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would be there: whereas hell would be interesting because of "sprightly companions." His cheap attempts at humor re vealed nothing but his profound ig norance of Biblical teaching. He did not know that the righteous ness of Christ will illuminate heaven, and there will be no righteous people there. The saved will stand clothed in “ the righteousness of Christ.” All self- righteous souls will be in hell. Mr. Cobb instructed that his body should be cremated, and that the ashes should be used to fertilize a tree. Apparently, he believed that he would survive in no other form. Yet, with curious and fearful con tradiction, he instructed that no person should look upon his face in death. If he really believed that he had no future life except as fertilizer for a tree, if he actually was sincere in his pretended indifference as to whether he went to heaven or hell, why should he be so c o n c e r n e d lest someone should see hjs face in death? How will he feel on the day of res urrection—when he shall stand be-v fore the Great Judge? He might in struct that no one should see the bodily remains of his misspent life (misspent from the spiritual stand point): but, childishly, he did not realize that the Creator does not take instructions from His creatures. "Exit Laughing” was the boastful, ambitious way that Irvin S. Cobb pro posed and even promised to depart from this life. But, like all unbe lievers, he faced death terrified, be wildered, lost. Cobb made a big suc cess as a writer. He once'boasted, “I have done a good job of living.” But he made a pathetic, miserable failure of dying. Happily, no one needs to follow his example. Christ, salvation, and heaven are accessible for all who will come humbly, the blood-sprinkled way.
Daily Devotional Readings
Is that of an eloquent life. The most masterly treatise on “evidences of Christianity” is a sanctified man or woman.—Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. 5. The Light Burns Within “And behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed” (Ex. 3:2). In reality it was not the bush that was burning, but the divine glory in it. Moses was going to be somewhat like the burning* bush. He was to give light, but the light was not his own . . . Moses, like every one else called into the service of God, is asked only to act as the wick in the lamp. The Lord supplies the oil and asks only that we let our light shine at His expense. Thus we burn, but we are not consumed. ( —George Murray. 6. The Surety of Faith • “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for? a conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, R.V.). There is nothing vague or obscure about faith. The pathway of man kind lies between the seen and the unseen worlds. It is full of byways and pitfalls. But the Christ has trod den it, has faced its dangers, and subdued its enemies. The believer sets forth in His footsteps, with a trust that may falter at first, but which be comes strong and steadfast as he learns the reality of the mighty power that is pledged to accompany him and sustain him along the way. —The Alliance Weekly. 7. Lavish Providence “He shall not fail nor be discour aged” (Isa. 42:4). When you examine the wonderful provision which God in His goodness has given and offered to men, you find no scarcity . . . When He reveals His matchless grace to man, He pours forth salvation not with a medicine dropper but like a great river, a mighty ocean.. Yes, when He sets out to do anything for sinning humanity, He does it with a prodigality of love- prompted abundance that fairly stag gers one who reckons things by the coldly calculated standards of earth. Whatever blessing is in our cup it is sure to run over. With Him the calf is always the fatted calf; the robe is always the best robe;-the joy is un speakable; the peace He gives passeth understanding; the grace He fully and freely offers brings its recipient all- sufficiency for all things. Man may
1. His Workmanship “For we are his workmanship” (Eph. 2:10). If God can make of an ugly seed, With a bit of earth and air And dew and rain, sunshine and shade, A flower so wondrous fair; What can He make of a soul like you, With the Bible and faith and prayer And the Holy Spirit, if you do His will And trust His love and care? 1 —Cumberland Presbyterian. Prepared for Larger Service "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Lk. 16:10). The disciples were called by the Lord Jesus while they were faithfully engaged in their daily task. Repeat edly in the Bible do we find empha sized the importance and dignity of honest labor. God has often called to high service men who were found faithful in the performance of some menial and humble work. God calls us to the larger service when we are prepared for it, and the best way to prepare is to have our minds fixed on the Lord while we a r i faithfully and conscientiously performing our as signed tasks.—Milo F. Jamison. Fruitful In Work “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10). It does not say we are to be suc cessful in every good work. We may have success as well as fruit, but many a worker is successful and,not fruitful. Success is determined by either genius or circumstances, or both; but fruit, more fruit, and much fruit is the outcome only of a life in union with Christ. This explains why some workers are very successful, but not fruitful. They may draw large crowds and win many souls, but their lives are anything but consistent. If we are really *united to Christ and abiding in Him, our lives as well as our labors will be fruitful. —W. P. Nicholson. 4. A Living Witness “Ye are our epistle . . . known and read of all men” (2 Cor. 3:2). A godly life is a popular commen tary on the Bible. Men will believe the Scriptures when we live them. The world’s greatest evangelizing force is Christian character, and the oitly sermon which never wearies us 2. 3.
Have you read
“Opportunity for Patience”
on Page 163?
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