THE KING’S BUSINESS
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Echoes. What part o f the Bible tells us o f any o f the Apostles getting up social parties, milk-maid’s drills, raffles, fish ponds, ring cakes, or any other grab-bag to replenish the church’s treasury?— Renick. Money changers. The temple tax (Matt. 22:24) might not be paid with heathen coins and the same rule applied to offer ings to the treasury (12:41), hence the money changers. The market was sanc tioned by the hierarchy who had an inter est in the profits and near the time o f the Passover, business would be brisk. To a pilgrim coming to Jerusalem in awe of the unique sanctity o f the temple, the shock o f finding himself in the hubbub and con tentious bargaining o f a bazaar must have been distressing.—Camb. Bible. v. 17. My house. At the outset o f His ministry, He cleansed His “ Father’s house.” Now in the fullness o f His newly asserted royalty, He calls it “My house” .—Expos. Bible. Called house of prayer. W e cannot mir ror God unless our souls are calm.—Sel. Many a man is in the sanctuary who is a thousand miles away from it when his bodily presence is there, because o f busi ness or social distractions.—Sel. There ought to be such an atmosphere in every Christian church, that a man going there and sitting two hours.should take the con tagion of heaven and carry home a fire to kindle the altar whence he came.—Beecher. When I go to the house o f God, I do not want amusement. I want the doctrine which is according to Godliness. I want to know how I may fear God all the days o f my life and close them in peace.—
John Mason. The church is not a palace with gate attendants and challenging senti nels along the entrance way, holding off at arm’s length the stranger, but a hos pital where the broken hearted may be healed and where the weary and troubled may find rest and take counsel with God. A den of thieves. W e learn how much apparent sanctity, what dignity o f wor ship, splendor o f offerings and pomp o f ar chitecture, may go along with corruption and unreality.—Chadwick. Wherever God erects a house o f prayer, the devil always has a chapel there.—De Foe. There is nothing more pitiable than a soulless, sap less church, seeking to thrive in a worldly atmosphere, rooted in barren professions, bearing no fruit and maintaining only the semblance o f existence. Such a church cannot long survive.—Lorimer. Do you recall the laughter o f the Phillistines at the helpless Samson? You can hear the echo o f that laughter today as the church, shorn o f her strength by her. own world liness is an object o f ridicule to the world. —-Kittredge. The church as a hospital for men’s souls is as full o f quackery as hos pitals for the body.—Thoreau. v. 28. What authority? A fter so many centuries the question is fresh today for still Christ is working in His world spread ing blessing far and wide. Yet now,, as/ ever, His credentials are demanded. Jesus’ reply was not a dexterous evasion. He refused to surrender the advantage o f a witness to whom He was entitled. Apply this same process to modern opposition and it will be found that multitudes o f their assaults imply the negation o f what they will not and dare not deny.—Chad wick.
“MY GIRLS”
By Mrs. H. J. Baldwin.
T A J OULD you like to live in the com- * * munity where the mayor or the judges were so tender-hearted that they would free every thief or murderer who came before them. I f these magistrates are
just and are concerned for the welfare o f all, they must punish offenders. Love to be true must be just. Some say that God is love and therefore, will consign no one to hell. True God will not. God has
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