PERSONALIA. Mr. W. A. Bodell is conducting meetings in Kenton, Ohio. Rev. J. Yincent Rosewarne has recently closed a successful work in Columbus, Neb. Rev. C. C. Luther for the past month has been engaged in evangelistic work in Connecticut. Mr. Merton Smith has had a good work in Nebraska during the past few months, and is now engaged in a mission in Omaha. Rev. E. P. Hammond, of Hartford, Conn., has been engaged in evangelistic services in New York City, where the secular press have given good reports of his services. Mr. L. P. Rowland, during the month of January, conducted a mission in Findlay, O. The Bible readings were well attended and greatly appreciated by the Christians of Findlay. Major J. H. Cole is engaged in a mission in Kansas City, Kansas. The usual interest attendant upon Major Cole's work is in evidence and numerous accessions to the church are reported. Rev. E. A. Whittier. Reports are received of a good work in Athol, Mass, under the leadership of Rev. E. A. Whittier. Large audiences have attended the meetings and great interest has been manifested. Mr. Ferdinand Schiverea has been engaged in evangelistic meetings in Reynoldsville, Pa. His labors among mechanics and employes of manufacturing establishments in Reynoldsville has been specially successful. Rev. E. F. Hallenbeck, of Albany, has been assisting in a special mission with Rev. E. W. Thompson in the Broadway Reformed church of Patterson, N. J., of which the latter is pastor. The meetings were well attended and the church greatly blessed. D. L. Moody's appointments for the winter are as follows: Tampa, Fla., Feb. 23d to March 10th; New York City, March 13th to 20th; Evanston, Ill., March 22d to 29th; Chicago, "Bible Institute Ministerial Conference," April 1st to 5th; Pittsburgh, Pa., April 5th to 30th. WORK AT HOME AND ABROAD. Tuskegee Normal Institute. The usual annual session of the Tuskegee Negro Conference took place at Tuskegee, Ala., Feb. 23d. This was immediately followed by the Workers' Conference, composed of officers and teachers of the various colored schools in the South. These two Conferences present an opportunity to study the condition and the progress of the South that is afforded nowhere else. The College Students' Conference at Northfield, Mass. Arrangements have been completed for the annual "College Conference" at Northfield, which will be held this season from July 1st to 10th, inclusive. THE CHRISTian Workers' Conference for Bible StuDY will follow the student gathering in less than three weeks, beginning July 29th and continuing sixteen days. Among those who have promised to be present are: Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, Rev. G. H. C. MacGregor, Rev. R. A. Torrey and Rev. C. I. Scofield. Tiffin, Ohio, has recently been the scene of an earnest and far-reaching gospel mission which has been held under the auspices of eleven of the leading churches. Major D. W. Whittle was invited to conduct the union meetings and a grand work of grace has resulted, both in the lives of professing Christians and among those who were enemies of Christ. The work had the sympathy of all evangelical bodies and the secular press helped in no little way to still further the work by excellent reports and editorials on the meetings. A local paper writes editorially of the mission: "It was quite an experiment to attempt to bring eleven churches into a union evangelistic movement. These churches represent such varieties in doctrines and methods in polity and policy that many predicted the utter failure of such an experiment. The pastors, however, felt that it could be successfully accomplished. They had been in the habit of counseling together frequently and by the sessions of the Pastors' Union had been brought into very close fraternity. Their feeling was, that, for the general good, denominational differences should for a time, be subordinated, and all churches should unite under the leadership of an evangelist well known for ability, experience, wisdom and consecration unto his was work. Major Whittle unanimously selected for the leader. He has been in Tiffin for two weeks and certainly the splendid character of his work fully justifies his selection. He is accomplishing the very results yearned for by the pastors, i. e., quickening the consciences of church members, giving them higher conceptions of the privileges and duties of Christian life and producing desires for fidelity in services that will yet result in having all the churches attempting larger things for man and God than have characterized them for some time. April Conference for Ministers and Christian Workers. The Third Annual Conference for Ministers and Christian Workers will hold its sessions in Chicago, at the Bible Institute, throughout the month of April. In the past, those in attendance were from as far west as the Dakotas and Texas and as far east as New