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There was hardly a dry eye in that little gathering, and as they knelt in prayer, Mrs. Appleby's heart went up to God, saying, "My soul is too precious for me to try to keep any longer, O God; for Jesus Christ's sake take it now, and keep it safe for ever."

The worry and anxiety of keeping the earthly treasure of her dead daughter had helped her to understand the hopelessness of trying to keep that most valuable of all possessions, a never dying soul. Are you one of those who "commit the keeping of their souls to Him as unto a faithful Creator"?

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HERE are several questions in God's Word about stones, and in each question we see them in some different aspect.

The first concerns memorial stones. "What mean ye by these stones?" It refers to the 12 stones taken out of the midst of Jordan and set up as a memorial of God's power and of this truth -through death into life. Twelve stones were also placed in Jordan (Jos. iv. 1-9). Let this question suggest our searching for the other memorial stones of the Bible and their meaning. Such as Mispah" and "Ebenezer." See also Gen. xxviii. and Deut. xxvii., etc. God once taught by a stone parable (Jer. xliii. 8, 9).

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The next question concerns Jesus Christ. "What is this then that is written: The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the corner ?" (Lu. xx. 17; Gen. xlix. 24). He is "the Stone" which forms the foundation of the building and which binds together all the other stones of it (1 Cor. iii. 11; Eph. ii. 20, 21). For an earthly building a stone would be chosen with great care for this important position; and God tells us that Christ is a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation"; and "elect" for His gracious work; "cut out... without hands" (Isa. xxviii. 16; Dan. ii. 45), for He is ordained by God, not by man. Let us each one take heed to the solemn fact that if we reject being laid upon this "sure foundation," it becomes "a stone of stumbling" to us (1 Pet. ii. 8). But "unto you therefore which believe He is precious." He is "a living Stone" "because He gives life to those who are built upon Him." The third question speaks typically of God's people as stones: "Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?" "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house" (Neh. iv. 2; 1 Pet, ii. 5; Eph. ii. 20).

Each

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stone in "this habitation of God" has been quarried out in grace from dark depths through Christ's death: "He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection; the stones of darkness and the shadow of death" (Job xxviii. 3; Isa. li. 1); and each stone goes under the hands of Him who is "skilful to work in stone," and to polish and to fit for its place in the temple, which "must be exceeding magnifical" (1 Kings v. 17; Ps. cxliv. 12). Each is "made perfect (Heb.) before it is brought thither (1 Kings vi. 7; Psa. cxxxviii. 8). Each stone is joined to others, 66 one by one," " ""fitly framed together"; thus it "groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord." Contrast the judgment on Babylon (Jer. li. 26). Stones are plentiful (1 Kings x. 27), and they belong alike to all countries. God's living stones redeemed from the earth are 66 a great multitude" ""of all nations." Stones are not only of use for building, but they have a great power of receiving and holding moisture, and thus fountains are formed and springs are regularly replenished "independently of the varying rainfall." Are we all, as God's stones, fulfilling this beautiful use? (Ps. cxiv. 8).

But stones are also hindrances and hurtful. "Who shall roll us away the stone?" (Mark xvi. 3; v. 5). God can overcome (Mark xvi. 4), and often allows His people to be fellow-helpers with Him in removing whatever hinders life and growth (Jo. xi. 39; Isa. lxii. 10; 2 Kings iii. 25). And He can give victory over their power to hurt (Job v. 23); and He can change the stony heart which is hard, cold, and lifeless into a heart of flesh, possessing life and power to love Him, and obey His commandments, and to witness for Him (Ez. xxxvi. 26, 27; Matt. iii. 9; Lu. xix. 40).

But there is a stone which surely we want to win. It is promised to every victor. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it" (Rev. ii. 17).

DAILY BIBLE THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH ON THE UNION NEW TESTAMENT READINGS.

BY HELEN E. VIBART.

"His Name is called the Word of God."-Rev. xix. 13,
LUKE XI. TO LUKE XXII.

OV. 1.-Luke xi. 42. Part with all that stands between Christ and you (Matt. xix. 21). Fully surrender, "giving first your own selves to the Lord " (2 Cor. viii. 5), and "behold, all things are clean unto you" (1 Tim. iv. 4, 5; Rom. xiv. 6).

DAILY BIBLE THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH.

Nov. 2.-Ch. xi. 52.

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"Them ye hindered." with Satan, the great Soul-Hinderer, can we be? Yet, how know we that a soul, once "hindered," ever enters the Kingdom? Or, if "hindering stop short of this, is not God robbed of His glory, in "hindered" lives? "Press on," if ye would stimulate, and not "hinder" (Phil. iii. 13, 14; Ps. li. 14; Cant. i. 4),

Nov. 3.-Ch. xii. 12. "The Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour" (R. V.), just when the need arises. Let us expect no reserve of grace, but draw, moment by moment, from His fulness. So, "understanding what the will of the Lord is " (Eph v. 17, 18), we shall speak to His glory (Acts vi. 10).

