Auaust 1927
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difficulty of constructing it increases, not in arithmetical, but in geometrical progression. For he contrives to write his paragraphs so as to develop constantly fixed numeric relations to what has gone before and what follows.' It happens, however, to be an additional fact that Luke’s Gospel contains exactly the same phenomena as those of Matthew and Mark; and so does John, and so does James, and Peter and Jude and Paul. “The phenomena are there, and there is no human way of explaining them,” declares Mr. Panin. This means literal verbal inspiration of every jot and tittle of the New Testament. There remains only to be added that by pre cisely the same kind of evidence the Hebrew Old Testa ment is proved to be equally inspired. The writer has proved to his entire satisfaction the first thirteen steps in the above “numerical” test. As one proceeds, the process becomes more and more involved and more, difficult to follow, but we doubt not the facts are all as stated. R ationalists C annot D isprove It may be of interest to know that nine noted ration alists were invited to disprove the above unique facts. Among those chosen were three university presidents, two theological professors of the liberal school, three so-called ' divines representing, three different denominations, and. the editor of a secular magazine. These men all retired abashed and bewildered, owning the phenomena were present and acknowledging their inability to refute such strange facts. The Word is unique. It needs no defense. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall p ro sp e rand every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn” (Isa. 54 :17 ). Professor Goldwin Smith, the noted Canadian historian, tells us how the Reforma tion was an upheaval which shook down the whole fabric of medieval religion. “But,” he adds, “it left the Bible un shaken, and men might feel that adamant was still under their feet.” The prophet says: “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have re jected the word of the LORD ; and what wisdom is in them?” (Jer. 8 :9 ). , Will the Higher Critics explain why it is that the Bible is the only book in the world universally attacked ? Other books have escaped this destructive criticism, yet the books have utterly perished. The Bible has not. It is still with us. The solution of the inexplicable fact lies in the “an tagonist will” that would eliminate God in order to leave a place for human glory. This holy Book does not lend itself to the vanity and pride of man, nor to the carnality of the human heart. The persistence of the Book should be fact sufficient to cover such critics, with' chagrin and shame, and drive them into perpetual hiding. They are angry waves, but God has set the bounds and their foam ing shame can but return upon their own heads. Will these men also tell us how and why it was that the sailors and soldiers during the Great War were supplied with copies of the New Testament and other portions of Scrip ture in nineteen different languages? Why not Shakes peare ? In these days when men are drifting out of the old Roadstead, we need strong witnesses to bring them back to the old anchorage, the infallible Word of God, the only sure mooring for the soul. Do you trust this sacred Word? Do you believe that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1 :2 1 ); that they wrote not out of the depths of their own prescience or knowledge, but out of the depths of God as unfolded to them by the Holy Ghost?
Where Are the Patient Christians? F red M. W aehlte X - J OW patient God is ! He is called the God of patience. Peter said Christ is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish. This is why He bears with sinners; why He has not returned yet. James says He has long patience for the precious fruit of the earth. Peter tells us “the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah,” and John the Revelator shows how Christ patiently knocks and waits at the heart doors of men. Were it not then for the loving patience of God, the judgment would have been here long ago. Now, we are to follow in the way of patience, for we are in “the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1 :9) now in His absence: “Now the God of all patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.” Rom. 15:5. Oh, how patient we ought to be. How we need i t ! 1. Patience goes with faith. After telling of the Old Testament faith worthies in Hebrews eleven, the writer continues, “Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which: doth.so easily beset us,, and let us run with PAT IENCE the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus,” He was patient. "Have patience with me,” goes His parable, and He was patient with all such ones. So let us follow that cloud of witnesses and Christ in faith and patience. “Followers of them who through faith and PAT IENCE inherit the promises.” Heb. 6:12. “The trying of your faith worketh PA T IENCE .” Jas. 1 :2. “We ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your PAT IENCE and faith in all your persecu tions and tribulations that ye endure.” 2 Thess. 1 :4. 2. Patience goes with hope. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through PAT IENCE and comfort of the scrioture might have hope.” Rom. 1 5 :4. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and PA T IEN C E of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 1 :3. It is hard to think of a Christian having a great hope and being impatient with Him and His dealings with us, for hope is confidence, and confidence is not in a hurry. 3. Patience goes with love. “Love suffereth long.” 4. Patience goes with good works. “Add to temperance PA T IENCE .” “But that on good ground are they, which in honest and good hearts, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with PA T IENCE .” Luke 8:15. “Be PA T IEN T to all men.” 1 Thess. 5 :14. “The PA T IEN T in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Eccl. 7 :8. “Being fruitful in every good work, . . . unto all PAT IENCE and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Col. 1 :10. “For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Heb. 10:36. “‘The fruit of the Spirit is . longsuffering.” “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience.” 2 Cor. 6 :4. “E x hort with all longsuffering.” 2 Tim. 4:2. 5. Patience for the coming of the Lord. “Into the patient waiting for Christ.” 2 Thess. 3 :5. “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psa. 30:7. “I waited patiently for the Lord.” Psa. 40:1. Do we?
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