Brunswick. It is expected that all sections of the Union will be represented this year. The object of this Conference is to consider and discuss the various lines of aggressive Christian work, and to listen to the best Bible instructors that can be secured. It is free, undenominational, and open to all interested in any line of Christian work. Mr. Moody will be present for some days at the opening, and Dr. A. F. Schauffler, Superintendent of the City Missions of New York, and a well-known Sunday School worker and Bible teacher. Prof. W. G. Moorehead of Xenia Theological Seminary will teach during part of the Conference. Prof. John R. Sampey of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., will deliver a course of eight lectures on his recent travels and explorations through Egypt and the Holy Land. R. A. Torrey of Chicago will be present and teach throughout the Conference. W. R. Newell, Assistant Superintendent, who teaches week-night Bible classes attended weekly by thirty-seven hundred, will tell how it is done. The Conference will be held at the Bible Institute, a center of activity in our Western metropolis. The Conference is the outgrowth or offspring of the Institute. Besides the special addresses by speakers from abroad, the regular work of the Institute will go right on. This consists of lectures each forenoon at nine and eleven o'clock, on Bible Doctrine, Bible Study by Chapters, etc., by the Superintendent, R. A. Torrey, and the Assistant Superintendent, W. R. Newell. An interesting feature of this branch of the Conference will be Mr. Torrey's class in "Bible Study by Chapters," and his class in personal work, where instruction is given in the practical details of bringing men to Christ. The Musical work will be under the direction of Prof. D. B. Towner, Superintendent of the Musical Department of the Institute. In addition to his various music classes at the Institute, which will be open to all who care to attend and receive the benefit of the instruction offered, he will give practical illustration of how to conduct Song Services to the glory of God and salvation of souls. The outside work of the Institute has always proven a profitable feature of the Conferences. It will afford all who attend an opportunity to study its aggressive methods along all lines. Not only can they study these methods as they are taught, but they can see the three hundred students at work applying them successfully to every-day Christian life. It is interesting to note how the Conference appeals to Christian interest everywhere, and how widespread the interest is. Although the meeting will not occur until April, inquiries have long been coming in as to program, arrangements for entertainment, etc. As in the past, the moderate sum of five dollars per person per week for board and room will be charged in the Institute for all who can be accommodated. The Conference occurs at the close of the winter's heavy work, and many pastors obtain leave of absence for their vacation then in order to attend the Conference. In the past, churches appreciating the great advantages attained by attending this Conference, have not only granted their pastors leave of absence, but also paid the expenses of the trip for them. These churches have been abundantly repaid for the outlay of money by receiving their pastors back again refreshed in body and with increased spiritual power. The indications are that the attendance will be much larger this year than ever before, and, great as the past blessings have been, even greater ones are expected from our heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Any one contemplating attendance can write Mr. Moody or R. A. Torrey, 80 Institute Place, Chicago. YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEPARTMENT. [All communications referring to this department should be sent to the editor, Miss Anna W. Pierson, 1127 Dean St., Brooklyn, N. Y.]. May's Sunday School Lesson. May stood by the window, pouting, and drumming on the pane. "I think it's too bad," she said to mamma, who sat sewing. "I would rather you would mind Dot for a time while I finish this," answered mamma, who looked tired. "But you said you always wanted me to study my Sunday school lesson before Sunday, and now I want to, and you won't let me, and Ida will wonder why I do not come over. Dot's all right playing with her blocks. I should think you would want me to go and study, and Ida will be so disappointed, when I said I would come." "Well, then, May, go, " said mother, quietly, and turned to her work without another word. May looked at her to see if she really meant it; for she could hardly believe she had made mamma see the thing as she saw it. And she was not quite sure she had, when, running by the window, she noticed mamma had dropped her work and had taken Dot, who was fretting, in her arms. But she ran down the street and gayly