THE KING’S BUSINESS
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who brought it. Paul describes God in a very tender and significant way, “He that comforteth the lowly, even God” , (cf. ch. 1:3, 4). It was the presence of Titus that comforted Paul, and not only his presence, but the good report he brought from the Corinthians of their longing to see Paul, their mourning over their remissness in not having judged the gross-sin among them (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1, 2), and their zeal in Paul’s behalf (in now carrying out what he commanded, cf v. 11, and ch. 2:6-11). Wednesday, February 27. 2 Cor. 7:8-10.. Paul’s first feeling over the letter of rebuke that he had been obliged to write to the saints in Corinth, was one of regret as he thought of the pain it would cause them, but he regretted it no longer. Now he rejoiced instead of regretting. He rejoiced not because they were made to sorrow, but because of the character of that sorrow and its effect. Their sorrow was “after a godly sort” (more literally, “according to God”), not a worldly sorrow. The proof that their sorrow over sin was “according to God” was that it worked repentance. That is the one proof that a sorrow is according to God, that it works repentance, i. e., a change of mind about sin, a turning from sin to God. There is much sorrow about sin that does not lead to repentance, it is only wounded pride, or sorrow at the penalties that sin brings. This is “the sorrow of the world,” and it “worketh death,” not salvation and life. The “sorrow according to God” that works repentance ultimates in “salvation.” Such repentance “bringeth no regret” (R. V.) Thursday, February 28. 2 Cor. 7:11. This sorrow according to God” among the saints in Corinth wrought a number of things: (1) It wrought “earnest care” (R. V.) (rather, diligence) as opposed to their former negligence (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1, 2). (2) It wrought a “clearing” of themselves, they sent word through Titus of how they
heartily disapproved1of the man’s action, and thus cleared themselves. (3) It wrought “indignation” at the vileness which they had in a measure tolerated. (4) It wrought “fear” of God’s displeasure and Paul’s disapproval (cf. 1 Cor. 4:19-21). (5) It wrought “longing” (the Authorized Version says “Vehement desire”) for the return of Paul. (6) It wrought “zeal” for God’s honor,' and the purity of the church. (7) It Wrought “avenging” (this is a better translation in this connection than “revenge” as found in the Authorized Version) of the wrong done. In every respect they had proved themselves to be 'pure in the matter and proved Paill’s worst fears to be groundless. ------------ ©----------- A Japanese Christian leader says : “There are between sixty and seventy million peo-' pie in Japan, .only a small percentage of whom have as yet accepted Christ. There are a dozen .reasons why it is imperative^ that Japan should become Christian, really Christian, quickly. For one thing, she is rapidly taking the place of leader of the so-called colored races of the Eastern world. That leadership ought to be a Christian leadership, and it must be if it is to be a blessing and not a curse. Japan needs nothing so much as she needs Christ. She has already adopted much of the mate rial civilization of the West, and must do so increasingly—she cannot avoid it. But unless with it she also becomes predomi nantly Christian, that civilization may become more of a curse than a blessing both for herself, the Far East, and the worlcj at large. The central fact at the moment is that Japan is advancing along the lines of the material civilization of the West, infinitely more rapidly than she is adopting its best spiritual standards. In the one her progress has been more remark able than any hitherto recorded in history. In thé other, while much has beèn done that gives ground for grateful thanks to God, the rate of progress is proportionately very slow.”
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