Nov. 4.-Ch. xii. 31. "Seek" first, for it is a "treasure" (1 Kings iii. 9, 12, 28; Rom. xiv. 7). "Now"; for the Lord is nigh (1 Cor. iv. 20; Is. lv. 6, 7). "In Faith"; for it is within you (Luke xvii. 20, 21). Diligently; stirring up others (Cant. vi. 1; Zech. viii. 21,22). Expectantly; "he that seeketh," findeth.

Nov. 5.-Ch. xii. 52. "A point in the history of each soul must be reached," viz., soul-union with a living Christ (Hag. i. 13; Dan. x. 12, 14), before these words can come true. "Henceforth," a surrendered will and life, are at variance with lives not wholly His, and the "sword of the Spirit," comes even into the home (Jer. xii. 9; 2 Tim. iii. 12).

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Nov. 6. Ch. xiii. 7. Shall He be disappointed in us, His "chosen (John xv. 16). "Ordained to bring forth fruit ?" Let us yield to the "life abundant" that is "able to make us bear much fruit" (Mark iv. 8.), remembering the Father's glory is enwrapped in our fruitfulness (John xv. 8; Phil. i. 11).

Nov. 7.-Ch. xiii. 12, 13. "Thou art loosed," "I have overcome the wicked one, and released his captives." "The Spirit hath anointed me to preach deliverance." Claim, then, freedom from thine "infirmity," and "give glory to God," "judging Him faithful." (Rom, iv. 20, 21, R.V.; Luke xvii. 16, 18; Rom. vi. 14).

Nov. 8.-Ch. xiii. 27. "Doing the will of God." Do we desire holiness at all costs? Let Him "dwell" in us, showing us day by day "all things that offend" (Matt. xiii. 41), and "working in us, both to will, and to do," etc. (Rom. viii. 3, 4; 1 Pet. i. 13-16).

Nov. 9.-Ch. xiv. 14. Love's positive side here (the negative in Rom. xiii. 10); its very essence, self-sacrifice, for love is of God, "who spared not" (John iii. 16; Rom. viii. 32; 1 John iv. 9, 10); and according to our measure of the gift of Christ" will our love be, abundant, unselfish, practical (1 John iii. 16-18; 2 Cor. viii. 5-7, Acts xx. 35).

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Nov. 10. Ch. xiv. 23. Is not the Lord of the supper, saying now to "the Holy Ghost" (John xvi. 7-11) "compel them to come in"? Shall we object to the way in which He works, or refuse to carry His invitations, how, and where He pleases? Shall we not rather say with Isaiah (ch. vi. 8) and with Paul (1 Cor. ix. 19-22; Phil. i. 18)?

Nov. 11.-Ch. xiv. 26, 27. "Sharper than any two-edged sword

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is this Word of His mouth. Do we shrink? The words are uncompromising : "Cannot be My disciple," cannot learn of Me, save in absolute, unconditional following (Luke ix. 59-62), bearing the Cross (Heb. xiii. 13; xi. 26).

Nov. 12.-Ch. xv. 5, 6.

"Rejoicing," "I have found." Do we "go after the lost into streets and lanes, highways and hedges, every where, seeking them"? (Acts viii. 26-30; xx. 23, 24; 1 John iii. 16). If not, are we "with Him"? near enough in heart to respond to His words, rejoice with Me!" spoken only "when He cometh home" (verse 6). "I dwell in them."

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Nov. 13. Ch. xv. 18. See the steps: Conviction, "I perish" (verses 17, 18); Obedient Faith, "left" "citizen of that country" to whom "joined" and went (verse 20); "Confession," "said," &c. (verse 21). And the results: "Embraced" (verse 20); "Received" (verse 22) 1 Clothed," ,"" Adorned" (verse 22); "Feasted" (verse 23); "Confessed (verse 24). Is all ours? (1 John i. 9; iii. 1, 2; Is. lvi. 5; Rom. viii. 15; Gal. iv. 6, 7; Is. lxi. 10).

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Nov. 14.-Ch. xvi. 5. How much owest thou? "All that debt!" Our sins (Ps. xxxviii. 4; Ezra ix. 6; Ps. xl. 12; Rom. iii. 12, 18; Ps. xix. 12, 13). His benefits (Ps. ciii.; Lam. iii. 22, 23; Ps. cxvi. 8; Matt. i. 21, 23). Will Eternity suffice for the reckoning? What shall we render? (Ps. cxvi. 12, 13).

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Nov. 15.-Ch. xvi. 27, 28. The cry of the soul united to Christ is always "I seek my brethren" (Gen. xxxvii. 16). His answer, "Go home, and tell.. return, and show." "Go out into the highways." into all the world. "lest to the solemn question, by-and-by, "Where.. is thy brother?" ye answer with tears, "I know not." Remember, no message can be carried across "the great gulf fixed" (verse 26; Acts xx. 20, 21, 26, 31).

Nov. 16.-Ch. xvii. 14, 19. Obedient Faith ("as they went ") obtained the "cleansing," but Praising Faith ("giving Him thanks"), won the "perfect healing" (verse 19), and rejoiced the heart of the Healer (verses 17, 18). Are we making Him glad? (Ps. 1. 23; cxlvii. i.; Ps. xxx. 11, 12).

Nov. 17. Ch. xvii. 33. "Remember Lot's wife." Brought out of Sodom, yet never entering Zoar (Gen. xix. 16, 26). What hindered? She clung to the old self-life ("looked back" Luke ix. 62), and she "lost" Him, "The Life" (John i. 4, 12, 13). "Apart from Him," she became a pillar, "Form without power." How could she walk in newness of life? (Phil. iii. 13, 14).

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Nov. 18.-Ch. xviii. 14. The very footprints of the Master "He humbled Himself . . . unto death." "Brought Me into the dust of death" (Ps. xxii. 15), therefore "exalted." Are we in the dust before Him?-A" worm"? (Job xxv. 6) "Chief of Sinners "? (1 Tim. i. 15); "Dead"? (Eph. ii. 1). Then, fear not, thou worm Jacob! (Is. xli. 14). "He lifteth the needy. . . to set him among princes" (Ps. cxiii. 7, 8). Quickened, raised, seated with Christ (Eph. ii. 4-6).

DAILY BIBLE THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH.

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Nov. 19.-Ch. xviii. 30. "This present time." Which of us claims this? Looking eagerly for our "heritage" of glory; but not grasping fully our "present possession." Not endorsing Job's experience (Job xlii. 10); David's (Ps. xxiii.); Paul's (Rom. vii. 32). Why is this? Perhaps we have overlooked two words, linked indissolubly with the "manifold more": "Left all.”

Nov. 20.-Ch. xviii. 38, 39, 41. Faith's definiteness increased with "nearness" to Jesus. The cry for "mercy" deepened into expressed need. Are we so near that we can say with David (Ps. xxxviii. 9)? Then He will ask, "What wilt thou that I shall do?" And we shall answer, with Paul (Phil. iii. 8, 9, 10), and "joyfully confess" with David (Ps. xxi. 2-6).

Nov. 21.-Ch. xix. 5. "I must abide at thy house." Receive Him joyfully, for His "abiding" is "the fulness of blessing." When He takes possession (Ps. cxxxii. 14), He "looketh round about upon all things" (Mark xi. 11; Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24), and the result is "cleansing" (verse 8; Matt. xxi. 12-14), and "glory."

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Nov. 22.-Ch. xix. 16. "Thy pound." The question of stewardship here. Possibly "the treasure" (2 Cor. iv. 6, 7), "the true riches (the glorious Gospel of Christ: amount the same to all, verse 13) is shadowed forth. Are we faithful to our trust," our "ministry," as Paul? (1 Thess. ii. 4-10; Gal. i. 16, 17, 22-24), remembering the "reward" of grace (Prov. xi. 30; Dan. xii. 3; Is. xlix. 18; 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20; 1 Cor. xv. 41, 58).

Nov. 23.-Ch. xix. 34. "Need of him," and of each one of us. He "loosed" us for this (verses 30, 31; Luke xiii. 12, 13). If we yield to His claim, He will use us to "manifest Himself to others (Matt. xxi. 7-11). Let Him do what He will with His own (2 Sam. xv. 26; Jer. i. 6-10; Is. vi. 8; Ex. iii. 10).

Nov. 24.-Ch. xx. 14. "The Heir" yet "He died for us, that the inheritance might be ours!" Now, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, all things are ours (1 Cor. iii. 22.), and He Himself, the portion of our inheritance (Ps. xvi. 5, 6). Heirs of salvation! take largely, and give forth freely, "the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Nov. 25.-Ch. xx. 36. "Children of the Resurrection," in virtue of union with the First-born from the dead! (Rom. vi. 5, 8, 9). Do all recognise in us, "the power of His resurrection"? Transfigured (John xx. 14; xxi. 4; 2 Cor. iii. 18). Free (Rom. viii. 2). Holy (Rom. vi. 13; 2 Cor. iv. 10, 11). Walking in newness of Life.

Nov. 26. Ch. xxi. 1. Casting their gifts, &c., but withholding their hearts from Him, who yearned for them. Do the pleading words still fall powerless: "Give Me thine heart?" Shall we not answer, "Take my heart it is Thine own. It shall be Thy royal Throne" (Ps. cxxxii. 14).

Nov. 27.-Ch. xxi. 6. "Not left one stone." The glory of the material Temple has passed away, but the Spiritual Temple, whose Foundation Stone was laid on Calvary, groweth day by day, "unto an

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