trilled by Ida's house, as she went up the path. The door opened, and a brighteyed little girl stood there smiling, clad in a long-sleeved apron. "It's you, May," she said, glancing at the quarterly May held. "I am so sorry to disappoint you, but mamma asked me to clean the silver this afternoon, as Maria is away. Just look at my hands! I knew you would be disappointed too, but I thought you would understand why I wanted to help mamma; you have such a dear one of your own. So we will have to wait till next week. And mamma said she would help me herself tonight, and that would be pay enough. I must not stay any longer now. Come in, won't you?" May declined, and as the door closed on Ida's bright face, she walked slowly toward home, rolling her lesson quarterly and thinking very hard. As she turned into the yard, she heard Dot crying, and going past the window, she saw mamma's work still on the floor, and the baby in her arms. "Back again so soon?" said mamma, as May entered. Dot stopped crying to look at her. "Yes," she faltered, putting off her hat. "Ida couldn't study just now."' "Why?" asked mamma. "'Cause she was-helping-her-mamma, ' burst out May, and running to her mother, she buried her head on her shoulder, while the sobs came fast. "Oh, is that it?" said mother, comfortingly, stroking the yellow hair. "Well, May, you can do that as well as Ida. Here is Dot, who still wants sister; and by and by, when the sewing is done, and Dot is asleep, you and I will study the lesson together." May raised her head. "That's just what Ida and her mamma are going to do," she said, surprised. "Is it not a good way when Ida is too busy to study with you?'' "O mamma," said May, coloring, "I did not mean to be so selfish! You know I'd rather And you would help me than any one else. perhaps it was because I wanted to see Ida more than it was the lesson." "I do not wonder you wanted to see a little girl like Ida," said mamma with a kiss;" I am glad you did." - Helen T. Wilder, in The Christian. Trying it Himself. Four boys had just come out of the Cumberland Street church and were hurrying down the steps when an elderly man approached and inquired: "Is the pastor inside?" "No, sir," Joey answered politely, "the ladies are having a meeting there, but I can show you where he lives if you like." "Never mind, thank you, I was passing and hearing voices inside, thought Mr. Payson might be there. Another time will do as well." The old gentleman proceeded down the street and the boys started off. "Why did you offer to go with him when we are in such a hurry?" asked Ben impatiently. "It would only take a minute to go with him round the corner," answered Joey quietly. "Well, we have already wasted time enough going to the church on that errand. We might might have been off half an hour ago." Just then Joey paused to pick up an orange peel and throw it into an ash barrel. "There you go again, always stopping to do things like that," grumbled Ben. ་་ was the reply. "But surely no one ought to leave a peel on the walk for people to slip on, "It was left there for us." "But that is no reason we should leave it for others," Louie interposed. The boys had now reached Ben's home and he hurried in for his bicycle. Hardly had he closed the gate, however, when his mother appeared and said: "My son, don't forget that you are to put that wood into the shed this afternoon. You had better get right at it." All the eagerness had left Ben's face, and he stood looking helplessly at his companions. "Can't you leave it until tomorrow?" asked Louie. "No, I was to put it in yesterday and the day before and forgot it both times. Father would be angry if I left it again." "Is there much of it?" inquired Joey. "Yes, a big pile. It would take ever so long. You'll have to go on without me. It's too bad, we haven't had a day like this for weeks." "We might all help, and then go," suggested Joey. "Of course," agreed Ned. Ben's face brightened considerably. "Yes, and four of us will make quick work of it," said Louie with enthusiasm. "If it would take you two hours, four of us ought to be able to do it in half an hour, and we can be off by four o'clock." Meanwhile Joey had already gone to the back of the yard and set to work. Ned and Louie followed. Ben hesitated for a moment. He remembered how disobliging he had shown himself, and he was ashamed to accept the help of his friends. "Really, boys, I hate to keep you," he said meekly. "It won't hurt us to wait half an hour," replied Louie, good naturedly. "No, indeed," echoed Ned. Joey was going off with his arms full of wood. He was whistling and hadn't heard these remarks. Ben looked thoughtfully after him. "He doesn't mind, I'm sure," he said to himself. 1. (Those under sixteen years.) ANSWERS TO JANUARY QUIZ. (1) Healing of the leper. (2) Healing centurion's servant. sending them unto the herd of swine. 