Page:Southern Presbyterian Journal, Volume 13.djvu/981

 judgment seat of Christ; "for God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world by that man whom he hath ordained;" "for the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."

And, to conclude the Confession, "The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect, and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient . . . As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security and be always watchful because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen" (sections ii, iii).

ANGLERS

(By the Editor of The Testament for Fishers of Men)

Lesson No. 103

"REMOTE CONTROL"

To chop wood, broil a steak, thread a needle or milk a cow, one must have proximity. These and a thousand other things we do cannot be accomplished at long distance. But prayer is an exercise that has no need to take account of space or remoteness. This is especially true in personal evangelism. Indeed in the venture to win a soul to Christ, prayer is a must. God evidently intends it that way. There is no rule that will fully apply in every case, for the simple reason that no two cases are exactly alike. No two people are exactly alike (not even twins) and no two sets of circumstances are the same. No two days are alike. Today is different from yesterday, and tomorrow will not be the same. The man himself in some way changes from day to day. Your approach to him varies, accordingly. That is one reason why we have to depend on prayer, step by step. It is the one Christian activity above all others which requires instant and continuous contact with the Holy Spirit—through prayer. He knows, and is so ready to direct what step to take next. Success in soul winning is sometimes achieved by "remote control." This truth is so expansive that actually the fervent and faithful prayer of a "shut-in" can engage the power of God in the effort of another soul winner who is far out of sight or hearing.

ANGLERS has just received an account of a soul won by "remote control," and is happy to pass it on.

Dear ANGLERS:

Sunday, while my husband was visiting the jail, I said to the children, "Let's pray for Daddy," so we stopped and each one prayed, asking for his guidance and that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts of the prisoners to receive the message of salvation. Then I glanced at the clock to see if it was time to feed the baby. It was 5:30 p. m. That night when Daddy returned, he told us that he had gone from cell to cell, but no one seemed interested; so he gave out tracts until he reached the last cell and this young man accepted Christ as his Saviour. I asked, "What time was it?" He said, "5.30." So I say to the wives and mothers, let's undergird the work of our laymen with prayer, and reap the rewards He promises in James 5:16 and Psalms 145:18. (Name Withheld)

HELPS FOR UNDERSTANDING SCRIPTURE READINGS IN DAY BY DAY

Clinton C. Baker

Sun., April 24, Revelation 1:4-6.

These verses are addressed to Christians who are going through severe persecution. Notice that the "grace" and "peace" of v. 4 is said to proceed from all three persons of the Godhead (vv.4-5). (The seven spirits probably refer to the Holy Spirit.) What evidences of strength and power do you see in God the Father (vv.4a,8)? In what specific way would each phrase describing the person or work of Christ in vv.5-6 help support a group of persecuted believers? How is Christ's love expressed in terms of what He has done for us (vv.5b,6)? How would the promise of the coming of Christ (v. 7) give assurance that God's judgment would be visited upon the persecutors? How completely does the triune God meet the needs of His persecuted children? How completely have I allowed Him to meet my needs?

Mon., April 25, Rev. 5:9-10. Picture the scene portrayed in vv.1-10—the throne, the scroll, the four living creatures, the Lamb. Notice how Christ (the Lamb) is exalted. What is the answer to the angel's proclamation of v.2 (vv.3-5)? How does this answer add to the drama of the Lamb's appearance in vv.6-8? What phrases lend the note of authority and power to the Lamb (vv.5,6)? The scroll the Lamb took (v. 7) is the scroll of the destiny of history. Observe that it is assumed that the Lamb has already conquered history (vv.5,9,10). What event has made this assumption possible (v. 9)? What is there in this passage that should move my lips to proclaim the glory of Christ?

Tues., April 26, Rev. 7:10,12,15-17. Verses 9-17 are a preview of that Great Day when all believers of all generations will be APRIL 20, 1955