv ious, by the grace of God, to their own per sonal desires, and who are willing contin ually to die to self for Christ’s sake, are as sured of finding their lives, in a richer, fuller way, both now and in the world to come. Where is our affection? Does the Lord Jesus Christ mean so much to us that we would be willing to die, if need be, for His sake? The seal of the American Baptist Mis sionary Union is most significant. There is an altar; there is a plow; there is an ox. And underneath, this legend is written: “Ready for Either.” Ready for the plow, to drag the long and weary furrow; ready for the altar if Thou wauldst lay me there in sacrifice; and, either way, given over for Thy use, O Christ! And what is given thus, He deigns to use.—G. B. F. H allock . II. H enry M artyn ’ s F ruit Though it was with all the devotion of a saint that Henry Martyn labored to carry the story of the cross to the hearts of the heathen, perseveringly and without com plaint, he saw but little result. His death did what his life could not do. The news of his death sent a thrill o f interest and love through many English hearts, which resulted in a deeper sense of responsibility Helps for the Leader I. “ R eady for E ither ” WORLD-WIDE DAY OF PRAYER Sunday, May 16, 1937 (Pentecost) Through the Great Commission Prayer League, Chicago, III., a call has been issued for a day of prayer especially on behalf of ministers and missionaries. The day chosen for this intercession is Sunday, May 16, 1937. When one considers that during the year which has just closed, ap proximately 60,000,000 human beings have "perished," the urgency for prayer support for all evangelical ministers and missionaries—indeed for every soul-winner—is apparent. The need for a world-wide revival is supreme. Ministers and mission aries recognize this fact more keenly than do many others; they are on the world's spiritual battle fronts. The strengthening of their hands, and the quickening of their souls, will mean world-wide blessing to the church of Jesus Christ, and the salvation of. the lost. "BRETHREN, PRAY . . " ( IThess. 5:25).
JUNE 6, 1937 WHAT DID JESUS MEAN BY “ SAYING YOUR LIFE BY LOSING IT” ? M atthew 16:24-28; J ohn 12:24-26 Meditation on the Lesson What is a paradox? Since the text of our meditation is a statement of the Lord Jesus Christ that is often referred to as the great est of all paradoxes, it would be helpful to know the meaning of that term. Here are two definitions: “A tenet or proposition con trary to received opinion” ; or, “ an asser tion seemingly contradictory, or opposed to common sense, but that yet may be true in fact.” When Jesus uttered the astonishing words, “ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt. 16:25), what did He mean ? Was He making a statement “ op posed to common sense,” or can we see the truth in that puzzling announcement? By reading the verse following, we find that He defines, or qualifies “life,” placing upon it two different values. He says: “ For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?” One life is related to things of this world, and is temporal; the other is removed from things of sense and time, and is eternal. This discussion was occasioned by the characteristic impetuosity of Peter, who, when Jesus declared to His disciples His purpose of bearing the suffering of the cross, said that, such a misfortune should not be fall Him. Jesus showed Peter that this was the very purpose of His coming into the world, for He came “to give his life a ransom for many.” He was to die, that sinful men might live. In laying down His life for us, He supremely sacrificed His own life, but He also left an example for His followers. We may not follow Him in His atoning death, but we can die to ourselves for His sake. Truly, “the servant is not greater than his lord." The incident related in John 12 contains the heart, the life-principle of the gospel. It is Christ’s own message to certain Greeks who had expressed a desire to see Him. Probably they had come because they had heard of Jesus’ mighty works and gracious words. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem had just been accomplished, and the Phari sees had lamented: “ Behold, the world is gone after him.” But in the midst of the people’s acclaim, the Lord Jesus said: “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:23, 24): Those who are bent upon acquiring as mudh for themselves as possible are neglecting
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