2. Jesus had commanded them to go to the other side of the sea, and so they might have known that they would reach there in safety. Above all, they had the presence of Christ with them, which should have dispelled all fear. -Nellie Carruthers. CORRECT ANSWERS GIVEN BY Nellie Carruthers (Toronto), aged 14 years. SECOND BEST ANSWERS GIVEN BY Margie Flack (Chicago), aged 9 years. Mary Knight (Ont.), aged 10 years. BIBLICAL NOTES AND QUERIES. BY. C. I. SCOFIELD, D. D. F., Lynn, Mass. I. I Cor. xv. 29. "Baptized for the dead" does not mean that there was a custom in the early church of baptizing a living person as a proxy for some believer who had died unbaptized. The passage must be construed with the context. Paul's argument is that if there is no resurrection Christianity is a delusion and imposture. If that hope is vain, the saints who have fallen asleep are perished, and so also will those who, through baptism, have come forward to take their places, perish. "For the dead" is, literally, in the place of [not in behalf of] the dead ones." We, through baptism as the act of public profession, have taken the places in the ranks left vacant by the saints who have fallen asleep. 2. No. No doctrine of purgatory can be built on 1 Cor. iii. 15. The passage refers to the testing of our works, not of our characters. If we are upon the "foundation" we are saved, but if our works have been of the "wood, hay and stubble" kind we shall lose our reward. The New Testament Scriptures distinguish always between the believer's salvation, which is the alone work of Christ and a free gift, and his rewards, which are earned after salvation is received. The Scriptures know nothing of purgations after death. 3. The church is both the body and bride of Christ. The very passages which you quote prove it. Eph. v. 22-31 (with Gen. ii. 21-24) and Rev. xxi. 9, 10 (with Gal. iv. 26). See, also, 2 Cor. xi. 1-3. J. A. H., Comanche, Texas. You ask what is meant by "spirits in prison"? 1 Pet. iii. 19. The context answers. The reference is to those antediluvians to whom Noah preached while preparing the ark. They are now "in prison." During the 120 years of their probation, Christ by Hi Spiri in Noah, preached to them. Mrs. F. H. L., Chicago. 1. Incomparably the best book on Revelation is "Lectures on the Revelation" by W. Kelly. 2. No, the old man is not cleansed by the blood. He is crucified with Christ-slain, not washed. It is the human soul and spirit which are cleansed from "all filthiness of the flesh," or from "sin." Neither the old nature (which is incorrigible), nor the new nature (which is perfectly holy) are acted upon by the blood, but ourselves. Each of us is a tri-unity, "Spirit, soul and body," 1 Thess. v. 23, which together make our personality or being. Grace finds this being dominated by a fallen nature which comes to an end in the reckoning of God in the crucifixion of Christ. Regeneration imparts a new nature, but neither a new spirit, soul nor body. These, defiled by the flesh," "sin," are cleansed by the blood. J. P., Bristol, Pa. You ask why the sin-offering spoken of in Leviticus iv. 31 is said to be "for a sweet savour"? Strictly, it is not the sin-offering as such which is declared to be a sweet savour, but the fat of the sin-offering. The answer is found in the principle of graded responsibility which runs through the doctrine of Leviticus iv. The offering required for a priest, or for the nation, was the costliest and highest. When "one of the common people'' is reached, while he is by no means excused, most tender grace is shown in his behalf. If his poverty be extreme he may even offer an unbloody sacrifice (v. 11). It is this grace which is manifested in allowing a sweet savour (or peace offering) character to the fat of his sin-offering. The one offering is at once expiatory, and communion-restoring. It is "compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way" (Heb. v. 2). 2. Exodus xxxii. 29 and Lev. viii. 33, give the two sides of consecration, the human and the divine. Both unite in Exodus xxix. The human is yieldedness; all the rest is divine. The same is seen in the consecration of the Temple. Solomon presented it to Jehovah, whereupon He filled it with glory. 3. You ask how the Scripture teaching about consecration applies to the "consecration meeting" idea of the Christian Endeavor Society? The root error of that idea is that true consecration can ever be repeated. The human side of consecration is definite surrender of the whole being to God; and the divine side is acceptance. Solomon could not have "reconsecrated" the Temple because it was no longer his. Reconsecration is an utterly unbiblical idea. According to Scripture the remedy for the defilement of consecrated persons and things, is not reconsecration but cleansing. Christ found the Temple in possession of money changers, and He drove them out; He did not reconsecrate the Temple. |