July 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
451
families of priests together, all the families of the tribe of Levi, whom God had chosen to minister in his sanctuary. They prepared the long garments of snowy white linen and the tall cup shaped caps of white linen which they wore in the house of God, and which they would wear on this festive occasion. King David also selected men who were fine singers and muscians to instruct a great choir of men and women and teach them to sing a beautiful Psalm which he composed, and to play many instruments for there was to be an orchestra of harps, viols, cornets, flutes,; cymbals of brass and timbrels and tabrets (which were something like the tambourines we see today). When everything was ready King David and his people went to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. They formed a great procession, King David leading, dressed in a pure white linen robe like the priests. Then perhaps came the hun dreds of singers and the orchestra playing joyously, and there were lines and lines of white robed and white capped priests and Levites, over 800 of them. Four of the Levites bore the beautiful golden Ark of God, with the solid ,igold cherubims, like golden angels kneeling on the cover of the Ark which was called the Mercy-Seat. The Ark, of course was completely covered with a beautiful blue cloth as God had instructed Moses, so that the people should not gaze upon it curiously, for it was most" holy.; As they came to Mt. Zion where David had prepared the tent of curtains, they all sang and played with great rejoic ing, King David joining in and singing with all his might. If we had been there we could have heard the sweet soprano voices of the women' singing, “ Lift up your heads O ye gates, even lift them up ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.” Then the deep voices of the men would sing, “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory!” For we believe that King David composed the 24th Psalm to be sung at the bringing up of the Ark to Jerusalem. After the holy Ark had been put in its resting place, King David offered burnt sacrifices and offerings of peace and love as the people had offered them in the days of Moses. After this worship, he gave everyone a gift of food and then sang to them a new Psalm of Thanksgiving which he had composed for that occasion. After King David’s song the people were dismissed and they went to their homes happy after such a festive day. King David returned to his castle and his heart was filled with joy and gladness because he knew that although he was King over the people of Israel, God, Himself, was the King of Glory who would rule in Jerusalem over all the wide world. Perhaps as he again looked at the mountains from his castle window, he may have murmured with a deep mean ing, “ As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people.” And instead of listening to the swallow’s sad song, he may have listened to the merry, noisy little sparrows which perched along the roof of the castle, gaily chirping their thanks to God for His goodness and love. That was a happy day when King David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, but oh, what a happy day it will be for you and for me when the King of Glory, the Lord Jesus comes again. When is He coming? We do not know, per haps today or tomorrow, or perhaps longer—but let us be ready to meet Him. Let us accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. Shall we again repeat softly together His promise -t-“ If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, that where I am, there ye may be also.”
OUR BIBLE INSTITUTE IN HUNAN PROVINCE, CHINA (Continued from page 420) thanksgiving to God for guiding His servants to think of this effective method of soul-winning? We are grateful to have these young workers in our district; would that every district in China had such bands of evangelists at work in all weathers to SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST! “ These bands are now out again hard at work, will you please pray for them, as each unit needs to be kept in daily contact with the Fountain Head if the Living Water is to be kepi flowing out and thirsty souls replenished. Pray that they may be kept as ‘watered gardens’ as they draw out their souls to the needy. Opium Addict Converted “ Last week in Wantsai district two groups of Christians had a week of special evangelistic effort to reach the people in two market towns. Reports of these meetings have not yet come to hand, but the other evening at dusk Mr. Wen, leader of one of the groups, brought in a young man of the student class who, while studying in the government school had fallen a prey to the opium curse. He could not finish his course and has since been a great grief to his parents. The fishers had found him when out fishing and brought him in here, a distance of forty English miles, to Dr. Hsiao who is now prescribing for him. We are all praying that the decision he made to take Christ for his Saviour may not only mean his salvation, but that ‘Many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord.’ Psa. 40:3. His new name is Mr. Thank-Grace. Pray for him and for these young workers who mean business. Mr. Wen who brought him in was in the Biola Evangelistic Band No. 6 for several years and is now (through Dr. Keller’s kindly allowing him to stay with us) helping us to care for a number of the 38 churches in our district, over twenty of which have been opened during the past five or six years as a result of the faithful preaching of the glorious Gospel by our beloved Biola and local bands. We do praise God for such earnest young men, do pray that they may be kept “ Steadfast, un movable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Some of the thorns “ I do not want to give the impression that there are no difficulties or trials to encounter in our work. I will not go into details but here are one or two of the most recent heartaches. (1) Mr. Shang, one of the fine young men of Biola Band No. 6, has gone out of his mind. (2 ) Our city helper while passing along the street was unmercifully beaten by soldiers who had evidently caught hold of the wrong man. (3) Mr. Chu, one of our oldest voluntary work ers, the Potter who for many years had a church in his home and had given liberally to the work throughout the district, fell from an upstairs room above the chapel, was severely injured and passed away on the following day, his last words were those of the prayer of the dying Stephen:__ ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ “ Are not some of these items “ S. O, S.” CALLS to keep THE WIRELESS busy on our behalf? “ YE ALSO HELPING TOGETHER IN PRAYER." 1 Cor. 1 : 11 . Yours in Christ’s service, Robert W. Porteous.” Letters similar to this one from Mr. Porteous are coming to us from the other fields where the Biola Evangelistic Bands are at work. God unfailingly honors His Word, and many are being saved. I feel sure that you will rejoice with us that you have a share in such a work as this. Your fellow' servant, Changsha, Hunan, China. FRANK A. KELLER.
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