July 1929
323
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
Christian young people placed in such circumstances need to be shown that the evangelical Christian faith can stand the test of the strongest arguments that can be brought against it. Many of the “problems” raised by unbelievers cease to be problems at all when one understands the matter and is shown the utter incon sistency of their positions. It is true that many of the problems of the Christian faith can never be solved to the satisfac tion of the human reason. For example, the intellectual difficulties presented by the doctrine of the triune God remain un solved. However, even in this case the Christian student can be shown why it is more reasonable to accept this doctrine by faith than to reject it because of the intellectual difficulties. Two years’ work in a Bible school will not be sufficient for a thorough consid eration of all the objections which will be raised against Christianity. The student, however, will have enough of an intro duction to these problems to be able to go to the writings of outstanding evangel ical scholars who have been defending the conservative position against the very attacks now being made. The knowledge of where to go for help in the findings of Christian scholarship will be invaluable when one is surrounded by the critical teachings prevalent in most colleges. As never before, Christian students in America need to be able to obey the command of Scripture to be “ ready al ways to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). This command is not to be taken as an indication that a saving knowledge of God can come through the human reason, for the new birth comes only through the action of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, the Scrip tural command still stands, as far as the believer is concerned. The realization that his faith can be justified, not only gives great comfort to the Christian, but also enables him to have an assurance in his testimony before the world. The result is that non-Christians, watching him, are forced to recognize the fact that there is something real in a religion which can give such convictions in the face of op position. The ability to give a strong testimony in the face of destructive criticism will give the Christian wonderful opportuni ties among his fellow students. There will be in the school many other students who are eager for help in the midst of the perplexities and doubts which are arising in their minds. For the sake of others, as well as for his own Christian faith, the Christian young person needs the work and atmosphere of a Bible Institute.
From the examples given it is quite clear that it is only through a life of prayer, of communion with God, that we can bear this testimony; only as we keep in close fellowship with Him who is the Lord of Glory. It was in the midst of opposition and persecution that the glo rious testimony of Stephen was borne. All down through the ages God has not been without witnesses to this same grace and glory. We do not always have opportunity to witness by word of mouth, but our faces may be open books revealing the love of God in our hearts. The expression we carry on our faces in everyday contact with our fellow men is wielding an influ ence for good or bad. Let us follow, then, the example of our Lord in His life of prayer that we too may have the light of the knowledge of the glory of God shin ing in our faces.— E. N. A M issionary B ishop’s Call Many years ago a young English artist stood before his canvas, painting the pic ture of “a lost woman.” As the picture grew, the artist’s soul became more and more absorbed in the tragedy he was at tempting to portray. It represented a stormy winter’s night, and the poor woman, thinly clad, and her babe pressed to her bosom, wending her way along the dark, deserted streets. Only faint lights flicker here and there, and all doors are closed and barred. As he developed the distress and an guish on the poor woman’s face he could no longer control his feelings, but threw his brush to the floor and exclaimed, “Why not go out and seek to save the really lost?” Acting on the impulse, he left his studio, and determining to prepare him self for the ministry, repaired to Oxford, and by the aid of his pencil and brush and other toil, paid his expenses through. Then, for two years, he held an appoint ment in some North of England vicarage. But, wishing to come into closer touch with the lost, he repaired to London to work in the slums. Fox’s interest in him led him into the Church Missionary House where he la bored for five years more. At last one day with deep feeling he told the venerable secretary that he could no longer satisfy his conscience with such work in a land of so much light, and that it was his burning desire to go to the darkest lands and seek the most helpless of the lost. At his own request-he was sent as a missionary to East Africa, and in course of time was called to succeed the martyr Hannington as the Bishop of Uganda.— Selected.
Sacrifice B y M rs . H. P. D unlop Come, Freedom, pay your toll; The price is human blood, Deep crimson streams to roll Into a raging flood. The noblest who’ve drawn breath A t shrine of Liberty, Have paid the price of death To set the bondmen free. Come, Freedom, pay your toll; The price is blood divine; A crimson stream to roll Away your sin and mine. The only Son of God, Upon the rough-hewn tree, Has died; hence Jesse’s Rod Has set the sinner free.
It must be remembered that no amount of Bible study will be of any real value unless the individual surrenders daily to the revealed will of God. A Bible Insti tute course in itself is no guarantee of success in the Christian life. However, for the young person who sincerely seeks to know the truth and to do the will of God, the very best fortification against doubt and erroneous teaching is an earn est, prayerful study of the Word of God. The S h in ing C ountenance “The Light o f the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). The face is the emotional indicator of the personality. Moses, after speaking with God face to face in Mt. Sinai, came down to the peo ple with his face shining with the glory of God. So glorious was the sight that it brought fear into the hearts of the people and necessitated the veiling of his face. Jacob wrestled all night in prayer and received the blessing, having seen God face to face. The council which sat in Jerusalem saw in the face of Stephen as it were the face of an angel, so radiant was his countenance. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is revealed to us in the face of Jesus Christ, and may be made to reflect in us through the light of God shining in our hearts and thus radiating the face. This is indeed a treasure manifesting God’s power in us. It is our testimony to God’s saving grace and keeping power. It must be carefully noted that the light from God must first shine in our hearts before it can be radiated from our faces. Deity manifesting itself in earthen ves sels.
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