372
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
E D I T O R I A L L Y SPEAKING
Welcome, New Students A GAIN THE first of this month of ■ September Biola opens her doors to a new group -of young men and _young women. This class is going to be vastly different from all others, for It will be truly a selected number. More than 500 applications for en trance this year were received, but only 200 new students could be ac cepted. A large number of those ma triculating are G. I. veterans. We bid you new students a sincere welcome. These are unusual days in which we are now living. Stupen dous events have occurred; strange things may yet come to pass. The day of the Lord’s coming may be near. However, it may be that His return has been delayed in order to enable you to prepare yourself to carry the message of life to the lost. Surely since you have been allowed to come to the Bible Institute while others have been refused, you will put forth every effort into diligent study and real accomplishment for the Lord. Each new class calls for more prayer helpers. Readers of The King's Business are urged to remember these students daily before the Throne of Grace. Bible institutes may provide classrooms and teachers, offer courses of study, but genuine preparation for Christian service can only come by the Holy Spirit of God, in answer to believing prayer. ★ ★ Better Paper ■piOR ABOUT eight years The King's Business has been printed on a highly absorbent paper since this was the only stock which could be em ployed in the high speed rotary type of printing available to us. We have not been satisfied with this, but dur ing the war years, no change could be made. However, with the October is sue, you will find the former smooth white paper resumed. We feel that be cause of its greater readability and legibility and improved appearance, this is definitely a forward step for the magazine. The type will be much clearer and the half-tones sharper. With this change, however, we are forced to announce an increase in the subscription price which is necessary not only through the change in paper, but by ever-mounting costs in mate rials and labor. We sincerely trust that our readers w ill understand, and w ill
continue to favor us with their sub scriptions. The increase will amount to only fifty cents per year which is not much for twelve full issues. ★ ★ “Third” rpHE THEME of a certain young people’s conference was one word, “Third.” It was printed on a little button attached to coat or dress. There was no explanation — just the one word. Of course, we were curious. “Third” what? The answer was, “ I’m third.” We still did not understand. “Third what or who?” Then the theme was explained. It seems that at this particular conference the delegates were urged to put the Lord Jesus Christ first- in their lives; then their second thought was to be for others— not in the sense of a mere charitable interest, but in connection with the relationship of others to God’s Son. Self was to be last—not a bad motto. What happened to those who prom inently displayed this little button? No doubt, they excited some little in terest, and aroused some questions. In the classroom, in the grocery store, on the street, folks would want to know the meaning of “Third.” So op portunity would be opened to explain the ambition that Christ should be first. It would also provide the incen tive for a personal “check-up” on the part of the wearer to ascertain if the Lord Jesus still occupied the throne o f his heart. Not all Christians could wear but tons declaring “Third.” But the idea is sound. How is it in your life? Who is first? Who is second? Who is third? TT WAS AT a young people’s summer Bible conference. It was the time of sunset; surrounded by stately pine trees, a group of young people formed a circle. One after another, they had stood to their feet, telling of the bless ing from the Lord that had been theirs. Then the leader asked the group to bow their heads in prayer. He asked them to forego praying for the church at home, the missionaries on far fields, the needs of friends and relatives, and to concentrate on ask ing for their own spiritual needs. One young lad expressed an unforgettable ★ ★ Pine Tree Christian
prayer: “ Lord, make me a Pine Tree Christian.” To one familiar with the woods, this illustration ic most effective. The pine tree is straight. Seldom is there a crooked one. Right up into the sky they reach, pointing toward their Cre ator. So should the Christian be straight, true, honest, upright, daily pointing out to those who watch him the ability of his God to make his life a benediction. The pine tree is clean. It is physi cally beneficial to live among them. They are redolent of medicine. Many a physician has ordered his patient into the pine country to regain his health. A child of God, too, ought to be clean: in mind, in body, in his influence. The roots of the great pines of the forest reach down until they grasp the mighty rock and there they are anchored. This is necessary in order to withstand the storms that will surely beat upon them.The spirit ual application is clear: Christ is the Rock; and the Christian who would stand true in times of stress and strain must have a sure foundation. Some have not taken hold upon Christ as they should; the “roots” of God’s children should be bound fast in Him. The pine tree is green. Who has ever seen them in other colors, except when they are dead? Green is the color of growth and health; green is the sign of life and service. The Christian ought to be green—not in the slang sense indicative of ignorance, but green in the sense of daily growing in grace. The pine tree Is pointing. All of its branches turn upwards on the ends. Ever it testifies daily to the power and wisdom of its Creator. There is no disobedience; there is no unbelief. So as Christians our lives should ever point Heavenward. As one observes the pine tree, tall and i.oble citizen of the forest, he notes that about the base are growing young pine saplings. The pine tree, in the plan and purpose of God, repro duces itself in young life, for the older tree must die eventually and can only live on in its children. As a Christian, we have the opportunity to produce other believers. Around each of us, other young Christian lives should be growing. I am not sure if the young lad who prayed had all of this in mind, but his words suggest much to our hearts.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker